Chapter 338

Coming out of the Municipal Committee, Lu Fan went directly to the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission to find Secretary Wu Xiaohua.

Seeing Lu Fan looking unhappy and appearing as if he had something to say but was holding back, Wu Xiaohua asked curiously: "Lu Fan, is everything okay?"

"Brother Wu, is there any turning point in Wang Baoguo's case?"

"Why do you care about him? You aren't involved with him, are you?"

"Brother Wu, what are you thinking? Sigh, we were colleagues after all. Actually, he was very cooperative with my work; it's just that he couldn't control himself financially. I suspect the problem isn't particularly large, and the amount involved won't be particularly high."

Wu Xiaohua interrupted: "Stop, stop, stop. I'm telling you, Lu Fan, you aren't bored enough to want to meddle in this, are you? Some of the clues were provided by the people you handled!"

"Sigh!" Lu Fan sighed and said: "Brother Wu, let me tell you the truth! Wang Baoguo's daughter talked to me and found me today, all teary-eyed. I really couldn't refuse!"

Wu Xiaohua immediately scolded: "Are you tired of living a comfortable life? You kid, don't you dare have a brain cramp! Zimeng is such a good girl, and Secretary Li thinks so highly of you! Come, come, tell me, are you trying to reach the heavens?"

Lu Fan explained: "Brother Wu, you know I'm not that kind of person!"

"Who knows? You can know a person's face but not their heart! You kid, don't you dare have any wandering thoughts!"

"Brother Wu, I haven't been in contact with her since we broke up. She found me today, and I truly couldn't bear it, but there is absolutely no emotional entanglement. Can you understand that?"

Wu Xiaohua said bluntly: "No, I cannot understand! Don't tell me you intend to ask Secretary Mingzhou about this?"

Lu Fan said: "I mentioned it to the Secretary just now, but I didn't say it specifically. He told me not to have the benevolence of a woman."

Wu Xiaohua looked at him with a sense of frustration, saying: "I don't know what you're thinking! Asking your future father-in-law to save your 'former father-in-law'—I can't believe you could think of that! Lu Fan, can you just settle down? It wasn't easy for us to reach the position we are at now!"

"It's precisely because I couldn't open my mouth to Secretary Li that I came to find you! Brother Wu, heaven knows, earth knows, you know, and I know. Can you help me? The request isn't high—just don't let Wang Baoguo go inside! I swear to heaven, I will absolutely not have any involvement with her!"

In the end, he couldn't resist, and Wu Xiaohua's tone softened: "The Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission is handling the case; how do you expect me to help?"

"Brother Wu, you are in the same system; aren't the province and city the same? I estimate Secretary Liu Tuo won't pay attention to these 'trivial' matters. You find the people handling the case—probation within the Party, dismissal, whatever—it doesn't matter, as long as he doesn't go inside. It would be best if he could keep his public office!"

After pondering for a moment, Wu Xiaohua said: "Wang Baoguo's case is being handled by Director Xiaobin, and he is not an easy person to lobby. Sigh, you really give me difficult problems. Forget it, I'll find an opportunity to understand the situation. You must not be foolish again, and you must not tell Secretary Mingzhou about this—don't mention a single word!"

"Okay, I won't say a word. Thank you, Brother Wu!"

Coming out of the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission, Lu Fan was just about to return to Ganshui when his phone rang. He looked at the number; it was Municipal Party Deputy Secretary Guo Zhitao. He hurriedly answered: "Secretary Guo, please instruct!"

Guo Zhitao laughed: "I just saw your car downstairs. You're at the Municipal Committee? If you're not busy, come sit with me for a while!"

"Okay, Secretary, I'll be right over to bother you!"

Arriving at Guo Zhitao's office, the tea was already brewed, and Secretary Guo was sitting on the sofa fiddling with the tea set.

"Lu Fan, sit down quickly and taste my Pu'er!" Guo Zhitao greeted him warmly.

Lu Fan laughed: "Secretary Guo, I drink tea like a cow chewing on a peony; giving such good tea to me is simply a waste!"

Guo Zhitao said: "The character for 'tea' can be broken down into 'a person among grass and trees.' A lifetime is but an autumn for the grass and trees. Calm your heart, hold a cup of fragrant tea, watch the orchid buds and jade stamens, the branches and leaves unfolding in a thousand postures. Take a small sip, refreshing and heart-soothing. With a cup in hand, fame and wealth are forgotten. Tea is like life, and life is also like tea!"

Lu Fan laughed: "Secretary, your golden words have benefited me greatly! In the future, I must learn more from you—a calm heart to see a cool world!"

After finishing a pot of tea, Guo Zhitao looked at Lu Fan and asked: "How are your talks with Zhongqing Tourism going?"

Lu Fan answered with a solemn expression: "Secretary, this concerns the vital interests of the people of Ganshui, so we dare not be the slightest bit careless. At present, the differences between the two sides are large, and the negotiation progress is slow. I believe that as long as everyone has sincerity, after patient and meticulous communication, we will eventually be able to reach a consensus and take into account the interests of all parties!"

Guo Zhitao nodded slightly and said: "Hmm, that's a very good attitude, but you must also pay attention to grasping the scale and rhythm; you cannot drag it out for too long. After all, time is money, and Ganshui's development is imminent; we cannot afford to wait! I hope you resolve the differences as soon as possible, accelerate the negotiation progress, and strive to reach a cooperation agreement early to jointly develop the hot land of Ganshui tourism!"

Lu Fan nodded in agreement and said: "I will keep the Secretary's instructions in mind. After I go back, I will personally inquire and focus on it, striving to reach a cooperation as soon as possible. Thank you for your consistent support and help to Ganshui and me!"

"What are the specific differences now?"

"It's still the issue of shares and management rights. Ganshui wants to take 60% of the shares and jointly develop and manage."

Guo Zhitao thought for a moment and said: "We cannot remain in such a stalemate. I think the management rights can be given to the other side. After all, Zhongqing Tourism has an advantage in this regard; they have a scientific and mature management system that has been tested by the market."

Lu Fan pondered for a moment and said crisply: "I will follow the Secretary's arrangements. I will implement your instructions immediately upon returning!" Giving the management rights was already in the plan.

Guo Zhitao was very satisfied with Lu Fan's attitude and felt respected, though it also made it a bit difficult for him to bring up the concession on shares.

Guo Zhitao was silent for a moment, but finally decided to speak: "Lu Fan, I know this is quite difficult for you. After all, Zhongqing Tourism has to invest real money to develop Ganshui's tourism resources. Can Ganshui consider making a slight concession on the shares? After all, the sooner we cooperate, the sooner Ganshui can enjoy the dividends brought by the tourism industry! Of course, this is just my personal suggestion; how to operate specifically is still up to Ganshui to decide."

Unexpectedly, Lu Fan was very accommodating, saying: "Since the Secretary has instructions, I will naturally follow them. After I go back, I will study it with my comrades and make appropriate concessions on the shares!"

Lu Fan's thought was that since it was all in the plan, he might as well give Guo Zhitao face readily and let him remember this big favor!

Unexpectedly, Lu Fan was so sensible and so quick that it surprised Guo Zhitao. Naturally, both sides were happy, and they talked very pleasantly.

Returning to Ganshui, Lu Fan called Deputy Secretary Wang Zhikun into his office and said with a solemn expression: "Zhikun, I just returned from the Municipal Committee and recommended you to Secretary Li, but the situation is not optimistic. The Provincial Committee already has a candidate for the Ganshui County Head, and it is estimated that the appointment will be made in a few days. I suggest you don't waste your efforts!"

Wang Zhikun was slightly disappointed, but immediately returned to normal and said: "I am very grateful for the Secretary's concern and help. If I get it, it is my fortune; if I lose it, it is my fate. I will face it calmly, and my work will absolutely not slacken."

Lu Fan said again: "Don't be discouraged. This is a special situation and it is quite complicated. However, you have made a name for yourself with Secretary Li. As long as we do our work well and produce solid results, there will be no shortage of opportunities. There is plenty of time!"

Just as he was speaking, the phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number from Chang'an. Lu Fan thought for a moment and answered it.

"Lu Fan, this is Zhang Xiaobin!"

Lu Fan immediately gave Wang Zhikun a look, signaling him to go out, and then said politely: "Hello, Director Zhang! I am very happy to receive your call! If you have any instructions, please feel free to order!"

Zhang Xiaobin laughed: "It's been a few years since we met. You have progressed very quickly, and I am very happy for you!"

Lu Fan always remembered that the first time he was taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission, it was Director Xiaobin who "wielded the knife," but he hadn't made things difficult for him; instead, he had taken good care of him. This friendship could not be forgotten!

"If there is an opportunity, please invite Director Zhang to Ganshui to inspect and guide our work so I can fulfill the duties of a host!"

Zhang Xiaobin laughed: "I will definitely go. I have a classmate who is going to work in Ganshui, so I am calling specifically to greet you!"

Lu Fan asked: "Is it Director Yuan Weiwei?"

"It seems you have received the news. Weiwei is a classmate of mine and Hongtao. Now you two will be working together. Weiwei's work is very pragmatic; I believe you will definitely become a golden partnership!"

"Please rest assured, Director Zhang. I will definitely fully support County Head Yuan's work, help him enter the work state as soon as possible, work hand in hand, and plan for the overall development of Ganshui!"

"Then I can rest assured. Weiwei is in charge for the first time; if there are any inadequacies, you should be more accommodating and give him more pointers."

Lu Fan had been thinking about whether he could open his mouth to Director Xiaobin.

Thinking of Wang Yewei's sad appearance, Lu Fan still couldn't resist and asked: "Director Zhang, how is the investigation into Wang Baoguo's case going? Has it implicated other leading cadres in Ganshui?"

Zhang Xiaobin was silent for a moment and said: "The Discipline Inspection Commission has confidentiality discipline when handling cases. I can only say that your Executive Deputy County Head and the Finance Bureau Director have significant problems!"

Lu Fan said: "Director Zhang, thank you! There are some things I shouldn't have said, but Wang Baoguo was quite supportive of my work. I want to plead for him; if possible, it would be best if he didn't go inside!"

Zhang Xiaobin said seriously: "Lu Fan, Party discipline does not allow for bargaining! As for the final handling result, it depends on his attitude in confessing problems and the size of the amount involved. I will tell him what needs to be said. If there is meritorious service, the Discipline Inspection Commission will handle it accordingly! Do not inquire about this matter again, and do not look for anyone else. Do you understand?"

Lu Fan hurriedly said: "Director Zhang, I understand what you mean. Thank you!"

Hanging up the phone, Lu Fan let out a long sigh of relief, feeling that he could be worthy of Wang Yewei.

Life is half clear, half relieved. Everyone has their own path to walk. The intersection with her ends here; let the past go with the wind!

All meetings are destined by fate. The present is the best; walk the path under your feet well and cherish the people before you!