Chapter 394: Put on the Agenda

Recently, a major event happened in the province: Lu Wenhua was transferred away, and Wang Hongtao took charge of the work.

Facts proved that the carp could not leap over the dragon gate; Lu Wenhua ended up in a dismal state because of the Dragon Gate project! However, it is said that he didn't completely step down but went to manage sports work.

After Wang Hongtao took charge of the Provincial Party Committee's work, Qinchuan Province's government orders were smoother than ever, and work in all aspects had significantly improved. The whole province was looking forward to him serving as the Provincial Party Committee Secretary.

Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, it was time to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. Governments at all levels were in the closing stage of their work, all wanting to get a good ranking, which required coordination from top to bottom and was exceptionally busy.

For the vast majority of people within the system, promotion generally faces three thresholds: deputy section level, deputy division level, and deputy department level. They are like the "ceiling" for people in the system; taking a step further means the sea is wide and the sky is high.

By February, Lu Fan had served in a substantive full division-level position for three full years, and his heart was restless, looking forward to taking a step further and ascending to the deputy department level that countless people dream of.

These past few days, seeing Lu Fan being very "diligent" in reporting his work, Li Ruifang teased, "When facing major events, one must have a calm spirit. Only with calmness can one be peaceful, only with peace can one think, and only with thinking can one gain!"

Lu Fan replied with a smile, "The Secretary's criticism is correct; my mindset still needs to be tempered and improved!"

"I'm not criticizing you. Life indeed requires precipitation, tempering, and reflection; one needs enough experience to grow. There is a saying I particularly agree with: when complaining about heaven and others, everything is sad; when facing difficulties directly, nothing is impossible! On the road of growth, one needs to maintain a humble, cautious, firm, optimistic, and grateful mindset, constantly accumulating experience, tempering will, and improving ability to finally realize one's dreams and goals!"

After speaking, Li Ruifang directly dialed Wang Hongtao's phone. After it connected, she said, "Secretary, regarding the candidate for Yingjiang Municipal Party Committee Secretary-General, I recommend Municipal Party Committee Deputy Secretary-General and Municipal Party Committee Office Director Lu Fan to the Provincial Party Committee. This comrade won the honor of National Outstanding County Party Committee Secretary this year. Since presiding over the work of the Municipal Party Committee Office, he has acted actively. Facing urgent, difficult, dangerous, and heavy tasks, he can step forward and stand up; facing all kinds of unhealthy trends, he has the drive, spirit, and energy to dare to be serious and dare to manage. He never shrinks because the burden is 'heavy' and never complains because the work is 'bitter.' He truly has both the courage to take responsibility and the ability to act. He is widely praised by Yingjiang cadres. On behalf of the Yingjiang Municipal Party Committee, I formally recommend Comrade Lu Fan to the organization."

Wang Hongtao nodded and said, "The organization will seriously consider the candidate you recommended. How about this: you coordinate with the Organization Department to list Lu Fan as a key inspection object for Yingjiang Municipal Party Committee Secretary-General. I will seek the opinions of other comrades and discuss it during the next personnel adjustment."

"Thank you, Secretary, for supporting the work of Yingjiang and myself. I will come down to pay you a New Year's visit in two days!"

Wang Hongtao nodded and said, "Unknowingly, another year has passed. Don't worry about Lu Fan's matter. There is one task I want to specifically remind you of; leave it to Lu Fan to do. He is more methodical in his work. Starting today, focus on monitoring personnel returning to Yingjiang from Jiangcheng City and Chu Province, as well as personnel who returned to Yingjiang from Chu Province some time ago. After they are identified, take isolation measures directly. I won't explain the specific reason, but I order you to strictly execute it!"

Li Ruifang immediately realized the severity of the problem and stated, "Please rest assured, Secretary, Yingjiang will definitely execute your order without discount, without going through the motions, without blind spots, and without sparing any effort!"

After hanging up the phone, Li Ruifang said seriously, "There is no problem with your matter; the Provincial Party Committee will equip it in the next personnel adjustment. Just now, Secretary Hongtao specifically designated you to be responsible for the screening of personnel returning to Yingjiang from Chu Province and Jiangcheng City. The Secretary instructed that they can be isolated directly. I don't know the specific reason, but Secretary Hongtao's instructions must be executed unconditionally! As for how to do it, I haven't thought about it either. You should consider it yourself first, but you must move first.

Lu Fan, the Secretary recognizes your ability very much. Difficulty is both a challenge and an opportunity. Doing administrative work is like a boat in the middle of the river where the waves are more urgent, and a person halfway up the mountain where the road is steeper. The greater the pressure and resistance, the greater the task and responsibility. You must go against the trend; only in times of danger can one show the true character of responsibility! You must truly dare to grasp and act, dare to break through and take responsibility!"

Lu Fan accepted the task without hesitation and said firmly, "Please rest assured, Secretary, I will go down to investigate immediately, make a decision based on the actual situation, and I will report and ask for instructions from you at any time!"

"There is no time to lose. You go down immediately; we can communicate at any time if there is a situation."

Just as Lu Fan returned to his office, Minister Li Mingzhou's call came in. He said in a heavy tone, "Lu Fan, something went wrong in Jiangcheng. If it's not controlled well, we may face a disaster!"

Lu Fan hurriedly asked, "Dad, what exactly went wrong?"

"The 2002 SARS—it's so similar. You must be 120% alert in dealing with it; don't be the slightest bit paralyzed or careless. At the same time, you must protect yourself, even if it's for the sake of Zimeng! Wang Hongtao has foresight and has already proposed response measures, which are highly valued by the leaders. You must attach great importance to his instructions and strictly execute them. This person is truly extraordinary; he doesn't make a sound, but once he does, he shocks everyone. His rise is unstoppable, and the Elder Group will definitely have a seat for him!"

"Dad, I know what to do. You also take care of your health and take good care of Zimeng for me!"

"Don't worry about things at home; I'm here for everything! Oh, by the way, I talked to Wang Hongtao on the phone two days ago. Don't worry about your promotion; everything will fall into place!"

"Thank you, Dad!"

"Family doesn't speak of two families. You take care of yourself too!"

The joy of progress had been diluted by the sudden change. After hanging up the phone, Lu Fan called Xia Li and Cheng Haohao and headed straight for Fangzhou County, which is the southern gate of Yingjiang City.

After getting off the highway, County Party Committee Secretary Liu Yuheng was already waiting at the intersection.

After meeting, Lu Fan said seriously, "Yuheng, it's an emergency. I am issuing an order directly from the Municipal Party Committee."

Liu Yuheng was a person Lu Fan had promoted, and he replied without hesitation, "Please issue the order, Secretary-General. Fangzhou County will resolutely execute it!"

"Immediately block all intersections, including country roads. Strictly check personnel returning to Yingjiang City from Chu Province; it must be serious and meticulous. Once discovered, isolate them immediately. Only medical personnel are allowed to have contact. You pick a suitable isolation place first and organize personnel to take action immediately."

Liu Yuheng couldn't help but ask, "Secretary-General, is it that serious?"

Lu Fan replied, "This matter is an emergency; absolutely no mistakes can be made. Once a problem occurs, your 'hat' will definitely not be saved! Yuheng, do you remember 2002? You must guard the southern gate for Yingjiang! That's all I'll say; I won't interfere with the specific work, I only look at the results!"

"Secretary-General, I will deploy immediately."

Lu Fan continued, "Just in case, find everyone who has returned to Fangzhou County from Chu Province recently and isolate them centrally. I know the workload is huge, but there is no other way. If there are difficulties, you must think of every way to overcome them!"

Liu Yuheng frowned and said, "The cadres and masses will definitely not understand. Sigh, Secretary-General, I will find a way!"

Lu Fan said, "I would rather do it for nothing, I would rather let the masses scold me, than let the masses bleed and cry! Yuheng, I am responsible for this work now; I leave Fangzhou to you! I must go to Hongqi County immediately."

"Please rest assured, Secretary-General, I will definitely do my best!"

Subsequently, Lu Fan ran through Zibei County, Hongqi County, and Yanshui County within a day, giving death orders to several county party secretaries, first deploying control over the four major gates of Yingjiang City: east, west, south, and north.

After returning to Yingjiang, Lu Fan immediately coordinated with Municipal Health Commission Director Yin Shaopeng, asking him to immediately support the four counties, send professional protective personnel to help and guide the county and district cadres to "guard the gates," and required him to try every means to prepare sufficient protective supplies.

Yin Shaopeng had managed health work for many years and had a certain sensitivity to major disasters and difficulties. He stated that he would immediately execute Lu Fan's order but also raised the issue of funding; professional protective supplies are not cheap!

Lu Fan replied, "Shaopeng, I give you the authority of 50 million. You know better than I do what is needed; you purchase according to this standard first. Don't worry, even if I have to kowtow and pray, I will help you implement this 50 million."

After arranging everything, Lu Fan reported today's itinerary and the work done to Secretary Li Ruifang.

Secretary Li did not expect Lu Fan's work intensity to be so great and his actions so fast. She said with relief, "Governor Hongtao really didn't misjudge the person; you are more thoughtful than I thought! Lu Fan, this work is completely handed over to you. The situation I understand is that it is coming fiercely; no matter how much we value it, it is not too much. Ordinary people have the 'right to scold,' and we can only turn a deaf ear. I would rather have a false alarm and do it for nothing than let the lives and property of the people suffer losses! As for the funding issue, you apply to the Mayor first. If he pushes back, I will talk to him personally."

Lu Fan replied with firm eyes, "Please rest assured, Secretary, I will definitely go all out to build a solid defense line and protect the safety of the lives and property of the people of Yingjiang. As for everyone's complaints and grievances, my skin is relatively thick; being scolded a few times won't make me lose a few pieces of meat. However, I still hope this is a false alarm. In 2002, I should have been in the sixth grade; I remember it vividly; it was too terrifying!"

"Sigh, I hope so. We don't understand the situation now; we can only listen to the Governor and do our part."

"Understood, Secretary. I plan to go to the counties and districts tomorrow morning. If there is anything in the Municipal Party Committee, you can call me at any time."

On February 3, the Provincial Party Committee convened a Five-Person Group meeting. When studying the Yingjiang Municipal Party Committee Secretary-General, the biggest controversy was Lu Fan's age.

Wang Hongtao said with a smile, "I have a certain understanding of this comrade. He led Ganshui from 85th in the province to 6th in the province. His ideological and political quality is excellent, his ideals and beliefs are firm, his work is pragmatic and hardworking, his style is rigorous and pragmatic, he dares to tackle tough problems, and his political achievements are remarkable. I support Comrade Ruifang's opinion." ===== CHAPTER 395 =====