Chapter 354: with translation of chapter title

By the end of April, after six months of tug-of-war, Ganshui County finally reached a cooperation intention with China Youth Travel Service.

On May 1, with pleasant weather and clear skies, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Laoshan Tourism PPP project, with a total investment of 450 million yuan, was held solemnly in Laoshan Town, marking the official launch of Ganshui County's first PPP project.

The project covers about 20 square kilometers, with a construction period of 30 months, and will build 25 scenic spots including parking lots, cultural villages, forest parks, Sky Road flower seas, cable cars, relay station towns, historical and cultural zones, and rafting. The goal is to develop Ganshui's tourism scenic area into an AAAA-level scenic area, a well-known leisure and vacation destination in Northwest China, and a new benchmark for forest cultural experiential tourism within three years.

Municipal Party Secretary Li Mingzhou attended the groundbreaking ceremony, and all four leading bodies of Ganshui County and relevant departments participated.

County Party Secretary Lu Fan delivered a speech, stating that the project's groundbreaking would inject strong developmental momentum into Ganshui County; taking this as an opportunity, the county Party committee and government will vigorously develop the tourism industry, improve government service efficiency, perfect related supporting facilities, and make new contributions to optimizing Ganshui County's industrial structure and creating employment opportunities.

Within just half a year, 28 major projects and nearly 33 billion yuan of investment poured into this small county of 100,000 people, bringing unprecedented opportunities and vitality to Ganshui County, and causing earth-shaking changes across all sectors.

Lu Fan and County Chief Weiwei divided responsibilities clearly, each taking charge of 14 projects, treating them as top priorities to ensure project construction and production.

Since Weiwei took office, Lu Fan truly feels much more relaxed; this county chief's execution ability is beyond praise—she does things conscientiously, meticulously, and steadily, and most valuable is her high political stance.

Being able to partner with such an excellent teammate, Lu Fan feels fortunate and can focus wholeheartedly on development.

After the May Day holiday ended, Weiwei brought several documents to the county Party committee to report on work.

After entering, Weiwei said with a smile: "This May Day, Chang'an City was ablaze across the sky, becoming the nation's hottest tourist city. I just looked at the statistics—both tourist numbers and tourism revenue ranked first nationwide, leaving the second place far behind!"

Lu Fan laughed: "Secretary Hong Tao's publicity methods are beyond ordinary people's reach; lately, my phone has been filled with Chang'an tourism promotions. We must learn from Chang'an, as the role of short-video platforms and social media grows ever larger!"

Weiwei handed over a document and said: "Secretary, the first-quarter economic operation analysis is out. Chang'an's GDP has entered the national top ten and secured first place in 20 indicators, truly astonishing! However, Ganshui is not bad either—fixed-asset investment, industrial investment, fiscal revenue growth, investment promotion, and the two incomes of urban and rural residents, among 16 indicators, steadily rank first in the city, with overall ranking also first!"

Lu Fangu said excitedly: "The results are gratifying, but we must be clear that many shortcomings still exist in our work, especially insufficient awareness of taking the initiative. Petroleum equipment manufacturing and several major projects of Longteng are our industrial pillar industries; we must strive in these two areas to build two industrial chains, with the investment promotion focus of the Silk Expo placed on these. Moreover, Weiwei, you should still think of ways with Secretary Hong Tao—Chang'an has recently been making moves in the pharmaceutical and automobile manufacturing sectors, with considerable activity; whatever leaks from Secretary Hong Tao's fingers would be enough for us Ganshui to 'eat and drink'!"

Weiwei considered it and said: "Alright, then I'll thicken my skin and go to Chang'an tomorrow!"

Lu Fan again smiled brightly and said: "Weiwei, I see the fiscal revenue these past few months has been good; how much money have you 'saved up'?"

Weiwei replied with a smile: "I estimate you can hardly hold back, Secretary; this year the situation is wholly favorable, with tax revenue plus transfer payments, the county's available funds now exceed 700 million yuan!"

Hearing this number, Lu Fan was overjoyed and said in a consultative tone: "Weiwei, could we squeeze a bit, grit our teeth, and wipe out Ganshui's government debt in one go?"

Weiwei laughed: "Great minds think alike; I am also a 'tender-hearted' person who dislikes owing money—being debt-free feels light, and when speaking before enterprises we can also be more firm!"

"Then it's settled; let us strive toward the ideal direction of ensuring the elderly are cared for, the young have education, the sick receive medical treatment, food is safe, residence brings joy, and matters can be handled. I believe Ganshui will surely get better and better!"

Weiwei suddenly said: "Secretary, I have two ideas I'd like to discuss with you."

"Speak; as long as it benefits Ganshui, I support it!"

Weiwei weighed her words and said: "We exempted meal fees for township students in the first half of the year, and this policy was widely praised at the grassroots level. However, people's minds are complex; urban parents have begun to complain, and moreover, a large number of township-registered students studying in the county seat have not benefited from the policy, so many have started to voice grievances. I have considered that Ganshui's fiscal revenue will increase significantly this year; this amount of money can be taken out, so why not implement free three-meal provision across the entire county?"

Lu Fan looked at Weiwei with gratification and said satisfactorily: "What you say is correct; matters have priorities—rather than building two roads or carrying out a few projects, it's better to spend the money genuinely on the people."

Weiwei added: "Not long ago I researched the public transit company and found the vehicles severely aged, with maintenance costs remaining high. Secretary, I think we should uniformly replace a batch of electric buses for the company, and then implement free public transit rides throughout the county."

Lu Fan's eyes lit up; he felt the proposal was good and eye-catching, so he asked: "Have you calculated how much subsidy the finance would need to provide annually?"

Weiwei said: "As long as we lock down all related costs, we would only need to invest a few million more each year; this small public transit company has plenty of tricks up its sleeve!"

Lu Fan immediately said: "You take the lead on this work, and let the Discipline Inspection Committee fully cooperate; whoever dares to reach into the livelihood sector—no discussion, just chop off that hand! By the way, have any schools been charging fees illegally? How much money has the finance allocated to education these past few months?"

Weiwei said with a smile: "As far as I know, there is no illegal fee collection in the schools, but I have indeed approved a lot of money—these are unified reports from the Education Bureau, covering miscellaneous class fees, overtime fees, material fees, all kinds of odds and ends, yet I have approved them all!"

Lu Fan said: "Give what should be given; education cannot be stingy. This year's focus is the college entrance exam. With one month left, we need to tighten the screws at the senior high school; as long as the school is responsible, the grades will surely show some level! If they achieve good scores, the county Party committee and government can give heavy rewards—money is the best incentive."

The next day, Weiwei made full preparations and went to the Chang'an Municipal Party Committee, determined to 'entangle' with her old classmate Wang Hongtao to strive for benefits for Ganshui.

Upon hearing the secretary's report, the old classmate arrived; Wang Hongtao met Weiwei amidst his busy schedule, smiling and saying: "You don't come to the Three Treasures Hall without cause; I'm also quite busy—speak if you have something to say!"

Weiwei first offered praise: "Chang'an's development really makes people envious—20 indicators ranking first nationwide, and its GDP has shot up to eighth in the country……"

Wang Hongtao interrupted: "Good, my old classmate; I still have to accompany several auto companies to select land for project construction later—just get to the point; I'll do whatever I can to help!"

Weiwei said, feeling a bit embarrassed: "Secretary, then I won't beat around the bush—I've come to trouble you with a genuine request; I'm extending my face to ask for your support for Ganshui County's development! We have several localities vigorously developing medicinal herb cultivation, aiming to become the planting base for a trillion-yuan pharmaceutical industrial park. Moreover, Ganshui is vigorously developing petroleum equipment manufacturing and automobile industry manufacturing, hoping to obtain Chang'an's assistance and support."

Wang Hongtao laughed and said: "Your skin is thin; hasn't Lu Fan been pulling strings for you a lot? Since you've come, I won't let you make a wasted trip—Chang'an's trillion-yuan industrial park indeed needs large planting bases; I have recommended a few pharmaceutical companies to go to Yinzhou for inspection, and later I'll call them to make a special trip to Ganshui County when they return. As for the automobile industry, I'll keep an eye out; if there are suitable small supporting projects for the county town, I'll recommend them to you."

After hearing this, Weiwei laughed brightly and said: "At last, this trip was not in vain; I can return and make my report!"

Wang Hongtao asked: "You are sincere; fortunately you are conscientious—how is your relationship with Lu Fan?"

"'Pretty good; Lu Fan strongly supports my work, giving the county government great autonomy, and whenever something comes up we can consult each other promptly.'"

Wang Hongtao then asked: "What is his work style like? How is his integrity?"

Weiwei said seriously: "In Ganshui, nobody dares to say Lu Fan would be corrupt or embezzlement; I firmly believe that. As for his work style, he is decisive and efficient, capable of leading by example, daring to tackle and manage difficulties, strong in principle, not afraid to offend people—he has taken down several county-level officials, though I feel he is a bit overbearing, but all of it is for the public good!"

Wang Hongtao laughed and said: "I have some understanding of Ganshui—it was lethargic and its work style lax; as the top leader there, one needs to be more overbearing, establishing one's authority, in order to cut through tangled problems with a swift blade and rectify work discipline. In this regard you really ought to learn from Lu Fan; actually, the two of you make a very suitable team, with complementary personalities, and I am optimistic that you can completely take charge of Ganshui. I have read Yingjiang's first-quarter economic operation report; you are now doing very well, already racing to first in the city. I hope you can keep this momentum and strive for first place at year's end. Weiwei, good county governance brings peace to the world; I hope you will hone yourself well in the post of county chief, learn from Lu Fan's strengths and make up for your shortcomings, strive to improve your own abilities, and I will support whatever deserves support."

On May 5, Ganshui County announced a shocking piece of news: the entire county's government debt has been cleared to zero!

This is, after Zhenbei District, the second county-level area in the city to achieve zero debt; the news hit like a heavy bomb, exploding throughout the county seat and even spreading to the city and province. Bosses undertaking projects in Ganshui wept with joy and spread the word; social media was flooded with this message, as netizens left comments marveling at Ganshui County's achievement.

This time the county-wide government debt clearance has allowed Ganshui to go into action lightly loaded, letting cadres and the masses breathe a great sigh of relief, with the people of Ganshui County full of pride as they look to the future.

They believe that under the leadership of Secretary Lu, Ganshui County will usher in an even more prosperous and bright tomorrow!