Qin Yan didn't press further. Chen Feng was no longer the Chen Feng he used to be.
His experience in the political arena, his perspective, his acuity... all surpassed hers.
The inspection team was indeed difficult to handle.
However, Chen Feng was no ordinary person.
Thinking this, Qin Yan returned to her office and began to arrange publicity matters.
Such affairs would receive strong support not only from the Mingshan District's finances but also from the Jiangcheng City's finances.
Publicity was a simple matter with substantial financial backing.
Chen Feng, without hesitation, went to the capital.
Before the inspection team arrived in Jiangcheng, he had to visit the capital first and deal with the four team members one by one.
These four team members were: Team Leader Zhang Tao, Deputy Team Leader Lin Wu, and team members Xiao Man and Xiao Die.
Chen Feng's first target was Zhang Tao.
Before coming to the capital, Chen Feng had already thoroughly investigated Zhang Tao's background.
Zhang Tao, indeed, was not motivated by money.
This was because Zhang Tao's family was very wealthy; his parents were CEOs of state-owned enterprises, and his wife owned an international company.
Although Zhang Tao didn't care for money, he harbored a secret hobby.
To obtain this useful piece of information, Chen Feng had spent a considerable amount of money.
Zhang Tao's hobby was stealing.
Yes, you heard that right, stealing.
Initially, Chen Feng couldn't understand it at all.
Zhang Tao was a high-ranking official, and his family was so wealthy; no matter how he thought about it, stealing seemed out of the question.
However, from a psychological perspective, it was quite normal.
People like Zhang Tao, born with a silver spoon in their mouths, had every whim catered to at every stage of their lives.
Life that was too smooth could become boring.
Poor people could be excited for hours after eating a meal with meat.
Poor people would be excited for days if they earned an extra hundred yuan in a month.
Poor people would be excited for a lifetime if they found a girlfriend.
Poor people would be excited to work themselves to the bone their entire lives if they found a good company to work for and earn a stable income.
...
However, for Zhang Tao, all of this was already provided by his family without him having to do anything.
To put it this way, the wealthier and more powerful people are, the harder it is to satisfy them.
This is why many second-generation rich and second-generation officials indulged in drugs.
Only drugs could make them feel happy.
Zhang Tao was a high-ranking official, and drugs were truly something he couldn't touch; it was too easy to get caught.
High-ranking officials underwent comprehensive medical examinations every month.
If they took drugs, they would be discovered with 100% certainty.
Therefore, considering all factors, stealing was truly the safest way to seek stimulation.
With this leverage, he was confident Zhang Tao would yield.
Thus, Chen Feng went directly to Zhang Tao.
"Who are you?"
Zhang Tao questioned with disdain.
"I am Chen Feng, Director of the Development and Reform Commission of Mingshan District, Jiangcheng City."
Chen Feng calmly introduced himself.
"Interesting. What right do you, an ordinary employee in the political arena, have to seek me out? Get out before I lose my temper."
Zhang Tao replied impatiently.
"Elder Zhang, please calm down. Haven't you noticed something? Although I am only the Director of the Development and Reform Commission of Mingshan District, I have managed to enter your office. Don't you find that strange?"
Chen Feng said calmly.
"Who knows how you managed to sneak in."
Zhang Tao replied with a dismissive sneer.
"Elder Zhang, you can check the surveillance. I entered through the front door legitimately."
"Enough, I don't care how you got in. Now, get out quickly. This is the capital's high-level political arena, not a playground where any Tom, Dick, or Harry can come in and spout nonsense. Where is the dignity of the high-level political arena?"
Zhang Tao reprimanded him haughtily.
Chen Feng stopped arguing.
Verbal rebuttals could no longer touch Zhang Tao in the slightest; he had to use his trump card.
Therefore, Chen Feng brought up the photos on his phone, capturing moments of Zhang Tao stealing luxury goods in a high-end store.
He had paid hundreds of thousands for this photo.
He had to admire the paparazzo; he had stalked Zhang Tao for five years before capturing this incredibly unbelievable photo.
For money, this paparazzo's patience was truly boundless.
To be fair, this paparazzo had some understanding of the political arena; he knew this photo was extraordinary and didn't publicize it or seek out others to sell it for money.
"What do you want?"
Zhang Tao's expression changed drastically.
"Elder Zhang, please don't get too agitated. I have destroyed the original. This is the only copy. I won't do anything to you, or else this photo would have already been on the front page."
Chen Feng explained calmly.
"Destroy it immediately, or I'll make sure you die in the capital."
Zhang Tao threatened with killing intent.
Chen Feng smiled and deleted the photo in front of Zhang Tao.
Frankly, the photo was incidental; it was enough to touch the most sensitive spot in Zhang Tao's heart.
Even if he truly wanted to publish such a photo, it would be impossible.
China's self-media is different from that of other countries.
Other countries' self-media have looser censorship and can publish any photos freely.
China's self-media, however, is strictly censored, especially for political images. It is absolutely stringent. Regardless of how popular the self-media is, if it publishes anything recklessly, it will be shut down immediately without negotiation.
For example, the former "Maimeng" WeChat account.
For example, the female streamer Li Ge.
For example, the male streamer Da Sima.
...
All of them courted disaster, wildly challenging China's self-media censorship system, and the result was an immediate shutdown.
"Alright, the photo is deleted. You can get out now. Don't let me see you again, or you'll still die."
Zhang Tao continued his death threats.
"Elder Zhang, to be honest, since I dared to come to you, I am not afraid of death. Of course, you won't kill me."
Chen Feng replied with a faint smile.
"With my status, is it difficult to kill someone discreetly?"
Zhang Tao replied coldly.
"Not difficult at all. Such things are very common in China's political arena. Every year, China's political elites die from sudden illnesses, accidents, overwork, car crashes... there are too many such deaths. Any one of these ways of dying would be thorough. However, you won't let me die. If I die, your strange habit will instantly spread throughout China. While it might not lead to your downfall, it will make your life uncomfortable forever..."
Chen Feng explained unhurriedly.
"Are you threatening me?"
Zhang Tao questioned Chen Feng with chilling coldness.
"Perhaps. I am just an ordinary person, and I am afraid of death."
Chen Feng replied calmly.
"Fine, you're tough. Tell me, why have you come to the capital this time?"
Zhang Tao stared fixedly at Chen Feng.
"Since Elder Zhang is so forthright and asks directly, I won't be coy. The reason I've come to the capital is mainly to ask Elder Zhang to be lenient when you inspect Jiangcheng in a few days and to write favorable comments about Xiang Wentian and Wang Hai in your assessment report."
Chen Feng explained word by word.
"Understood. You can get out now."
Zhang Tao was furious.
He was extremely displeased that such a big fuss was made over a minor matter concerning the inspection team.
"Elder Zhang, you seem quite hostile towards me."
Chen Feng continued to ask with a smile.
"Otherwise? You are the first person to know about my stealing habit. Yet, you have brought it out into the open. Do I have to thank you for that?"
Zhang Tao said, staring at Chen Feng with a flushed face.
One had to admit, this young man had the audacity of the heavens!