Chapter 417

November 19, Yingjiang Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee member, Executive Vice Mayor, and Deputy Secretary of the City Government Party Group Lu Fan led a delegation to the construction site of the No. 2 Mine project department in Zifangzhou County to inspect and guide work; County Party Secretary Liu Yuheng and County Chief Duan Jiaoyue accompanied the inspection.

The No. 1 shaft project under construction at the No. 2 Mine has exploitable reserves of 120 million tonnes, the mine's designed annual production capacity is 1.2 million tonnes, its service life is 72 years, and it is a key provincial and municipal project.

Lu Fan first listened to the basic overview and planning blueprint of the mine, then went to the project department's construction site to understand the construction progress.

At the construction site, Lu Fan inquired in detail about the construction plan, project progress, and on-site organization, and demanded that mine management firmly establish the safety-first development concept, fully implement the safety production responsibility system, thoroughly carry out a major inspection and rectification of safety production hazards, organize and implement special rectification actions for safety production, genuinely solve problems from the root, eliminate hidden dangers, and prevent risks, strengthen bottom-line thinking and risk awareness, spare no effort to tightly grasp production safety, and ensure that the coal mine's safety production situation remains continuously stable.

Just as everyone was enthusiastically conducting research, over 30 workers, holding banners, ran up to Lu Fan, weeping bitterly, pleading for the mayor to uphold justice and help them recover their hard-earned wages earned from work!

Lu Fan walked up to the workers and asked, "How much money is owed to you?"

The leading worker replied, "Mayor Lu, we are owed over 1.6 million!"

The mine chief immediately explained, "Mayor Lu, this project is contracted to Yinzhou Dingfu Company; we have never withheld payment from the contractor……"

Lu Fan interrupted, "Withholding migrant workers' wages is a red line that absolutely cannot be touched! As the year-end approaches, we must let the workers who have worked hard all year receive their wages and go home happily for the New Year! Mine Chief Ma, you are the party A; have you not settled the project payment to the contractor?"

Mine Chief Ma hastily replied, "Mayor, so far we have paid 40% of the amount according to project progress."

Lu Fan then asked, "Is there any difficulty in paying the over 1.6 million in wages now?"

At this moment, how could the mine chief dare to claim difficulties? He straightforwardly said, "Mayor, I will arrange it immediately and guarantee that within one hour each worker will receive the full amount of the owed wages!"

Lu Fan nodded and said, "Good, I'll wait here for you to implement it!"

Then he also said to Deputy Secretary-General Duan Yongjiao, "Immediately notify the Municipal Human Resources Bureau, and according to relevant regulations issue to this company the Order to Rectify Decision, the Notice of Inclusion in the Labor Security 'Blacklist', the Decision on the List of Jointly Punished Dishonest Entities for Withholding Migrant Workers' Wages, etc., and lawfully transfer this case to the public security organs to be resolved through judicial channels!"

At the same time, the Human Resources Bureau should launch a special campaign to conduct a major inspection of migrant worker wage arrears across the city, increase supervision efforts in key sectors such as construction, catering, and services, and deal with each case found; concentrate labor inspection forces, and for complaint cases involving migrant worker wage arrears, ensure they are all resolved before New Year's Day; improve the enterprise migrant worker wage security fund system. Let Li Guanglei make a special report to me on the achievements of the special campaign!

Okay, Mayor, I will implement it immediately!

After arranging the work, Lu Fan walked up to the worker brothers and loudly said, "The coal mine is going to get the money; I guarantee that everyone will get paid today!"

The workers were overjoyed and exclaimed, "Mayor Lu truly is a good official!"

"Mayor Lu, we few are from Ningyang!"

Lu Fan immediately smiled and asked, "Which town are you from?"

"From Gaqiao Town, I've been working here for a year! My mother at home is ill, I need to go back to care for her, but the boss won't let me leave and has withheld my wages!"

Lu Fan replied, "Today you will get your money and go home; be sure to take good care of your mother!"

"Mayor Lu, we few are from Ganshui County!"

Lu Fan laughed again and asked, "Is there no work in Ganshui? Why come to Fangzhou to work?"

The worker gave a "hehe" smile and said, "Mayor, Ganshui has changed a lot these past two years; work can be found everywhere, but the wages are not as high as in the coal mine, and I want to earn more. I never expected that the damned subcontractor, fearing no one would work next year, would withhold wages at year-end; my child's university expenses are costly! However, my second and third sons have been blessed—you have waived all tuition and living expenses for Ganshui, provide three meals a day, and even give out free uniforms and shoes; you are a living bodhisattva!"

Hearing this, Lu Fan felt a bit embarrassed!

Soon, the mine chief brought several accountants, carrying several large plastic bags, ran over and reported to Lu Fan, "Mayor, the money is in place!"

Lu Fan instructed, "Immediately verify and distribute the money!"

The mine chief shouted, "Worker brothers, it's windy outside; follow me to the side room to collect your money!"

Watching the crowd happily walk away, Lu Fan also bade farewell to everyone and headed to the next coal mine.

On the way, Lu Fan instructed County Party Secretary Liu Yuheng that Fangzhou County must definitely eradicate the arrears of migrant workers' wages.

Liu Yuheng replied, "Please rest assured, Mayor; I have already arranged for the deputy county chief in charge to implement this work, and this afternoon we will launch a citywide inspection, discovering and dealing with each case, showing no leniency!"

At lunchtime, Deputy Provincial Governor Han Guishan's call came through; Lu Fan hurriedly went to the adjacent empty private room to answer the phone.

Han Guishan laughed and said, "Lu Fan, what are you up to now? Is it convenient to talk?"

"Governor, I am conducting research in the county district; this is convenient now, please give your instructions!"

"Then I won't beat around the bush—Tianwei Energy, do you have an impression of it?"

"Hmm, I know; this company has an intention to invest in the wind power project in Fuxian County."

"They should have had someone say hello to Yingjiang earlier; these past two days they have again asked someone to find me, hoping to defer payment of that investment intention fee—do you see any room for maneuver?"

Lu Fan asked, "Governor, is Tianwei intending to defer payment, or is it trying to avoid paying altogether?"

Han Guishan laughed, "They gave me a long list of difficulties, and the connections are really not easy to push back."

Lu Fan replied, "Uncle Han, I am the one overseeing the policy, and the documents have been made public across the city; the investment intention fee must be paid, and this loophole absolutely cannot be opened—you will surely understand. Tianwei doesn't even have this bit of capability, so what guarantee could there be for a wind power project worth several billion? You are the first to give me an instruction; I will certainly devote my full effort to accomplish it. If they truly have cash flow difficulties, you let the corporate person in charge come to me, and I will help them find a way to solve the funding problem—through intercompany loans or bank loans."

Han Guishan said, "I know this is somewhat difficult for you, after all the documents have been issued; we cannot slap ourselves in the face, otherwise it would be hard to convince the public and work would be hard to carry out. Uncle will not hold you back; let me communicate with them again!"

Lu Fan again said, "Uncle Han, it's fine; have them come find me, the money issue is easy to solve, but the rules must not be broken."

"For now, let's leave it like this; if it really cannot be deferred, I can only send you off!"

"Okay, I'll await your instructions!"

In the afternoon, while Lu Fan was inspecting the coal mine, the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department's inspection team arrived in Yingjiang to conduct organizational inspections of the candidates for Municipal Party Committee Secretary, Municipal People's Congress Deputy Director, Zibei County Party Secretary, and Zibei County Chief.

November 23, the Municipal Party Committee held a five-person group meeting, initiating the cadre adjustment procedure.

All the cadres to be promoted and adjusted had been previously communicated and agreed upon by Secretary Li Ruifang, and the meeting smoothly passed all nominations without any ripple.

That afternoon, Department Head Zhang Ziqiang brought the plan to the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department for filing.

November 24, the Municipal Organization Department's inspection team rushed to all counties and districts and various departments to conduct organizational inspections.

Si Daiqiang specifically ran to Li Ruifang's office and spoke candidly: "Senior leader, you are advancing to broader horizons, but the road ahead will inevitably be filled with thorns and challenges; all we can do is offer unconditional support!"

"That is natural; if there is any place where I can contribute, I will certainly not shirk responsibility and will give my all!"

Si Daiqiang said with unusual firmness: "Secretary, my purpose in coming to Yingjiang is to guard this great rear base; at any time, Yingjiang must not encounter any problems, especially Ningyang County and Zibei District, which must have no hidden dangers and give no opportunity for anyone to take advantage. I have a request; I hope you can grant it."

"Daiqiang, go ahead and speak!"

"I want to devote part of my energy to Ningyang County; my main work will be in Ningyang and Zibei, and I can temporarily ignore the other counties and districts!"

Li Ruifang understood Si Daiqiang's demand; this is about seeking absolute control, but she could not refuse this request!

"Daiqiang, I will think of a way; you first select candidates for the Ningyang team."

"Secretary, Liang Xiaofeng, Wang Fei, Gao Yanfeng, and Shi Xin are all in Ningyang; they are all trustworthy, so we only need to replace the top leaders."

In a moment, Li Ruifang felt the idea of leaving Yingjiang arise in her heart; she realized that here she does not need to achieve eye-catching political achievements, only to forge an unshakable stability, and everything she does is merely making a wedding dress for others! This feeling gave her a hint of discouragement and loss.

November 30, the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department issued documents, and Yingjiang Municipal Party Committee Secretary Guo Shanbo, Zibei County Party Secretary Zhou Daxiong, and Zibei County Chief Fang Zhenxing officially took up their posts.

December 1, the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee convened, studied and passed five topics submitted by the City Government, as well as the routine work of some Standing Committee units.

Finally, the Standing Committee voted and passed the cadre adjustment plan, among which: Red Flag County Political and Legal Committee Secretary Yang Minghao was adjusted to Deputy Secretary; Municipal Political and Legal Committee Secretary Pan Shanglong was adjusted to Director of the Municipal Bureau of Commerce; Anbao County Deputy Chief Liu Ning was promoted to City Highway Station Director; Zhenbei District Deputy Secretary was promoted to Chairman of the City Disabled Persons' Federation, Zhenbei District Deputy Chief was adjusted to Red Flag County Political and Legal Committee Secretary, Zhenbei District Deputy Secretary and Deputy Chief were both selected internally; the Director of the Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology was taken down by the mayor, the Municipal State-owned Assets Commission Director and the Municipal Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau Director were both served by two County Deputy Secretaries...

A total of 35 cadres were involved in the adjustment, and Lu Fan only recommended two cadres.

Without realizing it, everyone was extending their feelers, including the mayor.