Chapter 623

On the morning of July 16, Lu Fan's office became a vegetable market, with visitors coming one after another to express their deep gratitude.

Over the past few years, Lu Fan has promoted and entrusted countless people, yet he has never taken a single cent from anyone; his reputation for integrity is widely praised, and to many this seems unbelievable.

At 3 p. m., Secretary Wang Jingchen came to Lu Fan's office in person, holding the documents.

After entering, he said with a beaming smile, 'Lu Fan, the documents have come through—this time you're really leaving. Congratulations!'

Lu Fan quickly stood up, invited Secretary Wang to sit, personally brewed tea, and replied with a smile, 'Nothing has changed; I'm just switching workplaces.'

Secretary Wang said earnestly, 'Lu Fan, you're about to leave soon; it's a pity we can't continue working together! Looking across the country, young cadres as outstanding as you are rare gems, and you will surely have a bright future with limitless prospects. I sincerely wish you success in the grasslands—victory from the start, unstoppable momentum, and immediate triumph!'

Lu Fan replied sincerely, 'Secretary, working with you I've learned a great deal, which will benefit me for life. I'm impatient and tend to act impulsively, causing you some trouble; please forgive my shortcomings and be tolerant.'

Secretary Wang laughed and said, 'You're mistaken; without exaggeration, the progress of Huayuan Province over the past few years is mainly due to Nanyuan's rapid development. The provincial institutional reforms have won high approval from superiors, straightening my back when I went to Yancheng—this is all your achievement, and the people of Huayuan will forever remember your contributions.'

After a while of mutual flattery, Secretary Wang set down the documents and returned to his own office. He came mainly to 'give a lift,' and given Lu Fan's trajectory, who knows how far he'll go; maintaining a connection is worthwhile, and kind words cost nothing.

As the workday was ending, the Organization Department's website announced a series of personnel appointments, appointing Lu Fan as Deputy Secretary of the Grassroots Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Committee.

A single stone stirred up a thousand waves, and the Grassroots provincial officialdom was thoroughly shocked!

Upon hearing the news, Political and Legal Committee Secretary Yang Jiale rushed to Secretary Li Xingyuan's office, entering and asking, 'Secretary, how could it be Lu Fan?'

Secretary Li sighed and said, 'The organization has decided; we have no choice but to obey!'

Yang Jiale urged, 'Once he arrives and also serves as Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary, he will surely reopen the Yun Lianfeng case; back then his wife was beaten—how could he let it go?'

'If I had known this would happen, why bother in the first place? I said we should deal with the people involved, but no one listened. Now the main figure has arrived; even if they wanted to commit wrongdoing, who could stop or block them? One who lacks foresight will surely face near-term worries! Lu Fan, at least a Deputy Provincial Party Secretary, if something happens in Grassroots, just brushing it off lightly? Resentment is inevitable, and a major showdown is understandable.'

'Secretary, what should we do now?'

'What to do? Just let it be! The Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee has the duty to supervise same-level Party committees; I could even directly order Lu Fan not to be 'petty and narrow-minded.' Do you think Lu Fan is a simple figure? Never mind—go consult the provincial government; the storm is brewing.'

In the Governor's office, Deputy Provincial Governor Yun Junjie, a member of the Standing Committee, sat opposite Governor Luo Shiyu, worrying, and said, 'Governor, Lu Fan is coming!'

Governor Luo Shiyu remained composed, replying, 'Hmm, he's expected to take office in these two days.'

'Governor, regarding the Yun Lianfeng case last time… should we make amends for it?'

Governor Luo Shiyu sighed and said, 'Trying to cover up only makes the flaw more obvious; there's no need for this extra effort. Now attempting remediation would only appear inferior, and no one would appreciate your goodwill—it would just become a laughingstock. Yun Junjie, times have changed; we must consider the impact of our actions and avoid inviting criticism. Lu Fan is not someone to be trifled with; once he takes office, I will communicate with him, hoping to turn conflict into harmony.'

'Governor, appointing someone as both Deputy Secretary and Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary in Grassroots is unprecedented; why use him this way? Also, the Discipline Inspection Committee has been completely overhauled, and I really don't understand it—what attitude should we adopt toward Lu Fan?'

Governor Luo Shiyu said solemnly, 'Observe his words, examine his actions, understand his foundations—only then can you know a person; don't throw your own ranks into chaos.'

……

In the afternoon, Lu Fan began handing over his work, quietly awaiting the Organization Department's summons.

At 4 p. m., Wang Zhaowen's phone rang; he laughed and said, 'Lu Fan, I volunteered to escort you to your new post!'

Lu Fan hurriedly replied, 'That's out of the question—against protocol. I can report myself.'

'Then how can that be? I need to go give you a platform!'

'Really unnecessary; even if I go alone, who would dare look down on me? Don't you agree?'

'That's true; after all, your position is already set, so you really don't need me to see you off.'

'Definitely, definitely! Enter the village quietly—no gunfire!'

'Alright, if you need anything, just contact me anytime.'

Just as the phone hung up, Zhou Xiang entered to report, and the leader of Ximeng League, Men Junhao, came to pay a visit.

Lu Fan thought for a moment, then let him in.

Soon after, Men Junhao pushed the door open, somewhat excited, and said, 'Secretary, let me see what I can do.'

Lu Fan said sternly, 'During this sensitive period, why are you running around? As a league leader, isn't Ximeng League busy enough? Did you take leave to come here? Act cautiously and avoid inviting criticism.'

'Secretary, I was wrong; I'll return to the league immediately and work diligently. If there's anywhere I can be of service, please command me!' Although criticized, Men Junhao felt no discouragement, for the leader's critique carried a hint of concern—an absolutely good omen! After years of meddling in officialdom, he surely knows the importance of attitude; having traveled a thousand miles to Huayuan, he came simply to declare his stance, to follow the leader's lead.

Indeed, Lu Fan, while giving criticism, still said, 'It's about this time; let Zhou Xiang take you for a meal before you go back. Junhao, I often say: judge heroes by real achievements, assign seats by contributions, assess competence from work style, base rewards and punishments on concrete deeds, appoint officials according to ability—do solid work, be an honest official, work diligently; that is the foundation of establishing oneself.'

Men Junhao immediately replied, 'I will surely keep the secretary's teachings in mind, follow his steps closely, and complete every task he assigns.'

Working until 6 p. m., Lu Fan finished handing over all his duties, completely concluding his mission in Huayuan. Tomorrow he will go to Grassroots to take up his post.

Just as he stepped out of the office, Lu Fan's gaze was caught by a figure. The person strode quickly toward him, then stopped respectfully and said, 'Hello, Secretary Lu, I'm Xiao Lu, here to report for duty. I'm sorry; some formalities need to be handed over, delaying me a day—please criticize me, Secretary.'

Hearing this, Lu Fan sized up Xiao Lu and saw he was tall and mighty, with steady, powerful steps; his solid muscles and firm gaze brimmed with masculine vigor, giving an impression of heroic bearing and righteous aura.

Lu Fan nodded in satisfaction and said, 'No need for formalities; from now on, I'll rely on you.'

Xiao Lu straightened his body and solemnly replied, 'Duty calls; I cannot shirk it. Please rest assured, Secretary—I will devote my utmost to serving you.'

Xiao Lu knew clearly that from today onward, serving his current leader well would be his lifelong mission, sharing honor and disgrace, and he must give his all.

At 6:30 p. m., Lu Fan rushed to the provincial government compound, where Secretary Wang Jingchen and Governor Liu Linghao had set up a banquet to see him off; all Standing Committee members and deputy governors were present. Even if past interactions with some had been unpleasant, today they would surely let bygones be bygones and sincerely see Lu Fan off.

At the banquet, everyone gathered around Lu Fan, reluctant to part; conversation flowed freely, glasses were clinked, the atmosphere was very harmonious—'everyone lifts the flowered sedan!'

July 17, sunshine bright, a gentle breeze blowing. Lu Fan, accompanied by Cheng Haohao, Zhou Xiang, and Xiao Lu, headed to the airport, embarking on a journey full of the unknown and challenges—flying to the vast Grassroots Province.

At the moment the plane lifted off, Lu Fan gazed through the window at the city below gradually shrinking, and a feeling hard to describe welled up in his heart.

He waved his hand with deep feeling toward Huayuan, completely ending his mission there and setting off for a new endeavor!

No matter what challenges and difficulties await him ahead, Lu Fan firmly believes he can face them bravely and write his own splendid chapter!

En route, Lu Fan instructed, 'Haohao, go to the Grassroots Provincial Party Committee Office; your post will be determined later.'

'Okay, Secretary; the position doesn't matter—I just need to serve you well.'

Lu Fan continued, 'Zhou Xiang, you go to the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee, still working in the office.'

'Okay, Secretary; I will study earnestly, familiarize myself with the business, and get up to speed as soon as possible.'

'Xiao Lu, your assignment is also in the Provincial Party Committee Office, right?'

'As the Secretary directs!'

At this moment, Yang Minghao and Liu Jin Zhu, who had come to 'send ahead,' were on the phone; Yang Minghao asked, 'Jinzhu, shall we go to the airport to meet him?'

Liu Jin Zhu replied, 'Did you forget Brother Fan's instructions? Keep a low profile, keep a low profile! We'll just work solidly, quickly build up our staff—that's the greatest support we can give Brother Fan. Grassroots is complicated, with tangled interests everywhere; I still haven't cleared up the background of the Yun Lianfeng case, letting Brother Fan down.'

Yang Minghao sighed, 'No need to blame yourself; just keep striving. If Grassroots affairs were that easy, Brother Fan wouldn't have gone to all the trouble of transferring us here.'

After Fan Ge takes office, shall we go take a look together?

We're brothers, no need for that; doing the job well is more important.

Okay, I'll listen to you.

Lu Fan had just stepped off the plane when he received a message from Wang Dong, director of the Provincial Health Commission, which read: "Welcome Secretary Lu to take up post in the grasslands, but there are orders; I will dutifully follow them."

Lu Fan replied after reading it: "The future is long!" Then he deleted it directly.