Chapter 718

2029 was a year of catching up and surpassing in all economic and social undertakings of the grassland, and also the happiest year for the grassland people, because the economic indicator that Lu Fan valued most was the two incomes of urban and rural residents, both of which achieved historic breakthroughs, indicating that everyone now has spare money!

The year Lu Fan came to work in the grassland, the per capita disposable income of urban permanent residents was 50,888 yuan, and that of rural and pastoral area permanent residents was 22,543 yuan.

By 2029, the per capita disposable income of urban permanent residents broke through the 80,000 yuan mark, and that of rural and pastoral areas broke through the 50,000 yuan mark! This was thanks to the continuous strengthening of provincial social security and economic growth, with more people-benefiting and heart-warming measures taking effect, urban and rural residents' basic old-age insurance, urban retirees' pension benefits, etc., continually improving, and people's medical expenses hitting a historic low……

In 2019, Grassland Province's GDP volume increased by 600 billion yuan; although it did not rise another rank, it was no small feat, and three consecutive years of high growth gave the grassland economy a qualitative leap.

That year, the high-tech zone that Lu Fan chiefly oversaw preliminarily formed industrial clusters with a scale of 100 billion yuan in new-type intelligent terminals, 20 billion yuan in software and information, 20 billion yuan in intelligent connected new-energy vehicles and core components, and 10 billion yuan in integrated circuits, among other leading and characteristic advantageous industries; it cultivated 405 national high-tech enterprises, and the number of resident enterprises reached 3,852.

It became the 'new platform' for building the grassland economic circle, the 'new engine' for high-quality development, the 'new support' for constructing an inland open highland, and the 'new model' for modernized cities, contributing high-tech strength and showcasing high-tech achievements, striving to write a new chapter of the high-tech zone in the grassland construction of the new era and new journey!

At the year-end work summary conference, Lu Fan spoke emotionally: 'To provide for the elderly, nurture the young, treat the sick, ensure food security, enjoy housing, and handle affairs — these are people's aspirations for a better life and also the source of our work's motivation. Striving without cease fills the road with stars; thinking and acting, the sail awaits to be raised. For this, no matter how arduous our efforts, they are worthwhile!'

What is happiness? In my view, the happiness seen by ordinary people is having a home in the countryside, an apartment in the city, a commuting car; although not fabulously wealthy, they begin to have savings in daily life; parents grow older but remain healthy; the wife may not be exceptionally beautiful, but she is very family-oriented; the children may not become dragons and phoenixes, but their values are upright.

Actually, what people want is quite simple: nothing more than tranquil times, a stable present, unhurried, and taking things calmly. What we must do is to lead with a clean and upright political ecosystem to foster a social ecosystem brimming with positive energy, driving all kinds of economic and social activities to run on standardized, law-based tracks, and wholeheartedly serve the people.

Comrades, as the saying goes, 'Ice three feet thick does not form in a day, and dripping water wears away stone not in a day.' Changes in the political ecosystem and social environment cannot be achieved overnight, nor will they be permanent with a single effort. We must make political ecosystem construction a fundamental and ongoing task, hammer after hammer, year after year. We must advocate and promote values such as loyalty and honesty, openness and integrity, fairness and uprightness, seeking truth from facts, hard struggle, and Integrity and Cleanliness, to gather mighty strength for the grassland's revival……

The people's hearts are the greatest politics; the Party comes from the people, is rooted in the people, and serves the people. Once it separates from the masses, it will lose its vitality.

In the years Lu Fan has worked in the grassland, he has always borne responsibility in his heart and light in his eyes, deepening his affection for the people, relieving their worries, solving their concerns, and becoming a steadfast guardian of the people's interests.

He will never let off those who scheme, plot, and strike black hands at people's livelihood 'cheese', cutting off at the root the black hands that contend with the people for profit; he will not tolerate those who put on airs, go through the motions, and idle away their days — the 'official oilers' —, rectifying the malpractices and stubborn problems in implementing people's livelihood policies and serving the masses, so as to win the people's trust, affection, support, and wholehearted endorsement with actual results in safeguarding their interests,

Time flies, and days pass like a white colt through a crevice; unnoticed, Lu Fan has already worked in the grassland for over three years.

As a blade is sharpened on stone, a person is honed through affairs; having endured countless storms, his realm, ability, stature, and methods have grown and transformed, his every gesture exuding confidence and composure, he has become a mature senior cadre, laying a solid foundation for the next adjustment.

In May 2030, Grassland Province strove against the current and accumulated strength; under Lu Fan's leadership, the cadre workforce received a collective pay raise, with the average exceeding 1,000 yuan.

At the salary adjustment conference, Lu Fan earnestly advised the broad cadres: 'All employed staff have an average annual salary of 100,000 to 150,000 yuan; if things go smoothly, working 35 years is no problem. Don't forget that salaries rise year by year; in a few years, the annual salary of Grassland cadres and workers can reach 150,000 to 200,000 yuan — I am absolutely confident of this!'

Over 35 years, one can earn 6 to 7 million yuan anyway, not counting pension. But if someone gives you money to help them with something, once you take that money, you must bid farewell to that 7 million, for outstretched hands will surely be caught! I hope everyone weighs carefully: how much would you take to be comparable to this upright 7 million?

I sincerely hope that all cadres in the province can be self-respecting, self-reflective, self-alert, self-motivated, cautious in solitude, cautious at the start, cautious in minor matters, and cautious in friendships, becoming loyal, clean, and responsible good cadres of the new era, living honorably and spotlessly!

June 22, Zhengda University held its graduation ceremony; Mingyu and over eight thousand graduates were about to set sail, opening a brand-new chapter of life!

Upon learning that Mingyu would speak as a student representative, Lu Fan specially rushed back to Yancheng to attend his graduation ceremony.

Moreover, Lu Fan had another purpose: to 'lure' Mingyu to work in the grassland, for after all, 'those near the water get the moon first.'

Sneaking into the auditorium, Lu Fan stood in the aisle of the last row and, 'unintentionally,' actually spotted several leaders — Li Yixiao, Lin Zifan, Hu Hao, Wang Minjie, etc. It seemed that 'those with intentions' were not just him; they were all eyeing the 'delicacy' on stage.

Watching Mingyu stride toward the podium with full confidence, head high and steps broad, every gesture full of confidence and charm, his voice brimming with passion and resolve, Lin Zifan laughed and said to Lu Fan: 'Having the secretary's bearing, he is a fine seedling; placed under me, he will surely shine brightly!'

Lu Fan smiled and said nothing, refusing to engage in verbal sparring.

But Hu Hao beside him said: 'Tea leaves can blossom fragrance because they have been steeped in boiling water many times! An eagle can soar the heavens because it has endured rigorous training on the peaks many times! The harsher the environment, the more it tempers a person's quality, mind, and will; Mingyu coming to me for training would be more suitable!'

……

After the graduation ceremony ended, Mingyu greeted his dormitory brothers and hurried home, because his father had finally returned after great difficulty, and he wanted to talk with that 'irresponsible' father about his future prospects.

As he was about to leave the school gate, Mingyu saw a familiar figure and immediately ran over to ask, 'Uncle Lu, how did you come here?'

Lu Fan smiled, lightly patted Mingyu's shoulder, and said, 'Mingyu, your performance just now was splendid; congratulations on your imminent college graduation and embarking on a new journey in life. Do you still remember your promise to Uncle Lu? The vast, boundless great grassland awaits your gallop!'

Mingyu whispered, 'Lu Fan, the grassland is my first choice in my heart. However, I need to discuss this with my father first; if he has no objection, I will go to the grassland to join you!'

Lu Fan laughed and said, 'As long as you are willing to go, I will strive to win over your father!'

……

After returning to the grassland, Lu Fan began to plan Mingyu's 'battlefield'; after much thought, knowing he could not let Mingyu just drift through days, he turned his gaze to Yilin City in Ximeng League, where there is certainly great potential — a fine place for Mingyu to display his ambitions!

2030 was a milestone year in the grassland's development history. The growth rates of major economic indicators placed it in the national first echelon; regional GDP grew 12%, ranking first nationwide and achieving the best standing since 2010; per capita regional GDP exceeded 150,000 yuan; fixed-asset investment grew 25%, ranking first nationwide; total imports and exports grew 32%, ranking second nationwide;

Coal output reached 1.3 billion tons, fulfilling the 950-million-ton guaranteed supply coal task; total power installed capacity exceeded 200 million kilowatts, achieving 'fifteen national firsts' in coal supply and off‑volume, power installed capacity and new installations, new‑energy installed capacity and new installations, total power generation and off‑volume, new‑energy power generation, and coal‑to‑gas capacity, thus securing energy demand for 29 provinces.

Grain sowing area, yield per unit, and total output all showed 'three increases'; grain output reached 800 billion catties, achieving twenty consecutive bumper harvests and staying firmly fifth nationwide; major meat output hit 5 million tons and milk output 10 million tons, both record highs, fully demonstrating the grassland's responsibility in safeguarding the national situation.

Throughout the year, 6 million mu were afforested, 20 million mu planted with grass, and 10 million mu treated for sand control; this fully reflects the high political consciousness of 'superiors have plans, the grassland takes action.'

Qingcheng and Jiuyuan cities both saw regional GDP growth over 15%, with value‑added of industries above designated size up over 25%; seven leagues had fixed‑asset investment growth exceeding 25%, with Yike League reaching 30%. Ximeng League's new‑energy installed capacity and power generation ranked first among prefecture‑level cities nationwide; Yungu City's alloy materials, anode materials, and potato‑chip capacity ranked first nationwide; Mengmeng League built the nation's largest single‑output pure alkali project. This shows the grassland's drive to benchmark first‑class and strive for advancement is growing stronger.

The province attracted 650 billion yuan in placed funds, up 55%; 52 World 500 and 25 National 500 enterprises invested and operated in the grassland. Project construction momentum was strong, with 3,855 major projects undertaken, 1.3 trillion yuan invested, and 45 newly built or continued projects each exceeding 10 billion yuan……

In the new year, Grassland Province, according to the people's calls, planned the 'Ten Major Measures to Promote Employment and Income Increase,' 'Ten Major Measures to Strengthen Social Security,' 'Ten Major Measures to Optimize Basic Public Services,' and 'Ten Major Measures to Improve People's Living Environment'……

On the seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, Lu Fan was discussing cadre adjustment matters with Luo Shiyu and Bai Chengzhi when the office desk phone suddenly rang.

Luo Shiyu and Bai Chengzhi immediately rose and voluntarily left the office.

After the call was connected, Lu Fan greeted, 'Secretary, good!'

'Lu Fan, there's still time; come to my place for a visit!'

'All right, I'll set off immediately!'

After hanging up, Lu Fan informed Secretary‑General Wu Xiaohua to rush to Yancheng immediately, with no delay!

Wu Xiaohua immediately arranged it; ten minutes later, the special car drove out of the provincial Party committee compound.

On the way to the airport, Wu Xiaohua said solicitously, 'Secretary, you were up until two yesterday and your eyes are blood‑red; take a nap for a while! From here to the airport it's at least thirty‑forty minutes; I've already notified the airport, so we can take off right after we arrive.'

Lu Fan asked, 'What time is the flight?'

'At 2:15 a. m., arriving in Yancheng around 3:45 p. m.; the director of the Yancheng office, Liu, will meet us at the airport. You can also rest two hours at the Yancheng office, with the reception scheduled for 7 p. m.'

Half an hour later, the special car entered the airport and parked beside the passenger plane.

Chen Haohao opened the car door; after Lu Fan alighted slowly, he immediately boarded the plane.

'Tower, tower, the leader has boarded; flight 358 requests permission to take off!'

'Flight 358 may take off!'

'Flight 358 understood!'

……

At 6:30 p. m., the duty room received notice that a vehicle with license plate …… would arrive in 20–30 minutes; please let it through.

As night fell and lights began to glow, Lu Fan drove in by car and slowly stopped in front of Wang Hongtao's courtyard; everything before him looked solemn and dignified.

He tidied his attire, then after getting out of the car he stamped his feet.

After seeing Director Lu Jianguo, Lu Fan walked forward a few steps with a smile and said, "Hello, Director Lu!"

Lu Jianguo laughed and replied, "Go on in, I've been waiting for you!"

"Okay, okay, thanks for the trouble, Director!"

……

After entering the door, Lu Fan offered a respectful greeting.

Wang Hongtao put down his pen, revealed a faint smile, and said, "You've done well this year; I called you here for a private matter. Tomorrow come to my house for a simple meal, and we'll chat about Mingyu's affairs..."

At eight o'clock in the evening, Lu Fan left the office and returned home.

Along the way, he kept thinking about how to nurture Mingyu; this is a long‑term, arduous, complex systemic project, with risks and rewards coexisting...

A man's true life begins at forty! Ten years of study, ten years of training, ten years of settling down; at forty he officially sets sail.

A leftward stroke writes the first half of life, a rightward stroke writes the second half; the first half writes perseverance, the second half writes letting go.

A man's real struggle is in the second half! Having shed the youthful recklessness of twenty, weathered the anxiety and confusion of thirty, a forty‑year‑old man has seen mountains and rivers, endured storms, escaped the jianghu, and believes the good times are still ahead.