Chapter 490

February 13, Mayor Lu Fan inspected the commercial complex project in Wolong District; cranes stood in rows on the construction site, sparks flew, a scene of bustling construction.

Wolong District Party Secretary Li Yuan reported that the commercial complex project invests 3 billion yuan, and upon completion it is expected to generate annual sales revenue of 3.5 billion yuan, tax and profit of over 30 million yuan, and indirectly drive employment for over 5,000 people; once completed, the project will become a new landmark of Nanyuan City.

In the afternoon, Lu Fan arrived at the construction site of the new materials green packaging project in Neixiang County; machines roared, workers worked overtime to push progress, and the factory buildings changed day by day.

The project leader remarked with feeling: 'Before, businesses revolved around the government; now the government pushes businesses to run. The leading officials of the county Party committee and county government have come to the site multiple times to work and solve problems, doing their utmost for enterprise development.'

Before the Spring Festival had even ended, Neixiang County's 60 above-scale industrial enterprises such as Muyuan and paper industry, along with 33 key projects, had all resumed work and production, sounding the springtime advance of 'striving for orders, rushing production'.

On the land of Nanyuan, a song of vigorous progress rang out: the second-phase power plant project with total investment of 6 billion yuan was in full swing, the restoration project hub was being pushed forward, Xiejia County's turbocharger housing project with an annual capacity of 2 million units was operating at full throttle, and a batch of quality projects—the high-tech zone's CNC equipment with total investment of 10 billion yuan, the power battery with 5.8 billion yuan, and the new energy electromechanical equipment with 5.2 billion yuan—successively landed in Nanyuan, helping to strengthen the city's leading industries.

Mayor Lu Fan emphasized during the inspection that major projects are the 'ballast stone' stabilizing economic operation and the 'hard support' driving high-quality development. Nanyuan must practice the 'project-first' concept, with a forward-only fighting spirit, grasp projects tightly and implement them swiftly, and the growth rate of major economic indicators must remain first in the province!

With Lu Fan's personal involvement, Nanyang 'leapt up to pick peaches,' actively planning to attract a batch of big and good projects, forming the magnificent scene of 'big and small pearls falling onto a jade plate,' depicting a development curve of steady progress.

On February 20, Lu Fan personally stepped in to coordinate; in just 15 days, the outlet project with total investment of 5.6 billion yuan landed in the urban-rural integration demonstration zone—describing it as 'nanny-style service' is no exaggeration.

On March 1, Governor Tang Bing inspected the construction of key projects in Nanyuan City. Nanyuan attached great importance to it, and Mayor Lu Fan personally arranged the reception.

The first inspection point was the Advanced Manufacturing Development Zone, which once had a small area, weak functions, and poor foundations—an obscure development zone—but within a month it had attracted two world 'Fortune 500' companies and three central state-owned enterprises.

In the workshop of Precision Machinery Co., Ltd., workers worked in three shifts to push progress, and the constant urging calls from clients became the company's 'sweet trouble'.

Tang Bing nodded satisfied, smiling as he said to Lu Fan: 'Nanyuan has indeed undergone earth-shaking changes; in the first quarter, your fixed-asset investment, GDP growth, and investment promotion—several key economic indicators—are very likely to take the lead!'

Lu Fan hurriedly said: 'Nanyuan's achievements are thanks to your strong support, Governor! This year, the provincial government supported over 600 infrastructure projects in Nanyuan, which is the key to our fixed-asset investment ranking first in the province!'

Governor, to ensure that attracted projects land quickly, start production soon, and take effect promptly, Nanyuan has benchmarked against domestic first-class standards and established at high specification the Municipal Party Committee's Committee for Optimizing the Business Environment; I serve as director, with the deputy municipal Party secretary, the municipal Discipline Inspection Committee secretary, the municipal Political and Legal Committee secretary, the executive vice mayor, and the Organization Department head as deputy directors, and the business environment office is placed under the Political and Legal Committee.

We have anchored ourselves to achieve the provincial goal of 'guaranteeing second place and striving for first' in economic growth, breaking down tasks, clarifying responsibilities, enforcing strict rewards and penalties, mobilizing the whole city's efforts, putting in extraordinary effort; our first battle is to secure an 'opening red,' ensure a 'year-long red,' and shoulder the mission of 'shouldering the heavy load and being the vanguard' in the province!

After lunch, Tang Bing had a private conversation with Lu Fan in the hotel room.

After discussing work for a while, Tang Bing said: 'Lu Fan, Secretary Guangqi may be transferred to a different post.'

Lu Fan was not surprised by this and had long been prepared; without hesitation he replied: 'Governor, your work is rigorous, you forge ahead with vigor, and you strive diligently; your achievements are evident to all. On behalf of Nanyuan City, I express that under your leadership, Huayuan Province will surely unite as one, pool our efforts, be pragmatic and resolute, forge ahead bravely, achieve new accomplishments, and create even greater glory!'

Tang Bing smiled, a flash of relief in his eyes, and said: 'Lu Fan, no matter what position you hold, I will continue to support your work wholeheartedly. I believe that with our joint efforts, Huayuan Province will surely welcome a better tomorrow! These days I plan to visit Li Lao; please ask him for me when he is free.'

'Okay, I thank the Governor on behalf of my grandfather for his concern!'

In the afternoon, Governor Tang Bing went to the urban-rural integration demonstration zone to inspect the preparatory work for the 'Zhang Zhongjing National Medicine University.'

Lu Fan reported: 'Governor, the preliminary procedures for the National Medicine University have all been completed; Phase One plans to occupy 3,000 mu, with construction scheduled to start this month, aiming to begin enrollment in the autumn of next year. It adopts a retro architectural style, integrating the essence of traditional Chinese medicine science and unifying with the human spirit, striving to build a first-rate higher education institution for TCM scientific research and education. At the same time, Nanyuan is mobilizing the entire city to build the 'Capital of World Traditional Chinese Medicine,' with planned projects including the world's largest traditional Chinese medicinal materials trading center and the nation's largest bases for TCM decoction pieces, extracts, and health beverages.'

Tang Bing nodded in satisfaction and said: 'The Zhang Zhongjing National Medicine University is of great significance for promoting Zhongjing culture and consolidating Nanyuan's development advantages; it can drive the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine in our province, and the provincial Party committee and government will tilt policies and funds toward it. Next, you must focus on key links, apply self-pressure, keep eyes on deadlines, and complete Phase One with high quality and high standards, ensuring the project becomes a premium project, achieving timely enrollment for the school, and helping Nanyuan achieve high-quality, efficient leapfrog development.'

After dinner, Governor Tang Bing returned to the provincial government; the purpose of this trip had been fulfilled.

One day later, Deputy Provincial Party Secretary Liu Linghao went to Nanyuan City to inspect agricultural project construction.

Liu Linghao's entourage first visited the national-level regional test station for crop varieties and the high-standard farmland project, going deep into the fields, bending down to examine crop growth, and carefully learning about pest and disease control and the implementation of high-standard farmland construction.

Lu Fan reported: 'Secretary, Nanyuan's main agricultural focus this year is cultivating the 'five specials'—flowers, medicine, fruit, fungi, and tea—to enhance the creation of a city with ten million mu of high-standard permanent basic farmland, a city with ten million heads of livestock and poultry breeding, a city with a hundred-billion-yuan level agricultural processing industry, and a city with a thousand demonstration villages for rural revitalization, accelerating the push for high-efficiency agriculture, livable and business-friendly countryside, and prosperous villagers.'

Liu Linghao said: 'Nanyuan is the core production area of the national grain food security strategic project and an important national base for agricultural product production, famed as the 'Central State Granary'; this is a lifeline that cannot be relaxed at any moment. Lu Fan, come with me to have a look there.'

Lu Fan immediately understood, dismissed the attendants, and followed Liu Linghao's steps.

Strolling through the fields, Liu Linghao said: 'Is Secretary Guangqi about to leave soon?'

Lu Fan did not conceal it, nodded and said: 'I heard from my grandfather that he should be leaving.'

Liu Linghao added: 'Lu Fan, let's not talk empty words; Li Lao still needs a few kind words from you!'

Lu Fan replied: 'Please rest assured, Secretary; I will give my full support to you!'

Liu Linghao began 'painting big pies,' saying: 'For me, this might be the last opportunity. Lu Fan, if I go to the provincial government, I will try to tilt policies and funds toward Nanyuan as much as possible.'

Lu Fan replied with a smile: 'Secretary, your support and help for me have always been wholehearted; I know the priorities!'

Liu Linghao asked again: 'After you take office as municipal Party secretary, who do you plan to have succeed you as mayor?'

Lu Fan thought and replied: 'Based on seniority and ability, I intend to recommend Deputy Party Secretary Su Xiang Hai as mayor, Executive Vice Mayor Wang Hong to be adjusted to deputy Party secretary, Zhao Haorui to be adjusted to executive vice mayor, Political and Legal Committee Secretary Yang Jiānjiàn to be adjusted to a standing committee vice mayor, have Public Security Bureau Director Tian Xuan transferred to the Political and Legal Committee, and promote Deputy Bureau Chief Kong Yongjie to director of the Public Security Bureau.'

Liu Linghao nodded and said: 'Very reasonable, I support it!'

……

The two enjoyed a conversation lasting over half an hour, reaching consensus on many aspects.

After lunch, Liu Linghao returned to the province; this trip down was specifically made to have a chat with Lu Fan.

On March 5, at the critical moment of 'kicking off the first quarter,' Mayor Lu Fan led a team to the Greater Bay Area investment promotion conference, personally acting as the 'recommender.' At the meeting, they signed agreements for 40 projects, with contracted investment of 75 billion yuan.

Next, Lu Fan led a team to inspect advanced regions such as Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and the Yangtze River Delta, visiting CRRC, Midea, China Resources and other Fortune 500 companies, achieving a series of cooperation.

The principal Party and government officials of all counties, cities, and districts actively went out to attract investment, through meeting locals, visiting enterprises, seeking leads, and discussing projects, vigorously promoting the 'six-skins' investment spirit advocated by Mayor Lu Fan—being thick-headed, thick-skinned, wearing out one's lips, wearing out one's shoes, being hungry, and unable to close one's eyes—opening a new landscape for investment and locking in a batch of projects over ten billion yuan.

Either they are attracting investment or on the way to do so—this has become the routine work of all levels of cadres in Nanyang City. It is precisely in this 'striving' posture that numerous renowned enterprises and merchants have come in succession, and many quality projects have been signed and landed one after another. In just one quarter, Nanyuan City held three centralized signing events, signing 309 projects worth over 100 million yuan each, with total investment of 230 billion yuan. In the provincial comprehensive evaluation of key projects, Nanyuan ranks first in the province!

Heaven rewards diligence; sweat turns to gold. Building nests attracts phoenixes; strong winds are good for raising sails. Now, walking across the land of Nanyuan, one is greeted by the rolling tide of project construction, and everywhere one feels the strong atmosphere of 'big investment attraction, attracting good investment.'