Chapter 595

Lu Fan thought for a moment and said: 'Human greed knows no bounds! Tell him we can only settle personal requests; cadre adjustments will be fully considered by the Provincial Party Committee.'

Zou Weipeng replied: 'Okay, Secretary, I'll communicate with him again.'

Lu Fan also said: 'The two offices may not be possible; the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee offers a better chance.'

'Getting into the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee isn't that easy; he should be satisfied! Secretary, I'd like to discuss my personal matter with you—I've worked in the Organization Department for ten years, previously at the municipal and county levels; if there's an opportunity, please promote me!'

Lu Fan smiled and said: 'Wanting to advance is good; I understand your situation—your seniority and ability are not problematic, I will give it careful consideration.'

Zou Weipeng exclaimed: 'Thank you very much for your concern, Secretary; finding suitable people is increasingly difficult, thank you for your trouble—just let me know if you need anything!'

Lu Fan said earnestly: 'Weipeng, you are at least the Deputy Head of the Organization Department; if they demote you, I won't get past this hurdle! This adjustment is the top leaders' decision, positions are few, so we won't contest it. Rest assured, I have your matter in mind.'

After work, Lu Fan took Gao Shuo to the Provincial First Reception; Municipal Party Secretary of Nanyuan City Su Xiang Hai had already reserved a spot.

Upon entering the private room, they found Organization Department Head Zhu Xinlan and Municipal Party Committee Secretary-General Cha Jianyu also present; Lu Fan was in a good mood, and he found the Nanyuan cadres pleasing to the eye.

The cold dishes were already served; Lu Fan raised his glass and said: 'First, let's agree—today we limit ourselves to two bottles, and there's a meeting tomorrow morning.'

Su Xiang Hai laughed and said: 'Work is important, Secretary, feel free—let's cheers!'

After three rounds of drinks, Lu Fan said: 'We're all insiders; Nanyuan City has a vacant Vice Mayor position, I intend to nominate Chang Zhichao from She County. Additionally, the Provincial Development and Reform Commission has a vacant deputy director post; let's see if Xiao Yun has a chance.'

Su Xiang Hai immediately suggested: 'Secretary, Cheng Haohao has done well in Zhenping; I recommend transferring him to be the Party Secretary of She County.'

Lu Fan shook his head and said: 'Cadre training must be gradual; we shouldn't rush. Let him settle further. I propose that the Party Secretary of She County be succeeded by County Chief Wang Pan; the head of the Municipal Investment Promotion Bureau, Ren Hanqing, should go to She County as County Chief. If Xiao Yun can go to the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, then County Chief Li Qian should take over as Party Secretary, and Ma Yang would go down to serve as County Chief.'

Su Xiang Hai asked again: 'Secretary, please instruct on the candidates for the Municipal Education Bureau director and the Municipal Investment Promotion Bureau director.'

Lu Fan smiled and said: 'What do you need me, the Municipal Party Secretary, for? Decide it yourselves.'

Lu Fan reaped abundant rewards in Nanyuan, thanks to the strong support of comrades; cadres who have exerted effort under him will surely be advocated for when opportunities arise—but only for county Party secretaries, county chiefs, and the heads of the dozen or so municipal departments; as for the positions vacated after promoting these people, Lu Fan does not intend to intervene further.

After a year of observation, Su Xiang Hai also generally understood the secretary's intent and identified his own scope of authority. Having been promoted by Lu Fan, he could not act against Lu Fan's wishes—especially since Lu Fan is now the Deputy Provincial Party Secretary and Organization Department Head, requiring even more obedient compliance.

The next day at work, Lu Fan went to the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee to 'pay a visit'.

Zhao Lingyun was reviewing documents; upon seeing Lu Fan enter, he rose to greet him and personally made tea.

Sitting on the sofa, Lu Fan spoke directly: 'The matter you assigned is making progress; the Provincial Justice Department director still has a few months before retirement, I had someone talk to him and raised a condition—his son works in Yingjun City at the deputy division level; can you arrange a position for him?'

Zhao Lingyun laughed: 'Trading a small favor for a big one—what's the problem? Thanks! Is there any issue with Lin Changping's deputy secretary?'

Lu Fan replied: 'I'll find a way to make it work, but you need to support me and share the same fate.'

Zhao Lingyun said bluntly: 'Rest assured, I guarantee to follow your lead; you can fully represent my views!'

Back in the office, Zou Weipeng came to report; the Justice Department director was very pleased with his son going to the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee and agreed to early retirement.

After securing the position, Lu Fan began personally handling the plan; such a major matter cannot be delegated.

Mayor Lei Xingxing of Zhoujiakou City is proposed to be transferred as Municipal Party Secretary of Sanmen City; Deputy Secretary-General Li Bowen of the Provincial Government is proposed to be transferred as Mayor of Zhoujiakou City; Deputy Secretary Fang Yang of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee is proposed to be transferred as Director of the Provincial Justice Department; Director Lin Changping of the First Supervision Room of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee is proposed to be transferred as Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee; the Director of the Provincial Government Supervision Office is proposed to be promoted to Deputy Secretary-General of the Provincial Government; Party Secretary Chang Zhichao of She County is proposed to be promoted to Vice Mayor of Nanyuan City; and Party Secretary Xiao Yun of Xijia County is proposed to be promoted to Deputy Director of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission.

As for the two vacant County Party Secretary positions in Nanyuan, Lu Fan continues to hold off, to avoid criticism; besides, no one else can squeeze in anyway, so he'll leave them for the next round of staffing.

At 5:10 p. m., Lu Fan deliberately chose this time to report to Party Secretary Wang Jingchen the personnel adjustment plan.

Looking at the plan, Wang Jingchen asked: 'Justice Department? The Discipline Inspection Committee moved two people?'

Lu Fan explained: 'The Justice Department just happened to have a vacancy; that's how I considered it. With the Discipline Inspection Committee's support, Governor Linghao won't be able to insist on his own view, and the five-person group meeting should pass smoothly. If my consideration is lacking, please criticize and correct me, Secretary.'

After a moment's thought, Wang Jingchen said: 'Let's do it that way; I'll find time to convene the five-person group meeting—thank you for your hard work!'

'Secretary, you overpraise me; this is my duty.'

Back at the Organization Department, Deputy Secretary Fang Yang of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee walked out of Tan Yiqiao's office and said: 'Secretary has returned; I'm here to report work.'

Lu Fan laughed: 'Go inside to speak; it's already after work—what kind of work is this to report? You've delayed dinner, so you owe me a meal.'

'Being able to treat the Secretary to a meal is my honor!'

After entering, Fang Yang showed a grateful expression and said: 'Thank you, Secretary, for your patronage.'

After sitting down, Lu Fan said: 'I just reported to Secretary Wang Jingchen; the five-person group meeting will likely be held in the next two days, no need for formalities with me. As the main force in legal system construction, the Justice Department must deeply recognize its duties and mission, actively engage in building a law-based business environment, explore establishing a legal service system to promote high-quality economic development; optimize allocation of legal service resources, improve the mechanism for advancing equal public legal services, and strive to create a new situation in Hua Yuan's judicial administration work.'

Fang Yang said firmly: 'Please rest assured, Secretary, I will certainly not disappoint your expectations; I will cherish this position of undertaking and entrepreneurship all the more, and treasure the opportunity to forge and improve myself all the more. I will quickly familiarize myself with the work situation, resolutely shoulder my responsibilities, be upright in conduct, clean in action, and truly serve the people, be pragmatic, and maintain integrity.'

……

August 12, Wang Jingchen chaired the Provincial Party Committee's 'five-person group' meeting, listening to the report from the Provincial Party Committee Inspection Work Leading Group on the overall situation of this year's second round of inspections.

Starting in July this year, the Provincial Party Committee inspection teams conducted inspections in five cities and ten counties and districts, as well as provincial colleges. They discovered over 30 leads concerning provincial-level cadres and more than 270 leads concerning division-level and lower cadres. The leads have been transferred according to procedure to the relevant authorities for handling. The inspection teams also guided and urged municipal and county disciplinary inspection and supervision organs to file cases against over 170 division-level and lower cadres.

Wang Jingchen pointed out that, judging from the problems found in this round of inspection, a minority of cadres still show no restraint, acting willfully and selfishly in fund management, asset disposal, capital operations, and project engineering; the improper employment practices known as the 'three excesses and two disorders' persist; there are also phenomena of being detached from the masses, seeking personal gain, spiritual lassitude, and neglect of duty to varying degrees. All this shows that reducing corruption stock, curbing corruption increase, and reconstructing the political ecosystem remain arduous tasks.

Wang Jingchen emphasized that discovering and pointing out problems is only the first half; solving problems and making good use of results is the second half. Inspecting without rectifying is no better than not inspecting; we must truly dare to take responsibility, enforce discipline with an iron face, and yield no ground, maintaining a clear, consistent, and unwavering attitude in putting inspection results to good, full, and complete use. We must take concrete action in handling leads, seriously investigating corruption of the 'swan's-passing-plucking-feathers' type that occurs among the populace, and win public trust with new achievements in grassroots anti-corruption struggle. Seeking causes in systems and mechanisms and supervision and management, we find remedies in improving systems and plugging loopholes, tightening the institutional cage, and exploring the establishment of long-term mechanisms where corruption is not dared, cannot, and does not want to happen.

A top leader wouldn't pay attention to something for no reason; listening to words and watching expressions, Lu Fan felt that Wang Jingchen was likely planning to raise the anti-corruption banner—on one hand to establish prestige, on the other to vacate a position for further personnel arrangements; only the secretary who holds the 'hat' can be considered a true secretary.

After arranging the inspection work, the meeting studied personnel matters and heard Lu Fan's cadre adjustment plan.

All had been communicated in advance; Governor Liu Linghao and Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary Zhao Lingyun expressed support for the plan.

After hearing everyone's opinions, Party Secretary Wang Jingchen approved the organization's personnel adjustment plan. He also emphasized, what makes a good cadre? The political barrier is the first gate! We must place political standards first, selecting and employing cadres who are politically steadfast, clear-minded, and honest.

A clear mind means being politically strong and steadfast in position; a broad vision means being full of passion and daring to innovate, taking deliberated action, swift deliberated action, and creative work as core capabilities; strong shoulders mean strengthening responsibility and pioneering progress, making daring to venture and undertake, and endure hardship and risk key qualities; steady steps mean being down-to-earth, genuinely getting things done, overcoming obstacles, turning the desire to act, ability to act, and accomplishment into a solid work ethic; an upright back means being publicly recognized for integrity and cleanliness, making serving the people and cleanly accomplishing tasks the foundation of governance.

August 15, Hua Yuan News Network, Ma Yuzhe assumed the posts of Hua Yuan Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee member, Provincial Party Committee Secretary-General, and Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Provincial Organs Work Committee.

August 16, the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department dispatched three inspection teams to conduct organizational inspections and talks with the personnel slated for adjustment. Even when transferring to important leadership posts of the same rank, inspection is required, and the procedure is the same as promotion.