Chapter 78: Deafening and Awakening

In March, the rumor of Secretary Wang Hongtao's transfer became a fact. The inspection team of the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department came to Ningyang County to conduct a pre-appointment inspection of the County Party Committee Deputy Secretary Wang Hongtao.

The level of the inspection team clearly explained that Secretary Wang Hongtao had become a provincial-managed cadre. The position was only the County (District) Party Committee Secretary and County (District) Head. The people of the whole county were excited. The youngest county-level party and government head in the province and even the country was about to be born. Secretary Wang had already become the pride of the people of Ningyang and was deeply loved by cadres and the masses.

It is regrettable that Secretary Wang could not stay in Ningyang to serve. Everyone was extremely reluctant to part with him. Everyone could feel that Wang Hongtao was a clear stream in the officialdom. If he could serve as the main leader in Ningyang, it wouldn't take long for Ningyang to become truly clean and upright!

After three days of inspection, the inspection team returned to the Provincial Party Committee with extremely satisfactory results. Wang Hongtao's office became a vegetable market, with leading cadres coming to congratulate him from morning to night every day.

Lu Fan really wanted to prepare a few "envelopes" to express his gratitude, but not only did he not dare, it was also an insult to the teacher. After thinking about it, he decided to take a box of tea for the teacher.

After work, Lu Fan went to the County Party Committee Office to try his luck. Unexpectedly, there were several people queuing in Gao Zhiguo's office. After greeting, he also joined the queue.

It wasn't until eight o'clock in the evening that Lu Fan saw Wang Hongtao.

After entering the door, Wang Hongtao got up and moved, and said to Lu Fan with a smile: "You became a deputy section level, made progress, not bad, continue to work hard!"

Lu Fan really wanted to say, compared to the section level

"Many thanks for your concern and guidance, Secretary. I came to congratulate you. May you rise step by step like sesame flowers blooming, and may you reach new heights every day. I wish you great success and a bright future in Zhenbei District!" After speaking, Lu Fan unobtrusively placed the tea into the bookshelf.

"Xiao Fan, I accept your kind intentions. Pick a box to take with you in a moment; consider it my congratulations to you. It's only polite to reciprocate, isn't it? How could I drink so much tea? Sigh, there's no helping it; it's all the good intentions of my comrades! Sit, sit down and talk. I actually wanted to have a word with you."

"It shows that you are respected and loved by everyone, Secretary. The contributions you have made for the people of Ningyang are plain for all to see. They are worth me learning from for a lifetime!"

"While a person is alive, the most precious thing is to have dreams in one's heart, and to fear no wind or rain, to work diligently, and to struggle with determination to realize those dreams. Especially for us public servants—we are the servants of the people. It is the people who have entrusted us with power, and we must cherish it doubly. We must maintain high morale, have passion and enthusiasm for our cause, and dare to innovate and break through. We must try new concepts and ideas, shoulder the goal of the people's yearning for a better life, and work boldly, willingly, steadily, and pragmatically for the people. Only through struggle can we live up to our youth!"

Lu Fan suddenly felt as if he were back in class listening to a lecture eight years ago, and he couldn't help but sit up straight, looking like a student humbly seeking instruction.

If anyone else had said this, Lu Fan would certainly have sneered, but his teacher's words and actions were consistent; he practiced what he preached. Every undertaking was achieved through down-to-earth, step-by-step hard work. He had always sought happiness for the people of Ningyang, served them wholeheartedly, and remained loyal, clean, and responsible. With a "heart of pure sincerity," he held firm to the political character of "a heart of fire casting loyalty," polished the foundation of his faith, and won the trust of the Ningyang people with actual deeds. He was a lighthouse for countless young cadres in Ningyang, and Lu Fan naturally admired him from the heart, remembering every word.

Changing the subject, Wang Hongtao said: "Anger is one of the five poisons. Once a bit of anger arises, a hundred thousand gates of obstruction open! An angry person is like someone who is drunk; they lose their reason. For those scorched by the fires of rage, all their yearning for and persistence in kindness will be burned away until nothing remains, and in the end, they will lose themselves."

"Xiao Fan, I hope you will not let hatred blind your eyes and lead you to do things that cause pain to those who love you and joy to your enemies."

"Life is so long; the gains and losses of a single city or wall are really nothing compared to the distant places you want to reach."

"There are many beautiful things in this world that we yearn for, such as family, love, and friendship. You are only 21, yet you have already been promoted to a deputy section-level leadership position. A youth should have grand ambitions; one should ride a fine horse across the flat plains. If you cannot overcome your own heart, how can you conquer the heavens?"

"Since you have chosen a political career, I hope you will forge ahead on the path you have chosen, achieve a magnificent career, create your own brilliance, and realize your life's value. Do not walk the crooked path and end up in prison! I have been watching you for the past two years. I understand a bit about your grievances with the Le family. Some of your current ideas are very dangerous, and the things you have done are extremely absurd, even foolish and full of loopholes. In the end, they will bring disaster upon yourself."

"I will give you one piece of advice: Be an upright person, and you will be respected by all; do things in an open and honest way, and you will have good fortune. To be an official, one must know shame, have awe, and practice self-discipline. Keep your heart open and honest, be filled with righteous energy, and be selfless so that your world may be vast. In doing things, have a meticulous plan and know how to assess the situation. Open strategy is the great path; follow the laws of nature and moral principles. Schemes and tricks are ultimately minor paths. If you act recklessly, you will surely be sanctioned by the law and the rules in the end, and you may not have a good ending. I do not wish to see my student in prison!"

"Life is but a fleeting moment. If you possess sincerity, know how to be grateful, are able to give, are good at being inclusive, take responsibility for major matters, and fulfill your friendships, the whole world will make way for you!"

Lu Fan was sincerely taught. While moved, he was also deeply ashamed. He had thought his dealings with the Le family were seamless, but he hadn't expected it to be nothing more than the arrogance of a frog in a well—full of holes and utterly ridiculous. One truly cannot underestimate the people of the world!

"Teacher, I have disappointed you! But I have unavoidable bitterness; I cannot let bygones be bygones!"

"Life has a hundred flavors, and one knows the cold and warmth for oneself. It is hard for others to realize; one must save oneself. I hope you will take care of yourself!"

Back in his office, Lu Fan stayed alone for a long time. Ruminating on every word his teacher said was like a sudden enlightenment, waking him from his state of confusion. A person living truly cannot have only hatred; there is also life and a career.

This job was not easily come by; was it really just a tool for revenge? "A person leaves a name, a goose leaves a sound." Since he was fortunate enough to have come to this colorful world, he shouldn't spend his life in mediocrity; he should do something meaningful.

There is a famous quote in *How the Steel Was Tempered*: When looking back on the past, he will not regret having wasted his years, nor will he be ashamed of having lived in mediocrity.

Then what should he do? Is there any need to consider? Isn't his teacher the role model? How can one not feel envious of being so loved by the masses? Moreover, with real political achievements, can promotion be far off? Can one really reach a high position just by drilling and maneuvering? Without sufficient power, can he get revenge?

Therefore, revenge and work are not in conflict; rather, they complement each other. He must take his teacher as his goal: meet the light, chase the light, become the light, and radiate the light! Ride the wind and waves, break through the thorns, and strive to achieve a career!

All that happened before is like dying yesterday; all that happens after is like being born today.

Today, after his teacher's sharp wake-up call, Lu Fan's thinking was shocked and his soul was cleansed, no less than breaking through to be reborn, shedding his old skin and bones.

Live in the present, focus on doing things, do not immerse yourself in the pain of the past, do not be bound by current troubles, but do good deeds and ask not about the future!

In early April, Secretary Wang Hongtao was officially transferred away. On the day he left Ningyang, Secretary Wu followed the will of the people and held a grand farewell meeting. Lu Fan squeezed into the crowd, silently admiring his teacher's demeanor and seeing him off.

On the podium, Secretary Wang Hongtao's eyes were filled with tears, and every word he said was very emotional and touched the hearts of the people.

When he left the County Committee compound, a large number of people gathered at the gate, holding banners and beating drums and gongs. This honor was unique in the history of Ningyang, which gave Lu Fan a great shock, and he sighed that if one could be an official like this, what more could one ask for!

If one day he also had to leave Ningyang, would anyone see him off? As it looks now, there isn't even the slightest possibility!

Wanting to follow in his teacher's footsteps, he is far from catching up; the road is long and the burden is heavy!

Recently, colleagues have all noticed the changes in Lu Fan, especially Department Head Bian Jide, who works with him day and night. He felt that his secretary's eyes had light, his smile was more sincere, he was friendlier to others, more serious in his work, and more meticulous in doing things, which made him extremely satisfied.

People are just like this; every inadvertent change will quietly bloom and slowly change in the dark, and in the end, it will always give you a response, whether high-pitched or low.

People with an optimistic mindset will show a positive and enthusiastic side, making their work more handy.

At the same time, Lu Fan pays more attention to learning. With one more bit of improvement and one more ability, there is one more choice. Only by constantly updating his abilities can he maintain competitiveness, grasp the initiative when opportunities arise, and go to see a broader world.

On April 10, after 15 days of trial operation, "Tianlai Ke KTV" held its grand opening!

40 "princesses" carefully selected by Su Xiaoyi, Wu Heng, and Ding Tongxin "dressed up" as masters of ceremonies and "swayed" around the streets, immediately attracting the attention of the whole county, especially the men, whose drool was almost flowing out.

As expected, before it was even time to get off work, the 40-plus private rooms of "Tianlai Ke KTV" were packed!

The luxurious decoration, high-end sound system, affordable drinks, graceful "princesses," and open services made guests linger and forget to return. The KTV's reputation was established all at once, and the daily turnover reached 30,000 that day.

For ten consecutive days, "Tianlai Ke KTV" was packed every day, directly driving the other KTV in Ningyang to be deserted and on the verge of bankruptcy. Wu Heng and Xiaoyi guarded against troublemakers from the competition every day.

The lecherous Le Xuezhi became the KTV's most loyal customer, spending money like water every night and living a life of debauchery—how happy he was!

"Wutong Xiaoqi" was completely handed over to Ding Tongxin to manage, while Xiaoyi managed the KTV comprehensively. In this small county with boring entertainment, the massage parlor and the KTV were like two hens laying golden eggs, making money every day, so that even if Lu Fan wasn't rich, he had no worries about food or clothing.

Starting to rate, five-star praise is needed, thank you for your support!