Chapter 618

Hearing Lu Fan's answer, Chen Deming stood up and said, "I'll go find two bottles of good wine; it's the New Year, we ought to have a few drinks at noon!" He left the space for Wang Hongtao and Lu Fan.

Lu Fan, going to the grassland is fine; its environment is very complex and may better train you. Let me give you a few requirements!

Please give your direction; I will do my utmost, implementing it without any deviation.

First, regarding corruption control: the grassland is a major energy and resource production area, possessing abundant coal, oil, natural gas, rare earths, and other resources. However, this also makes the related industries a key "battlefield" for corrupt officials, with many sectors remaining in a monopolistic state, forming massive interest chains that often intertwine with politics, economy, finance, and other fields.

The monopolistic situation gives certain enterprises and officials enormous resource‑control power, granting them relatively high social status and influence, allowing them to obtain more resources and authority through bribery and other means, thereby consolidating their positions. At the same time, monopoly also raises the difficulty of supervision and investigation, as these enterprises and officials usually possess greater resources and influence, enabling them to obstruct investigations and suppress whistle‑blowers in various ways.

Moreover, under the drive of powerful interests, some leading cadres have lost legal awareness; the mindset of using authority for personal gain still persists, completely violating the professional spirit of public servants and the standards of integrity and self‑discipline.

In short, the corruption problem on the grassland not only harms the interests of the people but also weakens the government's credibility and governing legitimacy, posing a serious threat to the grassland's economic development and social stability. Therefore, when you go there you must strengthen the punishment of corrupt acts, prevent corruption at its source, establish sound supervision and restraint mechanisms, raise the political quality and integrity awareness of leading cadres, and completely cut off those "evil" hands!

I will resolutely fight corruption to the end!

Second, start with the Yunlian Peak case, uncover the protective umbrella behind it, and bring them all down in one net!

Lu Fan replied: "Lu Yao has been investigating for half a year and has given me many leads; I will deliver them tomorrow. Please, Municipal Party Secretary, review them."

The sky over the grassland has been shrouded in dark clouds for too long; it should clear up, and that is your second mission. I don't care about historical background or how powerful they are; untimely phenomena must be corrected. If you take the initiative, I will support you in every way.

Alright, I will face the difficulty head‑on and bite off this "hard bone"!

The third matter is the Mengwu issue I just mentioned; it's not urgent. We have the general direction, but we must eat the meal bite by bite. I have no specific instructions for now; act according to the situation, and once you have a detailed plan, report to me at any time.

Lu Fan replied earnestly: "I will study carefully, analyze deeply, plan meticulously, produce practical and feasible measures, and spare no effort to solve the problem."

Fourth, develop the grassland comprehensively! The grassland is the province that spans the greatest longitudinal range in our country, currently with a resident population of 24 million and a GDP of only 2 trillion yuan; high‑quality development is urgent!

First, the grassland's geographic location is important; it is a key border region between the north and foreign countries. Developing the grassland well is of great significance for border‑economy development and national defense consolidation.

Second, the grassland has a solid economic base, with enterprises in energy, metallurgy, agricultural and livestock product processing, and machinery equipment manufacturing; its development potential remains relatively large. With appropriate measures and focused development of several key industries, the grassland's economy can be continuously driven, providing a model for other ethnic minority areas and becoming a demonstration zone for minority‑region development.

Lu Fan, promoting high‑quality development of the industrial economy cannot be limited to looking at the grassland alone; you must position it within the "great affairs of the nation", and from the perspective of serving and integrating into the new development pattern, fully recognize the extreme importance and practical urgency of doing a good job in the grassland's industrial economy.

How can we make the grassland's industry, the "spine", truly stand up and become robust? You must give a resonant answer!

Lu Fan replied: "Municipal Party Secretary, during this period I have conducted in‑depth research on the grassland and know well that a strong industry leads to a strong economy. The grassland should pursue a new high‑quality development path that prioritizes ecology and green development, building a modernized economic system with industry as the main battlefield and front line, and with its key challenges and breakthroughs also in industry. I will maintain historical patience and strategic resolve, draw a blueprint to the end, implement each item step by step, push forward one step at a time, work batch after batch, be pragmatic and innovative, and advance steadily for the long term."

Wang Hongtao nodded heavily and said: "With valleys in the chest and mountains in the heart, one can cut through thorns and pursue dreams forward!"

The border line carries the past and the future; it is not only a territorial demarcation but also a line of cultural and historical integration! Future cooperation signals that the border region will become a new high ground for collaboration. We must turn the grassland into a bridge of shared prosperity, jointly protect this land rich in natural and cultural heritage, and paint a vivid picture of symbiotic coexistence.

Lu Fan, in the dictionary of the great national rejuvenation, there is never a word "easy"; only by overcoming all kinds of hardships, twists, and risk tests can one compose the magnificent anthem of relentless self‑strengthening.

As long as you have a patriotic heart, what does a few mistakes matter? Dare to reach the nine heavens and seize the moon, dare to dive into the five oceans and catch turtles; then go ahead and act boldly with confidence!

"Municipal Party Secretary, I will never betray your trust and expectations! I will keep the target anchored and row forward with vigor!" Lu Fan's eyes glittered with steadfast light; deep inside a warm current surged, feeling the Secretary's great expectations, like a towering, unshakable mountain that bestowed upon him boundless strength and the courage to forge ahead.

Wang Hongtao's eyes were full of trust as he encouraged: "I sincerely hope you, with the tenacity of 'gripping the green mountain without letting go', carry forward the 'nailing' spirit—truly bow down, calm your mind, draw the bow fully, brace your strength—always maintaining an upward‑striving posture, grounding your original aspiration in action, bearing the mission on your shoulders, working earnestly, tackling difficulties, and bravely striving to achieve great deeds!"

Regarding your post on the grassland, you will need to serve as Deputy Secretary for a short period, concurrently holding the position of Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary or Political and Legal Committee Secretary, so you will have authority in hand. When the timing is right, we will plan the next step, and I will do my utmost to promote it.

Lu Fan solemnly applied: "Municipal Party Secretary, I resolutely obey the organization's arrangement and implement its decisions!"

At noon, warm sunlight streamed through the windows into the spacious, bright dining hall; the three families gathered together, laughter and chatter rose and fell, creating a scene full of warmth.

The luncheon was especially lavish; Chen Deming took out several bottles of "deer‑blood wine" and laughed, "I'll borrow flowers to offer the Buddha; today we'll drink Hong Tao's wine. Our three families rarely gather together; today we'll drink heartily and stay drunk until we're done!"

Wang Hongtao raised his glass and laughed, "Happy New Year to the senior leader, good health, and family happiness; most importantly, have a grandson soon! Yao Yao, this glorious yet arduous responsibility now rests on your shoulders!"

"Municipal Party Secretary, you're such a high‑ranking leader, still teasing people!" Lu Yao said shyly, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

Everyone raised their glasses together; the crisp clinking intertwined, sounding a wonderful New Year melody.

Deer‑blood wine is fine, but one must not overindulge, or the body can't bear it! After downing two bottles, Chen Deming opened a bottle of aged "Tai Zi" and resolved to get Wang Hongtao and Lu Fan drunk.

During the banquet, Lu Fan took the chance to chat briefly with Ming Yu and secretly slipped a "red envelope" to him.

Ming Yu understood immediately and hurriedly tucked it into his pocket.

Lu Fan asked, "Only a few months left until the college entrance exam; are you confident of getting into Renmin University?"

Ming Yu replied confidently, "Uncle Lu, I'm not confident about Tsinghua or Peking University; our school isn't about holding the reins! Teachers often say that if you don't do well you can only go to Renmin University. I'm a 'mediocre' student; if I perform well, maybe I could even aim for Tsinghua."

Lu Fan smiled and replied, "Even Renmin University is a school many dream of; if Yuxuan manages to get into Renmin, I'll burn incense in celebration!"

Ming Yu said, "Uncle Lu, look how clever Yuxuan is; once in school he'll definitely be better than me!"

……

They drank until three p. m.; the still vigorous Chen Deming managed to get Wang Hongtao and Lu Fan drunk, and after the guests left he too, drowsily, returned to his bedroom to sleep.

He never imagined that after Wang Hongtao and Lu Fan staggered out of the door, they would immediately become sober.

The two exchanged a smile, not pretending to be drunk; the senior leader would not give up!

On the seventh day of the first lunar month, Lu Fan returned to Huayuan; his duty schedule fell on the last day of the holiday, as the province gradually entered the outbound travel peak. Lu Fan went to Xingjun City, visiting grassroots police stations, enterprises, and scenic spots to pay respects to the frontline staff. Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee member and Municipal Party Secretary Peng Yongchang accompanied him.

Lu Fan conducted an on‑site inspection of the scenic area's police command center and project sites, listened to briefings on vehicle and tourist management, as well as the layout of project business models, and praised the area's booming popularity and extremely high traffic.

He pointed out that the cultural‑tourism industry is currently heating up and recovering strongly; on the basis of safety and order, more effort must be devoted to turning "traffic" into "retention", coordinating the creation of rich cultural‑tourism scenes that link like beads into a chain, accelerating the overall improvement of tourism environment and services, and truly turning "internet celebrities" into lasting popularity.

After the research concluded, Lu Fan and Peng Yongchang had a private discussion.

Peng Yongchang reported on the current state of the municipal leadership team: a Vice Mayor has reached the age for stepping back, and he wishes to secure a retirement package for him. In fact, this also reflects Peng Yongchang's intention to free up a leadership post and adjust personnel.

The authority over parallel rank lies with the Organization Department; for Peng Yongchang to get his way, he must clear the Organization Department hurdle. Moreover, subsequent adjustments also require the Organization Department's plan, so Lu Fan is an unavoidable "obstacle".