Chapter 453: with translation of chapter title

After leaving the Provincial Party Committee, Lu Fan immediately went to the Provincial Government to report to Governor Tang Bing.

After meeting, Tang Bing smiled and said, "Lu Fan, welcome to work in Huayuan Province!"

Lu Fan smiled and replied, "Being able to carry out work under the governor's leadership again, the Nanyuan City Government will unswervingly follow the leadership of the Provincial Government, fully implement the overall requirements of the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government for Nanyuan's development, forge ahead with vigor and innovation, and strive to open up a new situation in work!"

Tang Bing said, "Nanyuan indeed needs a strong and capable leadership team to lead the city's cadres and masses, practice the historic responsibility of not waiting, seizing every moment, and standing at the forefront, fulfill duties responsibly and act well, and show new initiative!"

The ancients said, "Your emoluments and salaries are the fat and ointment of the people; the common folk are easily oppressed, heaven is hard to deceive." Leading cadres, when in position, must plan for governance; when holding office, must fulfill their duties. Nanyuan's situation is relatively complex, and I hope that after you take office after, you will dare to scrutinize and stand firm on principled issues, dare to draw your sword and stand firm on major right-and-wrong matters, dare to tackle tough problems in work difficulties and contradictions, forge ahead despite hardships, achieve passion and perseverance, do practical work and seek real results, form a strong synergy to drive work, and strive to achieve achievements worthy of the organization and the people!

I will give you a "deadline order": Nanyuan City's GDP last year was 451.2 billion yuan, down by three percentage points, and the gap with Luojun City has widened further, let alone catching up with the provincial capital Yingjun City—this is absolutely intolerable! Next year, Nanyuan City's GDP growth must turn from negative to positive and increase by five percentage points!

Lu Fan replied without hesitation, "I will certainly, with the determination to overcome all difficulties and strive for victory, properly resolve the current difficulties and prominent problems, refine work measures, and spare no effort to accomplish the work tasks assigned by the governor." Whether it can be done, one must first agree to it—this is a matter of attitude.

Tang Bing nodded and said, "For any work needing provincial government support, we will communicate anytime; next month I will take time to visit Nanyuan."

……

After leaving the Provincial Government, Lu Fan returned to the Provincial Party Committee and went to the office of Deputy Secretary Liu Linghao.

Upon entering, seeing Political and Legal Committee Secretary Wang Jinwu also present, Lu Fan smiled and said, "Secretary Liu, Secretary Wang, I come to report to you; please, both leaders, look after me."

Liu Linghao laughed and replied, "Support is necessary; Nanyuan, this place of right and wrong, indeed needs to be well managed!"

Wang Jinwu said, "Work diligently, and we will give you cover! Lu Fan, the Political and Legal Committee Secretary of Nanyuan City, Yang Jiahe, was sent down by the Provincial Political and Legal Committee; I have already greeted him—you friends can stay in touch and communicate more, and at work he knows where his 'seat' should be!"

Liu Linghao added, "Deputy Mayor Zhao Haorui was sent down by the Provincial Party Committee General Office and can be trusted. Lu Fan, the Nanyuan Municipal Party Committee Secretary is an old friend and old colleague of ours, but people change; this Wang Haiyang is about to retire and has begun to act foolishly! However, 'learn from past mistakes to avoid future ones, cure the disease to save the person' is our consistent policy toward comrades who err; for those who have made mistakes, taking a step forward is dawn. As long as they realize they are lost and mend their ways, reform their hearts and minds, and undergo a complete transformation, they will not be beyond redemption, and we can give them an opportunity when appropriate."

Wang Jinwu expressed a different opinion, saying, "The next step is a cliff; if he repeatedly fails to mend his ways, is obstinate and unenlightened, and incorrigible, the organization can only resort to 'thunderbolt measures,' and he will have to pay a heavy price for being insatiably greedy, licking blood from the blade, and going fire deviant. I have long seen that Wang Haiyang is relatively selfish; if not dealt with promptly, he may become a future problem!"

Lu Fan did not interject, for without investigative authority there is no right to speak; everything will be discussed after taking office.

The good news is that even before taking office, he has the support of the Municipal Political and Legal Committee and the deputy mayor; what Li Lao said is indeed true—heavenly timing, geographical advantage, and harmony among people; choice outweighs effort; even if one works hard on a bicycle, one cannot catch up to a BMW!

As the conversation neared the end of work, Lu Fan's phone rang; it was Deputy Secretary Deng Guoqing of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee calling, his classmate from the Young Cadres class, who after graduation was promoted from director of the First Supervision Room to deputy secretary.

After the call connected, Deng Guoqing laughed and said, "Class monitor, mayor, you've both arrived in Huayuan to report for duty, yet you didn't even say hello? Your feelings have become so thin! If it weren't for Wang Xi passing along the news, our classmates would still be in the dark! We're all at the Huayuan First Reception Center—will you come? Just us few from the Young Cadres class!"

Lu Fan smiled and replied, "Your warm hospitality is hard to refuse; refusing would be disrespectful, so I'd rather obey than be polite—please trouble you to wait a moment."

"Okay, I'll send you the address."

After hanging up, Liu Linghao asked, "Are they those classmates from your Young Cadres class?"

Lu Fan nodded and said, "It was Deputy Secretary Deng Guoqing of the Discipline Inspection Committee calling, plus Organization Department Deputy Director Wang Xi, Deputy Secretary-General Li Borning of the Provincial Government, Deputy Secretary Zhang Wenjun of the Political and Legal Committee, Deputy Director Huang Wenbin of the Agriculture Department, and Deputy Director Wu Zhengyu of the Education Department." These classmates, after graduation, have basically all stepped up a "level"!

Wang Jinwu laughed and said, "Wenjun has already gone? This deputy secretary quit early, basically not wanting to mix anymore! Lu Fan, I and Secretary Liu have also reserved a meal; you decide whom to eat with."

Seeing Lu Fan's embarrassed look, Liu Linghao laughed and said, "Jinwu, don't make things difficult for him. Lu Fan, you've just arrived in Huayuan; we need to give you a welcome dinner. Since your classmates have all gathered together, let's add two more sets of chopsticks—we two will also join; we're not outsiders!"

Lu Fangu excitedly said, "Thank you, leaders, for your gracious presence; I'll immediately have Guoqing and them prepare."

At off‑time, the three of them set out from the office and walked side‑by‑side out of the Provincial Party Committee compound.

This scene left many people in the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government buildings with myriad thoughts!

Executive Deputy Provincial Governor Huang Chongzhou had gone to the northern headquarters hut to pay a New Year visit, then immediately called Liu Linghao, saying, "Secretary Linghao, Lu Fan has arrived—why didn't you notify me? Fortunately I saw him from the window; are you preparing to give him a welcome? Wait a moment, I'll come down right away!"

"'Speed!' Liu Linghao slowed his steps, as if doing it on purpose."

Within five minutes, Huang Chongzhou joined the 'team,' chatting and laughing with Lu Fan!

Secretary Haoguangqi stood by the window, watching Lu Fan walk out of the Provincial Party Committee compound accompanied by three provincial party committee standing members, and fell into contemplation.

After a while, Secretary Haoguangqi summoned his secretary into the office and arranged for him to discreetly inquire about the movements of Lu Fan and his companions.

Executive Deputy Provincial Governor Li Mingyang walked into Governor Tang Bing's office and, with meaning, said, "Lu Fan has arrived, accompanied by three standing members, and Chongzhou also went—what a big face!"

Tang Bing said lightly, "This is Huayuan Province; it's quite normal—Comrade Chongzhou once served as Deputy Secretary‑General to Li Lao!"

Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary Hu JiaYu and Organization Department Director Zhang Xiaoye stood by the window watching, each with different thoughts!

……

Around 6:30 p. m., Lu Fan, accompanied by three provincial party committee standing members, arrived at Room 888 of the Huayuan First Reception Center; the whole room rose to greet him, and the classmates never expected such a grand reception!

Provincial Party Committee Deputy Secretary Liu Linghao took the main seat; Political and Legal Committee Secretary Wang Jinwu and Executive Deputy Provincial Governor Huang Chongzhou sat on the left and right, respectively, then came Lu Fan, and everyone else quickly found their places.

The cold dishes had been served; Liu Linghao stood, raised his glass, and said, "Today's theme is just one: welcome Lu Fan to Huayuan Province! On behalf of everyone, I wish you smooth sailing in your new post, adept at handling affairs, pioneering and advancing, bold and forward‑going—may the great peng rise with the wind in a single day and soar straight up ninety thousand li!" Having spoken, he lifted his glass and drained it. Others responded in kind, and the atmosphere was harmonious and fervent.

Today's service was very thorough; the manager even came in from time to time to personally attend, actually to gather information and relay feedback from those at the drinking party to certain interested parties.

After six rounds of drinks, Liu Linghao had just begun to toast when Provincial Party Committee Standing Member and Luojun City Party Committee Secretary Li Jianran entered holding a wine pitcher and cup, smiling broadly and saying, "Secretary Linghao, that's a bit insufficient—Lu Fan's arrival in Huayuan is delightful and congratulatory, but you must not 'block' the news. If I weren't entertaining guests next door, I wouldn't have known that Lu Fan reported for duty today! Uninvited, I'll boldly add a little interlude and raise a cup to Lu Fan and everyone!"

Lu Fan hurriedly stood, raised his glass, and said, "Thank you, Secretary Li!" Then he drained it—many words lead to loss!

Ten minutes later, Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary Hu JiaYu came in to toast, and he and Lu Fan exchanged warm words for a while.

Today's Provincial Party Committee First Reception Center could be described as filled with distinguished guests; many leaders coincidentally had receptions, truly a remarkable "coincidence"!

Since Lu Fan set foot in Huayuan Province, his every move has attracted attention from all sides, after all there are many who know the inside story—the main character has arrived!

After about an hour of drinking, the three provincial party committee standing members voluntarily left their seats, handing over the drinking scene to the Young Cadres classmates.

When Liu Linghao left, he especially emphasized, "Just drink, don't get drunk—especially Lu Fan, don't overindulge, for tomorrow he still has to take up his post in Nanyuan; he must not reek of alcohol."

After the leaders departed, the classmates completely let loose, though drinking was secondary and chatting was the main focus.

Deng Guoqing said, "Class monitor, I also want to go to Nanyuan with you tomorrow; the Provincial Party Committee has already approved, and after study by the Standing Committee of the Discipline Inspection Committee, we will take measures against Nanyuan City's Executive Deputy Mayor and the deputy mayor in charge of education."

Organization Department Deputy Director Wang Xi said, "Class monitor, you and Guoqing should plan together; if used properly, it will definitely have the effect of killing a chicken to scare the monkeys. You've just gone to Nanyuan—this is a good opportunity to establish authority!"

Lu Fan thought for a moment and replied, "Thank you, brothers, for your deep affection; I'll consider it."

Executive Deputy Director Huang Wenbin of the Agriculture Department said, "Class monitor, the director of your city's Bureau of Agriculture is my university classmate; I'll have him report to your office right away!"

Executive Deputy Director Wu Zhengyu of the Education Department said, "Nanyuan's Education Bureau has a deputy director with whom I have a close relationship; class monitor, if you can make use of him, feel free to assign him as you wish."

Everyone offered suggestions and advice, making Lu Fan feel the deep camaraderie of his classmates. Although these classmates all hold deputy positions, they likewise have their own networks; at the very least they can speak with authority within the industry, and they are also considerable assistance in work—this is the "harmony among people" that Li Lao spoke of!