Chapter 616

According to the assessment results, Huaizhou City and the Provincial Health and Wellness Committee ranked last in the province, and in line with the spirit of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, the main leadership posts must be adjusted.

Deputy Minister of the Provincial Organization Department Zou Weipeng was tasked with speaking to the two; the director of the Provincial Health and Wellness Committee is just over a year from retirement, and he, being self‑aware, voluntarily tendered his resignation, and the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee took no action against him.

However, the Party Secretary of Huaizhou City has just turned 50 and is still in his prime on the political stage, so he naturally refuses to accept such a setback, spending all day lingering in the Provincial Party Committee and the Organization Department, seeking a new post, yet a feather‑less phoenix is no better than a chicken, and no one heeds him.

On February 10, the Provincial Organization Department issued a document dismissing the director of the Provincial Health and Wellness Committee, dismissing the Party Secretary of Huaizhou City, and appointing him as President of the Provincial Red Cross Association.

The vacancy of two important posts immediately attracted the scrutiny of many. At the year‑end and beginning, a stream of leaders and cadres from Secretary Wang Jingchen's office and Lu Fan's office came to pay New Year's greetings, seeking political advancement.

Lu Fan is self‑aware—many wolves, little meat—so he has no ideas about filling these two posts, but the subsequent adjustments will let him "have a sip of soup."

On February 11, Lu Fan went to Secretary Wang Jingchen's office to request instructions on the related cadre adjustments.

Upon entering, Lu Fan said, "Secretary, I'd like to request leave; I plan to go to the department tomorrow to pay New Year's respects to the leaders."

Secretary Wang Jingchen laughed and said, "Sit down and speak. Paying New Year's respects is essential; also, please coordinate our province's ranking and push it forward as much as possible. Do not omit any required protocol, and have the Agency Affairs Bureau make the preparations."

"Alright, Secretary, I was just planning that. These past few days I've been coordinating the national exams, and the situation isn't very good."

Wang Jingchen sighed, "Last year Huayuan rose six places nationally thanks to the rapid GDP growth of Nanyuan City, but this year Nanyuan's growth has stabilized, and other cities remain 'sheep‑skin unchanged'; the ranking is expected to slip, so we can only do our best and leave the rest to fate! Oh, by the way, regarding the Party Secretary of Huaizhou City and the director of the Provincial Health and Wellness Committee, does the Organization Department have suitable candidates?"

Lu Fan replied, "We haven't yet identified suitable candidates; please set the direction, Secretary."

Secretary Wang Jingchen lifted his cup, took a sip, and said, "Regarding the Party Secretary of Huaizhou City, do you think Mayor Zhang Jiukun could take on this heavy responsibility?"

Lu Fan naturally thought it inappropriate; Huaizhou's year‑end assessment was last, the Party Secretary was the first to be reshuffled, and the mayor, who heads economic work, surely bears responsibility—how could he be re‑employed?

But he could not openly contradict the top leader, so he said, "Secretary, I've been thinking these past few days about moving a mayor from a strong‑economy city to Huaizhou to serve as Party Secretary, bringing better development ideas to Huazhou and completely reversing its lagging situation. Since you think Zhang Jiukun is up to the task, I'll list him as one of the candidates."

Secretary Wang Jingchen said evenly, "Regarding the candidate for the head of the Provincial Department of Agriculture, what do you think of Executive Deputy Minister of the Propaganda Department Yang Qingshan?"

To be honest, he's not very impressive; this must be the candidate recommended by Propaganda Department Minister Qin Mengyang, and the Secretary's face cannot be contradicted, so his suggestion must be given priority consideration.

Lu Fan replied, "Secretary, I'm not very familiar with Yang Qingshan; I'll promptly arrange for the second cadre office to conduct a comprehensive assessment of him."

"Alright, quickly cultivate a candidate; discuss the subsequent adjustments with Governor Liu Linghao, and then solicit the comrades' opinions." Secretary Wang Jingchen's meaning was clear: the follow‑up adjustments were for Lu Fan to discuss with Liu Linghao, meaning he only needed these two positions, and he would not comment further on later changes.

"Alright, Secretary, I will adhere to the principles of putting the cause first, matching people to posts, and appropriate personnel; I'll widely collect opinions, thoroughly assess, propose suitable candidates, and then ask you to review them."

Leaving the Secretary's office, Lu Fan went straight to the Provincial Government. Regarding cadre adjustments, Lu Fan only sought the Secretary's and the Governor's opinions; as for the other standing committee members, let it be. If they have demands, a standing committee member can raise them to the Secretary; a Deputy Provincial Governor can raise them to the Governor, unless Zhao Lingyun and Deputy Provincial Governor Lei Juan—"insiders"—are a different matter.

Arriving at the Provincial Government, Governor Liu Linghao's secretary hurried in to report; the head of the Provincial Department of Finance immediately stepped out, greeted Lu Fan warmly, and then began to line up.

After entering, Governor Liu Linghao instructed his secretary, "the good tea in the cabinet," and, smiling at Lu Fan, asked, "When are you returning to Yancheng?"

"I plan to leave tomorrow, first visit the department, then ignore everything else; finally I can relax at home for a few days!"

The secretary brewed the tea, respectfully presented it before Lu Fan, and softly said, "Secretary Lu, please have some tea."

Lu Fan gave a slight nod and returned a friendly smile.

After the secretary left, Lu Fan said, "I just ran into Secretary Jingchen; he proposed Zhang Jiukun as Party Secretary of Huaizhou City and Yang Qingshan as director of the Provincial Health and Wellness Committee."

Upon hearing this, Governor Liu Linghao replied displeased, "Secretary Jingchen's personnel approach is hard to commend! Huaizhou's comprehensive assessment is last, yet the mayor is being re‑employed? The Provincial Health and Wellness Committee is highly operational; entrusting the province's health affairs to someone who only knows how to 'flatter and praise' is truly inappropriate!

The ancient saying goes: 'A fine horse can travel far, but a plow‑horse is no match for an ox; a sturdy carriage can bear weight, yet a boat is better for crossing rivers.' Only by matching the right person to the right position can talent be fully utilized and results be doubled. Selecting personnel for posts is to fulfill duties and serve the people; I think neither of them is suitable."

Lu Fan asked, "What is the Governor's opinion?"

Governor Liu Linghao said seriously, "The Provincial Health and Wellness Committee is a key component of the provincial government and must be staffed with a cadre who is proficient in its business, of high quality, with an excellent style and strong sense of responsibility, to control the overall situation and solidly carry out health work, keeping the health of Huayuan's people in mind and in hand. Li Jiahui, Executive Deputy Mayor of Yinyang City, previously oversaw health affairs, is decisive, innovative, and highly executable; he is the most suitable candidate!"

Lu Fan nodded and asked, "Governor, regarding the other adjustments, do you have any specific opinions?"

Governor Liu Linghao shook his head and said, "No, but we must ensure the appointment for the Provincial Health and Wellness Committee is implemented properly."

"Alright, Governor, I'll report to Secretary Jingchen as soon as possible."

Back in his office, Lu Fan began to contemplate: the Secretary wants the Party Secretary of Huaizhou City and the director of the Provincial Health and Wellness Committee, the Governor wants the Provincial Health and Wellness Committee, and he wants to assist the Governor; he absolutely cannot use the Executive Deputy Minister of the Propaganda Department, because once used, the Propaganda Department would need to promote someone, leaving few maneuvering slots.

The Secretary's two wishes can be compromised: simply move Mayor Zhang Jiukun to the Party Secretary post, then give the mayoral post to someone else, and give the Provincial Health and Wellness Committee director to the Governor; this frees up two heavyweight deputy‑department‑level positions, and the two leaders will be less inclined to reach further. The Deputy Secretary who also heads the Organization Department must be given a "sip of soup"; to make a horse run, you must feed it grass!

At three p. m., Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Head of the Provincial Organization Department Lu Fan braved the snow to travel to Nanyuan City for a courtesy visit. This is standard procedure, and Lu Fan did not hesitate to go to the 'base.'

At the municipal social welfare home, Lu Fan went to the children's rehabilitation and activity areas, carefully inquired about the children's study, medical care, and meals and lodging, thanked the teachers for their hard work, and offered New Year's blessings, urging the Municipal Party Committee and City Government to further implement party and government policies so that more children in need of care and love can feel sunshine and warmth.

Arriving at 'Zhongjing National Medical University,' Lu Fan had a cordial conversation with Principal Zhang Boli, thoroughly learned about the school's problems and difficulties, worked on site, and gave strong support in funding, talent recruitment, and faculty title evaluations.

Lu Fan emphasized that the whole province must be mobilized to build a 'world‑class university of traditional Chinese medicine.' Zhongjing National Medical University should, based on the unique characteristics of the TCM discipline, establish distinctive majors, arrange disciplines reasonably, integrate international academic frontiers with TCM talent needs, focus on 'nationally urgent, world‑class' major scientific issues, and, while preserving the distinctiveness and originality of TCM, continuously enhance research innovation capability to strive for internationally recognized major scientific achievements.

In the evening, accompanied by Party Secretary Su Xiang Hai, Mayor Wang Hong, Deputy Secretary Zhao Haorui, and Executive Vice Mayor Li Yuan, Lu Fan toured Nanyuan City, feeling a deep affection for it.

Walking along Jiefang Road, Lu Fan laughed, "There are only a few old shops here; I often come with Haohao to fill our stomachs. Coming in from Nantou, the first place is the roadside green‑bean hand‑rolled noodles, where the noodle‑maker has been at it for over twenty years, and each strand seems to tell a story of time. Opposite is the hand‑shaved, hot‑pot knife‑cut noodles, whose superb skill draws praise. Further in, at the intersection with Minzhu Street, is the thirty‑year‑old Guo's Dumpling & Pulled‑Noodle House, whose Peng Tou noodles are exceptional. There's also the long‑standing Zhang Jie Roast Chicken."

On Minzhu Street at the intersection, there's Nan Guan spicy hot‑pot pulled noodles; I still recall old man Zhang pressing money under the rolling pin. Walking 200 meters further along Minzhu Street is a dumpling house deemed a 'historical relic,' full of the aroma of everyday life. These are memories of Nanyuan people, and I hope these establishments continue to operate forever!

Hearing the Secretary reminisce, everyone showed a satisfied smile; the more the Secretary dwells on the past, the better Nanyuan's cadres will develop!

A few of us sat at Yan Tianxi Dumpling House, ordering braised tofu skin, braised large intestines, sliced pork with a lotus‑root and peanut topping, three‑jin pork and scallion‑filled dumplings, and a bottle of aged wine—wine, meat, and delicacies enough to soothe weary travelers; Lu Fan's fingers itched, and he ate with great pleasure!

That night, Lu Fan received the leaders of Nanyuan City separately in his office.

While talking with Party Secretary Su Xiang Hai, Lu Fan said, "The province will soon adjust personnel; Li Yuan or Li Mu Ci will be moved out; you should plan ahead."

Su Xiang Hai quickly said, "Please give specific instructions, Secretary!"

Lu Fan smiled faintly and said, "You are the Party Secretary; you must focus on the needs of career development, innovatively promote the optimization of the leadership team's structure, first present preliminary opinions, and I'll support you as long as there are no issues."

Su Xiang Hai added, "Secretary, comrade Cheng Haohao's work achievements are outstanding, highly recognized by the masses, and his work style is solid; I plan to move him to the position of County Party Secretary."

Lu Fan replied with a smile, "Don't worry about him; I intend to send him to the Provincial Organization Department, and you can look for a County Governor candidate."