"I don't know anyone at the Jiangcheng Religious Affairs Bureau, but I do have an old classmate who is a junior official at the provincial capital's bureau..." Chen Feng said calmly.
"What? You mean you want to transfer Xiao Yonggui to the provincial capital?" Zheng Lin was stunned. Transferring Xiao Yonggui to Jiangcheng was already as difficult as climbing to the heavens, and now Chen Feng wanted to transfer him to the provincial capital, which seemed even more impossible. To be honest, a junior official couldn't help much.
"Yes, Elder Zheng." Chen Feng nodded.
"Chen Feng, I understand how you feel. You don't want an upright official to be framed and sent to prison. However, we must act within our capabilities. The distance from Mingshan Town to the provincial capital is not ordinary. Forget you, even I don't have that ability," Zheng Lin advised Chen Feng.
"Elder Zheng, what you say is very reasonable. As a deputy mayor of Mingshan Town, I indeed don't have that ability. But Xiao Yonggui does." Chen Feng's mind raced, thinking about how to make Zheng Lin believe him without revealing his relationship with Zhou Kewang, the head of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission.
"Xiao Yonggui does?" Zheng Lin asked with a puzzled look.
"Yes, Xiao Yonggui does. As you said before, Hai Rui was a minor official but later became a great one not because of political connections, but because of his upright reputation. The political arena is willing to promote such people to set an example. Clearly, Xiao Yonggui's upright reputation is known not only in Mingshan Town, but also in Yongming County, Jiangcheng, and even the provincial capital. With this reputation, it's not that difficult for Xiao Yonggui to go to the provincial capital. Therefore, strictly speaking, I'm not using my connections for Xiao Yonggui, just acting as a facilitator," Chen Feng explained as if it were fact.
"Chen Feng, your idea has made me see you in a new light. Your talent for politics is incredible. Don't forget me when you become successful in the future," Zheng Lin said with admiration.
"Elder Zheng, you're exaggerating. I just happened to hit upon the crucial point. Well, since there are no problems with the Yongming County Land Bureau, I'll go and talk to my contact in the provincial capital. Coincidentally, the provincial capital is currently filming a program called 'Moving Provincial Figures'. I think Xiao Yonggui can be featured on this program. Once he's on this show, Xiao Yonggui will definitely be able to transfer to the Provincial Religious Affairs Bureau." Chen Feng's eyes lit up.
"Go ahead and do it. Yongming County will support you unconditionally," Zheng Lin encouraged Chen Feng.
Chen Feng didn't hesitate and contacted Zhou Kewang immediately.
"Chen Feng, did I hear you correctly? You want to put Xiao Yonggui, the head of the Mingshan Town Land Bureau, on 'Moving Provincial Figures'?" Zhou Kewang was stunned.
"Yes, Xiao Yonggui is upright in every way, more than qualified to be featured on 'Moving Provincial Figures'," Chen Feng replied with a serious expression.
"Chen Feng, you misunderstood me. I'm not saying Xiao Yonggui isn't qualified. Let me put it this way, it's not difficult to select a few 'Moving Provincial Figures' from so many people in the provincial capital. What I mean is, this is a great opportunity for exposure, and I'm prepared to give it to you. Your performance in Wulin Village and Mingshan Town definitely qualifies you for the 'Moving Provincial Figures' program," Zhou Kewang explained directly.
"Elder Zhou, thank you for considering me so much. However, I still think it's better for Xiao Yonggui to be featured on 'Moving Provincial Figures'. Once he's on this program, he can be successfully transferred to the Provincial Religious Affairs Bureau. People like Xiao Yonggui, who are upright, are not suitable for being on the front lines of politics," Chen Feng replied truthfully.
"Chen Feng, your perspective has shocked me again. Truly, ordinary young political staff like you wouldn't think about such profound issues. Most would just rush for personal gain," Zhou Kewang exclaimed subconsciously.
"Elder Zhou, do you mean you agree?" Chen Feng asked tentatively.
"Of course, I agree! People like Xiao Yonggui, who are upright, must be set as an example in China's political arena. Even though we may not always like people with such upright personalities, we must promote it. Everyone in politics should be upright, serve the people and the country; this is political strategy," Zhou Kewang said with a serious expression.
"Then thank you, Elder Zhou."
"We don't need to thank each other. Rather, I feel guilty that I couldn't help you properly when I could have. I am genuinely sorry," Zhou Kewang said from the heart. Chen Feng was his savior, and he had tried several times to repay his life-saving grace, but Chen Feng always refused. From this perspective, Chen Feng's character and approach to matters were exceptionally high. Most young people, upon connecting with a senior leader, would relentlessly climb up, like leeches, clinging on and refusing to let go. Yet, Chen Feng tried to avoid bothering him, this influential figure in the provincial capital. In fact, given their relationship, Zhou Kewang wouldn't have been angry even if Chen Feng bothered him daily.
"Elder Zhou, please don't think that way. I didn't save you with the expectation of repayment. Our friendship as old and young is quite good. Alright, Elder Zhou, I need to go see Mayor Qin," Chen Feng quickly found an excuse to hang up. If the conversation continued, Zhou Kewang would only feel more self-reproach. The first rule of dealing with influential people is to never let them feel pressured!
After hanging up the phone, Chen Feng went directly to Qin Yan's office.
"Chen Feng, I never imagined you would resolve the Mingshan Town land policy issue in this manner," Qin Yan said with admiration.
"Mayor Qin, you flatter me," Chen Feng replied modestly.
"Chen Feng, to be honest, if it were me, I wouldn't only refuse to help Xiao Yonggui transfer to the provincial capital, but I would also find ways to send him to prison. His personality is so infuriating. Yet, you repaid his malice with kindness, using public opinion to successfully send Xiao Yonggui to the provincial capital," Qin Yan continued, still looking at Chen Feng with admiration. She no longer disbelieved that those who achieve great things have hearts as broad as the sea. Chen Feng's handling of the situation with Xiao Yonggui fully proved that people who can achieve great things truly have hearts as vast as the ocean.
"Mayor Qin, please don't say that. I'm not that great. I just feel that people like Xiao Yonggui, who are upright, are not suitable for politics, but they must be protected and set as examples. If there were no figures like Xiao Yonggui in China's political arena, it would be completely dark, offering no hope at all. It's as simple as that," Chen Feng said truthfully.
"Chen Feng, do you know who possesses the kind of vision you just displayed?" Qin Yan asked, looking at Chen Feng in astonishment.
"Who?" Chen Feng asked cooperatively.
"Provincial-level and national-level big shots. For a grassroots town-level official like you to have such foresight and political acumen is extraordinary. To be frank, you are naturally suited for a career in politics, and I am truly fortunate to have a subordinate like you," Qin Yan said excitedly.
"Mayor Qin, hearing you say that makes me feel like I can fly," Chen Feng chuckled awkwardly.
"Alright, with our relationship, there's no need for mutual praise. Since the contract disputes caused by the Mingshan Town land policy have been successfully resolved, and Xiao Yonggui also has a good new position, it's time to relax properly," Qin Yan said with a smile.
"Relax properly?" Chen Feng asked with confusion.
"Yes, after working so hard for so long, it's time to relax. Tomorrow, the middle and senior management of Mingshan Town will be going abroad for a week-long trip. I, you, Cheng Lu... we're all going."
"Wait, Mayor Qin, with so many people from Mingshan Town going abroad, won't it cost a lot of money? Mingshan Town's finances are all borrowed. Is it appropriate to use it for our travel? If this is discovered, it will greatly affect our political careers," Chen Feng asked with concern.