Chapter 383

After Lu Fan returned to the office, he saw Executive Vice Mayor Zhang Rongqiu and Standing Vice Mayor Zhang Shibin sitting there smoking, and said, "Minister Mingzhou has already been informed, and has also communicated with Governor Hong Tao; I believe a turning point will come soon!"

The plan calls for Zhang Rongqiu to be adjusted to Municipal Party Committee Deputy Secretary, formally entering the sequence and being able to "queue"; Zhang Shibin is to be adjusted to Executive Vice Mayor, becoming the second‑in‑command of the City Government.

These are both very important progress for them, determining the ceiling of their official paths; now that their hopes have turned to a bubble, they will certainly be unwilling but powerless, after all the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department is about to issue the document.

Zhang Rongqiu said, "When I was promoted to deputy division level, Zhao Tao had just been promoted to director; now he is coming down to lead me. Secretary Lu's personnel choices are truly 'unconstrained by any pattern'; Shibin and I don't know how to cooperate with Zhao Tao's work!"

Zhang Shibin added, "Unfair appointments will severely crush the work enthusiasm of subordinate cadres; what is the point of our diligent day‑to‑day effort? Some unscrupulous, untalented mediocrities are soaring to the clouds, proud and heavily promoted; I think problems will arise sooner or later!"

This matter is truly hard to counsel; I cannot fan the flames by agreeing with them, nor can I urge them to submit passively, so I can only say, "Leaders, I trust Governor Hong Tao's ability, and Minister Mingzhou will continue to monitor the development of Yingjiang cadres. Those who succeed early may not truly succeed, and those who arrive later may not fail."

Zhang Rongqiu, with a pointed remark, said, "If the foundation is unstable, the earth shakes the mountains!"

Zhang Shibin also said, "Grass‑roots work carries heavy tasks, great challenges, high difficulty, and messy affairs; without work experience, I fear he cannot handle it!"

Hearing the subtext from the two, Lu Fan really had no way to respond, could only laugh awkwardly; he was somewhat worried about the newly arrived mayor, and he incurred the public's anger!

On July 22, the Yingjiang Municipal Party Committee received a notice from the Provincial Party Committee that Organization Department Minister Bai Huijun would come to Yingjiang tomorrow.

Lu Fan immediately reported to Municipal Party Committee Deputy Secretary Guo Zhitao; Deputy Secretary Guo said in a lackluster tone, "Lu Fan, we need to convene a city‑wide leadership cadre conference; you handle the arrangements, just make sure there are no oversights."

Lu Fan then went specifically to the City Government to report to Mayor Li Ruifang.

Li Ruifang instructed that they must coordinate Minister Huijun's itinerary, organize the meeting earnestly, and meticulously prepare the reception arrangements.

After discussing work, Lu Fan said with slight concern, "Mayor, the moods of some leaders have been low these days." He needed to clarify the top leader's attitude toward the mayor.

Li Ruifang said calmly, "Mayor Zhao indeed disrupted the city's original plans; after a lifetime of hard, diligent work, who doesn't want to advance further? When hopes are shattered, a bit of complaint is completely understandable—human nature, after all!"

Lu Fan understood; the mayor also held an unwelcoming attitude toward Zhao Tao, so Yingjiang won't become Zhao Tao's Waterloo, right?

Li Ruifang added, "Pay attention to the comrades' mental state; regardless, Yingjiang's work must not be affected, and its development must not stall, otherwise we cannot answer the provincial government, and Governor Hong Tao values work above all."

"Alright, Mayor, I understand. I also have a matter to report: the head position of Section One of the Municipal Party Committee Office is temporarily vacant; Secretary Yao, will you take over?"

Li Ruifang said with a smile, "Yao Qian is very diligent, quick‑witted, and highly capable at work; I've become somewhat reliant on her. Moreover, a female comrade is more convenient, so let her continue to follow me."

"Okay, I'll coordinate and process Secretary Yao's paperwork so she can become Section One chief."

"Alright, handle it as you see fit!"

After finishing the report, Lu Fan stepped out of the office and was "kidnapped" by City Government Deputy Secretary Duan Yongjiao back into the office.

Soon, Deputy Secretary‑General Hu Kemang, Huang Yuan, and Liao Zhou also "joined in"; they are cadres Lu Fan had promoted single‑handedly, and now, seeing the unclear situation, naturally sought guidance from the leaders.

Lu Fan understood everyone's thoughts; after a brief chat he said, "You all coordinate with the Vice Mayor; don't just echo others. At any time, just watch the leader's attitude!"

A little after 2 p. m., Minister Bai Huijun's car entered the Yingjiang Municipal Party Committee courtyard; Mayor Li Ruifang led the group of leaders forward to receive him.

Minister Bai Huijun said with a smile, "Congratulations, Secretary Ruifang; I've brought talent to Yingjiang! This is Comrade Zhao Tao; I hope you can unite with sincerity, work together with one heart, and forge ahead hand in hand to create a new chapter in Yingjiang's development!"

Zhao Tao hurried forward to shake hands with Li Ruifang, enthusiastically saying, "From now on, under Secretary Li's leadership, please give me many pointers!"

Li Ruifang replied with a smile, "Welcome Comrade Zhao Tao to serve in Yingjiang. Grass‑roots work is 'messy and difficult', yet it is closely tied to the people. As the saying goes, 'If the foundation is unstable, the earth shakes the mountains.' We must start from the small things, work on every detail, gradually cultivate and improve ourselves; our outlook must be broad, vision far, perspective wide, and mindset good, always maintaining a calm heart and earnestly safeguarding the people's interests."

It seemed like a dialogue, but in fact it was a lecture; Li Ruifang treated Zhao Tao directly as a subordinate, which is rather thought‑provoking.

Minister Bai Huijun couldn't help but worry for Zhao Tao, feeling that Yingjiang's cadres were not very friendly to him, so he said with a smile, "Secretary Ruifang, the Party Committee handles personnel while the government handles affairs; I believe that with your close coordination, all of Yingjiang's work can reach a higher level. Is the meeting ready? Let's go straight to the venue; first finish the work, then talk about friendship!"

Li Ruifang glanced at Lu Fan, and after receiving his response, asked Minister Bai Huijun to head straight to the hall.

At 3 p. m., the city‑wide leadership cadre conference was convened.

Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee member and Organization Department Minister Bai Huijun announced the provincial decision: Comrade Li Ruifang appointed as Qinchuan Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee member, Yingjiang Municipal Party Committee member, Standing Committee member, and Secretary; Comrade Zhao Tao appointed as Yingjiang Municipal Party Committee Deputy Secretary and nominated as mayor candidate; Comrade Yang Shaokai adjusted to Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee member and United Front Work Department Minister.

Bai Huijun pointed out that after careful deliberation, the Provincial Party Committee decided that Comrade Li Ruifang would serve as Yingjiang Municipal Party Committee Secretary and Comrade Zhao Tao as mayor, fully reflecting the provincial committee's high regard for Yingjiang's development and the construction of its leadership team. All levels of Yingjiang's organizations and leaders must align their thinking with the provincial decision, support it, and work together to improve all tasks, jointly safeguarding and advancing Yingjiang's stable reform and development.

Zhao Tao gave a low‑key, brief inaugural speech, stating that he would resolutely support Secretary Li Ruifang's work, and under the strong leadership of the Municipal Party Committee with Secretary Li as class leader, unite as one, forge ahead, plan and implement economic and social tasks, promote Yingjiang's high‑quality development to achieve new results continuously, thereby reassuring the Provincial Party Committee and satisfying the city's people.

Li Ruifang said they firmly uphold and obey the organization's decision. Taking the "relay baton" of "Great City Creating Brilliance Again," they feel the responsibility is great and the mission glorious; the new Municipal Party Committee leadership will certainly persist in putting the people at the center, work day and night in public service, diligently push forward all undertakings, always be strict with themselves, maintain political resolve, observe political discipline, cultivate moral integrity, balance public and private, righteousness and profit, right and wrong, good and evil, suffering and joy, remain upright and selfless, and devote themselves wholly to the Party and the people.

After the meeting, Li Ruifang hosted Minister Bai Huijun for a banquet at the Yingjiang Guesthouse.

During the banquet, Bai Huijun took Zhao Tao to toast the Yingjiang leaders one by one, the intention to give him a platform being quite obvious. However, the effect was poor, as he was met with a "cold reception" from about six or seven people led by Deputy Secretary Guo Zhitao.

Having done what needed to be done and said what needed to be said, Bai Huijun returned to Chang'an the next day. Before leaving, he said to Zhao Tao with deep meaning, "You must unite with colleagues, prioritize work, broaden your heart, widen your outlook, be more upright, generous, energetic, and harmonious, and less resentful, discouraged, sluggish, or irritable. Between growth and decline, addition and subtraction, the realm of doing and being a person will also rise."

Back at the City Government, Zhao Tao felt full of vigor, as if holding great power. But soon he discovered that the City Government had no secretary‑general; after sitting for ten minutes, no one came in to report work! He was somewhat angry, thinking, do Yingjiang's leaders really not understand protocol?

He sat dazed for more than half an hour; the dignified mayor on his first day received no attention. Zhao Tao, unable to contain his temper, pushed the door open and went out, telling the duty office staff, "Who is the deputy secretary‑general in charge of affairs? Have them come to my office!" and stormed away.

The duty‑room cadres looked at each other, remained silent for a while, then the director, unable to sit still, went to report to Deputy Secretary‑General Duan Moshuang.

Duan Moshuang, responsible for coordinating Executive Vice Mayor Zhang Rongqiu's work, upon hearing the duty‑room report, did not dare to decide lightly, sought instructions from the leaders, and was told that the deputy secretary‑general has his own division of labor and need not be concerned.

Thus, on the mayor's first day in office, everyone was watching, and the City Government's atmosphere was unusually eerie.

Lu Fan, after learning the situation, reported to Secretary Li Ruifang.

Li Ruifang said calmly, "Institutional work and grassroots work are still different; the mayor needs to adapt. Accumulating prestige, advancing a career, personal growth—all require strengthened resolve, maintained resilience, and the confidence and courage to fight tenaciously and meet challenges head‑on. Only by persisting with lofty aspirations and solid footing can one remain composed, unshaken by honor or disgrace. I believe the mayor will soon adapt to the environment and take control of the situation."

After discussing the way of governance, Li Ruifang instructed, "Arrange a schedule for yourself to research the Old Dry Bureau, key enterprises, key projects, and certain county‑district locales."

"Alright, Secretary, I'll arrange the itinerary and submit it for your review!"

"You have been a county committee secretary; you know where to go. Arrange it as you see fit!"

In the afternoon, Lu Fan accompanied Li Ruifang to a small restaurant, and happened to meet Mayor Zhao Tao.

Mayor Zhao began to complain, "Secretary, after Secretary Lu was transferred, the City Government secretary‑general position is vacant; it must be filled quickly, otherwise it's 'a flock of dragons without a head,' and everyone doesn't know what to do. All afternoon, even my residence hasn't been arranged."

Li Ruifang replied with a smile, "That's my mistake; I forgot to assign a dedicated person to serve the mayor. Lu Fan, arrange the mayor's residence immediately; we can't let the mayor 'wander the streets,' can we?"

Lu Fan hurriedly said, "Mayor Zhao, please go to the Yingjiang Guesthouse first to deal with it; I'll implement the secretary's instructions at once!"