"Is that true?"
Cheng Lu was stunned.
She knew that life at the bottom in rural areas was tough, but she had never imagined it would be *this* tough.
"Of course it's true! Think about it, do the crops in the fields wait until after your period to ripen? Let me put it this way, it's not just women at the bottom in rural areas who have it tough; women at the bottom in cities do too – those selling things at stalls, working in factories, doing odd jobs... If they don't work for a single day, they lose hundreds. Are they willing to do that?"
Chen Feng explained with a serious expression.
"Chen Feng, honestly, if you hadn't told me, I would never have known that the bottom stratum in China was like this."
Cheng Lu said with a solemn expression.
"So, while China is very powerful now, it still has a long way to go to be truly powerful. When the people at the bottom of China's power structure can afford to eat meat every day, can afford to rest and travel, can afford to drink milk tea every day... that's when China will undoubtedly surpass America. Talking about how amazing China is right now is still bragging. The reason is simple: the vast majority of people at the bottom in China live very difficult lives."
Chen Feng said with deep eyes.
Ultimately, the strong driving force behind Chen Feng's persistent dream of reaching the top of China's power structure was his inability to bear watching the common people of China suffer for thousands of years.
It was time for a fundamental change.
After a brief preparation, the three of them went to the fields.
Although rural China today is not like before, where everything was done manually – manual harvesting, manual rice planting... every step of farm work has achieved small-scale mechanization.
But the problem is, some small tasks in the fields still require manual labor under the scorching sun.
After three days, Qin Yan and Cheng Lu were utterly exhausted.
"Chen Feng, I finally understand why you are so determined to speak up for the common people. The ironclad fact is that the lives of the people at the bottom are truly difficult."
On the last night, the three of them had a good time playing for a while. Afterward, Cheng Lu lay on the bed, sighing with emotion.
"Yes, people who have truly suffered find it hard to become bad people. They know how to cherish things and how to show compassion... However, to be fair, I am quite grateful to both of you. Without your support, I would never have been able to establish myself in the power structure. Without a stable footing in the power structure, how would I have had the opportunity to do things for the common people?"
Chen Feng replied smoothly.
"Chen Feng, these three days have been very meaningful. When we return to Wuzhou District, we must work hard to improve the lives of so many impoverished households there."
The two women exclaimed.
It had to be said that liking Chen Feng and being with him was wonderful; it brought not only happiness but also spiritual elevation.
The next morning, the three returned to Wuzhou District.
Upon arriving at the office, the three of them got busy.
Their main task was to familiarize themselves with the current situation in Wuzhou District.
A week passed quickly. Chen Feng specifically called Qin Yan and Cheng Lu over for a small meeting.
The agenda was a reflection on the current situation in Wuzhou District.
Firstly, Qin Yan's opinion was that
The reason Wuzhou District has been poor for decades is mainly due to the harsh environment.
The entire Wuzhou District is not near any rivers, railways, or highways, making it impossible to develop its agriculture and industry.
Cheng Lu's opinion was that
The people in Wuzhou District are less educated; most start working after graduating from junior high school and then remain poor for life.
Cheng Lu's perspective stemmed from her current role overseeing education in Wuzhou District.
"What you both said is reasonable, but it's not the core reason."
Chen Feng replied with a serious expression.
"Not the core reason? Then what is the core reason?"
The two women asked with curiosity.
"The core reason is that the power structure in Wuzhou District is too bloated, with people just going through the motions. In Wuzhou District, no matter the department, no one starts work on time; they all start around ten o'clock and leave at four-thirty. Even when they are at work, everyone is busy scrolling through Douyin to kill time. As a result, there are complaints from the public every month, but they are useless. The department receiving the complaints is also scrolling through Douyin. How can such a rotten power structure at its roots lead Wuzhou District to prosperity?"
Chen Feng said, struggling to control his emotions.
"Chen Feng, your statement makes a lot of sense. But the problem is, the issue of bureaucracy bloat is very difficult to solve. Whether it's China's past power structure or its current one, it has been unable to solve the problem of bureaucracy bloat."
The two women said with anxiety.
If Wuzhou District's economy couldn't develop for other reasons, it could still be saved.
However, if it was due to bureaucratic bloat, it was essentially unsolvable.
It was a curse that had plagued China for centuries.
Initially, the number of people in China's power structure was not large, but gradually, through cronyism and connections, the number of people in the power structure increased. It wasn't until wars broke out and some people died that the power structure became streamlined again.
However, before long, the number of people in China's power structure would gradually increase again.
It could be imagined that if this phenomenon were not changed, it would trigger drastic changes in China.
This was because the common people could not afford to support so many "masters."
In essence, China's power structure had followed this historical cycle for thousands of years.
"I don't have the ability to solve the problem of bloat in China's power structure. The scope is too broad, and the relationships under various big shots are too complex. Who dares to cut them? However, I am confident that I can solve the problem of bureaucracy bloat in Wuzhou District, and with just one move."
Chen Feng said confidently.
"Chen Feng, your enthusiasm is good. But the problem is, for some issues in the power structure, enthusiasm alone is far from enough."
The two women advised Chen Feng not to be impulsive.
"District Chief Qin, Xiao Lu, this is what I'm thinking. The problem of staff reduction in Wuzhou District's power structure can be solved with a decisive move from top to bottom."
Chen Feng continued with full confidence.
"From top to bottom, a decisive move? What do you mean?"
Qin Yan and Cheng Lu asked curiously.
"District Chief Qin, I mean, your position as district chief remains unchanged. Qin Yan and I, as deputy district chiefs, will have our positions changed, becoming directors directly. If we set an example, then those behind us must follow suit, or they will be directly dismissed."
Chen Feng said calmly.
"What? You want to be a director? How can that be? Isn't that a demotion?"
Qin Yan immediately objected.
"District Chief Qin, becoming the head of the development and reform commission in Mingshan District to becoming the head of a bureau in Wuzhou District is a demotion. However, this is necessary. Otherwise, Wuzhou District will continue to be poor. For the sake of the people of Wuzhou District becoming prosperous, I am willing to make this sacrifice. Furthermore, returning to the grassroots power structure is also a form of skill development."
Chen Feng said with firm resolve.
"Chen Feng, Chen Feng, your willingness to accept a demotion for the sake of the people is absolutely unique in China's power structure. With your steely resolve, the staff reduction in Wuzhou District's power structure this time will surely go smoothly. However, a problem arises: who should be laid off and who can be retained for continued use?"
Qin Yan asked with confusion.
"It's simple. You can issue a notice now, stating that an economic conference will be held in all of Wuzhou District tomorrow, starting precisely at eight o'clock. If anyone is late tomorrow, they will all be dismissed."
Chen Feng explained word by word.
"It's that simple?"
"Yes, it's that simple!"
Chen Feng said with firm resolve.
"What if they make trouble and refuse to leave the office?"
Qin Yan tested.
Layoffs in the power structure are very different from layoffs in companies.
People in the power structure are often seasoned veterans, connected through relationships, and like dead pigs unafraid of boiling water. Dealing with them is extremely tricky.
"That's also simple, we can use the 'boiling frog in warm water' method."
Chen Feng replied unhurriedly.
"What? Boiling frog in warm water?"
Qin Yan and Cheng Lu looked at Chen Feng, bewildered.
"Yes, that's right, boiling frog in warm water! Regardless of what happens, these people all have some connections. Forcing them out will definitely cause an earthquake in Wuzhou District's power structure. If Wuzhou District's power structure is thrown into chaos, its development will become even more difficult. Therefore, we must use a gentle method. This gentle method is: if they don't leave, let them stay, but their salaries will be suspended. Conversely, if they leave voluntarily, they will be compensated with 100,000 yuan each."
Chen Feng explained.
"Chen Feng, these are people accustomed to the privileges of the power structure. Will a mere 100,000 yuan satisfy them?"
Qin Yan asked with confusion.