"Elder Cheng, thank you for your kindness. However, you truly cannot help."
Chen Feng replied truthfully.
"Chen Feng, did I hear you correctly? Ming Mountain District is just one district in Jiangcheng. You're telling me I can't help Ming Mountain District? Isn't that a bit too exaggerated?"
Cheng Liren retorted with astonishment.
"Elder Cheng, you can help Ming Mountain District with minor matters. After all, you are the top leader in Jiangcheng. However, for Ming Mountain District to have significant development, it requires help from the provincial capital. Otherwise, no matter how hard you or I try, it won't work."
Chen Feng continued to reply truthfully.
"What is going on?"
Cheng Liren became even more confused.
In such a short time since he last saw Chen Feng, he felt that Chen Feng's aura was completely different.
Was this still the same driver for the town leaders as before?
"Elder Cheng, you are a big shot in the political arena. You should know that in recent years, the provincial capital has strictly adhered to the 'strengthen the provincial capital' policy. For any major projects, they will inevitably be moved to the provincial capital. Therefore, I must go and talk to the provincial capital, asking them to loosen their grip slightly on other cities in the province. Otherwise, it will be very difficult for Ming Mountain District to develop major projects."
Chen Feng explained with a serious expression.
"If you are going to the provincial capital for this matter, I advise you not to."
Cheng Liren sighed deeply and said.
"What do you mean?"
Chen Feng asked.
"Let me put it this way. Last year, I, along with the top leaders of other cities in the province, went to the provincial capital to discuss this matter you mentioned. We talked for a week, and the result was that it was completely useless. The provincial authorities were very firm: the 'strengthen the provincial capital' policy must be adhered to. No matter who comes, it will be like this. In recent years, you have seen that the 'strengthen the provincial capital' policy has been quite effective. The provincial capital has suddenly reached a GDP scale of two trillion yuan, ranking among the top ten in China. Having tasted the benefits, how could the provincial capital agree to abandon the 'strengthen the provincial capital' policy?"
Cheng Liren shook his head.
Although he knew that this 'strengthen the provincial capital' policy was very unfriendly, even a devastating disaster, to other cities in the province, the higher authorities did not care about these things. They only knew that the 'strengthen the provincial capital' policy had made the provincial capital a major city in China and made the provincial economy look good. As for whether the development of local cities was being drained, they did not care.
"Elder Cheng, rest assured, this time I go to the provincial capital, I am absolutely confident that I can persuade the provincial capital leadership to abandon this 'strengthen the provincial capital' policy that has been implemented for fifteen years."
Chen Feng said word by word.
"Chen Feng, I know that after years of experience in the grassroots political arena, you have become much more mature and wise. However, think about your identity as the head of Ming Mountain District's Development and Reform Commission. Persuading those big shots in the provincial capital to change policies is impossible. What I mean is, it's better not to waste your effort."
Cheng Liren advised Chen Feng.
Last year, so many local big shots from the province went to the provincial capital and achieved nothing. How could Chen Feng, alone, succeed?
The provincial strategy was a strategy too big to be described, how could it be changed by the few words of an ordinary political staff member?
"Elder Cheng, be careful, I am only going to the provincial capital to discuss it with them, not to petition. The problem is not too big. Even if I fail, at worst, I will be punished and sent back to the grassroots for a few more years. Consider it as training, the problem is not too big."
Chen Feng said with a calm expression.
"Alright, since you have already decided, I have nothing more to say. Go ahead with confidence. If you are really punished and sent back to the grassroots for a few years, I will bring you back."
Cheng Liren said with admiration.
From Chen Feng, Cheng Liren saw a valuable spirit in him.
He was not afraid of power, not afraid of failure, and had an extremely far-sighted vision...
These excellent qualities, to be honest, were not only lacking in young people but even in old hands in the political arena.
Perhaps, this young man, Chen Feng, was born to soar in the political arena.
Chen Feng did not waste any time and went to the provincial capital immediately.
Xiang Wentian and Wang Hai were excitedly discussing the provincial GDP in an office, thinking how they could once again make a splash in China.
"Chen Feng, why are you here?"
Both of them looked at Chen Feng with curiosity.
"Elder Xiang, Elder Wang, this time I am here because I want you to change the 'strengthen the provincial capital' strategy of Sanshui Province."
Chen Feng stated his purpose directly.
Xiang Wentian and Wang Hai burst into laughter.
Currently, the whole country was using Sanshui Province as a benchmark, and everyone was proposing to develop the economy with the strength of the entire province. Yet, Chen Feng was going against history, abandoning such a good strategy.
"Elder Xiang, Elder Wang, I am serious."
Chen Feng said word by word with seriousness.
"Chen Feng, you are the young person we value most, and the young person we are secretly cultivating and honing. We thought that after training in the grassroots political arena, you would become very wise and pragmatic. Who knew that what you are saying at this moment makes you sound like an amateur in the political arena. The whole of China believes that strengthening the provincial capital is a universal truth. You are actually trying to overthrow the truth?"
The two looked at Chen Feng sternly.
"Elder Xiang, Elder Wang, we are friends, so I will not hide anything. I will say what I think. If Sanshui Province only wants to maintain a 7% annual growth rate, it can continue to implement the 'strengthen the provincial capital' policy. However, if Sanshui Province wants to break through double-digit growth rates, continuing the 'strengthen the provincial capital' strategy is absolutely unrealistic."
Chen Feng explained calmly.
"Interesting, continue."
Xiang Wentian and Wang Hai listened attentively.
If anyone else said these things, they would not listen to a single word.
However, these words were spoken by Chen Feng.
Although Chen Feng was young and did not have a noble background, it had to be admitted that Chen Feng possessed extraordinary talent in the political arena. His words were sometimes very peculiar, but upon careful consideration, they were very reasonable.
"The 'strengthen the provincial capital' policy could only be used in the initial stages of Sanshui Province, and the effect was very significant. I remember more than ten years ago, the development speed of the provincial capital of Sanshui Province was 15%, ranking first in the whole of China. Then it decreased every year, which means what? It means the marginal utility of the 'strengthen the provincial capital' policy is getting weaker and weaker. If it is forcibly continued, it can only be a last resort. If the provincial capital cannot develop, the economies of all other cities in the province will also die."
Chen Feng continued to explain word by word.
"You have a point. Chen Feng, Wang Lao and I are very curious why such a young ordinary political staff member like you thinks at such a high and far-reaching level that even we cannot touch upon. To be honest, if there were no age limits in the Chinese political arena, you could definitely come to the provincial capital to showcase your ambitions."
Xiang Wentian and Wang Hai exclaimed.
"Elder Xiang, Elder Wang, to be honest, the little achievements I have made are all thanks to the good guidance of you two great leaders."
Chen Feng said with a humble smile and flattery.
When it comes to surviving in the political arena, flattery is not shameful.
"Yes, you are quite humble. Alright, let me ask you, if we don't implement the 'strengthen the provincial capital' policy, how do you plan to develop the economy of Sanshui Province?"
Xiang Wentian asked with curiosity.
"I don't know the specifics. To be honest, my experience in the political arena is not very extensive. I might boast, but in terms of practical operation, it is still somewhat difficult. However, it doesn't matter, if I can't do it, someone else can."
Chen Feng replied calmly and composedly.
"Who can?"
Xiang Wentian and Wang Hai asked with great interest.
"Sanshui Province of China! Sanshui Province has been the number one GDP in China for thirty consecutive years. They have very rich experience. You can send dedicated personnel to learn from them."
Chen Feng continued to say calmly and composedly.
"Then who should be sent?"
Xiang Wentian and Wang Hai pressed.