Chapter 406

After hanging up the phone, Niu Qianhua smiled and said to Si Daiqiang: 'Your matter has been approved by the secretary; I will handle the rest. Daiqiang, promoting growth is not just shouting slogans; you need the determination to 'leave a mark on stone, leave a trace on iron', with the sincere intention of genuinely solving problems for the masses and doing practical things, coming from the masses and going back to the masses! Do not disappoint the secretary's expectations of you!'

Governor, please rest assured; I will be diligent and enterprising, with an indefatigable spirit and a daring, proactive fighting attitude, to interpret responsibility and dedication in my new post!

After Si Daiqiang left, Niu Qianhua compiled a personnel adjustment list, which included two Municipal Party Secretaries, one Mayor, three bureau chiefs, and Si Daiqiang himself. He then had the secretary invite Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Li Yixiao to the office to convey Secretary Hong Tao's instructions.

If it were only Niu Qianhua's idea, Li Yixiao would only have limited cooperation, but involving Wang Hongtao, he dare not be negligent in the slightest.

The two of them discussed for over an hour and reached a consensus. Li Yixiao was responsible for communicating with several members of the Provincial Party Committee's Standing Committee, while Niu Qianhua was responsible for coordinating Executive Deputy Provincial Governor Tang Bing and Deputy Provincial Governor Cheng Jian.

September 20, the Provincial Party Committee convened a five-person group meeting to study personnel adjustments.

After the meeting began, the Organization Department Head reported the vacant positions and the candidates under consideration.

During the discussion and research, Xu Yongjiang noticed that the two deputy secretaries were united in purpose and spoke with one voice—a situation that had never occurred before, which made him feel tremendous pressure.

When studying the candidate for Deputy Secretary of the Yingjiang Municipal Party Committee, Niu Qianhua and Li Yixiao's attitudes were extraordinarily firm; only Si Daiqiang would do.

But Xu Yongjiang had already promised Li Lao; how could he go back on his word?

Thus, the five-person group meeting encountered major disagreements; Xu Yongjiang decided to temporarily recess, ask others to avoid, and have a private discussion with Niu Qianhua.

After everyone left, Xu Yongjiang said: 'Qianhua, regarding the candidate for Deputy Secretary of the Yingjiang Municipal Party Committee, I think Lu Fan is more suitable, after all he received the honor of National Outstanding County Party Secretary; if we do not make strong use of such a cadre, we cannot explain ourselves to our superiors and the cadres of Qinchuan!'

Niu Qianhua replied: 'Secretary, giving Lu Fan heavy use is appropriate; I support him. He could be placed in a Standing Committee unit as a deputy, or transferred to another city as a deputy secretary; as long as the organization is willing to use him, we can surely find a suitable post.'

Or, let Si Daiqiang serve as Deputy Secretary of the Hanjiang Municipal Party Committee?

Niu Qianhua gently shook his head, speaking solemnly: 'Si Daiqiang's situation is special; he has just opened up the situation in Yingjiang and Zhenbei District, entered a good working state, and already achieved some results. Frequent adjustments are not conducive to cultivating cadres; Secretary Hong Tao's opinion is that he should solidly work in Yingjiang for a few years!'

Hearing this, Xu Yongjiang couldn't help but be stunned; he hadn't expected Niu Qianhua to throw out such a 'killer move'. For a moment he was speechless, falling into silence.

Xu Yongjiang was well aware that although Wang Hongtao had left Qinchuan, his influence there was unmatched and would not change for a long time to come.

Two minutes later, Xu Yongjiang helplessly said: 'Regarding the use of Lu Fan, Li Lao has already said hello and clearly stated that he wants to stay in Yingjiang!'

Now it was Niu Qianhua's turn to be silent, but he was not shaken; instead, he became even more determined to recommend Si Daiqiang for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Yingjiang Municipal Party Committee—this is the loyal responsibility and political integrity he must possess; one cannot change one's stance when encountering difficulties, and those who are half-hearted are destined not to go far.

Politics is the art of compromise; everyone's interests differ, so we can only seek a balance point acceptable to both sides.

In view of Wang Hongtao's unusually rapid rise, Xu Yongjiang reluctantly compromised: 'Then let Si Daiqiang serve as Deputy Secretary of the Yingjiang Municipal Party Committee, but we must also put Lu Fan's use on the agenda; I will re‑select a suitable post for him.'

Niu Qianhua immediately expressed agreement and promised to fully cooperate.

Afterward, the two again engaged in a heated discussion of other posts, bargaining for an hour; finally, seeking common ground while reserving differences, they reached consensus and the five‑person group meeting continued.

September 22, the Organization Department's inspection team of the Provincial Party Committee came to Yingjiang to conduct organizational inspections of Red Flag County Party Secretary Li Chan, Housing and Construction Bureau Director Han Tiance, and Yanshui County Deputy Party Secretary Han Bing, respectively tentatively appointed as Vice Mayor of Yinzhou City, Red Flag County Party Secretary, and Ningyang Xian County Chief.

September 27, the Provincial Party Committee convened a Standing Committee meeting and approved the personnel adjustment plan, in which Si Daiqiang was adjusted to Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and concurrently Secretary of the Zhenbei District Party Committee.

After returning to Yingjiang, Li Ruifang specially summoned Lu Fan to the office, informed him of some details of this personnel adjustment, and earnestly comforted him: 'Lu Fan, victory does not breed arrogance, defeat does not breed despair; although this time's outcome did not meet your expectations, you have already successfully 'registered' in the Provincial Party Committee, laying the foundation for the next adjustment; being heavily used is only a matter of time. Therefore, at any time you must not relax your strict self‑demands, always keep a clear mind and a positive, upward attitude. You are still young; there will be plenty of opportunities in the future!'

Lu Fan gratefully said to Li Ruifang: 'Thank you, Secretary, for your concern and encouragement; I will adjust my mindset, continue to improve all aspects of my abilities, never be lax in my work, and not disappoint your expectations.'

Feelings of loss and dejection inevitably welled up, but Lu Fan had prepared himself psychologically for failure, after all Si Daiqiang's identity is special.

It is only regrettable that Li Lao went out of his way for me, even personally calling Xu Yongjiang, but the result was unsatisfactory, making the old man embarrassed, which makes Lu Fan feel deeply guilty.

After coming out, Lu Fan had to face reality and personally arrange Si Daiqiang's deputy secretary's office, which made him sigh, 'From now on, Si Daiqiang is the leading official of the Municipal Party Committee Office!'

Life has its ups and downs, encounters differ; when we meet again, things have changed and people are no longer the same.

Lu Fan consoled himself, there is a calm attitude: 'Having it is fine, not having it is also fine'; gaining it one accepts calmly, losing it one takes lightly; one can only rally and press forward haltingly.

The next day, the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department issued the document, and Si Daiqiang formally took office as Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee.

Arriving at the Municipal Party Committee, Si Daiqiang was full of pride and high spirits, came to Lu Fan's office, laughing and said: 'Chief steward, from now on we two will fight side by side in the Municipal Party Committee!'

Lu Fan had long since adjusted his mindset, smiling and replying: 'You are the leader, but you must not give me small shoes to wear! The office has been arranged; the desks and chairs are a bit old, I have arranged for the office to be refurnished, the cleaners have cleaned it from top to bottom, and I have placed several pots of flowers; you can take a look, and if there is anything unsatisfactory, adjust it at any time.'

'You handle things, I'm at ease! Not in a rush to go, I'll go to Secretary Ruifang's office for a sit‑in; I need to first report in and fulfill the procedure.'

'Alright, I'll wait for you in the office.'

When Si Daiqiang pushed the door open and entered, Li Ruifang rose to greet him, smiling and said: 'Daiqiang, congratulations on your further advancement; come to the Municipal Party Committee to assist me.'

Si Daiqiang smiled and replied: 'I will surely perform my duties well under the secretary's leadership and share the secretary's worries!'

After sitting down, Li Ruifang said: 'Regarding your responsibilities, just continue what Zhi Tao handled: take charge of the Municipal Party Committee's daily work, oversee Party building, concurrently serve as president of the Municipal Party Committee Party School, and be in charge of agriculture and rural affairs, united front, the Municipal Party Committee Office, the Municipal Trade Union, and people's organizations; liaise with the Municipal CPPCC, development and reform, finance, water resources, agriculture, forestry, audit, statistics, etc.; the division of labor document I have already arranged for Lu Fan to draft.'

Si Daiqiang beamed with a bright smile and firmly said: 'Please rest assured, Secretary; I will quickly familiarize myself with the work, shift my role, adapt to the new post's requirements, actively fulfill my duties, and offer suggestions and contribute to the development of Yingjiang City!'

Li Ruifang earnestly said: 'Daiqiang, discussing politics, considering the overall situation, and observing discipline are important yardsticks for measuring how strong a leading cadre's ability to perform duties is, and an even more important sign for judging whether a young cadre is mature. An important duty of the deputy secretary is to safeguard the unity of the team; you must put more effort into this, certainly guiding the members of the Municipal Party Committee team to integrate themselves into the organization, bearing in mind that a drop of water only becomes inexhaustible when merged into the sea, and a person only exerts the greatest strength when he merges himself with the collective cause.'

'Secretary, I will firmly establish a global and overall perspective, enhance my sense of responsibility, achieve the daring, capable, willing, and skilled in taking responsibility, actively plan work, and serve as a good advisor and assistant to the secretary!'

'Go ahead and get busy; just tell Lu Fan if you need anything!' Li Ruifang felt weary, helpless toward this deputy secretary—unable to beat or scold him, and unable to openly suppress him, otherwise she could not explain herself to Secretary Hongtao.

Actually, how could Si Daiqiang fail to hear the subtext in Li Ruifang's words? He came to Yingjiang to work and achieve results, not to be anyone's yes‑man; no matter what post he holds, he cannot go with the flow, but must strike the water in the mid‑currents and hold back the flying boat!

Leaving Secretary Ruifang's office, Si Daiqiang went to his own office accompanied by Lu Fan.

After opening the door, Si Daiqiang showed a satisfied smile; the office was spacious and bright, arranged simply yet not lacking grandeur, with desks and chairs neatly placed, documents and office supplies complete, and some green plants adding a touch of elegance.

Lu Fan, sorry to have troubled you.

Lu Fan smiled and replied: "Secretary Si, you're too polite; this is all part of my duty. If anything else is needed, just let me know anytime."

Along the way, he chatted happily with Lu Fan, full of anticipation for the upcoming work.

Si Daiqiang walked to the desk and sat down, feeling the comfortable chair; he now felt confident about future work, believing that in this Municipal Party Committee compound he could certainly find his footing and fully utilize his talents.

"Lu Fan, there are no outsiders here; let me speak from the heart: we have been brothers for many years, and it is rare that we can work together here. We must share weal and woe, stand together in solidarity. I will not interfere in the work of the Municipal Party Committee Office; you will be fully responsible, including personnel and finance. If there are any important matters in the city, we must communicate more, keep information flowing, share the struggle and effort. Share the same direction, advance and retreat together!"

Lu Fan nodded and said: "Wherever I can help, there will be no hesitation."