"Chen Feng, you're not just trying to cheer me up, are you?"
Cheng Lu asked disbelievingly.
"Cheng Lu, you've been with me for decades, when have I ever lied to you?"
Chen Feng said with a serious expression.
"But, in China's history, situations like mine and my father's are impossible to recover from. Are you sure you can handle my and my father's situation?"
Cheng Lu continued to express her disbelief.
"Cheng Lu, as I told you earlier, on the surface, that big shot caused you and your father this trouble because of railway line issues. In reality, he was targeting me. As long as I show weakness, they won't have a reason to continue. Of course, if the real target was you and your father, my resignation wouldn't help."
Chen Feng explained.
"The logic is sound, but it makes me feel guilty to ask you to resign..."
Cheng Lu still couldn't make up her mind.
Firstly, as Chen Feng's woman, she truly couldn't bear to see him lose a golden opportunity in the political arena, within his grasp, just because of her.
Secondly, China truly needed someone like Chen Feng, an extraordinary talent who could defy the odds in politics.
Without exaggeration, China's ability to catch up with the United States in the past twenty years was due to Chen Feng's extraordinary ideas profoundly influencing China's top leadership.
China's leadership, using Chen Feng's development ideology, step by step, had propelled China to the pinnacle of world nations.
"Cheng Lu, there's really no need to feel guilty. To be honest, even if it weren't to save you, I would have done this. In the Chinese political arena, there's a tactic called feigning weakness. To speak frankly, resigning because of you is the most genuine form of feigning weakness."
Chen Feng said with utmost sincerity.
"Alright, Chen Feng, since you say so, I believe you. But..."
Cheng Lu hesitated, unsure whether to voice her inner thoughts.
"Although we aren't legally married, we are closer than husband and wife. Feel free to say anything, it's not a big problem."
Chen Feng said with a slight smile.
"What I mean is, if my father and I can safely leave this hotel room, we don't want to continue in the political arena of the direct-controlled municipalities anymore. We'd be content to be officials in a small city. If I may be frank, my father and I have limited abilities, and forcing ourselves into the political arena of a direct-controlled municipality would only lead to us being exploited."
Cheng Lu said earnestly.
"That's perfectly fine."
Chen Feng replied calmly.
"But the problem is, if my father and I leave the political arena of the direct-controlled municipality, you'll lose two helpers. How about we grit our teeth and persevere?"
Cheng Lu probed.
"That's not necessary at all. To be honest, in the upper echelons of politics, the most important thing isn't helpers, but an exceptionally calm mind. Rest assured, I've already planned my entry into the highest levels of politics. I am now moving towards this plan step by step."
Chen Feng comforted Cheng Lu.
"Chen Feng, since you're so confident, I won't worry about it anymore."
With that, Cheng Lu began to undress.
This was a hotel, with no outsiders. She was filled with gratitude towards Chen Feng, and her desire to be happy with him at this moment was a natural expression of her feelings.
Chen Feng didn't act coy either and also took off his clothes.
Afterward, Chen Feng left the hotel immediately.
According to his original plan, Chen Feng formally resigned from his position as the mayor of Ming City.
After resigning, Chen Feng didn't go anywhere else but directly flew abroad for a vacation.
Chen Feng's sudden resignation left everyone bewildered.
This was the first direct-controlled municipality mayor in China's history to resign.
Chen Feng truly was astonishing.
The position of a direct-controlled municipality mayor was a dream that many in politics dared not even imagine in their lifetime, yet he resigned without any warning.
Among everyone, Aunt Xue was the most perplexed.
Seeing that Chen Feng was on the verge of entering China's highest echelons by virtue of his position as a direct-controlled municipality mayor, why would he suddenly resign at this critical juncture? Wasn't this self-destruction?
After thinking for several days, Aunt Xue couldn't understand it at all. Without a word, she also boarded a plane and went abroad.
"Chen Feng, have you gone mad?"
Upon seeing Chen Feng at the resort base, Aunt Xue directly questioned him without preamble.
"Aunt Xue, why are you here at the overseas resort base?"
Chen Feng was taken aback.
"You're about to bring down the sky, so of course I had to come and get a clear answer from you. Do you know what the position of a direct-controlled municipality mayor in China signifies? You resigned without any warning, isn't this utter nonsense?"
Aunt Xue questioned.
"Aunt Xue, hasn't the think tank analyzed my actions?"
Chen Feng asked calmly.
"The think tank only provides advice when I actively ask them. For this matter, I don't want to hear anyone else's analysis; I only want to hear from you. Why did you suddenly resign?"
Aunt Xue continued to question.
Chen Feng didn't act coy and directly relayed to Aunt Xue what he had told Cheng Lu.
"Retreat to advance?"
"Yes, that's right, retreat to advance. Aunt Xue, you are not an outsider, so I won't lie to you. This time, the big shot who wants to target me is no ordinary big shot; he has immense power. If I were to confront this big shot head-on, I would definitely suffer."
Chen Feng explained with utmost seriousness.
"You are the mayor of Ming City, a direct-controlled municipality in China, and you have Wang Jianshan backing you. You are also considered a major figure in China's political arena. Do you need to fear that so-called big shot?"
Aunt Xue asked, confused.
"Aunt Xue, in a sense, I can indeed be considered a major figure in politics. However, the waters of Chinese politics are very deep. I, this so-called major political figure, am only a figurehead. The real power player is Jiang Tian, the mayor of that direct-controlled municipality."
Chen Feng explained word by word.
"Chen Feng, I truly don't understand. You are the mayor of a direct-controlled municipality, and Jiang Tian is also the mayor of a direct-controlled municipality. Aren't you equals? You have no reason to fear Jiang Tian, let alone engage in 'retreat to advance'."
Aunt Xue stared intently at Chen Feng.
"Aunt Xue, let me just say one thing: half of China's top ten enterprises are controlled by the Jiang family. Based on this alone, Jiang Tian is someone I cannot afford to confront right now."
Chen Feng said with utmost seriousness.
"What? Half of China's top ten enterprises are controlled by the Jiang family? How is that possible? To be honest, I've researched China's leading enterprises, and none of them are surnamed Jiang."
Aunt Xue asked, confused.
"Aunt Xue, the Jiang family is a prominent family in China, a hereditary clan. Do you think the Jiang family would be so naive and foolish as to have the legal names of so many enterprises written under the names of Jiang family members?"
"You mean, the Jiang family uses proxies?"
Aunt Xue was taken aback.
"Yes, the Jiang family uses proxies."
Chen Feng replied calmly.
"Chen Feng, the upper echelons of Chinese politics are so intricate. Fortunately, I am no longer involved in high-level politics; otherwise, I would surely be made a fool of. By the way, Chen Feng, you have now stepped down from your position as mayor of Ming City. Do you have any major moves planned next? Don't tell me you're waiting for the Jiang family to disintegrate on its own. The Jiang family is an extraordinary hereditary clan in China; they certainly won't fall apart on their own. Powerful external forces are necessary."
"Aunt Xue, to be honest, this time my apparent resignation and my ostentatious vacation abroad are all to lull Jiang Tian into a false sense of security. When Jiang Tian becomes complacent, I will have already completed all my arrangements."
Chen Feng said with confidence.
"Chen Feng, I'm very interested. How exactly have you made your arrangements?"
Aunt Xue asked with excitement.
"It's simple: I'm consolidating a commercial empire in secret. When I have a commercial empire as vast as the Jiang family's, I will naturally have the strength to contend with Jiang Tian."
Chen Feng said calmly.
"Consolidating a commercial empire? Chen Feng, to be frank, the scale of your commercial groups is indeed immense, and becoming China's richest man would not be a major problem. However, even if your commercial groups rank as China's richest, they are still insignificant compared to the Jiang family's intertwined political and business power."
Aunt Xue said dejectedly.
"Aunt Xue, please be patient. If Jiang Tian can wield power through his business connections, so can I. I didn't come to this overseas resort base alone; I came with several other direct-controlled municipality mayors. After you arrived, they had already discussed matters with me and returned to China."
"Ah? Other direct-controlled municipality mayors have already discussed matters with you?"
Aunt Xue asked, feeling dazed.
"Yes, other direct-controlled municipality mayors have indeed come. Moreover, we have formed a defensive alliance. They will cooperate with me in building the commercial empire, and once I ascend to that position, we will divide the spoils."
Chen Feng said calmly.
"Chen Feng, I have a significant question..."
Aunt Xue asked softly.
"Aunt Xue, whatever your question is, please ask."
Chen Feng said with a smile.
"If your alliance with other direct-controlled municipality mayors is successful this time, wouldn't that mean you'll truly be dividing the spoils with them? This doesn't align with your usual style. China's interests are a unified whole; how can they be divided?"
Aunt Xue asked, confused.
"Aunt Xue, I have always viewed China's interests as a collective interest. I will never stand idly by if anyone harms China's interests."
Chen Feng nodded in response.
"If you think that way, then why are you resorting to dividing the spoils to gain support?"
Aunt Xue continued to ask, confused.
"Aunt Xue, it's like this, my intention of dividing the spoils isn't to truly divide the spoils. Once I ascend to that high position, all power will still be concentrated in my hands. However, I will provide those direct-controlled municipality mayors with substantial financial rewards. It can be said that the financial compensation I give them will be astronomical."
Chen Feng explained.
"To extract astronomical sums from China's national treasury and give them to these direct-controlled municipality mayors, isn't that still harming China's interests?"
Aunt Xue asked, confused.
"Compared to China's long-term interests, this astronomical sum is truly insignificant."
Chen Feng replied calmly.
"I still don't understand your meaning."
"What I mean is, problems that can be solved with money are not problems. Even if it means losing an enormous astronomical sum, it's not an issue. Think about it, if China can replace the United States, why worry about not having money? As long as the machines are running, we can print as much as we want."
Chen Feng said with a smile.
"Chen Feng, honestly, I don't have your kind of vision. However, I believe your vision is correct. As the saying goes, to gain something, you must lose something. It's impossible to get those direct-controlled municipality mayors to cooperate with you in building the empire without giving them some benefits."
Aunt Xue said with satisfaction.
Previously, she had worried that Chen Feng would not adapt to the high echelons of Chinese politics, but now it seemed her worries were entirely unfounded. Chen Feng was undoubtedly a skilled strategist.
"Aunt Xue, since you're here at the overseas resort base, don't return for now. Stay with me at the overseas resort base and play for a month or two. This will make Jiang Tian believe even more that I have indeed fallen and pose no threat to him. The more he is overconfident, the more I can accelerate my plans."
Chen Feng said earnestly.
"You want me to play with you? I'm so old now, what can I play with you? How about this, since you need to act, I have a good idea that will make Jiang Tian absolutely believe that you are truly degenerating."
Aunt Xue said with excitement.
"What idea?"
Chen Feng asked curiously.
"Private beauty pageant."
"Private beauty pageant?"
"Yes, a private beauty pageant. You deliberately spend some money to hold a small-scale private beauty pageant here, select a dozen or so beautiful women, and then indulge in nightly revelry. Jiang Tian will definitely not suspect you at all."
Aunt Xue said word for word.
"Aunt Xue, the method is a very good one, but the problem is, doing so would be unfair to you women."
Chen Feng said humbly.
"Chen Feng, you can rest assured about that. To be honest, the women around you have vision. It's perfectly normal for you to put on a show for the sake of politics; no woman will be jealous about this. Absolutely not."
Aunt Xue said earnestly.
"Aunt Xue, since you say so, I won't be polite then."
Chen Feng smiled faintly.
"To deceive Jiang Tian, you must transform into a dissolute young master during this period."
Aunt Xue also smiled faintly.
Chen Feng didn't act coy and, as a member of the foremost families, began to spend money on a beauty pageant.
It must be said that nowadays, whether abroad or domestically, money is truly a wonderful thing.
Within a week, over twenty fairy-like beauties were selected.
Not only were they selected, but these twenty-plus beauties also understood clearly what they were expected to do next.
Chen Feng was initially hesitant, but later, with Aunt Xue's help, he became more at ease.
To lull Jiang Tian into a false sense of security, Chen Feng deliberately leaked videos to Jiang Tian.
"Elder Jiang, what is Chen Feng doing?"
In a mayor's office of a direct-controlled municipality in China, a subordinate asked Chen Feng with confusion.
"What else can he be doing? Chen Feng has given up."
Jiang Tian replied with a smile.
"What? Given up? The mayor of a direct-controlled municipality has given up? This... how is this possible?"
The subordinate looked utterly shocked.