Chapter 388

Standing beside the bride, Zhou Tianhui's heart was filled with sincere blessings, and she sighed inwardly, not all affection leads to an outcome.

People always have exceptions and preferences; in this life, I love you deeply! The best encounter in the world is not on the road but in the heart. If I cannot be your bride, I will be your bridesmaid, still irreplaceable and unsurpassed!

Love arises voluntarily, not betraying the meeting. Affection rises with the wind; when the wind stops, the feeling remains unsettled.

At the banquet, accompanied by Li Lao and Li Mingzhou, the newlyweds toasted the guests, and Lu Fan deepened his impression of them.

When the toast reached the table of Lu Fan's relatives and friends, everyone hurriedly rose, respectfully holding their wine cups; only now did most people realize that Lu Fan was actually Li Lao's grandson-in-law, and the shock in their hearts lingered.

After the wedding banquet ended, Li Lao summoned Lu Fan to the room, and they had a lengthy talk.

"Lu Fan, from today on we are family; you and Zimeng must tolerate each other, care for each other, support each other, and be happily fulfilled. At the same time, I hope you have light in your eyes, dreams in your heart, responsibility on your shoulders, and strength in your steps, becoming the finest version of yourselves."

"Please rest assured, Grandfather, I will surely take good care of Zimeng!"

Li Lao said earnestly: "Lu Fan, as family we don't keep separate accounts; you need not worry about life. You must be clean in governance, clean in the use of power, keep yourself pure, and serve the public selflessly, focusing your energy on your career and striving to achieve great things!"

For leading cadres, power is a double-edged sword; it can make people steady, also make them swell; it can make people upright, also make them degenerate; it can make people glorious, also make them sordid; it can make people self-disciplined, also make them indulgent; it can make people achieve merit, also make them commit crimes. From this we see the importance of exercising power impartially and practicing clean governance; you must understand a principle: truly representing the people in holding and using power well, with a wholehearted public spirit and people-centered approach, only then can power be firmly held; with sleeves clean and wholeheartedly serving the people, the future holds infinite possibilities.

This is Li Lao's political wisdom; Lu Fan, convinced and sincere, said: "Grandfather, I have noted it! I will surely establish a correct view of power, treat my duties and power rigorously, always remember your teachings, bear in mind that power is given by the people; the higher the position, the greater the power and responsibility, I will always remain clean and upright as an official, sincerely serve the people, and truly achieve being for the people, pragmatic, and clean."

Li Lao, Lu Fan, Municipal Party Committee Secretary, deputy department-level rank. Also the Municipal Party Committee appears later in line 12, where it says: "Next step you will take over as Municipal Party Committee Secretary, stepping up to the 'watershed' of deputy department-level." Also later: "The ideal position is Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee." Also "queue order" is not a name. Also "governing a region" is not a name.

Let me give you an example—Wang Hongtao; this person's political wisdom is absolutely not to be underestimated; every step he takes is steady, precise, and ruthless; most importantly, in every post he has achieved remarkable political performance that no one can ignore or dare to overlook, so he can rise straight to the clouds and rise step by step; as long as he does not make political mistakes, his future is foreseeable—he will undoubtedly be an extraordinarily dazzling star!

I heard from Mingzhou that you are Wang Hongtao's student; this opportunity is rare, and this relationship must be maintained, for it will benefit you greatly in the future. But remember this saying: "The friendship of gentlemen is as light as water; the friendship of petty men is as sweet as liquor." Interaction should be based on sincerity, simplicity, and closeness, focusing on spiritual affinity and mutual respect; if utilitarian motives are too strong, one cannot earn others' genuine respect. Moreover, you must continually improve your abilities and vision, enhance your cognition, and thereby elevate your realm. For flying with the phoenix makes one a fine bird; walking with tigers and wolves makes one a fierce beast! Walking with the wise makes one extraordinary; associating with the eminent enables one to reach the pinnacle.

Lu Fan absorbed Li Lao's political essence and experiential wisdom with full concentration, as if intoxicated. He deeply knew he still had many shortcomings, especially in pattern and vision; Li Lao's rich experience and precious insight were like a key that opened the door to Lu Fan's cognition.

Moreover, Li Lao's planning never involves detours; each step's arrangement yields twice the result with half the effort.

On the path of governance, without clear goals, correct direction, and reasonable planning, it is like losing a compass at sea—lost and helpless in the vast, boundless ocean, where each step forward may encounter repeated difficulties, even hitting walls everywhere.

Grandfather and grandson talked knee-to-knee for an entire afternoon; Lu Fan's many doubts were resolved, letting him suddenly see clearly, illuminating his path forward and filling him with anticipation and confidence for the future.

Finally, Li Lao said gratified: "Lu Fan, where the heart points, there the action goes; the future is promising, and there will surely be rewards! Grandfather gives you these words for self‑encouragement: One who hears news without joy or alarm can be entrusted with great matters;"

none (just lines of advice)

One who faces danger without avoidance or fear can bear heavy responsibilities;

One who acts with heart free of malice and greed can devise grand strategies.

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One who handles affairs without start and meets events without chaos can be greatly employed!

In being and doing, there are no shortcuts; only profound virtue can carry things!

During the National Day holiday, with clear autumn air and pleasant weather, a newlywed couple went to the seaside for their honeymoon, enjoying a romantic world belonging only to the two of them.

Sunlight fell on the golden sand, and the waves gently lapped the shore, as if blessing this newlywed couple.

Lu Fan, Li Zimeng. This is a named character; we need to include.

Yingjiang; Yingjiang Guesthouse (a place). Also Anbao County Committee Secretary Ma Yajun; Ningyang County Committee Secretary Yang Chuanbei; County Chief He Jiafeng; Zibei County Committee Secretary Guo Shanbo; Deputy County Chief Wang Licheng; Fangzhou County Committee Secretary Liu Yuhen; Deputy County Chief Xu Zheng; Dingshui County Committee Secretary Chen Hangji; Deputy Secretary Tan Yin; Deputy County Chief Li Longhao; Fuxian County Committee Secretary Wang Jiaming; Deputy County Chief Fang Hui; Yanshui County Committee Secretary Zhang Yuxuan; County Chief Wang Zhikun; Xiuyan County Chief Guo Tongyu; Deputy County Chief Zhou Jian; Hongqi County Committee Secretary Li Can; Deputy County Chief Li Xinbo; Ganshui County. Also the Municipal Party Committee appears later (not in this line). Also the Municipal Government, Mayor, and Municipal Party Committee Office appear later.

Li Ruifang appears as Secretary. Also possibly Li Ruifang Secretary.

Lu Fan hastily declined, saying: "Secretary, I appreciate the sentiment……"

"Take it; can leading cadres not have personal exchanges? It's just a token of goodwill!"

Lu Fan no longer declined; after accepting the red envelope, he said: "Secretary, tonight I would like to invite all the standing committee members and the vice mayor to a simple meal—do you think that is appropriate?"

Li Ruifang laughed and said: "This is a great thing; what could be inappropriate? I will definitely be there!"

"Alright, then I will reserve the place and report back to you."

Li Ruifang, Mayor Zhao Tao. Also possibly Mayor.

Li Ruifang is referred to as Mayor in the line "Li Ruifang Mayor laughs and says". Also mentioned is the Municipal Party Committee's "big problem".

Then other leaders also sent blessings and red envelopes, each about two thousand; Li Zimeng, seeing Lu Fan's expression, accepted them with a smile, these being normal personal exchanges, and later they will have to reciprocate.

Classmates and friends (generic term), Municipal Party Committee Office, Municipal Government Office, Jingcheng.

Establishing a family and establishing a career are the two great matters of life! The family is a solid foundation and also a weighty responsibility. After marriage, Lu Fan finally felt he had something to rely on, like a ship entering harbor—his heart at peace, unafraid of wind and rain. His heart brims with the driving force of struggle, and he is willing to give his all, to strive unceasingly, to protect this hard‑won love.

After getting on track, Lu Fan devoted himself wholeheartedly to work, fully cooperating and providing excellent service to Secretary Li Ruifang's work, becoming her capable assistant, and increasingly earning her trust and reliance.

Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee meeting, Li Ruifang, Lu Wenhua Secretary. The line states: "Lu Wenhua Secretary specifically mentioned to Li Ruifang the matter of the Municipal Government Secretary-General."

This is tantamount to a prompt; Li Ruifang returned to Yingjiang and proactively discussed with Mayor Zhao Tao the candidate for the City Government secretary-general.

Li Secretary, Mayor, Municipal Government Secretary.

Li Ruifang Secretary, Hongqi County Chief Bo Lei, Municipal Government Secretary, Director of the Municipal Government Office.

Bo Lei, Mayor, Municipal Government Office, Deputy Section Chief of the Finance Section, Section Chief of the Secretariat Section, Mayor's Secretary.

Mayor, Municipal Government.

Whole province; central province (referring to the term in "Central Province regarding the spirit of the meeting on clearing arrears owed to private enterprises"); Governor Wang Hongtao; implementation throughout the province.

Yingjiang City also held a special meeting, requiring all counties and districts and municipal direct departments to ascertain the bottom line, establish a debt-clearance leadership group, formulate a work plan, Lu Fan served as deputy head of the debt-clearance leadership group, responsible for supervising the work.