"Who?"
Chen Feng asked excitedly.
"An ordinary staff member in the five-zone Development and Reform Commission. You should know that you were seconded to help the Zhao family back then."
Zhao Hongyan replied truthfully.
"Are you referring to Li Hongbing?"
Chen Feng said, trying to recall.
Since arriving in Wuzhou District on the first day, the power landscape in Wuzhou District has undergone earth-shattering changes. A large portion of those who were coasting, slacking, and profiteering have been purged.
Present-day Wuzhou District is a vibrant urban area.
Li Hongbing was just an ordinary staff member in the Development and Reform Bureau at that time. While reviewing his resume, Chen Feng discovered that Li Hongbing had experience working in Hong Kong.
Later, due to marriage and other reasons, Li Hongbing returned to Wuzhou District from Hong Kong.
In the eyes of Hong Kong people, Li Hongbing was definitely out of his mind. Why would he give up the high salary in Hong Kong to return to the impoverished Wuzhou District to become a minor official?
However, in the eyes of the people of Wuzhou District, Li Hongbing was getting better and better. He went from being an employee to working within the system, which was definitely considered a success.
This is the real thought of the common people in China.
Entering the system is always the best job.
A classic saying among young Chinese people is that the end goal of obtaining certifications is to secure a stable position within the system.
It is precisely for this reason that many strange phenomena occur in China.
Graduates from prestigious universities like Capital University and Harvard University are scrambling to become elementary or middle school math teachers.
The reason is that teachers have stable positions within the system.
What's more, even graduates from key universities end up becoming urban management officers, village heads, or community street workers...
The reason is that these positions all offer civil servant status.
There's a joke that if toilet management had system positions, even top graduates from Capital University would fight tooth and nail to get in.
Therefore, no one in Wuzhou District felt that Li Hongbing had lost out by returning to Wuzhou District from high-paying Hong Kong to become a minor official.
Chen Feng didn't care about these things; this was a common practice in China and nothing to complain about.
The key was that Li Hongbing was a capable individual.
During this period, Wuzhou District was transitioning to the financial industry, and Li Hongbing had made significant contributions.
"Director Chen, you were looking for me."
Li Hongbing was immediately summoned to Chen Feng's office.
"Li Hongbing, don't be so formal. We're not that far apart in age. I called you here today to hear your suggestions on Wuzhou District's recent development in the financial industry."
Chen Feng said amiably.
"Director Chen, the development of the financial industry in Wuzhou District over this period is evident for all to see. Everything is proceeding in an orderly manner, closely following the leadership of the Wuzhou District party committee. It's going very well."
Li Hongbing continued, still appearing somewhat reserved.
"Li Hongbing, there's no one else in the office except you and me, so don't be so perfunctory. You know I'm not someone who enjoys hearing empty rhetoric. You worked in Hong Kong and have extensive financial experience, so you should know that empty talk doesn't lead to good economic development."
Chen Feng said seriously.
"Director Chen, since you've put it that way, I won't hold back. The financial industry in Wuzhou District is currently thriving, but there are significant hidden dangers. If these dangers aren't addressed, the development of Wuzhou District's financial industry will surely suffer a major setback."
Li Hongbing said, observing Chen Feng's expression.
Seeing Chen Feng's consistently serious and eager expression, Li Hongbing felt a warmth in his heart.
At some point, he too was a passionate and visionary young man, especially after witnessing the wider world in Hong Kong.
However, after returning to Wuzhou District to become a minor official, he was gradually molded into someone who sought to protect himself, prioritizing no merit over no fault.
He disliked this feeling, but he had to force a smile.
The reason was simple: the Chinese officialdom operated this way.
Minor officials were expected to be obedient machines.
Any minor official who dared to show initiative would be deliberately made to suffer.
After enduring enough hardships, they would naturally become compliant.
Slowly, that burning heart would die.
Upon meeting Chen Feng, he discovered a fundamental shift in the power dynamics of Wuzhou District.
Chen Feng was like a purifying current in the officialdom, revitalizing Wuzhou District.
"Continue."
Chen Feng encouraged Li Hongbing.
"What I'm about to say might be a bit sharp, perhaps I shouldn't say it?"
Li Hongbing hesitated.
"Things that are useful are often sharp."
Chen Feng continued to encourage Li Hongbing.
"Director Chen, if I say something you don't like, will you retaliate against me?"
Li Hongbing asked tentatively.
"If I were that kind of person, would I have called you here for a discussion? I would have simply called people from the Wuzhou District Publicity Department for an exclusive interview."
Upon hearing this, Li Hongbing's guard immediately dropped.
Indeed, if Chen Feng were like other pretentious officials, there would be no point in calling him for a discussion.
He was known in the Wuzhou District Development and Reform Bureau as someone who couldn't speak flattering words.
"Go ahead. For Wuzhou District to develop its financial industry long-term, we must eliminate the existing hidden dangers."
"Director Chen, since we've been so open with each other, I'll be frank. The biggest hidden danger to Wuzhou District's financial industry is local protectionism. In fact, local protectionism is not limited to the financial industry; it exists in all other sectors. Local protectionism is a persistent problem in economic development. The most significant obstruction to Wuzhou District's financial industry development due to local protectionism has been from your hometown, Mingshan City."
Li Hongbing said with a serious expression.
"That's not right, Li Hongbing. I specifically communicated with Mingshan City and even implemented numerous preferential policies. Logically, Mingshan City should be vigorously supporting Wuzhou District's financial industry. How could they be obstructing it?"
Chen Feng asked, puzzled.
He recalled that he had thoroughly discussed this issue with Cheng Liren, the top official of Jiangcheng City, at that time.
Cheng Liren had also agreed to cancel all policy subsidies and preferential treatment for Wuzhou District, which was a significant gesture. So why was Mingshan City obstructing Wuzhou District's financial development?
"Director Chen, while your economic vision is undeniable, your understanding of economics is still somewhat superficial, especially concerning local protectionism. Local protectionism is a combination of local officialdom and business magnates. Unless there is strong intervention from the central government, it is unrealistic to combat local protectionism solely through local governance. In Mingshan City's case, it is a joint effort by the Mingshan City leadership and the Mingshan City Financial Association. As a result, related industries in Mingshan City's financial sector cannot be transferred to Wuzhou District, even if Jiangcheng City expresses a clear stance. To explain this in your terms of officialdom, the authorities repeatedly issue directives against nepotism, yet in reality, family ties have never ceased in China's officialdom for thousands of years."
Li Hongbing explained word by word.
"That makes sense. Then tell me, how can we solve the problem of local protectionism?"
Chen Feng asked humbly.
"The most effective method is for you, as a high-ranking official in the central government, to issue a No. 1 document strictly ordering the dissolution of local protectionism. Otherwise, regardless of what policies Jiangcheng or provincial capitals implement, they will be useless. They will feign compliance, and the higher authorities will have no recourse. Director Chen, you are currently only a bureau chief, and it would take at least decades to become a major figure in the central government. Clearly, Wuzhou District's financial industry development cannot wait for you for decades."
Li Hongbing explained with a solemn expression.
"Li Hongbing, according to what you're saying, the hidden dangers in Wuzhou District's financial industry development cannot be removed?"
Chen Feng asked with a heavy expression.
To be honest, from being a deputy town mayor's driver to his current position, Mingshan City and Wuzhou District were the proudest achievements of his career in officialdom. He truly did not want to see Wuzhou District fail after Mingshan City's unprecedented success.
"Not necessarily. It all depends on Director Chen's..."
Li Hongbing deliberately left him hanging.