Chapter 574

On the 27th of the twelfth lunar month, Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee and Organization Department Head Lu Fan led the relevant leaders of the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department, Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security, Provincial Health Commission, and Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine to Zhongjing National Medicine University to visit and console the faculty and students, extending holiday greetings and best wishes.

Party Committee Secretary and Principal Zhang Bolii, together with other school leaders, accompanied the visit and reported to Lu Fan on the school's curriculum setup and the overall plan for building a Double First-Class university.

Lu Fan thanked Principal Zhang Bolii and Zhongjing National Medicine University for their outstanding contributions to the development of traditional Chinese medicine in Splendid Origin Province, stating that TCM is a treasure of the Chinese nation, hoping the school would leverage its distinctive advantages, accelerate the construction of a Double First-Class university, and make greater contributions to building a TCM-strong province, serving local economic and social development.

As the visit was about to end, Lu Fan smiled and said to the accompanying leaders, "I specially invited you here; at least give some supportive policies so that Zhongjing National Medicine University can develop better and faster!"

The leaders had "posed a question," and everyone wanted to give a "perfect score" answer—who wouldn't be given policies and funds? Gaining the favor and approval of the Organization Department Head, why not?

Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security Director Fan Jiari said, "Minister, Principal Zhang, the department will continue to increase funding for the construction of the Southern Garden TCM Talent Market, helping to build a TCM talent service platform that is 'based in Splendid Origin, radiating to the Central Plains, and facing the nation,' and promote Southern Garden's development into a 'national TCM highland.'"

Furthermore, the department will further increase the delegation of authority for professional title evaluation, supporting Southern Garden in achieving autonomous assessment of intermediate professional titles, and supporting the faculty team construction of Zhongjing National Medicine University.

Lu Fan smiled and said, "Principal Zhang Bolii, remember what he said; after the new year, you must closely monitor and implement each point one by one."

Zhang Bolii smiled and replied, "Please rest assured, Minister; after the Spring Festival, I will go to the Department of Human Resources and Social Security at the earliest opportunity to report on work."

Director Wang Zhiguo of the Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine said, "Minister, the administration plans to, within one to two years, help Zhongjing National Medicine University cultivate 20 leading talents in the TCM discipline, 100 outstanding talents, and 500 promising talents, thereby enriching the pool of subsidized experts, national TCM mentors, nationally outstanding TCM clinical talents, foundational TCM outstanding talents, provincial renowned TCM physicians, provincial innovative talents, and provincial and municipal academic and technical leaders—180 in total—to establish renowned senior TCM experts and TCM academic school inheritance studios, and to increase financial support."

Upon hearing these words, Principal Zhang Bolii's eyes lit up and he couldn't stop smiling.

After Provincial Health Commission Director Wang He expressed his stance, Lu Fan again instructed Zhang Bolii: "Everyone's support is strong; you must increase coordination efforts, and must not let their promises become 'empty checks'!"

Southern Garden is the hometown of the "Medical Sage," and also a major city in the TCM cultural industry; behind it lies the profound accumulation of Southern Garden's TCM undertakings. Looking to the future, the TCM cause needs education to achieve continuous inheritance. Having undergone nearly forty years of vicissitudes, Zhongjing National Medicine University has been reborn, which is of great significance for promoting Zhongjing culture and advancing the high-quality development of Southern Garden's TCM industry. You must safeguard the "root" and "soul" of Zhongjing National Medicine University for Southern Garden and Splendid Origin.

Southern Garden is a renowned TCM city and the world's mugwort hometown; could the university consider establishing an Artemisia industry college, so that the "Wan Ai" brand resounds in academic circles, while extensively carrying out academic research and activities to help promote Southern Garden's development into a renowned TCM city.

Furthermore, I will settle the financial issue; the school's second phase can now commence construction. In planning and design, we must adhere to people-centered, scientific planning, improve functional layout, and create a new landmark for Nanyang. We must fully highlight Zhongjing culture, do well in greening and beautification, rationally arrange the planting of medicinal herbs, elevate taste and grade, and meet the diverse needs of faculty and students.

Principal Zhang Bolii and other school leaders fully felt the minister's deep concern and support for the school, expressing their determination to do their utmost to build Zhongjing National Medicine University into a Double First-Class university.

Returning to the province, Lu Fan again visited and consoled some veteran party members, model workers, disabled households, and five-guarantee households, finally concluding this year's work and heading home for the New Year.

On the twenty-ninth of the twelfth lunar month, upon exiting the airport, Lu Fan saw his younger sister Lu Yao coming to pick him up, looking shy and fidgety, because Chen Xu was accompanying her.

After meeting, Lu Fan laughed and said, "Every year I come to pick you up; finally I see the 'returning money.' Did you finally decide to come back early this year?"

Lu Yao coquettishly said, "Brother, picking you up still doesn't make me angry!"

Lu Fan smiled and greeted Chen Xu, "Thank you for your trouble; my younger sister has been spoiled by me, she's rather willful, so please bear with her!"

Chen Xu quickly said, "Brother, Yao Yao is very sensible and excellent; I will surely take good care of her!"

"Brother, how can you belittle your sister like that! Where am I willful?" Lu Yao became unhappy again.

"Alright, let's get in the car; it's freezing, we can chat slowly on the way home."

After getting in the car, Chen Xu asked, "Brother, where are we going?"

"To the Northern Headquarters Hutong; first we'll see Grandfather, then go home."

After the car started, Chen Xu asked, "Brother, my parents asked me to seek your opinion; could we meet during this holiday to settle my engagement with Yao Yao?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Yao blushed, stared intently out the window, but perked up her ears to listen to her brother's reply.

Lu Fan smiled and said, "Let's set the date for the third day of the first lunar month; we'll keep things simple. I'll discuss it with Grandfather later, and we can hold the engagement ceremony at his place—it's more spacious."

Chen Xu happily said, "Okay, brother, we will certainly not lose propriety!"

Lu Yao breathed a sigh of relief, but instantly became bashful, lowering her gaze, her face flushed crimson, and remained silent.

Arriving at the Northern Headquarters Hutong, Lu Fan got out of the car and had Chen Xu take his sister for a stroll.

In the living room, Li Lao and father-in-law Li Mingzhou were receiving guests, with the Ministry of Transportation's Mo Xuan and the Ministry of Natural Resources' Tian Shanchu seated there.

Upon seeing Lu Fan enter, they both warmly greeted him.

Lu Fan is now vastly different from before; not only is he the Organization Department Head of the Provincial Party Committee, but he also has striking achievements, a bright future, and an unusually rapid rise, leaving them no choice but to take notice.

After chatting for over ten minutes, the two rose to take their leave.

After the guests left, Li Lao laughed and said to Lu Fan, "Finally we've reached a trillion‑yuan GDP, Xiao Fan; this report card is no small feat—far stronger than your father's!"

Li Mingzhou laughed and said, "Being stronger than me is a good thing—the student surpasses the master! Lu Fan, with this achievement, you will soon catch up to me, and surpassing me is only a matter of time!"

Lu Fan hurriedly replied, "I'm still far behind; there are many immature aspects that need Grandfather and Father to frequently point out and criticize."

Li Mingzhou said, "Lu Fan possesses a resolute and modest character, yet acts with boldness and great vigor, capable of deliberating before acting and persevering to achieve far‑reaching goals—truly rare!"

Li Lao said, "Xiao Fan, your institutional reform of public institutions has attracted widespread attention; many leaders are watching it. This matter could be even more important than hitting a trillion‑yuan GDP. If done well, it would be a huge 'bonus item,' its importance self‑evident. You must seize it; when faced with man‑made obstacles, kick them away—be ruthless when needed, and never show leniency."

Li Mingzhou echoed, "Lu Fan, your grandfather is right: to achieve great deeds one needs not only extraordinary talent but also unyielding perseverance; in planning great undertakings, the primary consideration is the big picture—occupying the place where clouds rise, embracing the flow of great rivers. Moreover, one must not fuss over trivialities; when dealing with 'roadblock tigers' and 'stumbling stones,' one should be as merciless as the autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves. Many eyes are on you; showing mercy to enemies is cruelty toward oneself."

Having finished the political indoctrination, Lu Fan said, "Grandfather, Father, I plan to hold an engagement banquet for Lu Yao and Chen Xu on the third day of the first lunar month; what do you think?"

Li Lao laughed and said, "You are Yao Yao's parent; for such a major matter you should take the lead, we'll just lend a hand and handle the logistics."

Lu Fan added, "My home is small; I need to borrow your place."

Li Lao said, "You don't need to worry about these; I'll arrange everything properly, guaranteeing no breach of etiquette—just confirm the number of guests."

Lu Fan considered and said, "Later I'll call my second uncle and invite a few close friends; it should be about ten people. Tomorrow I'll check again to see how many from Chen Xu's side will come. According to our local custom, Secretary Hong Tao is the matchmaker and will definitely come. My idea is to keep things simple: the two families formally meet, and everything follows the matchmaker's arrangements."

Li Lao nodded and said, "Given his relationship with Deming, he will certainly come—excellent! Xiao Fan, what specific ideas do you have for your next post?"

Upon hearing this, Li Mingzhou also became attentive, his gaze turning to his son‑in‑law.

Lu Fan thought and replied, "I've considered this matter; it's basically the Executive Deputy Provincial Governor, or even better if I could directly become Deputy Secretary. However, I've only held my current position for half a year; the urgent priority is to devote myself fully to the institutional reform of public institutions."

Li Lao nodded and said, "Don't be overly ambitious, but also prepare for the future. Xiao Fan, don't consider the Executive Deputy Provincial Governor—it's not significant. My advice is to strive wholeheartedly for the Deputy Secretary position, then take on a concurrent post, such as Organization or Political and Legal Affairs; if you could also serve as the Secretary of the Xingjun Municipal Party Committee, that would be ideal."

Lu Fan sighed, "Grandfather, that's probably very difficult!"

Li Lao replied lightly, "It's up to people; holding a concurrent post for just one or two years is enough, and there are precedents. The richer your résumé, the greater your competitiveness for the governorship."

"Thank you for your guidance, Grandfather; I will strive in this direction."

Returning home, night had already fallen; his son rushed over for a toy, and Lu Fan had prepared in advance, never disappointing his child when he came home.

Li Zimeng and Lu Yao were chatting animatedly; upon seeing Lu Fan enter, they happily asked, "Husband, is it really the third day of the twelfth lunar month that we're holding the engagement banquet for Yao Yao?"

Lu Fan laughed and said, "I just discussed this with Grandfather and Father; they were both pleased, and the engagement banquet will be at Grandfather's place—finally marrying off this sister!"

"Brother, are you really in such a hurry to push me out?"

Lu Fan joked, "I'm almost worried sick; just take a look at how old you are!"