Chapter 382: The 'Old' Official Takes Office

On the afternoon of June 15, Yingjiang held a citywide leadership cadre conference.

At the meeting, the director of the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department announced that comrade Li Mingzhou would no longer serve as Municipal Party Secretary of Yingjiang and would be reassigned; Deputy Secretary Guo Zhitao would temporarily preside over Municipal Party Committee work.

After the meeting, Li Mingzhou and Guo Zhitao completed a work handover, then returned to Jingcheng, where Li took up the posts of Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee member and head of the Organization Department.

After a round of transfers, he was back at the Municipal Party Committee Office; the office was still the same room, the people were still the same people, and Lu Fan let out a helpless laugh.

Municipal Party Committee Secretary Yang Shaokai walked in, smiling, and said, "Back in familiar ground, how does it feel?"

Lu Fan laughed and replied, "It reminds me of a song: I've never left! The things stay the same, but the people are different!"

"Ha ha!" Yang Shaokai laughed, "Two Deputy Secretaries‑General have left, a few newcomers arrived, and Ningyang is still here. It's almost quitting time; let's call the remaining Deputy Secretaries‑General together and celebrate?"

"Secretary, there's nothing much to celebrate, right? But having a simple meal with colleagues sounds good!"

"Alright, I'll arrange it; let's set it at the Yingjiang Guesthouse."

Just as Yang Shaokai left, Deputy Secretary‑General Wu Wentong came in, beaming, and said, "Welcome back, esteemed leader, to your hometown; it's an honor to work under you again!"

Lu Fan laughed, "Wentong, have a seat! We've known each other a long time; bring the tea leaves back, or we can swap and each try something new!"

Just then, Deputy Secretary‑General Liu Wei entered, enthusiastically saying, "Welcome back, esteemed leader!"

"Liu Wei, you two use the exact same words!" Lu Fan laughed.

Then Deputy Secretaries‑General Zhao Zhiqiang, Xia Li, and Zhang Chengze arrived as well; everyone chatted and laughed, the atmosphere warm and harmonious!

These people are the core forces personally selected and cultivated by Lu Fan; they are exceptionally delighted by the senior leader's return, feeling that the future is bright!

Night fell, the city lights glimmered. Secretary Yang Shaokai hosted, and leaders above the middle level of the Municipal Party Committee Office gathered together to welcome Lu Fan's arrival in Yingjiang.

Lu Fan smiled and talked with each person, thanking them for their enthusiasm and expressing hope for mutual support and joint progress in future work.

The banquet officially reached its climax; everyone raised glasses, laughter and chatter continued, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

After the event, Xia Li escorted Lu Fan home; the two fell asleep side by side and chatted through the night.

"Brother Fan, you're back; everyone is truly happy! You don't know, the Municipal Party Committee Office is now messy, a heap of chaotic affairs, people scheming against each other, forming factions; several Deputy Secretaries‑General want to create their own cliques."

Lu Fan laughed and asked, "Then do you have a faction?"

"I stay neutral, not getting involved in their mess. Brother Fan, are you about to take over as Secretary?"

"Pretty much, just don't blab about it!"

"Don't worry, I have a door on my mouth! Where will Secretary Yang Shaokai go?"

"If nothing unexpected happens, he'll most likely go to the City Government."

"That's not bad!"

The next day after work began, Inspection Office Director Ma Desheng, Section Two Chief Li Yifeng, Political Research Office Director Li Yanxin, Confidential Bureau Director Luo Zhiquan, Agency Affairs Service Center Director Cai Yingfeng and others reported to Lu Fan's office, the deities taking their places.

After Lu Fan, the "principal", returned, the Municipal Party Committee Office immediately became united, because everyone is one of us; any attempt to form a separate faction would make them a target of criticism.

Deputy Secretary Guo Zhitao presided over Municipal Party Committee work, but his mind was not on the Committee; his gaze had long shifted toward the City Government.

Thus, the Municipal Party Committee side merely maintained normal operation; Lu Fan was able to enjoy a rare, exceedingly pleasant career—going to work meant approving a document, then visiting various Standing Committee offices; after work he drank a little with colleagues and friends, played mahjong, feeling almost "decadent"—this is the ordinary routine for most people.

On July 3, in Qinchuan, a major event occurred: Wang Hongtao underwent an organizational assessment and is about to be regularized!

Several Deputy Secretaries‑General gathered at Lu Fan's office, chatting animatedly, their faces beaming with joy.

Deputy Secretary Guo Zhitao excitedly called Lu Fan to his office, exclaiming, "Governor Hong Tao has finally been regularized! Next, we should adjust personnel across the cities and provincial departments."

Lu Fan, aware of the agreement between Secretary Li Mingzhou and Governor Wang Hongtao, smiled and said, "Congratulations, Secretary, on the forthcoming grand achievements!"

Guo Zhitao laughed, "I've struggled my whole life; I must give myself an answer." The words seemed to be laden with his years of effort and persistence, immersed in hopeful anticipation of the future; in front of Lu Fan he felt no need to pretend.

Reality often leaves people helpless; the higher the expectation, the greater the disappointment, and extremes reverse!

When expectations are dashed, the huge gap can cause irreparable psychological harm. Jealousy can warp a person's visage, destroy everything, strip rationality, and even drive one to reckless risks!

On July 10, Wang Hongtao stepped onto a new historical stage!

The entire audience stood up to congratulate, applause uniform and synchronized!

On July 11, Secretary Lu Wenhua invited Wang Hongtao to his office to discuss personnel matters.

But after only a few sentences, the two held a huge disagreement, focusing on the Provincial Workers' Union Chairperson, the Water Resources Department Director, and the Mayor of Yingjiang.

To preserve the Secretary's dignity, and with Wang Hongtao newly inaugurated, he compromised; the Provincial Water Resources Department Deputy Director Zhao Tao was parachuted into Yingjiang to assume the mayoral post.

Consequently, Wang Hongtao specifically called Minister Li Mingzhou to convey apologies and said that there is still a long road ahead.

Thus, Yingjiang's carefully plotted scheme was completely shattered, and Deputy Secretary Guo Zhitao's beautiful dream fell apart.

The Municipal Party Committee Secretary also could not go to the City Government as a Standing Committee Vice Mayor, but he had to vacate a position for Lu Fan; Governor Wang Hongtao transferred him to the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee as Head of the United Front Work Department, leaving the Secretary post vacant.

On July 15, the Provincial Party Committee held a Standing Committee meeting, discussing candidates for positions such as Yingjiang Mayor and the Water Resources Department.

When the Standing Committee news reached Yingjiang, it struck like a sudden thunderbolt on a clear day, leaving Deputy Secretary Guo Zhitao and Municipal Party Committee Secretary Yang Shaokai with hearts turned to ash. They seemed drained of all strength, sitting despondently, eyes hollow, sunk into deep despair.

Mayor Li Ruifang, upon hearing the news, wore a puzzled expression, unable to understand why such a result occurred. She personally called Governor Wang Hongtao, learning of his hardships and helplessness.

Meanwhile, Lu Fan was also on a call with Minister Li Mingzhou.

"Lu Fan, the matter is settled and cannot be changed. Personnel adjustments are often like this, full of uncertainty; before the document is issued, anything is possible! Even someone as strong as Governor Wang Hongtao must compromise before the Provincial Party Committee Secretary. So this serves as a reminder: never be careless, even if you're fully confident," Minister Li Mingzhou said gravely.

Lu Fan realized the bureaucracy's complexity and volatility, and asked, "Minister, do Guo Zhitao and Yang Shaokai still have any room to maneuver?"

"For now, no; organizational appointments aren't a joke—whether you go or not, you must go, you must obey the decision. Governor Wang Hongtao will act later; he promised to adjust their positions at the appropriate time. Go comfort them shortly, keep no emotion, and certainly do not oppose the organization or be passively resistant at work. Having worked half a life, they should understand."

"Alright, Minister, I'll go shortly."

"Hmm, your matters are fine; the Municipal Party Committee Secretary post is temporarily vacant, you will preside over work until February."

After hanging up, Lu Fan went to Deputy Secretary Guo Zhitao's office.

He pushed the door open and saw the room filled with haze; Lu Fan opened the window for fresh air and said, "Secretary, I just called Minister Li Mingzhou and learned about this personnel adjustment."

"Ah, the Standing Committee has already passed; it can't be changed! I heard Zhao Tao was the 'hard' choice of Secretary Lu, fate and destiny! I might not have the destiny to be mayor!" Guo Zhitao's tone was full of helplessness and frustration.

Lu Fan comforted, "Secretary, don't be discouraged; good food isn't afraid of being late, good things aren't shy of delay; those who board later get ashore first. You're in your prime; a year or two is fine, and Governor Hong Tao has promised. I believe good luck is on the way, and good news will arrive soon!"

"Ah, Minister Li Mingzhou sent you to persuade me, right? Actually it's unnecessary; after half a life of revolutionary work, I've seen everything. But I'm still unwilling! Zhao Tao is only a deputy director of the Water Resources Department; being directly transferred to take the mayoral seat—does that mean anyone can do as they wish? Lu Fan, this personnel adjustment, I'm not the only one dissatisfied; let's see how he performs after taking office!"

"Secretary, Governor Hong Tao is upright and fair in appointments; he certainly knows what's happening in Yingjiang, and changes may come soon."

"If only he were the secretary!"

Lu Fan arrived at the office of Secretary-General Yang Shaokai, and the office was similarly filled with smoke.

Seeing that it was Lu Fan who had come, Yang Shaokai could not hide his disappointment, saying, "Ah, I have to go deal with religious figures and personages outside the Party!"

Lu Fan didn't know what to say, after all he had been forced to go to the United Front Work Department to make room for himself.

"Secretary-General, the situation will surely turn around; Minister Mingzhou has already communicated with Governor Hong Tao, and the governor has also given his promise."

"Hopefully! Lu Fan, don't burden yourself psychologically; this Secretary-General position of mine was still won thanks to your help! It's all work—no matter where you are, it's the same; the United Front Work Department can be easier! He said that, but his heart was full of unwillingness!"

"Secretary-General, rest assured, I will definitely report more often to Minister Mingzhou!"

"Gain it, I am fortunate; lose it, it is my fate; gain it, I am tranquil; lose it, I am open-minded. Ah, at my age, what is there that I cannot let go of?"

Fame and profit bind people; driven by fame and profit, worries, anxieties, and pains follow one after another, plunging them into an endless abyss from which they cannot extricate themselves.

The sunset returns to the mountains and sea; the mountains and sea hide profound meanings; no one can let go of fame and profit, so no one is without regret!