Chapter 124: Far-reaching Influence

Through exchanges with villagers, Chen Deming developed a strong interest in Baishu Bay's mutton and agreed to Secretary Zhou Xi's request to dine in Baishu Bay.

Thus, township government chef Chen Tianhao became the busiest person, hurriedly slaughtering two sheep and starting to demonstrate his unique skills under the supervision of logistics personnel.

Baishu Bay might be the township that most resembles a rural area in the whole province, allowing Chen Deming to find the feeling of being at the grassroots many years ago, as if returning to those passionate years.

Returning to the township government, the sky was already dark. Arriving at the kitchen, the pungent aroma of meat made the leaders' appetites open wide.

When serving the meat, Lu Fan introduced: "Secretary Chen, leaders, our Baishu Bay thyme mutton is famous far and wide and is in short supply, mainly because the sheep eat thyme. Thyme, also known as ground pepper or thyme, is rare in the country, but it is everywhere in our area. It is a natural seasoning."

"Thyme mutton has no muttony smell, the meat is fat but not greasy, fragrant but not fishy, fresh but not muttony. Sprinkle some coriander and green onions, and it becomes an authentic signature delicacy. Eat two bowls beautifully, and you will immediately sweat all over, full of fragrance, and it is exceptionally comfortable, enough to make people reminisce for days and linger."

"One side of water and soil nurtures one side of people. Thyme mutton soup is also a top-grade tonic, rich in protein, vitamins, and trace elements needed by the human body, with the effects of benefiting qi and nourishing deficiency, appetizing and strengthening the spleen, enhancing appetite, and promoting blood circulation. It is the best natural tonic. After eating, energy gradually becomes vigorous, the face is radiant, and vitality will soon be restored."

Under Lu Fan's language "temptation," the mutton was just out of the pot, and the leaders were eager to eat. After a while, they were sweating profusely, and praises followed one after another.

After eating a whole bowl and drinking the mutton soup clean, Chen Deming put down his bowl and chopsticks and laughed: "This is the fullest meal I've had in recent years. Baishu Bay mutton really lives up to its reputation. Even good wine fears a deep alley; we must increase the publicity of thyme mutton. Yixing, you can consider positioning Baishu Bay mutton as a signature dish for the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government reception."

Gao Yixing put down his bowl and chopsticks and said: "Okay, Secretary, I will implement it immediately."

After the meal, the research group returned to Yingjiang.

Before leaving, a shocking scene occurred. First, Zhenbei District Chief Wang Hongtao patted Lu Fan on the shoulder and chatted for a few words, and then Provincial Party Committee Secretary Chen Deming specifically called Lu Fan aside and chatted for a long time.

"Through research, it can be seen that the masses' satisfaction is very high. Although you are young, your work is very effective."

"Grassroots work is like this. We must go deep into the masses, walk into the fields, listen to the voices and calls of the masses, and effectively solve the urgent, difficult, and anxious problems of the masses."

Lu Fan didn't know why and was terrified, so he could only bite the bullet and say: "I will definitely keep the Secretary's earnest teachings in mind, keep your earnest entrustment in mind, be brave in taking responsibility, dare to act, and do my best to make the common people live better!"

"What year did you start working?"

"Secretary, I started working in 2007."

Until the Coaster left, Lu Fan was still in the clouds, unable to figure it out, not understanding what Secretary Chen intended. A dignified Provincial Party Committee Secretary, no matter how close to the people, wouldn't be idle enough to chat with a small section-level cadre, right? Could it be because the results were too outstanding and he "took a fancy" to himself? Be his secretary? Or want to promote him? Not very likely, right?

Lu Fan was confused. Secretary Gao Yuanfei, County Chief Hu Chengwei, and even Deputy Secretary Bian Jide were shocked. They really wanted to ask Lu Fan, what exactly did the Provincial Party Committee Secretary say to you?

After the Coaster's shadow could no longer be seen, Gao Yuanfei regained the demeanor of a County Party Committee Secretary and said: "Chengwei, Jide, you go back first. I will talk to Lu Fan about work before going back."

Sending the two leaders away, Lu Fan invited Gao Yuanfei to his office and served him good cigarettes and tea.

Gao Yuanfei couldn't hold back his curiosity and asked: "Xiaofan, what specific instructions did Secretary Chen have just now?"

Lu Fan told the truth: "I'm also confused. Secretary Chen just encouraged me a few words, emphasizing the importance of grassroots work, young cadres should pay attention to learning, work hard, and so on. Then he learned about some of my basic situation. Secretary, is Secretary Chen going to promote me?"

Gao Yuanfei laughed: "You're beautiful, your teeth ache, just thinking about beautiful things! Is there a possibility that he wants to introduce a partner to you? Besides that, I can't think of anything else. Hey, I'm also talking nonsense. How can a dignified Provincial Party Committee Secretary have this leisure? I think it won't be a bad thing, let's wait and see!"

Lu Fan took the opportunity to say: "Secretary, you see Secretary Chen is so concerned about the development of Baishu Bay. It's not appropriate for us not to do a good job. Should the County Party Committee support it specifically?"

"What crooked ideas are you having again? The village-level roads in your township have been included in the plan and will start construction at the end of the month."

"Secretary, isn't there still twenty kilometers not included in the plan? It's really uncomfortable. There are 81 natural villages that are muddy paths. This year, the development momentum of greenhouses in the township is good, and the industrial roads are also very worrying. Tomatoes and the like are relatively precious. After being picked from the greenhouses, they are bumped to the road, which greatly affects the quality and certainly can't be sold for a good price."

Gao Yuanfei considered it and said: "You have to eat rice one bite at a time. I can't just manage Baishu Bay, right?"

"Secretary, there is another big problem that makes people worry even more. The township government still owes more than 6 million in 'famine'."

"I can't figure it out. How many years has your township been? You haven't done anything, how did you owe more than 6 million?"

"Secretary, you don't know. This is a debt owed by four or five terms. Although the township hasn't achieved any results, no work can be left undone, such as environmental governance fees, maintenance fees, village-level transfer payments, welfare expenditures, official expenses, etc. Every year, it is a considerable expense. Only after going down the river do you know the depth of the water, and only after being the head of the house do you know the price of firewood and rice. The expenses are too high!"

"I think you all ate it!"

"Secretary, this, sometimes there is really no way. We are considered to owe the least. Other townships are basically starting at 10 million, and there are many with 30 or 40 million."

"Others are not in a hurry, why are you in a hurry? Being the number one leader requires the ability to control the overall situation and maintain the operation of the unit."

"I might be different from others. I feel uncomfortable when I owe money. Secretary, the township is indeed ambitious this year and will definitely have earth-shaking changes, but money is needed everywhere. You should support it a little!"

"We'll talk about it later. The money matter has to be discussed with the County Chief. Alright, I won't talk to you anymore, I'm going back to the county."

"I'll send you back, and I can report on work on the way."

"You stay still, it's not like I don't have a driver!"

The next day, the Municipal Transportation Bureau suddenly visited Baishu Bay, and it was the Deputy Director who led the team to research in Baishu Bay, just because of a sentence when Provincial Party Committee Secretary Chen Deming went back. This road really needs to be repaired!

Municipal Party Committee Secretary Zhou Xi immediately instructed the Municipal Transportation Bureau to fully support the road construction in Baishu Bay Township.

Several leaders of the Transportation Bureau were not sure about the scale of "full support," so they personally went to Baishu Bay for on-site inspection to calculate how much funding would be needed to build it all.

Hundreds or tens of millions are astronomical figures for Baishu Bay, but for a big spender like the Municipal Transportation Bureau, tens of millions of funds don't even make them blink, especially with the personal instructions of the Municipal Party Committee Secretary, they have to go all out.

The God of Wealth had arrived; Lu Fan naturally treated them as guests of honor with full enthusiasm, not only accompanying the research throughout the process but also "shamelessly" keeping them, and at night, "tables" and "Huazi" were served vigorously, and finally everyone was drunk.

When they left the next day, the trunks of the Municipal Transportation Bureau's cars were stuffed with Baishu Bay's thyme mutton, just because of a sentence from the Deputy Director. He asked Lu Fan to calculate how much budget was needed to repair all the roads in Baishu Bay. The city is indeed more generous than the county!

The Provincial Party Committee Secretary came once, and good things came to Baishu Bay one after another. The 5 million industrial support special fund of the Municipal Finance Bureau flew to Ningyang County "wearing a hat" and flew to Baishu Bay, making Lu Fan happy, and the whole township government was full of joy.

Originally, Secretary Gao Yuanfei wanted to discuss with the County Chief to solve the road construction problem in Baishu Bay, but he didn't expect the city to take action directly, and the Municipal Government also gave money, so the County Government couldn't be indifferent.

County Chief Hu Chengwei took the initiative to find Secretary Gao Yuanfei to discuss how to support the development of Baishu Bay. He had to follow the Mayor.

Thus, 2 million in special funds were transferred to the Baishu Bay Township Government account. Lu Fan had never even thought about such a rich life.

At the same time, in the Ningyang officialdom, Lu Fan seemed to have been put on a mysterious veil, and was rumored to be god-like, with various versions emerging one after another.

For this reason, Lu Fan made a special trip to the office of County Party Committee Deputy Secretary Bian Jide to dispel Secretary Bian's concerns. Some things are not explained clearly, and there is always a knot in the heart.

Holding 7 million in funds, plus the 2 million Lu Fan had saved by being stingy, nearly 10 million in funds gave Lu Fan enough confidence to focus on seeking development for Baishu Bay.

After work, Lu Fan went to Xiangyang Village to stroll around. Arriving at the "Yitiaolong Wood" coffin shop, he saw more than 40 carpenters with hundreds of apprentices still busy, and the scene was quite spectacular.

Old Cao came over to say hello, and Lu Fan asked: "Are there many orders? It's already dark!"

Old Cao laughed: "The reputation of our Baishu Bay coffins is well-known. General Manager Su is busy receiving orders all day, and they are already lined up until next year. Handmade is too slow."

"Old Cao, handmade is our brand. Don't cut corners for the sake of making money or saving trouble. Once the reputation is stinky, the tools for eating will be lost!"

"Secretary Lu, rest assured, I'm watching! When this batch of apprentices finishes their apprenticeship, we will have enough manpower."

"Old Cao, I've been busy lately and haven't paid attention. How many shares did you invest?"

Old Cao laughed: "600,000, plus technology, accounting for 20% of the shares."

Lu Fan laughed: "Great courage, but it's hard to lose money with this posture!"

"It's all thanks to you. I'm full of confidence now!" ===== CHAPTER 125 =====