Chapter 288: County Party Committee Secretary!

Li Mingzhou had only spoken a customary, polite phrase out of habit, never expecting Lu Fan to be waiting right there. He smiled and said, "I knew the Secretary would support me. I've looked into the situation in Ganshui County; what worries me most is the low fiscal revenue and the massive government debt—a full 2 billion! In the short term, I certainly can't increase fiscal revenue, but the current situation is that due to the enormous debt, the county government's credibility is declining, many tasks are at a standstill, morale is scattered, and the team is hard to lead!

Since the Secretary asked me to state my difficulties, I'll be thick-skinned and say it: could you help resolve Ganshui's government debt?"

Li Mingzhou felt a bit awkward. After all, he had just told Lu Fan to come to him if there were difficulties; he couldn't very well go back on his word on the spot, but this difficulty was too great—it was truly unsolvable.

A leader is a leader; even in front of his son-in-law, he is still a leader, and he certainly possessed the ability to play the rogue!

Li Mingzhou said sternly, "Do you remember what the Brigade Commander said to Li Yunlong in *Drawing Sword*? 'If I had guns, why would I need you? If you have the ability to be a regimental commander, you have the ability to get guns. Otherwise, don't embarrass me—go home and hold the baby early!'"

Lu Fan continued to pester him: "Secretary, please give at least some support! I can't even open my mouth to the Mayor; I can only rely on you! If I go to Ganshui empty-handed, it doesn't matter if people say I'm incompetent, but the key is that you would lose face!"

"Go, go, go! In the whole city, besides Zhenbei District, which county doesn't have government debt? The Municipal Committee and Municipal Government cannot cover the debt. If you have the ability, learn from Wang Hongtao and clear the debt yourself; then I'll consider you capable!"

How could Lu Fan retreat because of a few taunts and reprimands from his father-in-law? At the very least, I have your daughter in my hands!

Finally, under Lu Fan's "pestering"—appealing to his emotions and reasoning with him—he "squeezed" 20 million out of Li Mingzhou!

Back at the office, Lu Fan was still muttering to himself: Director Han Guishan gives out 200 million at a time, and you, a member of the Provincial Standing Committee and my father-in-law, give only this much? Are you trying to dismiss a beggar?

After receiving the notice from the Municipal Committee Office, Liang Qi, Director of the Ganshui County Committee Office, immediately went to the County Party Secretary's office to report.

Wu Pengzhang gave instructions: since Secretary Li Mingzhou is coming, it must naturally be a reception of the highest standard. Notify everyone: a county-wide meeting of leading cadres will be held tomorrow.

He also sighed, noting that tomorrow would be his last day in office in Ganshui!

Liang Qi really wanted to ask the Secretary where his own path lay, but the words reached his lips and he couldn't get them out.

Near the end of the workday, Lu Fan dialed the phone number of Wang Hongpeng, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Deputy Director of the Ningyang County Public Security Bureau.

"Hongpeng, Happy New Year!"

"Secretary-General Lu—eh, I called you wrong, I should call you Secretary Lu! Secretary Lu, you've come over for the New Year!"

"I haven't taken office yet, you're calling it too early! Hongpeng, there's something I want to discuss with you."

"Secretary Lu, please give your instructions!"

"Are you interested in Ganshui? Have you considered coming to work in Ganshui?"

"Ganshui?" Wang Hongpeng really hadn't considered it. "Is the Director of Ganshui being transferred?"

Lu Fan said: "According to the avoidance system, you've reached the end of your road at the Ningyang Public Security Bureau. Trees die if moved, but people thrive. If you are willing to come to Ganshui, I will find a way to coordinate. At the very least, you could be a Political Commissar, and there is hope for you to become Director."

That was indeed the logic. Wang Hongpeng laughed: "I appreciate Secretary Lu's favor; I am certainly willing to be promoted. If you transfer me over, I will charge into the fray for you!"

"Then wait for word from me!"

On February 5th, the weather was clear and sunny. Municipal Party Secretary Li Mingzhou headed to Ganshui County to send Lu Fan to his new post. Zhang Rongqiu, Head of the Municipal Organization Department, and Zhang Ziqiang, Secretary-General of the Municipal Committee, accompanied him.

From the moment they set off, Lu Fan's heart was a tangle of nervousness, excitement, anticipation, and unease; his palms were even sweating. Is this it? I'm becoming a County Party Secretary?

After the two cars drove into the Ganshui county seat, a sense of responsibility welled up in Lu Fan. This was his "territory," the "battlefield" where he would struggle for the next few years!

Near ten o'clock, the car drove into the Ganshui County Committee compound, heading straight for the government auditorium.

When Lu Fan got out of the car following Li Mingzhou, he immediately drew countless gazes. Everyone was pressed against the windows, looking at this County Party Secretary who was terrifyingly young!

Some female comrades exclaimed: "So handsome, so spirited, such an aura! I heard Secretary Lu isn't married yet!"

A male colleague nearby retorted: "If I were the County Party Secretary, I'd be handsome too!"

Others said: "Too young, probably doesn't understand anything. Sigh, if he messes around, it's us Ganshui people who will suffer in the end!"

"Old Ma, Secretary Lu is young, but he's been a township secretary and a deputy county chief. I heard he did a very good job and has grassroots work experience."

"Whether it's a mule or a horse, you have to take it out for a walk. Let's wait and see!"

In Ganshui County today, Lu Fan's inauguration was the only topic of conversation; even the vegetable sellers had to say a few words about it.

After greeting the Ganshui County leaders, Li Mingzhou led the way into the auditorium, striding toward the rostrum. Lu Fan followed behind Wu Pengzhang, maintaining a smile the entire time.

At 10:30, the county-wide meeting of leading cadres was held, with Wu Pengzhang presiding.

Seated on the rostrum, besides the municipal leaders and the old and new secretaries, there were only the County Chief and the Deputy County Party Secretary. The other Standing Committee members sat below because there was no more room on the stage!

Seeing this lineup, the leading cadres below realized the weight of the new County Party Secretary!

Zhang Rongqiu, member of the Municipal Standing Committee and Head of the Organization Department, announced: "According to the decision of the Provincial Committee, Comrade Lu Fan is appointed as a member of the Yingjiang Municipal Committee and Secretary of the Ganshui County Committee. Comrade Wu Pengzhang is relieved of his duties as Secretary of the Ganshui County Committee and will be assigned to another post."

In his farewell speech, Wu Pengzhang pointed out that the Provincial Committee's decision to appoint Comrade Lu Fan as Secretary of the Ganshui County Committee was a full recognition of Comrade Lu Fan and a full affirmation of the work in Ganshui. "I firmly support and obey the decision of the Provincial Committee."

Wu Pengzhang said with deep emotion that he had been in Ganshui for 10 years. "Ten years to sharpen a sword. Looking back on this journey, there are emotions, gratification, blessings, and lingering affection for this second hometown where I have worked and lived for many years. More than that, there are congratulations and expectations for the new leader of the Ganshui County Committee. Thinking back on these ten years, I have experienced the ups and downs of Ganshui's construction and development together with the people of the whole county. This process has truly made me a Ganshui person to the bone. These gains are precious wealth in my life and will surely benefit me for a lifetime!"

Finally, it was time for County Party Secretary Lu Fan to "make his appearance." All eyes were focused on him.

Lu Fan adjusted his breathing, tapped the microphone, and said with a smile: "I firmly obey this appointment decision. Ganshui County has a long history, brilliant culture, and hardworking and kind people. Successive county committees and governments have led the people of the whole county to lay a good foundation for development.

Coming to work in Ganshui, I feel a glorious mission and a heavy responsibility. Therefore, I will unswervingly implement the various decisions and deployments of the higher authorities. Under the correct leadership of the Municipal Committee and Municipal Government, I will unite and lead the cadres and masses of Ganshui, be pragmatic, forge ahead with determination, open up new paths, walk the Great Dao, promote righteousness, establish new customs, and open a new chapter, pushing the county's transformation, development, and various social undertakings to a new level. I will never fail the trust of the organization and the hopes of the people!"

After Lu Fan finished his speech, the whole hall erupted in warm applause! Regardless of whether he could do it, at the very least, it sounded inspiring right now. The young Lu Fan was pinned with high hopes by the people of Ganshui. Which of those present didn't want to encounter a good leader? The cadres wanted a clean political ecology and an environment for entrepreneurship, and the common people just wanted to live a good life!

After the meeting, Lu Fan officially took office, and the youngest County Party Secretary in the city was born!

It was lunchtime, and Wu Pengzhang exercised his final power as Ganshui County Party Secretary, inviting everyone to dine at the government's small kitchen. The Standing Committee members and Deputy County Chiefs were able to accompany them.

During the meal, Li Mingzhou chatted and laughed with everyone, half-jokingly saying to the County Chief: "Comrade Baoguo, Lu Fan is new here. As the deputy leader, you must understand the big picture, take care of the overall situation, and help him familiarize himself with the work and integrate into Ganshui as soon as possible. If the work isn't done well, the Municipal Committee will have to use the rod!"

Wang Baoguo hurriedly said: "Please rest assured, Secretary. The county government will certainly carry out various tasks under the leadership of the County Committee!"

Life is so dramatic. Wang Baoguo truly experienced that saying: "Do not bully the young because they are poor!"

Sigh, when you're here, you might as well settle in! Besides accepting it, what other way is there? You can't just impulsively resign!

Before, you ignored me; now, not only can you not afford to climb high to reach me, but I also have to manage you!

Wu Pengzhang sat next to Lu Fan. Although it was a transition between the old and the new, the two belonged to the same camp and were very harmonious, whispering to each other from time to time.

Having worked in Ganshui for so many years, Wu Pengzhang knew the situation in Ganshui like the back of his hand. He taught Lu Fan everything without reservation, including the situation of the county's leaders and the drawbacks that restricted Ganshui's economic development, especially the "lying flat" phenomenon in the townships.

Wu Pengzhang said with a smile: "These problems will have to be solved by you slowly. Regardless, I hope Ganshui gets better and better!"

Lu Fan replied: "I dare not make big promises about whether I can do it well, but I can guarantee that I will go all out to do it!"

Zhang Rongqiu, Head of the Organization Department, leaned over, clinked his tea cup against Lu Fan's as a substitute for wine, and said with a smile: "Everything is difficult at the start. A county has a thousand threads; you'll be busy for a while. When you return to the city, you must come to my place to sit. If others leave, the feelings will be gone too!"

Lu Fan laughed: "The work in Ganshui needs the strong support of the Department Head. I won't be able to avoid troubling you!"

Watching Lu Fan chatting and laughing intimately with the leaders, Wang Baoguo felt very uncomfortable. These relationships were all things he had dreamed of!

Life is truly damn absurd, and fate makes one feel extremely helpless! After all the twists and turns, Wang Baoguo never imagined there would be such a day!

It's only been a few years, and Lu Fan has actually climbed above him, while he is still marking time!

And starting today, Lu Fan will be issuing orders to him in a legitimate way. Where can one go to reason about this? How on earth should they get along? ===== CHAPTER 289 =====