Chapter 487

Su Xiang Hai, after being advised by an expert, learned that this municipal personnel adjustment, the Provincial Party Committee fully "respects" Lu Fan's opinion, so he must strive to gain Lu Fan's trust and support in order to eye the mayor's seat.

But he also knew that haste makes waste; he could not appear too eager, so he could only use the convenience of his position, proactively take on responsibilities at work, and demonstrate an active attitude of ingratiation.

Seeing Su Xiang Hai leave the mayor's office, Executive Vice Mayor Wang Hong took this year's key projects ledger to report work to the mayor.

After entering, he said: "Mayor, after the last key projects planning meeting, all counties and districts and some departments have pressed on, submitting more projects; as of now, the city has planned 1365 projects, with planned investment of 1.36 trillion yuan and annual investment of 810 billion yuan."

Lu Fan nodded and said: "Without a few lashes of the whip, some leading cadres won't budge! Wang Hong, next you must closely monitor these 1365 projects, fully utilize the central and provincial support policies, proactively dock with superior supervisory departments, and strengthen full-process management of projects 'tracking, landing, commencement, completion, production'. At the same time, introduce two substantive policies; that money will stimulate cadres' work enthusiasm."

The first is the "Project and Funding Competition Work Incentive Plan", divided into general project-funding competition and competitive major project-funding competition rewards; the upper limit for unit rewards is 1,000,000 yuan, of which 50% goes to key personnel. For any nationally major project pursued with total investment of over 1 billion yuan, 2 billion yuan, or 5 billion yuan, respectively establish third, second, and first prizes, with prize money of 300,000 yuan, 600,000 yuan, and 1,000,000 yuan. That's roughly the meaning; you can refine it further.

The second is the "Investment Promotion and Attraction Incentive Measures"; this needs to be intensified, giving heavy rewards based on the situation of invested funds being booked and statistically recorded from introduced projects, so that our Nanyuan City can form a good atmosphere of nationwide investment promotion; you can refer to the incentive measures I formulated in Ganshui County, issue a notice, and raise public awareness of the policy.

Wang Hong replied: "I will immediately implement the mayor's instructions; money is indeed the most direct and effective incentive measure!"

"Time waits for no one; hurry up and do it, striving to present a special report at the next executive meeting."

After discussing work, Wang Hong tentatively asked: "Mayor, I don't know if Secretary Xianghai can be moved in this municipal personnel adjustment."

Lu Fan chuckled and said: "What, you have an idea?"

Wang Hong replied: "Under the current personnel mechanism, one must move from the executive vice mayor position to deputy secretary; if there is an opportunity, please promote me, Mayor!"

Lu Fan said: "No matter what position you hold, the two tasks I just arranged are 'bound' to you; focus your mind on work, and don't worry about anything else."

Hearing this, Wang Hong felt relieved and expressed: "Please rest assured, Mayor; I will carefully plan and deploy, strictly organize implementation, and vigorously and effectively promote high-quality implementation of work."

Just as Wang Hong left, the Standing Committee Vice Mayor brought the "Nanyuan City 2023 Urban Construction Field Project List Table" to report work.

After sitting down, Zhao Haorui reported: "Mayor, this year's urban construction projects, combining the actualities of current-stage urban development, mainly revolve around 'cross one ring three radiation', implementing a new round of urban construction 'ten major projects'. A total of 550 projects have been planned, with planned total investment of 280 billion yuan, of which municipal fiscal investment is 3.5 billion yuan, district-level investment is 9.5 billion yuan, and superior support, platform, and enterprise investment is 267 billion yuan; this year's planned investment is 98 billion yuan. Specific projects include: launching the renovation of 18 districts, renovating 180 old residential communities in the central urban area, and 28 shantytown renovation projects……"

After reporting for a full half hour, Lu Fan nodded satisfiedly and said: "The effort is great, the project planning is very thorough. Next, we need to conduct financial budgeting for the projects, determine performance targets and various indicators, conduct full-process supervision of transition funds projects, track project construction and fund disbursement progress, not allowing enterprises to advance funds for construction; this is something Secretary Hong Tao has repeatedly emphasized."

Moreover, I emphasize one point: all projects must be undertaken by enterprises of Nanyuan City, including material supply; we must keep output value, tax revenue, and employment in Nanyuan. If local enterprises lack the capability to carry out certain projects, then out-of-town enterprises must establish subsidiaries in Nanyuan to contribute to the city's economic development. You should focus on this during bidding; we cannot say it outright, but we must do it this way.

Zhao Haorui replied with a smile: "I guarantee to implement the mayor's instructions fully; money must stay in Nanyuan!"

Lu Fan said: "The money of Nanyuan earned by Nanyuan people, once earned and spent in Nanyuan, guarantees GDP growth."

After discussing work, Zhao Haorui smiled and said: "Mayor, I don't know if I have a chance for advancement this time."

Lu Fan lightly replied: "Do the work well and let results speak. As for how to adjust the Municipal Party Committee leadership, the province will make overall considerations; I have it in mind!"

"Okay, Mayor, I will definitely adhere to problem-oriented, goal-oriented, and result-oriented approaches, looking at the big picture while starting from details, identifying weaknesses and making up for shortcomings, putting work into practice, implementing it in practice, and seeing results."

In the afternoon, just after starting work, Du Wenlong, head of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission's Supervision Room One, came to Nanyuan again; this time he came to verify the corrupt funds and assets that Wang Haiyang had confessed.

For such matters, Lu Fan must be proactive; he immediately arranged for Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Fang Yang to "take over" this work, and "strictly ordered" Fang Yang to ensure that Nanyuan residents' property would not suffer any loss.

Fang Yang immediately understood; Du Wenlong "helplessly" expressed cooperation.

That afternoon, a shocking "money-moving" operation unfolded!

Because he had accepted too many gifts and gift money, Wang Haiyang specially purchased two villas in the suburbs to store illicit money and goods.

Even though the Discipline Inspection Commission, court, and banks had made full preparations, the cash filling the two huge houses completely dazzled the staff's eyes!

Bank staff used twenty bill-counting machines, working from 4 p. m. "to" 10 p. m., and the money still piled up like mountains.

Fang Yang also mobilized the four major banks, summoning dozens of staff members to work overtime.

After final verification, the two villas together concealed 2.8 billion yuan in cash! High-end cigarettes and alcohol piled up like mountains, various gold items glittered, and just the Maotai liquor alone amounted to over 350 cases, enough to fill two large trucks.

The next day, the Discipline Inspection Commission and the court continued their actions.

In the companies and projects actually controlled by Wang Haiyang, used for primary land development, real estate development, construction, etc., as well as purchasing real estate, vehicles, land, equipment, etc., the seized and frozen funds totaled 1.5 billion yuan; 1,050 properties were sealed, land and tidal flats 28 parcels, forest land 10 parcels, 45 vehicles seized, 10 sets of large machinery equipment seized, and equity of 22 companies frozen.

Preliminary investigation shows Wang Haiyang is suspected of embezzling and defrauding public funds of over 3.5 billion yuan, accepting bribes of over 200 million yuan, misappropriating public funds of over 300 million yuan, and obtaining over 400 million yuan in illegal gains from companies undertaking projects.

Moreover, the assets Wang Haiyang transferred away have basically been recovered, amounting to over ten billion yuan!

Even Lu Fan didn't expect Wang Haiyang to be so corrupt; it's simply shocking to hear!

Although the matter is painful, Wang Haiyang's downfall is absolutely a good thing for Lu Fan. It not only lets Lu Fan seize power early and develop Nanyuan according to his own ideas, but also leaves him several billion yuan in funds and 1,050 housing units.

These funds and housing will be taken from the people and used for the people; the funds will be used to develop industry, and the housing can serve as talent-attracting residences, knowing that these properties are all high-quality sources—Wang Haiyang, being no good, would certainly not look down on them.

Now, when attracting master-level, outstanding, and leading talents, if you don't produce a large apartment, you'd be embarrassed to speak up!

The preliminary procedures for the "Zhang Zhongjing National Medicine University"—planning, design, land acquisition, etc. —have been completed; next, while constructing the campus buildings, the key task is to "recruit talent," and these 1,050 apartments can serve that purpose.

On the ninth day of the first lunar month, Lu Fan brought Vice Mayor Ma Caihong and Education Bureau Director Chang Zhichao to inspect the work of improving and upgrading student cafeterias; school was about to start, and Lu Fan did not want to betray the people, so after the start of school, all schools in the city must implement the new "Cafeteria Management Measures".

At Shexian No. 1 Middle School, Lu Fan gained a detailed understanding of the cafeteria site, supervision system, food safety environment, electricity and water usage, stoves and other facilities, emphasizing the need to closely monitor key points of food safety supervision, respond to public concerns, and strictly control food quality and safety from the source.

During the investigation, Lu Fan suddenly asked Chang Zhichao: "Are you familiar with the situation in Shexian?"

Chang Zhichao's heart jolted, realizing something, and he replied: "Mayor, the advantageous characteristic of Shexian County is economic crops, occupying half the realm. The planting area of characteristic oilseed crops, vegetables, medicinal herbs, and fruit trees exceeds 700,000 mu; in 2021, the provincial conference on the transformation and upgrading of advantageous characteristic economic crops was held in Shexian. They have established a 'provincial-level vegetable modern agricultural industrial park', and there is a raw meat processing integrated project with total investment of 3.5 billion yuan; it is said that after reaching full production, the annual output of live pigs can reach 1.85 million heads, and it seems there are still several major projects under implementation."

Lu Fan nodded and said: "Shexian's advantage lies in agriculture; we must put effort and scale into this, especially the cultivation of medicinal herbs, which should correspond from afar with the 'Zhang Zhongjing National Medicine University'. Zhichao, when you have free time, learn more about Shexian's situation."

Chang Zhichao hurriedly said: "Mayor, I will follow your lead!"

Just as Lu Fan returned to his office, Deputy Secretary of the Shexian County Party Committee Feng Yongchang came to report work; with the secretary and county chief positions vacant, he surely has ideas.

During the work report, Feng Yongchang showed an active intention to "curry favor".

Lu Fan offered a few words of encouragement, but gave no commitment.

After he left, Lu Fan arranged for Secretary-General Dou Zhengyang to prepare a report on the situation of the Shexian County leadership team; a county cannot remain long without a Party Committee secretary and county chief, including the county chief of Xijia County, so personnel adjustments must be initiated.

Considering that all county-level party and government top positions lack women, this personnel adjustment must equip a structural female cadre to serve as either county Party secretary or county chief.