Chapter 681

On the second day of the first lunar month, Lu Fan brought his family to visit his sister, and, as a side note, paid a New Year's call on Chen Deming.

His sister, sporting a big belly, warmly received the elder brother's family; Chen Deming's household all beamed with joy, treating Lu Yao as a priority to protect, letting her live a life of having clothes handed to her and food brought to her mouth.

After exchanging a few words of concern with his sister, Chen Deming summoned Lu Fan to the study.

After setting up the tea set, the two sipped and chatted, Chen Deming said: "You've done well on the grasslands, your influence has been established; this year is a critical period for you, you must press on! Hong Tao once told me he gave you a one-year probation; you know what kind of grassland he wants, so the grasslands' main task this year remains anti-corruption—you must have confidence in your heart!"

Lu Fan said with gratitude: "Thanks to Uncle Chen's support, this year I will continue to exert effort, deeply advance the anti-corruption struggle, spare no effort to improve the grasslands' political ecology overall, for the better, continuously, and long-term, summoning vigor to open a new situation, striving to meet Secretary Hong Tao's demands."

Chen Deming continued: "I know what you're worried about; as one family we don't keep two sets of accounts—with me backing you, you needn't fear that position will be filled by an outsider parachuted in; I've discussed this with Hong Tao, the initiative lies with you. But if the grasslands fail to undergo earth-shaking change, letting you rise abruptly still carries some pressure, so the saying remains: judge heroes by concrete deeds, promote officials based on actual performance—you must achieve results that convince the masses."

Lu Fan replied unusually firmly: "Rest assured, I already have a concrete plan for this year's work; I intend to start from these aspects: medical reform…"

He went on at length for about half an hour; after Li Lao and Li Mingzhou reviewed these work ideas, they became more feasible and executable, Chen Deming nodded repeatedly in approval and added his own opinions on some matters, making Lu Fan's plan more thorough.

At noon, both families enjoyed a lively family feast, and Lu Fan and Chen Xu accompanied Chen Deming in drinking a bottle of deer blood wine.

In the afternoon, Lu Fan hosted a banquet at the Kao Meat Wan Restaurant for Si Daiqiang, Chen Jianfei, Wang Gang, Bai Chengzhi, Kang Qiming, Guo Xiaopeng and others—an arrangement made long before the year's end—and over the past few years he has gradually become part of this circle.

Old friends gathered, sincerely bonding, naturally leading to unrestrained drinking. As cups were exchanged, Lu Fan, unable to hold his liquor, became dead drunk, but he managed to stay until the party ended, finally being escorted home by Si Daiqiang.

On the third day of the first lunar month, Lu Fan brought grassland specialties such as mare's milk liquor and beef jerky to visit leaders Chen Jiazhong, Zhou Xi, Liu Congfeng, Guo Xiongxiong, and Li Guoquan.

The fact that they could come to his door to pay New Year's respects already showed the change in everyone's attitude toward Lu Fan; several leaders encouraged him to press on, and in their words they unintentionally revealed some unusual information, leaving Lu Fan deep in thought after returning home.

On the fourth day of the first lunar month, Lu Fan brought his family to pay a New Year's call to Secretary Hong Tao.

After getting out of the car, Lu Fan saw Mingyu waiting at the door, secretly slipped him a red envelope, and also gave him a grassland specialty—a grassland knife.

This knife is generous and sturdy, exquisitely detailed; its color and pattern both exhibit a distinct ethnic style, being purely handcrafted, making Mingyu unable to put it down.

Lu Fan asked with a smile, "How does it feel to be in college? Have you got a girlfriend?"

Mingyu's mouth corners twitched up as he replied disdainfully, "Uncle Lu, why bother with that stuff? Besides, nowadays girls are all materialistic; I'm a penniless, unattractive 'loser.' I've searched far and wide, but when I finally turn around, that person still looks down on me; the road ahead is a dead end—I'm not going to wade into that messy situation! Playing games, playing basketball, hanging out with my brothers— isn't that better?"

Lu Fan couldn't help laughing out loud, teasing, "You'd better not let your dad hear that, or he might arrange a marriage for you right away!"

Mingyu shook his head helplessly, sighing, "He's always thinking about his career and the country; he has no energy to look after me. Only during the New Year these past few years have I been able to see my dad a few times."

Lu Fan patted Mingyu on the shoulder and encouraged him, "You still need to study while in school; after you graduate, come work with me on the grasslands—there's vast opportunity here!"

Mingyu's eyes lit up as he replied, "No problem—I'll make that promise with you; after I graduate, I'll go to the grasslands to join you."

As they entered, Mingyu pulled Yuxuan aside, then turned and whispered to Lu Fan, "Uncle Lu, yesterday Uncle Zhou Xi came to our house; I overheard them talking about your work on the grasslands. Dad is very pleased with your performance and even told Uncle Zhou to give you a few more months. You must keep this quiet, or else Dad will beat me again!"

Lu Fan patted Mingyu's shoulder again, giving him a reassuring look.

In the living room, Lu Fan set down the gifts and said with a smile, "Secretary, I brought some grassland mare's milk liquor and beef jerky for you and your wife to try."

Wang Hongtao rose to greet him, smiling, and said, "Since the Han dynasty there has been the saying 'horses follow water and grass, people rely on kumis.' Good mare's milk liquor has a rich aroma, a pure and lingering taste; it is a must‑have fine drink for entertaining guests on the grasslands, and I quite like it. You could try developing it into a major industry—I think there's great potential."

Lu Fan replied, "Thank you, Secretary, for your guidance—it has been truly inspiring. Mare's milk liquor is warm in nature; it helps dispel cold, relax tendons, invigorate blood, and aid digestion. Known as 'jade elixir of the Yuan,' it is one of the 'Eight Treasures of the Grasslands' and was the main drink of the Yuan court and grassland nobility. If we use traditional grassland methods like skin‑bag liquor and carved‑skin liquor, the design will have ethnic and regional flair, surely attracting attention. After the holiday, I will immediately assemble a team of experts to study the development ideas and strategies for the mare's milk liquor industry, find a viable path, and strive to make mare's milk liquor flourish."

Wang Hongtao nodded and said, "Economic development must be adapted to local conditions, creating a distinctive economy. The grasslands have their own advantages that we must make full use of. For example, they are rich in resources—abundant coal, oil, natural gas, rare earths, and other minerals. Developing and utilizing these resources can provide tremendous support for the grasslands' economic growth;"

Locational advantage—the grasslands lie in the northwest frontier, with a superior geographical position, and they are also one of China's important 'western export' corridors;

Ecological advantage—the grasslands possess a unique ecosystem and abundant natural resources, giving them an inherent edge;

Cultural advantage—the grasslands have a deep cultural heritage and distinctive ethnic culture, offering rich and varied cultural and tourism resources that can attract large numbers of domestic and foreign visitors for sightseeing and travel, thereby providing important support for the development of the grasslands' cultural and tourism industries;

Open‑economy approach—the grasslands should actively integrate into the domestic and international dual circulation, promote the construction and upgrading of an important northern gateway for opening up, and accelerate the development of an open economy.

You need to coordinate internal and external factors, combine breaking the old with establishing the new, dismantle institutional and mechanistic barriers to external openness, swiftly convert the grasslands' unique locational advantage into openness and development advantages, thereby fostering new comparative and competitive advantages that will provide a solid foundation and broad space for the grasslands' economic development.

Lu Fan sincerely replied, "Secretary, each of your pointers is like a guiding lamp; they bring me great gains, just as in school—enlightening and opening my mind."

Liu Mengyao said with a smile, "It's the New Year, but we need to talk work—go to the study; I'll call you when dinner is ready."

After saying that, she went to tease little Yuxuan, unable to resist saying, "Look, how cute this little guy is! In a few years, once Mingyu graduates from college he'll be able to get married—I'll soon be able to hold a grandchild!"

Hearing this, Mingyu's face showed helplessness; he was practically speechless, thinking, "I'm only a freshman—do I already have to bear the responsibility of continuing the family line?" But he dared not contradict his mother; although his father acts all mighty, at home it's Mother who has the final say, especially regarding his living expenses, so he couldn't make her unhappy.

Wang Hongtao led Lu Fan into the study; Lu Fan skillfully handled the tea set, brewing a pot of pu'er tea, knowing that the secretary loves this tea.

Wang Hongtao picked up a copy of Zizhi Tongjian and handed it to Lu Fan, saying, "I'm giving you this book; read it whenever you have time, and you'll gain something from it. Vast China—every stroke of its writing is a backbone; on this great land, every thought and idea is the future! Vast Kyushu, to achieve great rejuvenation we need the torch to be passed on, to persevere in struggle!"

To become a good cadre in the new era, there are no shortcuts—only the courage to shoulder one's duties and serve the people wholeheartedly. After the New Year, you must devote yourself to work, stay focused on your career, firmly hold work in your hands, bear responsibility on your shoulders, and implement measures down to the finest detail; accumulate experience through endless practice and hone your abilities through trial and error, so as not to let down the organization's cultivation and the people's expectations.

After Li Xingyuan's transfer, this represents both an opportunity and a challenge for you. You need the daring to be first, vigorous and upward‑looking spirit; you must not shy away from difficulties, forge ahead with determination, tackle tough problems, work hard and persevere, be capable of great responsibility and able to bear heavy loads—keep the grasslands well maintained, governed, and developed. The organization's personnel orientation is: those who act get positions, those who are capable get promoted, and the excellent are given priority.

Lu Fan felt the secretary's attention and cultivation, looked at Wang Hongtao with firm resolve, and replied resolutely, "Secretary, I will keep your earnest teachings and sincere expectations in my heart and put them into action. For anything that benefits the Party and the people, I will act boldly and decisively, willingly facing difficulties and shirking no responsibility, upholding principles over appearances and party loyalty over self‑interest. I will surely advance with high spirits, a progressive attitude, and solid work style, forging ahead on the new journey and writing a new chapter for the grasslands."

The grasslands have me—please rest assured, Secretary.

Wang Hongtao nodded and said, "One more thing: in anti‑corruption work we must leave no gaps, blind spots, or dead ends—no loopholes, no hidden dangers. Especially regarding outdated practices, forces, and cliques, we must maintain an unchanging zero‑tolerance stance, eradicate the soil and conditions that breed corruption, and continually consolidate the overwhelming victories of the anti‑corruption struggle. When necessary, you may act 'without restraint,' and I will back you."

Upon hearing the secretary's stance for the first time, Lu Fan's passion ignited and his fighting spirit soared; he wished he could immediately return to the grasslands to launch a great undertaking!