Chen Feng was about to explain to Li Hongling how he used the military to deal with Li Shan when Li Hongling's secretary informed her that Li Shan was at the conference room and wanted to see Chen Feng.
"Brother Feng, what's going on? Isn't Li Shan's older brother the head of the Jiangcheng Development and Reform Commission? Haven't the landfill and public cemetery projects already started? Why is Li Shan actually coming to beg for mercy? Shouldn't we be the ones begging him?" Li Hongling asked, somewhat bewildered.
"Xiao Ling, you've always been in the business world, not the political arena. It's normal that you don't understand political matters. In a word, political affairs are very complicated. One moment you suppress me, the next moment I suppress you, it all depends on whose background and connections are stronger," Chen Feng explained calmly.
"Brother Feng, I understand what you're saying. But the problem is, two projects have already started. Even with a strong background, you can't halt a project midway, can you?" Li Hongling asked, puzzled.
"Under normal circumstances, halting a large-scale project is unlikely to happen. After all, there are powerful figures behind every large-scale project. Furthermore, arbitrarily halting a large-scale project is considered a slap in the face in the political arena. The unwritten rule in politics is that superiors rarely halt the large-scale projects of their subordinates. Even if a large-scale project has serious issues, it can only be forced through, at most with some rectifications. This is because once it's halted, it might touch upon the interests of a certain powerful figure in the upper echelon, leading to troublesome consequences. Moreover, if the superior openly negates the subordinate's large-scale project, then in the future, no subordinate will dare to undertake large-scale projects, and they will all seek to protect themselves, aiming for no merit but also no blame," Chen Feng stated calmly.
"Brother Feng, what you said makes a lot of sense. The Jiangcheng landfill and public cemetery projects, although opposing us, are faultless from the perspective of Jiangcheng's economic development. The Jiangcheng city leadership has no reason to halt them. Moreover, Li Shan's older brother is the head of the Jiangcheng Development and Reform Commission, also a high-ranking official in Jiangcheng's political circles. Regardless of anything else, other Jiangcheng officials would have to give face to Li Shan's older brother. From these two points, Li Shan was guaranteed to have us cornered. However, Li Shan didn't do that; instead, he came to you personally to mediate. What exactly is going on? The political waters are too deep, my mind is blank, and I can't figure anything out," Li Hongling replied truthfully.
"Xiao Ling, you're not an outsider, so I won't hide anything from you. The reason Li Shan voluntarily agreed to halt the two large-scale projects, the landfill and public cemetery of Green Mountain Real Estate Company, which were 100% feasible, is because I found connections in the military. Trying to find connections within the Jiangcheng political system wouldn't be very useful. You just clearly stated that the relationship between superiors and subordinates in politics is subtle, and the relationships between powerful figures in the upper echelons are also subtle. It wouldn't be of much use to approach Cheng Lu's father, Cheng Liren. Although Cheng Liren is the top leader in Jiangcheng, he still has to consider the feelings of Li Shan's older brother, who is the head of the Jiangcheng Development and Reform Commission. Moreover, the landfill and public cemetery projects are legitimate economic activities, and even Cheng Liren would find it difficult to halt them directly. To cut the Gordian knot, I went to friends in the Jiangcheng military. I offered to transfer a piece of land to the Jiangcheng military for free, and then the Jiangcheng military, using the excuse of requirements for weapons research facilities, ordered Green Mountain Real Estate Company to stop the landfill and public cemetery projects. The Jiangcheng military and the Jiangcheng political arena are two different power systems, and the military power system is clearly superior to the political power system. For example, military marriages cannot be easily judged by local courts. For example, military vehicles cannot be arbitrarily stopped by local traffic police departments. For example, local political circles cannot even inquire about military factories..." Chen Feng continued to explain patiently.
Li Hongling understood instantly.
However, at the same time, she had another small doubt. Chen Feng wasn't in politics, so how did he know military friends? Moreover, why did the military value Chen Feng so much and give him face? Chen Feng did not hesitate and directly addressed Li Hongling's doubts. Frankly speaking, when he developed several technological industries in Mingshan City, he had indirectly helped the Chinese military immensely. Over time, his relationship with the military became very good. To put it this way, although Chen Feng did not wear a military uniform, he had more influence than a regimental commander who did.
"I see. By the way, Brother Feng, since the military is involved, it's a sure thing that we'll counterattack Li Shan. Should we still meet him?" Li Hongling asked tentatively.
"We definitely need to meet him, but not today, at least not for another week," Chen Feng said with a smile.
"Meet him in a week? What do you mean? Could it be to wait for Li Shan to go bankrupt?" Li Hongling probed.
"Xiao Ling, you've misunderstood. I never intended to bankrupt Green Mountain Real Estate Company."
"Brother Feng, Li Shan has deliberately acted against you like this, yet you still don't want to bankrupt Green Mountain Real Estate Company? If it were me, I'd be wishing for Li Shan to be in a miserable state," Li Hongling said truthfully, expressing her thoughts.
"Xiao Ling, if I were just a businessman like you, I would definitely crush Li Shan. But I am not. I am a political official, and I plan to enter the upper echelons of China's political arena in the future. Therefore, my vision cannot be shortsighted. It's true that Li Shan hates me and tried to scheme against me. However, Li Shan himself is not an irredeemably wicked person. He is merely narrow-minded, holding a grudge because the Wuzhou District snatched several financial projects from him. I understand him. He is just a businessman who only looks at his own interests, which is not a big problem. A little patient education will suffice. If Green Mountain Real Estate Company goes bankrupt because of this, it would be too shortsighted. The reason Jiangcheng is developing better and better is because there are more and more bosses like Li Shan. If we arbitrarily suppress company bosses, how can Jiangcheng talk about the future?" Chen Feng said earnestly.
"Brother Feng, I am completely impressed with you. As expected of a prominent figure in politics, your vision is not disturbed by trivial matters," Li Hongling sighed with admiration.
"Alright, let's find a place to have some fun for a few days, so Li Shan can't find me. This will make him behave and listen to what I say," Chen Feng explained in the end, and then he took Li Hongling away from the company's back door.
For three days, Chen Feng took Li Hongling to Hong Kong for sightseeing. Hong Kong is not only a place where one can learn a lot of political experience to make politics efficient and clean, but also a place where one can learn a lot of business experience. Hong Kong has always been a global financial center, and it's not an empty name. Hong Kong people are inherently good at doing business. Li Hongling cherished this opportunity to visit Hong Kong. She had almost no time for romantic moments with Chen Feng, and was constantly on the front lines of business. Thus, three days passed quickly.
"How about this, Xiao Ling, you stay in Hong Kong for another week, and I'll return to Jiangcheng to handle Li Shan's matters," Chen Feng said to Li Hongling with a look of satisfaction. Li Hongling's dedication to business for the entire three days showed that she genuinely enjoyed doing business. Anything one genuinely enjoys, they will do well.
"Brother Feng, I was thinking the same thing. However, Brother Feng, can you use your connections to let me take a look at the Hong Kong futures market..." Li Hongling asked tentatively.
"Xiao Ling, why the sudden thought of taking a look at the Hong Kong futures market?" Chen Feng looked at Li Hongling with interest.