Chapter 696

Hearing the implied meaning in Lu Fan's words, Gu Yunhao did not pick up the thread, but instead looked at Lu Fan with a sincere expression and said: "Secretary, history tells us that harmony brings mutual benefit, struggle brings mutual loss; trust advances, suspicion retreats. Dialogue is better than confrontation, partnership better than opposition. I am a person of the grasslands; as long as something benefits grassland development, I am willing to devote myself wholeheartedly under the leadership of the Provincial Party Committee."

Sensing Gu Yunhao's sincerity, Lu Fan no longer hid anything, speaking frankly: "For a place to develop, there are many constraining factors, such as political, economic, social, cultural aspects, etc., but the most important is to break through entrenched interests."

We all know that some traditional social organizations or family forces are deeply rooted in local society; they resist change to protect their own interests, and some monopolistic large private enterprises use their market position to block competition, thereby affecting market fairness and efficiency.

Now reform has entered the deep waters; to navigate the rapids, we must inevitably touch these people's interests. For the fundamental interests of the grassland people and the sustained healthy development of the economy, we must advance fearlessly, dare to break the existing interest pattern, and steadfastly push forward all reforms.

Gu Yunhao sighed and said: "The world is not simply black and white, right and wrong; everything is relative, not absolute. The organizations or forces you mentioned do have some self-interest, but it is undeniable that they love the grasslands deeply, have contributed their strength to its development, provided many jobs, and upheld social stability and harmony."

I personally believe that between necessity and possibility, between transformation and reform, we can find a 'golden balance point' that exists within a reasonable range. Of course, they will accelerate structural adjustment, focus on improving quality and efficiency, strive to adapt to the times' development, thereby making the grassland economy progress steadily and sustain long-term.

Hearing this, Lu Fan's expression turned solemn, and he said: "I am straightforward and love to speak the plain truth! Our Party, since its founding, has existed to seek benefits for the people. Countless martyrs sacrificed their heads and shed their blood, even giving their precious, one‑time lives, so that the poor masses across the land could live well. For the people's interests, they willingly gave everything—what a great fearless spirit, what a selfless dedication!"

By contrast, some people nowadays, always talking about appearances and putting on airs, have bred a serious hedonism and extravagance, quietly extending their sinful hands toward the people's 'cheese'.

What does this show? Some comrades have fundamentally failed to straighten out the relationship between governing, development, and serving the people; they are seriously detached from the masses and will inevitably reap what they sow.

'Those who receive salaries should not contend with the people for profit'—contending with the people for profit is a most heinous act, the greatest corruption. We must use ironclad discipline as a guarantee, resolutely chop off the 'black hand' reaching for the people's interests. Only by firmly eliminating the phenomenon of contending with the people for profit, and thoroughly implementing the Party and government's care for the masses, can we do good deeds well and practical things solidly, thereby winning the people's hearts and gaining their support.

Gu Yunhao also became solemn, replying: "Secretary Lu, my original intention was to have an open-hearted exchange with you, but some hats are being placed too high—no one can bear them!"

Lu Fan spoke righteously: "I have the motherland behind me and the people in my heart; I always have inexhaustible, boundless strong support and motivation! I am not necessarily talking about you, so don't take it personally!"

Eating the grain grown by the common people, walking on roads built by them, living in houses constructed by them, yet in their hearts they scheme to squeeze dry the people's savings, and they confuse right and wrong, calling black white and white black—there is nothing more shameless in the world!

Comrade Yunhao, today just between us two, I will also say a few heartfelt words. You surely know why I came to the grasslands; the trend of the world is not something human power can shift.

From the moment I arrived at the grasslands, many things have already been settled; this is not merely petty scheming, but a life‑and‑death struggle. If anyone puts up a stubborn resistance, the process must be paid for with blood. Therefore, I have been waiting, hoping everyone can seize this last opportunity and not make the scene bloody.

But some people simply disdain to look, knowing it cannot be changed yet resigning themselves to fate! I can only choose respect, and thus must see the truth in action.

You are a smart person; soon the province will undergo leadership turnover, and the seat in the Provincial CPPCC is vacant, waiting for someone—everyone must consider their own interests.

……

At ten o'clock in the evening, Gu Yunhao returned to the office with slow steps, a weary look on his face. His gaze swept slowly over the space; every inch of air seemed to be permeated with memories of the past.

He raised his hand and lightly stroked the desk, as if bidding farewell to an old friend. Looking at the exceedingly familiar chair, he slowly sat down, and a surge of sorrow welled up uncontrollably in his heart.

At this moment, he felt a myriad of emotions—an inexplicable ease and release, yet also deep loss and reluctance. The iron‑clad office, the flowing troops—when it is time to leave, it has come. To depart with dignity is not necessarily a bad thing!

On the morning of June 2, Shang Youyang, head of the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department, went to the airport to meet the inspection team. Bureau Chief Bai Chengzhi had already been promoted to a ministerial‑level committee member; the proper etiquette and respect must be shown, especially since this visit is to inspect Lu Fan, which the Provincial Party Committee and its Organization Department highly value.

At 11:30, Lu Fan received Bai Chengzhi and his entourage in his office.

After exchanging greetings, outsiders withdrew, and Bai Chengzhi conveyed the organizational intent; the two discussed the inspection plan and solicited opinions from the Provincial Party Committee.

Having decided to inspect himself, Lu Fan voluntarily proposed the recusal system and invited Governor Luo Shiyu to come, arranging for her to cooperate with the inspection team's work.

Bai Chengzhi, with a hint of deeper meaning, said to Lu Fan: "Congratulations in advance on your promotion, Secretary; I will carefully organize this inspection, ensuring nothing goes awry!"

Lu Fan gave him a meaningful glance, and the two shook hands firmly.

At 2 p. m., Lu Fan went to Yike City for research. The Secretary of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee, Du Wenlong, and the Secretary-General of the Provincial Party Committee, Wu Xiaohua, both 'remained behind' at the Provincial Party Committee to cooperate with the inspection team's work.

On June 3, Grassland Province convened a mobilization meeting for major projects to advance high‑quality development.

The main venue was set in Yike City, while each league‑city established a sub‑venue at the local major project construction site, reporting the start‑and‑resumption status of major projects via video link.

This year, Grassland Province plans to implement 3,300 major projects, with total investment of 2.8 trillion yuan, and annual planned investment of 655.2 billion yuan, up by 215 projects and 0.4 trillion yuan compared with last year.

This is a major event specially arranged by the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government; preparations were completed ten days in advance, awaiting only the arrival of the inspection team.

It both lets Lu Fan avoid suspicion and raises his exposure and attention; especially at this critical juncture, it is truly killing two birds with one stone.

When Lu Fan's inspection announcement was released, the entire Provincial Party Committee compound seemed to have been hit by a heavy bomb, instantly stirring up a huge commotion and causing a great uproar.

Who would have thought that Secretary Lu would actually be promoted directly in the grasslands—something that hasn't happened for many years.

What is gratifying is that the vast majority of people hold an optimistic and supportive attitude. Everyone eagerly discusses Secretary Lu's impressive achievements, looking forward to his promotion bringing even more positive changes to the grasslands.

The inspection team proceeded step by step, following procedure with individual talks, distributing opinion‑solicitation forms, democratic evaluations, on‑site inspections, document reviews, special investigations, etc., to broadly and deeply understand Lu Fan's work situation in the grasslands.

On June 4, Bureau Chief Bai Chengzhi personally met with the inspection target Lu Fan for an organizational talk.

Facing the inspection team, Lu Fan sincerely said: "The grasslands boast beautiful mountains and rivers, outstanding people and spiritual vitality; it is a good place for work and life, for undertaking endeavors and starting businesses."

The cadres of the grasslands have high political awareness and work ability; they talk politics, have sentiment, can shoulder responsibility, from top to bottom, in every respect, united and vigorous; the grassland people are diligent and simple, honest and kind, bold in pioneering.

Being able to strive together with the broad cadres and masses of the grasslands to fulfill the historic task of comprehensive revitalization makes me feel very fortunate.

Since taking office, I have been able to correctly handle the power in my hands, always keeping my original aspiration and mission in mind, always maintaining integrity and purity, serving the public with honesty, worrying for the country and the people, and preserving loyalty forever.

Together with the comrades of the grasslands, with the fearless resolve to offend corrupt elements rather than the people, I have gnawed away one 'hard bone' after another; I have always taken comprehensive strict Party governance as my foremost responsibility, continually purifying and repairing the political ecosystem, seriously investigating all disciplinary violations and corruption cases, vigorously strengthening work style construction, fostering a clean and upright atmosphere conducive to entrepreneurship, thus providing a fundamental guarantee for revitalization and development.

This year, we have increased investment in education and healthcare work…

These mountains, waters, flora, and this homeland have been deeply smelted into my blood, becoming an inseparable longing of my heart. No matter when or where, I will continue as before, upholding the 'fearless struggle' spirit, daring to tackle tough challenges, with great fearless revolutionary spirit, carrying the anti‑corruption struggle to the very end!

At the same time, I am clearly aware that my abilities and qualities still fall short compared to the important responsibilities I bear. Yet I have confidence that, under the strong leadership of my superiors, relying closely on the Provincial Party Committee leadership team and the broad cadres and masses of the whole province, with the strong support of comrades, I will do well in the grasslands' work.

The grasslands are a place full of hope and opportunity. As long as the organization trusts me, I will certainly govern for the people, serve them wholeheartedly, care about the people's hardships, value their wishes, and in every way seek benefits for the populace. We must truly do well in livelihood work, strive to solve the people's concrete problems, vigorously develop social service undertakings, continually raise the living standards of the grassland people, and strive to continuously push forward the grasslands' reform, opening‑up, and modernization drive.