"I explicitly told you that such an incident, whether handled calmly or agitatedly, is the same in nature. You have the upper hand now and can resolve it peacefully in Mingshan Town. However, once you go to Yongming County, the nature of the matter will change. Your impulsiveness will only play into Director Wu's scheme."
Chen Feng advised the substitute teachers.
"Vice Town Chief Chen, we don't want to go to Yongming County either. But Director Wu treating us like fools and bullying us, we can't swallow this insult."
The substitute teachers remained agitated.
"How about this, you go back first, and I promise to give you a reply tomorrow, alright?"
"Vice Town Chief Chen, Director Wu has said that countless times. Do you think we'll fall for it again?"
The substitute teachers responded coldly.
"Director Wu is Director Wu, and I am me. We are two different people, you cannot lump us together. Besides, you've waited for half a year, can you not wait for one more day?"
Chen Feng reasoned with the substitute teachers.
Upon hearing this, the crowd realized they had no other recourse but to trust Chen Feng.
"Vice Town Chief Chen, we'll trust you this once. But if you deceive us like Director Wu, then I'm sorry, we'll sue you too."
The substitute teachers stared intently at Chen Feng as they spoke.
"Everyone, please rest assured. I am the Vice Town Chief in charge of education in Mingshan Town, and I cannot stand idly by. However, this matter is quite tricky and requires time to handle properly. If I still cannot produce a solution tomorrow, you are welcome to sue me along with them."
Chen Feng replied with utmost seriousness.
Hearing this, the substitute teachers felt a slight easing of the burden on their hearts.
Regardless of the outcome, at least someone had stepped forward to take responsibility for the matter, and they had a glimmer of hope.
It is best not to confront the political arena unless absolutely necessary.
After the substitute teachers left, Chen Feng immediately went to find Qin Yan.
Qin Yan was an experienced hand and might be able to come up with a good idea to resolve the substitute teachers' issue.
"Why are you back?"
Qin Yan was taken aback.
"Town Chief Qin, I apologize. I really can't handle this substitute teacher issue, it's too complicated."
Chen Feng lowered his head, not daring to look at Qin Yan.
"It's not that you can't handle it, it's that you're too soft-hearted. You sympathize with these substitute teachers, and therefore, you can't find a solution that satisfies everyone. To be honest, this mindset won't do you any good in the political arena. You must remember the saying, 'Mercy does not command an army.'"
Qin Yan cut to the chase.
"Town Chief Qin, you understand me best, you've pinpointed my problem immediately. To be honest, seeing the pitiable state of these substitute teachers, my heart softens. But the methods to solve the problem are all rather cruel…"
"The dismissal of substitute teachers is common everywhere, and it is always a cruel process. If it's not cruel, then they are not dismissed. However, given the current situation, it's impossible not to dismiss the substitute teachers. How about I handle this matter personally…"
Qin Yan replied softly.
One could say that Chen Feng's soft heart wasn't a fatal flaw. On the contrary, with sufficient wisdom, it could be a great advantage.
However, at present, Chen Feng lacked experience and didn't know how to handle a cruel situation in a gentle manner.
"Town Chief Qin, I've thought about it carefully, and I'll find a way myself. To be honest, the demands of these substitute teachers are not excessive."
Chen Feng rejected Qin Yan's suggestion after some thought.
Qin Yan was a seasoned politician, her heart hardened like stone. If she were to handle this matter, these substitute teachers would undoubtedly be dealt with severely.
"Are you sure you want to handle this yourself? You need to think clearly, because if you mishandle it, you'll be dragged into a quagmire, unable to extricate yourself, and ultimately, you'll have to leave your position as Vice Town Chief in charge of the economy in Mingshan Town in disgrace."
Qin Yan reminded him word by word.
"Town Chief Qin, thank you for the reminder. I believe that a future in politics is important, but I cannot go against my inner kindness. If I fail, at worst, I can start over from the grassroots in the countryside."
Chen Feng replied firmly.
"Chen Feng, you are the first person I've seen in politics who emerges unstained from the mire. Honestly, it's very precious, and your vision is broad. No matter the outcome, I support you. Go ahead and do it."
Qin Yan comforted Chen Feng.
Having made up her mind, Chen Feng was likely to be ousted by Director Wu this time. However, it was fine; it could be considered training for Chen Feng.
As long as she remained in politics, Chen Feng could still make a strong comeback.
To be honest, if Chen Feng had ruthlessly suppressed these substitute teachers with cold-blooded indifference this time, he would have felt uncomfortable. Would such decisive subordinates, devoid of any kindness, be the best right-hand men?
As Chen Feng left Qin Yan's office and headed back to his own, he suddenly thought of someone who might be able to resolve the issue of the Mingshan Town substitute teachers in a very gentle manner.
With this thought, Chen Feng immediately drove to Jiangcheng.
In the past, Chen Feng felt that as the Vice Town Chief in charge of education, he didn't need to buy a car. However, after buying one, he realized how convenient it was for doing anything.
Although it wasn't a public car, the money was indirectly provided by Mingshan Town, and the fuel costs could be reimbursed.
"Chen Feng, why are you here?"
Cui Yali was excited to see Chen Feng waiting at the door when she returned home from work, thinking the young man would never look for her again.
In the world, which handsome young man would be willing to interact frequently with a woman in her fifties?
"Auntie Cui, I really couldn't think of a good way to solve this matter, so I shamelessly came to you. You are in charge of personnel in Jiangcheng and are very experienced, so you should have a way to resolve this tricky issue."
Chen Feng explained directly.
"What matter?"
Cui Yali asked with a look of confusion.
Logically speaking, Chen Feng was a very talented rising star in politics; how could there be anything he couldn't solve?
Chen Feng did not hesitate and recounted the matter of dismissing the Mingshan Town substitute teachers in detail.
"Chen Feng, did I hear you correctly? Dismissing a group of substitute teachers, is that difficult? This kind of thing happens every year, and everyone's approach is the same: direct dismissal. Those who dare to complain above their pay grade are arrested on charges of provoking trouble."
Cui Yali looked at Chen Feng in bewilderment.
"Auntie Cui, I know it can be done that way. But I can't bear to do it. These substitute teachers are very pitiful. They've taught for decades diligently, only to be discarded like trash by those above. My intention is, is there a gentle method that satisfies both sides?"
Chen Feng inquired tentatively.
"Chen Feng, I underestimated you. Not only do you resemble Sun Shao'an, the male protagonist in 'Ordinary World' in appearance and demeanor, but your inner kindness is also very much like Sun Shao'an. You could have dealt with these substitute teachers sternly for your political future, but you didn't; you couldn't bear to. Just for this kindness of yours, I will find a way to resolve this matter gently."
Cui Yali said with admiration.
She had spent her whole life in politics, and this was the first time she had met someone like Chen Feng whose kindness had not been eroded by power.
From this perspective, Chen Feng had a broad vision and limitless prospects in the future.
"Thank you, Auntie Cui."
Chen Feng expressed his gratitude.
"Don't thank me, thank 'Ordinary World.' I like this book, I like the male protagonist Sun Shao'an, and I fantasize about being Tian Runye in the book, which is why I'm willing to reveal my inner kindness."
Auntie Cui said, gazing at Chen Feng as if infatuated.
Chen Feng was not made of wood; he naturally understood that Auntie Cui's estrogen levels were soaring.
Without a word, Chen Feng slowly moved closer to Cui Yali…