"In China's history, every dynasty has been like this. But the problem is that the current society is completely different from the past. For example, the United States has many large corporations, and they keep getting bigger. Yet, the US leadership has not taken action against these large corporations. For China to stand firm in the world, it should learn from some of the good experiences of the West."
Wang Ziwei presented her thoughts.
"Teacher Wang, your idea is not wrong, it just overlooks one point."
"What point have I overlooked?"
"You've overlooked the importance of analyzing specific issues. Some Western experiences are indeed good, and China should learn them. However, this does not mean China should blindly copy all of the West's good experiences. Frankly, some good experiences are fine in the West. But once brought to China, they change. For example, economic oligarchs. The West has a super-advanced market economy and can handle economic oligarchs. China does not have the Western economic system and cannot handle oligarchs. Since China cannot handle oligarchs, what should it do? It should strike first before these economic magnates develop into economic oligarchs, making these magnates retire obediently is the best approach."
Chen Feng explained patiently.
"Chen Feng, how do you understand things so profoundly?"
Wang Ziwei exclaimed.
"Just a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse."
Chen Feng replied modestly.
"Chen Feng, what if these magnates don't retire obediently?"
Wang Ziwei pressed.
"That's simple. The Chinese power structure is an unfathomable entity. No matter how formidable these Dragon Tiger Society magnates are, they are no match for the powerful Chinese power structure. As the saying goes, if these magnates do not retire gracefully, the Chinese power structure will help them retire."
Chen Feng explained word by word.
"I still don't quite understand."
Wang Ziwei said, feeling a bit dizzy.
"Simply put, if these Dragon Tiger Society magnates do not retire voluntarily, the Chinese power structure will take action against each of them individually. For example, if some magnates are fond of women, the Chinese power structure will ensure that a sex scandal becomes rampant for a particular magnate. This way, the magnate will have to retire. Also, some magnates are financial sharks; that's easy to handle, the Chinese power structure will revoke their financial licenses. Some magnates are overlords of the gaming industry; that's even simpler. The Chinese power structure will stir up a trend, strongly promoting the idea that gaming is spiritual opium... In short, if these Dragon Tiger Society magnates behave themselves, the Chinese power structure will not fall out with them. If these Dragon Tiger Society magnates dare to go against the Chinese leadership, they will be warned lightly, or even sent to prison directly. For example, the one who sells home appliances was in prison for several years."
Chen Feng narrated.
"Chen Feng, the way you explain it makes the Chinese power structure seem so terrifying. How should I put it, if you're in the Chinese power structure, even if you haven't done anything wrong, you might face imprisonment."
Wang Ziwei remarked.
"Teacher Wang, actually, this is the norm in the power structure. The power structure is a place where there is no right or wrong, only alignment. If you are aligned, even wrong is right. If you are misaligned, even right is wrong. Why is that real estate tycoon still alive after losing so much money? Because he aligned correctly. If it were another tycoon, and they lost even one-tenth of that money, that tycoon would have to commit suicide by jumping off a building, and the entire business and power circles would devour his remains."
Chen Feng's explanation sent a chill down Wang Ziwei's spine.
The Chinese power structure was like a bottomless abyss, exuding a chilling aura.
It seemed her decision not to enter the Chinese power structure back then was the right one.
How could a woman like her navigate the intricate machinations of the power structure?
"By the way, Chen Feng, since you know the discussion topics of the Dragon Tiger Society, can Ming Shan City and Wuzhou District get a piece of the pie?"
Wang Ziwei took a deep breath and asked casually.
"Of course. When these magnates retire, many industries will experience temporary vacuums. Ming Shan City and Wuzhou District can enter the market in advance and share some benefits."
Chen Feng said with a smile.
"Chen Feng, I am truly impressed by you now. Not only can you see the big picture, but you can also profit from it. Ming Shan City and Wuzhou District are very lucky to have a cadre like you."
Wang Ziwei marveled.
"It's just average."
Chen Feng smiled modestly.
After chatting for a while longer, the two returned to China on a private jet.
They had stayed in Hong Kong for quite some time, and it was time to go home.
"Chen Feng, Ming Shan City and Wuzhou District both have a group of talents you promoted. Regarding the matter of the Dragon Tiger Society magnates, once you set the general direction for Ming Shan City and Wuzhou District, those talents will handle it. This will give you a few days of leisure, so I'd like to borrow you for a few days."
Wang Ziwei stated directly.
"Teacher Wang, we are so familiar with each other, please don't be polite and say 'borrow.' If you need any help, just say it."
Chen Feng replied heartily.
"Chen Feng, it's like this: with the rapid economic development of Jiangcheng, I want to upgrade Jiangcheng Institute of Technology to a key university under Project 211. However, as you know, I know nothing about the power structure, so I want you to help upgrade Jiangcheng Institute of Technology to a key university under Project 211."
Wang Ziwei stated truthfully.
"That's feasible. With the economic rise of Ming Shan City and Wuzhou District, Jiangcheng's overall economy has reached a new height. An economy of this scale without a key university under Project 211 is indeed not very appropriate."
Chen Feng responded.
"Do you mean you agree?"
Wang Ziwei asked excitedly.
"Developing education benefits the nation, the people, and the locality. I have no reason to refuse."
Chen Feng replied with a smile.
"Then how do you plan to do it?"
"We'll approach it from both the top and the bottom. The top refers to the Ministry of Education in the capital; university upgrades fall under their purview. I'll leave this to you; with the connections of the Wang family in the capital, securing approval from the top should not be a problem. The bottom refers to Jiangcheng Institute of Technology itself. For a second-tier university to become a key university under Project 211, many hard requirements must be met."
Chen Feng explained word by word.
"Chen Feng, I've found the right person in you. Your thinking is very clear. How about this, during this period, you move into my dormitory so you can work conveniently."
Wang Ziwei said happily.
Chen Feng did not refuse.
This time, the upgrade of Jiangcheng Institute of Technology to a Project 211 university would encounter many obstacles. Letting people know that he had a romantic relationship with Wang Ziwei, the daughter of the Wang family in the capital, would significantly reduce these obstacles.
After a night's rest, Wang Ziwei flew directly to the capital the next morning.
Chen Feng, on the other hand, went to find the principal of Jiangcheng Institute of Technology.
Whether Jiangcheng Institute of Technology could be successfully upgraded to a key university under Project 211 depended crucially on the principal.
"What? You want to help Jiangcheng Institute of Technology upgrade to a key university under Project 211?"
The principal looked at Chen Feng in astonishment.
"Is that not possible?"
Chen Feng said calmly.
"Chen Feng, you are a boyfriend of Teacher Wang and an alumnus of Jiangcheng Institute of Technology. I won't lie to you. Upgrading to a Project 211 university is not as easy as you think. Provincial Institute of Technology is far superior to Jiangcheng Institute of Technology in many ways, yet it has applied for an upgrade to a key university under Project 211 for ten consecutive years without success."
The principal sighed.
"Principal, Provincial Institute of Technology is indeed like that, or rather, most universities in China are like this. However, there are exceptions. For example, Mingde College went from a vocational school to an undergraduate institution in less than three years."
Chen Feng continued calmly.
"Chen Feng, Mingde School succeeded because it had an influential alumnus who is a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Education in the capital. That's how Chinese society works; with connections, you can bypass the usual procedures."
The principal explained.
"Principal, in fact, Jiangcheng Institute of Technology also has very strong connections..."
Chen Feng reminded the principal.