"This is not a big problem, I have a way to deliver one hundred thousand yuan to Elder Wei quietly, and Elder Wei will accept it gladly."
Chen Feng replied with a calm smile.
"Really?"
Vice Propaganda Minister Wang looked at Chen Feng with disbelief.
He had worked with Elder Wei for many years and knew Elder Wei's character clearly – a typical case of wanting to be a prostitute while setting up a memorial archway.
However, it must be said that in the political arena, people like Elder Wei were far too common.
"Of course it's true. Not only for your Yongming County Propaganda Department, but I'll also give him an extra fifty thousand yuan personally, and he'll accept it all."
Chen Feng replied calmly.
This kind of money-giving was a basic skill for survival in politics.
If a politician couldn't even deliver money, then, frankly, there was no need for him to stay in politics.
"Then tell me first, and I'll see if this method is feasible."
Vice Propaganda Minister Wang asked tentatively.
"This method is very simple. The one hundred thousand yuan will be returned to the source under the pretext of a special fund from Mingshan Town. We can just make up an account, saying that the Yongming County Propaganda Department previously allocated a sum of funds to Mingshan Town, and that this sum was not fully used, so it's being returned. As for the personal fifty thousand yuan for Elder Wei, it will be a reward for Elder Wei's contribution to Mingshan Town's propaganda efforts."
Chen Feng said word by word.
"The method is indeed a good one, and it's reasonable and well-supported, so even if the authorities investigate, they won't find anything. The problem is, Elder Wei has done neither of these things: allocating special funds or promoting Mingshan Town."
"That doesn't matter. In politics, it's the name that counts. As long as there's a name, the accounts can be made. As for whether the work has actually been done, most people don't care. It's like whether a few teachers sent by Mingshan Town to the capital for research and discussion actually engaged in research or not, no one cares. At most, a few photos can be taken and filed. In politics, superficial matters are abundant, and everyone understands the unspoken rules!"
"If you say so, then there's no problem with Elder Wei. But what about you, as the deputy town mayor of Mingshan Town, how do you plan to handle the accounts for Mingshan Town's fifteen thousand yuan? Political accounts are not easy to manage!"
Vice Propaganda Minister Wang asked curiously.
"This fifteen thousand yuan is my private money, and there's no need to make any extra accounts in Mingshan Town. As long as the Yongming County Propaganda Department can sort out their accounts for the fifteen thousand yuan."
"What? You're footing the bill for this fifteen thousand yuan from your own pocket? Why is that? Others do things to make money, but you're spending your own money."
Vice Propaganda Minister Wang looked at Chen Feng with curiosity.
No wonder Qin Yan valued Chen Feng so highly. This perspective was truly beyond ordinary people. He was willing to spend fifteen thousand yuan without blinking an eye for the collective affairs of Mingshan Town.
A true clear stream in politics! Most people would try to skim every cent. Chen Feng, on the other hand, both accepted and subsidized money in politics.
"Vice Propaganda Minister Wang, you are a friend of Mayor Qin, so I won't hide anything from you. If it were ordinary matters, I wouldn't spend my own money. Not only would I not spend my own money, but I would also take some. However, this time, it's a major issue concerning the revitalization of Mingshan Town's education, a matter of great importance to the students' lives. I would never reach out for such money. Not only would I not reach out for it, but I would also provide a little subsidy."
Chen Feng replied earnestly.
"Chen Feng, you are truly a clear stream in politics. Mingshan Town's students are fortunate to have a deputy town mayor like you in charge of education."
Vice Propaganda Minister Wang praised him sincerely.
"Alright, Vice Propaganda Minister Wang, actually, I'm not that great. I just want to retain a little bit of goodness in my heart. Since you've come to me, I won't give this fifteen thousand yuan to Elder Wei directly. You can give it to him."
"I'll give it?"
"Yes, you give it. This way, Elder Wei's awkwardness will be minimized."
Chen Feng explained.
Vice Propaganda Minister Wang thought about it and agreed.
Chen Feng and Elder Wei were not very familiar. If Chen Feng suddenly handed over fifteen thousand yuan, even with solid reasons, it would still feel awkward.
However, he, as the second-in-command, was different. They had been old friends for over ten years, so a fifteen thousand yuan transaction was quite normal.
"Xiao Wang, what kind of person do you think Deputy Town Mayor Chen is?"
Elder Wei asked after receiving the bank card from Vice Propaganda Minister Wang.
"I think Deputy Town Mayor Chen has a great vision."
Vice Propaganda Minister Wang replied truthfully.
"You've only touched upon one aspect. This young man, Deputy Town Mayor Chen, not only has vision but is also very intelligent. To be honest, over the years, many people have sent me money, but Chen Feng's delivery made me feel comfortable. This kind of intelligence is rare among young people. His future is limitless."
Elder Wei exclaimed earnestly.
"Elder Wei, so does this mean Mingshan Town can accept advertising sponsorship from the provincial gaming company?"
Vice Propaganda Minister Wang asked tentatively.
Since the fifteen thousand yuan was not rejected, the matter was almost settled.
"Of course, it can! However, you should call Chen Feng and tell him that I have no problem with it at all. But, we need to be wary of those retired teachers in Mingshan Town, who might cause trouble again."
Elder Wei warned him earnestly.
"Elder Wei, you are an old hand. Do you have any way to pacify these retired teachers? Since Chen Feng took charge of Mingshan Town's education, he hasn't taken a single penny and has wholeheartedly considered the interests of Mingshan Town's students. We should strongly protect such positive grassroots leaders."
Vice Propaganda Minister Wang said tentatively.
It had to be said that Chen Feng's charisma was quite powerful.
"That depends on whether Chen Feng is willing. As long as Chen Feng is willing, those troublemaking retired teachers will definitely behave themselves."
Elder Wei said seriously.
"I've interacted with Chen Feng a bit, and I feel he's both gentle and stern, combining tenderness and strictness. He should be willing."
Vice Propaganda Minister Wang replied softly.
"Then that's fine. You tell Chen Feng that these retired teachers helped a few candidates cheat a little during the college entrance examination ten years ago. If Chen Feng uses this leverage against them, they will surely behave and be obedient. Once college entrance exam cheating is exposed, not only will they lose their pensions, but they will also be imprisoned."
Elder Wei explained calmly.
"Elder Wei, how do you know this so clearly?"
Vice Propaganda Minister Wang was stunned.
"A long time ago, the incriminating files on these teachers were sent to me. I found a way to suppress them for a single purpose: to have leverage over them. In politics, if you don't have leverage over your subordinates, how can you manage them? If I hadn't seen that Chen Feng was a promising young man in politics, and that he did more good than bad, I wouldn't have easily revealed these secrets."
"Elder Wei, I thank you on behalf of Chen Feng."
Vice Propaganda Minister Wang said excitedly.
At the same time, he felt a pang of melancholy.
Since Elder Wei had the incriminating files on those retired teachers, he must also have his.
Politics is full of crises, it's not an exaggeration.
Within a week, with Elder Wei's help, Chen Feng had put Mingshan Town's education reform on the right track.
Just as Qin Yan was preparing to nominate Chen Feng as a rising star in Mingshan Town's education reform, an even more serious education crisis quietly loomed...