Chapter 488

On the tenth day of the first lunar month, Li Municipal Party Committee brought an inspection team of over 100 people to Nanyuan City, among them were energy companies, real estate firms, automobile enterprises, pharmaceutical companies, tourism and other over ten industries, four of which were publicly listed, their strength was considerable, and moreover, they came with sincere enthusiasm!

Nanyuan City attached great importance to this inspection; Mayor Lu Fan arranged Deputy Municipal Party Secretary Su Xiang Hai and Vice Mayor Gao Shuo to accompany throughout, and the Municipal Bureau of Commerce and Investment was responsible for arranging the inspection itinerary and logistical support.

The inspection team conducted a ten‑day inspection in Tong County, She County, Wolong District, Zhenping County and other places, on‑site examining industrial development, also visiting the World Rose Grand Garden, the Comprehensive Bonded Zone, the Tea Industry Group, etc.; it inspected water‑quality protection of the middle route of the South‑North Water Transfer Project, compared with Nanyuan City's investment‑promotion project database, and selected prospective projects for detailed inspection.

Lu Fan, considering multiple factors, did not personally accompany the inspection team nor participate in project negotiations, but he knew full well that the inspection team had come genuinely to invest.

These days, Political and Legal Committee Secretary Yang Jiajian and Propaganda Department Head Li Mu Ci have been especially diligent at the municipal government, both seeking a change in their positions; several vice mayors have spared no effort in their work, aiming to join the Standing Committee.

The secretaries and county chiefs of the lower counties and districts, as well as the heads of municipal departments, all revolve around the mayor.

Everyone knows Lu Fan values work, so they cater to his preference, working desperately to gain his approval.

Currently, Nanyuan City displays a spirited and enterprising mindset, a pragmatic and responsible work style, and the courage to pioneer and innovate, making Lu Fan wonder whether he should not just fill the vacant posts properly; instead he keeps everyone working by dangling the prospect.

In the afternoon, Municipal Youth League Committee Secretary Li Qian came to report work, and her proposal for tourism youth volunteers brightened Lu Fan's eyes.

Li Qian reported: "Mayor, the Municipal Youth League Committee plans to select the best from the best, choosing 200 youth volunteers with high service ability, strong sense of discipline, and fine image and temperament from tourism colleges and various social organizations. It will also invite professional etiquette instructors, medical personnel, and lecturers to give the volunteers professional training. The youth volunteers are hardworking, enthusiastic and polite, meticulous and thoughtful; they will demonstrate the responsibility of contemporary youth through concrete actions, adding a bright touch to youth."

Lu Fan laughed and said: "This year is Nanyuan City's year to improve quality and efficiency in tourism development; that's a good idea. Coordinate with the Culture and Tourism Bureau so the volunteers can better serve tourism."

When God closes one door, He surely opens another window. But in life there are always some "perfect" people who make you deeply doubt that saying—for example, Li Qian, who is high in looks, education, and position, a rising star in Nanyuan's political circle, leaving most people in the dust.

Yet it seems that whenever an attractive woman achieves success in officialdom, some people jump out and groundlessly claim she didn't succeed on her own. Looking at Li Qian's résumé, it is step by step, solid and reliable. Starting as a clerk, she trained at the grassroots, showing excellent work ability and comprehensive quality, and was promoted from deputy county chief to Municipal Youth League Committee Secretary. Even so, Li Qian still faces much criticism.

After finishing work talk, Lu Fan lightly said: "Li Qian, during this period learn more about Xija County's situation; I intend to recommend you to the Provincial Party Committee for work in Xija County."

Li Qian's eyes slightly furrowed, hiding unspeakable thoughts; her heart filled with gratitude, she said: "Thank you, Mayor, for your patronage; I will devote myself wholeheartedly, fulfill my duties, and not betray your and the organization's trust and expectation!" She felt no trace of ulterior motive in Lu Fan's eyes.

Lu Fan said: "I have one demand: development must be the top priority! You should leverage your advantages, adapt to local conditions, highlight distinctive features, explore a development path suited to Xija County's characteristics, strengthen the leading industries, and drive high‑quality development of the county‑level economy from a new starting point. Moreover, you must handle people's livelihood projects well, genuinely solving the worries, troubles, and anxieties of the masses."

"I will surely keep the mayor's instructions in mind, be grateful and forge ahead, shoulder responsibility, and work earnestly!" Li Qian looked at Lu Fan with firm eyes; suddenly she noticed his gaze flicker away, and for some reason she felt a secret delight.

People are just like that contradictory; Li Qian always looks down on men with ill intentions, giving them a cold stare. Yet when someone more outstanding treats her as if she were invisible, her heart feels a hint of loss, doubting her charm.

What she truly needs is someone who appreciates and respects her—and it seems she has met such a person!

As the workday was ending, Political and Legal Committee Secretary Yang Jiajian came to report work, planning to convene a municipal political and legal work meeting next week and inviting Lu Fan to attend and speak.

Lu Fan thought and said: "Jiajian, push the meeting back a bit; have the Municipal Party Committee's Organization Department organize it, using one day to hold a combined meeting covering organization, discipline inspection, publicity, united front, party building, political and legal, and armed forces work; try to hold as few meetings as possible, keep them short, and give comrades time to work."

"Okay, Secretary, I will coordinate with Secretary Xianghai."

Lu Fan considered and said: "Jiajian, I recall you served in the counties and districts, holding the post of executive vice county chief, with rich experience. Next, the municipal government leadership may be adjusted; are you interested in becoming a standing committee vice mayor?"

This question put Yang Jiajian in a spot; as Political and Legal Committee Secretary he is rather awkward—his superiors are the Municipal Party Deputy Secretary and the Provincial Political and Legal Commission—but moving up in one step is difficult.

If it were an executive vice mayor post, Yang Jiajian would have no hesitation, but a standing committee vice mayor offers no substantive promotion.

Considering that government work is now more valued, with a broad scope, and the standing committee vice mayor oversees important matters, after weighing pros and cons Yang Jiajian replied: "Mayor, I am willing to work in the municipal government; please help me make the arrangements!"

Lu Fan nodded and said: "Fine, get familiar in advance with Haorui's portfolio, especially urban construction; this year's task is quite heavy."

On the twelfth day of the first lunar month, Lu Fan went to the Provincial Party Committee to report work to Secretary Haoguangqi, focusing on personnel adjustments.

After waiting in line for over an hour, Lu Fan entered the secretary's office.

Haoguangqi raised his head, put down his pen, showed a hint of a smile, and said: "You've come; Nanyuan City hasn't had any problems, has it?"

Lu Fan replied: "The current situation is generally stable and controllable; all work is being solidly and orderly promoted, basically unaffected by negative influences."

Haoguangqi said: "I never expected that Wang Haiyang, this scourge, would involve such a huge amount—hair‑raising! He is a vampire and parasite on the nation's body; the whole province should take warning! Lu Fan, a few days ago I touched heads with Comrade Tang Bing; my view is to implement your appointment as Municipal Party Secretary as soon as possible so you can carry out work legitimately. But Comrade Tang Bing's opinion is to delay, because you have not been mayor long enough and frequent adjustments are inadvisable. I now seek your opinion."

Lu Fan thought it over and felt Governor Tang Bing had considered things more thoroughly; this way he would still have to "occupy" the mayor's position, so other post adjustments would also be postponed. But that's fine—having the Party Committee and municipal government under one hand avoids divergent voices and helps implement decisions.

"Secretary, I will follow the Provincial Party Committee's decision; acting in charge may be more appropriate, since I have only been mayor a few months. However, some key posts should not stay vacant long; I wish to recommend to the Provincial Party Committee that Municipal Government Secretary Dou Zhengyang be promoted to Municipal Party Secretary, Vice Mayor Feng Guanqiao be transferred to head of the Organization Department, Education Bureau Director Chang Zhichao be appointed as She County Party Committee Secretary, She County Deputy Secretary Feng Yongchang be promoted to She County Chief, and Municipal Youth League Committee Secretary Li Qian be adjusted to become Xija County Chief."

Haoguangqi nodded and said: "What about the Municipal Party Committee's United Front Department and the vice mayors? Shouldn't they be filled as well?"

Lu Fan replied: "Secretary, in selecting and employing people we must ensure good quality and full substance; with an attitude of responsibility to the organization, I still want to gain a deeper understanding of the political loyalty, political resolve, and political responsibility of Nanyuan's cadres, so that employing one person well can inspire a whole region, and select a large number of 'pioneer‑type', 'lion‑type', and 'assault‑type' leading cadres to provide strong organizational guarantee for Nanyuan's high‑quality economic and social development."

"All right, I'll convene a secretary's office meeting in two days to touch base; if no one has objections, we'll submit it to the next five‑person group meeting for study, and there should be no major problem."

"Thank you for your support, Secretary!"

Haoguangqi suddenly asked: "Have you been home lately?"

Lu Fan replied: "The work in the city is myriad; I haven't had a chance to go back yet, and I plan to return on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month."

Haoguangqi laughed: "Although you bear heavy responsibilities, you should also balance work and rest; when you go back, give me a call—I haven't visited Li Lao in a while!"

"Okay, Secretary! I'll get in touch with you ahead of time."

On the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, Nanyuan City and the Li Siwei inspection team held a symposium, with Mayor Lu Fan attending.

At the meeting, Tong County, Tang County, Xichuan County, Wolong District, the Municipal Development and Reform Commission, and the Municipal Bureau of Commerce and Investment presented county profiles and released investment projects; the inspection team and Nanyuan's relevant entrepreneurs exchanged views on investment cooperation.

Mayor Lu Fan warmly welcomed the inspection team, pointing out that both sides should actively seek extensive cooperation in many fields and numerous projects to pave the way for deeper collaboration, achieve solid deep cooperation, realize mutual benefit and win‑win, and create new economic growth points for Nanyuan City. He hoped the inspection team would gain a better understanding of Nanyuan's superior investment environment and relaxed investment policies, actively seek cooperation opportunities, strengthen communication, and jointly pursue development.

Lu Fan demanded that full‑factor support add wings to investment promotion, upholding the principle "the government revolves around enterprises, and enterprises' matters are handled immediately," focusing on enterprises' needs in financing, land use, etc., providing full‑process service in project attraction, approval, groundbreaking, and production, to the greatest extent safeguarding the enterprises' production environment.

In the evening, the municipal government hosted a banquet for the inspection team, with the entire municipal government leadership in attendance.

After the banquet ended, Lu Fan and Li Siwei had a private conversation in the room.