Chapter 671: with translation of chapter title

January 15, Organization Department Head Shang Youyang came to Governor Lu Fan's office to report on the annual target responsibility assessment work and related matters concerning the staffing of the Haiwu Municipal Party Committee leadership team.

Lu Fan instructed that the Haiwu Municipal Party Committee would temporarily be presided over by Mayor Fu Yujie, and after the year-end assessment concludes, the leadership team will be fully staffed all at once.

Regarding the assessment work, Lu Fan has been studying this period and plans to use this year's assessment to 'lever' adjustments for some cadres, so he told Shang Youyang: 'In order to reduce the pressure on grassroots units facing inspections, this year's assessment should be uniformly deployed and coordinated, covering the implementation of the Party conduct and clean government responsibility system, the assessment of advancing the punishment-prevention system construction, the annual assessment of provincially managed leadership teams and leading cadres, the target responsibility evaluation of provincial directly affiliated organs, the comprehensive governance assessment of social management, and the annual target responsibility assessment — the "six assessments" conducted collectively — to fully understand the six aspects of work of the inspected localities and units, and to make a scientific, reasonable, fair and just evaluation.'

During the assessment, we must strictly guard the political first gate and severely punish incompetence and laziness.

We should prioritize promoting and using outstanding cadres in the assessment, increase dynamic adjustments for those rated average, so that superiors feel pressure and deputies feel motivation.

For leadership teams rated average, they shall be directed to submit a written report to the Provincial Party Committee, analyze the causes, carry out rectifications, be communicated province-wide, and the principal responsible person shall not be promoted or heavily used within one year.

For leading cadres rated basically competent, conduct admonitory talks and set a deadline for rectification;

For leading cadres rated incompetent, demote them by one position or rank according to the prescribed procedures.

For municipalities, counties, and provincial directly affiliated departments that rank last in the assessment, firmly remove them from office, and clearly establish the personnel selection orientation of 'the capable rise, the excellent are rewarded, the mediocre are demoted, the inferior are eliminated.'

Shang Youyang felt shocked by Lu Fan's instructions, but he did not raise any objections and instead said: 'I will quickly draft this year's 'Assessment Measures'; after the initial draft is ready, I will ask the Secretary to review it.'

Lu Fan nodded and said: 'Youyang, the situation on the grasslands is quite special; in personnel selection we must certainly implement the superior's principles of drawing talent from all over, matching people to posts, suitability of personnel, and making full use of abilities, and we must place greater emphasis on virtue first and political standards as the top principle. At the same time, we must greatly broaden the scope and vision of personnel selection, breaking away from the grasslands' outdated and backward notions and practices in personnel selection.'

The Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department must use concrete actions to establish a clear and correct orientation, motivating cadres to courageously take responsibility, be able to contribute, and have aspirations, so that comrades have posts where they can make use of their talents, have the belief that they can achieve great things, and have expectations that they can accomplish much.

I heard that the son of Jirimushi Municipal Party Secretary Wang Haimin is utterly wicked, has set up many enterprises, attracted widespread social attention, and the public reaction is very strong; the issue of leading cadres' children engaging in business needs to be taken seriously!

Also, why has the vice mayor of Qingcheng Public Security Bureau Chief Yang Minghao not been implemented yet? The next standing committee meeting must resolve this issue.

'Okay, Secretary, I will implement it as soon as possible!' After listening for a while, the last two sentences were the key points Shang Youyang needed to focus on; he had already begun to plan personnel adjustments in Jirimushi City, and as for Yang Minghao's vice mayor, that must be implemented thoroughly.

Executive Deputy Provincial Governor Gu Yunhao recently sensed an abnormality in Provincial Medical Insurance Bureau Director Cheng Jingbo, because not only had his early reports and late summaries ceased, but recently the pharmaceutical distribution company's business has also been unsmooth, Pufang has complained frequently, no longer actively cooperating with them as before, causing business volume to shrink; although the impact is currently not significant, an abnormal situation must have a demon behind it.

To get to the bottom of it, Gu Yunhao went to the Provincial Medical Insurance Bureau for research without prior notice, accompanied by the Deputy Secretary-General of the Provincial Government and the Director of the Provincial Market Supervision Bureau, Li Zhenquan.

Upon arriving at the Provincial Medical Insurance Bureau, Gu Yunhao's party went straight to the director's office.

Pushing the door open, he saw several people inside engaged in a lively discussion of work.

When they saw Governor Gu enter, the discussion stopped abruptly, and everyone looked at the few 'uninvited guests' with bewildered expressions, appearing somewhat flustered.

Cheng Jingbo hurriedly rose to 'receive the guests', warmly inviting Gu Yunhao to sit on the sofa; the secretary busily served tea and water, while the others, sensing the situation, withdrew from the office.

Gu Yunhao asked with a half-smile: 'Jingbo, I didn't expect the Medical Insurance Bureau's work atmosphere to be so intense, worthy of everyone's learning! What were you just discussing? Why did you stop as soon as I came in? Although I no longer oversee you, I am still familiar with the business; perhaps I could still 'chip in a few words' on what you were discussing!'

Cheng Jingbo replied with a smile: 'Governor, it's the year-end and new year; we were just discussing next year's key work and how to respond to this year's target responsibility assessment.'

Li Zhenquan and Cheng Jingbo have been good friends for many years; he is a frequent visitor to this office, and as usual he glanced around, and unintentionally noticed a draft of the 'Grassland Province Medical Insurance Reform' placed on the desk.

He did not make a fuss, but quietly tidied up Cheng Jingbo's desk, placing the 'Reform Plan' beneath other documents, yet his heart surged with tumultuous waves as he kept wondering, 'This kid' wouldn't be planning to 'defect', would he? Secretly preparing to make such a big move?

Recalling the previous 'heart-stopping' on-site 'education', he could basically confirm that this burly-eyed fellow had secretly passed the exam for Secretary Lu!

Gu Yunhao's visit to the Medical Insurance Bureau today was meant as a 'warning'; he spoke with sarcasm: 'Jingbo, hasn't Pufang's cooperation with the Medical Insurance Bureau lasted several years? You both have made huge contributions to the medical cause of Grassland Province, but you must always keep in mind that cooperation brings mutual benefit! Pufang has filed lawsuits against me; are you two having a 'rift'? As old friends of many years, if something isn't spoken it remains unclear, if something isn't explained it remains unsettled; some things must be spoken out, and never let any 'grudge' linger in your hearts, lest it affect the conduct of business, for you know that medicines concern thousands of households, and not the slightest negligence is allowed!'

Cheng Jingbo hurriedly said: 'Governor, you are overthinking! Recently, superior authorities have issued several documents, and the Medical Insurance Bureau has standardized management of some businesses; this is the prevailing trend, and there is really no room for flexibility. But as long as it is within the Medical Insurance Bureau's capabilities, I will certainly give full support to President Pufang's work; this is beyond doubt.'

Gu Yunhao nodded slightly and said: 'I trust your character and ability, after all we have dealt with each other for many years, but the old saying holds true: details determine success or failure! Superior policies indeed cannot be taken lightly, but localities have their own realities and difficulties; where flexibility is needed, we must be flexible, not be so rigid; if we cling too tightly to policies and documents, how can we still work? Let's do this: another day, let Pufang host a gathering; we haven't gotten together in a long time!'

Cheng Jingbo hastily replied: 'I will follow the Governor's arrangements!' His attitude remained consistently normal, giving Gu Yunhao no grounds to find fault.

After staying for over half an hour, Gu Yunhao rose to take his leave.

Cheng Jingbo dared not delay in the slightest, personally seeing Gu Yunhao's party down to the ground floor, and then standing in place, watching them drive away.

After getting in the car, Gu Yunhao turned his head and instructed the deputy secretary-general to find out what the Medical Insurance Bureau has been busy with lately.

Half an hour later, Cheng Jingbo was revising the 'Plan' in his office when suddenly another 'uninvited guest' burst in. Looking up, he saw that it was actually the Director of the Provincial Market Supervision Bureau, Li Zhenquan, returning after having left.

Cheng Jingbo hastily gathered the documents, rose, and said: 'Just you? The Governor didn't come?'

Li Zhenquan plopped onto the sofa, crossed his legs, and said: 'You're hoping the Governor will come? Aren't you afraid he'll discover your 'schemes'?'

Cheng Jingbo walked over with a smile, sat down, and said: 'Thanks for your 'cover' just now; if Governor Gu had found out, I'd have to explain myself thoroughly again!'

Li Zhenquan gave a cold snort and said: 'Some things might not be explainable; you'd better come clean with me honestly and in full detail—are you planning to change course and seek another way out?'

Cheng Jingbo spoke candidly, without reservation: 'Do you remember last time at the Provincial Health Commission? We 'caught people' on the spot! I just don't believe you aren't afraid. Zhenquan, we've been dealing with each other for over twenty years, right? Back when we were both assigned to the county health bureau, our energy was limitless, we were full of enthusiasm and aspirations for work—what grand ambitions we had!'

Recalling those tumultuous years of the past and looking at today's myriad boats racing forward! These past few years we have become high-ranking officials and grasped power, but what have we actually done? To be frank, I look down on myself, and I cannot sleep at night, fearing a visit from the Discipline Inspection Commission. Tell me, if we continue like this, what good outcome can we expect? Once the eastern window is exposed, who will protect us? Besides becoming a 'stray dog' that everyone curses, is there a second path? Let me be frank: I don't want to become a tool for others to amass wealth, nor do I want to get tangled up in those messy affairs again.

Li Zhenquan's face grew solemn as he said: 'Jingbo, have you thought it through? Although Secretary Lu is in the limelight, Governor Gu has deep roots, and it's still uncertain who will win the deer; are you really going to 'place your bet' now? Will they truly trust you?'

Cheng Jingbo smiled lightly and said: 'I don't understand any profound theories, but I can tell who is acting for themselves and who is for the grassland people—isn't that enough? How many more years can we keep working? Isn't it good to do something for our hometown people? Furthermore, can't you see the situation clearly? The Discipline Inspection Commission, Organization Department, Propaganda, United Front, Provincial Committee Office, Military Region—several provincial committee standing committee members on that side clearly support Secretary Lu, and on the provincial government side there are Zhao Ziren, Zhang Rongqiu, plus the recently 'taken down' Ximeng and the Provincial Health Commission; Secretary Lu's force is certainly not weak! And look at the higher-ups' situation: Secretary Lu is a student of Secretary Hong Tao!'

Most importantly, society is progressing, some chaotic phenomena have already aroused everyone's discontent, they are already out of date, and they must inevitably exit the historical stage; I believe that giving aid in the snow is better than adding icing on the cake, 'choosing sides' must be done early, don't make a misstep step by step, otherwise you'll end up losing everything.

Li Zhenquan sighed and said: 'After all, we have our stains; can Secretary Lu sincerely accept us? Give us a chance to reform and start anew.'

'How would you know if you don't try? The Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary is Du Wenlong, and he's quite easy to talk to!'

Upon hearing this, Li Zhenquan secretly felt indignant; could Du Wenlong, that 'cold-faced secretary', really be easy to talk to?