Chapter 42: Joining the Party

For three consecutive months, Lu Fan led by example and worked diligently, leaving early and returning late every day. He devoted himself entirely to the construction of the observation point, and his solid work style earned high recognition from County Chief Yang Minghao, Director Guo Tongyu, and Secretary Li Daqiang. The staff were convinced by his actions, and he had basically established a firm foothold.

Over these few months, the operations at the Baishu Bay Forest Farm had fully expanded. The procurement for the three projects was completed one after another, and they entered a phase of full-scale construction.

For the 300 mu of reserve forest under Lu Fan's responsibility, 2-meter and 50-centimeter saplings were purchased, totaling 150,000 trees. A 20,000-tree share was given to the Deputy Director of the Human Resources Bureau, and for the rest, Du Wenlong stepped forward to cooperate with Gou Xiong's nursery company, resulting in a profit of 320,000 yuan.

This Gou Xiong was a capable man; he not only had a construction company but also a nursery company. It was said that he was now also dabbling in fruit storage, and his business was growing larger and larger. However, his character was impeccable, making him an excellent business partner.

After getting his hands on the 320,000 yuan, Du Wenlong felt as if his whole body was burning. He had never imagined he could earn so much money at once, and that money could be earned so easily. This further solidified his intense desire to enter the system.

Du Wenlong excitedly ran to Lu Fan's office, locked the door, and said excitedly, "Brother Fan, the money is all in hand—320,000! I've deposited it into the card!"

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Lu Fan's brows furrowed deeply, and he fell into deep contemplation. He felt this money was a hot potato. Should he take it or not? Would it become a hidden danger in the future?

If he only sought a life of affluence, Lu Fan would have taken this money with a clear conscience. But deep within his soul, Lu Fan harbored grand ideals; to topple the Le family, he had to keep climbing upward.

In this incident, with Du Wenlong acting as a cover, he could certainly trust his brother under normal circumstances. But what if? What if Du Wenlong was taken down by someone? Could he keep his mouth shut and not betray him?

This was an unsolvable dead knot. However, after just a few months, Lu Fan understood that to struggle and crawl in the grassroots, one must use money to pave the way; otherwise, every step would be difficult. With just his meager salary, it would be gone in two meals. Could he not live? What about his family? Where would the car and house come from?

Looking across all of Ningyang, was there any leader above the section level who was spotless? To put it bluntly, their salaries weren't even enough for the gifts at weddings and funerals!

To take, or not to take? Lu Fan had never been so conflicted.

Furthermore, Xu Zheng had said that this money could not be "swallowed alone"; one had to take the initiative to "offer" a portion to the leaders so that the road ahead could be widened. So, how much should be taken out? If one day they were caught, would this money be confessed? Would it implicate him?

Without any backing, he couldn't afford to stumble; he had to be cautious at every step! Once a mistake was made, he would be doomed forever. The Le family would surely rush up like mad dogs and cast him into the eighteenth level of hell.

If the great revenge was not avenged, he would not close his eyes even in death! And Uncle Yang Ye—how could he let him die in such injustice!

To take or not to take, it was a dilemma! Who told him he had nothing? Wanting to eat fish but fearing the fishy smell, wanting to eat cake but fearing greasy hands—to put it bluntly, wanting to be a whore while also wanting to build a memorial arch for chastity; was that possible?

Just as he made up his mind, General Manager Yu of Youcheng Company came to test the cadres again!

Youcheng Company had quite a lot of work this time. The project had to be inspected at the end, and Lu Fan had to sign off on it. General Manager Yu was slick and sophisticated, so naturally, he had to "pave the road" for the future.

After personally delivering two large trucks of saplings, Yu Shan walked into Lu Fan's office carrying a briefcase.

After chatting for a while, Yu Shan locked the door and took several envelopes out of his bag.

Before he could even speak, Lu Fan's expression changed, and he said sternly, "General Manager Yu, if you consider me a friend, take these back!"

One judges the quality of steamed buns by their color and people by their words and expressions. Yu Shan did not push hard and explained, "Director Lu, I've been in the nursery business for nearly ten years; I know the rules. You're worried about County Chief Yang, right? Please trust my character. If I were the type of person who says one thing to your face and another behind your back, or who gossips, I couldn't have grown the company to this extent. This is just a small token of my appreciation; I truly want to make friends with the Director."

Lu Fan said righteously, "If General Manager Yu thinks highly of me, then I've made this friend! Friends should even less engage in these things. Please understand, I have my principles!"

Yu Shan had read countless people and naturally could see that Lu Fan was not just being polite. Knowing that the money could not be left behind today no matter what, he simply put the envelopes away. At the same time, he took out a file folder and smiled, "If you don't accept the 'rations,' then you really are looking down on me!"

Two cartons of "Huazi" cigarettes were harmless. Lu Fan kept the number "over 5,000 yuan" in his mind; this was the red line.

After accepting the file folder, both were happy.

At the end of June, the Baishu Bay Township Party Committee held a committee meeting. One of the agenda items was the recruitment of new party members for the year, and Lu Fan was on the list.

After the meeting, Lu Fan received a call from Deputy Secretary Meng Qingchi and hurried to the township government.

After entering, Meng Qingchi smiled, "Welcome to the great Party organization! The meeting just finished, and your party membership has been approved. Starting today, you have officially become a probationary member."

Lu Fan was overjoyed. This was obtaining the admission ticket; from now on, the sea was wide for fish to leap, and the sky was high for birds to fly. Someone had long ago warned him that he must join the Party before being promoted to deputy section level; otherwise, he would be classified as a non-party person and could not hold Party committee positions in the future. What would be the point of that?

"Secretary Meng, I must thank you properly. If it weren't for your guidance, I would have had to endure another year as an activist before becoming a probationary member. I must treat you to a meal today no matter what; you must do me the honor."

"I must eat this meal, mainly because I am happy for you. Actually, a probationary party member is considered officially joined to the Party organization. Study, party dues, and organizational life officially begin. You will become a full party member in a year."

"Secretary Meng, I have one more favor to ask."

"Speak first; if it's within my capabilities, it's no problem."

"Our unit hired someone, and he also wants to join the Party. I wonder if a quota can be spared?"

Meng Qingchi thought for a moment and said with some difficulty, "Xiao Fan, let's put it off until the end of the year and wait for next year's quota. Even next year, I'll have to find a way to squeeze one out for you. The aging of party members in our Baishu Bay villages is particularly serious. Some brigades are all old party members in their fifties or sixties, with only the village secretary being a relatively young party member. Secretary Li has given a death order to strengthen the reserve force of party members in each village, so we don't end up with only one candidate for secretary after choosing back and forth."

Lu Fan said, "As long as you register it with you, this year or next year is fine. You go ahead and get busy; I'll go back to the unit to arrange things, get a few solid dishes, and have a lively time at my place tonight. Let me know who needs to be called over."

"Fine, your place is quiet and saves trouble."

Just after returning to the office, another test for the cadre arrived. It was the construction team of Director Guo Tongyu, responsible for 100 mu of high-quality fruit forest, 135 mu of nursery flowers, 200 mu of economic forest, and 150 mu of young forest—on par with County Chief Yang's project.

"Director Lu, just came down from the fields, came specifically to sit with you."

"General Manager Ma, you've worked hard! Your team is very good; the workers work with great order."

"You can rest assured about that. I've been doing this for over a decade and never cause trouble for the leaders. I work with a conscience. As long as you find a problem, I'll rework it immediately."

"General Manager Ma, you're speaking too soon. The 135 mu of flowers is the highlight of your company. County Chief Yang has personally inspected it three times, and there is still a large area not planted. It must be in place as soon as possible; the county might hold an observation meeting next month."

"This, Director Lu, let's speak plainly. I plan to change the use of that plot and plant some other varieties. I think it's harmless. Can you make an exception?"

Lu Fan shook his head and said, "Do you think that's possible? It's clearly written in the contract that there can be no changes. If a leader is more meticulous and points out the problem on the spot, we'll all be in big trouble. You're a businessman; it's just rework, but what about me? I ask General Manager Ma to understand."

"Director Lu, some things are tacitly understood by everyone; everyone does it this way. I guarantee there will be no problem with Director Guo. I'm troubling you!" After saying this, several envelopes appeared in General Manager Ma's hands as if by magic.

Lu Fan's face darkened, and he said bluntly, "Take it back! General Manager Ma, don't harm me!"

"It's just a small token, Director Lu. Don't worry, I will never make things difficult for you. We'll just follow the contract. I mainly want to make friends with the Director!"

"General Manager Ma, money is a good thing, but a gentleman loves wealth and acquires it in the right way. Friends are friends, but I really cannot accept this. Please understand, I have my principles. If you insist on leaving it here, we won't even be able to be friends. As for work, don't worry; I will do my best to take care of things where I can."

General Manager Ma was still unwilling to give up, but Lu Fan's attitude left him helpless, and he could only take the things back.

Lu Fan immediately changed his expression, as if nothing had just happened, saying what needed to be said and laughing when needed.

After work, a group of people came to the township government to "eat the rich," and basically all of them held positions.

Lu Fan welcomed them with a smile and refused no one. It was just a matter of stir-frying a few more dishes and opening a few more bottles of wine; entertainment expenses could be reimbursed at will. Last year, Li Yongji reimbursed over 100,000 yuan in entertainment expenses, while this year it was less than 20,000. It was said that the township government's entertainment expenses exceeded one million, and some cadres even used entertainment expenses to pay for escorts when on business trips.

The sixth day of the debut, scoring begins. Five-star reviews are needed, thanks for the support!

Asking for two days off from all book friends because I'm going to Guangdong. I can only update one chapter per day. I will resume two updates on April 1st. I am truly sorry!