Chapter 270

Li Mingzhou came to the Provincial Party Committee, after seeing Municipal Party Secretary Chen Jiazhong, he solemnly reported: "Secretary, just last night, Yingjiang witnessed a shocking scandal! The director of the Municipal Human Resources Bureau, while being questioned by the Public Security Bureau, actually jumped off a building and died!"

Chen Jiazhong furrowed his brows and said: "What happened? Has public opinion spread?"

Li Mingzhou said: "Online there has been no fermentation; it's basically under control, but officials and the public are discussing it heatedly. The situation is this: nine years ago, the deputy director who was acting head of the Municipal Human Resources Bureau, Yang Ye, went missing on the day of an organizational inspection; after a search, his body was found in the rear mountains, superficially appearing as a hanging suicide, but there are many doubts."

Recently, I had the Municipal Public Security Bureau reinvestigate Yang Ye's cause of death, and discovered that the current bureau chief, Leng Jiang, has major suspicion, so I summoned him.

But the day after the interrogation, the case saw a major breakthrough—Leng Jiang suddenly jumped to his death!

Chen Jiazhong said with a solemn expression: "Things are a bit fishy; could it be suicide to avoid guilt? Or do you suspect someone deliberately engineered it?"

Li Mingzhou didn't waste words, directly handing over Yu Xiaoting's recording.

After Municipal Party Secretary Chen Jiazhong finished listening on the computer, he fell into deep thought.

After a long while, he said: "Mingzhou, this is of great importance; I need to consider it carefully. Especially since it involves Le Xue Ren, the authority over cadre management does not lie with the province. Moreover, the recording cannot be used as evidence; for now it's only speculation. Based solely on speculation, we cannot expect to launch an investigation procedure against a Deputy Provincial Governor and a mayor."

Li Mingzhou understood the rules, knowing the secretary considered more, so he said: "Secretary, I will obey your and the Provincial Party Committee's decision; I will certainly see the bigger picture and look after the overall situation!"

Chen Jiazhong added: "I will take this matter seriously and have the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee conduct a covert investigation. Rest assured, I will not shield anyone, but the matter must follow a process; I hope you can understand!" These words were ostensibly for Li Mingzhou's ears, but actually meant for Li Lao; beneath the surface there are hidden talents, and Chen Jiazhong also feels helpless.

Returning to Yingjiang, Li Mingzhou summoned Lu Fan to the office and said: "The Yang Ye case will likely be put on hold for now; there's plenty of time ahead, so don't lose heart."

Lu Fan replied: "Secretary, I understand; I am now devoting all my energy to work."

Li Mingzhou nodded and said: "That's good. With Leng Jiang's death, you will take the lead in handling the follow-up, preventing the spread of public opinion and avoiding negative impact on the city."

Okay, Secretary, I'll get right on it!

Also, the position of Municipal Human Resources Bureau director is vacant; I intend to have a Deputy Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee take over. You handle this—quickly draft a plan, including subsequent adjustments for the Municipal Party Committee Office.

Lu Fan felt delighted; promoting one person would allow him to promote another and, in passing, adjust a large group, thereby strengthening his control over the Municipal Party Committee Office—gratitude is a great tool for winning hearts.

Returning to the office, Lu Fan called Deputy Secretary-General Li Guanglei and asked him to come to his office.

Soon after, Li Guanglei entered holding a teacup, smiling and saying: "Secretary-General, what are your orders?"

Old Li, have a seat! Lu Fan looked at Li Mingzhou and said seriously: "You should have heard about the matter concerning Leng Jiang of the Municipal Human Resources Bureau; the bureau chief's seat is now vacant, and I just went to the secretary and formally recommended you to the organization!"

Hearing this, Li Guanglei felt a bit nervous and also excited; he couldn't help taking two sips of tea and said: "Thank you, Secretary-General, for your patronage—I don't know how great the hope is."

According to Li Guanglei's age, the age for appointment to a county-level post is somewhat high; the organization no longer considers him, so his best destination would be to become head of a functional bureau, but it's not easy to be transferred outward, given that every important post attracts countless eyes—especially the Municipal Human Resources Bureau, a particularly important unit.

If it weren't for Lu Fan's mention, Li Guanglei would not think he possesses such competitiveness.

Unexpectedly, Lu Fan said: "The secretary basically agreed, but it still needs to pass the meeting; barring any major surprise, I estimate it's nine out of ten."

Now Li Guanglei was unsettled, saying: "Secretary-General, I don't even know what to say! Old Li, what merit do I have to earn such regard from you? Great kindness needs no thanks—just watch my future performance!"

Lu Fan sincerely said: "Old Li, to be frank, when I first came to the Municipal Party Committee Office, we didn't get along well due to our personalities. But over time, hearts are revealed; we are both people of temperament, and now I feel that in the whole office, you are the one I click with most."

Li Guanglei laughed: "Who says otherwise? It's all about fate; no matter what post I hold in the future, as long as you greet me, I will have no second thoughts!"

With the sentiment of recommendation, the mark is already stamped! This is an indelible imprint, an unspoken rule of officialdom.

Such a mark is a trust, sometimes also a responsibility, making the bond between the two tighter; at critical moments they support and help each other.

Next, Lu Fan summoned the Deputy Director of the Municipal Party Committee Office, Sun Hongda, to the office and straightforwardly expressed his intention to recommend him for the post of Deputy Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee.

Sun Hongda immediately burst into tears of gratitude; knowing that both are deputy posts, but a Deputy Secretary-General and an Office Deputy Director are not comparable—one belongs to the Municipal Party Committee, the other to the Municipal Party Committee Office; if his wish comes true, his future prospects will be much broader, and for him it would be a qualitative leap!

Thereafter, Lu Fan repeatedly called various department heads to the office for talks, hinting at some adjustment intentions, and won over countless hearts.

At the same time, others in the Municipal Party Committee Office, upon hearing the news, stirred into action, trying every means to get close to Lu Fan.

Everyone is perceptive; Lu Fan, this Deputy Secretary-General, enjoys deep trust from the Municipal Party Secretary—even the Municipal Party Committee Secretary and the Director of the Municipal Party Committee Office, Zhang Qiang, basically no longer inquire about office affairs; everything in the Municipal Party Committee Office is decided by him alone—who working in this unit isn't a sharp individual?

July 5, Municipal Party Secretary Li Mingzhou convened a five-person meeting and passed the personnel adjustment plan, which included Deputy Secretary-General Li Guanglei slated to become director of the Municipal Human Resources Bureau, Deputy Director of the Municipal Party Committee Office Sun Hongda slated to become Deputy Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee, Director of the Municipal Party Committee Inspection Room Wu Wentong slated to become Deputy Director of the Municipal Party Committee Office, and Director of the Municipal Party Committee Organs Affairs Management Center Chen Shifeng slated to become Deputy County Chief of Ganshui County, fully realizing Lu Fan's intention.

The adjustment of four section-level and above posts let everyone truly witness Lu Fan's capability.

July 6, acting on the commission of the Municipal Party Committee Secretary and the Director of the Municipal Party Committee Office, Zhang Ziqiang, Lu Fan chaired a meeting of the Municipal Party Committee Office's leading cadres.

The meeting passed the Municipal Party Committee Office personnel adjustment plan: Xia Li reassigned to Director of the Municipal Party Committee Inspection Room; Deputy Section Chief Liu Wei of Section One reassigned to Director of the Municipal Party Committee Organs Affairs Management Center; Li Yifeng reassigned to Deputy Section Chief of Section One; also including Zhang Chengyi promoted to Deputy Director of the Inspection Room, among five cadres promoted, plus the rotation of six section-level leaders.

After the meeting concluded, the personnel adjustment plan was submitted to the Municipal Party Committee Organization Department for record, and was soon approved.

Thus, the Municipal Party Committee Office underwent a complete transformation, entirely becoming Lu Fan's domain.

After the inspection ended, everyone promptly reported to their posts and fulfilled their duties; the Municipal Party Committee Office operated with unprecedented efficiency.

Lu Fan's office was extraordinarily lively; everyone wanted to express gratitude, but their good intentions were all declined, and all gifts were returned.

After this adjustment, the other two Deputy Secretary-Generals were utterly convinced, voluntarily gravitating toward Lu Fan and taking his lead in work. This is reality: whoever can decide one's own future and destiny is the boss!

Lu Fan's work went smoothly, and his sister Lu Yao also brought good news!

In the 'Central Selection' examination, Lu Yao achieved a fine result of third place, and the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection plans to recruit twenty people; she has a strong chance.

The Central Selection has a 1:5 ratio for entering the interview; the number of interviewees is relatively large, and score differences will lead to a somewhat larger gap; prior to the interview, a psychological test is also required.

The Central Selection interview differs from ordinary civil servant interviews; the examiners know your identity in advance, and during the interview they hold your resume; Tsinghua University holds a certain advantage in this regard.

Chen Xu had known Lu Yao for over three years, always holding her in his heart, but even after she graduated from university he still lacked the courage to confess; their relationship remained merely that of ordinary friends.

That day, Chen Xu mustered his courage, went to the door of the training class where Lu Yao had signed up for the interview, and sent her a message: 'I happened to be passing by; would you like to have lunch together this afternoon?'

Not long after, Lu Yao's reply came: 'Brother Chen, I still have over an hour before class ends; let's not bother you—you go about your business!'

Chen Xu persisted, replying: 'You're about to start work; you'll only get busier from now on—let me celebrate for you in advance!'

Lu Yao thought it over and replied: 'Thanks, Brother Chen; I'll get in touch after class!' Then she put away her phone and began to listen attentively.

Seeing Lu Yao's agreement, Chen Xu happily bought a bottle of water and sat on the steps by the door to wait.

The feeling of liking someone is indescribable, making one involuntarily fall into it, unable to extricate oneself.

Every frown and smile of hers, every gesture and movement, will make your heart flutter incessantly, making you feel happiness and fulfillment.

At any time, you want to share life's little bits with her, experiencing joys and sorrows together.

No matter when or where, you will silently bless her, wishing him happiness and joy. Because, liking someone in itself is a kind of happiness!

After waiting for over an hour, Chen Xu saw the familiar graceful figure walk out from the doorway, hurriedly stood up and went over, smiling and saying: "Class is over, are you tired?"

Lu Yao gave a faint smile and said: "Strong hands are as numerous as clouds; if you don't work hard, you'll be eliminated—I definitely don't want to be weeded out!"

"You've already placed in the top three, rest assured—the result will surely be as you wish!"

"Brother Chen, you haven't been waiting that long, have you?"

Chen Xu hurriedly explained, "I just went to the mall for a while, and when I came over I saw you had finished class. By the way, what shall we eat?"

Lu Yao said, "Anything is fine; I want to go back tonight to organize some materials and prepare for the interview."

"Alright, there's a lamb hot‑pot place nearby; how about we go there?"

Lu Yao frowned and coquettishly said, "No way, Brother Chen, that's so fatty; I have an interview soon and need to keep my figure!"

When you like someone, all her gestures are cute and playful, and Chen Xu's heart was stirred again, so he immediately said, "There's a place over there that serves noodle sheets and meat‑filled buns, how about it?"

Lu Yao happily said, "Sure, I go there often lately; the flavor is authentic, it tastes like home!"