Chapter 713

"If it's about competing, everyone competes; if it's about lying flat, everyone lies flat together! All relaxed and at ease, lying down! So, everyone must become a voluntary supervisor and fight Paid Tutoring to the end—this is the greatest responsibility to one's own children!"

"This was originally a joke Lu Fan said to parents during his research, but unexpectedly, this 'joke' spread like wildfire across the grasslands, becoming a popular topic of conversation after meals and also becoming the highest directive for the entire province's struggle against 'Paid Tutoring'!"

"From the start of the school year, the grasslands launched a vigorous campaign against Paid Tutoring; the complaint hotlines of all-level Discipline Inspection Committees and education authorities became 'hotlines', never stopping after school."

"Du Wenlong reported to Lu Fan, 'The struggle' is too intense; the Discipline Inspection Committee lacks manpower and requests support."

"After careful consideration, Lu Fan instructed all levels of public security departments to join 'the struggle', responsible for cracking down on Paid Tutoring by social personnel, while Paid Tutoring by employed teachers continues to be handled by the Discipline Inspection Committee."

"At the same time, the Provincial Education Department was required to organize the province's best teachers to carefully record high-quality online courses, made freely available on the department's official website to all provincial students, to meet the extensive after-school learning needs of students."

"Fairness is the greatest justice and also the masses' last line of defense; as long as everyone stands on the same starting line, any policy can be implemented."

"Lu Fan knows that even if the crackdown on Paid Tutoring is intensified, some will still sneakily tutor; there's a saying, 'Pitiable the hearts of parents worldwide'! But the crackdown must persist, with a strict tone, strict measures, and strict atmosphere maintained throughout, until a social atmosphere and habit are formed, doing utmost to safeguard the greatest possible educational fairness—this is already the best outcome."

"On September 10, Deputy Provincial Governor Wei Dongsheng and Zhang Sitong, head of the Provincial Culture and Tourism Department, came to the Provincial Party Committee to report work."

"The specific measure is to turn the twelve grassland-characteristic festivals—Obao Festival, Namuda, Chengling Memorial Festival, Chagansari, Bonfire Festival, Horse Milk Festival, Livestock Festival, Fire Festival, Wrestling Festival, Temple Fair, Heroes Gathering, and Horse Caravan Conference—into national grand events, pairing each festival's conclusion with a high-quality concert to maximize tourist attraction."

"The event currently being prepared is the October 'Wrestling Festival' in Yike City, in contact with the 'Phoenix Legend' group to invite them to hold a concert in Yike City."

"Lu Fan nodded with satisfaction, saying: 'That's right, work should be done like this! But remember, when tourists come to the grasslands, they most want to see boundless grassland scenery, taste authentic grassland flavors, enjoy unique grassland activities, appreciate beautiful grassland song and dance, listen to the melodious morin khuur, and feel the distinctive charm of grassland culture.'"

"Don't end up making it 'neither Western nor Chinese', leaving people feeling it's meaningless, so they won't come again, turning it into a one-shot deal—then the loss would outweigh the gain!"

"Wei Dongsheng, Zhang Sitong, our grasslands possess magnificent prairies, vast seas of sand, colorful forests, long history, and unique culture; inside and outside the Great Wall is our homeland, the cultural exchange between nomadic and agrarian peoples, and the confluence of the Tea Horse Road and the grassland Silk Road, which can provide tourists with rich natural experiences."

"The grasslands of the nation's far north, endowed with natural beauty by heaven and cultural charm by our ancestors, are naturally advantaged for tourism development, with obvious strengths."

"The vast grasslands, with roads crisscrossing through them, are like passing through a painting; self-drive tours set against magnificent scenery, and camping in yurts as an idyllic retreat, make our grassland tourism highly distinctive."

"Therefore, we must develop tourism that satisfies and benefits the people, shaping the grasslands into the nation's preferred destination for self-drive tours, an excellent choice for camping, and a must-visit for vacations, promoting high-quality, steady, and far-reaching tourism development."

"Each city should plan a large free campsite, build the infrastructure well, and fire the 'first shot'!"

"Tell me, what support do you need from the Provincial Party Committee? I will do well as this 'logistics support minister'!"

"Wei Dongsheng said with a smile: 'We will certainly implement the secretary's instructions fully; as for difficulties, we will also have to ask the secretary for "support". First, it's a money issue: I and Sitong have calculated that infrastructure construction and holding various activities need 2 billion yuan in funds to help the tourism industry upgrade. After reporting to the governor, only 500 million yuan was approved, leaving a 1.5 billion yuan gap; second, it's the scheduling issue with "Phoenix Legend", which we are currently coordinating.'"

"Lu Fan replied with a smile: 'You're thinking of tapping the 'integrity account', huh? I've been 'pinching and scraping' to save money, and you're all watching! Alright, go find Wenlong later—I'll help you solve this 1.5 billion! But let me say up front: I'll take the money, but you must deliver results and reputation.'"

"Last year the province received 230 million tourist visits, generating 335.5 billion yuan in domestic tourism revenue. 457 A-rated scenic spots received 92.22 million tourist visits, with operating income of 6.1 billion yuan."

"These two sets of data must increase by 10% this year and continue growing by 10% next year— isn't that a modest demand?"

"Wei Dongsheng sighed: 'The secretary's money won't be easy to get, but we will surely exert all efforts, concentrate our energy, and make a breakthrough, letting the grasslands' tourism also experience an 'explosive' development!'"

"Lu Fan said: 'Don't try to fool me; a 10% increase is the baseline, a mandatory task! Send me the contact information for 'Phoenix Legend', and I'll coordinate personally. Your needs will be met by the Provincial Party Committee without fail; if the task isn't completed, that's on you.'"

"After Zhang Sitong sent over the number, Lu Fan, in their presence, dialed the number on the landline."

"After ringing for several seconds, the call connected, and Lu Fan politely asked: 'Is this the 'Phoenix Legend' group? I am Lu Fan of the Grasslands Province.'"

"Ling Hua was a bit dazed, and instinctively asked: 'Lu Fan? Which Lu Fan? What do you want with me?'"

"Just as Lu Fan was about to reply, a startled exclamation came from the phone: 'You are Secretary Lu? Sorry, really sorry, I didn't react just now! Secretary Lu, hello, may I ask what instructions you have for me?'"

"Lu Fan said with a smile: 'You are a shining pearl of the grasslands; the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government have decided to invite you to serve as the 'Grasslands Tourism Image Ambassador' to aid grasslands tourism development.'"

"The exclamation sounded again, and Ling Hua responded excitedly: 'Secretary Lu, what merit or ability do I have to dare undertake this heavy responsibility?'"

"Lu Fan said: 'This is a decision collectively researched and carefully made by the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government; you are more than worthy! As a grasslands person, we need to add bricks and tiles to the grasslands' development, contribute our strength, and I hope you will consider it!'"

"'No need to consider, I am willing; this is my honor!'"

"Lu Fan continued: 'In October, the province has decided to hold the 'Wrestling Festival' in Yike City, and wishes to invite you to hold a concert concurrently, to help turn this event into a national grand gathering and boost vigorous tourism development.'"

"'Secretary Lu, no problem! I am a Yike native; I must contribute my effort!'"

"'Thank you for supporting your hometown's cause; the Provincial Culture and Tourism Department will shortly be in touch with you!'"

"'Just speak up if you have anything!'"

"……"

"Starting in September, the provincial tourism infrastructure construction proceeded apace, while simultaneously launching a strong crackdown on disorderly phenomena in the tourism market, focusing on rectifying tour guides' arbitrary fees, unreasonably low-priced tours, and poor experiences in the 'eat, stay, travel, tour, shop, entertain' aspects."

"During the special rectification campaign, a 24-hour tourism complaint and reporting hotline was opened, complaint email and mailbox were established, and tourism complaints and reports were accepted around the clock."

"During the special rectification campaign, the province deployed law enforcement personnel 15000 person-times, law enforcement vehicles 2135 vehicle-times, inspected 4250 tourism business establishments, screened over 655 online and WeChat public accounts, filed 205 cases for investigation, and transferred 22 cases."

"Meanwhile, by conducting third-party 'checkup-style' undercover visits, supervising each league city to deeply engage with linked scenic areas, travel agencies, and tourism spots, through measures such as hanging banners, distributing promotional materials, concentrating case handling, and training through cases with on-site supervision, the special rectification's effectiveness was strengthened, tourists' legitimate rights protected, and the regional tourism market order standardized."

"By late September, the twenty premium tourism routes 'Singing Travel Grasslands' and 'Grassland's Autumn Invitation', etc., each league city also carefully planned 130 key cultural-tourism activities, and the grasslands' various tourism publicity short videos 'bombarded' major short-video platforms, with publicity spreading far and wide, sweeping the nation; under the additive effect of the 'culture-tourism combination punch', the grasslands successfully attracted widespread tourist favor."

"In the golden autumn season meeting the Golden Week holiday, patriotic fervor added to travel enthusiasm; during this National Day holiday, people set out for the nation's northern borders with blessings for the motherland and love for life. Data from the Provincial Culture and Tourism Department showed that in the first six days of the holiday, the province cumulatively received 19 million domestic tourist visits, with total domestic tourist spending reaching 14.5 billion yuan."

"After the special rectification, the grasslands tourism market saw enthusiasm and sincerity permeate every aspect of tourists' 'eat, stay, travel, tour, shop, entertain', letting them 'sing all the way, travel all the way', fully enjoy the grasslands' ancient unique charm, and the reputation of grasslands tourism echoed nationwide."

"In mid-October, forces coalesced, and hope rose."

"The giant vessel is about to break through the waves and set sail; a new starting point, new hope!"