Zhao Mingpu was also extremely excited to see Chen Feng arrive.
His promotion from a nominal position in the religious affairs bureau of Mingshan Town to the Yongming County finance department had cost his family a significant amount of money and many connections. According to the unwritten rules of officialdom, someone his age could never have obtained such a position.
To rectify this shortcoming, his family had spent an additional few million yuan to secure him the title of "Young Political New Star."
With this title, he was able to assume the position of head of the Yongming County finance department at his current age, without any outside criticism.
"Zhao Mingpu? It's you?"
Chen Feng was also surprised.
He and Qin Yan had considered their promotions to be quite fast, but Zhao Mingpu had moved even quicker.
His advancement was like riding a rocket.
It had to be said that the rules of officialdom were designed for those without connections or with weak connections.
Looking at the glaring plaque on Zhao Mingpu's desk, which read "Yongming County Young Political New Star," Chen Feng felt a sense of ironic absurdity.
"I didn't expect it to be you either. As I recall, weren't you the village head of Wulin Village? How did you end up in the Yongming County finance department? Village economic issues are resolved by the collective village funds, so your presence in the Yongming County finance department is of no use."
Zhao Mingpu deliberately taunted Chen Feng.
"I am currently the Deputy Mayor of Mingshan Town, in charge of economic affairs. I've come to inquire why you are withholding that poverty alleviation fund for Mingshan Town. You should know that designated funds cannot be arbitrarily withheld or misappropriated."
Chen Feng stated his purpose directly.
"Chen Feng, you are now the Deputy Mayor of Mingshan Town in charge of economic affairs, yet your political awareness is so low? Are there absolute rules in officialdom? Even if we concede that regulations can be rigid, people are not. Just like my age, I shouldn't be in this position. However, I found a way to get the 'Young Political New Star' title, and that sorted it out, didn't it?"
Zhao Mingpu said with a smug expression.
Having worked so hard to get into this position, he was looking for an opportunity to show off. Chen Feng's arrival was the perfect chance, and he felt it would be a disservice to his efforts not to do so.
"That's true, but considering you worked in Mingshan Town, could you help those impoverished households there?"
Chen Feng inquired cautiously.
"Chen Feng, are you genuinely naive, or are you pretending to be? Now that we're in the circle of officialdom, can we simply be bound by local protectionism? I am now the head of the Yongming County finance department, and my consideration is for Yongming County. I cannot possibly favor Mingshan Town."
Zhao Mingpu stated confidently.
"Zhao Mingpu, are you seeking revenge on Chen Feng? I know your girlfriend is Chen Feng's ex-girlfriend, and you're not happy about it, so you want to get back at Chen Feng, don't you?"
Cheng Lu, standing beside them, couldn't stand Zhao Mingpu's arrogance towards Chen Feng and blurted out.
"I'm not that bored. I'm just doing my job."
Zhao Mingpu showed no signs of anger.
The reason was simple: when he held a nominal position in Mingshan Town, he might have valued Zhu Hangyi deeply.
However, now that he was the head of the Yongming County finance department, with high authority and not lacking women, he wouldn't get angry over Zhu Hangyi.
This time, his opposition to Chen Feng was purely an attempt to show off in front of him.
"If it's just business, then quickly disburse the poverty alleviation funds."
Cheng Lu urged him.
"To be frank, the withholding of the poverty alleviation funds was not my decision; it's from the provincial capital. If you have the ability, go and find connections in the provincial capital. I doubt you have connections there, or you wouldn't still be stuck as a grassroots official in Mingshan Town."
Zhao Mingpu taunted Chen Feng.
"What? The provincial capital's decision?"
Chen Feng was stunned.
Logically, the political landscape of the provincial capital should be more sophisticated than that of Yongming County, so why would they make such a short-sighted decision?
"Chen Feng, don't be surprised. These things are very common. Oh, I forgot, you used to be a driver, then a village head, and recently became a deputy mayor. You don't understand some of the games in officialdom. Considering we are classmates, I'll explain a little. By rights, designated funds are for designated purposes. It's like personal pension funds; they can only be used for retirement, and no one can divert them. However, in special circumstances, the 'designated for designated purposes' rule can be difficult to apply. For example, if an individual owes money and fails to repay it, the court can freeze their pension, understand? Similarly, poverty alleviation funds can only be used for poverty alleviation, but if something is more important than poverty alleviation, then those designated funds can be reallocated."
"Then tell me, what is more important than poverty alleviation?"
Chen Feng stared intently at Zhao Mingpu.
"The financial funds required for purchasing electricity! As the Deputy Mayor in charge of economic affairs for Mingshan Town, you should know that in recent years, at this time of year, there have been power outages. Why? Because there isn't enough electricity, necessitating rolling blackouts. However, this year, Yongming County doesn't want power outages, as it significantly impacts enterprise production. Therefore, they are using financial funds to purchase electricity from other provinces at a high price."
"..."
Chen Feng was speechless.
In principle, economic development should not affect people's livelihoods.
However, in reality, economic development always took precedence.
"Zhao Mingpu, don't adopt that attitude. Speak properly if you have something to say."
Chen Feng looked at Zhao Mingpu with a serious expression.
"Then tell me, what attitude do you expect?"
Zhao Mingpu said coldly.
"The same attitude you show to others, show it to me."
"Ridiculous. You are the one asking me for a favor now, not the other way around. Why should I be nice to you? When you were a top student in university, why didn't you consider my feelings? Zhu Hangyi is your ex-girlfriend, why didn't you consider my feelings? Chen Feng, to be honest, Yongming County's treasury has the capacity to disburse the poverty alleviation funds, but I just won't. What can you do? Sue me in the provincial capital if you have the guts. Oh, I forgot to mention, the provincial capital highly supports Yongming County's innovative efforts to maintain economic growth."
Zhao Mingpu said provocatively.
"Zhao Mingpu, don't celebrate too soon. Your position as head of the Yongming County finance department may seem unattainable to others, but to me, it's just that. It's just poverty alleviation funds. If Yongming County doesn't disburse them, Mingshan Town will bear the cost itself. Local finances finding solutions is a fiscal policy of China. Even as the head of the Yongming County finance department, you cannot interfere."
Chen Feng replied calmly and composedly.
Cheng Lu, standing beside him, greatly admired Chen Feng's spirit.
It was so manly.
Although Chen Feng was only the Deputy Mayor of Mingshan Town, his aura was almost comparable to her father's.
It seemed charisma was sometimes innate.
"Haha? Mingshan Town's local finances? Do you think I'm the head of the Yongming County finance department for nothing? Let me tell you, I'm fully aware of Mingshan Town's financial situation. For years, they've been developing their economy rapidly by taking on significant debt. In such a context, how can you implement poverty alleviation? Hahaha... Chen Feng, considering our old classmate relationship, if you beg me, I might find a way to help you."
Zhao Mingpu said with self-importance.
"Excuse me, in my dictionary, the word 'beg' does exist. However, those words are not meant for you. Within a week, I can definitely handle the poverty alleviation fund issue with Mingshan Town's local finances. Oh, and since you, the head of the Yongming County finance department, do not serve the people, it's time for you to step down..."
Chen Feng looked at Zhao Mingpu with piercing eyes.