Chapter 617: Li Lao

February 12, Lu Fan took Organization Department Secretary‑General Li Yu and Zhou Xiang to Yancheng to visit the higher‑level department. After Tan Yiqiao was transferred out, Zhou Xiang officially became Lu Fan's secretary.

Spending an afternoon, Lu Fan paid New Year calls to several directors with whom he had close business dealings, chatting and laughing with everyone.

After a busy day, Lu Fan first returned to the back lane of the North Headquarters to visit Li Lao.

Talents rise and fall with the ages, each leading the scene for centuries. The tide of the era surges forward, and the courtyard house is long no longer bustling as before; most former colleagues and old subordinates who were once close to Li Lao have gradually retired to the second line. Although a few people he once mentored still come to visit, the courtyard house has lost its former splendor and clamor, its glory gone.

As night fell, the vast courtyard house seemed somewhat cold and silent. Lu Fan entered the living room, saw Li Lao scrolling on his phone, and, drawing near, laughed, "Grandpa, you're watching Douyin too!"

Li Lao looked up, his face breaking into a delighted smile, and said, "Little Lu Fan, you're back—have you eaten? Shall I have the kitchen prepare something?"

"No need, I just ate outside a while ago."

"Come, keep Grandpa company and chat!"

Lu Fan filled Li Lao's teacup with water, sat obediently beside him, and listened to his teachings.

Having an elder at home is like possessing a treasure; on Lu Fan's path of growth, he could not do without Li Lao's careful guidance.

"Little Lu Fan, you have risen to Deputy Secretary, your achievements are notable, and your foundation is especially solid. Grandpa has little more to teach you; today I have a few heartfelt words I'd like to discuss with you."

"Grandpa's golden advice, I will certainly keep in mind and put into practice!"

"Little Lu Fan, they say those who achieve great deeds do not fuss over trifles; they prioritize vision, holding the heart like a river flowing under clouds. Being gentle and refined is merely a smoke screen; the true nature is decisive, fierce, and bold. When interests clash or obstacles appear, the fangs will show."

You tend to act cautiously, habitually weighing pros and cons, planning before moving—nothing wrong with that, but when the organization selects personnel, it needs people who can be seen as capable in ordinary times, stand out at critical moments, and act boldly in emergencies; especially in urgent situations, one must be able to 'kill, cut, decide, and execute'!

In today's world, competition is fierce, opportunities fleeting, and circumstances change in an instant; a leader's ability to 'kill, cut, decide, and execute' is crucial. The four characters can be expanded as 'eliminate weak links and strengthen the core', 'prioritize strategy', 'make scientific decisions', and 'act decisively'.

We say work has a thousand threads, and a leader is a universal needle; one must anchor key objectives, balance present and long‑term relations, avoid squandering resources on secondary goals, focus on the main business, and eliminate internal friction and red tape.

Decision‑making is a matter of life and death, the path of survival, and decision‑making authority is the core of all power. Some people, as the second‑in‑command, can keep the top leader in check and thus obtain decision‑making power. Those are often the people the organization values!

Little Lu Fan, there's an old saying: one general's success rests on ten thousand withered bones. To reach the ultimate decision‑making circle, you need even more dazzling achievements. Huayuan is steady but its function and positioning mean it is not the prime place for making a name; you must start planning where to go next!

Some things Li Lao finds it inconvenient to say so bluntly; an old saying fits: to wear a crown, one must bear its weight. To rise higher, every path treads over a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, and every footstep is covered with white bones!

Li Lao's words left Lu Fan deep in thought; after a long pause he lifted his head, his gaze steady, and said, "Grandpa, Secretary Wang asked me to study the situation in Jilong more; perhaps he intends to send me there?"

Li Lao took the matter very seriously, his brows knit, pondering repeatedly in his mind; after a long thought he said, "Little Lu Fan, Hong Tao has great ambition. Now the people are united, the will is like a city wall; the wheels of history roll forward, the tide of the era surges, no one can stop it, and he has that resolve!

That place is indeed a good spot to make a name, but you must know that achievements often concentrate on the top leaders; if you go there and are not entrusted with major responsibilities, you'll waste years. It's better to look elsewhere and open a new 'battlefield'. So don't be blinded by the apparent illusion; judge according to the circumstances!"

After hearing this, he fell into contemplation again. Grandpa truly is "old and calculating," considering matters more thoroughly and with unique insight. This prompting gradually clarified the previously vague ideas in Lu Fan's mind.

Returning home, it was already ten p. m.; his son had just fallen asleep. Lu Fan hadn't been home for two weeks, so a short parting felt better than a new marriage.

The next day, the family went out together; Lu Fan went to the Organization Department to visit Minister Zhou Xi, while his wife and son went to see Grandpa.

At exactly 9:00, Lu Fan entered the minister's office; Minister Zhou allocated twenty minutes.

After setting down the tea leaves, Lu Fan smiled and said, "I'm wishing you an early New Year, may the coming year bring you safety and joy, smoothness without worries, and that all your wishes be fulfilled!"

Minister Zhou laughed and replied, "Congratulations together! You've done very well at Huayuan, especially in institutional construction; the streamlining of public units and non‑established staff is among the nation's best. Even Hong Tao can't stop praising you, urging us to promote the 'Huayuan Experience'!"

Lu Fan hurriedly replied modestly, "Your praise is mistaken, Minister. Streamlining staff and structures is the inevitable trend and public sentiment, and must be carried out; it's also a departmental requirement. Over‑staffing in fiscal support has caused extremely low efficiency, with people idle, and the entrenched 'wait‑for‑rely‑need' mindset persisting for years, which can be said to be a main cause of the chronic fiscal deficit. From the current situation, the reduction in staff has indeed eased the fiscal burden, improved efficiency across all levels and departments, changed work styles, and the benefits are obvious."

"Lu Fan, it's not customary for a Deputy Secretary to also serve as head of the Organization Department; be mentally prepared, the Huayuan Organization Department head will be appointed soon."

"Alright, Minister, I obey the organization's decision." Lu Fan was not surprised at all.

Minister Zhou suddenly said, "In early April, the Yingjiang Cadre Academy will hold a provincial‑and‑ministerial‑level training class on 'Improving Political Capability', and Hong Tao specifically named you to attend."

"Alright, Minister, I will certainly cherish this rare opportunity, earnestly strengthen Party discipline, improve theoretical cultivation, broaden my outlook, and truly 'recharge' and 'strengthen my sinews and bones.'"

……

The exchange with Minister Zhou was proper and measured; thereafter, Lu Fan visited several Deputy Ministers, securing for Huayuan a ranking in the annual target responsibility assessment. Whether it will have any effect remains unknown; after all, one does one's part and leaves the rest to fate, which is essentially the task of the Secretary and the Governor.

On the twenty‑ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, Lu Yao returned to Yancheng; after landing she went straight to her brother's house, but after staying a little over an hour, she left with Chen Xu back to her own home.

When leaving, Lu Yao handed her brother a file folder containing her investigation results on the Yun Lianfeng case and the numerous "protective umbrellas" behind it.

On the thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month, father‑in‑law Li Mingzhou returned to Yancheng, naturally to see his grandson; Lu Fan's family went to the back lane of the North Headquarters for a New Year's Eve dinner, and the whole family was joyous.

On the first day of the New Year, the younger sister and brother‑in‑law personally visited, under Chen Deming's order, inviting Lu Fan's family to spend the first day together.

Upon entering, they were startled to find Wang Hongtao's family also present, and Lu Fan hurried forward to greet them.

Chen Deming led Wang Hongtao and Lu Fan to the study for a chat; the children played in the living room and courtyard, while the women prepared lunch.

The three sipped fragrant tea, chatting casually, when Chen Deming suddenly asked, "Have you made up your mind? When do you plan to act?"

Wang Hongtao did not shy away, saying in a deep voice, "Give me a few months; in November we will officially launch the construction of the 'Yanjī Expressway', to gauge everyone's reaction!"

Lu Fan listened, his blood boiling with excitement, his eyes full of admiration!

Chen Deming added, "Everything needs renewal, all industries await revival; it's a long‑term and arduous task. As the saying goes, before troops march, supplies must be ready—perhaps it's time to start planning cadre assignments?"

Wang Hongtao nodded, his gaze turning to Lu Fan, and asked, "If you're willing, you could be among the first batch of cadres to go."

There were things Lu Fan could not voice; Chen Deming, with his keen insight, as a 'in‑law' intended to lend Lu Fan a hand, asked again, "Do you have a rough idea of the initial leadership team's candidates?"

Wang Hongtao, intending to send some signals, thought briefly and said, "It's not yet finalized; the preliminary plan is to send Zi Fan, Daiqiang, Lu Fan, Xiao Peng, and Wang Gang, with the final selection to be decided by the meeting."

Chen Deming nodded thoughtfully, saying nothing further.

Lu Fan also guessed his position from the order, likely after Si Daiqiang, with opportunities and challenges coexisting. This made him recall Li Lao's words, carefully weighing gains and losses.

Suddenly, Wang Hongtao added, "Lu Fan, actually I prefer you to go to the grasslands."

Seeing Chen Deming's encouraging gaze and expression, Lu Fan replied firmly, "I'm willing to go to the grasslands and clear the 'roadblocks' for you!"