Chapter 715

January 15, the provincial target responsibility assessment was officially launched. Unlike previous years, after the assessment work deployment meeting concluded, members of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and vice governors gathered together to collectively study this year's 《Provincial Target Responsibility Assessment Plan》, aiming to unify goals, thoughts, rules, and actions throughout the entire assessment process.

Translate: "January 15, the provincial target responsibility assessment was officially launched. Unlike previous years, after the assessment work deployment meeting concluded, the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee members and Deputy Provincial Governors gathered together to centrally study this year's《Provincial Target Responsibility Assessment Plan》, aiming to unify goals, thoughts, rules, and actions throughout the assessment process."

We need to keep numbers exactly: "January 15". Keep the date format? Usually "January 15". Could also be "January 15th". We'll use "January 15". Keep the book title 《Provincial Target Responsibility Assessment Plan》 translate as 《Provincial Target Responsibility Assessment Plan》? Keep the brackets? We'll translate the title inside but keep the Chinese book marks? Usually we translate and keep the marks? We'll translate the content: "Provincial Target Responsibility Assessment Plan". Keep the 《》? Might be okay to keep as 《Provincial Target Responsibility Assessment Plan》. We'll do that.

Now output: 【1】 January 15, the provincial target responsibility assessment was officially launched. Unlike previous years, after the assessment work deployment meeting concluded, the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee members and Deputy Provincial Governors gathered together to centrally study this year's《Provincial Target Responsibility Assessment Plan》, aiming to unify goals, thoughts, rules, and actions throughout the assessment process.

Make sure it's one line.

At seven in the evening, Lu Fan was discussing work with Bai Chengzhi when the Secretary of the Provincial Political and Legal Committee, Yang Jiale, pushed the door open and entered with a solemn expression.

Translate: "At seven in the evening, Lu Fan was discussing work with Bai Chengzhi when Political and Legal Committee Secretary Yang Jiale pushed the door open, his face solemn."

We need to use exact glossary: "Political and Legal Committee Secretary". Good.

Seeing this, Bai Chengzhi stood up and said, "Secretary, I will promptly implement the tasks you assigned; you two continue your talk." After speaking, he nodded at Yang Jiale and left the office.

Translate: "Seeing this, Bai Chengzhi stood up and said, "Secretary, I will promptly implement the tasks you assigned; you two continue." After speaking, he nodded at Yang Jiale and left the office."

We need to keep quotes. Use English quotes.

Lu Fan glanced at Yang Jiale and calmly said, "Comrade Yang Jiale, please have a seat."

Translate: "Lu Fan glanced at Yang Jiale and said calmly, "Comrade Yang Jiale, please have a seat!""

After taking a seat, Yang Jiale remained silent for a few seconds, revealing a hint of dejection, and with difficulty said, "Secretary, I have come here today to admit my mistakes to the organization." Having said that, he turned his gaze toward Lu Fan.

Translate: "After taking a seat, Yang Jiale fell silent for a few seconds, revealing a hint of dejection, and with difficulty said, "Secretary, I have come here today to admit my mistakes to the organization!" After speaking, he turned his gaze toward Lu Fan."

Lu Fan said nothing, continued to look calmly at Yang Jiale, and gave a slight nod, signaling him to continue.

Translate: "Lu Fan remained silent, calmly gazing at Yang Jiale, slightly nodding to indicate he should continue."

Seeing this, Yang Jiale understood that Secretary Lu wanted an attitude! He realized he was merely an "ant" that others could push around!

Translate: "Seeing this, Yang Jiale understood—Secretary Lu wanted an attitude! He was merely an "ant" at the mercy of others!"

We need to keep quotes around "ant". Keep quotes.

After careful consideration, Yang Jiale spoke with a guilty expression: "Secretary, the investigation of Yun Shuo by the Discipline Inspection Commission has deeply affected me. For a long time, I have been unable to let go, repeatedly waking from dreams in fright, feeling anxious all day long."

Note missing closing quote? We'll translate as is.

Translate: "After careful consideration, Yang Jiale spoke with a guilty expression: "Secretary, Yun Shuo being investigated by the Discipline Inspection Committee has greatly affected me. For a long time, I have been unable to let go, waking up countless times in fright, feeling uneasy all day!""

After intense ideological struggle and repeated weighing, I have decided to discard the thought of "taking a gamble" and admit my mistakes to you and the organization!

Note Chinese quotes 【】. We'll translate.

Translate: "After intense ideological struggle and repeated weighing, I have decided to dispel the notion of 'taking a gamble' and admit my mistakes to you and the organization!"

During my ten years of service in Grassland, I committed unforgivable errors, colluding with Yun Shuo, Yun Junjie, and others, taking money that I should not have taken.

Translate: "During my ten years of service in Grassland Province, I committed unforgivable errors, colluding with Yun Shuo, Yun Junjie, and others, taking money I should not have taken."

I know well that one must eventually pay for one's faults; I sincerely confess to the organization that in 2016 I first reached out improperly...

Translate: "I know well that a person must ultimately pay for his own mistakes; I sincerely repent to the organization— in 2016, I first reached out improperly……"

Note the ellipsis.

For a full half hour, Yang Jiale recounted his corrupt deeds in exhaustive detail, with a very sincere attitude.

Translate: "For a full half hour, Yang Jiale recounted his corrupt deeds in exhaustive detail, his attitude extremely sincere."

After a few minutes of silence, Lu Fan remained calm and composed, saying, "Comrade Yang Jiale, making a mistake is not frightening; what is frightening is lacking a guilty heart after erring, having less reverence before deviating from the righteous path, not walking on thin ice with trepidation, and turning a deaf ear to the organization's efforts at redemption."

After a few minutes of silence, Lu Fan remained calm and composed, saying, "Comrade Yang Jiale, making a mistake is not frightening; what is frightening is lacking a guilty heart after erring, having less reverence before deviating from the righteous path, not walking on thin ice with trepidation, and turning a deaf ear to the organization's aid."

Your willingness to speak openly about these matters today is comforting! The 《Regulations on Disciplinary Punishments》 clearly stipulates that voluntary disclosure of issues that should incur Party disciplinary action may result in lighter or mitigated penalties. The 《Supervision Law》 also provides that individuals suspected of job-related crimes who voluntarily confess and accept punishment, surrender themselves, and sincerely repent may, after collective study and approval by a higher-level supervisory authority, be recommended for leniency when their case is transferred to the people's procuratorate.

Translate: "Your willingness to speak openly about these matters today heartens me! The《Regulations on Disciplinary Punishments》clearly stipulates that voluntarily disclosing issues that should incur Party disciplinary action may result in lighter or mitigated punishment. The《Supervision Law》also provides that a person under investigation for job-related crimes who voluntarily confesses, accepts punishment, surrenders, and sincerely repents may, after collective study and approval by a higher-level supervisory authority, be recommended for leniency when the case is transferred to the People's Procuratorate."

We need to keep book titles: 《Regulations on Disciplinary Punishments》. 《Supervision Law》.

Hoping for luck after violating discipline and law, or even putting up a stubborn resistance, is not the way to resolve the problem; only turning back from the wrong path and self‑redemption constitute the correct course.

Translate: "Hoping for luck after violating discipline and law, or even putting up a stubborn resistance, is not the way to solve problems; only turning back from the wrong path and self-redemption constitute the proper course."

Being lost is not frightening; what is frightening is not knowing how to return. As comprehensive strict governance of the Party continues to advance in depth, are we to be like a "startled bird", anxious and uneasy, or is it still timely to "mend the pen after losing the sheep"? You have already made your choice and taken a crucial step toward the right direction.

Translate: "Going astray is not frightening; what is frightening is not knowing how to return. As comprehensive strict Party governance continues to advance in depth, are you to be a 'startled bird' trembling with fear, or is it still timely to 'mend the pen after losing the sheep'? You have already made your choice, taking a crucial step toward the correct direction!"

We need to keep quotes around the idioms: 【startled bird】 and 【mend the pen after losing the sheep】. We'll translate as "startled bird" and "mend the pen after losing the sheep". Keep quotes.

Now go to the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee and see Secretary Du Wenlong to explain the matter clearly.

Translate: "Now go to the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee and see Secretary Du Wenlong to lay out the issues clearly."

Yang Jiale stood up and said, "Thank you, Secretary, for the opportunity. I will truthfully report the issues to the Discipline Inspection Committee and strive for lenient treatment. At an appropriate time, I also ask the Secretary for further assistance. I will forever keep the Secretary's kindness in my heart."

Translate: "Yang Jiale rose and said, "Thank you, Secretary, for the opportunity; I will certainly truthfully report the issues to the Discipline Inspection Committee and strive for lenient handling. At an appropriate time, I also ask the Secretary to provide further assistance. I will forever keep the Secretary's kindness in my heart!""

"Go ahead; the organization will have its own conclusion!"

Translate: ""Go, the organization will have its own conclusion!""

January 20, news from the websites of the Discipline Inspection Commission and Supervision Commission: Grassland Province Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee member and Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee Yang Jiale is suspected of serious violations of discipline and law, has voluntarily surrendered, and is currently undergoing disciplinary review and supervisory investigation.

Translate: "January 20, news from the Discipline Inspection and Supervision Commission websites: Grassland Province Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee member and Political and Legal Committee Secretary Yang Jiale is suspected of serious violations of discipline and law, has voluntarily surrendered, and is currently undergoing disciplinary review and supervisory investigation."

Everything happened so suddenly—just yesterday everything was fine, and today he is under investigation? Yet this seems to have been expected by everyone; Secretary Yang had long become a nonentity, with no presence over the past six months, and once you take the wrong path, there's no turning back.

Translate: "Everything came so suddenly—just yesterday everything was fine, today he's under investigation? Yet this seems to have been everyone's expectation; Secretary Yang had long become a nonentity, with no presence over the past six months—once you take the wrong path, there's no turning back!"

January 21, the annual target responsibility assessment officially commenced, with Lu Fan personally leading a team to the provincial capital, Qingcheng City, to oversee the assessment work.

Translate: "January 21, the annual target responsibility assessment officially commenced; Lu Fan personally led a team to the provincial capital, Qingcheng City, to oversee the assessment work."

At the evaluation conference, Lu Fan said, "Regarding the cumbersome grassroots assessment items, "bloated" assessment indicators, and outdated assessment methods, the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government, through coordinated integration, streamlining and optimization, and digital-intelligent innovation, have used precise assessment to alleviate the burden on the grassroots, deleted over a hundred indicators that are disconnected from grassroots work and redundant or ineffective, integrated and compressed 80% of assessment items, and reallocated the scoring weights of nearly twenty indicators."

Translate: "At the evaluation conference, Lu Fan said, "Regarding the cumbersome grassroots assessment items, bloated assessment indicators, and outdated assessment methods, the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government, through coordinated integration, streamlining and optimization, and digital-intelligent innovation, have used precise assessment to alleviate the burden on the grassroots, deleting over a hundred indicators that are disconnected from grassroots work and ineffective, integrating and compressing 80% of assessment items, and reallocating the score weights of nearly twenty indicators."

We need to keep quotes around 【bloated】 -> "bloated". We'll translate.

The focus will be on indicators such as GDP growth rate, growth rate of value‑added of industries above designated size, fixed‑asset investment, net increase of enterprises above designated size, fiscal revenue growth rate, the two income indicators for urban and rural residents, effectiveness of education reform, effectiveness of medical reform, development of agriculture and animal husbandry, and the integrity of the leadership team, to conduct a fair and just evaluation of Qingcheng City's work for the whole year...

Translate: "The focus lies on indicators such as GDP growth rate, value-added growth of industries above designated size, fixed-asset investment, net increase of enterprises above designated size, fiscal revenue growth, urban and rural residents' two income items, education reform effectiveness, medical reform effectiveness, agricultural and animal husbandry development, and leading cadres' clean governance; based on these, a fair and just evaluation of Qingcheng City's annual work will be conducted……"

We need to keep the ellipsis.

The major assessment has standards and procedures; Lu Fan also privately set an assessment for Qingcheng City: the GDP target for the municipal Party secretary and mayor must break through the 500‑billion mark.

Translate: "The major assessment has standards and procedures; Lu Fan also privately set an assessment for Qingcheng City: to have the municipal Party secretary and mayor achieve a GDP exceeding the 500-billion threshold."

But according to the current calculation of the provincial statistics bureau, Qingcheng City's annual GDP is estimated at 4985 billion yuan, leaving Lu Fan somewhat torn between laughter and tears, not knowing whether to criticize or praise them!

Seeing Zhou Haoshu and Ban Ce with a constipated look, Lu Fan still decided to criticize a few sentences, he said: "No discounts, no lowering standards, this is the embodiment of organization and discipline! You two are fine, just short of 15 billion, make some effort, cultivate a few five‑above enterprises, and wouldn't the problem be solved?"

I think you still lack emancipated thinking and insufficient enterprising spirit; your sense of responsibility is not strong enough, your drive insufficient; you lack innovative courage and your work lacks boldness.

Forget it, this year has already turned out like this; the 5600 for 2028, are you still planning to give me a discount?

Zhou Haoshu hurriedly said: "Municipal Party Secretary, this year Qingcheng City will take project construction as an important handle to promote high-quality economic and social development; I and the mayor have planned 1175 municipal key projects, with total investment exceeding 7000 billion yuan."

Furthermore, over the past month, the city has vigorously carried out investment promotion activities. After the year-end assessment ends, I and the mayor will personally lead teams, heading to the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta to conduct intentional investment promotion efforts. On behalf of the Municipal Party Committee and the City Government, I assure you that in 2028 Qingcheng City will surely fulfill the 5600 billion task with both quality and quantity.

Lu Fan said: "Talk is cheap; I'll come back at year‑end to settle the total accounts with you! If you dare to give me a discount again, or fail to complete the task, then go wherever it's cool and stay there!"

After threatening them, Lu Fan then asked: "How is the animal husbandry industry in Qingcheng City?"

Zhou Haoshu hurriedly replied: "Reporting to the Municipal Party Secretary, as of now, the city has 23.4 million head of dairy cattle in stock, with milk production of 151.6 million tons; the number of sheep in stock and for slaughter are 1.9 million and 2.85 million respectively; the number of live hogs in stock and for slaughter are 330,000 and 570,000 respectively. However, there is a piece of good news: the Zhengtian Group's project for a full industrial chain of 1 million live hogs, with a total investment of 4.5 billion yuan, has already begun construction."

After reporting for several minutes, Zhou Haoshu recited the figures fluently without a hitch, showing that he had studied the work earnestly, which made Lu Fan very satisfied.

'Speak of the difficulties!'

Zhou Haoshu immediately reported: "Qingcheng City's agricultural infrastructure is still weak. First, investment in basic farmland water conservancy construction is insufficient, with many arrears, projects lack supporting facilities, and the ability to resist natural disasters is poor. Second, dry land amounts to 3.6 million mu, accounting for 54% of total cultivated area, while irrigated land is only 3.1 million mu. Third, soil compaction and salinization are severe, with 1.8 million mu of saline‑alkali land across the city."

Agricultural technology promotion and application are insufficient, with a low conversion rate and inadequate financial support; cooperation between extension experts and local agricultural technical cadres is lacking. Farming and livestock production methods remain relatively monolithic, still dominated by maize as the sole major grain; some facility agriculture bases suffer from half‑finished projects and idle greenhouses, problems that persist. Modern elements in farming and livestock are not sufficiently concentrated, still dominated by individual households, with low standardization levels and poor benefits. The level of green development in farming and livestock needs improvement, and the overall quality of the city's cultivated land is relatively fragile.

This is indeed a capable person; Lu Fan felt he hadn't placed him in the wrong position, and a good leader can drive a locality's development.

After thinking it over, Lu Fan said: "Since we have discovered the problems, we must solve them promptly; we absolutely cannot let these problems affect the city's overall development plan. The two of you, work together to draft an application and submit it to the provincial Party Committee and provincial government. I can promise you: if you need funds, I will provide them; if you need policies, I will provide them. If the province cannot supply what is needed, I will personally go to the superior departments to help coordinate. But if, after the problems are solved, Qingcheng City's farming and livestock industry still fails to develop, then I will hold you solely responsible."

February 20, the provincial target responsibility assessment ended, and the provincial Party Committee Organization Department compiled the results, with Cloud Valley City and the Provincial Civil Affairs Department ranking last!

February 21, the twenty‑seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, the Provincial Party Committee held a standing committee meeting and communicated the results of the provincial target responsibility assessment.

The Provincial Party Committee Organization Department proposed a personnel adjustment plan: the Director of the Provincial Civil Affairs Department was removed from office; the Party Secretary of Cloud Valley City, Guo Wen, was reassigned as Director of the Provincial Civil Affairs Department; the Director of the Provincial Medical Insurance Bureau, Cheng Jingbo, was reassigned as Party Secretary of Cloud Valley City; the two Deputy Directors of the Provincial Medical Insurance Bureau were respectively assigned as Vice Mayors of Nine Origin City and He Lun City; another Deputy Director retired upon reaching retirement age.

Cloud Valley City Mayor Chen Kaiming was not involved, because he had just taken office in Cloud Valley not long ago; Lu Fan decided to give him another chance, after all he was a deputy minister dispatched down from the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department, and Shang Youyang also put in a good word for him.

Moreover, some people were adjusted due to the assessment; after the news of the standing committee meeting spread, the cadres of Grassland Province felt lingering fear, and the assessment had become a 'difficult‑to‑chant scripture', almost deadly.

But there's nothing that can be done about these views; this policy has already been in effect for two years, so everyone can only cheer up and work hard, lest they become the unlucky one.

Isn't there a saying that life is like rape; if you can't resist, then just enjoy it!

This personnel adjustment has a strange phenomenon: the Provincial Medical Insurance Bureau lacks both its director and three deputy directors; this abnormal move reveals a hint of 'weirdness'.