Chapter 357

In early July, Wang Hongtao received a phone call from Minister Chen Deming.

"Hongtao, Chang'an's performance has been dazzling lately! Especially your several trillion‑yuan industrial parks—just hearing about them is inspiring! And that 'Talent War' has provoked complaints from many provinces, with some even coming to me to file grievances!"

Wang Hongtao laughed and said: "Chang'an City needs a large influx of talent to support its industrial clustering this year. Everyone goes their own way, succeeds by their own abilities—anyway, I'm acting openly and above board; Minister, you surely won't criticize me, will you?"

Chen Deming laughed: "Go your own way, let others talk! Since the Secretary hasn't criticized you, go ahead boldly!"

With your words, I feel much more reassured! Minister, rest assured—I will surely bring about a 'radiantly brilliant' Chang'an; this year's goal is to break into the top five nationwide.

Chen Deming pointedly said: "Hongtao, it's early July now; these days you should submit all economic indicators, as the mid‑year assessment is approaching. You must pay special attention and spare no effort to achieve the best results."

Wang Hongtao realized something and said firmly: "Secretary, I guarantee Chang'an will gain several more places in the mid‑year assessment, striving to hold fourth and fight for third nationwide."

Good, this is important for you—Gao Zhen may be leaving Qinchuan Province; I just met Duan Pengfei!

Wang Hongtao instantly understood the reason and couldn't help saying: "Minister, do I have a chance to compete?"

I will definitely support you, but there are many variables—competitors aren't only in Qinchuan; many in the ministries are eyeing this, after all it's a high‑level platform! Your biggest advantage is your work performance, so you must maximize it!

Minister, I now know what to do—thank you for pointing me in the right direction!

After hanging up, Wang Hongtao couldn't sit still; feeling the pull of his post, he picked a few boxes of tea from the cabinet and went to the Provincial Party Committee to visit Deputy Secretary Gao Zhen and Secretary Chen Jiazhong.

July 3, the Organization Department's inspection team arrived in Qinchuan Province to conduct an organizational inspection of Provincial Party Deputy Secretary Gao Zhen.

Several members of the Provincial Party Standing Committee were restless, lining up to report work to Secretary Chen Jiazhong, or occasionally running off to the capital.

Anyone who can reach this level of leadership—who could be mediocre? Who doesn't have a 'patron' behind them?

In Duan Pengfei's office, Le Xueren said with a solemn expression: "Wang Hongtao is good at creating momentum; he's been making big moves these months! Pengfei, what did Boss Huang say?"

Duan Pengfei frowned and said: "It's a 4‑6 split—I get four, he gets six; basically decided, the deputy secretary position will be filled from within the province."

Oh dear, this won't be easy—his momentum is strong; we need to find a way to interrupt it!

Xueren, I've run out of ideas—do you have any good solutions?

After long thought, Le Xueren said: "Chang'an's 'stalled building' problem is serious, public resentment is boiling over; regardless of whether it was caused under Wang Hongtao's watch, as the municipal Party secretary he bears the primary responsibility."

Duan Pengfei nodded and said: "That's actually a good breakthrough—today's netizens are easy to fool; just post a few photos, find a few people to cry out, and you can stir up public opinion, preferably with negative effects to wear him down. Xueren, I need to avoid suspicion, so I can't do this myself—this task falls to you."

Le Xueren thought briefly and said: "Pengfei, rest assured, I'll handle this. There's also strong reaction to the demolition of Tang Huangcheng, which we can also exploit."

Duan Pengfei sighed: "Only in a gale do we know which grass is sturdy; only in turmoil do we see loyal ministers! At a critical moment I finally know who my true friends are. Xueren, rest assured—once I'm in power I can overwhelm Wang Hongtao, find any pretext, and we'll take care of that little scoundrel in Yingjiang!"

These days, Ganshui County Senior High School sent out good news; the whole county is filled with a joyful atmosphere!

Sleeping on firewood and tasting gall, sharpening a sword for ten years! Ganshui County Senior High School's 'climb, overcome, sprint'—this year, of the 460 students taking the gaokao, 181 scored above the first‑line cutoff, up 140 from last year; 261 passed the second‑line cutoff, up 211 from last year, achieving the best results in history. This in one stroke reversed the county's passive high‑school education situation and fully realized the 'low entry, high exit' gaokao work goal.

Faced with the pleasing results, County Party Secretary Lu Fan, on behalf of the county Party committee and government, congratulated Ganshui County Senior High School on its excellent gaokao performance and extended high respect to the broad ranks of educators who have long struggled on the education front.

At the same time, the county Party committee and government awarded the county senior high school two million yuan, giving heavy rewards to those who have made contributions!

Furthermore, the county Party committee and government approved the senior high school's application to heavily recruit 12 provincial‑level subject leaders, backbone teachers, and teaching newcomers, with annual salaries of 500,000 to 1,000,000 yuan! There are also substantial teaching performance bonuses!

Li Zimeng used her unit's 'advantage' to invite backbone teachers from the High School Affiliated to Renmin University to help Ganshui County conduct targeted training for high‑school teachers throughout the summer vacation.

Lu Fan used his personal connection with Zhao Sijie, head of the Provincial Education Department, to dispatch 24 second‑year high‑school teachers to study at Chang'an High‑Tech No. 1 Middle School.

These teachers attending the training are all carefully selected backbone teachers from the senior high school, carrying the hopes of the whole school and even the entire county. To boost their training enthusiasm, Lu Fan and Weiwei adopted the Education Bureau's suggestion, giving each person a daily living allowance of 300 yuan, with meals, lodging, and travel expenses fully reimbursed.

The county Party committee and government's emphasis and investment in education have reached an unprecedented height; this ambition and vigor have invigorated the entire county's populace. Ganshui residents now look forward to a bright future, hoping their children can receive better education, have a chance to leave this loess plateau, pursue a wider world, and change their fate.

On Friday, Wang Hongtao went to the capital to visit Secretary Tang Yi of the Discipline Inspection Commission.

Lu Fan also returned to the capital, wanting to carefully examine the 'black material' on Le Xueren that Lu Yao had gathered.

Quite a coincidence—they met at the capital airport; seeing Wang Hongtao, Lu Fan ran over happily and said: "Secretary Wang, what a coincidence! Where are you headed? I'll give you a ride—Zimeng's car is right over there!"

Wang Hongtao laughed: "Fine, take me to the Discipline Inspection Commission—perfect, we can chat on the way."

Good, I happen to be picking up Yao Yao after work!

Lu Fan had just stepped out of the terminal when he saw Li Zimeng's car not far away; he eagerly invited Wang Hongtao into the car.

"Hello, Secretary Wang!" Li Zimeng greeted him politely.

"Zimeng, let's go to the Discipline Inspection Commission!"

Wang Hongtao smiled and asked: "Zimeng, you work at the Ministry of Education, right? You should support our Chang'an education work!"

Li Zimeng said modestly: "Secretary, you're joking—I'm just a low‑level staffer. But whenever you need me, please feel free to give orders! I've long wanted to thank you in person for your many years of care and affection for Lu Fan."

Wang Hongtao praised: "With you as his capable assistant, Lu Fan can work with peace of mind! When are you two planning to get married?"

Li Zimeng said with a hint of shyness: "I'll follow his lead!"

Lu Fan then said boisterously: "Secretary, I estimate it'll be in the second half of next year—you'll definitely have to come then!"

Don't worry—I'll definitely drink this celebratory cup! Lu Fan, Ganshui has developed quite well this year; can you take first place in the city in the mid‑year assessment?

Lu Fan laughed: "Thank you for your concern, Secretary. Weiwei is upright, of strong work style and strong sense of responsibility; with his help, all of Ganshui's work has made great progress, and we are confident we can remain among the city's top tier long‑term!"

Wang Hongtao said: "Results aren't faked, reputation isn't deceitful! Ganshui has a weak foundation and thin base; to achieve today's results, you've done indispensable work! Keep at it, and strive for even higher honors by year‑end!"

However, remember that putting the people first and serving them is the starting point and ultimate goal of all work! Keep close to the masses, listen to their voices, feel their hardships, ask the people what they need. Any decision must be made from the people's perspective from start to finish; work outcomes must be vetted by the people, development gains shared with the people, and every task must be measured by this standard!

Lu Fan said wholeheartedly convinced: "Secretary, I will surely keep your teachings in mind and apply them to every future task!"

When the car stopped at the Discipline Inspection Commission's gate, Lu Yao was already waiting, holding several thick file folders.

Seeing Wang Hongtao get out of the car, Lu Fan exclaimed excitedly: "Team leader—oh no, I got it wrong—hello, Secretary Wang!"

Wang Hongtao laughed: "Lu Yao, off work—I hitched a ride with your brother!"

Lu Fan hurriedly took the materials from Lu Yao's arms, put them in the back seat, pondered a moment, then mustered courage to approach Wang Hongtao and whispered: "Secretary, these are materials on Le Xueren's violations of rules and discipline!"

Wang Hongtao nodded, noncommittal, smiled and greeted the three, then turned and headed into the Discipline Inspection Commission office building!

Seeing her brother's dazed look, Lu Yao comforted him: "Brother, I believe Secretary Wang will surely handle this! I gathered the material with his tacit approval; Secretary Wang is the most upright leader I've ever seen!"

Lu Fan came to his senses and said sternly: "Yao Yao, you are not allowed to act on your own initiative in any matter!"

"Brother, I get it! Stop worrying uselessly—I'm not a kid anymore!"

After the three returned to the residential complex, they casually found a restaurant and filled their stomachs.

After returning home, Lu Fan and Lu Yao went into the study, carefully sorting and organizing these materials, working late into the night!

After returning to the bedroom, naturally a brief separation is better than a new marriage.

After a bout of lovemaking, Li Zimeng, blushing, asked, "Fan Ge, are we really getting married next year?"

Lu Fan laughed and said, "Of course, your dad said he'll leave Yingjiang next year."

"Great! After we get married we'll have a baby—several of my classmates have already started planning a second child! Grandpa also really wants to hold a great-grandchild!"

The next morning after getting up, Lu Fan again busied himself with his sister, feeling these materials were enough to send Le Xue Ren in. Moreover, Du Wenlong also collected a large amount of Le Xue Ren's "materials" in Ningyang and Yingjiang.

But as Secretary Li Mingzhou said, we must first let him "fall down", otherwise all the materials and evidence would be useless!