Chapter 448

Lu Fan felt Huang Xiaowu's goodwill and also thought there was indeed no need to stir up trouble; after all, coming to the Education Department was overstepping—better to do less than more. As long as he genuinely did a few things, it would be fine. So he said, 'Thank you, Secretary Huang, for the pointer. I will talk politics, consider the overall situation, and act effectively in my work. But these two bureau chiefs' corrupt conduct is extremely heinous; not only have they spoiled the atmosphere of the Education Department, they also have a certain destructive and lethal impact on the province's educational environment. If they are not punished, public anger cannot be appeased.'

Huang Xiaowu thought for a moment and said, 'It's only two bureau chiefs; your Education Department's Discipline Inspection Commission should handle the investigation yourselves, keep the case within controllable limits, and grasp the pacing of the investigation. I will look for an opportunity to communicate with Secretary Yongjiang and sound out his attitude.'

March 7, the Education Department fell into a tense atmosphere because the heads of the Finance Bureau and the Development Bureau were taken away directly from their office by the head of the department's Discipline Inspection Group, Huang Yan, thus opening the curtain on the Education Department's internal crackdown—cutting out corrupt elements and removing bad apples.

That afternoon, the panicked Deputy Director of the Education Department, Wu Daobo, rushed to Chengcang City to pay respects to his former superior.

March 8 morning, Lu Fan followed Deputy Provincial Governor Han Guishan to the capital, Jingcheng, to go to the ministry and 'pay respects at the dock'.

Along the way, a remark by Han Guishan plunged Lu Fan into contemplation.

'Lu Fan, at the provincial government Party Group meeting a few days ago, the 300 million yuan special fund for private higher education development was cut. Although I argued against it on principle, I couldn't stop everyone from having that intention.'

The special fund involves departmental interests; the discretionary funds available to the bureau have decreased, which shows the bureau chief is incompetent!

Lu Fan asked, 'Governor, what is the specific reason?'

Han Guishan sighed and said, 'The "plate" is only this big; work has priorities, and the direction of fund usage can always find a suitable excuse—these don't matter. What matters is who gets the funds! Your predecessor had Secretary Yongjiang's backing, so the funds could only increase, not decrease—this is a matter of speaking rights; I'm just an ordinary Deputy Provincial Governor. Lu Fan, education is a big mouth; you need to understand one thing: what you can bring to others determines what resources you can obtain. What is the ultimate goal of power struggles? Isn't it interests? If you stay inside the game but try to stay out, keep your hands clean, the end result can only be stagnation, nominal without substance, being marginalized.'

Lu Fan understood: the leaders surely prioritize limited funds for 'their own domain' and 'their own people'; other departments just need to maintain normal operation. But his situation is special—he cannot attach himself to any leader. Lu Fan truly grasped Lao Li's teaching: to accomplish things, one needs favorable timing, location, and harmony!

'Uncle Han, I understand, thank you for your advice!'

Han Guishan suddenly said, 'Lu Fan, I might have to leave Qinchuan! I estimate you also won't stay in Qinchuan much longer; I suggest you stay within the rules and just do your assigned duties.'

Lu Fan hurriedly asked, 'Uncle Han, are you going to Jin Province?'

Han Guishan nodded and said, 'The provincial reshuffle's general direction has been set, and there's nothing for me; seniority doesn't count for anything. I have to "mix" into a standing committee member, right? I can only go "rely on" Secretary Yixing! But this matter is still in the works—don't leak any wind.'

Lu Fan replied, 'Uncle Han, rest assured, I know how to keep my mouth shut! Will Li Ruifang move this time?'

Han Guishan thought and said, 'The inclination for the Provincial Party Committee Deputy Secretary is Yu Jianfeng; she doesn't fancy other posts, so I estimate Li Ruifang will stay put, giving Si Daiqiang two years in the position.'

Hearing this, Lu Fan felt pressure mounting. Although both are bureau-level, Si Daiqiang's goal is very clear: next step is to become a Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee member and concurrently the Yingjiang Municipal Party Committee Secretary. Can he catch up? Probably not; such a good platform as Yingjiang is rare. As an alternate committee member, which standing committee member or deputy governor wouldn't be envious?

At 2:30 p. m., Han Guishan and Lu Fan arrived punctually at the minister's office, exchanged friendly words for about ten minutes, as had been pre-arranged.

Next, Han Guishan brought Lu Fan to visit several Deputy Ministers at home, as well as several bureau chiefs with close work ties. They went ahead to 'burn incense' and pave the way, to better coordinate work and strive for projects and funds.

After leaving the ministry, Lu Fan invited Han Guishan to his home as a guest, but Han Guishan had other important matters on this trip; he politely declined the invitation, saying he would certainly visit Zimeng and the children when he had time. They then went their separate ways, agreeing to return to Qinchuan together on Monday.

Returning to the headquarters hutong in the north, Lu Fan held his son and wouldn't let go, enjoying family bliss.

Zimeng, having been cared for by Lao Li, had grown plump all around; looking round and chubby, she kept shouting that she needed to lose weight.

After dinner, Lu Fan chatted with Lao Li in the living room, reporting some recent key work.

Old Li listened and said, 'Corruption is hateful and heartbreaking, but looking across ancient and modern times, both Chinese and foreign, which country has truly eradicated the phenomenon of corruption? Because human desire cannot be simply controlled, and there is also luck-seeking and herd mentality.'

Corruption is an outward manifestation; greed is the inner root, and greed is linked to dissatisfaction and discontent, thereby producing a stronger desire for acquisition. However, the human heart knows no bounds; the pursuit of material and spiritual desires is endless—this is actually the greatest tragedy of human society and history!

Lu Fan, don't move against that deputy director. He oversees several important bureaus, surely for a reason. If you investigate, you'll surely pull out the radish and bring up the mud, easily hitting a 'minefield,' which would only add to your worries. So you don't need to wade into Qinchuan's muddy waters; just follow the rules and do your duty properly, staying put honestly for a few more months.

Lu Fan verbally agreed, but inside he still wanted to do whatever he could for Qinchuan's education cause.

After staying comfortably at home for a few days, on Monday morning Lu Fan and Han Guishan returned to Qinchuan.

Seeing Han Guishan's beaming face, Lu Fan guessed he had gained a lot these two days, feeling somewhat disappointed; changing the supervising leader would require another round of adjustment. If a strong deputy governor oversaw the Education Department, when disagreements arise would one argue on principle or yield passively? Background is used at critical moments, not to solve problems encountered in work.

Grassland Province, with a high-pressure stance, carried out a special rectification of violations and illegal acts in the energy sector, achieving abundant results in solving a batch of major problems, investigating a batch of major cases, recovering a batch of state-owned asset losses, and plugging a batch of institutional supervision loopholes.

As the special rectification deepened, the 'lid' was gradually lifted, black-market deals surfaced, and large numbers of officials fell from power one after another.

Lu Yao, the women not yielding to men, shone brightly in this operation, personally investigating over a hundred corrupt individuals, demonstrating the excellent qualities of loyalty, integrity, and responsibility, and blossoming on the fertile ground of the discipline inspection and supervision front. Although her rank remained unchanged, her position was adjusted to Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Discipline Inspection Committee.

After Lu Fan arrived at the unit, Discipline Inspection Group Leader Huang Yan came to report work, delighted and saying, 'Director, those two bureau chiefs are weaklings; they folded after just a few rounds! The Development Bureau chief, from his time as deputy chief to now, in allocating education special funds, approving university infrastructure projects, and during the merger and upgrade of higher education institutions, has taken in money and goods exceeding 20 million yuan—truly shocking. The Finance Bureau chief is no less, with corrupt funds also exceeding 10 million yuan!'

Lu Fan furrowed his brows, never expecting two petty bureau chiefs to be so greedy!

Huang Yan continued reporting: 'According to their confessions, many things were ordered by Deputy Director Wu Daobo, the divisional leader; I suspect Wu Daobo is involved in serious corruption! Director, can we continue the investigation?'

Lu Fan thought and said, 'Team Leader Huang, under cadre management authority, we have no power to investigate bureau-level cadres; if there is solid evidence, the Education Department must report to the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission.'

Huang Yan pleaded: 'Director, as long as we investigate, I guarantee we will gain something and certainly bring the corrupt to justice!'

Lu Fan shook his head and said, 'Strict discipline is an important guarantee for cadres' unity of will, action, and step; as a Discipline Inspection leader, you should consciously strengthen your sense of discipline and rules. Organize the relevant evidence, and I will personally report to Secretary Yongjiang and Secretary Xiaowu.'

Huang Yan unwillingly handed over a document, saying, 'Director, the materials are already ready!'

Lu Fan received the materials and comforted her: 'Team Leader Huang, keep digging into their behind-the-scenes power-money deals; I believe the corrupt will ultimately be brought to justice! There is also another matter that needs you to take the lead.'

'Director, what work?'

Lu Fan said, 'It concerns the after-school extended service program, originally intended as a welfare measure for parents—adding two hours of service after school to solve the difficulty of working parents picking up and dropping off their children. This measure has been in place for a period, with relatively obvious effects, but it has also exposed many problems, leaving parents very dissatisfied.'

In some places, after-school extended service involves the whole school and whole class participating; surely not all parents lack time to pick up their children? This shows there is indeed a coercion problem, with schools and teachers treating after-school extended service as a means to extort money.

This problem needs thorough correction and governance; I want your Discipline Inspection Group to take the lead, issuing a normative document to conduct special rectification for a period. Let the after-school extended service fulfill its proper function—helping parents look after their children for a while—absolutely no coercion or discrimination, not turning into classroom lessons or lectures, but can develop interest classes.

Huang Yan thought and replied, 'Okay, Director, I've also heard about this issue; parents have strong opinions, saying a teacher can earn over ten thousand yuan per semester. I will first go down to understand the school situation and quickly formulate a normative document.'

We need to find something for her to do; deputy work should be properly guided and kept within controllable limits.

After Huang Yan left, Lu Fan spent over half an hour examining the corruption materials of the two bureau chiefs.

Just after the afternoon work began, Lu Fan went to the Provincial Party Committee.