Chapter 210: Launching the Project

No sooner had the voice fallen than it resonated with everyone present. Since they all earned their living by their own abilities, they were quite outspoken. One doctor chimed in, "That's exactly right! It always feels like there are three systems in the hospital: one for medical staff, one for administration, and one for logistics!"

"Exactly. Doctors and nurses are on the front lines working themselves to the bone, yet they get the same salary and bonuses as the logistics staff. I believe the focus of distribution should be tilted toward the front lines!"

"Right, the clinical side supports the logistics side, and everyone wants to go into administration! Who doesn't know that you need connections to get into administration?"

Seeing that everyone had a tendency to "rebel," the Hospital Party Committee Secretary, Yuan Gang, could no longer sit still. He said in a deep voice, "The front lines, administration, and logistics are like a war. One is fighting in a sea of blood at the front, while the other provides logistical and organizational support. The two are as inseparable as lips and teeth; they absolutely cannot be set against each other! Of course, there may be some phenomena of people slacking off—it exists in the logistics team, and it exists just the same in the front-line team! What should we do? These problems weren't formed under one or two terms of office. We should manage them through systems and consider issues like cost control. I will state my position here: the County Hospital Party Committee will certainly, under the correct leadership and specific guidance of County Chief Lu and the Health Bureau, complete the matters related to the county hospital reform with high quality, so that everyone is satisfied!"

After Yuan Gang finished speaking, it was equivalent to setting the tone. The symposium instantly went cold, and no one knew what to say anymore.

Although Lu Fan was displeased, he found it difficult to say anything; he just felt even more put off by this Hospital Party Committee Secretary!

Checking the time, Lu Fan said, "Alright, I've taken up quite a bit of your time. Let's stop here for today. If anyone has good suggestions or opinions regarding the development of the county hospital, or feels there are areas that need improvement, or problems that exist, you can call or text me directly. Thank you all!"

Following this, Lu Fan announced his contact information.

After the meeting adjourned, two leaders from the county hospital insisted on inviting Lu Fan and Li Daqiang to dinner, but Lu Fan politely declined.

Walking out of the county hospital, Li Daqiang asked, "County Chief Lu, it's mealtime. Shall we grab a bite? Or have a drink? Should we call anyone?"

Looking across the street, Lu Fan said, "Let's go eat a bowl of noodles over there, then chat in my office afterward."

Food is the paramount necessity of the people. This mushroom noodle shop opposite the school had been open for over a decade; the broth was rich, the noodles were chewy, and every bite left one with an endless aftertaste. For the people of Ningyang, it was a delicacy that was hard to forget, and also a piece of history that stirred deep emotions.

A bowl of mushroom noodles, tasting of the attachment of the Ningyang people!

Just as he entered the noodle shop, Lu Fan saw someone rather awkward: Jiang Minglin, the cadre from Baishu Bay who had been drawing a salary while doing no work. Regardless of the reason, it was, after all, by his own hand that the man had been dismissed from public office.

Unexpectedly, when Jiang Minglin saw the two of them enter, he immediately stood up, greeted them with a smile, and said, "County Chief Lu, Director Li, what a coincidence, you're here to eat!" Then he hurriedly said to the owner, "Two more bowls of mushroom noodles, the premium kind!"

Li Daqiang was the old Secretary of Baishu Bay and naturally knew Jiang Minglin. He laughed, "Minglin, what a coincidence. Let's eat together!"

Lu Fan nodded with a smile, not knowing what to say.

Li Daqiang knew the "grudge" between the two and changed the subject, asking, "Minglin, what are you doing now?"

Jiang Minglin smiled, "Reporting to the two leaders, I'm in the medical business now, supplying medical equipment and such to the county hospital and the Maternal and Child Health Hospital. I'm eating under the grace of you two!"

Lu Fan said with a smile, "Minglin, I apologize for what happened before. However, seeing your current state, I feel very gratified. I hope you develop well and that your life gets better and better!"

"Thanks to the blessing of you two, I will definitely work hard and make something of myself!"

After the meal, Lu Fan said to Jiang Minglin, "As long as you don't violate principles, call me if you have any issues!"

Jiang Minglin said, "Thank you for your concern, leader. I won't trouble you if there's nothing wrong!"

After saying goodbye, Lu Fan and Li Daqiang walked toward the office. Lu Fan sighed, "Director Li, it was me who smashed that man's rice bowl!"

Li Daqiang comforted him, "After all, he was at fault first. It was all for the sake of work, and dealing with people is unavoidable. We don't have any personal grudge against him; we'll help him out if we have the chance in the future."

Back at the office, Li Daqiang was busy making tea. Lu Fan sat on the sofa and asked, "The county hospital secretary, Yuan Gang—what kind of person is he?"

Li Daqiang pondered for a moment and said, "How should I put it? This person's work style has major problems. He has quite a reputation in the county; I expect you've heard of it. His ability is mediocre; the county hospital hasn't seen any improvement under him, and he has a bureaucratic style."

"The county hospital can be said to be the hospital with the most complete equipment and the best medical skills in the whole county. It carries the hopes of all the people in the county. It absolutely cannot be allowed to get worse and worse, so it cannot be handed over to such a person to ruin a perfectly good hospital!"

"County Chief Lu, Yuan Gang became the county hospital secretary under my watch. I have a responsibility! At the time, Secretary Hu had put in a good word!"

"Secretary Hu? That's not easy to handle!"

Just as they were talking, a message came to Lu Fan's phone. Opening it, he saw it was actually a report against the County Hospital Party Committee Secretary, Yuan Gang, naming him specifically regarding his lifestyle issues.

Lu Fan handed the phone to Li Daqiang and said, "Take a look. The symposium just finished this afternoon, and the report is already here."

Li Daqiang took a look and said, "I know both of these women. It's said they've had a relationship with Yuan Gang for several years. Now it's blatant; basically everyone in the county hospital knows. That's how it is in our small county; it seems no one takes lifestyle issues seriously anymore!"

As they were speaking, the message alert sounded again. Looking at it, it was still reporting Yuan Gang, but Lu Fan understood that this kind of report was of no use.

As the leader in charge, Lu Fan only had guidance authority over the health system regarding operations. As for personnel authority, that belonged to the Organization Department and required the nod of Secretary Hu Chengwei. In other words, the Vice County Chief had no way to deal with the hospital's leaders.

However, this operational guidance authority could also play a significant role. Thus, he said, "Director Li, regarding the reform work of the county hospital, I think the Health Bureau should take the lead. You come up with a plan, establish a leading group, I'll be the group leader, you'll be the deputy group leader, and the county hospital's secretary, president, and leadership team will be members. Also, invite relevant departments like Organization, Discipline Inspection, Finance, Establishment, and Human Resources to participate. This 'Plan' will first go through the government executive meeting, then be submitted to the County Party Committee Standing Committee for approval."

"Alright, I will start drafting the plan immediately. You can review it once it takes shape."

"Mm, let's have a private understanding. The County Chief gave me a quota of 20 establishment slots. Just keep that in mind so we don't end up unable to handle the various relationships when the time comes. Don't underestimate this establishment quota; there are plenty of people eyeing it!"

"Hehe," Li Daqiang laughed, "Understood. You're right; some people love to make a mountain out of a molehill. They can find people in the city or province for the smallest things. Setting an ambush gives us room to maneuver."

"Right, that's the meaning. We must reserve the establishment slots for capable and experienced front-line medical staff. Also, through this adjustment, we must gradually reduce the number of seconded personnel in the county hospital. Except for those on the front lines, all others must be cleared out and returned to their original units. As for the front-line medical staff, we will find ways to gradually absorb them."

On the ninth day of the first lunar month, Lu Fan began to work on the "Double High and Double Universal" acceptance work. There were quite a few shortcomings that had to be made up, including building 14 new school buildings, renovating 39 school buildings, and renovating 9 playgrounds; centralized procurement of computers for teachers and students, soccer goals, electronic whiteboards, and department facility equipment; procurement of outdoor activity equipment for 8 kindergartens; creation of functional departments for 9 schools; and the creation of campus TV stations for schools with over a thousand students.

All in all, there were 138 projects. The leaders were all keeping an eye on this matter; even Secretary Hu Chengwei had mentioned it more than once. They were all waiting for the Education Bureau to initiate the projects—the "meat" was too fat and delicious!

However, all this work had to be finished this year. Lu Fan was the direct operator and had to balance and guarantee the interests of all parties; otherwise, this would be a hot potato!

Lu Fan had no choice. Once he sat in this position, he had to distribute interests. It was impossible to stay out of it unless he gave up the position.

At two in the afternoon, Lu Fan returned to the Education Bureau and communicated with several deputy directors regarding work related to "Double High and Double Universal."

At four o'clock, the Education Bureau held a leadership team meeting to specifically discuss the "Double High and Double Universal" acceptance work.

After the meeting began, Lu Fan said, "In order to ensure that our county's goal of creating a 'Double High and Double Universal' qualified county is achieved on schedule, according to the 'Notice on the Feedback Opinions of the Provincial People's Government Education Supervision Group on the Supervision of Ningyang County's Compulsory Education Balanced Development 'Double High and Double Universal' Work,' we are holding this special meeting on problem rectification. We must divide and implement responsibilities for the existing problems. Please complete the tasks according to the time limit requirements to ensure that the 'Double High and Double Universal' creation work successfully meets the standards."

Taking a sip of water, Lu Fan continued, "According to the provincial feedback opinions and combined with our county's actual work, after careful sorting, we need to focus on solving problems in nine areas, including school conditions, educational environment, and connotative development. Now I will arrange the specific work for everyone. After receiving your tasks, you must initiate the projects and report them as soon as possible, and submit them to the government executive meeting for deliberation."

The several leaders knew the "main event" had arrived and immediately perked up, pen in hand, ready to take notes.

"Secretary Shen, you are responsible for the creation of campus TV stations for schools with over a thousand students!"

Shen Jiqin's face showed joy, and he immediately replied, "Alright, Director, I will definitely perform my duties and complete the task on time!"

"Director Chang, you are responsible for the centralized procurement of computers for teachers and students, soccer goals, electronic whiteboards, and department facility equipment, as well as the procurement of outdoor activity equipment for 8 kindergartens!"

Deputy Director Chang Qing was also happy and stated, "Alright, Director, I will start the relevant work immediately."

"Director Ren, there are 14 new school buildings and 9 playground renovations. You are responsible for this work!"

"Wang Fei, there are 39 school building renovations. You are specifically responsible for this!"

"Director Wang, there is the creation of functional departments for 9 schools. You are specifically responsible for this!"

Finally, even the directors of the Teaching and Research Office, the Admissions Office, and other stations and offices were clearly arranged. Every leader was assigned specific work tasks. Lu Fan's approach was to spread the benefits evenly!

Friends who approve of this book, please give it a five-star review and power up three times to help it climb the rankings. Thank you all! ===== CHAPTER 211 =====