Chapter 580

Lu Fan said in a low voice: "Regarding false accusations and frame-ups, there is the sword of law hanging high and party discipline and regulations that bind, but in practice some reports and false accusations are hard to distinguish in the short term—whether it is a mistaken report by the whistleblower or intentional malfeasance—and it is also difficult to define without thorough investigation; this may bring a 'killing' effect to the person being reported. The so-called 'a letter, a few jiao, investigate for several years' 'spend eight mao, toss you for a year' refers to this situation."

Investigating the contents of these complaint letters thoroughly is no easy task; the organization will naturally verify them. Heaven's way turns, the heavens spare no one! On one hand, once verified, we must strictly investigate and deal with it, showing no leniency—those that should be transferred to judicial organs promptly, those that should receive disciplinary sanctions promptly. On the other hand, if it is truly false accusation and framing, the organization will allow public discussion and will not dampen cadres' enthusiasm and work passion.

No one is a sage; who can be without fault? To err and then correct is the greatest virtue. In the new era, cadres who make mistakes must be corrected and also given a way out. We may allow mistakes, but we must also examine the nature of the mistake—whether it causes harm and its severity—accurately grasp policy boundaries, and boldly tolerate those that should be tolerated.

Your current primary task is to successfully carry out the institutional reform of public institutions in Xiangyang City, a political task assigned by the Provincial Party Committee. I hope you adjust your mindset, raise your political stance, grasp the overall situation, bravely shoulder responsibility, using Nanyuan City as the standard, steadily advance the institutional reform at both municipal and county levels, achieving locality-appropriate, precise and efficient outcomes, optimizing grassroots institution setup, and ensuring high-quality completion of the city-wide public institution institutional reform.

Meanwhile, the reform leading group will emphasize strict disciplinary constraints; Lin Changping, director of the Supervision Room of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission, will go to Xiangyang City for on-site supervision to increase oversight and inspection efforts.

Comrade Ouyang Han, do you have the confidence and determination to complete this task well?

The knife is already at his throat—could Ouyang Han dare to say no? He looked firmly at Lu Fan and without hesitation replied: 'Please rest assured, Minister, I will strictly follow Nanyuan City's standards, the timetable and roadmap you have set, using hard measures to ensure hard tasks, see it through to the end, advancing resolutely and steadily, and in Xiangyang City wage an unprecedentedly intense battle to reform public institutions, not failing your expectations.'

After settling the 'ideological work' of the two Municipal Party Secretaries, Lu Fan returned to Nanyuan City, conducted work handover, and announced the Provincial Party Committee's appointment.

March 29, Nanyuan City held a leading cadres meeting, announcing the Provincial Party Committee's decision on the appointment and removal of the main leaders of the Municipal Party Committee and City Government. Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee member and Organization Department Head Lu Fan attended and spoke. Newly appointed Municipal Party Secretary Su Xiang Hai and newly nominated mayoral candidate Wang Hong made statements of position. The municipal four major leadership bodies, the leading officials present, and the heads of all counties/districts and municipal departments attended the meeting.

At the meeting, Deputy Minister of the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department Gao Shuo announced the Provincial Party Committee's decision: Comrade Su Xiang Hai appointed as member, Standing Committee member, and Secretary of the Nanyuan City Municipal Party Committee; Comrade Wang Hong nominated as mayoral candidate; Comrade Gao Bao appointed as Party Group Secretary of the Chairman of the Municipal CPPCC; Comrade Zhao Haorui appointed as Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee; Comrade Li Yuan appointed as Executive Vice Mayor; Comrade Dou Zhengyang appointed as Standing Committee member of the Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Wolong District Party Committee; Comrade Li Mu Ci appointed as Standing Committee member of the Municipal Party Committee and Vice Mayor; Comrade Liu Xianhao appointed as Standing Committee member of the Municipal Party Committee and Head of the Propaganda Department; Comrade Wu Dingzhe appointed as Standing Committee member of the Municipal Party Committee and Head of the United Front Work Department; Comrade Cha Jianyu appointed as Standing Committee member of the Municipal Party Committee and Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee; Comrades Xie Simín and Lu Jing are proposed as candidates for Vice Mayor of the City Government.

In his speech, Municipal Party Secretary Su Xiang Hai first thanked Minister Lu Fan for his historic contribution to Nanyuan City's development, expressing that the new leadership team will surely follow in Minister Lu's footsteps, fulfill duties conscientiously, work earnestly and practically, and through concrete actions repay the trust and support of the Provincial Party Committee and the Minister! Maintaining unity, carefully planning, diligently working, handling affairs impartially, acting prudently, with the goal of advancing economic and social transformation and enhancing people's livelihood welfare, to properly address the most concerning, direct, and realistic interests of the people.

In his statement, Mayor Wang Hong also expressed deep gratitude for Minister Lu Fan's major contribution to Nanyuan, saying that the people of Nanyuan will never forget Minister Lu's achievements!

Amid solemn and enthusiastic applause, Lu Fan rose and bowed deeply, speaking with deep feeling: 'Just now, Comrade Gao Shuo read out the Provincial Party Committee's decision; this adjustment of the main leaders of the Nanyuan Municipal Party Committee fully reflects the Provincial Party Committee's warm concern, full affirmation, and high regard for Nanyuan.'

Comrade Su Xiang Hai assumes the post of Municipal Party Secretary, and Comrade Wang Hong becomes Mayor; I am genuinely happy for them and wish them well. Over the years we have worked together, I have deeply felt that they are firm in belief, experienced, daring to take responsibility, pragmatic in style, and broad-minded—excellent cadres. After years of fighting side by side, I have forged deep comradeship with everyone. I believe that under the leadership of the Municipal Party Committee headed by Comrade Su Xiang Hai as its chief, all of Nanyuan's work will surely flourish and reach ever higher.

Personnel turnover is natural; what comes and goes becomes history. My few years of work in Nanyuan, placed in the city's long historical river, are but a snap of the fingers; yet for me, they are the most unforgettable, precious, and worthy of remembrance period of my life. On this fertile land, I have received the rarest tempering, the most comprehensive elevation, and the most abundant harvest—it is the people of Nanyuan who have nourished, cultivated, and shaped me.

I had hoped to reap a whisper of spring breeze, but Nanyuan gave me an entire spring. At this moment, facing familiar faces and recalling vivid past events, my feelings are mixed; I find it hard to say goodbye.

What is forever unforgettable is this lively, beautiful land with deep foundations; every scene of mountains and waters makes one reluctant to leave. Here not only are the mountains green and waters clear, but talent abounds and heroes gather. To be able to become a Nanyuan person, drawing spiritual nourishment, realizing self-worth, and promoting reform and development on this land of outstanding people and auspicious terrain is my fortune in life.

What is forever unforgettable is the warm-hearted, righteous, approachable and respectable people of Nanyuan. As long as we do even a little, they always give the most sincere encouragement in the simplest way; even if we fall short, they offer understanding and tolerance.

What is forever unforgettable is the daring, striving, capable and successful Nanyuan cadres. They have aspiration, ability, and responsibility; they fear no hardship, refuse to lose, and press forward bravely. Over these years, Nanyuan's cadres at all levels, for our shared pursuit and cause, have always wanted to be with me, work with me, share responsibility and bear pressure together, exert themselves fully and fight side by side; together they have weathered storms, seen rainbows, and reaped success.

What seems ordinary turns out extraordinarily great; what appears easy is actually arduous. Past events flash before my eyes like a movie—each item, each matter, each scene. At this moment, I sincerely thank everyone for their strong support, sincerely thank the city's cadres for their silent dedication, and sincerely thank the people of Nanyuan for their wholehearted contribution.

I also need to mention that during my few years as Municipal Party Secretary, because the work demanded high standards, heavy tasks, and a fast pace, you all endured much hardship and injustice while my concern for you was far insufficient; moreover, due to my blunt speech or mistakes made in the rush, I hurt some comrades. Today, taking this opportunity, I apologize to everyone and ask for your greater understanding and tolerance.

Today I am about to leave Nanyuan, and I naturally feel myriad reluctance. But I believe that if there is longing, there is watchfulness. My person may leave Nanyuan, but my heart will never depart from this fertile land. I will place all my beautiful feelings for Nanyuan in my heart, accompanying me through life and guiding me forward! And I will forever act as Nanyuan's 'cheer squad', constantly thinking of Nanyuan, paying attention to it, protecting it, feeling proud of every achievement, delighted by every change, and cheering every step of development.

Finally, I sincerely wish: may Nanyuan's undertakings prosper and thrive! May the people of Nanyuan be happy and healthy! May Nanyuan's tomorrow be even more beautiful!

As soon as his words fell, the entire audience rose, and the hall burst into thunderous applause, wave after wave, which could not subside for a long time.

Although everyone knows this day will come sooner or later, each person's face still involuntarily shows deep affection and strong reluctance.

In recent years, for Nanyuan it can be said without exaggeration that it has ushered in a historically unprecedented 'golden age' of a clean and upright atmosphere, integrity, and harmonious governance, and also a great transformation in the 'leapfrog' development of all of Nanyuan's undertakings—education, medical care, employment, urban construction, etc. —have achieved achieved tremendous progress noticeable to the world and substantial development.

And all these achievements have been seen by Nanyuan's cadres and masses, kept in mind. They know that Nanyuan's present is entirely achieved under the leadership of Secretary Lu Fan; it is precisely his unwillingness to shirk hard work, his diligent and effective efforts, that have led Nanyuan onto the broad road to prosperity and flourishing.

After the meeting ended, countless masses lined the streets waiting to bid farewell to the most beloved secretary in their hearts.

Lu Fan was 'afraid' of such a scene, so he deliberately stayed in his office until nightfall, separately giving urgent work instructions to Su Xiang Hai, Wang Hong, and Du Wenlong; even though he had relinquished the post of Municipal Party Secretary, his heart remained in Nanyuan.

At nine o'clock in the evening, as the lights were first lit, a sedan drove out of the Municipal Party Committee compound, carrying Lu Fan and Deputy Minister Gao Shuo, returning discreetly to the provincial capital.

But just as they left the Municipal Party Committee compound, Gao Shuo noticed the striking banners on both sides of the road and hurriedly said to Lu Fan: 'Minister, look outside—these are all the deep affection and sincere feelings of the Nanyuan people!'

'Secretary Lu, please come back often to visit!'

'Secretary Lu, Nanyuan will always be your home!'

'Secretary Lu, the people of Nanyuan will forever thank you!'

'Secretary Lu, without you, there would be no Nanyuan today!'

……

These heartfelt words, like a warm current, warmed Lu Fan's heart.

Today's banners have become the most splendid sight in Nanyuan City; even as the car neared the highway, the banners remained conspicuous, carrying the Nanyuan people's deep gratitude toward Secretary Lu, and in a unique way showing the world the Nanyuan people's affection for Secretary Lu.

At this moment, Lu Fan's eyes were already moist. Through the car window, he gazed deeply at the city to which he had devoted countless efforts and sweat, silently bidding farewell in his heart.