This sudden turn of events left Chen Feng stunned.
He had initially thought the matter would be simple, requiring just a brief application to resolve.
He never anticipated the unpredictability of political affairs, with a new national policy suddenly emerging.
Indeed, national policies were not something ordinary people could influence.
He was merely the deputy town head of Mingshan Town. Frankly, the only things he could influence were the most trivial local policies, minuscule in scope.
National policies were beyond his reach.
This created a problem. If they opted for rail transport, the associated costs would be too much for Mingshan Town to bear.
However, not using rail transport meant going against the national policy, which was also problematic.
He was in a dilemma, unable to advance or retreat!
After much deliberation, Chen Feng could not think of a good solution.
Finally, Chen Feng decided to seek out Cui Yali in Jiangcheng. She was a seasoned veteran of politics and a major figure in Jiangcheng's political circles. Discussing it with her, he believed, might lead to a way out.
No sooner had he thought of it than Chen Feng went to find Cui Yali.
Upon seeing Cui Yali, Chen Feng changed his mind about discussing the national rail transport policy. This was because Cui Yali currently had a more pressing matter to attend to: her deputy was still within the Jiangcheng personnel department.
His presence was a constant ticking time bomb for Cui Yali, and he had to be dealt with.
Once Cui Yali was safe, she could then focus on helping him resolve his issues.
"Chen Feng, this is quite troublesome. I've tried many methods to deal with Deputy Miao, but to no avail. It turns out Deputy Miao's connections reach the provincial capital. Several times, the Jiangcheng personnel department held high-level meetings to decide on Deputy Miao's dismissal, but just as they were about to implement it, the provincial capital issued documents strongly supporting Deputy Miao. It seems my position is not secure," Cui Yali said, looking dejected.
"Aunt Cui, the situation is indeed not optimistic. However, there's no need to be overly pessimistic. While Deputy Miao may appear unassailable now, people in politics are never truly invincible. If we search diligently, we are bound to find a flaw," Chen Feng said, comforting Cui Yali.
"Chen Feng, to be honest, I've found many flaws in Deputy Miao's conduct. But what's the use of them if the higher-ups are determined to protect him? I must admit, we all underestimated Deputy Miao's connections," Cui Yali said, her spirits low.
"Aunt Cui, in politics, there are many things that can be protected. But some things cannot be protected, no matter how hard they try. I've investigated Deputy Miao; he enjoys excitement. As long as we find evidence of his pursuit of thrills and expose it, the higher-ups won't be able to protect him, even if they wanted to," Chen Feng said calmly.
This is how politics works; some wrongdoings can be covered up by those in power, while others cannot.
For instance, things like "happy women" or "getting huge sums of money"... these are things that even the authorities cannot protect!
"You mean, use Deputy Miao's pursuit of exciting activities that are unacceptable in politics to bring him down?"
"Yes, precisely!"
With that, Chen Feng stood up, ready to leave.
"Wait a moment. I have one more question, and you must answer it before you go," Cui Yali suddenly said with a serious expression.
"What question?"
Chen Feng was taken aback.
"You just said you would engage in exciting activities with Deputy Miao as part of the plan. You are a man too; are you sure you can resist?" Cui Yali asked with concern.
If Chen Feng truly went through with this, his political career would be ruined.
Let's put it this way: there are many things one can do in politics, and many things one cannot.
Chen Feng is a man she likes, and she doesn't want anything to happen to him!
"Aunt Cui, you must trust me. I am not like others. I am a man like Sun Shao'an. If I lacked such integrity, I would go home to farm," Chen Feng said with determination.
Hearing this, Cui Yali's heart finally felt at ease.
With Deputy Miao's matter entrusted to Chen Feng, it was foolproof.
...
"Who are you?"
After leaving Cui Yali, Chen Feng immediately went to find Cui Yali's deputy.
Deputy Miao looked at Chen Feng standing before him with confusion.
"I am Chen Feng, the vice president of Hengdian Group. A while ago, I invested in a project to create a popular tourist check-in base in Liangfang Town. I've come to see Deputy Miao today to make friends," Chen Feng said, using political tactics to get close to Deputy Miao.
"That's interesting. A businessman coming to see me? What's going on? Are you trying to break into politics too?"
With only Deputy Miao and Chen Feng in the office, Deputy Miao spoke without any reservations, saying whatever came to mind.
"Deputy Miao, politics is too complicated. My mind is simple, and I wouldn't be able to adapt," Chen Feng said with a smile.
"I don't understand. I am the second-in-command of the Jiangcheng personnel department. If you're trying to get close to me, it's not for an official position, so what is it for?" Deputy Miao stared intently at Chen Feng.
"Deputy Miao, it's like this. There's an approval document for the Liangfang Town popular tourist check-in base that has been stuck for a long time. I don't have any connections here in Jiangcheng, so I was hoping Deputy Miao could help me pave the way," Chen Feng said, feigning earnestness.
"So that's how it is. It's not a big problem. As long as the commission is high enough, I can help you get any approval," Deputy Miao replied excitedly.
He had spent a lot of money on thrill-seeking recently.
Now that someone was offering him money, there was no reason to refuse.
"Well, the Liangfang Town popular tourist check-in base isn't a major project, so the commission might not be very high. I hope Deputy Miao can be understanding," Chen Feng said deliberately.
"You don't need to beat around the bush. Just tell me roughly how much the commission is. Let me be clear beforehand, if the commission is too low, I won't get involved in this mess," Deputy Miao said, staring intently at Chen Feng.
"One million!"
Chen Feng replied curtly.
"Deal!" Deputy Miao's eyes gleamed.
With a million in hand, he could go out and seek thrills again.