"Normal."
The rock in Chen Feng's heart finally settled.
He had thought it was something major, but it was just a power struggle between two factions in the political arena.
For thousands of years, power struggles in the Chinese political arena had never stopped, so it wasn't anything extraordinary.
"Normal?"
Qin Yan was stunned.
"Yes, Mayor Qin. Power struggles have been constant in China for thousands of years, so it's naturally normal."
Chen Feng explained.
"The logic holds, but isn't the struggle a bit too fierce? It's even affecting the normal operations of Mingshan City."
Qin Yan replied with a dejected look.
"There's only one reason for such a fierce struggle: the original Mingshan City network and the Hong County network are both supported by powerful figures behind the scenes. With powerful figures supporting them, they naturally like to stir up trouble."
Chen Feng explained calmly.
"Then what should we do?"
Qin Yan asked with a worried expression.
"It's easy. Allocate power based on capability."
Chen Feng continued to explain calmly.
"Capability is hard to measure. How can we allocate power based on capability?"
Qin Yan asked, puzzled.
"Every field has its own standards for judging capability. For example, teachers. Don't talk about empty theories. Whoever's students get into 211 universities is the truly capable one. Talking about quality education is useless; in reality, society values diplomas. For scientists, who is powerful? Look at their scientific creations. Similarly, in today's political arena, who is powerful? It depends on their ability to attract investment and stabilize the situation. If they can attract a lot of investment and the society remains stable, such people are capable officials. Talking about performance or public sentiment is all superficial."
Chen Feng explained earnestly.
"Chen Feng, isn't this too utilitarian?"
Qin Yan asked tentatively.
"It's very utilitarian, but also very necessary. Mingshan City has only developed in recent years and doesn't have much of a foundation. Compared to other cities in terms of foundation, it's definitely inferior. It can only compete in economic development. Moreover, nowadays, not just in China, but globally, the economy is the hard truth."
Chen Feng explained.
"If that's the case, what are your next plans?"
"Hold a special meeting for all mid-to-high-level leaders across the city and announce my ideas there. Whoever attracts more investment gets a higher position. Whoever attracts less investment will have a lower position. And those who can't attract any investment, I'm sorry, will be eliminated."
Chen Feng said with a serious expression.
"Eliminated?"
"Yes, eliminated! Get rid of those who are just filling positions. Of course, it's not real elimination, just demoting them to the second line. The Chinese political arena has always been about 'iron rice bowls.' Suddenly implementing an elimination system will cause chaos."
Chen Feng explained patiently.
"Chen Feng, there's a problem..."
Qin Yan looked conflicted.
"Mayor Qin, we're close friends, so speak your mind."
Chen Feng smiled calmly.
"What if someone attracts more investment than the three of us? What then?"
Qin Yan asked in a low voice.
"That's easy to handle. The mayor, the deputy mayors, we'll let them take those positions. Meritocracy prevails. However, you don't need to worry about that at all. I have a trump card to ensure our four positions remain unchanged."
Chen Feng said with confidence.
"What trump card?"
"Mayor Qin, you forgot. I have companies. I have companies both domestically and overseas. If the four of us don't meet our investment attraction targets, I'll have my companies invest in Mingshan City. Of course, I'm confident that with the capabilities of the four of us, our investment attraction strength will definitely be among the top four in the city."
Chen Feng chuckled heartily.
"Chen Feng, with your words, I feel relieved."
The rock in Qin Yan's heart finally settled.
After chatting for a while longer, Qin Yan left to prepare for the preliminary work of the meeting.
This meeting was an expanded meeting for all mid-to-high-level leaders across the city, and thorough preparation was essential.
A week later, the meeting was convened as scheduled.
To make the meeting more convincing, Chen Feng specifically invited Cheng Liren, the top leader of Jiangcheng City, and Miao Qifeng, the top leader of the provincial capital, to attend.
When everyone saw that Cheng Liren and Miao Qifeng were present, they immediately fell silent, no longer making a fuss.
The fact that the leadership of Mingshan City could invite Cheng Liren and Miao Qifeng to attend the meeting indicated that the leadership of Mingshan City had some capabilities and deserved serious consideration.
Chen Feng was the host of the meeting, so for the three-day meeting, Chen Feng was basically presiding.
Chen Feng was very satisfied with the outcome of the three-day meeting.
Everyone was eager to get to work and make a big impact.
Some even publicly declared their intention to introduce several major projects to Mingshan City.
Chen Feng was not one to shy away and immediately declared that Mingshan City would absolutely grant whatever policies were needed to attract major projects.
After the meeting, to boost morale, Chen Feng specifically allocated funds and took everyone on a week-long trip to several developed coastal provinces.
Firstly, it was a chance to relax before the big battle.
Secondly, by traveling to developed coastal areas, they could also experience the economic atmosphere of the developed provinces.
"Chen Feng, after this past week, I truly see you in a new light."
After the tour, Miao Qifeng specifically called Chen Feng to the provincial capital.
Chen Feng was a capable hand at economic development, and in a sense, he was the right-hand man of Miao Qifeng, the top leader of the provincial capital.
The economic development speed of Mingshan City had long surpassed that of the provincial capital, becoming an important engine for economic development in Sanshui Province.
With the rapid economic development of Sanshui Province, Miao Qifeng's position as the top leader of Sanshui Province had become increasingly stable.
"Elder Miao, you are too kind. I haven't done much, I've just followed the trend of development. Currently, all parts of China are experiencing a boom in investment attraction. Mingshan City cannot fall behind."
Chen Feng said humbly.
"Chen Feng, I called you to the provincial capital this time not just to fully affirm your capabilities. Most importantly, I have a very important matter to remind you about."
Miao Qifeng said with a serious expression.
"Elder Miao, please speak."
"You, Qin Yan, Cheng Lu, Li Hongling... might be temporarily seconded out..."
Miao Qifeng lowered his head, avoiding Chen Feng's gaze.
This was not the first time such a thing had happened to Chen Feng.
Every time Chen Feng demonstrated outstanding capabilities, he would inexplicably face suppression.
"Elder Miao, this time, I don't intend to obey. You also know that this has happened many times. Mingshan City is currently developing at full throttle and will soon be merged with Jiangcheng City to become a super-low-tier city. At this critical juncture, to have us all seconded elsewhere, isn't this suppression? They can't bully people repeatedly, can they?"
Chen Feng said righteously.
In the past, his abilities and position were low, so he could only swallow his pride. Now, he had made qualitative improvements in all aspects and did not want to tolerate it any longer.
"Chen Feng, I understand how you feel. However, this is the reality of the Chinese political arena. You are too prominent. Some people worry that your existence will affect their positions in the political arena, which is why they are using temporary secondments to deliberately suppress you."
Miao Qifeng patiently explained.
"Elder Miao, we are on the same boat. Can I ask who is suppressing me from behind?"
Chen Feng asked directly.
"You know this person, the second-in-command of the provincial government, Wu Luozhong."
"Elder Miao, I don't understand. I have no conflict of interest with Wu Luozhong. Why is he so determined to target me?"
Chen Feng asked, puzzled.
"Wu Luozhong indeed has no conflict of interest with you, but Wu Luozhong's son-in-law does have a conflict of interest with you."
Miao Qifeng sighed deeply and explained.