Chapter 484

On New Year's Eve, Lu Fan stayed in Nanyuan City.

Since the mayor's hotline was made public, the phone has been ringing nonstop from morning to night; under Lu Fan's attention, many urgent problems of the masses have been solved, so the mayor's hotline has become a true hotline.

At 9 a. m., She County residents called, saying that five local villages had suddenly lost power and hoped for prompt assistance to resolve the problem.

With Lu Fan personally coordinating with the director of the Municipal Power Bureau, power supply was restored to normal at 9:30 a. m.

Throughout the day, the mayor's hotline received over 450 calls from citizens, with the reported issues concentrated on water, electricity, heating supply and other living difficulties; among them, 35 urgent problems were all resolved under the attention of Mayor Lu Fan.

Handling each small matter, implementing each practical matter, solving each difficult matter—these accumulated into major livelihood affairs, making Lu Fan increasingly recognized by the people of Nanyuan.

Deputy Provincial Governor and Director of the Provincial Public Security Department Zhang Yuheng has had no news from his old classmate Wang Haiyang for two days. Having spent half a career in public security, his vigilance is very strong; he has guessed that his old classmate probably could not escape, and now it's likely eighty percent that he has been caught!

After prolonged deliberation, Zhang Yuheng made a swift decision, planning to leave without saying goodbye!

In order to facilitate his escape, at 10 a. m., Deputy Provincial Governor and Director of the Provincial Public Security Department Zhang Yuheng went to the Traffic Police Corps Command Center and the Police Order Department Command Center to visit and console the police on duty, giving them New Year greetings.

At the command center, Zhang Yuheng shook hands with the duty personnel one by one and exchanged friendly words.

Zhang Yuheng emphasized that the meals of duty personnel, especially those single staff whose families are not locally present, must be guaranteed so that everyone can still enjoy a warm and cozy Spring Festival at their posts, and he extended holiday greetings to all.

The visit and consolation activity ended in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, and the news was promptly reported by the Public Security Department Office to the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government.

At 1 p. m., after bidding farewell to his family, Zhang Yuheng disguised himself, headed to the airport, passing through Shanghai, with Dubai as his destination!

Wang Haiyang had already been secretly sent to Jingcheng by Wang Hongtao, and Xiao Bin personally took over the case, arranging elite forces to carry out a key breakthrough.

On the first day of the lunar new year, Wang Haiyang could not withstand the strong pressure from the Discipline Inspection Committee, and began to gradually confess; the first thing he confessed was the source of several ID cards and passports in his possession, helplessly exposing Provincial Public Security Department Director Zhang Yuheng.

Xiao Bin attached great importance to this information and immediately called Secretary Hao Guangqi of Huayuan Province.

While enjoying family reunion, Hao Guangqi saw Xiao Bin's secretary's number, his heart tightened, he immediately answered the call, smiling and asking: "Secretary Zhang, happy New Year!"

Xiao Bin said in a solemn voice: "Secretary Guangqi, it's not appropriate to disturb you during the New Year. I am now reporting to you and Huayuan Province that the Municipal Party Secretary of Nanyuan City, Wang Haiyang, was intercepted by us during his attempt to flee abroad. According to his confession, the Provincial Public Security Department's Zhang Yuheng provided convenience for Wang Haiyang's escape process, and Zhang Yuheng may be involved in serious corruption. Please immediately take measures against Zhang Yuheng; my people will arrive shortly."

Hearing this shocking news, Hao Guangqi was greatly startled and hastily said: "Okay, I'll arrange it right away!"

After hanging up, Hao Guangqi felt a mix of emotions; the New Year's good mood was completely ruined. He immediately called the Provincial Political and Legal Committee Secretary Wang Jinwu and Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary Hu Jiaoyu, issuing a death order: at any cost, immediately bring Zhang Yuheng under control.

After receiving Hao Guangqi's order, the Political and Legal Committee and the Discipline Inspection Committee swiftly launched action. But the result was doomed to be futile, because at that moment Zhang Yuheng was already flying toward Dubai in the skies, and even the public security system could find no trace!

Two hours later, when Hao Guangqi learned that the Political and Legal Committee and the Discipline Inspection Committee had come up empty, he could hardly believe his ears—Zhang Yuheng had actually gotten away! This is a major political incident; letting the Provincial Public Security Department director escape abroad on his watch is an oversight for which he bears absolute responsibility, and the impact on his career will definitely be severe!

Having come to this point, Hao Guangqi immediately called Wang Hongtao, and upon connection immediately admitted his mistake: "It's my work that wasn't thorough enough; Zhang Yuheng's whereabouts are unknown, and he's likely gone. Please criticize me!"

Wang Hongtao suppressed the anger in his chest and said lightly: "Nobody is perfect; who would have thought Zhang Yuheng would leave! Guangqi, you must draw profound lessons from this incident!"

After hanging up, Hao Guangqi sank into utter dejection; listening to the words and tone, he could sense the secretary's dissatisfaction and disappointment, feeling that his future prospects were overshadowed by a shadow.

On the second day of the lunar new year, Wang Haiyang was transferred to the Discipline Inspection Committee of Huayuan Province; Hao Guangqi instructed Hu Jiaoyu, regarding the transferred leads, to adopt strong measures and increase the intensity of case investigation. Dare to draw the sword, dare to confront hardships; no matter which unit or level is involved, they must investigate to the end, pursue responsibility strictly, and show no leniency!

On the fourth day of the lunar new year, the Huayuan Province Discipline Inspection Committee website released a notice: after investigation, the Municipal Party Secretary of Nanyuan City, Wang Haiyang, had committed serious violations of law and discipline, with a very bad nature; not only had he lost his Party spirit and abandoned his original aspirations and mission, but he was also suspected of bribery and corruption crimes. After study by the Standing Committee of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee and approval by the Provincial Party Committee, it was decided to file a case for investigation into Wang Haiyang's serious disciplinary violations.

At 3 p. m., the City Government received a report from Nan County that a farmer had been burned while burning straw stubble and was sent to the city hospital for treatment.

Upon learning of this, Lu Fan went to the city hospital to visit, presenting condolence money and conveying the government's concern.

After understanding the situation, it was learned that the victim was an elderly person who had secretly burned straw stubble at night; due to slow reaction and limited mobility, he was burned by the rapidly burning stubble. The wounds were mainly on exposed parts of the body, with the limbs and head/face being most affected.

Upon learning that the victim's condition was poor and that burn treatment would require a substantial expense, undoubtedly adding to the family's hardship, Lu Fan immediately instructed the Health Commission and the Civil Affairs Bureau to find ways to help the masses overcome the difficulty.

Lu Fan was chatting amiably with the patient's family when the phone rang; seeing that it was a call from Secretary Hao Guangqi, he hurried out to find a quiet place to answer.

Hao Guangqi said: "Lu Fan, Wang Haiyang has already been placed under investigation, and the work of Nanyuan City must not be affected in any way. After careful consideration, the Provincial Party Committee has decided that you will temporarily preside over the work of the Nanyuan Municipal Party Committee. Your primary task is to stabilize the current situation in Nanyuan City, strengthen cadre management, and absolutely prevent any occurrence of cadres fleeing abroad; this is the bottom line of the Provincial Party Committee. I hope you will not betray the trust and expectations of the Provincial Party Committee."

Lu Fan responded without hesitation: "Please rest assured, Secretary; I will certainly raise my political stance, do well in publicity and guidance, eliminate negative influences, make the first move and win the initiative, and maintain the overall social stability and harmony of Nanyuan City."

Hao Guangqi asked: "Lu Fan, did you detect any early signs regarding the Wang Haiyang matter?"

Lu Fan replied: "Secretary, I indeed had suspicions, because his recent behavior was somewhat abnormal, but since he is after all the Municipal Party Secretary, I could not recklessly speculate based merely on guesswork, so I failed to report the situation to the Provincial Party Committee in a timely manner; please give me a stern criticism, Secretary."

Hao Guangqi sighed and said: "Wang Haiyang's escape has indeed put the Provincial Party Committee in a passive position; this can be called a political accident. Lu Fan, I heard you spent the Spring Festival holiday in Nanyuan?"

"Yes, Secretary; starting from the twenty-ninth of the twelfth lunar month, I lost contact with Wang Haiyang, and to avoid any mishap I did not return to Jingcheng."

Hao Guangqi said: "Your political vigilance is high and your perceptiveness strong, worthy of affirmation. Next, you bear a heavy responsibility, you must shoulder the burden alone; you must not allow any mishap, and the Provincial Party Committee will promptly implement your duties. I hope that under your leadership, all sectors of society in Nanyuan will achieve great breakthroughs; wherever you need support from the Provincial Party Committee, speak up, and I will spare no effort to help you."

"Thank you for your strong support, Secretary; I will surely dare to take responsibility and emphasize practical work, create new achievements, and not betray your and the Provincial Party Committee's high expectations and heavy trust!"

Hao Guangqi also said: "Regarding the Wang Haiyang matter, have you communicated with Li Lao? What is Li Lao's attitude?"

Lu Fan replied: "Secretary, over the past two days there have been many matters in the city; I am currently still at the hospital visiting the injured masses, and I have not yet spoken with my grandfather. Please rest assured, Secretary; I will always keep a clear mind, stay at my post, do my duty, strictly observe organizational discipline, refrain from meddling in what I should not, and firmly follow all decisions and deployments of the Provincial Party Committee."

After hanging up, Lu Fan returned to the ward, gave a few instructions, and immediately went back to the city government.

At this moment, the Municipal Party Committee Office received instructions from the Provincial Party Committee General Office; the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, Su Xiang Hai, immediately called Lu Fan's phone, saying: "Mayor, the Municipal Party Committee Office has received notice from the Provincial Party Committee concerning the current work of the Municipal Party Committee; please give specific instructions, Mayor."

Lu Fan thought for a moment and said: "Notify the members of the Standing Committee and all vice mayors of the City Government to hold an expanded meeting of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee tomorrow at 3 p. m. In these special times, let everyone understand a bit, endure a bit, and report for duty two days early. You take charge of stability work arrangements; the focus is to eliminate the negative impact brought by Wang Haiyang, and we will communicate about other matters at any time."

"Please rest assured, Mayor; I will certainly raise my political stance, cooperate well with your work, and fully implement your instructions."

In the afternoon, the news that Mayor Lu Fan was presiding over the work of the Municipal Party Committee spread throughout the city; cadres and the masses responded enthusiastically, widely discussing this sudden change, everyone placing high hopes and full expectations on Lu Fan serving as Municipal Party Secretary.

Since Lu Fan took office in Nanyuan, he has consistently maintained an enterprising and progressive mental state, through diligent practical actions and effective work achievements, gradually gaining the trust of Nanyuan's people over half a year.

Everyone firmly believes that under Lu Fan's leadership, Nanyuan will surely see positive changes.