Chapter 146: Gao Yuanfei is in a tight spot!

After returning to Ningyang, Lu Fan headed to the Organization Department. Although he felt uncomfortable, he knew that the more critical the moment, the more one must observe political protocol.

Hao Qiang looked at Lu Fan, a flash of guilt in his eyes; after all, he hadn't taken few "gifts" from the man during the holidays!

He said softly in consolation, "It is truly infuriating that such a thing has happened; it leaves one helpless and speechless. In the end, an arm cannot twist a thigh. Secretary Bian did his best to fight for you at the Five-Person Small Group meeting. One could tell that Secretary Gao was also in a difficult position, but some things are simply beyond our control."

"However, rest assured, your abilities are plain for all to see. Units like the Science and Technology Bureau or the Archives Bureau will not even be considered for your next appointment."

"The root lies above. To solve this problem thoroughly, one must find the root of the illness and then prescribe the right medicine!" After saying this, Department Head Hao sighed heavily.

"Thank you for your guidance, Department Head! I am currently a cadre waiting for employment, so I ask for your continued care! I will take this time to rest. I am asking for leave from you; I won't be coming to the Organization Department for now. If there is anything, notify me at any time—I am at your beck and call!"

"Do you still need to come to the Organization Department to clock in? Just rest easy for a few days, recharge your batteries; your appointment won't be delayed for long!"

After walking out of the Organization Department, Lu Fan headed to Chang'an to "report" his work to Department Head Han Guishan. As the saying goes, the crying child gets the milk.

The current situation was exceptionally difficult for him. Relying solely on his own strength, it was hard to break the deadlock. At this critical juncture, he had to exhaust every means to find a way out.

Upon arriving at the Finance Department, Lu Fan waited for over an hour before walking into the office with a nervous heart to sit across from Department Head Han.

Facing this powerful and influential Finance Department Head, Lu Fan stated the predicament he was currently facing without reservation and sincerely requested the Department Head's guidance and support.

Although Lu Fan was earnest and sincere, he still had no bottom line in his heart—he didn't know if Department Head Han was willing to intervene in this matter. After all, the officialdom is like a battlefield; everyone has their own considerations and interests. At this moment, Lu Fan could only pray silently...

After a long while, Han Guishan said, "Life is like this; ups and downs are normal. You must not be disheartened or lose confidence."

"I have thought about your situation. It is likely that some leader in the city gave a hard order to the county. Gao Yuanfei is a man who has more slickness than courage; you should weigh this yourself. Of course, he is still the County Party Committee Secretary, and everything must go through him. I will find time to call and ask him. However, I think it is highly probable that Le Xueren exerted his influence. He was previously the Executive Vice Mayor of Yingjiang and is on very good terms with Mayor Sun Weidong. It would be inappropriate for me to intervene directly; I can only hint at it to Sun Weidong. After all, he is a veteran mayor and is on the verge of being promoted to Municipal Party Secretary; whether he gives me face or not is another matter!"

With the matter having reached this point, one could only do their best and leave the rest to fate. Lu Fan said, "Department Head, I have caused you trouble!"

"Go and clear your mind! You have not committed any errors; a new work position will certainly be arranged as soon as possible. This is beyond doubt. Do not worry too much; I will continue to monitor this matter."

Coming out of the Finance Department, Lu Fan felt what it meant to have the heart but lack the strength. However, he also felt relieved; he had done everything he could.

If this path was blocked, then he could only seek justice in his own way!

At this time, Gao Yuanfei was indeed caught in a dilemma. How to place Lu Fan left him hesitant. Saying there were no positions was nonsense; if a County Party Committee Secretary truly wanted to arrange a position, it would be effortless, especially since there was now a quota for recommending a Deputy Division Level official. The main thing was that he wanted to be a "good guy" and offend neither side.

Director of the Civil Affairs Bureau—this was the most ideal position in Gao Yuanfei's mind. Not too high, not too low, not too bad, not too good, not too fat, not too thin; it seemed just right!

If he hadn't been as meticulous and calculating as silk, how could someone like Gao Yuanfei, who came from the countryside, have achieved what he had today? Yet, at this moment, a worry lingered in his heart, as if he had missed some crucial detail.

After racking his brains in bitter thought, Gao Yuanfei suddenly had a flash of inspiration—Lu Fan was Wang Hongtao's student!

What was this teacher's attitude toward Lu Fan, exactly? Gao Yuanfei couldn't be sure, so he personally dialed Wang Hongtao's phone to get to the bottom of it.

Wang Hongtao was discussing matters related to debt clearance with the Audit Bureau Director in his office when his phone suddenly rang.

He glanced at the caller ID, signaled the Audit Bureau Director to wait a moment, and answered the phone with a smile, "Secretary Yuanfei, what is the matter?"

A voice came from the other end of the line: "Secretary Wang, there is a situation I must report to you regarding Lu Fan!"

"Oh? What happened? He didn't stir up any trouble, did he? Or perhaps... he has achieved some results?"

Although his tone was relaxed, his words revealed his concern for Lu Fan.

Listening to the tone, Gao Yuanfei was glad he had made this call in time. The current Wang Hongtao was extraordinary; not yet thirty, he was already a member of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee and the Zhenbei District Party Committee Secretary. He was a "rocket" cadre, appreciated by many leaders, and his upward momentum was visible to the naked eye.

Gao Yuanfei said with a helpless tone, "There is no problem with Lu Fan's work. In Baishu Bay's annual target responsibility assessment this year, he successfully reversed the situation from last place and will definitely rank in the top two. It's just that some accidents occurred. A few days ago, the Municipal Organization Department gave me a hard order, saying that the main leaders had spoken, and someone was going to Baishu Bay. Forced by circumstances, Lu Fan has already stepped down from his post as Township Party Committee Secretary."

Wang Hongtao fell silent. He raised his hand and waved, signaling the Audit Bureau Director to leave first. He then spoke:

"Comrade Yuanfei, Lu Fan himself hasn't committed any faults, right? And his work performance can be described as commendable, right? How can the Ningyang County Party Committee violate the principles it has always upheld just because of a few words from someone? Where is the fairness and justice in selecting and appointing cadres? Will those cadres who pour their hearts into their work, who are diligent and uncomplaining, feel cold-hearted or even disillusioned because of this?"

"I personally feel that the position adjustment decision made by the Ningyang County Party Committee regarding Lu Fan is open to question. We cannot let cadres who do the work both sweat and shed tears! I remember Lu Fan served as your secretary, right?"

A nameless anger rose in Wang Hongtao's heart, and he felt contempt for Gao Yuanfei. He felt that this person was far too slick, not even daring to protect his own secretary. He was simply a typical "official oil-slick," and he was ashamed to be associated with him!

At the same time, Gao Yuanfei felt the sharpness of Wang Hongtao's words for the first time and was somewhat at a loss.

Only then did he realize, as if waking from a dream, that the person on the other end of the phone was a dignified member of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee—his superior!

Wang Hongtao did not see that Gao Yuanfei's face was very ugly at this moment, his lips trembling slightly, his heart filled with disappointment and frustration.

One rank higher in officialdom crushes a person; when one needs to play the "grandson," one must still play it!

Gao Yuanfei braced himself and said, "Secretary Wang, I did indeed have some oversights. There was really no other way; Department Head Guoquan gave the order personally..."

Wang Hongtao interrupted in a serious tone, "Comrade Yuanfei, we shoulder a heavy responsibility for the cultivation of young cadres! Only by going all out to help them can they move forward steadily, go further, and have a bright path."

"As for the Organization Department, I will certainly go. I believe the organization will uphold a fair and just attitude toward every cadre."

"Furthermore, regarding certain unhealthy tendencies and crooked paths, I will speak my mind at the Standing Committee meeting."

"I hope you can stick to your principles, treat privilege-seeking ideologies with caution, and cultivate and use cadres correctly!" Gao Yuanfei nodded repeatedly in agreement.

After Wang Hongtao hung up the phone, Gao Yuanfei leaned back in his chair and fell into deep thought.

Wang Hongtao put down the phone, his gaze firm and resolute, as if he had already made an important decision.

"Xiaojun, call the driver. We are going to the Municipal Organization Department!"

Half an hour later, Wang Hongtao arrived at the door of Municipal Organization Department Head Li Guoquan's office and knocked gently.

A "please come in" came from inside, and Wang Hongtao pushed the door open and walked in.

Seeing who it was, Li Guoquan put down the document in his hand, stood up from his chair, walked to the water dispenser to pour a cup of tea, and handed it to Wang Hongtao, saying with a smile, "You busy man, how do you have time to come to me today?"

Wang Hongtao sighed and said, "Snow falls in June; I have come to seek justice!"

"What injustice do you have? Present it!"

"Department Head, I have an opinion about you!"

"Oh? You're filing a complaint against me? Tell me, what did I do wrong?"

Wang Hongtao said bluntly, "Department Head, regarding the use of Lu Fan, the Party Committee Secretary of Baishu Bay Township in Ningyang County, I think it is very inappropriate! You also know that Baishu Bay is a poor and remote place. In the short year Lu Fan has been there, the 'Four Treasures of Baishu Bay' have become almost household names in the city, and the per capita net income of residents has increased several times, making it the well-deserved number one in the county. Moreover, he introduced two major projects with a total investment of 300 million. We cannot just kick him out because Baishu Bay is about to undergo major oil development, can we? I really cannot understand this kind of personnel management!"

"Hongtao, there are some things that are truly beyond my control. You don't naively think that I would intervene in the position adjustment of a section-level cadre for no reason, do you? To tell you the truth, this matter was personally instructed by Mayor Weidong, and he specifically pointed out that Niu Qinghe should go to Baishu Bay. You may not know that Niu Qinghe previously served Secretary Le Xueren!"

Although the other party was his old leader and had always taken good care of him, Wang Hongtao couldn't help but feel a surge of disappointment in his heart at this moment.

"Department Head, I have always respected you, but I must speak my mind today! Just because of one person's word, are we to ruthlessly exile those cadres who want to do things, dare to do things, can do things, and have achieved results to some remote corner? Where is the fairness and justice of the organization?"

"Just because Lu Fan is your student?" ===== CHAPTER 147 =====