"A token of loyalty?"
Zhou Kewang felt a wave of dizziness.
It seemed Chen Feng had fully integrated into the unspoken rules of the provincial capital's power circles.
Meanwhile, he, the top official of the provincial development and reform commission, had been peacefully stationed there for years, almost forgetting the ways of survival in the provincial power circles.
"Yes, a token of loyalty. To put it plainly, it's to let Wang Hai and Xiang Wentian know that I'm allied with them and will never betray them. Only then will they feel at ease to let me place my people in the provincial personnel department."
Chen Feng explained.
"That makes sense. Hmm, let me think carefully, what kind of token of loyalty does Wang Hai want..."
Zhou Kewang pondered for a long time before finally figuring out what Wang Hai wanted.
It was simple: Wang Hai wanted Chen Feng to participate with him in some disgusting acts that powerful people do. Once they did them together, they would be considered allies.
"Elder Zhou, I'm very curious, what disgusting and evil preferences does Wang Hai have?"
Chen Feng asked calmly.
"Honestly, I'm not entirely sure either. They don't pay much attention to me, whether it's Xiang Wentian or Wang Hai. But I know for sure Wang Hai has disgusting and evil preferences; it's an open secret in the power circles. It's like Yang Xiuqing in Chinese history; he seemed glorious on the surface, but in reality, he had many unspeakable and disgusting preferences."
"Understood, Elder Zhou. I'll go find Wang Hai now. No matter what he asks me to do, I'll do it for Cui Yali."
Chen Feng replied resolutely.
"Chen Feng, one last question. As far as I know, Cui Yali has a husband, a son, and she's quite old. Is it necessary to make such a big sacrifice for such a woman?"
Zhou Kewang asked, full of confusion.
"Elder Zhou, you're not an outsider, so I'll be honest. I've played around with many women in my life, but after playing with them, I can't bring myself to abandon them. No matter what kind of woman it is, I can't bear to abandon them. Besides, Cui Yali has been very loyal to me. Her coming to the provincial capital will definitely be beneficial for my future development in the power circles. To put it bluntly, helping Cui Yali is helping myself."
Chen Feng explained word by word.
Zhou Kewang stopped probing.
Chen Feng was a young man with his own ideas, and he had sufficient reasons for everything he did; he never acted recklessly.
After chatting for a while longer, Chen Feng went to find Wang Hai.
"Chen Feng?"
Wang Hai said with interest.
"Elder Wang, you recognize me?"
Chen Feng asked intentionally.
"You helped Elder Xiang secure the Japanese investment group not long ago, how could I not recognize you? However, it's strange, you have such a good relationship with Elder Xiang, why didn't you go to him and instead came to me?"
Wang Hai asked back intentionally.
"Originally, I intended to see Elder Xiang. But then I thought, it's the same whether I see Elder Wang or Elder Xiang. So, I came to trouble you, Elder Wang."
Chen Feng said with hidden meaning.
"Tell me, how am I the same as Elder Xiang?"
Wang Hai pressed.
"The provincial capital's economy has developed rapidly in recent years, and the strategy of strengthening the provincial capital has been very successful, thanks to the sincere cooperation between Elder Xiang and you. Since you and Elder Xiang cooperate sincerely, it's no different for me to come to you with a small matter than to go to Elder Xiang."
Chen Feng said calmly.
"I didn't expect that you, an ordinary staff member from Jiangcheng's power circles, could see through the provincial capital's power circles. That's interesting. Since you are a friend of Elder Xiang, then speak frankly, what is the matter that brings you to the provincial capital this time?"
Wang Hai said with a solemn expression.
"Elder Wang, I want the provincial capital to transfer the head of the Jiangcheng Personnel Department to the provincial capital Personnel Department as its head."
Chen Feng stated his objective directly without evasion.
Wang Hai did not respond, only laughed heartily.
After laughing for a good while, Wang Hai asked Chen Feng back.
"Chen Feng, do you know the value of the position of head of the provincial capital Personnel Department? You dare to ask for the moon!"
"Elder Wang, originally, I wouldn't dare to make this request. Anyone with common sense knows how important the position of head of the provincial capital Personnel Department is in the provincial capital's power circles, and it's an incredibly lucrative position. Normally, people in the power circles would never have the chance to touch this position in their lifetime. However, after observing for a period, I realized that the current head of the provincial capital Personnel Department has started to distance himself from you and Elder Xiang. Therefore, I want to seize this opportunity to find someone who is absolutely loyal to you and Elder Xiang to replace the current provincial head."
Chen Feng explained unhurriedly.
"Chen Feng, I find you quite interesting, young man. You dare to say anything recklessly. Not only do you dare to say you want to promote your person to be the head of the provincial capital Personnel Department, but you also dare to say that the current head of the provincial capital Personnel Department is distancing himself from you and Elder Xiang. To build your power circle network, your courage is greater than that of a leopard. Do you know who the current provincial head is? And what is our relationship with him?"
Wang Hai stared intently at Chen Feng.
Chen Feng remained calm and composed.
Since he dared to come to Wang Hai, he was prepared for anything.
"The current provincial head, Huang Ling, is a shared lover of yours and Xiang Wentian's."
Chen Feng replied word by word.
"Hmm, your insight into the power circles is indeed impressive, young man. Over the years, you are the third person to know this secret. Since you know Huang Ling is our shared lover, and the three of us are on the same boat, how could Huang Ling be distancing herself from us?"
Wang Hai asked back.
"Elder Wang, initially, Huang Ling did not intend to betray you and Elder Xiang. However, recently, the temptation of benefits has been too great, so Huang Ling has begun to stir."
Chen Feng continued to explain.
"That's hilarious. You and Xiang Lao are the ceiling of the entire provincial power circles. Who else could offer Huang Ling benefits that exceed ours? Huang Ling would have to be foolish to side with someone else and not side with us."
Wang Hai replied dismissively.
He would believe if others had rebellious intentions.
He would never believe if Huang Ling had rebellious intentions.
"Elder Wang, in the provincial capital, you and Elder Xiang are indeed insurmountable existences. But the problem is, this time, the person tempting Huang Ling with power circle benefits is not from the provincial capital's power circles, but from the capital's power circles."
Chen Feng explained unhurriedly.
"The capital's power circles? Tell me more."
Elder Wang said with interest.
Chen Feng was just an ordinary staff member from Jiangcheng City. Seeing him like this, it seemed he was very familiar with the provincial capital's power circles and the capital's power circles. Whether he was truly familiar or just pretending, letting Chen Feng explain a little would reveal his true colors.
"I'm not entirely clear about the specifics, after all, the waters of the capital's power circles are even deeper than those of the provincial capital's power circles. I only have a general idea. The capital connections behind you and Elder Xiang are at odds with another capital big shot. This capital big shot then tried to win over Huang Ling, intending to bring both of you down. If both of you are brought down, the power of your capital connections will be weakened. To put it bluntly, Huang Ling's situation is caused by power circle alignments."
Chen Feng said seriously.
"This is just your speculation. Is there any evidence from the capital?"
Elder Wang's tone suddenly shifted, and his demeanor became serious.
Because in the unspoken rules of power circles, there indeed existed the rule of alignment.
The higher one was in the power circles, the more they had to align.
To put it plainly, it was the eternal factionalism and private dealings in China's power circles!
"Elder Wang, the capital's power circles are very deep. I can only speculate, and I cannot find any evidence. The dealings in the capital's power circles are always watertight, with undercurrents."
Chen Feng replied truthfully.
"It's as if you said nothing at all."
Wang Hai replied impatiently.
"Elder Wang, please be patient. In the capital's power circles, not only for me, but for anyone, finding even a trace of evidence is as difficult as ascending to heaven. The power struggles in the capital are world-shattering and soul-stirring battles of the highest echelons of power, and there cannot be any obvious evidence leaking out. However, I can make Huang Ling leak some clues..."
Chen Feng replied unhurriedly.