"Forget it, no use in trying," Hong Yun replied weakly.
"Elder Hong, it's a pity to give up without even trying," the second-in-command continued to persuade Hong Yun.
"I appreciate your good intentions, but you lack experience in officialdom. If you were a seasoned hand, you'd know the unspoken rules in China's political arena. Once foreigners are involved, it becomes incredibly complicated. I won't say more, you'll understand by experiencing it yourself," Hong Yun sighed.
The second-in-command was left speechless. It seemed he had underestimated the undercurrents within official circles.
In Xiang Wentian's office.
"Chen Feng, your mission this time has been excellent. The investment attraction quota has multiplied several times over," Xiang Wentian said, looking at Chen Feng with great satisfaction.
"Elder Xiang, it was just good luck. I didn't really do anything special. The biggest credit goes to you. Without you overseeing the overall situation, we wouldn't have achieved such great results with the Japanese investment delegation," Chen Feng replied humbly.
"Chen Feng, to be honest, I like you precisely because you are capable but not boastful. The more you are like this, the more I want to reward you. Tell me, what kind of reward do you desire?" Xiang Wentian asked excitedly.
"Elder Xiang, my current position is quite high, in Mingshan District. I am very satisfied with my current state and truly don't need any special rewards," Chen Feng continued to be modest.
"Chen Feng, I just said, the more humble you are, the more you don't take credit, the more I want to reward you. If you refuse, I'll think you find my rewards insufficient," Xiang Wentian said earnestly.
"Elder Xiang, since you put it that way, I won't be polite. As for my official position, I am quite satisfied and have no further requests. If you truly want to reward me, then reward me with some money. To be honest, I genuinely like money," Chen Feng said, intentionally portraying himself as someone who loved money.
In the political arena, regardless of the superior, they dislike subordinates who are all paragons of virtue. Such subordinates are difficult to manage. Most importantly, if the subordinate is a paragon of virtue and the superior is not, the relationship cannot be maintained. Therefore, he had to appear as if he loved money in front of Xiang Wentian.
In the eyes of the public, incorruptible officials who get things done are the best. However, in front of superiors in the political arena, subordinates with flaws are the best. If subordinates have no flaws and are principled, how can they be controlled? No superior likes a subordinate they cannot control.
"Chen Feng, you like money too?" Xiang Wentian asked with surprise.
"Elder Xiang, I am an ordinary person, not a god. How could I not like money?" Chen Feng replied calmly.
"Since you like money, then tell me, how much reward do you want from me?" Xiang Wentian asked curiously.
"One million," Chen Feng replied without hesitation. If it were based on project commission, one million was actually too little. However, as a reward from a superior to a subordinate, it was a sky-high demand. Chen Feng wanted exactly this effect; if he didn't ask for an exorbitant amount, Xiang Wentian wouldn't take him seriously.
"Are you sure, one million?" Xiang Wentian asked, feigning displeasure. In reality, he was very satisfied with Chen Feng deep down. If Chen Feng were not greedy, he would have kept his distance. Someone exceptionally capable but not greedy would be difficult to manage. Someone exceptionally capable who loves money is the easiest to manage.
"Elder Xiang, if it weren't for my shyness, I would have asked for two million," Chen Feng seized the opportunity.
"Alright, then it will be two million. You've brought so many major projects to the provincial capital this time, rewarding you two million is not excessive," Xiang Wentian said excitedly.
"Then thank you, Elder Xiang," Chen Feng accepted directly without further modesty.
"By the way, Chen Feng, when you return to Mingshan District this time, work hard. In recent years, both Jiangcheng and the provincial capital have attached importance to young talents. Mingshan District has a good geographical location. As long as you work diligently, the economy of Mingshan District can easily see a new chapter," Xiang Wentian encouraged Chen Feng. He believed that this young man, Chen Feng, if tempered, would be useful in the future.
"Thank you for your concern, Elder Xiang. I will work hard," Chen Feng replied sincerely.
After a few more pleasantries, Chen Feng left the provincial capital and returned to Mingshan District.
"Chen Feng, it's strange. You didn't go to the provincial capital to help Xiang Wentian, and the expansion plan for Mingshan District was stuck. After you returned from helping Xiang Wentian in the provincial capital, the expansion plan for Mingshan District was approved immediately," Qin Yan remarked.
"Deputy Director Qin, it's actually quite normal. Elder Xiang wants me to help him again in the future. Without giving me some incentives, how could I wholeheartedly help him?" Chen Feng replied calmly.
"That said, your capabilities are growing stronger. Within a few days, I expect you to be promoted to the provincial capital," Qin Yan said excitedly.
"That's a possibility, but I don't want to do that," Chen Feng said, still with a calm expression.
"Why? Most people would be overjoyed to have an opportunity to enter the provincial capital's political arena. You actually don't want to go to the provincial capital?" Qin Yan was stunned. In her impression, Chen Feng had great political ambitions.
"Deputy Director Qin, you've misunderstood. This is what's called advancing by retreating. The political arena values seniority. I am too young. If I force my way into the provincial capital, it is possible. With my strong connections in the political arena, thanks to Zhou Kewang and Xiang Wentian, it's just a matter of them saying the word, and I'd be there. But the problem is, if I really went, I'd become a target of public criticism. In political parlance, it's called 'undeserved position.' If you force your way to the top, many people in the shadows will be unhappy and will collude to bring you down. Therefore, forcing my way into the provincial capital is not worth the gain. It's better to start from the grassroots steadily. Once the foundation is firm, it will be unshakeable," Chen Feng explained patiently.
"Chen Feng, I am truly impressed by you now. You think things through so thoroughly. By the way, Chen Feng, now that Mingshan District is expanding, what's the next step?" Qin Yan tentatively asked.
"The old method, attracting investment," Chen Feng replied without thinking.
"Chen Feng, I've thought about this approach carefully, and it's very difficult. The entire country is currently attracting investment. Every region offers frighteningly attractive incentives to attract capital," Qin Yan said with a worried expression.
"This is indeed a problem, but it's also an opportunity. National investment attraction signifies the country's emphasis on it. As long as the methods are appropriate, attracting investment isn't difficult," Chen Feng said indifferently.
"Chen Feng, to be honest, I've been in charge of the economy for many years and consider myself to have decent investment attraction capabilities. However, this year's investment attraction environment is too impetuous, and it's hard to find any effective project leads," Qin Yan sighed deeply.
"Deputy Director Qin, it's the same as I said, where there's a challenge, there's an opportunity. How about this, I'll have Cheng Lu handle my usual duties for now. During this period, I'll focus on the investment attraction for Mingshan District's newly expanded areas..." Chen Feng reassured Qin Yan.
"Chen Feng, my intention is to wait for a moment. Mingshan District's neighboring Yufeng District is also attracting investment, and they have a very strong investment attraction team..." Qin Yan advised with concern.