"Town Mayor Qin, if we don't have enough money, we can always secure financing."
Chen Feng said with a calm smile.
"Financing? Chen Feng, isn't that wishful thinking? The private high school sector, to be honest, doesn't yield very high profits, and the payback period is quite long, usually four to five years. Naturally, it's not very attractive to capital. Where would we find financing?"
Qin Yan asked tentatively.
"Town Mayor Qin, you truly are experienced in economic affairs, as you immediately grasp the essence of the issue. It is indeed difficult to attract social capital for private schools. However, it's not a major problem. We can attract social capital with a targeted approach, and we'll hit the mark."
Chen Feng explained calmly.
"A targeted approach to attracting social capital, hitting the mark? Chen Feng, are you trying to console yourself?"
Qin Yan asked with disbelief.
"Town Mayor Qin, do you think attracting Xiangyu Group's capital is self-consolation?"
Chen Feng retorted.
"Xiangyu Group? You mean the Xiangyu Group that has established private schools in most cities across China?"
Qin Yan's eyes flashed with brilliance.
"Yes, that's the Xiangyu Group. Xiangyu Group specializes in investing in various private schools. If I approach them directly, I should be able to secure investment. However, I'll need to visit the provincial capital, as currently, only the provincial capital has a Xiangyu Group branch."
Chen Feng replied calmly.
"That sounds feasible. Chen Feng, you impress me more and more. You remain unfazed in the face of challenges and can quickly identify the key to resolving issues…"
Qin Yan couldn't help but praise Chen Feng.
"Town Mayor Qin, to avoid alerting them, I hope you can organize a town-wide tour. Invite Director Sun and Director Wu as well. This way, by the time they return from their trip, I will have already signed the contract."
"That won't be a problem. A sponsored tour, nobody would refuse such a thing. By the way, is it a three-day tour or a week-long one?"
Qin Yan inquired.
"Three days will be sufficient."
Chen Feng stated confidently.
Qin Yan did not hesitate and immediately made arrangements, citing the successful educational reform in Mingshan Town as the reason for a celebratory town-wide tour. To express gratitude for Yongming County's strong support, Director Sun was also invited.
Upon hearing this, Director Sun and Director Wu were thrilled and harbored no suspicion of any underlying motives. Their assumption was that Qin Yan and Chen Feng had accepted their fate.
"By the way, Town Mayor Qin, will Deputy Town Mayor Chen be attending?"
Director Wu asked tentatively.
"Deputy Town Mayor Chen initially intended to go, but I didn't agree. I sent him to Wulin Village for an inspection,"
Qin Yan stated deliberately.
"To inspect Wulin Village? What does that mean?"
Director Wu inquired with curiosity.
"It's like this, I feel that Chen Feng, this young man, has too narrow a perspective and isn't suited to remain in Mingshan Town. After this trip, I might have to transfer him to Wulin Village for other duties."
Qin Yan said with feigned seriousness.
"Is that true? Town Mayor Qin, if I recall correctly, didn't Chen Feng used to drive for you?"
Director Wu asked deliberately.
"Chen Feng did drive for me, but it's nothing significant. At most, Chen Feng was my driver, but compared to prospects in the political arena, this minor acquaintance is nothing."
Qin Yan continued with feigned seriousness.
Upon hearing this, Director Wu's worries were put to rest.
After the group from Mingshan Town departed for their tour, Chen Feng wasted no time in heading to the provincial capital.
"Mr. Zhang, I've come to ask if you're interested in investing in a private school in Mingshan Town,"
Chen Feng asked directly in the office of Zhang Xiangyu, the owner of Xiangyu Group.
"Deputy Town Mayor Chen, in principle, Xiangyu Group is very interested in private school investments. However, our desire to invest in private schools in Mingshan Town, Yongming County, is not very strong,"
Zhang Xiangyu sighed lightly.
"Mr. Zhang, could you tell me why?"
Chen Feng was taken aback. Logically, Zhang Xiangyu should be very interested in private schools. Why the immediate rejection?
"Deputy Town Mayor Chen, before you arrived, Director Sun, the head of the Yongming County Education Bureau, had approached me…"
Zhang Xiangyu replied word for word.
"Director Sun approached you? What did he say?"
Chen Feng asked, taking a deep breath. It seemed he had underestimated Director Sun. Not only was his family wealthy, but he himself held power and was also capable of foresight.
"He didn't say much, just invited Xiangyu Group to invest in Mingshan Town and even outlined a future blueprint for Mingshan Town's private schools. When I heard his vision for private schools, I found it rather unreliable, focusing solely on making money and neglecting student development, so I refused."
"Mr. Zhang, now that we've reached this point, I won't hide anything. Director Sun of Yongming County and Director Wu of Mingshan Town have a conflict with me. They want to use the matter of Mingshan Town's private high school to drive me out of Mingshan Town's political sphere. Initially, I didn't want to get involved. Leaving Mingshan Town wouldn't be a major issue; I have connections higher up, and I can go to other political arenas. The problem is, I can't bear to see Mingshan Town's education ruined by Director Sun and Director Wu. The high school students in Mingshan Town are innocent."
Chen Feng stated frankly.
"Deputy Town Mayor Chen, in fact, from the moment you approached me, I knew the Mingshan Town private school situation was not simple. To put it bluntly, it's a power struggle within the political arena. I am just a businessman and do not wish to be involved in political matters. I hope you can understand."
Zhang Xiangyu replied earnestly.
"Mr. Zhang, can you bear to see the future of those high school students in Mingshan Town ruined?"
Chen Feng asked earnestly.
"Deputy Town Mayor Chen, you've misunderstood one point. I am not fundamentally an educator; I am merely a businessman. In business, I only consider profitability, nothing else falls within my purview."
Zhang Xiangyu replied with a grave expression.
"Mr. Zhang, since you've mentioned profitability, let's discuss making money. In fact, investing in Mingshan Town's private high school can be profitable."
Chen Feng responded unhurriedly.
"That's interesting. Director Sun's vision might yield short-term profits, but it's guaranteed to be a long-term loss. And you, the deputy town mayor, claim it can be profitable. Tell me, how can Xiangyu Group make money by investing in Mingshan Town's private schools?"
Zhang Xiangyu asked with curiosity.
"Mr. Zhang, to put it concisely, there are two reasons why private education in Mingshan Town can be profitable: First, Mingshan Town's economy has developed rapidly in recent years. Within a few years, it will be upgraded from a town to a district. With such a large economic entity, there will be no shortage of wealthy students! Second, Mingshan Town's education has always been weak, and many students are eager to improve their studies. Since so many students desire to do well in their studies, there will be a significant market. With these two factors, combined with Xiangyu Group's years of experience in private education, do you think it won't be profitable?"
Chen Feng analyzed earnestly.
"Your explanation has boosted my confidence. However, what if Director Sun's Sun Group invests in Mingshan Town's private education? What if he deliberately causes trouble? I am just a businessman; how can I contend with political figures?"
Zhang Xiangyu asked tentatively.
"You can rest assured about this. Director Sun, and Director Wu, their good days are numbered…"
Chen Feng confidently reassured Zhang Xiangyu.