"Don't worry, even if we're assigned to a remote area, it will be a lateral transfer. We won't be demoted like before." Chen Feng said with conviction.
"Why couldn't it be a demotion?" Qin Yan asked tentatively.
"Director Qin, Mingshan City has developed from Mingshan Town and is now a well-known model in China. If they don't promote us, they can find plausible reasons, such as having other important tasks, needing further training, or considering the overall situation... Such excuses are hard for others to criticize. However, if they directly demote us this time, neither the lower levels nor the higher levels will accept it. The higher-ups might be greedy, but they are not idiots. So, just wait patiently." Chen Feng calmly advised Qin Yan.
Qin Yan was once again impressed. Logically, she entered the political arena before Chen Feng, so she should have been calmer. However, the reality was that Chen Feng truly remained unfazed even when Mount Tai collapsed before him. As for her, she would be furious if any unfairness occurred. This might be what is called a difference in perspective. Chen Feng's unshakeable composure destined him to be someone who would achieve great things in the political arena.
In the provincial government compound, in Xiang Wentian's office, four or five big shots were gathered to discuss matters.
"Elder Xiang, how should Chen Feng and these two be arranged?"
"Didn't I propose that the three of them be promoted in place? But you all rejected it. What can I do?"
"Elder Xiang, it's not that we are jointly pressuring you, but that's how reality is. Mingshan City is the number one developed county-level city in Sanshui Province, a huge piece of meat that our affiliated interests are coveting. You should know this. Moreover, the mayor of Mingshan City is your nephew, so you are not at a disadvantage."
"We are not at a disadvantage. If we mistreat the three key contributors to Mingshan City's development, how will they feel?" Xiang Wentian retorted.
"Elder Xiang, the political arena has always been like this. It's all about interests, nothing else. To be honest, we still have a conscience. If we didn't have a conscience and reassigned the three of them to grassroots positions in lower-tier towns, what could they say?"
"Even if you had no conscience and wanted to do that, I wouldn't allow it. I won't even mention Qin Yan and Cheng Lu. Chen Feng is a talented young man. Suppressing him like this is like destroying a valuable asset. I reiterate, if there's no suitable position, the three of them will not be arranged for now." Xiang Wentian stated his position.
"Elder Xiang, how about this? Transfer the three of them to the political arena in Jiangcheng City. This way, even though they won't remain in Mingshan City, they will still be considered promoted, and it will be an explanation for the three of them," Wu Tianhong said softly, flattering him.
"I wish I could, but the vacancies in prefecture-level city political arenas are as tight as those in developed county-level cities. It's one carrot for one hole. No, strictly speaking, it's several carrots waiting for one hole. To put it bluntly, every position in Jiangcheng has several affiliated interests lining up behind it. Even as the top leader in the provincial capital, I have to abide by unspoken rules and wait in line." Xiang Wentian said with a troubled expression.
To be honest, he felt guilty towards Chen Feng regarding the Mingshan City matter. Chen Feng had spent years developing Mingshan Town into Mingshan City, a feat of great merit, yet he received no reward. It was all due to the deep entanglement of interests in the political arena. Even as the top leader in the provincial capital, he was not entirely free to act.
"Then we can only wait." Wu Tianhong knew when to retreat. The Mingshan City and Chen Feng issue was basically unsolvable.
"What do you all think? We've already waited for a month. Do we really have to wait any longer?" Xiang Wentian surveyed everyone. For Chen Feng's sake, several small meetings had already been held, and he really didn't want to continue. Chen Feng was a talent, and he couldn't be ruined in his hands. As the top leader in the provincial capital, he did need people to flatter him and appease affiliated interests, but he couldn't be without young cadres with genuine talent like Chen Feng. Otherwise, he, the leader of the provincial capital's political arena, would eventually fail.
"Elder Xiang, since several meetings have been held consecutively, and if we continue to deadlock, it won't be good for anyone. How about this: a lateral transfer to a remote area. The vacancies in remote areas are relatively less tight, and with the authority of a few of us top leaders, arranging for the three of them to go there shouldn't be a big problem."
"Well, that's the only way. Although it's a bit of a compromise for Chen Feng, at least he hasn't been demoted." Xiang Wentian said, shaking his head.
Seeing that Xiang Wentian did not object, everyone immediately made the arrangements. Qin Yan was transferred to Wuzhou District in Jiangcheng City as District Head, while Chen Feng and Cheng Lu were appointed Deputy District Heads, one in charge of economy and the other in charge of education. The three of them were to take up their posts in Wuzhou District immediately. On the surface, Chen Feng and Cheng Lu were promoted, but in reality, they were not. This was because Wuzhou District was the worst district in Jiangcheng City, extremely underdeveloped, and essentially a suburban rural area. Its annual output value was less than one-fiftieth of that of Mingshan District.
"Chen Feng, you guessed it right. We've been transferred laterally," Qin Yan sighed deeply.
"It's quite good. At least we weren't demoted," Chen Feng said calmly.
"Wuzhou District is so poor, how can it develop? If it doesn't develop, will we have to stay in this poor place for the rest of our lives?" Qin Yan sighed deeply again.
"Director Qin, there's no need to be disheartened. As long as we don't give up, miracles are possible." Chen Feng comforted Qin Yan.
Cheng Lu, standing nearby, was not very discouraged. She had a broad perspective and was happy working alongside Chen Feng, regardless of the location. Moreover, Chen Feng possessed genuine talent. Chen Feng could always find a way out of difficult situations, no matter how adverse the environment. This was also what she admired about Chen Feng. He remained unfazed even when Mount Tai collapsed before him! He was a man who could create miracles in adversity! Most importantly, Chen Feng was destined for great things, and a smooth path in politics would not have trained his extraordinary abilities in the highest echelons of China's political arena. To say nothing of others, a great leader in China experienced five setbacks and five recoveries. Each time he fell, he never became discouraged, and finally, after five attempts, he reached the highest level of China's political arena, leading China into an unprecedented period of development. At this moment, Chen Feng was very much like that great leader of China. He was highly capable, but his path in politics was extremely bumpy. This bumpiness was precisely what could hone Chen Feng's extraordinary abilities.
"Alas, Chen Feng, think about it carefully. If there were truly miracles, why would Wuzhou District be poor for decades? Since its establishment, Wuzhou District has had dozens of district heads, capable or not, one after another. The poverty of Wuzhou District is like deeply rooted, and no matter how hard we try, it cannot be removed..." The more Qin Yan spoke, the more her chest felt constricted.
"Director Qin, alright, let's not talk about these unhappy things. Developing the economy is not an overnight matter. How about this, we still have three days before officially starting work. I'll take you two to my hometown for a visit, what do you say?" Chen Feng comforted Qin Yan. At this moment, Qin Yan didn't need motivational quotes. What she needed was a good time to relax her heavy and depressed heart. Once she had a good time, Qin Yan would surely be fully energized and dedicated to the development of Wuzhou District.