Chapter 377

After hearing Lu Fan's report, Li Ruifang nodded in approval and said: "I agree, just follow your suggestion; you go liaise with the Organization Department yourself. This way, there will be a large vacancy for section chief; you should promptly propose suitable candidates for the Party Group to study. Oh, by the way, there's something you need to handle: Ningyang County Education Bureau has a deputy bureau chief named Yao Qian; transfer her over to serve as my secretary. During this period, Wang Minghui has been temporarily assisting with my work; please arrange it properly."

Okay, Mayor, I'll take care of it right away!

Li Ruifang said with a smile: "The day after tomorrow, Finance Department Director Han Guishan will come to Yingjiang to research grassroots fiscal operations; I think we should hold it in your 'base' of Ganshui County—please arrange it. I know you have a good relationship with Director Han, but you need to put in effort; the province's second-quarter transfer payment funds are about to be finalized, and it's tough to be the 'manager' without money! If every county and district were like Ganshui, I'd rest easy."

Returning to the office, Lu Fan dialed the phone of Ningyang County Committee Secretary Yang Chuanbei.

After the call connected, Yang Chuanbei enthusiastically said: "Secretary-General, what instructions do you have? When will you return to Ningyang for research? Let me do my best!"

Lu Fan replied with a smile: "There will definitely be an opportunity; just wait! The Mayor has assigned a matter that needs to be implemented right away: your Education Bureau's Yao Qian should report for duty first, with formalities to follow, and come to the City Government to serve Mayor Ruifang—you cannot refuse to release her!"

"What a great blessing—how could I dare to block it? Rest assured, I'll implement it immediately; I'm arranging Yao Qian's handover of work right now, guaranteeing it won't delay the leader's affairs."

Alright, then I won't disturb you for now; let's get together another day!

Always awaiting your summons!

Lu Fan made a call to the Municipal Party Committee Office, learned that Secretary Li Mingzhou was still in the office, and went to the Municipal Party Committee.

After entering, Secretary Li was reviewing documents; Lu Fan asked with concern: "Secretary, you haven't eaten again?"

Li Mingzhou put down his pen and said: "I feel a bit bloated; eating anything feels like a burden."

Secretary, haven't you been exercising lately?

Ah, I'm getting on in years; I feel like there's a lot going on.

Secretary, when is work ever finished? Health is important! Let me accompany you for a couple of laps." After saying that, Lu Fan directly fetched Li Mingzhou's clothes and dragged him to the courtyard for exercise.

As they walked and talked, Li Mingzhou asked: "How do you feel about the City Government?"

Just one word: busy! Everyone is running around in circles.

Li Mingzhou said earnestly: "That's for sure; being responsible for the city's affairs, if you're not busy, something's wrong!"

Next, you'll need to work with the Municipal Party Committee side, but the work is largely the same; if you want to be a good Secretary-General, pay attention to the following points:

First, serve enthusiastically without deviating from principles.

Second, don't just echo others; avoid repeating clichés.

Third, a hundred cautions can't guard against one or two oversights; work should be as careful as possible, keep your notebook at hand, and for all assigned tasks, ensure everything is recorded and every item gets a response—avoid carelessness.

Fourth, the Secretary-General's work should be done before and after meetings, before and after events; generally don't speak during meetings, and generally avoid taking the lead during the process of events.

Fifth, you must have the ability to speak appropriately; avoid speaking with a loud tone, and ensure it matches your position.

Sixth, you should often stand at the city's height, considering the overall work. Study superior policies more, consider how Yingjiang should implement them, determine what documents to issue and what meetings to hold, and serve as the leader's 'inner helper'.

Seventh, when giving suggestions to leaders, do not exceed three times. Since you have already fulfilled your responsibility, if the leader disagrees, there must be his reasons, which may not be told to you. Even if you mean well, saying too much is inappropriate; remember not to be obstinate.

Eighth, you must be able to understand half a sentence from the leader—others may not grasp it, but as Secretary-General you must. Observe words and expressions, perform well as an adviser and coordinator, relay information upward and downward, and connect with all sides.

Ninth, this position involves major and minor matters, urgent and difficult tasks—everything clings to you; complaints, criticisms, and blame—every voice reaches your ears. Therefore, treat everyone's grievances with a calm mind, don't be petty, and broaden your perspective!

Lu Fan said wholeheartedly: "I will certainly keep the Secretary's golden words in mind; thank you for your tireless teachings over the years, which have enabled my achievements today."

Lu Fan, I estimate I'll leave in June; the path of growth won't always be smooth sailing, and it's inevitable to face thorns and storms alone. You must remember: walk the right path, do right deeds, speak righteousness, uphold righteousness! Cultivate a discerning eye to tell good from bad, and consciously resist corrupt practices contrary to the times' values and the 'wine-and-meat friends' around you. Remember that a gentleman chooses the good with principle, firmly believing that 'after weathering storms, the roots grow deep,' so do not let your career and life fall into a 'slippery rut'.

The next morning after seven, Ningyang County Education Bureau Deputy Chief Yao Qian rushed to the City Government and reported to Lu Fan's office.

Lu Fan had been puzzled and also curious whether Yao Qian had an affair with a teacher—a topic many people cared about.

After meeting, Lu Fan secretly sighed: if she had no scandal, it would be heavenly; a woman in her thirties is most attractive, and the Mayor wouldn't fear being overshadowed by her!

Lu Fan said with a smile: "Yao Qian, we meet again!"

Yao Qian smiled and said: "Hello, Secretary-General, I'm glad to work under you again! This is my first time serving a leader; I know nothing, so please guide me a lot. If I do anything wrong, you must criticize and correct me!"

Lu Fan said: "To be frank, your work won't be easy, but given your perceptiveness and ability, I believe you will quickly adapt and enter work mode. To serve well as the Mayor's secretary, I have a few suggestions for you:"

One, plan ahead, be thorough and far-reaching. Strive to achieve 'being in a clerk's position while thinking like a commander,' and serve as the Mayor's high-level adviser and strategist.

Two, your work style must be rigorous, pragmatic, and thorough. Every move and word you make represents the Mayor's image, so speak and act with discretion, balance relaxation and tension, neither hide shortcomings nor falsify, neither exaggerate nor downplay, neither say yes to someone's face and no behind their back—let the Mayor hear the truth, grasp the reality, know the facts.

Three, handle affairs steadily, swiftly, and meticulously, aiming for stability with speed, speed with finesse, and finesse with excellence. Always keep a clear mind; the City Government has many urgent and major matters, so you must think calmly, respond composedly, proceed orderly, be busy without chaos, and act decisively.

Four, be upright, humble, and broad-minded. The secretary's position is prominent and under everyone's gaze; you should have an open and honest heart, be transparent inside and out, and hold yourself to strict discipline. Observe rules and keep secrets; firmly refrain from saying what shouldn't be said, and keep your mouth sealed on confidential matters. Regarding leaders' comments and criticism, correct yourself if at fault, otherwise encourage yourself; carry no baggage, and always maintain a peaceful, calm, and ordinary mindset.

Yao Qian listened extremely attentively, committing each of Lu Fan's words to heart.

After the Mayor arrived at the office, Lu Fan brought Yao Qian over to report for duty, and this beautiful female mayor's secretary officially took up her post.

Lu Fan summoned the "temporary" secretary Wang Minghui to the office for a heart-to-heart talk, soothing his sense of loss.

Minghui, I've talked with the Mayor; everyone can see your efforts during this period, and the Mayor fairly acknowledges your work ability. Considering the Mayor is ultimately a female comrade, we have selected a female secretary, so you shouldn't have any mental burden.

Wang Minghui said somewhat dejectedly: "Secretary-General, I understand; I will obey the organizational decision and will quickly complete the work handover with Secretary Yao."

To manage cadres, one must prescribe the right remedy," Lu Fan said. "After this period of training, your abilities in all aspects have effectively improved; you are now deputy chief of the Secretariat Section, and I intend to recommend you as chief of the Administration Section.

Upon hearing this, Wang Minghui's eyes lit up instantly; he hadn't expected such a great gain, and he said gratefully: "Secretary-General, thank you for your trust and promotion; I will work hard, always taking your orders as the highest directive, and guarantee high-quality completion of every task you assign."

Lu Fan said: "This is still just an idea; don't publicize it, lest you cause unnecessary trouble."

Please rest assured, Secretary-General; I will definitely strengthen my confidentiality awareness and keep my mouth sealed.

After finishing his current work, Lu Fan went to the Municipal Party Committee Organization Department.

After seeing Department Head Zhang Ziqiang, he laughed and said: "Director Zhang, I'm here to report work!"

Zhang Ziqiang personally poured water and said enthusiastically: "How about we go out for a drink tonight? Call up Xiaohua and the others, let's have two drinks to celebrate you!"

Lu Fan politely declined: "Director, let me take a breather; these days the City Government is extremely busy—tomorrow the Finance Department Director will come for research, and the day after tomorrow the Mayor will go to the provincial government; I really can't get away. When I have free time, I'll arrange a gathering."

Fine, then I'll wait for your notice. Did you come today regarding the personnel adjustments of the Government Office?

Director, your foresight is uncanny; after extensively soliciting opinions and combining the unit's actual situation, I have proposed three candidates for deputy secretary-general who will also serve as deputy office directors; the Mayor has approved them, please review.

Zhang Ziqiang took the written recommendation document, smiled and said: "Okay, this was instructed by Secretary Mingzhou, and I have also sought approval from Mayor Ruifang; we're just waiting for you to send the list, and estimate that a five-person group meeting in a couple of days will finalize it."

Thank you, Secretary-General, for your support!

I will definitely give my all for your cause! Lu Fan, we've been brothers for many years, so I won't beat around the bush: is Secretary Mingzhou about to leave?

Lu Fan replied: "We shouldn't speculate about the organization's intentions; Director, do you have any ideas?"

If Secretary Mingzhou gets promoted, will Mayor Ruifang take over? Does Secretary Guo have hopes of going to the City Government? In that case, the deputy secretary position would become vacant, and I'd like to vie for it.

Lu Fan thought for a moment, then said, "Whether Secretary Guo can go to the City Government depends on the province's opinion; I feel there will be some difficulty, but preparing in advance is never wrong."

Hearing the words, Zhang Ziqiang nodded and said, "Understood, thank you! Lu Fan, your going to the City Government is excellent; at any time we must share resources and stand together."