Chapter 403

Over the next week, Lu Fan traveled between the various Standing Committee members and Vice Mayors, constantly communicating and coordinating, and finally reached a consensus on the development and construction of the Sunshine City project.

Upon hearing Lu Fan's report on his "work achievements," Secretary Li Ruifang gave high recognition to Lu Fan's work ability and urged Lu Fan to dock well with the Municipal Government, launch the project as soon as possible, and do a good job in project approval, bidding, and other related work to ensure the project was foolproof.

In late June, the 800-mu Sunshine City project in the prime city reception area launched its bidding process, instantly igniting Yingjiang City.

Municipal Standing Committee member and Zhenbei District Party Secretary Si Daiqiang came to Lu Fan's office with a dark face and asked, "Lu Fan, does this mean there's nothing for us in Zhenbei District in such a big project?"

This kind of thing was truly impossible to explain. Even Standing Committee members have their ranks and status. Don't you see that four Vice Mayors, the United Front, and Propaganda departments didn't even qualify for a piece of the pie?

Lu Fan advised kindly, "Secretary Si, calm down! The Sunshine City project is in the New City District; there's nothing that troubles Zhenbei District..."

Si Daiqiang interrupted, "Forget it, it's just that I, this Standing Committee member, am dispensable! Lu Fan, was this matter coordinated specifically by you?"

Lu Fan continued to persuade, "It might be because you just arrived and need a process to get familiar with the work. The Sunshine City project was decided at the beginning of the year, and everything that needed coordinating has been mostly coordinated. I'm just running errands and moving my mouth!"

"Zhang Shibin is going to the Science and Technology Department, right? Even someone who is leaving soon has a share, but there isn't even a word of concession for me? Isn't Secretary Ruifang going a bit too far? A person fights for a breath, a Buddha fights for a stick of incense. I'm not looking at those petty gains, but can't she at least give the most basic respect?"

Lu Fan said helplessly, "Brother Si, it's standard procedure; can we just calm down? I can make the call on that high school; if you have connections you can't push away, I'll hand it to you!"

Si Daiqiang said angrily, "That's not the point. What I want is respect! As for projects, my Zhenbei District isn't lacking!"

"Brother Si, just vent your anger on me. I'll accompany you for a few drinks this afternoon; some things shouldn't be said recklessly!"

"Sigh, this matter has nothing to do with you, and I'm not trying to be difficult with you either. Forget it, let her be! There's a lot to do in the district; I'm going back."

In early July, the Provincial Committee held a Standing Committee meeting to study personnel issues and made minor adjustments to the Yingjiang City leadership team and the main leaders of some counties and districts.

Municipal Standing Committee member and Vice Mayor Zhang Shibin was promoted to Director of the Provincial Science and Technology Department; the Municipal Standing Committee member and United Front Minister was adjusted to Standing Committee Vice Mayor; the Xiuyan County Party Secretary was promoted to United Front Minister; Xiuyan County Head Guo Tongyu was adjusted to County Party Secretary; and Municipal Development and Reform Commission Deputy Director Chen Xiao was promoted to Xiuyan County Head.

At the same time, Yingjiang City also carried out small-scale adjustments: Municipal Committee Office Second Section Chief Li Yifeng was promoted to Deputy Director of the Municipal Development and Reform Commission; Cheng Haohao was adjusted to Second Section Chief; Zibei County Political and Legal Committee Secretary Ceng Ming was adjusted to County Party Deputy Secretary...

This adjustment involved a total of 28 cadres, fully implementing the will of the Municipal Committee. But as luck would have it, it didn't involve anyone from Zhenbei District.

Consequently, Si Daiqiang was unhappy again. As a newcomer, he had to establish his authority and push cadres to the city and other counties and districts.

Si Daiqiang went to the Municipal Organization Department in person to communicate, complained to Minister Zhang Ziqiang, and incidentally recommended several cadres.

Under the attention of the Municipal Committee and Municipal Government, and with Lu Fan's vigorous coordination, the Sunshine City project completed its bidding at the fastest speed, then set sail at full speed, firing on all cylinders, and plunged into the heated construction.

On August 5th, Provincial Standing Committee member and Municipal Party Secretary Li Ruifang, Executive Vice Mayor Zhang Rongqiu, and Municipal Committee Secretary-General Lu Fan went to the Sunshine City project for on-site research and inspection, where the project executive general manager explained the project situation on-site.

Li Ruifang inquired in detail about the project progress and the difficulties encountered during the construction process, and solved them on-site to ensure that construction management personnel, construction teams, machinery and equipment, and materials were all fully in place.

Yingjiang had been experiencing continuous high temperatures for days. Secretary Li Ruifang required the project construction management team to reasonably arrange construction operation hours while ensuring construction progress, so as to ensure construction safety.

The enterprise head expressed gratitude for the leader's concern and stated that Sunshine City would definitely shoulder its urban mission and strive to build itself into a new city card for Yingjiang City in terms of economy, people's livelihood, and culture.

On the way back to the Municipal Committee, Li Ruifang suddenly asked, "Lu Fan, did Daiqiang go to you to complain?"

Lu Fan replied, "He came once a few days ago. Secretary Si hasn't been in Yingjiang long and doesn't know the situation very well, so I explained it."

Li Ruifang frowned and said, "After staying by the leader's side for too long, he's full of arrogance! The Provincial Government has implemented so many projects; I don't believe he doesn't understand the rules? He even went to the Organization Department to recommend cadres two days ago; he has no sense of organization or discipline at all!"

"Secretary, I'll find time to communicate with Secretary Si."

"You don't need to go. Secretary Hong Tao often says that young cadres must be able to keep their cool. Even when they are in their prime, they cannot be arrogant. They must be able to endure loneliness, withstand temptation, and guard the prosperity. Some truths must be thought through by oneself! There is a meeting at the Provincial Committee tomorrow; you accompany me. You need to have more contact with the Provincial Committee Office to facilitate future work docking."

The next day, Lu Fan prepared a few boxes of good tea and followed Secretary Li Ruifang to Chang'an.

On the way, Deputy Secretary-General Xia Li reported the movements of each Standing Committee member as usual. What surprised Lu Fan was that Deputy Secretary Guo Zhitao followed closely behind and also went to Chang'an, but there was no meeting for him in the province today.

Upon arriving at the province, Li Ruifang went to the meeting, and Lu Fan visited several Deputy Secretaries-General and Division Chiefs. Everyone already knew each other, and bringing tea showed even more respect.

The leaders of the General Office were very enthusiastic toward Lu Fan. A Municipal Committee Secretary-General in his early 30s with a bright future was visible to the naked eye; anyone with a bit of political wisdom would try their best to be on good terms with him.

Next, Lu Fan took the tea and went to the Provincial Government.

He was in luck; Executive Vice Governor Tang Bing hadn't gone out today. After the secretary reported, Lu Fan was brought into the office.

Putting down the tea, Lu Fan said respectfully, "Congratulations, Governor!"

Tang Bing said with a smile, "Since you're here, don't be so polite. Lu Fan, I also have to congratulate you. I hope you can keep your cool, bend your waist, put down your status, do things in a down-to-earth manner, uphold integrity amidst the glitz, accumulate strength under the low eaves, and erupt when the opportunity arises!"

Lu Fan nodded hurriedly and said, "Thank you, Governor, for your encouragement and concern. I will definitely work hard and not live up to your expectations!"

Tang Bing said kindly, "You came with Secretary Ruifang, right? If you aren't going back tonight, come to the house with Xinpu to sit for a while."

Lu Fan smiled and said, "Very well, Governor, it depends on Secretary Li's arrangements. If time permits, I will definitely pay a visit. To tell you the truth, I can cook a few signature dishes, especially lamb; I received the true teachings of an old artisan!"

Tang Bing laughed, "I didn't expect you to be a multi-talented person. If there's a chance, you must come to the house and show off your skills!"

After chatting for ten minutes or so, Lu Fan stood up to take his leave; the Executive Vice Governor is very busy.

This visit was very rewarding. Governor Tang wore a smile the whole time, and it was clear that the level of importance he placed on Lu Fan had increased.

Vice Governor Han Guishan's office was right next door. The secretary knew Lu Fan, and after reporting, he waited for the person reporting work to leave before immediately bringing Lu Fan in.

Han Guishan smiled and said, "It's different once you become a Standing Committee member; your aura is stronger, and you haven't come to me even once!"

Lu Fan hurriedly said, "Governor, I'm truly sorry. There's been too much in the city lately; I'm doing work that serves people, and I have no freedom at all. Today, Secretary Li came to the Provincial Committee for a meeting, so I rushed over to listen to your teachings!"

"Lu Fan, I am genuinely happy for you. You're only in your early 30s, right? I had just become a Section Chief at your age! You must grasp the opportunity well, put your heart into your work, commit to the continuous improvement of your quality and cultivation, grow into an expert who can handle things independently as soon as possible, and build a solid foundation for your future growth and progress."

"Uncle Han, I will definitely work hard and strive to make some achievements!"

"If there's anything I can help with, feel free to come to me."

"Even if you didn't say it, I would come; I promise not to be polite with you!"

At four in the afternoon, Lu Fan accompanied Secretary Li Ruifang back to Yingjiang.

Sitting in the car, Lu Fan inadvertently saw Deputy Secretary Guo Zhitao also walking out of the Provincial Committee building.

Li Ruifang saw it too, and she said thoughtfully, "Zhitao has been very busy lately! Lu Fan, you must work hard with your head down, but you must also look at the road with your head up! Revolutionary work is not about hosting dinners. If an opportunity arises, you absolutely cannot be modest. You must fight for what you should fight for; being one step ahead means being one step better!"

Lu Fan said in a low voice, "Secretary, if there is an opportunity, I will definitely fight for it with all my might. But without your support, I don't even have the need to try!"

Li Ruifang said, "If the Provincial Committee asks for my opinion, I will support you. Your biggest competitors are Si Daiqiang and Zhang Rongqiu. At critical moments, no one will be modest about this kind of thing. If Governor Qianhua supports Si Daiqiang, things will be difficult. You understand!"

"Thank you for your support, Secretary. Gaining it is my luck, losing it is my fate. I will fight for what is necessary and let nature take its course; I will set my mindset right."

Returning to Yingjiang, after having dinner with Li Ruifang, Lu Fan went home.

Just after taking a shower, he heard a knock on the door.

Opening the door, he saw it was Wu Heng, carrying a large handbag. Lu Fan instantly understood his intention and said seriously, "If you want to harm me, just put the things down!"

Wu Heng said awkwardly, "For such a big project, it's just a small token of appreciation. Don't you trust me?"

Lu Fan said earnestly, "Wu Heng, we are classmates who have known each other for many years, and your father took good care of me back then. I happen to have a say in this project, and your company has the strength. If you really want to thank me, just build the school well and absolutely do not cut corners. That's where the students have their classes!"

"Brother Fan, rest assured. If there's any problem with the project quality, I'll bring my head to see you!"

Lu Fan laughed, "What do I want your head for? When you have time, go to that tea farmer; my stock is almost out."

Wu Heng laughed, "I'll go tomorrow; I'll reserve all his tea leaves for this year."