Chapter 402

Just as Lu Fan stepped out of the Mayor's office, he was "intercepted" by Executive Vice Mayor Zhang Rongqiu, who pulled him into his own office.

After brewing tea, Zhang Rongqiu asked directly, "Are you talking about the Sunshine City project?"

Lu Fan nodded and said, "It's a task assigned by the leader; I have to bite the bullet and take it on!"

Zhang Rongqiu asked bluntly, "Lu Fan, if you don't fight for the steamed bun, you fight for your breath. I am, after all, the Executive Vice Mayor; am I in the Secretary's inner circle?" He was Li Mingzhou's direct subordinate, so he didn't want any beating around the bush.

Lu Fan smiled and said, "Don't worry, you still have me! But we must get the big picture settled with the Mayor before we can proceed with subsequent operations."

"Didn't you reach an agreement just now?"

"I have to give people time to consider; they said they'd give me an answer tomorrow."

"Can you disclose how much you gave Zhao Tao?"

"Two plots of land. Brother, don't sell me out!"

"Rest assured, my lips are sealed! You don't need to worry either; when the bidding starts, how could it be hidden from anyone?"

Lu Fan kindly reminded him, "Cooperation benefits both, while conflict hurts both. Brother, I don't think it's necessary to make things too rigid with the Mayor; after all, he is the top leader. If the province is dissatisfied, no one will have a good time when the board comes down!"

Zhang Rongqiu pondered for a moment and said, "Easing things up is fine, but he isn't a pushover either. Plus, he's too selfish and acts recklessly. You might have heard that his wife has been in Yingjiang lately, getting cozy with some enterprises. It's purely like having shit in her brain!"

Lu Fan smiled and said, "Let's not worry about that; just do our own jobs well. You all have already made him uncomfortable enough. Once relations ease, he will surely know the gravity of the situation, as long as we cooperate on work. In a few days, I'll arrange a gathering and invite Mayor Shi Bin and Mayor Jide."

"Sigh, when one is under the eaves, one must bow one's head! Fine, you handle the arrangements. By the way, I've scavenged some tea leaves; bring them to the Minister next time you go to Jingcheng."

Lu Fan laughed, "How far could it be? Why use someone else for this kind of thing? Go yourself!"

"There's a rumor lately that the Minister is going to move up?"

Lu Fan didn't hide it and said, "Pretty much. It's estimated he will be adjusted to Deputy Secretary."

Zhang Rongqiu said happily, "That's truly great! Once the step is taken, he will definitely be able to move up again in '22!"

Sunshine City is a massive project, like a piece of fat meat placed there. Naturally, Municipal Party Deputy Secretary Guo Zhitao would have ideas, and he is qualified to have them.

With the project launch imminent, Guo Zhitao went directly to Secretary Li Ruifang's office; he felt he was qualified to talk to the Secretary directly.

After entering, he beat around the bush for a long time before gradually steering the topic toward Sunshine City, subtly expressing his desire to participate in the project's construction and contribute to the development of the New City.

Li Ruifang didn't commit and said indifferently, "Zhitao, our city uses a key project contracting system. The Sunshine City project is quite large, and the Municipal Committee attaches great importance to it. Lu Fan is coordinating it specifically, cooperating with the Municipal Government to implement the project. It's good that you have this enthusiasm; the development of Yingjiang requires everyone to pool their wisdom and efforts. If you have good ideas, arrange them directly with Lu Fan."

Guo Zhitao said calmly, "Lu Fan is very steady; it's very appropriate to hand this matter to him. Then I won't disturb the Secretary's work!"

After coming out, Guo Zhitao knocked on Lu Fan's office door, but there was no response, so he returned to his own office and instructed his secretary to keep an eye on the office next door.

By the time work ended, Lu Fan still hadn't returned to the Municipal Committee Office; he had been pulled directly to a restaurant by Zhang Rongqiu, who had also called Vice Mayors Zhang Shibin, Bian Jide, Li Xiaoya, Gao Ke, and Public Security Bureau Director Ye Chen.

Vice Mayor Wang Wenhui had been close to the Mayor recently and was ruthlessly "abandoned" by everyone.

Although everyone left separately, it was still reported to the Mayor by someone with ulterior motives, which made Zhao Tao very annoyed.

Lu Fan got along very well with the several Vice Mayors; everyone was chatting and laughing, clinking glasses, and the atmosphere was extremely harmonious.

After the party broke up, Bian Jide and Lu Fan walked home to sober up.

As they walked, Bian Jide suddenly said, "Lu Fan, Shibin has been very diligent lately, going to the Provincial Committee several times. I estimate he's leaving soon!"

Lu Fan asked, "The Provincial Committee? Is it Secretary Xu Yongjiang? Or Deputy Secretary Li Yixiao?"

"It should be Secretary Yongjiang. The word is already out; it seems he's going to be the Director of the Science and Technology Department."

"That's a good thing. At least it resolves the full-department level. His age is no longer an advantage; he can't afford to wait any longer!"

"Lu Fan, if Shibin leaves, can I compete for the Standing Committee seat he vacates?"

Lu Fan replied with a smile, "Of course you can. You already have an advantage over the others."

Bian Jide asked again, "Do you have any ideas about the Standing Committee Vice Mayor position?"

Lu Fan thought for a moment and said, "I won't compete for it!"

Bian Jide laughed, "You 'look down' on it, right? That's true. With the title of National Outstanding County Party Secretary under your belt, you don't need to overstay in this position. If you want to compete, go directly for Deputy Secretary or Executive Vice Mayor. By the way, there's also Shao Kai. He was adjusted from Secretary-General to United Front Minister; he must have ideas, right?"

Hearing this, Lu Fan was in a difficult position. Yang Shaokai had only gone to the United Front Department to make room for him, and the man hadn't complained at all. Plus, Bian Jide was his old leader; it was truly hard to choose.

Seeing Lu Fan's hesitation, Bian Jide knew he needed his support, because for such an adjustment, Secretary Li Ruifang could play an 80% role. Now everyone knew that Secretary Li valued Lu Fan, and Lu Fan also had the Li family behind him.

After thinking for a long while, Lu Fan said, "Old leader, it's still just speculation. If there are personnel adjustments in Yingjiang, Secretary Yongjiang will definitely communicate with Secretary Ruifang. Let's wait and see."

"Lu Fan, this opportunity is very important to me!"

"Old leader, I know. I will definitely say what needs to be said!"

After arriving at work the next day, Lu Fan went for his "morning request" as usual. Li Ruifang asked, "Is there any progress on the Sunshine City project?"

Lu Fan replied, "I estimate there will be a decision today. The Municipal Government will be responsible for implementing plots one and three."

Li Ruifang nodded and said, "Step up the docking; this project needs to be launched as soon as possible. By the way, don't consider Zhang Shibin this time."

It seems the rumors were not false. Lu Fan probed, "There's a rumor in the compound lately that Mayor Shibin is going to the Science and Technology Department."

Li Ruifang said, "Pretty much. When I went to the province last time, Secretary Yongjiang communicated with me. Shibin can be considered an old-qualified deputy-department-level leader. Lu Fan, Yang Shaokai wasn't adjusted into place last time. I plan to recommend him as Standing Committee Vice Mayor, and then 'pull' someone from the counties to the United Front Department. What do you think?"

"The Secretary has considered it very thoroughly; I support it!" With the leader having made a decision, Lu Fan said no more; this was also to avoid suspicion. As for Bian Jide, he would have to find another opportunity next time.

Li Ruifang asked again, "What do you think of Lu Juncheng serving as United Front Minister?"

This was a two-level jump in one year! Lu Juncheng hadn't even been the Xiuyan County Party Secretary for a year! But besides Lu Juncheng, the remaining County Party Secretaries were all related to him; it was truly inconvenient to say more!

"For the vacated County Party Secretary position, let Guo Tongyu take over; this comrade is quite bold in his work! For the Xiuyan County Head, I plan to recommend Chen Xiao, Deputy Director of the Development and Reform Commission, to go down. Additionally, the Development and Reform Commission is a relatively important department; you and Secretary Zhitao should discuss selecting a capable and strong person to serve as Deputy Director."

"Very well, Secretary, I will handle it!" Now Lu Fan could say even less. Li Ruifang was "expanding her territory," but regardless, these dozen or so County Party Secretaries and County Heads could not be bypassed.

Just as Lu Fan returned to his office, Municipal Party Deputy Secretary Guo Zhitao came in with a water cup, sat on the sofa, and said, "You've been busier than me lately. I've passed by several times and you weren't there. Did you go to the Municipal Government yesterday? Was it to dock with the Sunshine City project?"

Lu Fan smiled and replied, "I was forced into it, implementing the leader's instructions!"

Guo Zhitao said, "I talked to Secretary Ruifang about the Sunshine City project yesterday. The Secretary instructed me to dock with you. For such a large project, serving the overall situation of the city, I am duty-bound!"

Lu Fan replied, "Secretary, the leader has given instructions on this matter. Now we have to wait for the Municipal Government's response to settle the big picture. You don't need to worry; I have it under control! Actually, there are a few personnel changes I need to report to you."

"Oh, the Municipal Committee team? Or the counties?"

"It's just an intention for now; Mayor Shibin might be leaving."

"I heard. Is it the Science and Technology Department?"

"Pretty much. The Secretary plans to let Shao Kai go to the Municipal Government."

Guo Zhitao nodded and said, "He was wronged a bit last time; adjusting Shao Kai is reasonable and logical. Then who is planned for the United Front Department?"

"Lu Juncheng! Then Tongyu takes over as Secretary, and Chen Xiao from the Development and Reform Commission goes down to be County Head. What do you think?"

"Lu Juncheng? Isn't that a bit fast? For provincial-managed cadres, what we say doesn't really count. Let's not talk about it, lest we offend people!"

Just as they were chatting, Mayor Zhao Tao's call came in, telling Lu Fan directly that he would obey the organization's arrangements. The Sunshine City project was settled as such; he hoped it would pass the Standing Committee as soon as possible, as time waits for no one!

After hanging up, looking at the expectant Guo Zhitao, Lu Fan smiled and said, "The Mayor's call; the big picture is settled. Secretary, you'll have to oversee the earthwork for the three plots!"

Hearing this, Guo Zhitao pondered for a long time and said, "There are five plots in total; it would be better to bundle the earthwork into one project, which would be more efficient to implement." Human greed is insatiable!

Lu Fan said helplessly, "Secretary, such a big matter is not something I can decide. Please understand; I have tried my best to fight for you, unless the main leader gives further instructions! Or should I wait a bit longer?"

Guo Zhitao thought for a moment and said, "Forget it, let's settle it like this. Plots 1, 2, and 5, how about that?"

It seems he had studied the project in depth and picked three large plots.

Lu Fan replied, "I should be able to make this call. Secretary, rest assured, I will do my best to coordinate!"

Guo Zhitao smiled and said, "Then I'll trouble you. I have some good tea; I'll bring you some later!"

Lu Fan hurriedly said, "That won't do; serving the leader well is my duty! Secretary, do you have a suitable candidate for the Deputy Director of the Development and Reform Commission? Secretary Ruifang asked me to report to you."

"I'm not very familiar with that system; you decide it yourself!" Guo Zhitao returned the favor.