Chapter 586

April 28, Lu Fan and Tang Bing, the secretary, took leave, returned to Yan City to handle his sister Lu Fan's wedding arrangements; in the province he only requested Tang Bing, the secretary, Governor Liu Linghao, Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary Zhao Lingyun, Executive Deputy Provincial Governor Huang Chongzhou, and Political and Legal Committee Secretary Wang Jinwu.

April 29, Chen Deming and his wife paid a visit, arrived at the headquarters hutong, Wang Hongtao accompanied them, to discuss wedding-related matters.

Lu Fan's opinion was that the wedding should be simple and low-key.

But Chen Deming disagreed, saying this was a proper match; even if not ostentatious, at the very least they should hold a decent wedding, and not wrong Lu Yao.

Wang Hongtao combined both opinions and said: "Lu Fan, I understand your point, but marriage is a major matter; we cannot rush it, we don't need to worry too much. Like this, Honghai is free these two days with nothing to do; let him take full charge of the wedding, and you all don't need to interfere,"

Chen Deming was not polite with Wang Hongtao; after years of association, he regarded Wang Hongtao as more important than his own son.

After briefly discussing the wedding, Chen Deming proactively brought up the institutional reform of public institutions in Huayuan Province, saying that this topic had recently topped the trending lists, attracting widespread attention and heated discussion nationwide, and demanded that Lu Fan must summarize the successful experience well and strive to promote the reform results across the country.

Lu Fan reported: "The reform of public institutions in Huayuan follows the principle of 'first put in place, then streamline; first operate, then improve.' Provincial-level departments are streamlined according to the '541' ratio, city and county levels according to the '431' ratio, with director-level leadership positions cut by 10% and division-level leadership positions cut by 25%. Provincial-level departments will no longer retain public institutions with section-level status and staffing of 16 or fewer; city and county levels will be reduced to fewer than 10 people."

The reclaimed public institution staffing is tilted toward high-quality development, key livelihood sectors, and frontline grassroots, but will be reduced by over 20% in total. The current practice belongs to 'one big cut' and 'whipping the fast ox'; there will surely be unreasonable and incomplete aspects, which is the focus of the next step of reform.

Wang Hongtao said: "No reform, no mistakes, but we must bear historical responsibility. Huayuan's reform has entered the tough area and deep water area, requiring both political courage and boldness as well as wisdom and systematic knowledge. Pilot programs naturally need exploration; during exploration, we need to clear mines, remove thorns, and may get caught on thorns. Do not fear mistakes; discovering problems, raising problems, analyzing problems, and solving problems is the correct working method. We must move forward, we must dare to try, only then can we properly fulfill the roles of the reform's 'vanguard' and 'scouts'."

Chen Deming pointedly said: "Proactively go to demanding posts and important work to temper oneself, dare to take on the heaviest burdens, dare to handle 'hot potatoes,' dare to gnaw the 'hardest bones,' dare to brandish the sword on major issues of principle, and press forward in difficult contradictions—only then is one the good cadre the organization needs."

Hongtao, you must sharpen your discerning eye for employing people like a Bo Le, truly supporting those who in arduous, dangerous, heavy work roll up their sleeves, work hard, step up, and hold their ground—giving the capable a place and letting the responsible take responsibility.

Wang Hongtao nodded but did not express his stance.

May 1 morning, Chen Xu arrived enthusiastically at Lu Fan's home to fetch the bride; the wedding cars were all Audis, a standard considered very shabby in Yan City, but who would care about such things?

At ten o'clock, the Lu Fan family arrived at the State Guest Hall banquet hall, where the grandeur, demeanor, and high-end nature of a great nation were fully displayed.

Lu Fan and his second uncle were naturally seated at the main table, beside them sat Chen Deming and his wife, as well as Li Lao, Chen Jiazhong, Wang Hongtao, Zhou Xi, Liu Congfeng, Guo Mingxiong, Li Guoquan, and Li Mingzhou.

Tang Bing, Liu Linghao, Huang Chongzhou, and Wang Jinwu sat to the side, sharing in the honor—how fortunate, how blessed.

Wang Honghai, Zhao Lingyun, Si Daiqiang, Chen Jianfei, Wang Gang, and Bai Chengzhi served as 'greeters,' escorting each guest to their seats.

The wedding scene was magnificent and full of romantic atmosphere; the sister wore a spotless white wedding gown like snow, held a bouquet of flowers, resembling a princess, her face beaming with unsurpassed happiness and sweet smiles. Meanwhile, Chen Xu, standing beside the sister, gazed affectionately at his bride, his eyes full of tenderness and love.

This wedding was high-end, impressive, and tasteful, understated yet luxurious with substance, truly a gathering of distinguished guests.

Seeing his sister finally find happiness, Lu Fan felt genuine joy and relief, a satisfied smile on his face, his heart filled with hopes for her future beautiful life.

One matter settled, after the wedding Lu Fan had a long talk with Li Lao and Li Mingzhou, the sole topic being how to contend for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Huayuan Provincial Party Committee.

Li Mingzhou said with slight concern: "The Huayuan deputy secretary is now a hot position, many people are eyeing it, including cadres from Qinchuan, South Ridge, and South Kingdom, and as I know, some deputy posts in ministries are also vying for it."

Li Lao said: "Chen Deming's attitude is very clear; you all heard what he said that day. Wang Hongtao has always respected Chen Deming, so he will certainly value his opinion. These past few days I have been meeting with Chen Deming, hoping he can exert some influence on Chen Jiazhong, Zhou Xi, and Liu Congfeng; Xiao Fan's matter then has a high chance of being achieved."

Lu Fan asked: "Grandfather, Huang Chongzhou is very keen on the deputy secretary post, he has specially communicated with me, hoping I would support him. If I end up getting the position, I worry he will bear a grudge."

Li Lao said calmly: "Tomorrow I will talk with him; one must have self-awareness! Xiao Fan, forever remember: those who accomplish great things keep it in mind, are quick to act, act on matters, and do not scheme among the crowd! Moreover, one must have the spirit of decisive killing, anchor the goal and strive to overcome difficulties, seize the banner and advance courageously, and not be easily disturbed by external influences."

"I will keep my grandfather's teachings in mind!"

May 3, Lu Fan returned to Huayuan, personally making arrangements; the director of the Institutional Organization Office, Zhao Lingyun, and the deputy head of the Organization Department, Wang Zhaowen, would come to Huayuan to investigate the institutional reform of public institutions.

May 4, Zhao Lingyun, Wang Zhaowen and their team arrived in Huayuan Province to investigate the public institution reform; Secretary Tang Bing and Organization Department Head Lu Fan accompanied them.

Lu Fan selected the investigation points as the Provincial Market Supervision Bureau and Nanyuan City, which are the most thoroughly reformed department and city-county in the province.

In Nanyuan, the investigation team thoroughly understood the main practices, highlights, and results of the public institution's structural reform, as well as the problems existing in the reform; they conducted in-depth discussion and research on common issues such as the consumption of self-funded personnel, the establishment and use of the public institution staffing turnover pool, and the integration of public institutions under different funding formats, and fully affirmed Nanyuan City's reform work.

May 5, the investigation team held a symposium; Secretary Tang Bing, representing the Huayuan Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government investigation team, expressed welcome and thanked the Organization Department and the Institutional Organization Office for their long-standing support of Huayuan's work.

Organization Department Head Lu Fan reported on the progress of Huayuan's public institution institutional reform, saying: "Huayuan's 'delegation, management, service' reform is solid and effective, administrative system reform continues to deepen, public institution classification reform is actively advancing, streamlining efforts have shown clear results, provincial-level administrative approval items have been reduced from 812 to 288, a cut of 65%, and the power and responsibility lists for provincial, municipal, and county levels have been formulated and published. The ongoing reform work proceeds with provincial-level public institutions following the '541' standard, meaning a 50% reduction in public institutions and a 40% reduction in public institution staffing……"

After hearing the report, Wang Zhaowen gave full affirmation to Huayuan's public institution institutional reform, and pointed out that the classification reform of Huayuan's public institutions should be said to have presented many new highlights, forging a new path suited to Huayuan's public institution reform. They achieved systemic research, dual-handed coordinated promotion—one hand grasping cleanup and standardization, the other revitalizing existing institutional resources. The research is deep and thorough, especially the reform of public institutions undertaking administrative functions, which leads the nation, setting a benchmark; the 'Huayuan experience' should be promoted nationwide!

Director Zhao Lingyun emphasized that public institution reform is a requirement for advancing governance capacity and modernizing the governance system. Huayuan has taken a step ahead in institutional organization and public institution reform, with many works leading the nation, creating excellent experience. Especially the principle of 'first put in place, then streamline; first operate, then improve' is worthy of nationwide promotion.

After the investigation team returned to Yan City, several important documents were issued: 'Opinions on the Classification of Public Institutions,' 'Opinions on the Reform of Public Institutions Undertaking Administrative Functions,' and 'Opinions on Innovative Management of Public Institution Institutional Organization,' all of which coincidentally mentioned the term 'Huayuan experience'.

May 10, the topic 'Huayuan No Longer Retains Section-Level Public Institutions' surged to the top of Weibo's hot search list.

May 11, the Huayuan Provincial Party Committee Organization Department announced the 'Top Ten Cases of Huayuan Provincial System Reform,' reporting that across the province a total of 2,725 public institutions were streamlined, and over 80,000 public institution staff positions were reclaimed……

As more reform details were reported, Huayuan's institutional reform gradually became a hot topic of discussion among netizens nationwide, with everyone discussing how Huayuan's reform 'has gotten real'!

The laypeople watch the excitement, while insiders look for the deeper meaning. Lu Fan is the 'operator' of Huayuan's public institution reform; now, with widespread publicity of Huayuan's reform, many officials realize that the position of Huayuan Provincial Party Committee deputy secretary is about to be settled.

Executive Deputy Provincial Governor Huang Chongzhou proactively sought out Lu Fan, clearly stated his stance, and supported Lu Fan's bid for the Provincial Party Committee deputy secretary position.

May 15, the Discipline Inspection Committee released a notice that Li Mingyang is suspected of serious violations of discipline and law, and is currently undergoing disciplinary review and supervisory investigation by the Discipline Inspection Committee and Supervisory Commission.

At the same time, the deputy director of the Second Supervision and Inspection Office and a first-level inspector were expelled from the Party and removed from public office for serious violations of discipline and law, with Du Wenlong filling the vacancy. The news is minor, but its significance is major.