Chapter 272

Lu Fan never expected Secretary Li to agree so readily without hesitation; he was momentarily stunned.

Li Mingzhou earnestly advised: "Liu Yuheng is currently the most senior deputy secretary-general; we need to find him a suitable post. Only then can your next transfer proceed without interference and with proper justification!"

You too will one day be a chief; when appointing cadres you must consider seniority, or mishandling it could bring you unnecessary trouble.

Lu Fan, I won't be staying in Yingjiang for long, but you will work here for a long time. As the saying goes, "A fence needs three stakes, a hero needs three helpers." To better carry out work, you need to unite some comrades; Liu Yuheng is a suitable choice, and Deputy Secretary-General Ma Yajun is also someone you can unite with. While I'm in office, feel free to bring up any ideas you have—I'll do my best to pave the way for you!

Father-in-law's support is truly effective; Lu Fan feels extremely lucky!

People often say there are two chances to change one's fate: rebirth and marriage. Lu Fan now deeply feels this! Otherwise, no matter how much the leadership appreciates you, they wouldn't support you as wholeheartedly as Secretary Li does; no matter how hard you work, you'd hardly achieve what you have today.

Thinking of this, Lu Fan felt a surge of heroic ambition—what's wrong with living off one's wife? Others wish they could. No matter what, he must cherish what he has now, keep striving, and seek to achieve something in the future, not to disappoint Secretary Li's kindness.

Early the next morning, Lu Fan summoned Liu Yuheng to the office and solemnly told him that Secretary Li had agreed to his recommendation and decided to nominate him to the Provincial Party Committee for the position of Fangzhou County Party Secretary. The matter is settled; now I expect you to repay the favor.

Liu Yuheng was quite perceptive, overwhelmed with excitement, and immediately declared: "Thank you for the leadership's strong support—I truly don't know how to thank you enough! No more words; from now on I place this old body of mine in your hands, and I will follow only Deputy Secretary-General Ma's lead!"

Lu Fan laughed: "We are comrades; we don't engage in factionalism. We'll look out for each other from now on. Oh, by the way, go see Secretary Li first, sit down, and organize your thoughts—you know his personality; he likes things straightforward and decisive!"

Fine, I'll report back after we finish talking.

After Liu Yuheng left, Lu Fan began to consider the next adjustments in the Municipal Party Committee Office, wondering who would fill the deputy secretary-general position and who would take over the vacant post. At the very least, this time he would place Li Yifeng in a proper Zhengke-level position.

Seeing Liu Yuheng constantly going in and out of the Municipal Party Secretary's office, the other deputy secretary-general, Ma Yajun, could no longer sit still; he realized he had been too reserved and too self-important.

Look at Li Guangli and Liu Yuheng—they're all warm toward Lu Fan, constantly calling him 'leader,' as if their futures depended on it; what's face worth a few pennies? That's what it means to be a savvy talent!

Thus, Ma Yajun had a change of heart, bringing a box of tea to Lu Fan's office and saying with a smile: "A friend from Yunnan Province sent this, saying it's pu'er tea pan-fried by the tea farmers themselves—try it; if the quality is indeed good, I plan to get more."

Lu Fan rose and said: "I have a special fondness for pu'er; I must try it! These days many teas are sold pre-packaged, making good tea hard to find."

Having a common topic made things easy; the two became tea friends and chatted at length.

Ma Yajun suddenly said: "Since the secretary-general took charge of the office, comrades' work enthusiasm has greatly increased, and the results are evident; we all hope you become permanent soon, so everyone will have a backbone."

Lu Fan humbly replied: "Don't flatter me; I still don't know my own capabilities. Besides, we're all working under Secretary-General Ziqiang's leadership—if this got out I'd be in trouble!"

Ma Yajun laughed: "Consider it my good wish and the shared sentiment of the comrades! Rest assured, I know my bounds—I won't say what shouldn't be said when I go out."

Rome wasn't built in a day, nor are relationships formed overnight; they need time and effort to cultivate.

After a while, Ma Yajun rose to take his leave, saying he had to get back to work. But he had made up his mind: from now on he would report early and late, drop by for a chat when idle, and actively align himself in his work. As long as he puts in the effort, even an iron pestle can be ground to a needle; sincerity begets sincerity—what obstacle could stand in his way?

In early September, under the recommendation of Secretary Li Mingzhou, the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee studied and decided that Yingjiang Municipal Party Committee Deputy Secretary-General Liu Yuheng would serve as Fangzhou County Party Secretary!

After the appointment documents were issued, Liu Yuheng stayed in Lu Fan's office for an entire afternoon!

On September 12, accompanied by Municipal Organization Department Head Zhang Rongqiu, Liu Yuheng went to Fangzhou County to take office. The deputy secretary-general position in the Municipal Party Committee was vacant, and once again the Municipal Party Committee Office was restless—many section chiefs and directors eyed the post, even some deputy heads of counties, districts, and departments began to stir, but everyone knew deep down that Deputy Secretary-General Lu Fan was the one who could actually make decisions.

Even Secretary Li Mingzhou's secretary, Tan Yin, actively sought Lu Fan's favor, realizing that his own closeness to the secretary could not compare to Lu Fan's; so far he had never been to the secretary's home in Jingcheng, whereas Lu Fan had accompanied him there many times.

It's truly 'man compares to man and must die, goods compare to goods and must be thrown away'—if this continues, the progress of this secretary's direct-line secretary will likely fall short of that of other section chiefs!

Being a savvy talent, as a section chief he felt he reported to Secretary Lu too infrequently and must change this bad habit.

Thus, the esteemed secretary of the Municipal Party Secretary, Tan Yin, would go to the deputy secretary-general's office whether or not there was business; a few times he almost delayed the secretary's work, but Tan Yin still enjoyed it, feeling this was the correct path.

After some time of deliberation, Lu Fan brought the Municipal Party Committee Office's personnel adjustment plan to Secretary-General Ziqiang's office to report.

After a brief look, Secretary-General Ziqiang smiled and said: "Looks fine; you handle the specifics."

Lu Fan continued to ask for instructions: "Secretary-General, if you think anything is inappropriate, please instruct me and I'll adjust immediately."

Secretary-General Ziqiang laughed: "You handle things, I'm at ease! You can take charge of the office work—it's all for Secretary Li Mingzhou's service! Still, you should consult Secretary Zhitao as well, since he's the divisional leader."

"Alright, Secretary-General, I'll go consult Secretary Guo later."

Secretary-General Ziqiang added: "I've looked at your record—you should have met the tenure requirement by January, right? You need to take on the role of Municipal Party Committee Office Director; I'll proactively report to the secretary."

Lu Fan felt a bit embarrassed saying: "Secretary-General, I still need to strengthen my studies, especially learning from you how to handle complex affairs."

There's a saying: "See much, know much; with more experience, handling things comes naturally." In this regard we all need to learn from Secretary Li Mingzhou—he's our role model! Secretary-General Ziqiang said this especially sincerely.

Lu Fan felt enlightened; no matter what the secretary-general talked about, after a few sentences he would steer the conversation toward Secretary Li, his words always revealing admiration—that's true capability.

Upon arriving at Deputy Municipal Party Secretary Guo Zhitao's office, Lu Fan properly presented the personnel adjustment plan.

Guo Zhitao looked it over and asked: "What does Secretary-General Ziqiang think?"

Lu Fan replied: "The secretary-general asked me to consult you, taking your opinion as the main basis."

Guo Zhitao laughed: "We should still mainly follow the office's opinion, but I have a small suggestion—could we transfer the head of the Confidential Bureau to the Policy Research Office?"

Without hesitation, Lu Fan agreed: "Okay, Secretary Guo, I'll adjust it right away and then report back to the secretary-general."

Guo Zhitao nodded and smiled: "Since you took charge of the Municipal Party Committee Office, everyone's work efficiency and enthusiasm have greatly improved, the results are evident; after I discuss it with the secretary, it's time to let you serve as director of the Municipal Party Committee Office."

"Thank you for your support, Secretary Guo—please feel free to give me any instructions!" Lu Fan gladly accepted this "empty favor," especially since it came from the deputy municipal party secretary, who certainly had the standing to do so.

After a month of deliberation, Lu Fan gathered opinions from all sides, obtained approval from the responsible leadership, had the plan passed at a meeting, filed it with the Municipal Organization Department, and launched the personnel adjustment of the Municipal Party Committee Office on the eve of the National Day holiday.

After inspection by the Municipal Organization Department, the director of the Municipal Party Committee Policy Research Office, Wang Jiaming, emerged as the biggest dark horse and was promoted to deputy secretary-general; the head of the Confidential Bureau, Zhao Zhiqiang, was reassigned to director of the Policy Research Office; the deputy head of the Confidential Bureau, Luo Zhiquan, was promoted to head of the Confidential Bureau; additionally, several deputy-section-level posts were promoted, and four individuals were given the benefits of a first-section-level clerk.

Since Lu Fan took charge of the Municipal Party Committee Office, sixty to seventy percent of cadres have either advanced or been transferred to more important leadership posts. This not only made the office's work more efficient but also provided comrades with more development opportunities; naturally they rejoiced, and their confidence and respect for his leadership and work abilities grew, further enhancing Lu Fan's prestige.

On September 30, Lu Fan accompanied Secretary Li Mingzhou to Jingcheng, making the secretary's attendant Tan Yin, who saw them off at the airport, envy them greatly.

As the plane was about to land, he somewhat embarrassedly said: "Secretary, that… Zimeng will come to pick us up later!"

Li Mingzhou furrowed his brows, his tone hinting at dissatisfaction: "I don't know; she's coming to pick you up, not me!"

Lu Fan scratched his head, gave an embarrassed grin, and quickly said: "Together, together!"

Li Mingzhou cautioned: "In Yingjiang, don't let others know about our relationship—it's detrimental to work!"

Lu Fan hastily replied: "Secretary, rest assured—my lips are sealed!"

"Also, the Municipal Party Committee Office has few people; you should broaden your scope, go down to the counties and districts more often—there's more talent at the grassroots!"

Lu Fan nodded in agreement: "Okay, Secretary, after the holiday I plan to find time to tour all the counties and districts for research."

"'Mmm, take the assignment down there, especially Anbao County and Fuxian—Le Xueyi and Hao Chaoyang can be netted!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Fan's excitement surged—this damned Le Xueyi was the chief culprit behind Han Shu's downfall years ago, and it was he who first let Lu Fan 'taste' the experience of being taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission!

A gentleman's revenge—just ten years!