"Director Cheng, by all rights, as your subordinate, I should obey your every command without question. However, transferring Chen Feng to the rare earth mine in the eastern suburbs of Jiangcheng presents some minor complications."
Zhang Wei feigned a troubled expression.
"Chen Feng is the Director of the Development and Reform Commission in Mingshan Town. Transferring him to a minor section chief position in a large state-owned mine is a lateral move, not a promotion. What complications could there be?" Cheng Liren questioned with feigned displeasure.
"Director Cheng, you may not be aware, but the rare earth mine in the eastern suburbs of Jiangcheng is currently undergoing large-scale rectification. Personnel matters are in a temporary freeze. It's not just that I, as the second-in-command, am powerless; even you yourself would be unable to intervene. However, do not worry. This personnel freeze at the Jiangcheng East Suburb Rare Earth Mine will only last for a month or two. Once the freeze is lifted, I will immediately transfer Chen Feng to the mine. A section chief is too minor; I will arrange for Chen Feng to be a division chief." Zhang Wei replied, putting on a show of heartfelt sincerity.
"Very well, if that is the case, then we shall wait. Zhang Wei, you have been my subordinate for many years, and I trust you implicitly. This young man, Chen Feng, I entrust him to you. Oh, and by the way, I will be going to the provincial capital tomorrow and will be delayed for about a week. Please keep an eye on Cheng Lu and Chen Feng. Young people need supervision, otherwise, they might make mistakes if left unchecked." Cheng Liren said with apparent seriousness.
"Director Cheng, rest assured, with me here, Miss Cheng and Chen Feng will be absolutely fine. By the way, Director Cheng, why are you suddenly going to the provincial capital?" Zhang Wei asked tentatively.
"It's like this, there might be some personnel changes in Jiangcheng next month, so I'm going to the provincial capital in advance to strengthen some connections." Cheng Liren continued with feigned seriousness.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Wei's heart finally settled.
This was the perfect opportunity to leverage Cheng Liren's trip to the provincial capital to secure his own position, which would accelerate the plan for the Jiangcheng East Suburb Rare Earth Mine. Once the plan succeeded, Cheng Liren's position would be his.
After chatting for a while longer, Cheng Liren dismissed Zhang Wei to return to his office.
"Chen Feng, I truly owe you a great deal this time. Otherwise, I might have really stumbled badly." Cheng Liren said with lingering trepidation.
"Director Cheng, please don't mention it. If you want to thank anyone, thank your daughter. She was the first to notice something was amiss, and then I followed her lead to unravel Zhang Wei's scheme."
"Cheng Lu noticed something was amiss? Hmm, it seems Cheng Lu has grown a lot following you." Cheng Liren said with a look of pleased satisfaction. His daughter, he mused, had no issues with intelligence, otherwise, she wouldn't have gotten into such a prestigious university like Capital University. It was her emotional intelligence that was somewhat lacking. And emotional intelligence wasn't something that could be learned easily; it required guidance. Clearly, Chen Feng had successfully guided Cheng Lu.
"Director Cheng, your deliberate week-long trip to the provincial capital, do you have a plan in motion?" Chen Feng asked tentatively.
"Yes, I am intentionally going to the provincial capital for a week. The purpose is to make Zhang Wei fully reveal his true colors, and then I can apprehend him in one fell swoop." Cheng Liren said with a stern expression.
"Director Cheng, what you mean is, you are publicly going to the provincial capital for a week, but in reality, you have already dispatched trusted operatives to secretly infiltrate the Jiangcheng East Suburb Rare Earth Mine?" Chen Feng continued to probe.
"Chen Feng, you are very clever, understanding with just a hint. Then guess, how will I strike back at Zhang Wei this time?" Cheng Liren asked Chen Feng in good spirits. Zhang Wei had been his right-hand man, and his sudden betrayal had deeply pained him. Not only had he lost a vital subordinate, but he had also been betrayed by him. Anyone would be furious. Yet, Cheng Liren felt no frustration. Because, while he had lost Zhang Wei, he had gained a young talent like Chen Feng, who was ten thousand times more capable. Honestly, in terms of vision and political acumen, Chen Feng surpassed Zhang Wei by a mile. Most importantly, in terms of integrity and loyalty, Chen Feng also outshone Zhang Wei by ten streets. With Chen Feng by his side, he could confidently maintain his position as the top leader in Jiangcheng.
"I assume you will dispatch trusted operatives to surreptitiously transfer the shares of the Jiangcheng East Suburb Rare Earth Mine to Zhang Wei's relatives, and then, should a major mining accident occur, the responsibility will fall on Zhang Wei, with no implication for you." Chen Feng stated calmly.
"Chen Feng, you are far more capable than I imagined. Such a discreet counter-attack, and you figured it out in an instant." Cheng Liren gazed at Chen Feng with admiration.
"Director Cheng, I personally suggest that you refrain from using this method." Chen Feng continued to speak with a calm demeanor.
"Is this method not good?" Cheng Liren retorted.
"To be honest, this method is excellent – swift, ruthless, and precise. However, you are a political figure aiming for higher promotion. Your vision must be grand, and you shouldn't burn all your bridges. Think about it carefully. Although you can distance yourself from responsibility in the event of a major accident at the Jiangcheng Rare Earth Mine, your political achievements will be significantly tarnished. Furthermore, while Zhang Wei deserves punishment, even death, those miners are innocent. It would be too regrettable for them to lose their lives due to Zhang Wei's malice." Chen Feng spoke his mind truthfully.
"Chen Feng, I am completely convinced by you now. You not only have great vision but also a kind heart. Frankly, you already possess the vision of a major political figure in the capital! I will heed your advice. Tell me, how should we counter-attack Zhang Wei?" Cheng Liren looked at Chen Feng with profound respect.
"It's simple: fight fire with fire." Chen Feng replied calmly.
"What do you mean?"
"Zhang Wei wants your position, so he's plotting against you at every turn. Similarly, there are people who want Zhang Wei's position and are also plotting against him. If you ally with them, taking down Zhang Wei will be a matter of minutes." Chen Feng explained.
"Excellent idea. Continue. In Jiangcheng, who most wants Zhang Wei's position?" Cheng Liren asked tentatively.
"Director Cheng, you should ask who has the *ability* to take Zhang Wei's position. Honestly, too many people want Zhang Wei's job."
"Then who has the ability to take Zhang Wei's position?" Cheng Liren probed.
"In Jiangcheng, apart from Sun Feng, the head of the Finance Bureau, there is no one else with that capability." Chen Feng replied with composure.
"Then tell me, how can I cooperate with Sun Feng to bring down Zhang Wei?" Cheng Liren continued to ask. At the same time, Cheng Liren's admiration for Chen Feng grew. Chen Feng, merely the Director of the Development and Reform Commission in Mingshan District of Jiangcheng, knew the political landscape of Jiangcheng even better than Cheng Liren, the top leader of Jiangcheng. It had to be said that Chen Feng had truly put in the effort. No wonder his political capabilities were extraordinary; it was a result of both talent and hard work.
"You simply have to guarantee Sun Feng that once Zhang Wei is out of the picture, the position of the second-in-command in Jiangcheng will be his. The reason Sun Feng dares not make a decisive move against Zhang Wei is his fear of working for someone else's benefit." Chen Feng explained earnestly.
"Chen Feng, as the top leader of Jiangcheng, there are some matters I cannot personally attend to. How about this: you represent me and speak to Sun Feng, assuring him that the position of the second-in-command in Jiangcheng is his for the taking." Cheng Liren proposed tentatively.
"No problem, I am willing to serve. However, before I approach Sun Feng, Director Cheng, you need to make Sun Feng believe that our relationship is unusual..." Chen Feng said meaningfully.