Chapter 171

Arriving in Chang'an, Lu Fan headed straight to the address Wu Xiaohua sent. Zhao Sijie asked curiously: "Where are we going?"

Lu Fan laughed: "Sister Zhao, Brother Wu has already ordered the dishes!"

"Alright, Lu Fan, you traitor! Are you wearing the same pair of pants as Wu Xiaohua?"

"Sigh, one has to bow when under the eaves. I'm still hoping Brother Wu will help me with things; can I not butter him up? Sister Zhao, I'm sorry, for your younger brother's future, please suffer a little!"

"It seems you really want to be this Deputy County Chief; what an official-obsessed person!"

"Sister Zhao, you misunderstood! You know, for education to achieve results, it needs several years of continuous effort; quantitative change leads to qualitative change. My desire to be Deputy County Chief is not out of personal power desire or interest-driven, but to be able to persistently push forward the policies, measures, and concepts we have formulated, thereby pushing Ningyang's education level to a new level, which is also what you have always wanted to see, right? Imagine, if a 'dirty-handed and black-hearted' Deputy County Chief is replaced, he will only think about seeking personal gain and amassing wealth to recoup his costs. Then, all our hard work will come to nothing, and our efforts will be in vain. No one is willing to accept that!"

"Lu Fan, will you become like them in the future, corrupt and greedy?" Zhao Sijie asked suddenly. She stared straight at Lu Fan, as if wanting to see his true thoughts deep in his heart through his eyes.

Lu Fan did not retreat or avoid, his gaze firm and clear, and he said slowly: "Sister Zhao, you should know that I am not that kind of person. I am very clear about the harm caused by corruption and the destruction of social fairness and justice. I dare not boast about becoming a perfect person, but at least I understand the principle of 'devoting one's life to the cause until one's heart stops beating.' As long as I have the opportunity to serve the public, I will devote myself wholeheartedly to every task. As for material pursuits, I really don't have many requirements. I can guarantee that I will never put a single cent of public money into my own pocket in this life!"

His voice was not loud, but it was full of strength and confidence. Zhao Sijie had a certain understanding of Lu Fan, and she believed these words. She also secretly decided in her heart to help Lu Fan as much as possible; there are not many pure people in this industry!

Arriving at the restaurant, Wu Xiaohua was pacing at the door. Seeing the two get out of the car, he immediately went over to "receive the carriage"!

In the private room, the cold dishes were already on the table, which showed the effort the Provincial Party Committee's top secretary put into Zhao Sijie.

Before using the chopsticks, Zhao Sijie said half-jokingly: "Xiaohua, I promised you I'd return to Chang'an, but you also have to promise me one thing!"

Wu Xiaohua smiled and said: "Even if you want the stars in the sky, I have to help you pick them!"

Unexpectedly, Zhao Sijie said seriously: "Don't be all smiles; I'm allergic to sweet talk, let's have something practical. The revolution hasn't succeeded yet, but I'm going to be a deserter! Regarding leaving Ningyang, I am indeed a bit reluctant and regretful, especially in terms of work; Lu Fan and I still have many ideas that we haven't had time to realize. However, for your sake, I can only abandon these ideals. You have to promise me a small request: push Lu Fan to take over my position. In this way, I can return to Chang'an with peace of mind!"

Wu Xiaohua looked troubled, and his tone carried a hint of helplessness as he said: "If it were in other cities, I might have a certain degree of certainty. But involving Yingjiang City, Secretary Zhou Xi is not only a member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee but also an alternate member, and he has considerable say in the province. For such a person, I really dare not act rashly. I can only see if there is a suitable opportunity to try, but it's hard to say what the result will be."

"However, the Organization Department Head of Yingjiang City, Li Guoquan, has some friendship with me, so communicating with him should be relatively easier."

"After all, I am just a secretary, I can only do my best!"

Lu Fan hurriedly said: "Thank you for the trouble, Brother Wu. If I get it, it's my luck; if I lose it, it's my fate. No matter what, I will remember the kindness of Sister Zhao and Brother Wu for the rest of my life. Being able to meet you is my greatest luck!"

After the meal, when the three parted, Lu Fan opened the back door and quietly placed the prepared cigarettes and tea on the back seat.

Seeing that it was still early, Lu Fan called Han Xinpu and asked him to have a drink.

At this moment, Han Xinpu had just sent the Executive Deputy Minister of the Provincial Party Organization Department, Guo Mingxiong, home and was worrying about how to spend the weekend. Upon receiving Lu Fan's call, he rushed over immediately.

After meeting, the two found a night market, ordered two plates of barbecue and two cases of beer, and started drinking, chatting enthusiastically!

Han Xinpu teased: "Director Lu, is the power of a township secretary greater? Or is the power of an Education Bureau Director greater?"

"If we're talking about real power, the Education Bureau Director is greater. After all, it manages the largest industry in the whole county. Half of the people on the government payroll are in education, and it manages many units and spends a lot of government money. Who can do without education?"

"In that case, haven't you turned a misfortune into a blessing?"

"You can't put it that way! The development prospects of a township secretary might be broader. In most cases, Deputy County Chiefs are promoted from township secretaries. Take our Ningyang County, for example; in the last ten years, there hasn't been a case where a department leader was directly promoted to Deputy County Chief or County Party Committee Standing Committee member! Of course, except for the directors of the County Committee Office and the Government Office."

"Are you here in Chang'an for fun this time? Or for official business?"

Lu Fan said bluntly: "Running for an official position! My direct superior, the Deputy County Chief in charge of education, is leaving at the end of the year!"

"Hmm, it's an opportunity. From section level to division level, one step further and the sea and sky are vast; you must hurry. Sigh, I don't seem to be able to help much; I don't dare to say much to Minister Guo either."

"Brother Han, you haven't been Minister Guo's secretary for long, so it's better to be cautious. Don't worry about my affairs. As I said, if I get it, it's my luck; if I lose it, it's my fate. However, I plan to report to Director Han tomorrow."

Han Xinpu nodded and said: "If Uncle handles it, this matter won't be difficult. I'll find an opportunity to talk to Uncle as well."

After a case was downed, both of them were tipsy. Han Xinpu asked: "Little brother, you don't plan to stay single forever, do you? People have to look forward!"

Lu Fan sighed and said: "Love rises with the wind, but the wind stops and the heart is restless; the setting sun returns to the mountains and seas, and the mountains and seas hide deep meanings! Let it be; I won't get married just for the sake of getting married."

"I really envy you; you are free and can do whatever you want. Unlike me, my family has already started urging me to get married. Uncle has even picked out several candidates for me. I guess I'll start intensive blind dates next week!" he said helplessly.

"Hahaha, aren't you just a homebody? You don't need love, right? Just pick a woman with the most powerful background; it will be a great help to your future development."

"Get lost! Who told you I don't need love? Although my personality is a bit introverted, it doesn't mean I don't want to have a sincere and beautiful love; it's just that I haven't met it!"

"Good luck to you. Searching for her thousands of times in the crowd, maybe your dream lover is among the blind date candidates; it's easy to come by!"

"Sigh, the possibility is not high! I still think the girls in Yingjiang are beautiful. Sometimes I envy you; you are younger than me, but your official position is higher than mine. What's the use of going to this university? It's better to start working early!"

Lu Fan lamented: "You are in bliss but don't know it. University is a dream I couldn't reach, a lifelong regret. You treat it like discarded shoes once you get it, you scumbag!"

"Haha, this is called 'what you can't get is always restless'!"

The two drank until two in the morning before finding a hotel nearby to sleep soundly.

The next day after nine, the two woke up from their hangover, went downstairs to drink a bowl of spicy soup, and ate a few oil cakes; their stomachs felt much better.

Han Xinpu directly dialed Han Guishan's phone and asked: "Uncle, are you busy today?"

"Nothing, I'm at home, what's wrong?"

"Oh, I drank a bit with Lu Fan yesterday, and he wants to see you."

"I'll go to the office later to look at some documents. You and Lu Fan come over; I happen to have something to tell you!"

After hanging up, Han Xinpu said with a bitter face: "There, it's one hundred percent about the blind date. Sigh, I hope I don't run into any ugly ones!"

Lu Fan laughed: "I have a premonition that you will be married by the end of the year!"

Arriving at the Finance Department, Director Han was working and said to the two: "Pour your own water, I'll finish approving these documents first."

Ten minutes later, Han Guishan put down his pen and asked: "Xiaofan, what's the matter?"

Han Xinpu spoke directly for Lu Fan: "Their Deputy County Chief in charge of education is returning to Chang'an at the end of the year."

Han Guishan pondered for a moment and said: "Wanting to progress is a good thing. If it were other cities, it would be easy to talk about, but Yingjiang's affairs are not easy to bring up. The department has never dared to delay Yingjiang's funds. After all, Secretary Zhou Xi's status is there. As long as we find a suitable opportunity to mention it, it still depends on whether Secretary Zhou gives us face! Where did you get the news? Don't make a mistake."

Lu Fan said: "Director, our Deputy County Chief in charge of education, Zhao Sijie, is the girlfriend of Provincial Party Committee Secretary Wu Xiaohua. And I accidentally discovered that County Chief Zhao should be the daughter of Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhao. She revealed the news to me herself and encouraged me to strive for the Deputy County Chief position."

Han Guishan nodded and said with slight surprise: "I didn't expect Secretary Zhao's daughter to be working in Ningyang and dating Secretary Wu. Then this news is likely true. You got the news relatively early, which is indeed an advantage. Deputy County Chief is not high, but not low either. If the Municipal Deputy Party Secretary or the Organization Department Head goes all out, it's feasible, but ultimately Secretary Zhou has to nod. Does Secretary Zhou have an impression of you?"

"He should have an impression. When I was the secretary in Baishu Bay, Secretary Zhou came to investigate several times, and he recognized my work. I also specifically hosted Secretary Zhou and his wife for camping, and we have met four or five times, but there hasn't been much interaction."

"It's easy to handle if there's a good impression; try your best to strive for it! However, I'll reveal a piece of news to you: Minister Guo Mingxiong is likely to be demoted, and Yingjiang's Minister Li Guoquan might return to the Provincial Party Organization Department. This matter has to wait until Yingjiang's Organization Department Head is decided before considering it."

Lu Fan said gratefully: "I'm always troubling you; I'm really ashamed. I don't even know how to thank you!"

"Just work hard. I'll give you a hard task: do some ideological work on Xinpu and let him find a girlfriend as soon as possible! He's not young anymore, still wandering around, unable to settle down. And you, Lu Fan, you must walk out of your last relationship. Once you reach the deputy division level, the marriage issue must also be put on the agenda."

Lu Fan smiled awkwardly and looked at Han Xinpu, who also had a helpless face.

At the same time, Lu Fan also realized that in the officialdom, the importance of well-informed news and relationships is self-evident. Only by timely understanding and grasping first-hand information can one better seize opportunities and cope with challenges. In this regard, he is still far behind!

Multi-book-title test begins, last day, quite important!

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