Chapter 409: with translation of chapter title

After the National Day holiday, Xu Yongjiang consecutively reported his work for a week, and had an in-depth exchange with Minister Chen Jiazhong, ultimately "returning with a full load", but this is also his due "face".

On October 15, Qinchuan Province welcomed an organizational inspection; the inspection target was Liang Tianrun, head of the Provincial Emergency Management Department, because at the end of September Deputy Provincial Governor Lu Jianguo was "taken" by Wang Hongtao.

After the inspection team left, Xu Yongjiang invited Governor Niu Qianhua to his office to discuss personnel adjustments.

Xu Yongjiang straightforwardly proposed placing Lu Fan in the position of Executive Vice Mayor of Yingjiang City, while Zhang Rongqiu needs to be moved, promoted to head of the Provincial Emergency Management Department.

This was the consensus reached by the two during the previous personnel adjustment; Governor Niu Qianhua could not offend Li Lao over such a "small matter", so he readily agreed, only regretting the loss of the Emergency Management Department.

On October 22, the Organization Department issued a document, and both the Secretary-General of the Qinchuan Provincial Party Committee and the Head of the Qinchuan Provincial Organization Department were transferred.

Li Xiaofeng became Secretary-General of the Qinchuan Provincial Party Committee, Zhao Tianran became Head of the Qinchuan Provincial Organization Department, and Liang Tianrun became Deputy Provincial Governor; Qinchuan underwent a tremendous change that caught provincial cadres off guard, also signaling that Xu Yongjiang had received strong support from superiors and was gradually gaining control of the overall situation in Qinchuan.

On October 23, the inspection team of the Provincial Organization Department came to Yingjiang, conducting an organizational inspection of Executive Vice Mayor Zhang Rongqiu and holding an organizational talk with Lu Fan.

After completing the inspection procedures, Zhang Rongqiu arrived at Lu Fan's office with an excited heart, full of questions, eager to meet.

As the saying goes: "The gentleman is open and aboveboard, the petty person is always worried."

Lu Fan understood; being frank in life wins one's livelihood, so he spoke bluntly: "Rongqiu, I'm not clear about the specific post, but it is surely a heavyweight provincial-direct department head. Your transfer this time is closely related to me."

Zhang Rongqiu laughed: "Looking across the province, deputy secretary positions are one radish per hole; in Yingjiang I have no chance. Being able to take a post in the province is, for me, the best destination; I'm grateful beyond words, only regretting that I can no longer fight side by side with you! Lu Fan, let me remind you: Zhao Tao is greedy and his heart is dark; I see he won't last long, so you must keep a close eye in your work and absolutely avoid being implicated by him!"

"Thanks for the reminder, I'll pay attention! Once you take office, I'll take you to meet Deputy Provincial Governor Han Guishan, and also have someone look out for you."

"Also, Si Daiqiang tried to win me over, but I brushed him off. He won't be content with obscurity; he's eager to speak out in the Municipal Party Committee, though it's not a big problem—you should be able to handle him. Moreover, Deputy Mayor Gao Ke has good ability and conduct, is close to me, does not approve of Zhao Tao much; you can fully 'unite' him."

……

The two talked the whole afternoon, and Zhang Rongqiu helped Lu Fan analyze and assess the situation of the City Government in every detail.

As the workday was ending, Lu Fan went to Secretary Li Ruifang's office to report on work; this is routine procedure.

Li Ruifang laughed and said: "Lu Fan, Secretary Yongjiang and I have communicated; you will be the Executive Vice Mayor—this is truly a dark willow, bright flowers, another village; congratulations!"

Lu Fan sincerely said: "During my time serving the secretary, I have learned much from you, especially the methods for handling complex affairs, which will benefit me for life! Please rest assured, Secretary; no matter which post the organization assigns me to, I will work under the strong leadership of the Municipal Party Committee, consciously resist all unhealthy tendencies and corrupt practices, and devote myself wholeheartedly to the development of Yingjiang and the happiness of its people!"

Li Ruifang nodded and said: "I believe you can certainly do it! Regarding your 'successor,' I'd like to hear your opinion."

Lu Fan shook his head and said: "Please decide, Secretary; I have no suitable candidate to recommend."

Li Ruifang is not being polite; she deeply knows that to control the situation in Yingjiang, the best partner is Lu Fan, and the two have already developed a good rapport.

Furthermore, the candidate for the new secretary-general must come from either a county party committee secretary or the head of an important department, and these people all have intricate connections with Lu Fan. Of course Li Ruifang could forcefully promote a secretary-general beyond the usual ranks, but she knows well that those who disrupt the political ecosystem often face backlash.

Rather than hiding things, it's better to speak openly; Li Ruifang said: "Lu Fan, after careful consideration, I believe that Guo Shanbo, secretary of the Zibei County Party Committee, is suitable to be the Municipal Party Committee Secretary-General; he has grassroots work experience and previously served as Deputy Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee, so work can transition seamlessly."

"If the secretary really favors him, I believe Shanbo will wholeheartedly serve the secretary's various duties." As an insider being promoted, or still a standing committee member, Lu Fan has no reason to obstruct.

But Li Ruifang's countermove came immediately; she said: "I plan to recommend Zhou Dayong, Zibei County Chief, as Zibei County Party Committee Secretary; Fang Zhenxing, Deputy Secretary of the Hongqi County Party Committee, as Zibei County Chief; Nan Haocan, President of the Municipal Party School, as Hongqi County Chief; Zhu Xiaodong, Vice President of the Party School, as Principal; and the Deputy Secretary of the Hongqi County Party Committee to be nominated by you." After speaking, she looked at Lu Fan with some expectation in her eyes.

Thus, Zibei would be completely under Li Ruifang's control, but Lu Fan without hesitation said: "I will follow the organization's arrangements, support the organization's decision, and recommend Ceng Ming, Secretary of the Hongqi County Political and Legal Committee, as Deputy Secretary of the Hongqi County Party Committee."

Li Ruifang showed a satisfied smile and said: "That's the general direction, then; I will promptly recommend it to the Provincial Party Committee. Lu Fan, taking a post in the City Government is both a challenge and an opportunity for you; I believe you can quickly adapt to the environment and new position, demonstrate due ability and responsibility, and achieve results that will catch eyes. At the same time, you should often pay attention to the Municipal Party Committee's work, actively offer suggestions, maintain unity of the leadership team, and ensure the stability of the city's political and social situation."

Lu Fan laughed and said: "As long as the secretary doesn't mind my bothering, I will definitely often 'come back' to report work."

Returning to the office, Lu Fan personally called Zibei County Party Committee Secretary Guo Shanbo to inform him that he had been recommended as a member of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee and as Municipal Party Committee Secretary-General, asking him to prepare in advance and not to publicize it.

Upon hearing this astonishing good news, Guo Shanbo was unusually excited; after chatting for a while, he only then realized that Lu Fan was about to be transferred, and hurriedly asked: "Secretary-General, are you going to the City Government?" It's no wonder, because the rumor in the city is that Zhang Rongqiu is being promoted, while Lu Fan is undergoing a lateral transfer, requiring no inspection process, and most people are still kept in the dark.

Lu Fan said: "Roughly so; we'll wait for the document to be issued."

As for Ceng Ming, Lu Fan had not contacted him; he would give him a surprise later.

After hanging up, Lu Fan began to study Yingjiang City's key projects for the year and various economic indicators; this is something the Executive Vice Mayor must handle.

Leaders who have served as county party committee secretaries find these tasks familiar and can easily get into the groove.

After the inspection team left Yingjiang, everyone knew that Executive Vice Mayor Zhang Rongqiu had been promoted, and they began to discuss who would succeed him in that position, with various versions circulating; Lu Fan was naturally among those discussed.

Soon, Vice Mayor Bian Jide couldn't sit still, ran to Lu Fan's office to inquire about news; he also wanted to advance, to gain a standing committee position.

But Lu Fan directly shattered his dream, saying there was no chance this time, as the Executive Vice Mayor's candidate had already been decided and there would be no major adjustment to the standing committee.

Bian Jide's eyes were full of curiosity and anticipation as he asked: "Lu Fan, you won't come to the City Government to manage me, will you?"

Lu Fan smiled and replied: "Old leader, that's hard to say!"

"Indeed! Hey, when the mountain doesn't move, the water does; once you take office, you must not give me small shoes to wear!"

"Even if you gave me ten guts, I still wouldn't dare!"

Bian Jide sighed: "Things are unpredictable; who would have thought that after all these twists and turns we'd be working together again! Using a saying: 'There is a feeling of mutual encouragement and shared progress; there is a motivation of interdependence and joint effort!' You've come, I'm happier than anyone! Lu Fan, sincerely congratulations!"

The Executive Vice Mayor position is vacant; Si Daiqiang is very concerned about who the successor will be, and hurriedly inquired with the provincial authorities.

With his connections, obtaining such information was no problem; upon learning the result, Si Daiqiang was quite astonished, never expecting Lu Fan to have taken a big step forward!

Lu Fan is a native of Yingjiang; historically, local Executive Vice Mayors have been major power bases, and moreover Lu Fan is deeply rooted in Yingjiang City, absolutely not to be underestimated.

After repeated consideration, Si Daiqiang felt that to make an impact in Yingjiang, close cooperation with Lu Fan is the only way out!

Thus he came to Lu Fan's office holding a cup of water, smiling broadly, and said: "Such big news, you didn't even give me a heads-up? Are we still brothers?"

Lu Fan rose to greet him, had Si Daiqiang sit on the sofa, and whispered: "As long as the document hasn't been issued, there could still be changes; how dare I publicize it? Understanding is paramount!"

Si Daiqiang laughed and said: "The secretary's office and the five-person small group meeting have both been passed, so there won't be any surprises now. Rongqiu's luck is good; coincidentally, Liang Tianrun's promotion to Deputy Provincial Governor freed up a good position for him!"

Only now did Lu Fan learn that Zhang Rongqiu had gone to the Provincial Emergency Management Department, and he felt genuinely happy for him.

Si Daiqiang continued: "In the future, if there's any work in the City Government where you need my support, just speak up; I will definitely support you unconditionally!"

Lu Fan sincerely expressed his thanks, saying a few polite words.

Si Daiqiang asked again: "Lu Fan, the Municipal Party Committee Secretary-General position is vacant; has Secretary Ruifang sought your opinion?"

Lu Fan shook his head and said: "Even if the secretary consulted my opinion, I would not dare to speak nonsense; this position can only be decided by the secretary herself!"

"That's right, we won't meddle in that! Lu Fan, let me remind you: the mayor's lover is very active, having heated relations with some enterprises in Zhenbei District, seemingly enthusiastic about engineering projects and the like; I've heard the City Government is planning several large projects, with truly substantial investment! Concerning matters that affect the people's vital interests, I think we should still consider them carefully. Secretary Hongtao made such a great determination to help Yingjiang solve its debt problem; we dare not go back on that!"

"I will pay attention! When implementing projects, the people's interests must be the top priority; if funds are not in place, they definitely cannot be launched; Yingjiang cannot bear a heavy burden on its back!"