Chapter 660

At noon, just before getting off work, the "fresh-out-of-the-oven" Provincial Party Committee Secretary Wu Xiaohua came to Lu Fan's office to "report for duty"; after entering, he beamed and said, "Secretary Lu, from now on I'll be making a living under your command, so please look after me!"

Lu Fan stood up and said: "Xiaohua, we've been longing for you day and night; finally you've come! From now on we're comrades in the same trench, we must join hands and strive together!" The three exchanged smiles, seeing determination and confidence in each other's eyes.

After catching up, Lu Fan said to the two: "The cafeteria food is pretty good; let me take you around to get familiar with the place!"

Ten minutes later, the three appeared laughing and chatting at the Provincial Party Committee's private dining room, attracting many furtive glances.

Just as they sat down, Deputy Provincial Governor Zhao Ziren also came to the private dining room; seeing Lu Fan and the others, he walked straight over, joined this "small group", and quickly blended in.

Soon after, United Front Work Department Head Mou Yue also arrived, unhesitatingly sitting at Lu Fan's table and warmly greeting everyone.

One wouldn't know unless they looked; upon seeing, one would be startled—unnoticed, Lu Fan's side had gathered a number of capable figures: the Provincial Party Committee Secretary, the United Front Work Department Head, and two deputy provincial governors.

After Propaganda Department Head Shang Youyang entered, he gave Lu Fan's table a thoughtful glance, paused his steps, and finally sat at an empty table nearby.

Executive Deputy Provincial Governor Gu Yunhao, Standing Committee Deputy Provincial Governor Yun Junjie, Political and Legal Committee Secretary Yang Jiale, and Organization Department Head Li Yuenning did not go to the cafeteria for lunch; instead they gathered in the clubhouse to eat and chat, naturally discussing He Yuanhang's transfer and the "parachuting" of Wu Xiaohua and Zhang Rongqiu.

Yun Junjie said worriedly: "Lu Fan's power keeps growing; it's foreseeable that the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary will become his 'possession'. That would give us four standing committee members and two deputy provincial governors—a force not to be underestimated!"

Gu Yunhao furrowed his brows and said: "Shang Youyang has been wavering; Jiale, go sound him out again, try to win him over—this could increase our 'leverage'."

Yang Jiale replied: "I'll try again this afternoon, Yunhao—can Lu Fan really not be dealt with? I refuse to believe he's a saint; maybe his appetite is just too big."

Li Yuenning said: "He's the Li family's son-in-law; petty gains certainly won't catch his eye. Why not increase our 'leverage' and let go of some industry?"

Upon hearing this, no one spoke; Li Yuenning helplessly shook her head.

After a moment of silence, Yun Junjie asked: "What about Xu Yan? Conduct an integrity appraisal and directly have him 'confess'—Lu Fan's actions are hardly rule‑following! If we let him run wild, how will the organization select and employ people? No matter whom we promote, he'll say you have a problem—what then? This loophole must not be opened; we must find a way to get Xu Yan out."

Gu Yunhao retorted: "How to rescue him? The Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee is now his 'independent kingdom'—needles can't pierce, water can't splash. Without restraint from the secretary and the governor, who can control him? Moreover, few can withstand an investigation! The committee's independence and power keep growing; we want to intervene but can't find any pretext, so we can only voice an opinion at the standing committee meeting. But the problem is, Lu Fan acts unilaterally, deciding many things on his own and only submitting them to the standing committee after evidence is gathered—he completely disregards procedure. What are we to do?"

Yun Junjie was equally at a loss; he lit a cigarette and puffed clouds.

After work resumed in the afternoon, Wu Xiaohua came to Lu Fan's office to ask for instructions on how to carry out the work of the Provincial Party Committee General Office.

Lu Fan chuckled and said: "You're the head of the Provincial Party Committee Office—you ask me? Who should I ask? Figure it out yourself. I've observed for a while; Deputy Secretary‑General Liu Qingyun is usable, and Liu Xianhao has always served Secretary Li Xingyuan, so there's no big problem."

Wu Xiaohua requested: "After Xu Yan 'goes in', there will be two vacant deputy secretary‑general posts—why not promote Chen Haohao?"

Lu Fan shook his head: "Let him settle a bit more; we'll reconsider next year. You're the chief steward of the Provincial Party Committee—you need the ability to spot talent; our shortcoming is having no one usable."

"Alright, I know what to do."

In the afternoon, Lu Fan, holding a water cup, went to Secretary Li Xingyuan's office.

Gazing at the birch trees outside the window, Li Xingyuan sighed: "I've worked on the grasslands for four years—campaigns are solid as iron, troops flow like water; there's no banquet that never ends, and it's time to leave!"

Lu Fan suppressed his curiosity, adhering to the principle of not asking what shouldn't be asked and not saying what shouldn't be said, and refrained from meddling.

"Secretary, according to the current investigation, Xu Yan has committed serious violations of law and discipline; the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee's opinion is to open a case."

Li Xingyuan nodded and said: "If it's to be investigated, then investigate it; we'll convene the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee tomorrow or the day after to review it. Since there are problems, his vetting process should be halted—you and the Organization Department should communicate and re‑discuss the candidate for Ximeng League Committee Secretary."

Lu Fan nodded: "All right, Secretary, I'll handle it later. Also, Ma Qiang, head of the Provincial Natural Resources Department, is under investigation; I recommend appointing Deputy Secretary‑General Liu Qingyun as director of the Provincial Natural Resources Bureau."

Li Xingyuan, without much thought, replied: "As you say, after the standing committee meeting I may take some time off for stomach surgery; the burden of the Provincial Party Committee will then fall on your shoulders."

Lu Fan, without pleasantries, replied: "Please rest assured, Secretary; during your recuperation I will surely do my utmost to 'guard the home'!"

The manifestation of power and the extension of politics lie in how many important posts you can arrange and how many people work for you.

Leaving the secretary's office, Lu Fan went to the provincial government and communicated with Governor Luo Shiyu about personnel adjustments; the effect was good.

Back in his office, Lu Fan had Chen Haohao summon Propaganda Department Head Shang Youyang, intending to personally "win him over" so as to gain an advantage in the standing committee.

After entering, Shang Youyang lowered his posture, sat down, and politely asked: "Secretary, what are your instructions? Please advise!"

Lu Fan smiled and said: "Director Shang, let me privately give you a heads‑up: just now I spoke with Minister Feng on the phone, and he said he'll come to the grasslands for research at month‑end; you should coordinate with the superior department and prepare in advance."

"All right, Secretary, I'll immediately coordinate and prepare!" Shang Youyang's face twitched slightly but quickly returned to normal; he wondered what it meant that his own minister was coming down for an inspection yet he heard about it from someone else.

As Shang Youyang was secretly speculating, Lu Fan suddenly shifted tone and said: "Shang, Xu Yan is suspected of serious violations of law and discipline; the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee has decided to file a case against him. The candidate for Ximeng League Committee Secretary needs to be reconsidered; I intend to recommend Men Junhao for the post, and now I'm seeking your opinion."

Upon hearing these words, Shang Youyang realized he had reached the critical moment of picking a side.

Throughout history, people have always faced the choice of which side to take.

From trivial matters like whether tofu pudding should be sweet or salty, to major issues concerning national policy directions, people spend all day wrangling over these questions and never tire of it. Only by choosing a side can one avoid being excluded from the circle.

If one does not pick a side, it means one must stand alone; the Propaganda Department head obviously lacks the qualifications for that.

Since Lu Fan took office, Shang Youyang has been covertly observing his every move, constantly weighing pros and cons in his mind, and has already formed a clear political inclination.

As the saying goes, those who know the times are outstanding. Shang Youyang looked at Lu Fan and replied: "Men Junhao was appointed in a time of crisis; since taking charge of the Ximeng League Committee, he has been diligent and conscientious, stabilizing the league's cadre team and steadily advancing all social undertakings. Compared with Xu Yan, the difference is clear; I believe your recommended candidate is sound, and I firmly support Men Junhao as Ximeng League Committee Secretary."

Lu Fan nodded and said: "Ma Qiang has been placed under investigation, leaving the head of the Provincial Natural Resources Department vacant; I intend to recommend Deputy Secretary‑General Liu Qingyun for that post."

Shang Youyang nodded without hesitation: "Indeed a suitable choice! Actually our Propaganda Department also has talent—Deputy Head Li Haoyou can write and speak, can kick and punch; if you think highly of him, you might consider transferring him to the Provincial Party Committee General Office for training, so he could later shoulder important responsibilities. The Propaganda Department hasn't promoted any leading cadres in two years, turning into a stagnant pool; please, Secretary, strongly support our publicity work."

Lu Fan naturally understood reciprocity and said directly: "Then let's transfer Li Haoyou to be Deputy Secretary‑General of the Provincial Party Committee Office; your Propaganda Department can then rotate personnel and boost everyone's work enthusiasm."

Shang Youyang beamed: "Thank you for your support, Secretary!" Moving from Propaganda Department Deputy Head to Provincial Party Committee Deputy Secretary‑General, though both are deputy posts, their weight is incomparable.

Lu Fan looked firmly at Shang Youyang and declared loudly: "Hemp grows straight among itself without support; white sand turns black when mixed with ink. The political ecology is the major climate, environment, and trend of a locality's political life, affecting people's orientations and the rise and fall of undertakings. When the political ecology is clear, fine conduct can be promoted, cadres and masses will be of one mind and spirit, and economic and social development will thrive; when the political ecology is polluted, bad conduct and even various corruption problems will spread and intensify, seriously hindering regional development."

I believe that if we unite our hearts and minds, join hands and press forward, strive vigorously and persevere, we can certainly mobilize, organize, and gather forces from all quarters, thoroughly reshape the grasslands' clear and upright political ecology, and create a splendid situation where people think progress, look upward, and unite, vigorously writing a new chapter of grassland development in the new era.

"Please rest assured, Secretary; this is our shared aspiration, and I am willing under your leadership to remain resolute, persevere, persist without slack, and give my all."

The two exchanged smiles; everything was understood without words.

They were originally on the same line, just different branches; without surprise the two came together, and Lu Fan gained a second "ally".