“What challenge?” Chen Feng asked directly.
“Ming Shan City’s authority is too small, restricting its further development. Simply put, Ming Shan City is a developed county-level city. Although it’s called a city, it’s only been a city for a short time since its administrative division reform. Many powers are not yet in place. When we undertake major projects, we have to inform Jiang City and then the province. It’s a lot of back and forth, which is not conducive to development. You have a talent for both business and politics, so you must know that development hinges on speed. Ming Shan City’s economic project approvals are as slow as a snail’s pace. How can it develop?” Qin Yan said with a look of frustration.
When Ming Shan City was still a district, she didn’t feel it. However, as Ming Shan City developed into a county-level city, this feeling of being restricted became increasingly apparent.
“Mayor Qin, what you say makes a lot of sense. How about this, I’ll go talk to Cheng Lu’s father about this issue. It should be resolvable. After all, both Jiang City and the provincial capital hope for Ming Shan City’s great development,” Chen Feng said to comfort Qin Yan.
Upon hearing this, Qin Yan felt a bit of the burden lifted. Chen Feng didn’t hesitate and went to see Cheng Liren immediately.
“Chen Feng, I truly underestimated you. I never imagined you would return to Ming Shan City so soon.” Cheng Liren looked at Chen Feng with excitement. He had to admit that Chen Feng’s development speed was truly astonishing, progressing at a visible pace. Just a few years ago, Chen Feng was merely a driver for a deputy town mayor. Now, he was the deputy mayor of Ming Shan City. From a driver to a deputy mayor, in the span of centuries of Chinese history, there were very few individuals who had such legendary experiences.
“Elder Cheng, thank you for your praise. Actually, I’m here this time to discuss the development issues of Ming Shan City with you,” Chen Feng stated directly.
“Ming Shan City’s development issues?” Cheng Liren was taken aback.
“Yes, Elder Cheng, I just want to talk to you about Ming Shan City’s development issues. Today, Cheng Lu, Qin Yan, and I are officially returning to Ming Shan City, ready to make great achievements,” Chen Feng said with a serious expression.
“It’s a good thing that you three can return. However, there’s one point I don’t understand. Ming Shan City has already been separated from Jiang City. Why are you coming to me to discuss Ming Shan City’s development issues? Isn’t that a bit off-topic? I am the top leader of Jiang City, not the top leader of Ming Shan City,” Cheng Liren asked with a puzzled look.
“Elder Cheng, it’s like this. Ming Shan City has been developing at a very rapid pace recently, but it has entered a bottleneck period. To break through this bottleneck, the powers of Ming Shan City must be expanded,” Chen Feng explained calmly.
“Chen Feng, what you’re saying is still off-topic. The extent of Ming Shan City’s authority is decided by the provincial capital. Coming to me is of no use. You should understand that Ming Shan City is a developed county-level city managed by the province,” Cheng Liren said with confusion.
“Elder Cheng, you are correct that Ming Shan City is a developed county-level city managed by the province, and most of its authority indeed comes from the provincial capital. However, a small portion of its authority still rests with Jiang City. This time, I’ve come to you to ask Jiang City to relax its relevant authority control, giving Ming Shan City greater autonomy,” Chen Feng stated word by word.
“Explain it in detail. As far as I recall, the division of power between Ming Shan City and Jiang City was very clear. How could Jiang City still have any control over Ming Shan City?” Cheng Liren continued to ask with a puzzled look.
“Elder Cheng, it’s like this. Ming Shan City’s local taxation is still affiliated with Jiang City, and so is the customs. Of course, there are other aspects where Jiang City still controls Ming Shan City, as Ming Shan City was once a district of Jiang City. However, other controls are insignificant. Whether it’s managed by Jiang City or Ming Shan City doesn’t make much of a difference. But if local taxation and customs remain affiliated with Jiang City, it will hinder Ming Shan City’s economic development,” Chen Feng explained.
“What you say is very reasonable! How about this, from today onwards, Ming Shan City will manage its own local taxation and customs. This kind of matter actually doesn’t require a special trip to see us; you can decide it yourselves,” Cheng Liren said readily. The reason he didn’t obstruct Chen Feng’s idea was simple: Ming Shan City’s development would only bring benefits, not harm, to Jiang City.
“Elder Cheng, you’re thinking about this too simply,” Chen Feng said directly.
“Is this matter that complicated? Ming Shan City has already been separated from Jiang City’s administrative planning. It’s normal to reclaim its local tax and customs authority. Who can stop it? And who has any reason to stop it?” Cheng Liren asked, puzzled.
“Elder Cheng, you are the top leader of Jiang City, and you have a long-term vision, knowing that Ming Shan City’s development will greatly benefit Jiang City. However, Jiang City’s local taxation and customs departments do not have such a long-term vision as you. They have a narrow outlook and only see that by holding onto Ming Shan City’s local taxation and customs, they can get more fiscal special subsidies. They don’t realize that because of this small amount of so-called fiscal special subsidy, Ming Shan City’s economic development is hesitant and unable to act freely,” Chen Feng said seriously.
“Chen Feng, Chen Feng, you truly understand the intricacies of power. If you hadn’t explained it this way, I would have thought that the people in Jiang City’s local taxation and customs departments shared my thoughts. Don’t worry, I’ll call them right away and tell them that they absolutely cannot withhold Ming Shan City’s local tax and customs authority; they must delegate power,” Cheng Liren said with determination. At the same time, he looked at Chen Feng with great admiration.
“Elder Cheng, your forceful command might not yield the best results. Jiang City’s local taxation and customs departments might agree on the surface but will act contrary to the order in reality. How about this, the portion of fiscal special subsidies that was originally allocated to Ming Shan City by the higher authorities will now be directly paid by Ming Shan City to Jiang City, and it will be double the amount.” Chen Feng stated word by word.
“Double the amount?” Cheng Liren was stunned for a moment.
“Yes, double the payment. Economic incentives are the most effective way to get things done quickly and well,” Chen Feng explained briefly.
“The logic is sound. Matters of power often proceed with the highest enthusiasm when there are economic incentives. Conversely, without economic incentives, the enthusiasm to complete tasks is very low, and people basically engage in perfunctory obedience, slacking off, and passing the buck. However, paying double the fiscal special subsidies is not a small sum. Ming Shan City would have to pay a large amount of money every year. Wouldn’t that be a great burden? Is it worth it?” Cheng Liren retorted, questioning Chen Feng.
“Elder Cheng, if I may be so bold, Ming Shan City’s economic development speed is very rapid, and its local finances are becoming increasingly robust. Giving this amount of money to Jiang City is truly nothing. Furthermore, when calculating accounts related to economic development, one cannot only consider immediate gains but must also consider long-term benefits. In the short term, paying Jiang City double the fiscal special subsidies is indeed a loss, because this money was originally provided by the higher authorities. However, in the long term, it is definitely a gain because Ming Shan City will acquire the initiative in economic development,” Chen Feng said with a solemn expression.
“Chen Feng, your explanation is very reasonable. However, there is still a deeper issue that you need to resolve. Otherwise, Ming Shan City’s local tax and customs authority may still not be thoroughly delegated to Ming Shan City…” Cheng Liren said with concern.