"Elder Miao, the central government indeed has many strict indicators for all provinces to build subways. For example, first, the local general public budget revenue must exceed 10 billion yuan. Second, the Gross Domestic Product must reach over 100 billion yuan. Third, the total urban population must exceed 7 million, with the urban district population above 3 million. Fourth, the passenger flow volume of the planned lines must reach over 30,000 people per hour in one direction. Of these four, three are not too difficult; the provincial capital of Sanshui Province is already close to meeting them. However, one of them, the population, is where Sanshui Province's provincial capital has a significant gap from the requirements. To put it bluntly, it's the population; population is the hard weakness of Sanshui Province's provincial capital."
Chen Feng replied truthfully.
"I was worried about the provincial capital's population issue; other aspects are easily resolved. GDP can be boosted with some creative accounting. But population is a strict requirement, and you can't fake it. The household registration department in the police stations has classified population records that local governments are not allowed to view. Modifying population data is simply impossible."
Miao Qifeng replied with a troubled expression.
"If we use conventional methods, it's definitely impossible. Population isn't like money or animals… it can't increase significantly through births in a short period. Even with talent acquisition, you can't gain millions of people."
Chen Feng replied with a serious look.
"Then, does this mean the provincial capital's subway is a distant dream?"
Miao Qifeng sighed deeply. Although he knew this would be the outcome, it was still painful to accept.
"Elder Miao, actually, you don't need to be so pessimistic. There is still a way. After all, you can't be suffocated by water."
"Chen Feng, judging by your words, do you have a solution for the provincial capital's problem?"
Miao Qifeng asked excitedly.
"Yes, I do. I'm just not sure if you, Elder Miao, have the guts for it."
Chen Feng replied seriously.
"Of course I have the guts! The provincial capital having the right to open a subway is not a small achievement. How could I possibly lack the courage for it?"
Miao Qifeng said excitedly.
"Since Elder Miao has the courage, I won't hold back. Four words: Annex Chaoshi."
Chen Feng said word by word.
"Chaoshi? You mean, annexing Chaoshi, the closest city to the provincial capital?"
Miao Qifeng tentatively asked.
"Yes, annexing Chaoshi. Chaoshi's economy is indeed ordinary, but it has millions of people. Once it's merged into the provincial capital, the provincial capital's population will immediately meet the conditions for opening a subway."
Chen Feng explained calmly.
"Chen Feng, honestly, your method is indeed a good one, but the difficulty is immense. Chaoshi is not a county-level city; it's a proper prefecture-level city. Just annexing it like that? Will Chaoshi agree? We cannot underestimate the power of a prefecture-level city. Prefecture-level cities have connections that reach the central government. Besides, in the history of China, there has never been a precedent for one prefecture-level city annexing another."
Miao Qifeng replied dejectedly. "Forget it, let's just wait for the provincial capital to develop rapidly and attract population."
"Elder Miao, have you considered that if we rely on the provincial capital's economic development to attract population, it will take more than ten years? In more than ten years, whether you are still in the provincial capital is uncertain."
Chen Feng said sternly.
"Chen Feng, I'm not an idiot. I know all these problems you've mentioned. But the issue is, after much thought, relying on the provincial capital's development to attract population is the only somewhat realistic option. Relying on annexing Chaoshi, the hope is slim."
Miao Qifeng explained with a depressed look.
"Elder Miao, let me tell you a story from Chinese history, and you'll understand that annexing Chaoshi isn't that difficult. As I said before, as long as you use your brain, no matter how difficult things are, they won't be impossible."
Chen Feng appeased Miao Qifeng.
"Hurry up and tell me, which Chinese historical story?"
Miao Qifeng asked excitedly.
"The Division of Jin by the Three Houses."
"Chen Feng, you are a goddamn genius, truly. Your mind works so well; you actually thought of the brilliant idea of the Division of Jin by the Three Houses."
Miao Qifeng said excitedly.
"Elder Miao, here's what I plan: the provincial capital annexes the urban area of Chaoshi, and the suburbs and counties under Chaoshi will be annexed by nearby prefecture-level cities. This way, even if Chaoshi wants to resist, it won't be able to. With so many prefecture-level cities wanting to annex Chaoshi, the Chinese political arena won't be able to help Chaoshi."
Chen Feng explained calmly.
"Alright, we'll do as you say."
Miao Qifeng replied seriously.
"Elder Miao, then regarding my return to Mingshan City..."
Chen Feng asked deliberately.
"You've helped me out so much. Returning to Mingshan City is simple. I'll make a call to the personnel department later, and you can start working in Mingshan City in a week."
Miao Qifeng readily agreed.
"Thank you, Elder Miao."
Chen Feng said smoothly.
"Don't thank me. If you want to thank someone, thank yourself. Your capabilities have convinced me. Go ahead and do your best in Mingshan City; I have high hopes for you."
Miao Qifeng did not hide his admiration for Chen Feng.
For political heavyweights, there are two aspects that must be constantly monitored.
First, relationships and connections.
Second, capable subordinates.
Having connections alone is not enough. Many tricky matters cannot be resolved, and one will eventually fall into a ditch. At this point, the role of capable subordinates becomes very obvious.
With capable subordinates, any problem can be easily solved.
Therefore, one must maintain both relationships and capable subordinates.
The best way to maintain the enthusiasm of capable subordinates is to promote them continuously.
"By the way, Elder Miao, there's a very crucial step in the provincial capital annexing Chaoshi that must not be forgotten."
Chen Feng said seriously.
"Go ahead and say it."
Miao Qifeng said excitedly.
Chen Feng is indeed a rising star in politics; he handles even major matters in an orderly and calm manner.
"It's the arrangement for Chaoshi's original leadership team. First, it's best for each of them to be promoted by one level. Once promoted, they'll be happy and won't have any resistance. The common people in Chaoshi have a sense of nostalgia, but the leadership team doesn't. As long as they get promoted, who cares if it's annexed or not. The public and the political bigwigs have different priorities. Second, each member of Chaoshi's original leadership team should be given a one-time subsidy, starting at a minimum of 100,000 yuan, with higher subsidies for higher positions."
Chen Feng said with calm composure.
"Chen Feng, isn't that a bit too exaggerated? A minimum of 100,000 yuan, and with so many political staff, subsidized by rank, that would be an astronomical sum!"
Miao Qifeng asked, trembling.
"Annexing a prefecture-level city with millions of people without spending any money, how is that possible? Elder Miao, let me put it this way: it may seem like a huge expense is not worth it, but in reality, it's extremely worthwhile because we are using money to buy off the Chaoshi leadership team from top to bottom. I estimate that the annexation can be completed within half a year. However, without such a significant expenditure, it might take ten years to annex."
Chen Feng said seriously.
"That makes a lot of sense. However, the provincial capital doesn't have that much liquid capital. What should we do?"
Miao Qifeng asked with a worried look.
"Simple, loans."
Chen Feng replied calmly.
"What? Loans? Did I hear you correctly? Loans for staff welfare?"
Miao Qifeng was stunned.