Chapter 680

On the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, various units began secretly taking shifts, busy with going home to prepare for the New Year.

Provincial Party Committee Organization Department Minister Shang Youyang and Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary Du Wenlong respectively went to Hetao and the Provincial Development and Reform Commission to announce the Provincial Party Committee's decision.

After Shang Youyang arrived in Hetao City, he first had a private conversation with Municipal Party Committee Secretary Xu Weiguo.

Seeing Xu Weiguo enthusiastically serving tea and water, Shang Youyang said in a low voice: "Comrade Xu Weiguo, don't busy yourself; I have come this time to announce an important personnel adjustment—you need to be mentally prepared!"

Xu Weiguo placed the tea in Shang Youyang's hand, smiling and said: "Please give your instructions, Minister!"

"You have to return to the province!"

"Ah?" Xu Weiguo, utterly unprepared mentally, looked at Shang Youyang with surprise and nervously asked: "Minister, why the sudden adjustment? And where am I being sent?"

Shang Youyang took out the document and read: "After research and decision by the Provincial Party Committee, remove Xu Weiguo from the post of Municipal Party Committee Secretary of Hetao City, with another assignment!"

Xu Weiguo was no novice; he immediately understood that he was being "put in storage." He anxiously asked: "Minister, I can't figure it out—why was I removed? What mistake did I make?"

Shang Youyang replied expressionlessly: "Before the annual target responsibility assessment, Secretary Lu and I repeatedly emphasized that the last place would be dismissed; Hetao City ranked bottom in this year's assessment, and the Provincial Party Committee wishes to clearly establish an assessment orientation of 'those who act have a position, those who are capable can rise, the excellent are given priority,' insisting on equally rewarding the good and punishing the bad, using rewards for excellence and penalties for poor performance to promote positive motivation and coercive pressure in an organic combination."

"Just because of one assessment? You completely negate me? Minister, this seems overly hasty; any assessment will have a last place—does that mean our hard work all year in Hetao City is worth nothing? Being last for a year and you remove me, the top leader? I've never heard of such a thing! I can't understand or accept it!" Xu Weiguo's face full of grievance!

Shang Youyang kept a stern expression and sternly replied: "Even if you don't understand, you must carry it out—this is the Provincial Party Committee's decision! Not being in proper condition, lacking initiative, just getting by, 'being a monk for a day and ringing the bell for a day'; having low work standards, only seeking to get by, not to be solid—is this the actual situation in Hetao City? The assessment results are out, and now you start complaining? I tell you, there's no regret medicine in the world! With such a result, shouldn't you deeply reflect on yourself?"

"Minister, how is the Organization considering my next assignment?"

"Cadre adjustments will be reasonably arranged by the Provincial Party Committee—this is not for you to inquire about! As a leading cadre, you must firmly follow organizational arrangements, implement organizational decisions, with no room for negotiation!"

The matter is settled; the Provincial Party Committee has already issued the document. Even if Xu Weiguo has many grievances, he must hold his nose and accept the outcome!

At 11 a. m., the Hetao Municipal Party Committee held an enlarged standing committee meeting with a single agenda item: Provincial Party Committee Organization Department Minister Shang Youyang read the organizational decision and designated Mayor Li Peilin to preside over the Municipal Party Committee's work.

Indeed, misfortune comes from heaven while one sits at home!

Seeing Xu Weiguo's constipated expression, the leaders of Hetao City realized that the situation in the city was about to change! Especially Xu Weiguo's "core" troops felt uneasy, daring to ask where the way forward lies—"a new emperor brings new ministers."

At the same time, Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary Du Wenlong arrived at the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, convened a party group meeting of the commission, announced the Provincial Party Committee's dismissal decision, and that Liu Xianhao would preside over the commission's work.

Xu Weiguo still dared to utter a few complaints to Shang Youyang because they were acquaintances. As for the head of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, facing the stern Du Wenlong, he didn't dare even to pass gas, fearing to provoke Secretary Du and invite another investigation into his economic affairs.

People can encounter fortune or misfortune at any moment; the heavens have unpredictable storms. He never imagined that, just because of one assessment, he—the head of the economic leading department—would be dismissed? Where can he reason? Can the province's economy be controlled by a single Development and Reform Commission chief? Who will investigate the responsibility of the Executive Deputy Provincial Governor? Do the top leaders bear no responsibility?

The heads of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission and the Municipal Party Committee are extremely important positions province-wide; their dismissals caused a provincial uproar and widespread discussion—truly, strange things happen every year, and this year they reached the grasslands.

On the 29th of the twelfth lunar month, an even more shocking piece of news arrived: approved by the Organization, remove Comrade Li Xingyuan from his posts as a member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee and as a committee member of the Grassland Province, with another assignment.

Li Xingyuan's new post was soon announced: Vice Chairperson of the Education, Science, Culture and Health Committee of the People's Congress.

On New Year's Eve, many cadres discussed at the dinner table: When will Secretary Lu Fan be confirmed in his position?

After a few months in the grasslands, Lu Fan, with enterprising courage, daring to be first, vigorous and upward-looking spirit, and a fighting posture that meets difficulties head-on, actively taking responsibility and daring to struggle, has gained preliminary recognition from grassroots cadres and the masses; everyone now looks to him with greater expectation.

This Spring Festival, Lu Fan finally no longer needs to pay New Year calls to anyone in the province—including Luo Shiyu—who must now actively go to Lu Fan's office to offer New Year greetings.

Lu Fan voluntarily arranged himself to be on duty on New Year's Eve and the first day of the first lunar month; Du Wenlong naturally followed Brother Fan in "sharing hardship and suffering."

These two days, leading cadres who consider themselves qualified have lined up to go to the Provincial Party Committee to pay New Year respects to Lu Fan.

During the New Year festivities, Lu Fan gave no one a cold face, treating everyone warmly, but his principle was to accept no gifts, including tea and local specialties.

Yet the path taken, vast and verdant. Looking back these past months, though sifting through thousands of waves was arduous, only after blowing away the wild sand does one reach gold.

Lu Fan calmed down, summarized the gains and losses of these months; reflection is not only a recap of the past but also a thought for the future, enabling steady progress toward success.

Learning to review, sum up experience—life is a continual process of discovering problems, correcting mistakes, and perfecting oneself between gains and losses, thereby growing and transforming, making us more resilient and stronger to welcome a brand-new tomorrow.

Li Xingyuan has already stepped down; Lu Fan will not be indifferent, and the position he vacated is surely something he must strive for. Upon returning, he needs to discuss it thoroughly with Li Lao and his mother-in-law Li Mingzhou, but the final decision still rests with Secretary Hong Tao.

In just a few months, Lu Fan has taken control of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee, the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department, the Provincial Party Committee Propaganda Department, the Provincial Party Committee United Front Department, the Provincial Party Committee Secretary-General, and the Provincial Military District; he has also established a good cooperative relationship with Luo Shiyu, while the provincial government side also has Deputy Provincial Governors Zhao Ziren and Zhang Rongqiu; Ximeng, Haiwu City, Hetao City, and Helun City are all under his command, as are the Provincial Health Commission, Provincial Medical Insurance Bureau, Provincial Development and Reform Commission, Provincial Market Supervision Bureau…

At first glance, the fruits are abundant, but it is still too early to fully control the grasslands, especially at the municipal level—the revolution has not yet succeeded, comrades still need to strive, and the outlook is bright.

The old year has already displayed a thousandfold brocade; the new year advances another hundred-foot pole,

The long wind will break the waves at times; the journey of ten thousand miles has the wind in full vigor,

Hoisting the cloud sail to cross the vast sea, whipping the horse to spur again!

On the second day of the first lunar month, Lu Fan returned to Yancheng, Du Wenlong returned to Qinchuan Province, and finally they could go home to rest properly for a few days.

After getting off the plane, his wife and son came to pick him up; the whole family was happily united.

Upon arriving at the northern headquarters hutong, Li Lao and Li Mingzhou were already waiting in the living room.

After exchanging greetings, the three went straight to the study to discuss important matters.

After sitting down, Lu Fan brewed tea for the two elders; Li Lao smiled and said: "Little Fan, in just a few months in the grasslands you have achieved notable results, and the response has been very good!"

Li Mingzhou smiled and said: "Li Xingyuan has stepped back to the second line, the position is vacant—no matter what, we must 'take it down'!"

Li Lao's deep, sea-like eyes slightly narrowed, revealing a hint of worry, and he slowly said: "Now Mingzhou also faces a critical moment; wanting to seize in one go two weighty posts is truly difficult, the key point still lies with Hong Tao. Little Fan, have you been in contact with Hong Tao? These two days you should go pay a New Year visit."

Lu Fan replied: "I called Secretary Hong Tao on New Year's Eve and agreed to visit on the fourth; tomorrow I plan to first go see Yaoyao."

Li Lao nodded and said: "Dering's place is also important; his relationship with Hong Tao is extraordinary, his influence significant—surely Dering will fully support you. When you go to his house tomorrow, you might as well lay out your thoughts and see his attitude."

Li Mingzhou said with slight concern: "Little Fan's biggest shortcoming is that he has never held a top post in the government; in recent years there has been no precedent of a direct promotion."

Li Lao shook his head and said: "Everything has its exceptions; the grasslands situation is special, and this year will again be vast and tumultuous. With Hong Tao in control, if he insists on using Little Fan, nobody will raise objections. Therefore, Little Fan's work in the grasslands this year must be bold and sweeping, making a noticeable impact—sometimes public opinion can play a decisive role."

Li Mingzhou asked: "Little Fan, do you have any good ideas for this year's work?"

Lu Fan earnestly replied: "I plan to start with reforms in healthcare and education, strengthen anti-corruption efforts, and strive to let the broad grassroots populace enjoy the dividends of reform. In economic work, I intend to focus on tourism and animal husbandry, increase publicity to turn tourism advantages into economic benefits. Furthermore, I will increase investment promotion efforts to attract major projects and enterprises to drive economic development. Most importantly, I plan to reclaim some 'monopolized' industries—partially state-owned, partially fully opened—to boost the vitality of the private economy, which involves anti-corruption struggle…"

Lu Fan spoke fluently for half an hour, also intending to let the two elders oversee and guide; some pros and cons of the issues he still couldn't fully grasp, needing the elders to point out from the side.

Then, the three engaged in an in-depth discussion of Lu Fan's ideas, each expressing their views, chatting the whole afternoon until Li Zimeng came in to call them for dinner, whereupon they finally "called it a day."

Through this in-depth exchange, Li Lao and Li Mingzhou gained a new understanding of Lu Fan; they truly felt that his thinking and pattern had been completely opened up, and some ideas even gave Li Mingzhou profound inspiration.