"Chen Feng, during this period, under your, Qin Yan, Cheng Lu, and Li Hongling's efforts, Mingshan City has developed very well. It's a well-known county-level city in China. In this situation, is there anything else you need help with?" Wang Ziwei asked with a puzzled look.
However, she was very happy inside. Helping her beloved man with several tasks at once felt sweeter than eating honey.
"Teacher Wang, this favor is a bit troublesome. I don't know if I should bother you..." Chen Feng said softly.
"Chen Feng, if you say that, I'll get angry. Qin Yan, Cheng Lu, and Li Hongling work for you every day. Why are you hesitant to bother me? Am I not as good as them now?" Wang Ziwei said, feigning anger.
"Teacher Wang, you've misunderstood. I didn't mean that. I mean this favor is really troublesome and difficult to manage..." Chen Feng quickly explained.
"Chen Feng, to be honest with you, you are the man I love. You've known this for a long time. With so many women around you, you should know what women think. The more they can help the man they love, the happier they are. The bigger the favor, the happier they are," Wang Ziwei said, her face blushing.
"Teacher Wang, since you've said that, I'm relieved. It's like this: Mingshan City has developed very well recently. With the rocket recycling project and the project of reselling national oil... these are all big projects. I want to use this opportunity to double the area of Mingshan City. Mingshan City is currently planned as a county-level city. Relative to Mingshan City's existing economic scale, it's clearly too small. For Mingshan City to develop long-term, its area must be expanded. However, to expand the area of a county-level city, having connections in the provincial government is not enough. Since ancient times, China has been very strict about administrative divisions, whether it's provinces, cities, or counties, and they cannot be easily changed. You are the daughter of the Wang family in the capital. The Wang family has deep connections and background in the capital. My intention is, why don't you go back to the capital and use your connections for Mingshan City..." Chen Feng tentatively said.
"Chen Feng, you're just too polite. How can this be considered troublesome? It's a matter of raising a hand. Don't worry, I'll return to the capital today. However, I don't understand matters of officialdom. Can you tell me whom to approach to expand the area of Mingshan City as a county-level city?" Wang Ziwei asked excitedly.
"Of course, you should approach the China Administrative Planning Bureau." Chen Feng said directly without hesitation.
"Got it. Chen Feng, you can go back to Mingshan City and do your things with confidence. I'll handle the matters with the China Administrative Planning Bureau," Wang Ziwei said with a smile.
"Teacher Wang, I need to go back to the capital with you." Chen Feng said seriously.
"You're going back to the capital with me? Is that necessary? The Wang family in the capital has quite powerful connections in China, so you don't need to specifically accompany me." Wang Ziwei was taken aback for a moment.
"Teacher Wang, you still don't quite understand China's officialdom. For other matters, I don't need to go to the capital with you. With the Wang family's connections in the capital, any matter can be easily handled. However, the issue of expanding Mingshan City's administrative area as a county-level city is difficult to resolve immediately, even with the Wang family's connections. Therefore, it's better for me to accompany you to the capital. In case of any unexpected situations, I can offer suggestions," Chen Feng said earnestly.
"Chen Feng, aren't you overthinking it? Expanding the administrative area of a county-level city is not like expanding the area of a province. It shouldn't be as complicated as you think. To be frank, the Wang family's connections in the capital are quite good," Wang Ziwei retorted.
"Teacher Wang, you are a history researcher. You should know that since ancient times, both officially and among the people, land has been highly valued in China. In rural areas, lives are often lost over trivial land issues. This is even more true for officials. China's current administrative divisions are the result of thousands of years of integration of various provinces through blood and fire, and they cannot be changed just by saying so. Too many things are involved, so it's better to be cautious. It's better for me to accompany you to the capital," Chen Feng continued earnestly.
Upon hearing this, Wang Ziwei did not insist further. Although she still thought Chen Feng was making a mountain out of a molehill, since Chen Feng insisted, as his woman, there was no need to go against him. She would just consider Chen Feng's trip to the capital as a sightseeing trip.
After a brief preparation, they went to the capital together. Under Wang Jianshan's arrangement, Wang Ziwei personally met with the Director of the China Administrative Planning Bureau in his office. After explaining in detail the matter of expanding Mingshan City's administrative area as a county-level city, Wang Ziwei confidently prepared to hear Director Zhou reply with a simple "Yes, it's a trivial matter."
Unexpectedly, Director Zhou looked at Wang Ziwei with a troubled expression.
"Director Zhou, what's wrong?" Wang Ziwei asked puzzledly.
"Miss Wang, under normal circumstances, considering Old Master Wang's connections, I must fulfill your request without fail. However, the issue of expanding Mingshan City's area as a county-level city is very tricky," Director Zhou replied softly.
"Director Zhou, did I hear correctly? You are the Director of the China Administrative Planning Bureau. Is the expansion of a county-level city's administrative area such a small matter also difficult?" Wang Ziwei asked in disbelief.
"Miss Wang, you've always been a teacher and haven't been involved in officialdom, so you might not be aware. Administrative planning might seem small, but it's actually very significant. This is because land is too sensitive. Frankly speaking, no one wants their land to become smaller, and everyone wishes their land area would increase. Historically, many people have died over administrative land ownership issues in China. Now it's a time of peace, and although people won't die, every administrative land issue involves a provincial bigwig. The higher authorities cannot afford to fall out with local bigwigs over land issues. Therefore..." Director Zhou said helplessly.
"Then what should we do?" Wang Ziwei's heart sank. It seemed she had misunderstood Chen Feng earlier. She thought Chen Feng was being alarmist, but it turned out he wasn't; reality was even more difficult than Chen Feng had imagined.
"Miss Wang, the best solution is to maintain Mingshan City's existing administrative area. This way, both the local and higher authorities will be satisfied," Director Zhou replied seriously.
"Director Zhou, to be honest, I promised my friend that I would handle this matter. If I can't accomplish it, what kind of standing will I have with my friend?" Wang Ziwei replied gloomily.
"Teacher Wang, I understand how you feel, but I truly can't help," Director Zhou said, biting his lip.
"Director Zhou, I won't make things difficult for you. Think carefully, is there any room for maneuver in the matter of expanding Mingshan City's administrative area? Tell me, and I'll find a way," Wang Ziwei said softly.
"Room for maneuver? There is, but it requires someone with an extremely clever mind to devise a plan that prevents local opposition. As long as someone can come up with a way to avoid local unrest, my side will be easier to handle," Director Zhou said sternly.
"I have such a person. He can definitely figure out a way to prevent local opposition. Wait for me for a few days, I'll go find him now," Wang Ziwei said excitedly.