Chapter 144

In recent days, Lu Fan had appeared spirited and radiant, as if he had inexhaustible energy.

In order for Baishu Bay to achieve even better results and rankings in the year-end assessment, Lu Fan had been racking his brains and going all out. He was busy shuttling between various relevant departments all day—the Discipline Inspection Commission, the Organization Department, the Propaganda Department, the Economic Development Bureau... these were all key units responsible for assessment indicators!

He tirelessly reported his work to the leaders, actively striving for a better ranking.

If they could win first place in the year-end assessment, the county would reward them with 500,000 yuan!

With this bonus, there would be no need to worry about the year-end bonus this year. The cadres had worked hard for a whole year, implementing every task deployed by the Township Party Committee with high standards and high quality; they must be given tangible rewards, so as to further stimulate everyone's work enthusiasm and morale, which was also the responsibility of the top leader.

If you can't promote them and can't give them real benefits, why would the cadres go all out to work for you? No matter how well you paint a pie, it won't satisfy their hunger.

For Lu Fan, Baishu Bay was not only a good development platform but also a crucial starting point.

He knew clearly that he must firmly grasp this rare opportunity, and through unremitting efforts and struggle, achieve something, so that he could pursue higher and further goals!

"Secretary, our township's work in all aspects this year has been at the forefront of the county. We really need a good ranking to motivate the cadres, and next year's work will definitely advance triumphantly and create new brilliance!" Lu Fan was "pestering" Gao Yuanfei in his office, asking for a ranking for Baishu Bay.

Having been a secretary for several years, Lu Fan knew very well that the assessment was just the foundation; the final say on the ranking still rested with the Secretary. The Assessment Office would adjust the assessment methods according to the Secretary's instructions to "make" the ranking the Secretary wanted.

Gao Yuanfei said: "How many times have you come for this matter? I have a bottom line in my heart; work must be evaluated comprehensively."

As they were talking, Gao Yuanfei's mobile phone rang. He looked at the number and answered immediately, saying: "Hello, Minister, what are your instructions?"

Municipal Organization Department Minister Li Guoquan said: "Yuanfei, if you're not busy, come to my office."

Gao Yuanfei said straightforwardly: "Okay, Minister, I'll set off now."

After hanging up the phone, Gao Yuanfei stood up and said: "Minister Li Guoquan is looking for me, I have to go to the city. You go back to work; what's yours won't run away!"

"Thank you for your support, Secretary. Should I drive you to the city?"

"No need, I have a driver. It's the end of the year, you go back to the township and prepare some mutton gifts; we need about 80 portions this year."

"Okay, Secretary, you can rest assured with my work!"

An hour later, Gao Yuanfei arrived in front of the office of Li Guoquan, Minister of the Municipal Organization Department. He knocked on the door lightly, and after hearing a "Please come in" from inside, he pushed the door open and walked in.

"Minister, what instructions do you have for me?"

Li Guoquan personally stood up to pour a cup of tea for Gao Yuanfei, then placed it in front of him, and said with a smile: "Don't be in a hurry, come, have a drink of water."

After Gao Yuanfei sat down, Li Guoquan then spoke: "I called you over because I want to discuss with you the matter of personnel appointments and removals."

Gao Yuanfei muttered in his heart, who had pulled strings again? He tentatively asked: "Is it the County Party Committee team or the government team?"

Li Guoquan shook his head and replied: "Neither. This time, Ningyang needs to make some adjustments internally. According to the instructions of the main leaders, Niu Qinghe from the Municipal Government Office needs to go down to the grassroots level to take up a post, so we have to vacate a position for a township party committee secretary for him. I think Baishu Bay will do!"

"Ah?" Hearing this, Gao Yuanfei was so surprised he almost jumped off the sofa. He never expected such an arrangement. Why Baishu Bay?

He hesitated for a moment, but still plucked up the courage to say to Li Guoquan: "I will definitely implement the Minister's instructions seriously, but can he be arranged to another township?"

Li Guoquan said in a serious tone: "Yuanfei, I don't know the specific reasons either, but this is designated by the leaders. We cannot engage in roundabout tactics, and we must not offer any discounts in execution!"

Gao Yuanfei understood in his heart that Li Guoquan was right; since it was a leader's decision, he must obey unconditionally. But he really couldn't figure out why they chose Baishu Bay of all places. What about Lu Fan? He had just been arranging work for him.

Looking at Gao Yuanfei's troubled expression, Li Guoquan knew what Gao Yuanfei was thinking at this moment, so he threw out the "sweet date" he had prepared.

"What, are there any difficulties? I know that the township party committee secretary Lu Fan was once your secretary, but 'trees die when moved, people live when moved'! This matter was personally instructed by Mayor Weidong, and we can only follow orders. However, to relieve the personnel pressure in Ningyang, you can recommend a candidate for a deputy division-level leading cadre, and the Organization Department will be responsible for arranging the position," Li Guoquan said lightly.

Listening to Li Guoquan's words, Gao Yuanfei immediately understood that the matter was already set in stone and could no longer be changed.

At the same time, a bad feeling welled up in his heart regarding Lu Fan, so he tentatively asked: "Minister, regarding Lu Fan's adjustment, are there any specific instructions?"

After thinking for a moment, Li Guoquan said: "The adjustment of section-level cadres belongs to Ningyang's internal affairs, and I personally don't have too many opinions."

After Ningyang's plan was reported, Li Guoquan decided to let the Mayor take a look to avoid doing the wrong thing.

After leaving Li Guoquan's office, Gao Yuanfei felt somewhat heavy. He walked silently in the corridor, his steps appearing somewhat slow. He didn't know how to open his mouth to Lu Fan. From the bottom of his heart, he valued this secretary very much—down-to-earth, enterprising, sensible, knowing his place, knowing when to advance or retreat, and having the big picture in mind. The work handed over to him had never experienced any delays.

More importantly, Baishu Bay was about to welcome large-scale oil development, which was exactly the time to produce results. Adjusting Lu Fan's position at such a critical juncture seemed difficult to justify, whether from an emotional or logical standpoint. Besides, Lu Fan was "one of his own"!

He understood that if this matter was not handled well, it would bring no small trouble and impact to Lu Fan. However, a higher-ranking official could crush people; Li Guoquan had a deep background, not to mention it was the Mayor's instruction. Now he had to face this thorny problem.

Before Gao Yuanfei could go downstairs, Deputy Minister of the Organization Department Sun Rui came out and called him to a stop: "Secretary Gao, not busy? Come in and sit for a while?"

Gao Yuanfei also wanted to inquire about the ins and outs of the matter, so he said with a smile: "Am I disturbing Minister Sun?"

"Secretary Gao's arrival is a great honor. You are welcome to 'disturb' often!"

After entering the door, Sun Rui brewed a pot of good tea to entertain Gao Yuanfei, then asked casually: "Did the Minister give instructions?"

"Are you talking about the Baishu Bay matter? Minister Sun, I am a bit confused, please give me some guidance!"

"I wouldn't dare talk about guidance, but I can reveal a piece of news to you. Some time ago, I met with Secretary Le in Chang'an. In our conversation, I felt that the leader was very displeased with Lu Fan, the Party Committee Secretary of Baishu Bay Township. Niu Qinghe is going to be sent down to Baishu Bay; how do you plan to settle Lu Fan?"

Sun Rui had served as Le Xueren's secretary. Gao Yuanfei immediately realized the root of this matter! So he asked calmly: "Minister Sun, do you have any suggestions?"

Sun Rui said bluntly: "Since the leader is displeased, why not arrange a leisure post to temper his temperament? Letting time help him settle down is also a good thing for him! Young people, they must be able to hold onto prosperity, but also endure loneliness!"

Gao Yuanfei was noncommittal and said: "Thank you for your guidance, Minister Sun!"

After returning to Ningyang, Gao Yuanfei immediately convened a meeting of the five-person group to discuss the personnel adjustment plan.

In any case, he had to implement Minister Li Guoquan's instructions first and vacate the position of Baishu Bay Township Party Committee Secretary.

After everyone arrived, Gao Yuanfei said: "Today's meeting has only one item: to adjust the Baishu Bay Township Party Committee Secretary."

Hearing this, even County Head Hu Chengwei was very surprised. Bian Jide asked directly: "Secretary, did Lu Fan make a mistake?"

Gao Yuanfei had unspeakable bitterness and could only say: "This is a leader's instruction. Someone is going to Baishu Bay, sent down from the city, and I have no choice."

Once these words were spoken, everyone had nothing to say.

Bian Jide asked again: "Secretary, how will Lu Fan be arranged?"

Gao Yuanfei looked at Organization Department Minister Hao Qiang and asked: "In the last few months, are there any functional bureau directors who have reached the age limit?"

Hao Qiang thought for a while and said: "The Archives Bureau Director has two months left, and the Science and Technology Bureau Director has four months left."

Gao Yuanfei shook his head and said: "Not suitable. Let Lu Fan be 'inventoried' in the Organization Department first, and we will arrange it when there is a suitable position."

Bian Jide said: "The work in Baishu Bay has shown great improvement, and oil development is coming soon. We still need to find a suitable position; we cannot let cadres who want to do things, are willing to do things, and can do things feel disheartened!"

After the meeting ended, Gao Yuanfei thought for a long time and decided to talk to Lu Fan personally, so he dialed the phone and said: "Come to my office." After saying that, he hung up the phone.

Although Lu Fan didn't know why, he set off for the county seat immediately.

Walking into Gao Yuanfei's office, Gao Yuanfei signaled Lu Fan to sit down, feeling some guilt and a trace of helplessness in his heart.

After a moment of silence, he told Lu Fan frankly about the job adjustment, saying he would be temporarily "inventoried" in the Organization Department.

After hearing this, a look of surprise and disappointment appeared on Lu Fan's face, but he soon returned to calm and bitterly expressed his obedience to the organization's arrangement.

Gao Yuanfei was somewhat surprised by Lu Fan's reaction; he had originally thought Lu Fan would be very disappointed or complain.

After a moment of silence, Gao Yuanfei said helplessly: "Your ability and work achievements are obvious to all, and I don't want to see such a situation either, but the matter is set in stone."

The thing he was worried about had finally come. Lu Fan gave a miserable smile and said: "Secretary, I've caused you trouble! I'm just a bit unwilling. To be honest, I have some ideas for the development of Baishu Bay. I originally planned to implement them step by step to realize my aspirations, but now it can only be aborted halfway.

All kinds of life are helpless, as if tightly bound by an invisible force, difficult to break free. Things go against one's wishes, and one is powerless!"