Chapter 298: Reach Out and You Will Be Chopped

Major project construction is the ballast stone of economic growth, not only a key measure to expand investment and stabilize growth but also an important engine to promote rapid local economic development.

Every large-scale project construction means that thousands of jobs will be created, which will undoubtedly bring more work opportunities and income sources to local residents; at the same time, these projects will also become an important source of revenue for local governments, providing strong guarantees for infrastructure construction and public services; in addition, they can also drive the development of related industries, form industrial chains, and enhance overall regional competitiveness.

The rooting and growth of a leading enterprise is expected to drive the formation and development of a new industrial cluster. A good big project is like a rain, which can inject vitality into a county's social development, make the economic water move, the industrial fish swim, and make the regional development run!

Therefore, when the 24 billion project successfully landed in Ganshui County, this news was like a heavy bomb, causing a sensation in the whole city. It made other counties and districts jealous to the extreme, and privately said that Secretary Li was closer to Lu Fan than his own son!

And the people of Ganshui were completely immersed in carnival, and many people with brains had already begun to plan how to get a piece of the pie in this big project!

Therefore, when the 24 billion project successfully landed in Ganshui County, this news was like a heavy bomb, causing a sensation in the whole city. It made other counties and districts jealous to the extreme, and privately said that Secretary Li was closer to Lu Fan than his own son!

Ganshui was boiling, people ran to tell each other, their faces filled with excitement and expectation, full of longing for the future.

The streets and alleys were discussing this 24 billion project, and

Everyone had not forgotten the promoter behind this project; Lu Fan's name was mentioned repeatedly, and praises were endless, elevating this young County Party Committee Secretary to the heavens.

Lu Fan had only been in Ganshui for a little over a month, yet he had already gained the recognition and support of the people of Ganshui.

On March 17, great news arrived: the Longteng Technology Silicon Carbide project officially broke ground in the Ganshui County Industrial Park! Municipal Deputy Party Secretary Guo Zhitao, Ganshui County Party Committee Secretary Lu Fan, County Head Wang Baoguo, Standing Committee member and Deputy County Head Yuan Gang, and other leaders attended the groundbreaking ceremony.

Company Manager Xue Changjin introduced that this project is a key provincial-level new materials industry chain project. The first phase involves an investment of 600 million yuan and covers an area of 20 mu, with a newly built production line for 60,000 silicon carbide substrates per year. The products are mainly used for third-generation semiconductor chip substrates and have broad market prospects in fields such as military industry, aerospace, and new energy vehicles. It is expected that all construction projects will be completed and officially put into production by the end of November.

After the groundbreaking ceremony, Lu Fan specifically chatted with Xue Changjin for a while, asking about the problems the enterprise encountered during the project construction.

Xue Changjin appeared hesitant to speak, but he indicated that he had not encountered any problems at the moment.

Lu Fan urged him that the silicon carbide project is a listed project of the county, and if he encounters any problems during the construction process, he can call him at any time.

On March 18, a major event that shocked the whole county occurred. Starting from the morning, more than a dozen project units called the construction foremen, asking them to process invoices, stating that the units were going to pay them!

This move left these bosses a bit bewildered. In the past, whenever they wanted some money, they had to beg and plead, and they even had to bring "files" and "envelopes" to smooth things over. Why did they change their nature today? They were actually offering money voluntarily? Could it be some new trick?

Holding a "try it and see" mentality, the heads of 1,087 projects flocked to the Local Taxation Bureau, lining up to process their invoices.

From the morning on, the tax hall was packed with people, and the area outside the door was also surrounded by people. Everyone was discussing it, and it was extremely lively!

"Old Liu, what's going on? Is it true that they are giving us money if they let us process invoices?"

"How would I know if they are giving it or not? But according to the usual practice, they only let you process invoices when they are paying. Won't we know once we go?"

Someone nearby said mysteriously, "Brother, put your heart at ease. This time, they will definitely pay!"

"Brother, what makes you say that?"

"Some time ago, our County Party Committee Secretary got over 200 million from above. I heard the Finance Bureau has been busy with this matter during this period, and all debts under 5 million will be cleared!"

"Damn, is that really true? Over 200 million? Can they really bear to pay us back? Is this person a saint?"

"Damn it, whoever gives me money is my ancestor! If I can really get these 3 million-plus, I will set up a longevity tablet for Secretary Lu! These past two years, I've been forced to the point of jumping off a building by these debts!"

"You're right. Why doesn't Secretary Lu use the money to start projects? Is his brain broken?"

"You don't know anything. He can even pull a 24-billion project to Ganshui; does he lack this little bit?"

"That's true, 24 billion. It must take several years to finish, right? I wonder if my machinery can get in?"

"I heard it's about to start construction. Think of a way in advance!"

Soon, someone finished processing their invoice. Someone greeted him, "Boss Liu, if you get the money, give your brother a call and let me see if they are really paying or just fooling us!"

"Okay, wait for the news!"

Many private enterprises and small, medium, and micro-enterprises are stumbling on their path forward, and some enterprises are tottering or on the verge of bankruptcy. Lu Fan's move is like sweet dew to the enterprises of Ganshui, benefiting thousands of households!

In the morning, the Finance Bureau was exceptionally busy, allocating 220 million in funds to various project units.

To ensure the repayment was open and transparent, Lu Fan arranged for the newly appointed County Party Committee Office Director, Li Xinbo, to organize the Supervision Office to go to each project unit to supervise. Every debt payment must have a repayment voucher, and it must be checked against the debt ledger to ensure that debts under 5 million are cleared, and no misappropriation of funds is allowed.

Today, Ganshui County is as lively as the New Year. Various consumption venues have also ushered in unprecedented prosperity. Hotels, canteens, foot massage parlors, and other places have become an ocean of joy, and they are overcrowded and bustling. Everyone is full of praise for the young County Party Committee Secretary, saying that Ganshui has finally waited for a good leader and has hope!

In County Head Wang Baoguo's office, Executive Vice County Head Yang Chengyu and Standing Committee member and Deputy County Head Yuan Gang were sitting and chatting about this 220 million matter.

Yuan Gang sighed, "220 million, cleared just like that. Secretary Lu is truly of high moral character; I am ashamed of my inferiority!"

Yang Chengyu laughed, "That's why he is the County Party Committee Secretary, and he's not even thirty! You have to admire him! It's just a pity for such a large sum of funds!"

Wang Baoguo frowned and said, "Don't be cynical here. Isn't it good that the debts are paid? Our government's pressure is also less. We deal with creditors every day; don't you find it annoying?"

Yang Chengyu said, "County Head, a good thing is a good thing, but the limelight has all been snatched away by that side. These few personnel adjustments have all followed his ideas. Our government also needs to speak up! Also, the government manages projects—the 24-billion project, the 600-million silicon carbide project—we must supervise them well. Otherwise, if there is a problem with safety, the board will hit the government, not the County Party Committee!"

Yuan Gang echoed, "Secretary Lu proposed that we should not disturb enterprises without cause and should respond to every request. Then how do we supervise? We can't just let them do whatever they want, right?"

Wang Baoguo said seriously, "Lu Fan is different from others. He is single-mindedly climbing up, and he has Li Mingzhou as his backer. I tell you, do things properly so you don't run into his gun barrel and end up regretting it too late!"

Yuan Gang said, "County Head, we have respected him enough, but the County Party Committee manages people and the government manages affairs. The division of labor must be clear, otherwise, what are we, this group of deputy county heads, for?"

Wang Baoguo said earnestly, "You must pay attention to what you should. He just arrived, and you still haven't grasped his pulse. You'd better be careful!" He knew that Le Xueyi's transfer and Le Xueli's arrest were inseparable from Lu Fan. This is a ruthless person!

But both of them showed a look of disapproval, feeling that grassroots work is not that simple. It's not that you can shout to the end just because you are a high official. Isn't the work still to be done by them, these deputies?

Lu Fan was in his office listening to the Discipline Inspection Commission's report on the Investment Promotion Bureau Director's case when his phone suddenly rang. Seeing it was Wang Honghai calling, he signaled Zhang Qianyuan to avoid him and answered the phone.

Unexpectedly, Honghai started by questioning him, "Lu Fan, I've been good to you, right? For the silicon carbide project, you just had to say a word, and I let my second brother put the project in your Ganshui! But you can't cross the river and tear down the bridge, right?"

Lu Fan immediately realized that there was a problem with the project and said hurriedly, "Honghai, you know what kind of person I am. Tell me what happened, and I will solve it personally and immediately!"

Wang Honghai cursed angrily, "What the hell is that Deputy County Head of yours in charge of industry, Yuan Gang? Do you think we are easy to bully? Giving him the earthwork job wasn't enough; now he's starting to ask for the work on the standard factory buildings and office buildings! This son of a bitch, he sets the price for the earthwork himself, even higher than the market price. A few hundred thousand more doesn't matter; I'll take it as giving you face. But this bastard's hand is stretched too far. It wouldn't be at your instigation, would it?"

Lu Fan's face darkened, and he said in a serious tone, "Honghai, the fault in this matter lies with Ganshui. I want to apologize to you first; it was my negligence! The situation at the grassroots level is relatively complex, and some people just have this foul habit. Tell Xue Changjin not to pay attention to these messy things. I guarantee you, whoever dares to reach out in the overall situation concerning the future development of Ganshui, I will absolutely chop off that hand!"

"Fine, then handle it as soon as possible. It's too damn disgusting. He really doesn't know his own weight! If you find it hard to handle, I'll solve him!"

"I'll handle it myself. I guarantee that no one will interfere with the construction of the silicon carbide project again!"

After hanging up the phone, a flame of anger ignited in Lu Fan's heart. He cursed inwardly: Is it easy for me to introduce an enterprise with such hard work? They haven't even started production yet, and this group of bastards has started killing one as soon as they see one. No wonder the Ganshui Industrial Park cannot develop; enterprises are scared away by this group of greedy and shameless people!

Currently, the resource dividend and demographic dividend are gradually disappearing, and the policy dividend is also gradually weakening. A fair, efficient, honest, trustworthy, and stable business environment is particularly important and is an inevitable choice for developing the county economy. The business environment of Ganshui County must be rectified!