"It's tricky, hilly terrain makes agriculture difficult to begin with, and lack of labor makes it even harder," Chen Tao replied with a serious expression.
"Uncle, I was thinking, since agriculture is difficult, how about developing animal husbandry? It doesn't require intensive cultivation and needs very little labor," Chen Feng instinctively replied.
"Chen Feng, you're the deputy mayor of Mingshan City now, a big shot in politics. You have to look at problems and think long-term. If China had a small population, we could use the entire Sanshui Province for raising cattle and sheep. But the problem is, China has 1.4 billion people, and for such a populous country, food security is paramount. A large-scale reduction in grain production would be a disaster for China. Eating only beef and lamb isn't realistic," Chen Tao explained.
Chen Feng felt ashamed.
There's an old Chinese saying, you're never too old to learn, and it's true.
Having been in politics for so many years, he thought his understanding had improved.
However, in front of his uncle, Chen Tao, his shortcomings were still exposed; his thinking was not mature enough, and his thinking was still childish at times.
"Uncle, hearing you say that, I have an idea," Chen Feng replied, his eyes shining with brilliance.
"Tell me."
"Since the rural areas of Sanshui Province are hilly and the young and middle-aged labor force has gone to the city to work, why don't we level the land? This way, we can use mechanization. Mechanization doesn't require much labor," Chen Feng explained excitedly.
"Leveling the land? That's a good idea. But the cost would be enormous," Chen Tao asked with concern.
In Chinese politics, things tend to move slowly without immediate benefits.
For instance, the widespread popularization of high school education.
Because the state had no plans for this area, only for nine-year compulsory education, high school education development has lagged far behind the world until now. Why? Because vigorously developing high school education doesn't bring much reward from the top to the bottom, so the bottom naturally procrastinates.
Another example is poverty alleviation.
This is why every grassroots cadre has extraordinary enthusiasm for poverty alleviation: because there is a plan for poverty alleviation from the top, and whoever achieves poverty alleviation will receive great benefits. Naturally, the enthusiasm for poverty alleviation from the bottom is full.
The land leveling project in the hills is a massive undertaking, but the benefits won't be seen for more than a decade.
Who would do such a thing?
"Uncle, you don't have to worry about this. I have connections in the provincial capital, and I can go and lobby," Chen Feng reassured his uncle, Chen Tao.
"You're going to lobby provincial capital connections? That will cost money, won't it?" Chen Tao asked tentatively.
"Yes."
Chen Feng didn't hide anything.
His uncle Chen Tao was an old hand and understood many things, so there was no need to conceal it.
"Chen Feng, land leveling is a matter for the entire Sanshui Province. Don't you think it's a loss to spend your own money to lobby?" his uncle Chen Tao retorted.
"It's okay. First, I'm working in politics because I want China to develop in a better direction. It's worth sacrificing some of my personal financial interests to create a model for land contracting in China. Secondly, to be selfish, if this matter is successful, my political achievements will be immense. For both public and private reasons, I have to do this."
"Since you're doing this, I support you. Go ahead and do it. As for Chen Chang's matter, you don't need to think about it anymore. That kid brought it upon himself, there's nothing to dwell on," Chen Tao comforted Chen Feng.
Chen Tao thought the matter was settled and Chen Feng would immediately rush to the provincial capital.
Who knew Chen Feng didn't have that intention at all.
When asked casually, Chen Feng replied that he would definitely go to the provincial capital.
However, there was something more important than going to the provincial capital right now.
"Something more important than going to the provincial capital? Could it be dealing with the provincial surprise inspection team?" Chen Tao asked tentatively.
"Uncle, before, I did put the provincial surprise inspection team as my top priority. But now, I don't pay much attention to the provincial surprise inspection team. The provincial land leveling project for Sanshui Province is a major project that benefits the country and the people. Once it's done, the political achievements can reach the highest levels of China. I don't need to fear the provincial surprise inspection team at all," Chen Feng explained.
"If that's the case, why not strike while the iron is hot and go to the provincial capital to lobby?" Chen Tao asked tentatively.
"Uncle, the biggest challenge for this land leveling is not whether the provincial capital agrees, but how to win over the villagers. You and I are from the countryside, and you and I know best what villagers are like. Farmers can let their land lie fallow, but if anyone touches their land, they will be very resistant. Therefore, before leveling, we must first do a good job of winning over the villagers," Chen Feng explained earnestly.
"Chen Feng, you think things through very thoroughly. How do you plan to persuade the villagers?" Chen Tao asked curiously.
"I don't plan to persuade the villagers directly. I plan to talk to the village committee. If the village committee is on board, the villagers will mostly be on board. There's a saying in Chinese politics: a county magistrate is not as good as a local official. No matter how high my rank, it's hard to manage villagers. No matter how small the village official's rank, they can manage villagers well. Once our village is settled, I will promote this method throughout the province." Chen Feng said earnestly.
"Since that's the case, you should go and talk to the village committee right away," Chen Tao said with relief.
He was initially worried that Chen Feng was too young to control the situation.
Unexpectedly, although Chen Feng was young, he was methodical, calm, and collected, so there was no need to worry.
Chen Feng didn't hesitate and went to the village committee immediately.
"Elder Chen, leveling the land and then contracting it out to collect fees is a great thing. Theoretically, we village cadres should support you. But the problem is, it's hard to convince the farmers. Chinese rural issues have always been difficult to resolve since ancient times," the village cadre replied with a troubled expression.
"I know about the situation you're talking about, so I've come to discuss it with you. Please tell me any concerns you have, and I'll help resolve them," Chen Feng replied calmly.
"First, the rural land is divided, and it won't change for thirty years. There are lean fields and fertile fields. If they're leveled and redistributed, the farmers definitely won't be happy," the village cadre raised the issue.
"That's simple. You just need to publicize that regardless of whether the land is lean or fertile, the standard will be unified, and contracting fees will be distributed according to the fertility of the land," Chen Feng explained.
"Also, some villagers are very stubborn and don't want their land leveled; they just want to farm it themselves."
"That's also fine. We can set aside a large area of land that will not be leveled. We'll start with a first phase of land leveling demonstration. Those stubborn villagers will naturally join voluntarily the following year when they see the demonstration."
"Elder Chen, I really can't help but admire you. With just a few words, you've solved the difficult problems in the countryside. Oh, there's one last question: what about the vegetable gardens once all the rural land is leveled?" the village cadre looked at Chen Feng with admiration.
"That's also simple. The land around the villagers' houses will not be leveled and will be designated as vegetable garden land," Chen Feng replied without hesitation.
"Elder Chen, with your solutions, land leveling is no longer a problem," the village cadre said excitedly.
"Oh, right, you should quickly work on the farmers and prepare them. Once the land is leveled, every household will be busy. Emphasize that it's not free labor; they'll be paid a certain amount per day. There are many trivial tasks involved in leveling land, and everyone must participate. To complete the work quickly, the daily wage will be very high. Great rewards are bound to inspire bravery; if the money is sufficient, the work will be completed quickly." Chen Feng explained.
"Elder Chen, your idea is good, but the problem is that the land leveling project is a huge undertaking. Are you sure there's enough money?" the village cadre asked with doubt.