“How could such a thing happen?”
Chen Feng didn’t believe it at first.
If it were some other accomplishment being stolen, it wouldn't be a huge problem.
In officialdom, stealing credit wasn't uncommon.
But the issue was that Ming Shan Town merging into Jiang Cheng City was something he and Qin Yan had worked on for years. The credit was substantial, and the effort was beyond ordinary people.
To have it all snatched away like this, wasn’t it too blatant?
“It’s absolutely true. Otherwise, why do you think I’m sitting in the office at this hour?”
Qin Yan replied with a dejected expression.
“Who did it?”
Chen Feng got straight to the point.
“Chen Feng, at this stage, digging into the details is pointless. Someone who can openly snatch credit like this is definitely not an ordinary person.”
Qin Yan advised Chen Feng.
“Town Mayor Qin, I know the person who did this isn’t ordinary, but I don’t want to be played for a fool like this.”
Chen Feng said earnestly.
“Since you put it that way, I won’t hide it. I heard that two young masters from the Wang family in the capital were involved. I suspect they’re deliberately trying to annoy you because you offended them during your previous study program at the capital university. Honestly, it’s infuriating, but thinking about it, it’s a blessing in disguise. At least they’re just annoying us and not pushing us out of officialdom. As long as you and I remain in officialdom, we still have a chance to rise.”
Qin Yan continued to persuade Chen Feng.
“Town Mayor Qin, to be honest, I can handle it. In officialdom, being schemed against or deliberately targeted is normal. It’s mainly because you’ve been dragged down because of me, and I feel very guilty.”
Chen Feng replied with a sad expression.
Truthfully, if it weren’t for him, Qin Yan would have already moved to Jiang Cheng’s official circles.
However, from another perspective, he had underestimated Wang Zihao and Wang Zishan, these two sons of officials and wealthy families, to be so cunning at tricking people.
“Chen Feng, please don’t say that. You and I are in this together, sharing fortunes and misfortunes. The question now is, do you have any plans? My mind is a mess, and I don’t know what to do next.”
Qin Yan asked Chen Feng earnestly.
“We can’t stay in Ming Shan Town or Yong Ming County any longer. If we do, Wang Zihao and Wang Zishan will definitely use this as an excuse to continue targeting us.”
Chen Feng said calmly.
“If we’re not staying in Ming Shan Town or Yong Ming County, then where?”
Qin Yan asked Chen Feng curiously.
“I don’t know if I should say it.”
Chen Feng hesitated.
“We’re so familiar with each other, what is there that you can’t tell me?”
Qin Yan retorted.
“If we want to escape the retaliation from Wang Zihao and Wang Zishan, it’s best for us to go to a remote county in China. It’s like going down to the grassroots for experience and accumulating political capital. The Chinese government encourages officials to go to remote counties for support. Wang Zihao and Wang Zishan aren’t foolish enough to openly go against the national policy.”
Chen Feng explained word by word.
“That’s a good idea.”
Qin Yan’s eyes lit up.
“Town Mayor Qin, on the surface, we’ll be promoted, moving from Ming Shan Town to a remote county. But in reality, it’s a demotion. Remote counties in China are truly backward, with economies far behind Ming Shan Town. I’m afraid it will be a hardship for you, Town Mayor Qin.”
Chen Feng explained cautiously.
“As long as you’re with me, it’s no hardship at all. Besides, if we go to support a remote county in China for a few years and then return, we can go directly into Jiang Cheng’s official circles. It’s a form of ‘saving the country through indirect means,’ which is quite good.”
Qin Yan said excitedly.
“I’m happy that you can think that way, Town Mayor Qin. In that case, let’s not delay. Let’s both write our applications. It should take about a month to get approval. In a month, Ming Shan Town will be merged, and we’ll be in a remote county, out of sight and out of mind.”
Chen Feng sighed deeply.
Officialdom was like this.
So many unexpected turns.
They had planned for years, and now they had to take a different path due to an unexpected event.
However, it was a blessing in disguise.
He and Qin Yan had seniority in the grassroots officialdom, and they couldn't be completely crushed immediately.
As long as they remained in officialdom, they would eventually turn things around.
Thus, Qin Yan immediately wrote the application.
After finishing the application, they patiently waited for a response.
They thought it would take a month to get any news.
Unexpectedly, they received a response within a week.
“Chen Feng, why was the application to go to a remote county in China so easy this time?”
Qin Yan asked Chen Feng, puzzled.
“For most remote counties, it usually takes at least a month or more. This time, you can tell from the reply letter why it’s so normal.”
Chen Feng gestured for Qin Yan to look at the reply letter again.
Qin Yan didn't hesitate and reread the reply letter.
The more she looked, the more stunned Qin Yan became.
Damn it, it was a Miao Autonomous County.
Not only was it remote, but it was also entirely populated by ethnic minorities.
Being populated by ethnic minorities was one thing, but she heard that Jiu Miao County had been quite chaotic recently.
Several Han people who went there had been attacked.
No wonder the authorities responded so quickly, eager to send them both to a dangerous place.
“Chen Feng, I think we should forget it? Officialdom is good, but life is more important.”
Qin Yan said softly.
“Town Mayor Qin, it’s okay. Although the Miao people are fierce, they are much better than those ethnic minorities in the far north. Even if we are targeted or attacked, it will only be minor injuries, definitely not life-threatening.”
Chen Feng advised Qin Yan.
“What if there’s a risk to our lives?”
Qin Yan was still worried.
“Don’t worry, Town Mayor Qin, no, I should call you County Mayor Qin now. There will be absolutely no danger to your life when you take up your post in Jiu Miao County this time.”
Chen Feng continued to persuade Qin Yan.
“How can you guarantee there’s no danger to our lives?”
“You have to trust the Chinese government’s control. While a few northern ethnic minorities may have minor issues, other minority regions are generally well-controlled, and there’s basic social order. There’s no need to worry. Besides, without taking risks, how can we strive for a future?”
Chen Feng replied with a deliberately casual smile.
“Alright, I’ll listen to you! Let’s go for it. After spending a few years in Jiu Miao County, we’ll be city-level officials when we return.”
Qin Yan said, biting her lip.
After a few more words, Chen Feng drove Qin Yan directly to Jiu Miao County.
Upon arriving in Jiu Miao County and investigating, they found it to be much as they had imagined. Jiu Miao County was predominantly Miao, with very few Han people.
As for the difficulties faced by Han people living there, it was rumored and a misunderstanding.
In reality, Han people couldn't earn much money there and had left.
Then, rumors spread from the outside that the Miao people treated Han people poorly.
“Chen Feng, although there’s no danger to our lives here, I feel like our political careers have come to an end.”
Qin Yan said dejectedly.
“County Mayor Qin, there’s no need to be so pessimistic.”
Chen Feng comforted Qin Yan.
“This isn’t a matter of pessimism or optimism, it’s a matter of reality. As you can see for yourself, there isn’t a single Han person in Jiu Miao County. How can the economy develop if it relies entirely on ethnic minorities? It’s true that ethnic minorities are good at singing and dancing, but they’re not good at economic development.”
Qin Yan continued to say with a dejected expression.