“I had originally planned for relocation, but then I suddenly thought of a problem. Actually, there’s no need for relocation. We can just re-sign the agreements.”
Chen Feng explained calmly.
“Re-sign? Won’t the villagers drastically increase their prices?”
Cheng Lu asked anxiously.
“As long as Xiao Bo is still around, they will definitely try to inflate the prices. Once Xiao Bo is gone, they will obediently lower their prices to sign.”
Chen Feng replied with confidence.
“What? Lower their prices to sign? Is that true? They aren’t stupid, why would they willingly lower their prices to sign?”
Cheng Lu was even more confused.
“These villagers are not stupid; on the contrary, some are quite cunning. But it is precisely this cunning that will make them willingly lower their prices to sign.”
Chen Feng explained with a smile.
“Chen Feng, your logic doesn’t make sense. On one hand, you say the villagers are cunning, and on the other, you say they will willingly lower their prices to sign. These two statements are contradictory.”
“Not contradictory at all. Think about it: without Xiao Bo fanning the flames, if I just say at the meeting tomorrow that we have found a large plot of cheap land in the neighboring village, they will definitely be anxious and will come to me privately to sign. At that time, I’ll say the price needs to be a bit lower, otherwise, I’ll just go to the neighboring village. Moreover, I’ll scare them by saying that the quotas are limited and they need to act fast. I guarantee that by tomorrow evening, all agreements can be re-signed at lower prices.”
With Chen Feng’s explanation, Cheng Lu immediately understood.
“Chen Feng, you graduated in computer science, a STEM field, yet I feel like you majored in liberal arts. You have so many tricks up your sleeve.”
Cheng Lu said excitedly and happily.
They had been in a desperate situation, but unexpectedly, Chen Feng had found a way out of it with a few simple moves.
What happened the next day was exactly as Chen Feng had predicted.
Within a day, everyone was rushing to re-sign contracts at lower prices.
This time, to prevent anyone from going back on their word, Chen Feng specifically invited the top official from the Yongming County Development and Reform Commission to sign the contracts as well.
The head of the Yongming County Development and Reform Commission was naturally happy to do this.
First, a trip to Lianhua Town would yield hundreds of thousands in gray income.
Second, this land acquisition was crucial for the development of the Lianhua Town Science and Hardware City. He had to be there to lend his weight.
If the Lianhua Town Science and Hardware City project failed, his position as the head of the Development and Reform Commission would become difficult.
That’s how the political arena works; when a major event occurs, those in charge bear some responsibility.
“Chen Feng, I didn’t expect you to have already kickstarted the development of the Lianhua Town Science and Hardware City project. With this significant project, the higher authorities readily agreed to merge Lianhua Town and Mingshan Town. However…”
Qin Yan changed her tone, her face showing guilt.
Chen Feng, being an experienced hand in the political arena, naturally understood that Qin Yan had something more to say.
“Mayor Qin, did my position as the deputy mayor in charge of the economy fall through?”
Chen Feng asked in a low voice.
“Yes, Chen Feng, I am truly sorry. By all rights, you contributed the most to the merger of the two towns, and I even spoke up for you. The deputy mayor in charge of the economy should have been you. But who knew that the higher authorities would suddenly parachute in a deputy mayor in charge of the economy? I protested, but they said it was an organizational decision that no one could change.”
Qin Yan dared not look at Chen Feng.
Chen Feng was quite accepting; this outcome was normal.
Such parachute appointments were common in the political arena; it was just a power balance game, nothing new.
Also, whether it was the new deputy mayor in charge of the economy or Cheng Lu, who was Qin Yan’s secretary, the core reason they were promoted faster than him, despite having made lesser contributions, was their powerful connections.
He had the connection of Qin Yan, but Qin Yan was nothing compared to Cheng Lu and that new deputy mayor.
“Mayor Qin, it’s alright. The deputy mayor in charge of education is also fine.”
Chen Feng said with self-deprecating humor.
“I’m sorry, Chen Feng. But don’t worry, I will definitely help you rise in the future. My connections aren’t very strong yet, and many things are beyond my control.”
Qin Yan said with a guilty expression.
“Mayor Qin, what kind of relationship do we have? Do we need to say all this?”
Chen Feng comforted Qin Yan with a smile.
“It’s best that you can take it in stride. How about this? I’ll pay to buy you a better car. As a deputy mayor, you don’t get an official car or a driver according to regulations. I have a responsibility for all of this, so I want to compensate you. How about I buy you a Mercedes-Benz?”
Qin Yan said earnestly.
“Mayor Qin, I appreciate your kindness, but a Mercedes-Benz is too flashy, it’s not good.”
“Then buy a more modest one, a Volkswagen will do. You are a deputy mayor now, even if it’s a nominal position, you still need to maintain some decorum.”
Qin Yan persuaded Chen Feng.
“If that’s the case, then buy a used Volkswagen,”
Chen Feng said with a smile.
“A used Volkswagen, won’t that be too humble?”
Qin Yan was momentarily stunned.
“That’s exactly what I want! If I buy a car that’s too good, many people in the new Mingshan Town will keep an eye on me. I don’t have the strong backing and connections that you all have. Being low-key is good.”
Chen Feng explained calmly.
“Chen Feng, your perspective is much better than mine was. How about this, I’ll buy you a Mercedes-Benz and then make it look like a used Volkswagen. Not for any other reason, but a Mercedes-Benz is more comfortable to drive and doesn’t require constant repairs.”
Qin Yan said earnestly.
“Mayor Qin, that would be acceptable.”
Chen Feng’s heart was stirred.
Qin Yan was indeed an old hand in the political arena; this idea was brilliant.
“It’s settled then.”
Seeing that Chen Feng didn’t refuse, Qin Yan was in a much better mood.
To be honest, Chen Feng had contributed immensely to her becoming the mayor of the new Mingshan Town this time.
If she didn’t reward him properly, she wouldn’t feel right.
“By the way, Mayor Qin, I heard that the Mingshan Town Education Bureau has a talent cultivation program abroad. Do you know anything about it?”
Chen Feng inquired tentatively.
“Of course, I do! Not only the Education Bureau, but our department also has one. To put it simply, it’s about spending a few hundred thousand to get a fake PhD abroad, just to add a bit of prestige. If you don’t have time to go abroad, correspondence courses are also an option. You mentioning it reminds me. By the way, your name is on the list.”
Qin Yan said excitedly.
“Mayor Qin, I’ve decided. I’ll sell this quota to someone else and just take the cash.”
Chen Feng replied calmly.
“What? You don’t want such a good opportunity? You want cash? Are you short of money?”
Qin Yan asked with confusion.
“Mayor Qin, you’re not an outsider, so I won’t hide anything from you. I want to use that few hundred thousand to buy a Mercedes-Benz and make it look old.”
Chen Feng confessed truthfully.
“Didn’t I just say? I’ll pay for it.”
“Mayor Qin, I am your subordinate. It’s good enough that you don’t accept money from me, so why should I use your money?”
“That’s the principle, but this opportunity to further your education at public expense is quite good; it would be a shame to miss it.”
Qin Yan sighed softly.
“Mayor Qin, if I only wanted to dabble in the political arena, I might take this diploma from a fake university. But if I want to advance to Jiangcheng, then the provincial capital, or even the national capital, a diploma from a fake university won’t suffice. To be honest, in my spare time, I’m studying for a self-taught diploma from Capital University. I can pass a few subjects each year, and in four to five years, I’ll have a legitimate self-taught diploma from Capital University.”
Chen Feng explained word by word.
“Since that’s the case, then I won’t force you. I’ll speak to them, and your quota can be sold to someone else.”
“By the way, Mayor Qin, could you do me a favor?”
Chen Feng asked in a low voice.
“What favor? Just say it.”
“I’m currently studying for a second diploma from Capital University through self-study, but I can’t find a few reference books. Could you use your connections to help me find them?”
“Ah, you’ve come to the wrong person for this. There’s someone who is better suited than me to help you find those reference books…”
Qin Yan said with a meaningful smile.