The village head's so-called connection in the provincial capital was someone Chen Feng knew: Miao Qifeng, the top official in the province, and specifically, just his personal secretary.
And moreover, only a personal secretary handling daily life matters.
Frankly speaking, this secretary was only responsible for minor issues like Miao Qifeng's daily living arrangements.
In China, powerful figures in official circles usually had several secretaries.
There were personal secretaries, secretaries specializing in drafting documents, secretaries for drinking engagements – it was impossible not to drink in official banquets – and secretaries for strategizing, essentially acting as advisors like the strategists of ancient China.
Among these many secretaries, those responsible for drafting documents or strategizing wielded the most power.
When people sought connections in official circles through secretaries, they usually approached these two types.
This village head was indeed an oddity, actually using a personal secretary as his so-called connection in the provincial government.
“Chen Feng, see Secretary Wang from the provincial capital? Do you still dare to meddle in the affairs of the barren mountain?”
The village head said provocatively.
“Village head, why don’t you ask Secretary Wang if he still dares to act like a bully borrowing a tiger’s might after seeing me?”
Chen Feng replied calmly.
“Borrowing a tiger’s might? What do you mean?”
The village head asked, puzzled.
“Don’t ask me, you can ask Secretary Wang and you’ll know.”
Chen Feng said with a faint smile.
“Secretary Wang, what exactly is going on?”
The village head, completely bewildered, could only ask Secretary Wang.
“Damn it, you still have the nerve to ask me what’s going on? You’ve dragged me into a terrible mess.”
Secretary Wang shot the village head an angry glare and ignored him.
“Elder Chen, I truly didn’t know the village head was plotting against your friend.”
Secretary Wang apologized, trembling with fear.
“You can return to the provincial capital.”
Chen Feng said calmly.
“Can I really go back?”
Secretary Wang was stunned.
The reality was far from his imagination.
In his imagination, Chen Feng, being close to Miao Qifeng, could have him sent to prison with a single word.
However, Chen Feng didn't do that.
Instead, he calmly told him to leave.
This was so contrary to human nature.
Revenge for grievances, settling scores for injustice – that was human nature!
“Do I look like I’m lying?”
Chen Feng said calmly.
“May I ask why? After all, the village head colluded with me and almost set a trap for your relative. This is a very serious matter, and it’s just being let go?”
Secretary Wang asked cautiously.
“Firstly, your plan was not successful and did not result in any losses, so I can pretend nothing happened. Secondly, such incidents are quite common in China’s official circles. You are neither the first nor the last. As long as you reflect in time, the problem is not significant.”
Chen Feng said calmly.
The reason Chen Feng thought this way was simple.
When water becomes too pure, no fish can live in it. Without the ability to completely change the official circles, one can only go with the flow.
If one insisted on being rigid, progress would be impossible.
Hearing this, Secretary Wang wasted no more words. He bowed deeply to Chen Feng and then hurriedly returned to the provincial capital.
After Secretary Wang left, the village head was utterly dumbfounded.
He no longer disbelieved the saying that one should not judge a person by their appearance; he finally understood.
Chen Feng was precisely that kind of person whom one should not judge by appearance.
He looked like a young kid, but his connections were heaven-defying.
“Speak, what exactly do you want to do?”
The village head stared intently at Chen Feng.
With the situation as it was, he had no choice but to brace himself and hold on.
“I can let Secretary Wang go, and I can let you go too.”
Chen Feng said calmly.
“You can really let me go?”
The village head exclaimed with excitement.
“I haven’t decided yet, it depends on your attitude. If your attitude is not sincere, then I'm sorry, by this time tomorrow, you'll be in prison. A person like you is clearly a village tyrant. Currently, China’s official circles are conducting a vigorous campaign against organized crime and evil forces. Do you think you won't be caught?”
Chen Feng said calmly.
“Chen Feng, I was wrong. I truly recognize my mistake and I promise I will no longer covet your cousin’s barren mountain.”
The village head vowed sincerely.
“That attitude is sufficient! However, my decision is that you can invest in that barren mountain. But there is one condition: your cousin must be involved in the mining project. Any objections?”
Chen Feng said calmly.
“Absolutely no problem.”
The village head replied excitedly.
“Alright, you can start preparing for the mining project now. The sooner the work starts, the better. I'll go talk to my cousin.”
Chen Feng continued calmly.
The village head naturally bustled off to make preparations related to mining.
“Chen Feng, did I hear you correctly? You actually compromised? Sigh, it’s understandable though, considering the village head’s connections in the provincial capital.”
Chen Feng's cousin said with a complex expression.
“Cousin, you’ve misunderstood my intention.”
Chen Feng said with a smile.
“I misunderstood your intention? You’re letting the village head mine, and that’s not a compromise?”
Chen Feng’s cousin asked, confused.
“Cousin, originally, I did intend for the village head to completely withdraw from the barren mountain development. However, after careful consideration, while your forestry and animal husbandry business on the barren mountain is profitable, it’s not as lucrative as mining. Therefore, my intention is for you, the village head, and the village head’s provincial connections to work together to mine and make a fortune.”
“Chen Feng, I want to ask a question I shouldn’t.”
Chen Feng's cousin asked softly.
“What question?”
“Since mining is so profitable, and the contract for the barren mountain is in my hands, wouldn’t it be even more profitable if I did it alone?”
Chen Feng's cousin asked excitedly.
“Cousin, you are still too naive. It’s not that you are naive as a person, but your understanding of society is very immature. Doing things in society is not as simple as you think. The higher the profit, the more complicated the matter becomes. Take mining, for example. Without local backing and official protection, you won’t make a single cent.”
Chen Feng explained.
“Is it that exaggerated?”
Chen Feng's cousin asked, astonished.
“You don’t believe me?”
Chen Feng asked with a smile.
“I believe that with you backing me, I can definitely mine profitably with ease. There’s no need to involve the village head and the so-called protectors.”
Chen Feng's cousin said excitedly.
“Okay, then let me ask you, what if the original villagers of the barren mountain disagree with mining? Or what if they also want to become shareholders?”
Chen Feng asked calmly.
“We can give them money.”
Chen Feng's cousin replied with a relaxed expression.
“What if they are insatiable and make exorbitant demands?”
“Then you call the police to arrest them.”
Chen Feng's cousin blurted out.
“If I really did that, what would be the difference between me and a bully? You've tasted the bitterness of being bullied and almost died in the hospital. Do you want others to experience the same suffering from a bully?”
Chen Feng asked calmly.
“Then what do you suggest we do?”
“Let the village head handle it. The village head still has some prestige in the village. The mine can provide some economic compensation to the villagers, and then have the village head mediate, and it should basically be resolved.”
Chen Feng explained.
“Hmm, that's a good approach. My point is, having the village head is enough. We don’t need the provincial protection, right? The village head and I can handle it. There’s no need to let the so-called provincial protectors share the profits.”
Chen Feng's cousin tentatively suggested.
“Cousin, you are still thinking too simply. Let me ask you, does mining require a mining permit?”
Chen Feng asked earnestly.
“Of course, it does.”
“Then let me ask you again, is it easy to obtain a mining permit in China?”
Chen Feng asked calmly.