Chapter 352

The speech at the principal appointment meeting, Lu Fan had given it careful thought, but he had not communicated with County Chief Yuan Weiwei.

Afterward, Lu Fan felt it was somewhat improper, and he specifically had his secretary invite the County Chief to the office to explain.

Yuan Weiwei listened and then smiled, saying: "Secretary, I calculated that after the merger of 7 middle schools, Temple Bay Town Middle School has 2,213 students, Temple Bay Primary School has 519 students, Stone Bay Town Kindergarten has 413 children, and the remaining 7 complete schools together have only 1,312 students; the total number of students in the townships is 4,457, the main focus is still in the county seat, and the schools altogether have 11,331 students."

Therefore, we only need to provide three meals a day for 4,457 students; our original 'Nutrition Improvement Plan' already provided one lunch. I estimated that, at a standard of 30 yuan per person per day, each semester would require an expenditure of over 13 million yuan, which is not a big problem. If we eliminate corruption in all links, especially procurement, I feel we can reduce the cost to within 10 million yuan. As for waiving transportation fees, if organized properly, it would only be a few hundred thousand yuan per semester.

Lu Fan's face showed apology, and he spoke sincerely: "This matter had already been discussed in the Standing Committee before you took office, and we had preliminarily reached a consensus. But no matter what, I should have consulted you beforehand; please forgive me!"

Yuan Weiwei listened, gave a slight smile, waved her hand, and said: "Secretary, there's no need to worry; the county government will firmly implement all decisions and deployments of the county Party Committee. Moreover, providing free three meals a day for township students is absolutely a major initiative that will greatly reduce parents' burdens and will surely be widely praised; I wholeheartedly support it!"

Lu Fan said: "Actually, I dare to do this because my confidence comes from the improvement of county finances; last year our fiscal revenue increased from 200 million to nearly 400 million. This year, with the construction and production of several major projects, fiscal revenue will further rise. We won't engage in image projects or performance projects; we will carry out genuine people‑benefiting measures that let ordinary people directly benefit."

"Secretary, we both come from the countryside, we know the people's hardships, I wholeheartedly agree with your idea of spending money where it counts. Spending money for the people, I don't feel the slightest pang!"

Lu Fan laughed and said: "We are of one mind; then I can open my mouth wide like a lion!"

Weiwei laughed and said: "Go ahead and say it; let's see if you can scare me!"

"If the county's fiscal revenue can exceed 600 million, I want to implement completely free education across the county—parents just need to send their children to school, and we will cover food, clothing, housing, and transportation. This year, I first want to resolve the school uniform issue for the county's 15,788 students, with the county finance department making a unified purchase, one set for winter and one for summer. You should know that parents have strong opinions about uniform procurement; the styles, quality, and prices vary greatly among schools. If we talk behind closed doors, is there no corruption? Centralized procurement for over ten thousand people, more than thirty thousand sets, will directly drive down prices. Winter down jackets are a bit more expensive, but I think we can keep the cost per student around 300 yuan, which amounts to about 5 million yuan. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Weiwei fell into deep thought.

After a moment, he realized that this matter could also bring him great prestige, and he decisively said: "Secretary, this money is well spent, I support it!" It's only 5 million; the money wasted in a year is far more!

Lu Fan nodded and said: "Then notify the Education Bureau to stop all school uniform purchases. Please quickly draft a plan and submit it to the Standing Committee for discussion and decision. Furthermore, I want to emphasize that absolutely no one is allowed to profit from the uniform scheme; once corruption is discovered, the person must be expelled from both the Party and the position, with no leniency."

"Okay, Secretary, I will assign this task to Liang Qi and will personally oversee every link."

"Fine, I'll find a chance to give him a few reminders as well. Moreover, the position of Executive Deputy County Chief is vacant; I want to recommend to the Municipal Party Committee the Organization Department Head Guo Tongyu. What do you think?"

Weiwei pondered briefly and then said: "Secretary, I have no objection."

"Well, next time you reassign the Deputy County Chiefs' portfolios, my opinion is that Zang Jinfeng should oversee agriculture—he once headed the Agriculture Bureau; Luo Chen should oversee industry—he once headed the Economic Development Bureau; Liang Qi should continue overseeing culture, education, and health; as for the rest, you adjust as you see fit, making the most of people's talents, utilizing their expertise to the fullest, and employing their abilities fully."

"Okay, Secretary, I will first draft a preliminary division of labor plan and then report it to you."

After the new semester began, parents in Ganshui's eight townships were astonished to discover that when they registered this year, they didn't have to pay a single cent!

Moreover, parents received notice that starting from the first day of the semester, schools would provide free three meals a day and free accommodation; parents in need should register at the school.

The sudden good news caused the whole of Ganshui's townships to erupt; people spread the word, and this exhilarating news went viral.

The public felt deep gratitude toward this policy, because it eased the financial burden on rural families, eliminated everyone's worries about the future, and some parents have already begun planning to go out to work.

Everyone knows that such an excellent people‑benefiting policy could only be conceived and carried out by Secretary Lu; the masses vied to praise it, feeling fortunate that Ganshui has finally gotten a good official.

March 5, an unexpected visitor came to Ganshui to visit Lu Fan—Deputy County Chief Chen Muxue of Ningyang County.

Lu Fan warmly welcomed him; his cousin's job at Qinchuan Petroleum was arranged by his father personally.

After the pleasantries, Chen Muxue explained her purpose: "Secretary Lu, the position of Executive Deputy County Chief in Ganshui is vacant; I would like to strive to serve under your leadership."

Lu Fan found it hard to refuse, so he politely said: "Adjustments to the county‑city leadership are decided by the Municipal Party Committee. If you can come, I welcome you wholeheartedly!"

Chen Muxue smiled faintly and said: "Secretary Lu, your achievements in Ganshui are evident to all in the city, and you are highly regarded by the Municipal Party Committee. If you are willing to recommend me to the Municipal Party Committee, they will surely give great importance, and please retain me, Secretary Lu."

Lu Fan considered it and said: "Muxue, we were friends when we were in Ningyang, and I'm not hiding anything from you—Ganshui's Executive Deputy County Chief already has a candidate; I have recommended to the Municipal Party Committee the Organization Department Head Guo Tongyu."

Chen Muxue showed a hint of disappointment, but immediately said: "Secretary Lu, the position of Organization Department Head is also a great advancement for me; please make it happen, Secretary Lu."

Lu Fan felt embarrassed; he had originally planned to transfer one Deputy County Chief or Standing Committee member to serve as Organization Department Head, which would allow selecting a Deputy County Chief from among the section‑level leaders, and incidentally adjust several bureau chiefs' posts to mobilize everyone's work enthusiasm.

If Chen Muxue were to monopolize the Organization Department Head position, then Ganshui's cadres would be finished this time!

But the favor owed to his cousin is great, and he cannot avoid repaying it; after prolonged consideration, Lu Fan reluctantly said: "Muxue, you've given me a big problem! I originally intended to appoint a Deputy County Chief as Organization Department Head, then promote a Deputy County Chief from the functional bureaus; I had discussed all that needed to be discussed and had already recommended a candidate to the Municipal Party Committee, but you have completely thrown off my rhythm!"

Chen Muxue pleaded: "I know you certainly have a candidate, but mid‑term adjustments are rare opportunities; please help me navigate this, Secretary Lu—I will work hard and assist you in doing a good job with organization work."

Seeing her face full of "I want to advance," Lu Fan sighed and said: "Since you've brought this up, even if it's difficult we must do it, but you'll have to pay a price!"

Chen Muxue's heart jumped—she had just gotten married, and besides, she's not that kind of person!

"You need to make some contribution to Ganshui so I have an excuse to go back on my word to the Municipal Party Committee. I know Qinchuan Petroleum is planning several major projects this year; your father is in charge of investment, so you must bravely take on the responsibility! Moreover, every county‑level leader in Ganshui has an investment‑promotion task!"

Hearing this, Chen Muxue felt relieved and laughed: "Please rest assured, Secretary Lu; serving the overall interests of Ganshui, I naturally cannot shirk my duty! Tonight I will go home, and even if I wear out my lips, I will strive to secure projects for Ganshui!"

Lu Fan laughed: "The more, the better—I have confidence in you!"

That night, Chen Muxue rushed straight to Chang'an, went home, and pestered her father relentlessly.

For his daughter's future, Chairman Chen naturally couldn't be stingy; he readily agreed to coordinate three investment projects each over 500 million yuan.

Just as Lu Fan said, placing the investment anywhere is no harm; if it helps his daughter, why not?

Past ten o'clock in the evening, Lu Fan received a call from Chen Muxue, who exclaimed excitedly: "Secretary Lu, great harvest—I have secured three projects for us: centrifugal cotton, special housing, and oil pump reducers, each with investment over 500 million yuan!"

Lu Fangu excitedly said: "Great, Muxue! Thank you for your huge contribution to Ganshui's economic development; I'll go to the Municipal Party Committee tomorrow morning!"

"Thank you for your patronage, Secretary Lu; I will certainly work hard!"

Lu Fan hung up the phone, feeling satisfied; this kind of connection will definitely be of great use in the future!

Lu Fan kept his word; the next morning he went straight to the Municipal Party Committee and demanded of Secretary Li Mingzhou that they hand over Chen Muxue from Ningyang.

Hearing his son‑in‑law demand a beautiful female cadre, Li Mingzhou raised objections, saying he must be responsible for his daughter!

Lu Fan hurriedly explained: first, Chen Muxue could bring investment; second, it was a matter of repaying a favor, as she had arranged a job for his cousin.

Reasonable as it was, Li Mingzhou's expression eased, he agreed to Lu Fan's request, and said: "The Municipal Party Committee has planned a combined heat and power project to provide heating for Ganshui and the southern part of Yingjiang; the project will be built in two phases, with a total investment of 4 billion yuan, and site selection will take place soon. Moreover, there is a hot‑cube air‑source heat pump manufacturing project; I have already connected it, it will be located in Ganshui, with an investment of over 400 million yuan. By the way, the province has a key project—scrap automobile dismantling—with an investment of 200 million yuan; I have also helped you secure that."

Lu Fan was overjoyed and happily said: "Secretary, I will certainly handle the project's liaison, coordination, and service work; this year Ganshui will surely experience explosive growth!"

"Well, work hard and try to achieve something within a year or two. In your work, use your brain more—you must not be all show and no substance, and you also need to have a good social impact; in this regard, you should think more like Wang Hongtao, whose ideas are truly beyond the reach of ordinary people."