Chapter 599

In order to gain more advantage and initiative in cadre adjustments, even if there were vacant positions, Wang Jingchen remained inactive, did not instruct the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department to launch the personnel proposal procedure; he wanted to wait until Qin Mengyang took over as Organization Department Head before launching the personnel adjustment, so that he could completely formulate the plan according to his own wishes.

Now directing Lu Fan to take the cadre adjustment plan, many things are hard to say, even hints must be measured, feeling stifled. More importantly, as the Municipal Party Secretary in full authority, he cannot control the Secretary's Office Meeting, nor dominate the five-person small group meeting; even the Standing Committee offers little confidence, making his role as Municipal Party Secretary feel utterly miserable. If this continues, how will the cadres and masses of Hua'yuan view him? How will superiors evaluate him? Therefore, to quickly reverse this situation, the most effective entry point is to replace the Organization Department Head with 'one's own people'.

He waited left and right, all the way until the National Day holiday, yet there was no sign of any adjustment to the Organization Department Head.

After returning to Yancheng, Wang Jingchen went immediately to visit Liu Guoqiang's home.

After reporting on recent work, Wang Jingchen brought up again the idea of adjusting the Organization Department Head, asking: 'Old leader, why has Department Head Zhou Xi heard nothing? I inquired with the First Bureau, and they said the leadership made no arrangements; could you connect with Municipal Party Secretary Wang Jingchen again?'

Liu Guoqiang displeasedly said: 'You really don't take my old face seriously? Saying this once is enough; do you think adjusting him would be easy? Even if he steps down from the Organization Department Head post, Lu Fan must also serve as Political and Legal Committee Secretary or Yingjun Municipal Party Secretary, requiring multiple posts and layered training.'

Wang Jingchen unwilling to give up, he asked again: 'Old leader, why not wait until after the National Day holiday ends, then I'll go to the Organization Department to report and strive for it?'

Liu Guoqiang spoke earnestly: 'Jingchen, now that you are in this position, you must think carefully before acting, decisions need absolute certainty, and your words must carry weight and be followed through. Do not be rash; each step must be weighed prudently, considering gains and losses. Only then can you remain invincible in a complex, changing environment and steadily advance toward your goals.'

Moreover, you must establish a correct view of power, clearly recognizing that power is given by the people, and exercise it for the people's benefit; otherwise you are destined to go nowhere, at the very least you won't pass Hong Tao's test—his people‑centered sentiment is plainly felt by all, and even I deeply admire him; would such a person lack support?

You should know that the basic duty of the top leader is to propose ideas, make decisions, and be good at employing people; you must balance all interests and unite the team. The true essence of being good at employing people is not petty calculation, but making use of people's strengths, with clear division of responsibilities and clear boundaries.

One should be broad‑minded and of high integrity, notice others' strengths more than their shortcomings, and when conflicts arise take the initiative to move forward, resolving problems through struggle to forge new unity, guiding everyone to talk politics, principles, and contribution. A team has many affairs; you cannot handle everything personally, so you must grasp the main contradictions and problems, focus on goals and key links, only then can you maneuver freely within the team.

As a leading official, you must always remember: even a single leaf shows concern; do not be numb and unfeeling— as long as the horse runs, don't stop it from grazing. When working together, you should frequently communicate and exchange with team members, seek common ground while reserving differences, to build a good cooperative relationship. Be clear on major matters, muddled on minor ones; politically steadfast, pragmatic in work, clean and responsible, skilled in struggle; lead everyone to strive together, and only then can you create an ideal work situation.

Wang Jingchen replied wholeheartedly: 'I will surely keep your earnest teachings in mind, unite and lead the Hua'yuan leadership team, nurture sentiment, dare to shoulder heavy burdens, overcome difficulties, handle Hua'yuan's affairs well, and live up to my responsibilities.'

Using the National Day holiday, Lu Fan took his wife and son, accompanied by Chen Xu, to visit his sister Lu Yao in Grassland Province, and meanwhile enjoyed the magnificent landscapes of the motherland.

At this time, Lu Yao had already become the Director of the Second Supervision Room of the Grassland Province Discipline Inspection Committee, deeply involved in the province's major anti‑corruption case, so busy she could barely spare a morning to have a meal with her brother's family, feeling pity for her adorable nephew.

Travel is a pleasure, a grasp of present happiness. Everyone who goes to Grassland Province for tourism surely wants to see the boundless vast grassland.

After seeing his sister, Lu Fan took his wife and son to the Ulan Batsun Grassland. This is part of the Qing dynasty's Mulan Hunting Grounds, famed worldwide because Kangxi commanded Qing forces against Galdan; it possesses both the southern graceful yin beauty and the northern rugged yang vigor, combining southern elegance with northern strength, and has become a renowned film‑and‑television shooting base at home and abroad.

The scenery of the whole scenic area is indeed beautiful, the grassland vast, letting your mind go blank; Lu Fan rare relaxed in body and mind, and Zimeng and Xiao Xuanyu also had great fun.

Strolling on the grassland, it feels like a green‑washed traditional Chinese painting spread across the earth— the sky vast, the wilderness boundless, as the wind blows the grass low, cattle and sheep appear.

"Uncle Lu, Uncle Lu, how come you're here too?" a voice called from afar; Lu Fan turned his head and saw Mingyu, with Hong Tao, the Municipal Party Secretary, and his wife behind him.

Lu Fan smiled and went up to him, saying to Mingyu: 'Out for relaxation during the holiday? You're in your senior year of high school, right?'

Mingyu happily said: 'My dad finally managed to accompany me out for two days of fun; I love the vast grassland— endless blue sky and white clouds, emerald wilds, livestock everywhere; my favorite is roasted whole lamb. Uncle Lu, is that Xiao Xuanyu? I'll go find him to play; you chat with my dad.'

Hong Tao walked over, smiling, and said: 'Lu Fan, come out to play with your family!'

Lu Fan replied with a smile: 'Municipal Party Secretary, sister‑in‑law! I seem to be the first to bring my family out for a trip— quite a different flavor.'

Hong Tao sighed: 'Indeed, we have neglected our families too much; I myself haven't taken them out for a stroll in over ten years.'

Liu Mengyao laughed and said: 'Lu Fan, you talk with your teacher; I'll go check on the kids—I haven't seen Zimeng in a few days.'

Walking alongside Municipal Party Secretary Hong Tao on the grassland, Lu Fan felt deeply excited.

Hong Tao walked and said: 'How do you feel about tourism on the grassland?'

Lu Fan shook his head and replied: 'The grassland enjoys superior natural resources, unique ethnic culture, long‑standing historical and cultural assets, advantageous location, and the comprehensiveness and diversity of its tourism resources; these advantages constitute the unique appeal and competitiveness of grassland tourism. But to speak frankly, the development of grassland tourism is far from satisfactory.'

Hong Tao said with an encouraging gaze: 'It seems you have given this careful thought; please elaborate.'

Lu Fan pondered, then said: 'The degree of marketization is low, tourist numbers are relatively low, tourism investment relies mainly on government funding, lacking market‑based operational mechanisms;'

'Infrastructure is lagging; during peak season accommodation is insufficient, service quality is low, and comprehensive functions are lacking, unable to meet tourists' diverse needs;'

'Transportation bottlenecks: railway and highway grades are low, air transport is restricted, causing tourists to often backtrack, making it hard to attract high‑end visitors and to realize high‑end consumption;'

'Tourism products are of low grade and poor quality: urban management and service levels need improvement, and most hotels and similar facilities fail to meet basic hygiene standards;'

'The tourism market awaits regulation: illicit practices such as black‑market guides exist, prone to overcharging tourists, which harms the visitor experience; I suppose Municipal Party Secretary, you have also felt this, right?'

Scenic spots are far apart with inconvenient transport, easily wasting time on the road. The climate is changeable, especially in non‑summer months, when one may encounter cold weather and sandstorms, among other adverse conditions.

These problems affect tourists' travel experience; the Grassland Province Party Committee and provincial government must strive to improve them, otherwise the grassland will be like sitting on a treasure mountain without knowing it, enjoying blessings yet unaware, wasting this heavenly endowment!

Hong Tao nodded approvingly and said: 'Learning lies in practice; to know but not act is no different from not learning. We bear important responsibilities and missions, so we must combine theory with practice, be good at thinking, diligent in thinking, expert in thinking— discover problems, raise them, analyze them, solve them— only then can we promote development. Ability is not innate; it is acquired through learning and practice.'

Taking advantage of Municipal Party Secretary Hong Tao's good mood, Lu Fan gazed at him with firm and hopeful eyes, probing: 'Municipal Party Secretary, your moves in South Ridge are inspiring, stirring the heart and boiling the blood; if I could be fortunate enough to take part in this great undertaking, even as a humble pawn crossing the river, it would be the honor of my life, and I eagerly look forward to charging forward for you, contributing my modest strength.'

Hong Tao smiled faintly and said: 'You are currently the Deputy Secretary; South Ridge has no suitable post for you. No matter which position you hold, as long as you keep your original aspiration and cherish the nation and the world, you can continue to shine. After great turmoil comes great order; if you are interested in that place, you can study in advance how to govern it, and sooner or later you will find a use for your skills.'

Hearing this, Lu Fan replied excitedly: 'Please rest assured, Municipal Party Secretary; I will surely, from the height of strategic overall situation, think seriously, study deeply, strive to explore ways and paths to solve difficult problems, and endeavor to contribute my strength.'

Hong Tao sighed: 'Harboring a great undertaking for the ages, it is like a century of splendid grace! We have moved from a past of shattered rivers and mountains to today's intact and magnificent land; from the bygone lament "Forty million tears flow, where on earth is our homeland?" to now fourteen billion people laughing together, the divine land bathed in dawn light, the long‑awaited great rejuvenation victory within sight.'

With favorable winds, it is time to hoist the sail and forge ahead. Lu Fan, we must take up the torch, for the nation's benefit endure hardship first and enjoy later, brave wind and rain, undeterred by storms, seek happiness for the people, rejuvenation for the nation, and give the populace a greater sense of gain, happiness, and security.