Chapter 337: Caught in a Dilemma

After Wang Baoguo was taken away, the County Government was leaderless, and Lu Fan took the initiative to take on the responsibility of government work because he was not very at ease with Executive Deputy County Head Yang Chengyu.

Several Deputy County Heads were happy to see it happen and reported work to the Secretary very actively.

In the process of communicating with everyone, comrades had great complaints about the Finance Bureau Director, saying that this person plucked hair as geese passed, and even if it was a normal fund allocation, he had to block it. The current situation is that public affairs must be handled as private affairs, and without giving some benefits, even if it is a higher-level special fund, the department cannot get it!

If one person says you have a problem, it may be slandering you. But if everyone says you have a problem, that is the fact.

Lu Fan called Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary Zhang Qianyuan and asked him to secretly investigate Finance Bureau Director Shen Kaixing, all based on facts.

Then, Lu Fan asked his secretary Chen Zemin to invite Deputy Secretary and Organization Department Head, and the four studied the candidates for Deputy County Head and Finance Bureau Director.

Wang Zhikun expressed his opinion first, "Secretary, Ganshui is an agricultural county. Agriculture Bureau Director Zang Jinfeng has always been very competent. His coordination ability is relatively strong. The higher-level subsidy funds our county strives for every year are among the best in the city. Everyone sees this point."

Organization Department Head Guo Tongyu agreed and nodded, saying, "Zang Jinfeng is indeed a suitable candidate. He is a good hand at managing agriculture, and his reputation is also good."

Zhang Qianyuan said simply, "Old Zang is not bad, his qualifications do not have any problems. Some time ago, the Municipal Audit Bureau came down to audit agricultural work, and basically didn't find any fatal flaws."

Lu Fan was relatively in agreement with the candidate proposed by everyone, so he said, "Then it is decided, recommend Zang Jinfeng for Deputy County Head. What about the Finance Bureau Director?"

Guo Tongyu said, "The Finance Bureau Director needs to have strong coordination ability and must 'grab' money back for the county. I think Huang Ruiqi is more suitable. The Urban Management Bureau is a law enforcement unit, facing more tests, and Huang Ruiqi's reputation is still quite good."

Wang Zhikun and Zhang Qianyuan also recognized this candidate. Everyone recommends cadres basically according to the needs of the post, combined with the cadre's ability, qualifications, and reputation, and puts forward suitable candidates. Under Lu Fan's drive, this style has basically formed.

Lu Fan decided in one word, "Recommend Zang Jinfeng for Deputy County Head, and Huang Ruiqi will serve as Finance Bureau Director. It is a bit early to say this, after all, Shen Kaixing is still in the investigation stage, so please pay attention to confidentiality discipline. As for the two vacant Bureau Director positions, let Chengguan Town Party Committee Secretary Meng Xiangyue go to the Urban Management Bureau. He is also an 'old revolutionary,' and the Secretary will be succeeded by Town Head Lin Hao; let Laoshan Town Party Committee Secretary Wang Shuxian go to the Agriculture Bureau. He is also an 'old agriculture' and can be competent for this post, and the Secretary will be succeeded by Town Head Geng Kai."

"As for the two vacant Town Head positions, choose from the Township People's Congress, let the township personnel 'circulate' again, mobilize the work enthusiasm of grassroots cadres, strive to expand the scope, and let more cadres have small progress. The Organization Department should plan ahead and take out the plan as soon as possible. You three consider the candidates for each post."

The three were already accustomed to the Secretary's delegation of power, which was impossible in other counties and districts.

Just chatting, the secretary came in to report that County Head Wang

Upon hearing this news, Lu Fan was suddenly panicked and somewhat at a loss, not knowing how to face Wang Yewei.

Seeing the Secretary's predicament, Zhang Qianyuan said: "Secretary, shall I go and send her away?"

Lu Fan sighed and said: "You don't need to worry about it. Go get busy; I will see her."

Before long, Chen Zemin brought Wang Yewei in, poured a glass of water, and then withdrew.

Time flies like an arrow; meeting again, memories of the past surged into his heart like a tide.

Their eyes met, and both dodged the gaze—a truly lamentable sight!

Whose youth is without regrets? For some, turning around means becoming strangers!

He had thought they would just forget each other in the sea of people, yet the world is unpredictable, and the trajectory of fate is always unexpected.

Wang Yewei was overwhelmed with emotions. She gathered her courage, looked up, and said: "Lu Fan, please don't take your anger out on my father because of us, okay?"

Lu Fan smiled bitterly: "Yewei, do you think I am that kind of person? Your father is being investigated by the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission. I won't hide it from you—he indeed has engaged in corruption and bribery!"

Hearing this, Wang Yewei's face turned as pale as paper, her body trembled slightly, and tears welled up in her eyes. She pleaded: "Lu Fan, I believe you, because I understand you! For the sake of our past relationship, please help him, save him, can you?"

Seeing her timid appearance, Lu Fan could not bear it, and a trace of pity could not help but well up.

But Wang Baoguo's matter had already exceeded his own capabilities, so he had to harden his heart and say: "It's not that I won't help, but County Head Baoguo has violated Party discipline and state law. In this situation, I am truly powerless!"

Wang Yewei's tears fell, streaming down her cheeks as she cried: "My father is old and has worked hard his whole life, but I never expected he would end up like this. I was truly at the end of my rope, which is why I had the nerve to come ask for your help. As long as you agree to help me, I will do whatever you ask!"

Lu Fan truly could not bear it. People are emotional creatures; after all, during those youthful years, she had left him with many unforgettable memories!

"Yewei, I will help you inquire about the situation. If there is an opportunity to speak, I will try!"

Wang Yewei covered her face with both hands and wept bitterly: "Lu Fan, I'm sorry. Thank you for still being willing to help me. I regret it so much; I shouldn't have missed out on you!"

Lu Fan sighed and said: "Yewei, wipe your tears and go back first. I will notify you if there is any news! Let's not mention the past anymore. You must pull yourself together; life is very long!"

Wang Yewei obediently wiped her tears, stabilized her emotions, stood up, and took a deep look at Lu Fan, engraving the person before her deeply into her mind.

"Deep affection has always existed, yet fate was shallow! Lu Fan, if you are willing to contact me, I am always here! For the rest of your life, I wish you all the best!"

The breeze knows my intent, cool yet affectionate; love rises with the wind, but when the wind stops, the heart remains unsettled!

Walking out of Lu Fan's office, Wang Yewei was extremely reluctant to leave! I still love the person I love; there may not be a lifetime of being together, but there is a lifetime of missing—this is my only obsession for you!

Lu Fan sat in his chair, dazed, for the first time having no heart for work.

After a long while, he sighed! In the end, it was Zhuang Zhou dreaming of a butterfly; who doesn't have some regrets? Tea is only good when it is steeped, and life is only easy when one lets go. To forgive others is to forgive oneself. Let flowers be flowers, let trees be trees; everyone will eventually reconcile with their own unsettled heart!

In the afternoon, Lu Fan headed to the Municipal Committee; there were several matters to report to Secretary Li Mingzhou.

Arriving at the Municipal Committee Office, Lu Fan felt as if he had returned home, receiving a warm welcome; most of the people here had been personally promoted by him.

Near the end of the workday, Lu Fan entered Secretary Li Mingzhou's office.

"Secretary, I am here to report on work."

Li Mingzhou said: "It just so happens I have something to tell you. I saw Wang Hongtao two days ago and talked to him about your situation. Wang Hongtao agreed, but there won't be any movement for the time being. Don't be anxious; there is plenty of time!"

Lu Fan said happily: "Things promised by Secretary Wang will certainly not go wrong!"

"From now on, just put your heart into your work, develop Ganshui with undivided attention, and accumulate political achievements!"

"Thank you, Secretary!"

"We are family, no need for such talk! I assume you came because you want to vie for the County Head position for your Deputy Secretary? Don't even think about it; Wang Baoguo was taken down by Wang Hongtao, and that position is already spoken for. This is the agreement I reached with him!"

"Ah?" Lu Fan was very surprised. Wang Baoguo's downfall actually had something to do with him? He couldn't even bring up the matter of Wang Yewei!

Seeing Lu Fan's disappointed look, Li Mingzhou said: "How can everything go as you wish? Wasn't a Deputy County Head also placed under 'shuanggui'? You can decide that one yourself!"

Lu Fan immediately replied: "Secretary, I have sought the opinions of our comrades and propose recommending Zang Jinfeng, Director of the Agriculture Bureau, to serve as Deputy County Head."

Li Mingzhou noted the name in his small notebook and said: "The County Head of Ganshui is Yuan Weiwei, a classmate of Wang Hongtao. Try your best to get along peacefully, respect each other, and put your minds into your work."

"How to be a good County Party Committee Secretary—a thousand people will have a thousand answers, but all of them boil down to one thing: establish the Party for the public and govern for the people! You must broaden your perspective, be good at observing the big picture and planning major events, and know how to use people. You must never get bogged down in every trivial detail of specific work."

Lu Fan nodded and said: "Please rest assured, Secretary. I will definitely prioritize the overall situation of Ganshui's development and get along correctly with my comrades."

After a while, Lu Fan still couldn't help but ask: "Secretary, let me ask one more thing: is Wang Baoguo's matter serious? How will it ultimately be handled?"

Li Mingzhou said: "Secretary Liu Tuo has communicated with me. The procedures will be followed immediately; it is estimated he will be expelled from both the Party and public office! Why? Do you have any thoughts?"

Lu Fan sighed and said: "We worked together after all. Wang Baoguo is not bad by nature and was quite cooperative with my work. I feel a little bit of reluctance!"

Li Mingzhou lectured: "Do not have the benevolence of a woman. Politics has its cruelty; it is often a life-or-death struggle. Many things have no path for turning back; this is the price!"

Meanwhile, Wang Hongtao was also instructing Yuan Weiwei over the phone: "Secretary Jiazhong has nodded regarding your matter, so it is estimated there won't be any accidents. Once you arrive in Ganshui, you must position yourself correctly, respect Lu Fan, and carry out work under the leadership of the County Party Committee. Lu Fan is my student and is doing quite well now. I estimate Ganshui will produce results in the next two years."

"This is your first time serving in a primary position in the government. It is not appropriate to arrive and immediately start blathering, without understanding the actual situation, and making reckless proposals; it is not appropriate to be bossy and abuse power; it is not appropriate to start a new stove, change course, and engage in vanity projects and political achievement projects; it is not appropriate to stay away from the masses and act high and mighty, making cadres and the masses stab you in the back. Remember not to use power to make deals, and do not get chummy or flirt with merchants!"

Yuan Weiwei replied: "Hongtao, you know I am not that kind of person. I have often heard of Lu Fan; he can be called young and promising. Once I go to Ganshui, I will definitely position myself correctly, prioritize work, and not engage in those messy things!"