Chapter 439: Delivering

What Si Daiqiang didn't expect was that after the 302 boxes of wine were moved, Lu Fan cheerfully loaded another seven boxes onto the truck.

This made Si Daiqiang uneasy; he immediately went to Wang Hongpeng for an explanation, saying it was terribly unfair, favoring one side over the other right in front of him!

Wang Hongpeng, helpless, had no choice but to give Si Daiqiang two more boxes.

Watching the two leave satisfied, Wang Hongpeng felt his heart bleed and cursed them as "dirty officials" and "greedy officials"!

When they reached the city, Lu Fan loaded his prepared "gift" onto the truck and headed straight for Yancheng.

After getting onto the highway, Lu Fan asked, "Brother Si, is it appropriate for you to take me? I always feel that showing up uninvited is a bit abrupt."

Si Daiqiang laughed, "All 300 boxes, you want me to move them alone? You want to wear me out? Keep your heart in your stomach; I would never take such initiative. I reported to the Secretary before even greeting you!"

Lu Fan sighed, "The biggest regret is never having worked under the Secretary's leadership. Back in Ningyang, before I even went to the county, the Secretary was already promoted! Anyway, I must thank you for giving me this rare chance. Brother Si, be honest—what does the Secretary think of me?"

Si Daiqiang replied, "Low‑key luxury with substance, high‑end and classy; a person should have boundaries, act with propriety, and work with methods. Is that clear?"

Lu Fan modestly said, "You're truly sincere, speaking such frank truth! Brother Si, after Secretary Yi Xiao's promotion, do you think Secretary Rui Fang will take over?"

Si Daiqiang shook his head, "That's uncertain; it depends on how the Secretary assigns. I'm not serving beside the Secretary now, and the Secretary can't tell me everything."

"Has your matter been implemented? How long do you want me to give you a short‑term gig?"

"Hey, you think I don't want a promotion? My tenure isn't even two years yet; you became Vice Director two months before me. Lu Fan, why don't you stay and do another two years as Executive Vice Mayor? If I become Mayor, I'll guarantee you authority; we'll discuss matters together when issues arise!"

Lu Fan smiled, "I'd be happy, but I'm afraid the organization won't agree. Outstanding people naturally radiate and need a more important post to shine. Brother Si, I believe those who chase light will eventually blaze brilliantly; we'll each work hard and meet at the summit!"

"You're right; flowing water doesn't race ahead, it strives for endless continuity. Lu Fan, each follow your path, a thousand miles share the same wind; meet without dwelling on the past, part without asking return dates. For ourselves, for the nation, we walk bathed in light!"

At five o'clock, the truck stopped at Wang Hongtao's doorstep.

Hearing the commotion, the whole family came out.

Wang Hongtao laughed and said to the two, "Daiqiang, Lu Fan, you've had a hard journey!"

Mingyu walked over and said, "Uncle Si, next year I'll take the high school entrance exam and aim for Ren Da Affiliated High School. Save me two boxes; I want to give a gift to Grandfather Ning and get a head start."

Wang Hongtao shouted angrily, "Stay away! If you want a good school, work hard yourself; don't ask me for crooked shortcuts. Still trying to use a backdoor at Grandfather Ning's house? Your nerve is getting bolder!"

Mingyu retorted, "Dad, you're outdated! Uncle 'Alien' once said: relationships need movement, teams need activity, girlfriends need emotion, capital needs circulation, business needs motion, success needs action! Effort is one side; I'll study hard, but if the result isn't ideal, shouldn't we act in advance? That's planning before moving, steadfastly pursuing the far goal!"

Wang Hongtao kicked forward, shouting, "Delusional, perverse reasoning, audaciously reckless—today I'll give you a good lesson!"

Lu Fan, seeing this, pulled Mingyu to the side of the truck and said, "Mingyu, I brought you a few gifts you've never seen—things your dad played with when he was young."

Mingyu immediately showed interest, asking, "Uncle, let me see what my dad used to play with!"

Hearing this, Wang Hongtao and Liu Mengyao also gathered around with curiosity.

Lu Fan took a cardboard box off the truck, opened it, and inside were a "Western Firearm" and a wooden sword.

Wang Hongtao laughed, "A 'Western Firearm'? Kids don't play with that anymore. Back then we made our own—stuffing match heads inside, each shot a bang, we loved the smell!" He then picked up a gun, looking eager to try.

Mingyu snatched it, saying, "This is a gift from Uncle, it has nothing to do with you!"

Mingyu then picked up the wooden sword, examined it closely, and asked Lu Fan, "Uncle, is this made of wood?"

Lu Fan laughed, "It was carved piece by piece by a carpenter; when we were kids we made our own by carving with knives."

Mingyu waved the knife, exclaiming joyfully, "I'll keep this as a collection; none of my classmates have such a wooden sword. Dad, did you play with this when you were young?"

Wang Hongtao's eyes flashed with nostalgia, and he laughed, "What we played wasn't that refined. Aren't you going to thank Uncle Lu Fan?"

Mingyu immediately turned, politely saying to Lu Fan, "Thank you, Uncle, I really like these things!"

In Mingyu's heart, his father has always been the most outstanding person, his idol and role model, the lifelong goal he pursues. Anything his dad once played with, he naturally loves.

Lu Fan lifted two large barrels from the vehicle, containing a total of 50 jin of honey, and smiled at Director Liu, "Director Liu, this is honey my second uncle produced himself; the flavor is authentic. If you dissolve it in water, you might even taste the old flavor."

Liu Mengyao laughed, "Just by its color this honey looks authentic, exactly like the one my grandfather kept. Lu Fan, thank you! Bringing so much from afar is enough for me to drink for a year!"

"Home‑grown, at least you can drink it while it's stored," he said, then lifted both barrels and walked toward the courtyard.

Liu Mengyao hurried ahead to guide, first having them placed in the living room.

Soon, several staff and workers began moving the wine; Wang Hongtao called Si Daiqiang into the living room, where dishes were already laid out on the table.

Wang Hongtao invited the two to sit, saying, "You haven't eaten yet, have a little something."

Lu Fan was a bit restrained, while Si Daiqiang, experienced, helped serve the two.

Lu Fan took a Longevity Lock from his pocket, handed it to Liu Mengyao, and said, "I obtained this from our Ningyang 'Old Buddha' and want to give it to Zi Yi."

Liu Mengyao happily said, "I mentioned to Hong Tao a couple of days ago that I planned to return to Ningyang to ask the 'Old Buddha' for a Longevity Lock for Zi Yi. I didn't expect you to bring it. Lu Fan, I'm truly grateful!"

Wang Hongtao also laughed, "Lu Fan, you're thoughtful!"

Among Ningyang people, the 'Old Buddha' temple holds special significance; most children go there to 'pass a rite', and even those who leave Ningyang do the same.

Wang Hongtao asked, "Lu Fan, how long have you served as Executive Vice Mayor?"

Lu Fan replied, "Secretary, it's been a full two years!"

Wang Hongtao nodded and said, "I've been watching your work; you've done well! Since Ningyang, you've earned the National Advanced Individual in Education, and the Outstanding County Party Secretary award; Jian Fei, Wang Gang and others have praised you highly. The grassroots are the furnace that forges cadres, the fertile soil that cultivates them. As the front line of implementing tasks, they serve to comb 'a thousand threads into a single needle.' Only after being 'ants on a hot pan' a few times can one later 'lift weight as if light, stroll leisurely.'"

Since you started working, you've always been on the grassroots, gaining rich experience; it's time to go to an agency to develop a broader perspective.

A while ago I visited Li Lao and discussed your next post; have you thought about it yourself?

Lu Fan said firmly, "Secretary, I want to go to the Education Department to contribute my strength to Qinchuan's education cause!"

Wang Hongtao nodded, "Education is a national priority, a cornerstone for ethnic revitalization and social progress, a moral governance project that benefits both the present and future. Securing education meets the people's growing demand and ensures high‑quality development, so go to the Education Department!"

Lu Fan gratefully said, "Thank you, Secretary, for nurturing me. I will uphold the principle of loving the work I do, with the vigor of leaving footprints on stone and marks on iron, striving for specialization and excellence, and do whatever I can for the people of Qinchuan!"

Liu Mengyao, seeing the staff bring back ten packs of cigarettes, showed displeasure and asked, "Daiqiang, Lu Fan, next time don't bring so many cigarettes; Hong Tao's health matters!"

Lu Fan gave an awkward smile, while Wang Hongtao said, "The stock is running low, so this is timely rain. Don't listen to her nonsense; cigarettes are a treasure among grasses, contributing significantly to the national economy. Smoke a few more packs and the defense budget will appear!"

After the meal, Lu Fan stood to take his leave, and Si Daiqiang went straight to stay at Secretary Hong Tao's house.

Before departing, Wang Hongtao specifically asked Lu Fan to take away two boxes of wine as gifts for Li Lao and the Governor of Mingzhou.

The truck drove straight to the northern headquarters alley; seeing the nine boxes of "Deer Blood Wine" unloaded, Li Lao's eyes lit up as he said happily, "Lu Fan, this is excellent stuff—why send me so many?"

Lu Fan replied shyly, "Grandpa, Secretary Wang gave you and my dad each a box!"

Li Lao seemed not to hear, and directly had the wine moved to the storage room.

Returning to the living room, Lu Fan gave a detailed report of his visit to Wang Hongtao, including the matter of wanting to go to the Education Bureau.

Li Lao listened, then nodded with satisfaction, saying: "This deer blood wine is not ordinary, especially since Wang Hongtao personally sent it, which is of great significance! Lu Fan, I didn't expect you to still be so fond of education work; if you want to go, go ahead. Hobbies are also the driving force and source of a career. Doing some people's livelihood work and raising awareness of serving the people is also very necessary. No matter what position you hold, if you work, work well and achieve something! However, you only have one year at the Education Bureau; after the one-year probation period, you still have to take a post in the city, and by then you'll have to leave Qinchuan."