"It might be difficult to get companies in Xiaoyan Subdistrict to pay, you know how businessmen are, they guard their money closely. How could they possibly fork out money to participate in the Xiaoyan Subdistrict civilized town selection?"
Fan Tian asked with a worried expression.
"Don't worry about that. While businessmen are indeed money-minded and can be quite cunning, none of that matters. In the eyes of government documents, they have no choice but to comply. Think about Ma Yun and Ma Huateng, how powerful are they? They have enough money to last lifetimes, but what happened? When the government told them to lie low, did they dare not? In China, no amount of money is as effective as power. How about this, you go deliver documents to each company overnight."
"What kind of documents?"
Fan Tian asked excitedly.
"Just state that Xiaoyan Subdistrict's civilized town selection has reached a critical juncture, and companies have a responsibility and obligation to help Xiaoyan Subdistrict win this battle. Oh, and at the end of the document, add a line stating that in a month, a full-street tax inspection will commence."
Director Fan said casually.
Fan Tian was impressed.
Director Fan was truly a veteran of the political arena, resolving the issue with such ease.
A tax inspection was like a big stick; anyone who didn't comply would be beaten so severely that even their mother wouldn't recognize them.
Just as Fan Tian had imagined, after receiving the subdistrict office's documents, all the company bosses immediately transferred money to the subdistrict office.
Good heavens, in just one day, over ten million yuan was collected.
"Xiao Fan, tell me, is it useful to throw ten million yuan at the civilized town selection inspection team?"
Director Fan asked deliberately.
"Extremely useful. That's why that bumpkin Chen Feng is so ignorant of heaven and earth. By the way, how should we deliver this ten million yuan? Such a large sum, it wouldn't be appropriate to deliver it directly, would it?"
"I'm really going to be angered to death by you. Are you new to the political arena? For a huge sum of money, of course, you find a professional money laundering company. They have ways to make this ten million yuan become legitimate assets for the inspection team, and these assets are very well hidden, making them virtually impossible to trace."
"Director Fan, ten million yuan is not a small amount. I know about money laundering, turning illegal into legal, but it's unlikely that so much money can remain untraceable, right?"
Fan Tian asked tentatively.
"Xiao Fan, you underestimate the confidentiality measures of overseas banks nowadays. Let me tell you, which of the big players in the political arena, with hundreds of millions or billions, have been caught? And how many of them?"
"Director Fan, are you talking about Swiss banks?"
"Yes, exactly, Swiss banks. As for how the money gets into Swiss banks unnoticed, we don't understand, but professional money laundering companies do."
Director Fan said with a smug expression.
"Understood, Director Fan, I'll get on it right away."
Fan Tian said excitedly.
He had initially thought that with the dark horse Chen Feng emerging, Xiaoyan Subdistrict's chance of becoming a civilized town was very slim. He never expected that with Director Fan's move, Chen Feng would be rendered powerless to retaliate.
Ginger is indeed spicier when it's older.
After a week of operation, the ten million yuan was quietly divided among the five members of the inspection team.
Initially, they believed that Mingshan Town had many urban construction characteristics, was clean, orderly, and that its urban construction complemented its culture. Crucially, it did not disturb the public.
This point of not disturbing the public was something many towns failed to achieve; most towns caused widespread resentment among the populace for the sake of civilized town selection. Mingshan Town did not, which was its greatest characteristic.
Logically, Mingshan Town deserved to be selected as a civilized town.
Its economy developed rapidly, its town culture was distinct, and it was humane in every aspect. If such a town wasn't a civilized town, who else could be?
However, man proposes, but fate disposes; Jiangcheng's Xiaoyan Subdistrict's financial offensive was too fierce.
In today's society, who could resist a financial onslaught?
"Chen Feng, be prepared, we are going to miss out on this civilized town selection."
Qin Yan specifically called Chen Feng to her office.
"Miss out? How is that possible? I hired design experts from the capital to specifically integrate Mingshan Town's cultural characteristics into its urban construction. Crucially, all of this was carried out discreetly, without disturbing the public. With these two major highlights, coupled with Mingshan Town's strong economic development prospects, it's a hundred percent certain to be a civilized town. How could we miss out?"
Chen Feng asked, utterly perplexed.
"The inspection team initially thought the same way, but that's how politics is; you never know the outcome until the very last moment. As the results were about to be announced, the inspection team's attitude changed."
Qin Yan explained with a dejected expression.
Honestly, she wasn't too disappointed about not being selected as a civilized town this time. Xiaoyan Subdistrict was, after all, an urban subdistrict in Jiangcheng, and it was normal to be defeated by them; it wasn't shameful. The main concern was Chen Feng's potential disappointment, having worked so hard and believing they had secured victory, only for it to end like this.
"Mayor Qin, tell me the truth, did Director Fan and his team bribe the inspection team?"
Chen Feng asked directly.
Having worked with Qin Yan for so long, there was no need for pretense; he would simply ask whatever was on his mind.
"Yes! Think about it, if they hadn't taken money, the inspection team would absolutely not risk eliminating a town with such high hopes of becoming a civilized town. However, it's a shame that despite my investigations, I couldn't find any trace of it. Honestly, I thought I was quite capable, but I never expected the director of Xiaoyan Subdistrict to be even more so."
"Mayor Qin, I am not resigned to this. We clearly won, but because of money, the prize that was within our grasp has slipped away. That's not even the most important thing. The most important thing is the upcoming selection for Jiangcheng's Most Accomplished Mayor. Originally, you could have easily won the award by being selected as a civilized town, but because of the underhanded tactics of Xiaoyan Subdistrict, this absolutely cannot stand. After working under you for so long, if I can't even shield you from the wind and rain, I'm a very unqualified subordinate. Therefore, I want to personally go and find Director Fan."
Chen Feng said with a serious expression.
"What? You want to find Director Fan? Absolutely not. He's currently basking in his success. If you go find him, you'll only be humiliated."
Qin Yan advised Chen Feng.
She was already satisfied that Chen Feng had this intention, as his superior.
"Mayor Qin, don't worry, when I go to Director Fan's place this time, Director Fan will obediently admit defeat."
Chen Feng said with a calm expression.
"Chen Feng, do you have a good plan to deal with Director Fan?" kuAiδugg
Qin Yan asked tentatively.
"I didn't have any way to deal with Director Fan originally, but I suddenly thought of something that can make Director Fan willingly give up the civilized town selection."
Chen Feng said confidently.
"Is that true? Quickly tell me."
Qin Yan asked excitedly.
"Cheng Lu can help with this matter. I remember Cheng Lu mentioning that Director Fan of Xiaoyan Subdistrict in Hongyan District, Jiangcheng, is at odds with Director Zhao of the neighboring subdistrict. I can use Director Zhao to threaten Director Fan into submission."
"Chen Feng, I agree with your reasoning. However, have you considered that Director Fan spent ten million yuan of his own money? Would he really be willing to back down so easily?"
"Hmm, that is a problem. But it's not important, I have another method that can ensure Mingshan Town is definitely selected as a civilized town."
Chen Feng said with a profound smile.