"Mr. Inoue, you're an old hand at this; you should know."
Chen Feng replied calmly.
"I do know, but I'd like to test you."
Inoue Mumei didn't lie.
"Since that's the case, allow me to show off. To perfectly maintain the entire process at a temperature of 600 degrees, it's essential to introduce the latest American temperature control valves. In a sense, American technology is truly powerful and comprehensive. It's not that I'm blindly admiring foreign technology; American technology is incredibly diverse and covers virtually all industries."
Chen Feng responded truthfully.
"American temperature control valves, that's a good idea. But the problem is, American temperature control valves are controlled by the US military-industrial complex. Even if I wanted to buy them, I couldn't."
Inoue Mumei replied with a dejected expression.
"This problem isn't too difficult. If you can't buy them, then replicate them. Japan's replication capabilities are renowned worldwide."
Chen Feng explained calmly.
"That's possible, but how do we replicate them?"
Inoue Mumei continued to test Chen Feng.
"It's also very simple. Japan has specialized replication technology companies. As long as the money is sufficient, any technology can be replicated."
Chen Feng replied calmly.
"Chen Feng, I truly suspect you're Japanese. You know more about many things in Japan than I do, a Japanese person."
Inoue Mumei said with a smile of admiration.
"Mr. Inoue, you flatter me. It's just that I've visited Japan a few times, which is why I'm not unfamiliar with it. Alright, Mr. Inoue, the matters are roughly settled. I'll return to China, and you can follow soon after. Let's aim to finalize the cement plant cooperation project within a month."
Chen Feng said tentatively.
"Finalize the cement plant cooperation project in a month? Isn't that a bit of bragging? Chen Feng, doing business is very different from playing politics. In politics, you can brag to the heavens without issue. Chinese politics, and Japanese politics alike, thrive on grand promises. But business is different; it doesn't tolerate even the slightest exaggeration. Every penny, every detail must be concrete, or else you'll be prepared to lose your last pair of underwear."
Inoue Mumei replied with utmost seriousness.
"Mr. Inoue, rest assured, nowadays, whether in Chinese politics or Japanese politics, to maintain a stable position, one must have business acumen. Without business acumen, economic development won't occur, and there will be no opportunities for advancement in politics. Therefore, for this significant cement plant cooperation project, not only will I cooperate wholeheartedly, but my colleagues in politics will also fully support it to achieve political achievements. With this, the project will be finalized 100% within a month!"
Chen Feng explained earnestly.
"Chen Feng, with your explanation, I understand. Alright, you can return to China with peace of mind. I will then bring the cement plant project to the provincial capital of China on time."
Inoue Mumei replied solemnly.
Honestly, throughout this journey, he had interacted with many political figures. Whether high-ranking or grassroots, none had ever been as insightful as Chen Feng.
Collaborating with Chen Feng would undoubtedly bring unexpected surprises.
Chen Feng didn't hesitate and returned to the provincial capital immediately.
"Chen Feng, something big has happened."
As soon as he returned to the provincial capital, before Chen Feng could even tell Li Xue that the cement plant project's investment attraction had been successfully secured, Li Xue spoke with a deeply worried expression.
"What is it, Old Li?"
Chen Feng was bewildered. Only a few days had passed since he left the provincial capital, and something major had occurred?
"The planned usage for the cement plant project has been reallocated."
Li Xue replied with a dejected tone.
"Old Li, did I hear you correctly? Wasn't the land in the northern suburbs of the provincial capital already approved? How did it suddenly get reallocated for other uses? Aren't you the second-in-command of the provincial capital? Who's so audacious as to dare to encroach on your territory?"
Chen Feng was completely dismayed. After painstakingly securing such a large cement plant investment project with Inoue Mumei in Japan, everything was ready, but now, someone was undermining them. Reallocating the project land meant the project was effectively nullified.
"The number one official of the provincial capital."
Li Xue replied with a dejected expression.
"The number one official of the provincial capital? This is now tricky. One level higher in officialdom always overpowers those below; no one can resist it. Old Li, can you tell me exactly what happened? Why did the provincial capital's top official suddenly get involved with the project land?"
Chen Feng asked.
"The entire matter wasn't intentionally to oppose us by the provincial capital's number one official. It's just that man proposes, heaven disposes. The provincial capital's number one official's brother-in-law attracted a major project through investment promotion, which requires a large plot of land..."
Li Xue explained.
Chen Feng didn't know what to say.
In politics, no, not just in politics, but in all aspects of China, favoring relatives over righteousness is a common phenomenon.
Now that the provincial capital's number one official's brother-in-law needed that project land, without even thinking, that project land was lost.
"Chen Feng, you're in politics; you should understand this situation without me saying it. There's no longer any hope for this project land. What should we do next?"
Li Xue asked, looking quite upset.
"What else can we do? We have to push forward with the provincial capital's new cement industrial zone, even if it's difficult. Otherwise, your previous offense against a major official's economic interests regarding the cult incident in Jiujiao County cannot be resolved. If you are framed, Qin Yan and I will likely be stuck in Jiujiao County for life."
Chen Feng said with a solemn expression.
"That land was the most suitable for developing the new cement industrial zone. It's been reallocated all of a sudden; are there any other suitable plots?"
Li Xue asked worriedly.
"There shouldn't be."
Chen Feng replied truthfully.
"Then what do we do?"
Li Xue's worry deepened.
"Old Li, you don't need to worry too much. There's an old saying in China: if conditions permit, go ahead; if not, create the conditions to go ahead. I've studied the map of the provincial capital before. Besides the original project land which was most suitable for developing the new cement industrial zone, there's another plot of land that is also very suitable for developing it."
Chen Feng said, opening the provincial capital map on his phone.
Li Xue followed Chen Feng's finger on the map and immediately understood which piece of land he was referring to; it was the land in the southern suburbs of the provincial capital.
"Chen Feng, this land in the southern suburbs of the provincial capital is indeed very suitable for developing the new cement industrial zone. But the problem is, there are many residents on this land, and the demolition costs would be too high. Would the Japanese Inoue Corporation agree to this?"
Li Xue asked worriedly.