Chapter 372: Honors Added

Chen Deming said gravely, "The organization will not 'kill a erring cadre with a single stick' or 'leave them to die before taking pleasure'; it will follow our Party's consistent policy of 'punish the past to warn the future, treat the illness and save the person', neither abandon nor give up, help them correct their mistakes, and sincerely give them a 'hand up', offering erring cadres the chance to 'stand up again'."

Those who abandon themselves cannot be lifted; those who strive for strength cannot be knocked down. If you, because you made a mistake, become self‑destructive, feel worthless and unable to recover due to the punishment, and then sink, willingly degenerate, and smash the pot, that is a tragedy that escalates from a minor fault to a major one, a single error to the end!

As the saying goes, you cannot pass judgment until the coffin is built; you must correctly understand the error, correctly face the punishment, adjust your mindset in time, shed mental burdens, turn pressure into motivation, recognize, repent, and correct mistakes, never say give up, seize the organization's chance for reform, stand up again, demand a stricter style and higher standards of yourself, continue to work for the Discipline Inspection Committee's cause, contribute strength, and strive to achieve new and greater results in your duties!

Lu Yao said emotionally, "Secretary Chen, I have made such a serious mistake; can I still continue to work for the organization?"

Chen Deming replied, "The facts prove you are not wrong; Le Xue Ren abused power for personal gain, accepted bribes, embezzled and perverted the law, using his authority and influence to profit relatives and friends, with the amount involved reaching tens of billions! He has no faith, no bottom line, seriously losing the Party's principles and ideals. The Central Discipline Inspection Committee has made him a nationwide negative example, will punish him according to law, and deter corrupt elements!"

However, you acted without seeking instructions, took matters into your own hands, violated organizational principles and work discipline, so you must be disciplined!

Considering that you upheld the bottom line, dared to confront hardness, upheld justice and discipline, were strong and upright, unafraid of evil, defended the dignity of law, the organization still decides to rescue you, thus giving you a severe warning and sending you to the grassroots for thorough tempering!

Lu Yao, in the past everyone saw you; now everyone looks up to you! You must adjust your mindset, lay down the burdens, regain confidence, lift your spirit, and walk steadfastly on life's road. Whether you can regain trust and respect, whether you can write a new chapter of life, the key depends on yourself. Only those who dare to rise from setbacks are the strong and wise in life!

From then on, Lu Yao resolutely set foot on Grassland Province, launched a magnificent twenty‑year retroactive investigation, personally apprehended hundreds, making the province's cadres tremble in fear!

This year, Ganshui enjoyed a bountiful harvest; Ganshui County proudly secured the five highly prestigious honors: Western Top‑100 Counties, Provincial Top‑10 Counties, Provincial "Striving for Advancement" Advanced County, Provincial County‑Level Economic Development Advanced County, and Provincial Tourism Industry Development Advanced County, filling the whole county with joy and excitement.

On February 1, Ganshui County received another exhilarating news: in Yingjiang City's annual target responsibility assessment, it topped all 14 assessment indicators, and the comprehensive assessment proudly took first place in the whole city! This created Ganshui County's best historical record!

Soon, a year‑end performance bonus of 38,000 yuan was handed to cadres, equivalent to a year's salary, plunging Ganshui County's cadres and staff into a sea of joy!

Behind this victory, County Party Committee Secretary Lu Fan was indispensable. He led all county cadres and staff to unite, strive vigorously, and with wisdom and sweat wrote Ganshui County's glorious chapter. Secretary Lu, with his outstanding leadership and pragmatic work style, earned the respect and love of Ganshui County's vast cadre masses.

On February 2, County Party Committee Secretary Lu Fan paid condolences to the stationed troops, the nursing home, and the severely impoverished households in the county, sending them New Year's greetings and blessings.

At the nursing home, Lu Fan chatted warmly with the elders, learning in detail their daily routines and health conditions. Lu Fan said the County Party Committee does its utmost to solve the elders' life difficulties, truly ensuring they have support, care, and happiness in old age.

In the homes of the severely impoverished households, Lu Fan kindly asked about their production, livelihood, and health, handing over consolation money, rice, flour, oil, and smokeless coal, striving to ensure they have a safe winter and a happy holiday.

At the county fire rescue brigade and the armed police squadron, Lu Fan extended holiday greetings to the frontline stationed troops in Gan and the fire command staff, thanking them for their major contributions to the county's economic development and social stability.

Lu Fan also visited and comforted veteran Zhang Shengbao, a first‑class hero of the anti‑monkey self‑defense counterattack. Lu Fan said the veteran is a national contributor, the Party and government will not forget your contributions, and urged relevant departments to prioritize veteran affairs, implement all preferential policies, help them solve practical difficulties, so they fully feel the Party and government's care.

On February 3, after paying New Year's respects to provincial and municipal leaders, Lu Fan and Li Mingzhou returned to Jingcheng to go home for the New Year.

After getting off the plane, the two first went to the northern headquarters' back alley.

Li Lao was very satisfied with Lu Fan's work, and he pulled Lu Fan into a chat for over an hour, teaching many life principles and the way of being an official, causing his family members to miss out on Lu Fan's lamb.

That night, back home, seeing his sister's bedroom empty, Lu Fan felt deep pain; Lu Yao had firmly decided to take root in the grassland, build a career, and even during the major New Year she hasn't come back.

Rarely enjoying a moment for just the two of them, Lu Fan and Li Zimeng happily spent a Spring Festival together.

On February 10, Lu Fan accompanied Secretary Li Mingzhou back to Yingjiang, beginning the 2019 journey.

After seeing Li Mingzhou back to his office, he solemnly said, "Lu Fan, if you have any unfinished matters in Ganshui, handle them quickly; the next time the province adjusts personnel, you should be leaving Ganshui!"

"Ah?" Lu Fan asked in surprise, "Secretary, where should I go? What position should I hold?"

Li Mingzhou replied, "Last time when we returned to the province, Secretary Wang Hongtao talked to me; you will go to the City Government as Secretary‑General, cooperating with Mayor Li Ruifang's work."

Hearing this arrangement, Lu Fan widened his eyes and said, "City Government? Secretary‑General? Secretary, what does this mean?"

Li Mingzhou smiled and said, "I actually think this is the best arrangement; in a few months there will be a nationwide large‑scale rotation. I will go to Jingcheng's Organization Department, and Li Ruifang is likely to take over as Municipal Party Secretary, which is also Secretary Wang Hongtao's ultimate purpose in sending her to Yingjiang. With your cooperation, her work will naturally be twice the result with half the effort."

Lu Fan hurriedly asked, "Secretary, when Mayor Li Ruifang moves to the Municipal Party Committee, will I have to serve the next mayor?"

"Your term is less than three years, so you cannot be promoted to deputy‑department level. This is my plan: when I leave Yingjiang, the Municipal Party Committee Secretary‑General will be moved to another post; at that time I will transfer you to the Municipal Party Committee as Deputy Secretary‑General and Director of the Party Committee Office, occupying the position first; after your term reaches three years, you will be promoted to Municipal Party Committee Secretary‑General."

"Secretary, after being transferred for two years, must I come back exactly as before?"

Li Mingzhou laughed, "What are you talking about? Taking the same post again is for future advancement. However, you cannot stay too long as Secretary‑General; later we'll see which position suits you better. When next year's national Outstanding Secretary selection is announced, your résumé will be solid, seeking an important post won't be hard, and this honor's prestige is not low!"

Lu Fan sincerely said, "Secretary, thank you for your tireless effort on my behalf; from now on I won't be able to often stay by your side to listen to your teachings!"

"Someone can buy you shoes, but no one can walk for you. Every stage of life must be experienced by yourself, every scenery must be appreciated by yourself. In hardship, confusion, or helplessness, you may seek help, but others are only a support. Self‑strengthening and self‑reliance are the main theme of life."

Lu Fan, true maturity is not the outward greying but the richness of the heart, the breadth of experience, the depth of thought, the magnanimity of the mind; true maturity is to face the world's coldness and warmth with calm silence, to handle bustling affairs and ever‑changing storms with composure. At the crucial stage of life's struggle, you must devote yourself wholly, hold firm belief, march forward without hesitation, always keep lofty aspirations and be ready to move mountains. After so many years of honing, I believe you can walk the road ahead well!

"Secretary, I will definitely not disappoint you!"

"Before I leave, I will carry out a final personnel adjustment; if you have any ideas you can plan them in advance. Also, I will try to adjust Ganshui's personnel according to your suggestions; Zhang Qianyuan was just promoted and is not suitable for the County Party Committee Secretary post, so you should find another suitable candidate."

"Alright, Secretary, I will consider it as soon as possible."

Returning to Ganshui, County Party Committee Standing Committee member and Chengguan Town Party Committee Secretary Jia Dahua was the first to "report in".

Jia Dahua, carrying a box of tea, laughed and said, "Secretary, Happy New Year! The holiday ends tomorrow, and you're here today?"

Lu Fan laughed, "Come early, otherwise I'd have to get up early tomorrow. Jia Dahua, are you on duty today?"

"Hmm, I was on duty yesterday and today; everything in the county is fine."

"Jia Dahua, Chengguan Town is doing well; the cityscape has changed considerably. I also noticed you planned several temporary market fairs; they're bustling in the mornings, making life easier for the public and small vendors, truly embodying the service‑oriented government concept. Is there any area where you need my support in work?"

Jia Dahua replied, "Secretary, I actually have a request: this year's resettlement of demobilized soldiers—could we give more consideration to Chengguan Town? We are severely short‑handed! Also, the environmental sanitation overhaul of Wuqiu and Baxiang; those areas are 'dirty, chaotic, and poor', yet many people live there. I want to completely remediate them, repair the roads, which involves 39 households slated for demolition. I coordinated with the Urban Construction Bureau and calculated the total cost at 56 million."

Lu Fan asked, "Can this be planned as a key project? Can we secure higher‑level matching funds?"

"Secretary, I discussed with the Urban Construction Bureau; we can submit it as a project, but the county level must provide 40% of the funding."

Lu Fan pondered and said, "22.4 million, fine; you start implementation. As long as there's higher‑level matching funds it's doable; any matter beneficial to the people should be pursued without hesitation!"

Unexpectedly smooth, Jia Dahua happily said, "With the Secretary's strong support, I am confident I can do the job well!"