Chapter 362

Early the next morning, Municipal Organization Department Head Zhang Rongqiu came to Secretary Li Mingzhou's office.

After reporting on his work, Zhang Rongqiu tentatively said, "Secretary, I have never worked in the city government; that is a major shortcoming of mine, causing gaps in some abilities. If I get the chance, I am eager to go to the city government for some training!"

Li Mingzhou raised his head and said, "I understand what you mean; there is an opportunity, but it's not easy—several leaders have already spoken up. We'll see how it goes!" Having said that, he lowered his head and continued reviewing documents.

Zhang Rongqiu left sensibly, feeling anxious, because the Provincial Organization Department had already leaked word that once the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission finished its procedures, a province-wide personnel reshuffle would begin imminently!

Sitting in his office pondering, Zhang Rongqiu suddenly thought of Lu Fan; as the Organization Department Head, he knew many insider details of personnel adjustments, knew that Lu Fan had recommended many heavyweight cadres, and that Secretary Li seemed to have agreed to all of them!

Thinking of that, Zhang Rongqiu immediately summoned his driver, said no greetings, and headed straight for Ganshui County!

Just as he entered the Ganshui County Committee compound, Zhang Rongqiu saw the special car of Ningyang County Committee Secretary Bian Jide! He couldn't help but exclaim, "All clever people!"

After sitting in the car for a while, Zhang Rongqiu called Lu Fan, laughing, "Busy or not? I've entered your turf!"

Lu Fan looked out the window and indeed saw Zhang Rongqiu's special car; he then said to Bian Jide, "I will certainly handle your matter as my own; this afternoon I will go to the municipal committee to see Secretary Li. Since Department Head Rongqiu has arrived, I must go downstairs to greet him!"

Bian Jide hurriedly said, "No need for thanks; go get busy—I won't meet with Department Head Zhang!"

"Okay, keep in touch!" Having said that, Lu Fan rushed downstairs.

Just as he reached the first-floor lobby, Lu Fan saw Organization Department Head Zhang Rongqiu, immediately went up to him, smiling broadly, and said, "Department Head, your august presence honors us; sorry for not welcoming you from afar, sorry, sorry!"

Zhang Rongqiu replied with a laugh, "I don't know why, but feeling irritable in the office today made me think of this place!"

Lu Fan laughed, "It's an honor; first come to my office for a while, and I'll arrange everything today!"

The two chatted and laughed as they went upstairs, entered the office, and Lu Fan personally brewed tea.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhang Rongqiu showed a worried expression and said, "Lu Fan, I've come to ask for your help!"

"Department Head, what do you mean by that?"

"Once the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission finishes its procedures, the Provincial Party Committee will adjust personnel; the standing vacancy in our city is under consideration. You also know I have never worked in the government, so this is a rare opportunity for me!"

Lu Fan asked, "What did Secretary Li say?"

"He was vague, which is why I'm anxious!"

Lu Fan pondered briefly, then bluntly said, "Department Head, this opportunity is rare and must not be missed! Important matters—I'll go with you to the municipal committee; once things are settled, I'll invite you to enjoy the green mountains and clear waters of Ganshui!"

Hearing that, Zhang Rongqiu gratefully said, "Lu Fan, please help! We have plenty of time ahead!"

Arriving at the municipal committee, Lu Fan did not go to Secretary Li Mingzhou's office; instead, he wandered around the municipal committee office and ended up in the office of Deputy Secretary-General Wang Jia ming.

Wang Jia ming directly bolted the door and warmly received the 'old leader'!

After chatting a while, Lu Fan smiled and said, "Jia ming, the position of county committee secretary in Yun County is vacant; yesterday I recommended you to the secretary, so there is some hope!"

Hearing those words, Wang Jia ming immediately became flustered, his hands trembling slightly; looking at Lu Fan with overflowing affection, he excitedly said, "Secretary, this is totally unexpected—I don't even know what to say! Your deep affection and sincere kindness I will remember for the rest of my life!"

Lu Fan said, "Stay calm, stay calm; you can be happy when the inspection team arrives—it's not too late!"

The municipal committee office is Lu Fan's base; after leaving Wang Jia ming's office, he went to the offices of Deputy Director Wu Wentong, Policy Research Office Director Zhao Zhiqiang, and others.

After Lu Fan left, the leaders of the municipal committee office were excited as if they had taken Viagra, but they couldn't show it; each held back until their faces flushed, their pent-up passion having no outlet, so they went home and took advantage of their wives!

Just as Lu Fan stepped out of the municipal committee compound, Ningyang County Chief Yang Chuanbei 'cut him off' and forcibly dragged him to Yingjiang Guesthouse.

Being 'old acquaintances,' Yang Chuanbei straightforwardly expressed his desire to contend for the county committee secretary post, and added that while troops haven't moved, supplies can be prepared in advance!

Lu Fan rejected Yang Chuanbei's 'good intention,' saying, "County Chief Yang, you are my former leader; we won't discuss these 'vulgar matters,' including in the future! I will certainly do my utmost to mediate your affairs and have some confidence, but I must say in advance: the party secretary and the county chief are different roles; the secretary mainly has the final say. If this time you get your wish, remember: integrity is blessing, greed is disaster; you must firmly guard the political, power, interaction, life, and kinship boundaries, discern what should or shouldn't be done and what can be done, and hold fast to the anti-corruption line!"

Yang Chuanbei firmly said, "Position determines mindset—rest assured, I know what should be done and what should not!"

After a few bites with Yang Chuanbei, Lu Fan went next door, where Municipal Development and Reform Commission Chief Yang Shaokai was still anxiously waiting!

The next day, Lu Fan simply didn't return to Ganshui but loitered around the municipal committee compound, going in and out. Besides having to attend noon engagements, he had to keep attending evening banquets; unconsciously, he became a pivotal figure in Yingjiang's official circles, with some heavyweight leaders gathering around him.

As people often say, connections lie in movement, feelings in interaction, opportunities in initiative, dreams in action, failures in blind action—and that's absolutely true!

September 7, the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission issued a document removing over 170 leading cadres from their posts.

Secretary Li Mingzhou went to Chang'an to attend the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee meeting. Everyone knows that an unprecedented major adjustment is about to begin, and Provincial Party Committee Deputy Secretary Wang Hongtao is a pivotal figure!

In the afternoon, Li Mingzhou unexpectedly received a call from Wang Hongtao inviting him to a simple dinner that evening.

Li Mingzhou readily agreed, and he had some matters he needed to discuss with Wang Hongtao.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, Li Mingzhou saw several strangers and guessed that Wang Hongtao was about to recommend cadres to him.

Indeed, Wang Hongtao smiled and introduced several people: all his normal school classmates, the head of the Municipal Transportation Bureau office, two township party secretaries in Zhenbei District, and also a deputy district chief of Zhenbei District.

It was a trivial matter; a few words settled it, then they turned to discussing Yingjiang's personnel issues. Wang Hongtao naturally expressed mutual understanding and support, saying that Yingjiang's affairs should be decided by Yingjiang itself!

September 8, the Provincial Organization Department's inspection team arrived in Yingjiang City to conduct an inspection of the appointment of provincially managed cadres.

Lu Fan never expected that the county committee would actually receive notice that the inspection team would come to Ganshui County—and that the inspection's target would actually be County Chief Yuan Weiwei!

Lu Fan's heart filled with doubt and reluctance; he directly summoned Yuan Weiwei to his office and asked, bewildered, "Weiwei, are you leaving?"

Yuan Weiwei nodded, somewhat guiltily, and said, "Secretary, I'm really sorry; Secretary Hongtao personally selected me to go to the Provincial Development and Reform Commission!"

"'Ah!' Lu Fan let out a long sigh: 'The bright future ahead—I certainly can't stop it, but I truly feel it's a pity. Working alongside you this period has been the smoothest of my career; all of Ganshui's work has been developing rapidly. To be honest, I truly don't want to let you go!'"

Weiwei sighed, "Being able to serve on the same team as the secretary is also my fortune! From the secretary I saw many of my own shortcomings and learned a lot!"

"'Since it's settled, I can only wish you a brilliant future! Weiwei, once you're at the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, always keep Ganshui in mind and seize any benefits to bring back!'"

Weiwei laughed, "Please rest assured, Secretary; no matter where I work, I will always keep Ganshui in mind, and my elbows will definitely not turn outward!"

Watching Yuan Weiwei depart, Lu Fan instantly felt a hint of emptiness, even a touch of 'jealousy'! It wasn't because Weiwei was promoted, but because the teacher never even considered him!

No matter what, this inspection must encounter no problems; we must carry out the organization's intent.

Lu Fan immediately summoned Deputy Secretary Zhang Qianyuan and Organization Department Head Chen Muxue, instructing them to handle the relevant work for the organizational inspection.

Upon hearing that the county chief was leaving, both were equally surprised, but they didn't ask further.

But not long after, Zhang Qianyuan returned and asked, "Secretary, County Chief Yuan has left—do I have a chance?"

Lu Fan thought and said, "Your seniority is too shallow, and you've been deputy county committee secretary for less than a year—wait for a later opportunity!"

Zhang Qianyuan also wasn't overly disappointed, saying, "All right, Secretary, then I won't waste my thoughts on it!"

Wang Hongtao nodded and said, "Work diligently; if you plan ahead on one task—the county-wide institutional reform—you must achieve the goal of streamlining!"

"All right, Secretary, I will start preparing today."

In the city, the Director of the Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Yang Shaokai, and the Deputy Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee, Wang Jiaming, are the inspection targets; everyone is speculating what positions they will hold!

Ningyang Xian, County Party Committee Secretary Bian Jide beamed with joy as he accepted the inspection from the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department; his promotion is a foregone conclusion.

The new County Chief of Ganshui has shown no movement; he should be placed in the next batch for consideration, and for now Lu Fan again has to shoulder double duty.

About to leave, Yuan Weiwei had organized the county government's work in perfect order; following Lu Fan's instructions, she temporarily handed it over to Executive Deputy County Chief Guo Tongyu.

On Friday afternoon, Lu Fan returned to the Municipal Party Committee to report his work to Secretary Li Mingzhou.

Unexpectedly, the secretary assigned him a person, saying: "The office director of the Municipal Transportation Bureau will be arranged in your Ganshui, serving as a standing committee member and also concurrently as a township Party secretary."

Lu Fan puzzledly said: "Secretary, there is no precedent for a township Party secretary in Ganshui to concurrently hold a standing committee member position; can other arrangements be made?"

Li Mingzhou shook his head and said: "This is what I discussed with Hong Tao; the rank needs to be raised, and he still needs to go to the township for training. You consider it, see which township is suitable."

Lu Fan asked: "Was it arranged by Secretary Hong Tao?"

Li Mingzhou said earnestly: "I feel Hong Tao values this person greatly, so I deliberately placed him in Ganshui, while Yuan Weiwei went to the Provincial Development and Reform Commission; this person could perhaps become a new bridge and link."

Lu Fan nodded slightly, a hint of gratitude appearing on his face; he deeply felt Li Mingzhou's painstaking efforts!