Chapter 147

Hong Tao, compared to the Municipal Party Secretary, the Mayor, and the township party secretary, which is weightier, which lighter? You should know in your heart!

Wang Hongtao's eyes were like torches, and he answered firmly: "Minister, only with firm faith can one give people endless strength. I firmly believe that as long as our hearts are full of light, our actions will have a clear direction, only then can we strive hard to achieve our dreams!"

Only by persisting in moving toward the light will we not halt our steps forward. Although we may face various problems in reality, if we turn a blind eye to them or choose to go with the flow, when will these problems be resolved? How can our undertakings have any hope?

Wang Hongtao's words revealed a sense of determination and mission, as if telling Li Guoquan that no matter how great the difficulties and challenges, he would persist in pursuing his faith, and ideals must be upheld! This also counts as a political demand.

Wang Hongtao continued: "Perhaps you think I have ulterior motives; Lu Fan is indeed my student, and my 'ulterior motive' is simply what I see, striving for fairness and justice as much as I can!"

My 'ulterior motive' is not wanting to see such an outstanding young cadre become disheartened due to unfair treatment.

If merely because Niu Qinghe has a backing, he can arbitrarily occupy others' positions and reap others' labor results, then I, as a teacher, am Lu Fan's 'backing'!

If you find this matter inconvenient to handle, I will go see Zhou Xishujì; if Secretary Zhou also ignores it, then I will go see Secretary Deming! Under the bright heavens, I refuse to believe there is no place where reason prevails!

Upon hearing this impassioned speech, especially the last few sentences, Li Guoquan felt a hint of estrangement, a feeling unknown since they first met, making him instantly realize the problem's seriousness had exceeded expectations, requiring careful handling.

A moment later, Li Guoquan self-mockingly said: "Being an official has turned me into an 'oily official'; Hong Tao, thanks for sounding the alarm!"

Wang Hongtao smiled knowingly; as long as you have this awareness, we can still happily 'play' together!

Li Guoquan continued: "No matter what, this personnel adjustment is my doing; for now, let's not disturb Secretary Zhou, I'll just call Gao Yuanfei directly."

However, Lu Fan's transfer documents have already been issued; this matter is now settled, and organizational appointments are no child's play! The urgent priority, I think, is to assign Lu Fan a more important post so he can fully utilize his talents.

Hong Tao, after all, this matter was clearly stated by the Mayor; even from your work perspective, it's unsuitable to openly clash with the Mayor, and leadership authority must still be upheld—this is organizational principle!

Regarding this, Wang Hongtao certainly understands it well; after all, Zhenbei District's development still relies on the City Government and the Mayor's support and coordination, and he originally just wanted to help Lu Fan seek justice!

Gao Yuanfei's mood today was like riding a roller coaster that only goes down, never up.

At two o'clock in the afternoon, he received a call from Li Guoquan, head of the Municipal Organization Department.

"Comrade Yuanfei, next Monday, Niu Qinghe from the City Government Office will take up a post in Baishu Bay Township; have all procedures been completed?"

"Minister, the procedures are all done; the party secretary position in Baishu Bay Township is vacant."

"Oh, that's good. Has the original township party secretary been properly settled?"

Gao Yuanfei was somewhat at a loss for words; "You didn't brief me on this!"

Li Guoquan said sternly: "You wouldn't just ignore him, would you? I remember that secretary's name is Lu Fan, right? He did outstanding work in Baishu Bay, didn't he? You must understand: the adjustment isn't because he made a mistake, but because he needs to shoulder greater responsibilities. Didn't I give you a deputy-division-level quota? The purpose is to let you properly place meritorious cadres; adjusting cadres is a work necessity, yet we've thus chilled people's hearts! You haven't considered this enough; I hope you will immediately make reasonable use of Lu Fan, and I will keep a close watch!"

"Minister, I'll handle it right away. However, Lu Fan has only just been promoted to zhengke level for a year, which doesn't meet the requirements for a deputy-division-level leadership post."

"Comrade Yuanfei, a top leader must have the ability to grasp the big picture, and when it comes to personnel matters, a top leader must take responsibility!" Li Guoquan said this and then hung up.

Gao Yuanfei put down the phone, sighed, and realized Li Guoquan was pressuring him—truly, the word 'official' has two faces, all your reasoning!

After hanging up, Gao Yuanfei recalled Lu Fan's youthful, resolute face and fell into contemplation—perhaps he had really made a mistake this time...

Before Gao Yuanfei could recover his mood, a call came from Finance Department Head Han Guishan, who bluntly said: "Secretary Gao, I think I've been quite supportive of Ningyang County's work all along, right?"

Gao Yuanfei quickly replied: "Thank you, Director Han, for your continued support!"

"As the saying goes, one should empathize! Lu Fan seems not to have made any mistake, so why was he 'reassigned'?"

Gao Yuanfei hurriedly explained: "Director, you've misunderstood! I have been extremely cautious in cultivating Lu Fan; Baishu Bay will see major development this year. Considering he is indeed somewhat young and will soon face various temptations, if he cannot hold himself, he would betray your trust. I am thinking of placing him in a more important, stable post to enhance his overall abilities—definitely not a 'reassignment'!"

"Alright, then we'll wait and see!" Han Guishan likewise said this and hung up, moreover deciding that if Gao Yuanfei dared to perfunctorily comply outwardly while opposing inwardly, that would be looking down on himself, and he would only see the outcome in practice!

Meanwhile, Han Guishan reviewed the recent allocations to Hanjiang City, instructing the Treasury Department to temporarily withhold several payments to Hanjiang City that have 'defects', and also directing the Finance Supervision Bureau to examine and oversee the disbursement and use of Hanjiang City's provincial special funds, to prevent provincial funds from being squeezed out or misused—'to take without giving back is impolite!'

Checking the time, it was almost off‑work; Gao Yuanfei personally called Lu Fan to come to the office—this matter couldn't be delayed, and he should first seek Lu Fan's opinion to see which post would satisfy him. He now had a deputy‑division‑level promotion slot, meaning any post in the county could be 'turned out' for him.

This was a critical moment; Lu Fan hadn't gone far, and he arrived at Secretary Gao's office in less than twenty minutes.

Gao Yuanfei smiled: "You're in good spirits, rested enough? Time to start work!"

Hearing this, Lu Fan felt a slight stir inside; frankly, who would willingly idle away and bear others' cold mockery and hot ridicule?

"Secretary, I'm on standby at any time; your orders!"

"Although it's only been a short year, your achievements in Baishu Bay are evident; the masses recognize them, and your abilities in all aspects have greatly improved—township posts indeed train one's comprehensive abilities. I'm considering four positions; please tell me your personal preference: director of the County Party Committee Office, director of the Finance Bureau, director of the Education Bureau, or director of the Economic Development Bureau!"

Lu Fan's heart gave a slight jump; the secretary's offer was substantial—all are key departments—could he really choose?

The director of the County Party Committee Office is called the top zhengke post in the county, closest to a deputy‑division level; the Finance Bureau needs no explanation—some joke it's the biggest bureau under heaven, showing its authority; the Economic Development Bureau corresponds to the superior Development and Reform Commission, is an economic comprehensive management department, its director is a member of the County Government Party Group, playing an extremely important role in government work, and is also a stone's throw from a deputy‑division level; the Education Bureau, often overlooked, is actually no less important than the others; for a small county, its real power is even greater, and in many county party secretaries' eyes, the Education Bureau director equals a deputy county chief, because this bureau manages the county's largest industry and is also a major spender.

Lu Fan quickly weighed pros and cons in his mind; if he became director of the County Party Committee Office, even if he were thoroughly stamped with Gao Yuanfei's mark, he might as well forget it!

The Finance Bureau directorship is indeed tempting, but it's a double‑edged sword, unsuitable for a young cadre, and Lu Fan has no ambition for 'getting rich,' so he painfully let it go.

Thus, before Lu Fan lay only two choices: the Economic Development Bureau or the Education Bureau.

Actually, when it comes to economic work, Lu Fan is not unfamiliar; having served as a secretary before, he had already been exposed to much of this, so he could be said to understand it quite well. However, frankly, he really cannot muster interest in those economic indicators and such, and deep down he strongly resists the practice of 'fabrication and falsehood'.

So, after a brief consideration, Lu Fan quickly made a decision.

He gazed firmly at Gao Yuanfei and said solemnly: "Secretary, I want to work in the Education Bureau!"

Upon hearing this answer, Gao Yuanfei felt a faint sense of loss, but he quickly adjusted his emotions and, in a calm and gentle tone, said: "Hmm, I understand; then let's wait for the news! No matter which post you are eventually assigned to, I sincerely hope you will be down‑to‑earth, diligent and unremitting in your work, and give your all to pursue outstanding achievements!" As his words fell, Gao Yuanfei's eyes flashed with firm trust and earnest expectation.

Life is like a grand theatrical performance, and Secretary Gao's acting skills can practically rival those of seasoned 'old hands'!

To give an account to Finance Department Head Han Guishan, Party Secretary Wang Hongtao, and Minister Li Guoquan, at seven o'clock in the evening Gao Yuanfei urgently convened a five‑person small group meeting to study the personnel issue, targeting Lu Fan alone.

As soon as the meeting began, Gao Yuanfei directly stated his attitude: Lu Fan's new post must be arranged immediately, and his intention was very clear—the Education Bureau.

Everyone knew these two personnel adjustments had 'hidden motives,' so they were left to the secretary's disposition, lest they invite unwarranted disaster.

Thus, the meeting quickly reached consensus and passed Lu Fan's appointment and removal.

Next came how to place the Education Bureau director; Gao Yuanfei's opinion was to transfer him to the Economic Development Bureau, and then shift the Economic Development Bureau director to become deputy director of the County Party Committee Office.

The several leaders were not stupid; the Economic Development Bureau director was already close to Gao Yuanfei, and adjusting him to deputy director of the County Party Committee Office is a high position with low pay, obviously intending to take over the County Party Committee Office director's role.

County Mayor Hu Chengwei was too lazy to bother; he had never paid attention to personnel adjustments in the County Party Committee Office, and it's just a pity that this time he didn't even get a scrap.