Chapter 603

Promoting cadres is not only personal career advancement, but also the expansion of leadership influence and the extension of power.

Lu Fan. Also, the phrase "deputy position also serving as operator" – where "deputy position" refers to a deputy role (not a specific name) and "operator" refers to an operator role (not a specific name).

Lu Fan, Hu Tiankang (director of the first division of the Organization Department), Zheng Jiang (head of the Evaluation Office), Luo Prefecture City, Standing Committee Vice Mayor, Deputy Director of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission; also references to Hu Tiankang, Zheng Jiang, Luo Prefecture City, the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the Standing Committee Vice Mayor, the Deputy Director of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the Organization Department, the first division director, the Evaluation Office, etc.

Li Qian, Wang Pan, Ma Yang, Ren Hanqing, and the appointed county chief; also references to the county chief, Ma Yang, Ren Hanqing, Li Qian, Wang Pan, the county chief, and the term "assigned" (which is not a name).

Lu Fan, the personnel adjustment plan, and the Secretary's office; "Secretary" refers to the Secretary.

Wang Jingchen, Hu Tiankang, Zheng Jiang, the Luo Prefecture City Vice Mayor, and the Deputy Director of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission.

After reviewing everything, Wang Jingchen said: "The fourth quarter is the year-end push; grassroots tasks are heavy and responsibilities great. Let's also fill the county chief positions of Xijia County and She County; the candidates will be drafted by the Organization Department."

"Thank you, Secretary, for your support of Nanyuan work; I will finalize the candidate as soon as possible."

Wang Jingchen added: "Regarding the candidate for Vice Mayor of the Luojun Municipal Standing Committee, it is Comrade Jinran who strongly recommends him; let's support his work. As for Hutiankang, he could be considered for the Vice Mayor post in Xinzhong City." He felt this gave Lu Fan face.

But Lu Fan didn't think so; Luojun City's political status and economic strength far surpass Xinzhong City, and an ordinary vice mayor and a standing committee vice mayor are not comparable. If luck runs out, some may never cross that gap in their lifetime.

Then Lu Fan replied: "Secretary, according to regular personnel practice, several important section chiefs of the Organization Department, when transferred to localities, are usually assigned as heads of the Municipal Organization Department. If adjustment really isn't possible, I will look for new candidates. The mid-level of the Organization Department hasn't been adjusted for years, like a stagnant pool; it needs proper motivation to mobilize everyone's work enthusiasm."

"I'm considering it; you can also communicate with Li Jiran." Wang Jingchen could not miss the subtext in Lu Fan's words and directly threw the problem back to Lu Fan.

"Okay, Secretary, I will talk with Comrade Jinran as soon as possible to implement the Provincial Committee's intention."

"Then let's do that; once the plan matures, promptly submit it to your departmental party meeting for review by the five-person group."

Returning to the office, Lu Fan had Secretary Li Yu notify Luojun Municipal Party Secretary Li Jiran that there was work to discuss.

Soon after, Zhou Xiang came in to report; Grassland Province Ximeng League Chief Men Junhao was waiting in the office.

Lu Fan was quite surprised; how did this person come without greeting? Out of courtesy, he had Zhou Xiang bring the person in.

At this moment, Men Junhao sat anxiously in the Organization Department office; he had made up his mind to come find Lu Fan, to give it a shot, to turn a bicycle into a motorcycle!

It turned out he had taken back the surveillance of "Yuan Cang Wolf Meng Can" for careful study, and suddenly discovered that when Lu Fan entered the private room, there were two families, accompanied by a man wearing sunglasses, and when the conflict occurred, that man did not come out, which is rather intriguing—could his status be higher than Lu Fan's?

Men Junhao felt as if he had discovered a new continent and began to seriously study the sunglasses man.

After the secretary retrieved all that day's surrounding surveillance, Men Junhao researched until deep into the night, confirming without doubt: the sunglasses man was Secretary Hong Tao!

This discovery left him extremely excited and sleepless all night. After he calmed down, he felt something was off: Yun Lianfeng's harassment targeted Secretary Hong Tao's lover; Grassland Province made a big show but little rain, having disciplined only 16 prison officials—likely insufficient to answer to Secretary Hong Tao.

Anyone with sense knows that Yun Lianfeng could be so arrogant only because behind him there is absolutely a "protective umbrella" far beyond a mere prison; Men Junhao has been mixed in the Grassland political scene for over twenty years—how could he not know the inside story?

Thus he came, personally going to Huayuan, carrying a large bag of materials. Why not go directly to Secretary Wang? He knows his own worth; the gap is too great! If he could thereby climb onto Lu Fan's high branch, that would be like ancestral graves emitting green smoke!

Following Zhou Xiang's steps, Men Junhao slowly walked into Lu Fan's office. As he crossed that threshold, an inexplicable nervousness surged in his heart, making him involuntarily recall many years ago when he first entered an old leader's office.

Back then he, too, was filled with anxious unease, his mind full of confusion and worry about the unknown future.

Following Zhou Xiang into Lu Fan's office, Men Junhao couldn't help but feel nervous, just like the first time he went to an old leader's office years ago, full of confusion about the future. And now, similar emotions surged over him again, as if time were flowing backward.

Men Junhao stood straight, took a deep breath to calm his inner turbulence, his gaze somewhat unfocused, and softly said: "Secretary Lu, I am Men Junhao, Chief of the Ximeng League."

Lu Fan lifted his head, his eyes like two icy sword beams shooting at Men Junhao, but in an instant he revealed a faint smile, saying: "Please sit, welcome to Huayuan!"

Although the leader before him was young, that sharp gaze made Men Junhao understand that anyone able to sit as Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Committee is no simple role; playing any tricks with such a person is self-inflicted humiliation—only sincerity is the killer technique.

Sitting with trepidation opposite Lu Fan, Men Junhao straightened his back, wore a respectful expression, and said: "Secretary, I am here to report on the situation of Yun Lianfeng."

Lu Fan nodded, indicating he should continue.

Men Junhao continued reporting: "For a long time, leaders and public officials of the Ximeng Prison have neglected duty, indulged criminals, engaged in graft and falsification, serving as a 'protective umbrella' for Yun Lianfeng, resulting in Yun Lianfeng receiving illegal reductions in sentence, even escaping supervision while incarcerated and reoffending, causing extremely negative social impact.

Yun Lianfeng can be called a 'godfather'-level underworld boss of the Grasslands; through various means he gathered officials' handles and thus fully controlled them, enabling him to roam the political and business worlds for years, winning every case dispute.

He organized protection of business with black forces and business nurturing black forces, systematically implementing illegal activities such as opening casinos, usurious lending, organizing prostitution, extortion, and provoking trouble, rampant in the countryside, dominating one region, bullying the populace—essentially all evil, causing major social harm in the Grasslands.

In the anti‑gang crackdown, because reports about him were everywhere, reaching the point where action was unavoidable, he was finally brought to justice, and the Grassland populace clapped in approval.

But many do not know he was only sentenced to twelve years. As I know, Wan Lingjun had close association with him, Provincial Political and Legal Committee Secretary Yang Jiale was his frequent guest, and Deputy Provincial Governor Liu Hanwen called him brother.

I have compiled some materials based on my own understanding and some social rumors; please review them.

Lu Fan did not take the materials Men Junhao offered, but said: "One who is not in position does not plan its governance; Grassland affairs should be settled by Grassland itself. In that case, give the materials to Lu Yao, head of the Second Supervision Room of the Grassland Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee."

Men Junhao immediately connected the two, having already guessed that Director Lu was likely Lu Fan's sister or similar.

Without needing to say it outright, Lu Fan also knew Men Junhao's purpose for this trip, but gave no commitment, still adhering to: observe his words, examine his actions, know his fundamentals, then you can recognize the person.

Secretary Hong Tao attaches great importance to Grassland Province; Lu Fan naturally also developed strong interest there. Fortunately Men Junhao came, and Lu Fan chatted with him for nearly an hour, learning some matters about Grassland Province.

Men Junhao, of course, held back nothing, speaking exhaustively; he ceaselessly answered Lu Fan's doubts and even voluntarily described the current state of Grassland officialdom, as well as the long‑historic "cloud of the Grasslands"!

Through Men Junhao's narration, Lu Fan gained a more intuitive grasp of Grassland's situation; what struck him most deeply was that full coverage of mid‑ and low‑level leaders is the hardest situation to reverse.

As the conversation neared noon and the workday was about to end, Lu Fan said: "Comrade Junhao, I have an important reception at noon, so I won't join you for lunch." Then Secretary Li Yu was summoned in and instructed to host Men Junhao in Lu Fan's stead.

Men Junhao quickly rose and said: "Secretary, you're busy; I intend to return directly to the Grasslands, so I won't disturb you further."

Lu Fan laughed and said: "What sense is there in leaving without eating? Let Li Yu take you to taste Huayuan's specialties; don't refuse, just listen to me!"

Men Junhao laughed and replied: "All right, I'll follow the Secretary's lead!"

Although Lu Fan made no promises, Men Junhao still felt the trip was not in vain; a good beginning is half the success.

After work in the afternoon, Luojun Municipal Party Secretary Li Jiran came to visit; after setting down the tea, he smiled and said: "My father is an old tea farmer; this is home‑roasted, Secretary, please don't disdain it."

Lu Fan smiled back: "This is truly good stuff; how could I disdain it? If I get addicted, you'll have to guarantee supply!"

"That goes without saying; it's my duty!"

……

After a few casual remarks, Lu Fan got straight to the point, saying: "Comrade Jiran, I called you today mainly to discuss the candidate for Luojun Municipal Standing Committee Vice Mayor."

Li Jiran replied: "Secretary, Comrade Ma Fei has served as county party secretary for five years, with prominent achievements and many highlights; for three consecutive years he ranked first in the city's comprehensive evaluation, the Municipal Party unanimously agrees, recommending him as Municipal Party Committee member and Vice Mayor, and also asks the Secretary to support Luojun's work."

Lu Fan nodded and said: "Excellence first, capability gets a position; establish the personnel orientation of 'the able rise, the mediocre fall,' so that the broad cadre corps can have prospects for growth and vigor in their work."