"Vice District Chief Qin, do you think I am that kind of person? If I were someone who didn't care about the common people and only cared about myself, would I still be a Director of the Development and Reform Commission at this point?" Chen Feng calmly retorted to Qin Yan.
"Chen Feng, I've known you the longest. No one understands you better than I do. You have ambition, and you also have a heart for the people. However, your heart for the people often hinders your ambition. My suggestion is, starting with this new energy project, don't overthink it. Just do what is beneficial for yourself," Qin Yan said with a serious expression.
Qin Yan's belief in the political arena was slightly different from Chen Feng's. In Qin Yan's view, as long as the common people were not harmed, that was the greatest virtue in politics. However, Chen Feng clearly had a broader perspective. Chen Feng believed that to have the opportunity to do something for the common people and not do it was the greatest evil in politics.
"Vice District Chief Qin, actually, I don't find your belief in the political arena disagreeable. Nowadays, in China's political arena, it's already commendable to be able to not harm the common people. But the problem is, I come from the countryside. I know the countryside and the hardships of the common people at the grassroots level. The new energy project is a project that can greatly help the common people of Mingshan District expand their capacity, and it must be done conscientiously. If we only focus on immediate benefits, we will indeed have a significant achievement in terms of our performance records. However, after a few years, with overcapacity, this place will be economically devastated, and the common people will be back to square one. I absolutely cannot do something like that," Chen Feng explained earnestly.
"Chen Feng, your words make me feel ashamed. In the past, I thought you were just putting on a political show. Many young political staff members, when they first enter the arena, all claim to serve the people. But how many of them have persisted? As far as I know, not a single one. Within a year, they are all corrupted by the political machine. You are the only one who hasn't been tainted, and I have no choice but to admire you. To be honest, you radiate great love, and this is what a future rising star in Chinese politics should embody!" Qin Yan looked at Chen Feng with admiration. Chen Feng was the only person in politics whom she currently admired. Others, though glamorous and successful in their careers, were merely sycophants in her eyes. None of them truly put the common people in their hearts, only Chen Feng genuinely did.
"Vice District Chief Qin, you flatter me. I'm not as noble as you imagine. I simply can't completely transform into a self-serving political figure," Chen Feng replied humbly.
"Alright, we're not strangers, so there's no need for excessive modesty. By the way, how do you plan to solve the overcapacity issue for the new energy project? Actually, even before you mentioned it, I realized this problem. Not just China, but other countries are also vigorously developing new energy vehicles these years. Under these circumstances, overcapacity is inevitable," Qin Yan asked tentatively.
"It's simple! Half for new energy vehicles, and half for charging stations," Chen Feng replied concisely.
"What? Charging stations? I'm afraid Kras won't agree to that. Charging stations don't have high profits, and the investment is substantial. It doesn't align with the inherent nature of businessmen to pursue profit," Qin Yan explained seriously.
"Vice District Chief Qin, you're slightly mistaken. Up to this point, charging station projects aren't unprofitable; rather, they can easily lead to losses if not managed carefully. The reason is simple: the technology for charging stations is not as mature as the technology for electric vehicles. It's difficult to earn substantial profits from an immature industrial technology," Chen Feng explained calmly.
"Chen Feng, since you know it's not very profitable, or even potentially loss-making, why do you still want to do it?" Qin Yan asked, puzzled.
"Vice District Chief Qin, as I said earlier, it's highly probable that new energy vehicles will be saturated in the next few years. Since it's a high probability event, we need to devise a strategy. Manufacturing new energy vehicles while simultaneously developing charging stations is definitely a good strategy. When new energy vehicles reach saturation, we can vigorously promote and sell charging stations, similar to fast-filling gas stations. Not only will they not damage the battery, but they will also maintain the battery. This way, in the future, the charging station project will definitely be a huge success. In fact, the business world and the political arena have common ground; one must have long-term vision. Without long-term vision, one is essentially stuck," Chen Feng continued to explain calmly.
"Chen Feng, I'm discovering that your mind is like a think tank's brain; you've thought through every problem thoroughly," Qin Yan said, looking at Chen Feng with admiration.
"Qin Yan, although you are my superior, I still hope you can stand on my side. To be honest, in the political arena, one person's understanding cannot accomplish anything," Chen Feng said earnestly.
"Chen Feng, don't worry. I've long since settled my position. Compared to others, I might have a little talent in politics. However, in front of you, I have no political talent at all. Therefore, I am willing to assist you," Qin Yan replied truthfully.
"Vice District Chief Qin, please don't say that. Although your political talent is somewhat inferior to mine, you have a tremendous advantage that I lack," Chen Feng said seriously.
"What advantage?" Qin Yan asked with great interest.
"You are a woman. There are relatively few female political staff members in China's political arena. Therefore, to demonstrate fairness, women are arranged at all levels of politics. Just for this reason, coupled with your political talent, breaking into the capital's political arena is not a lost cause," Chen Feng said with a smile.
"Chen Feng, are you mocking me?" Qin Yan retorted with a smile.
"Vice District Chief Qin, if this is considered mockery, then what is using my body to pave the way in politics? In the complex political arena, it is not shameful to use all available resources to climb up," Chen Feng said earnestly.
"You're becoming increasingly skilled at sweet talk. I used to think you were just a simple country boy, but now I see I was mistaken again. You are a true charmer," Qin Yan looked at Chen Feng with a doting expression. She remembered when Chen Feng was her driver, she thought she would never fall for a driver. Who knew that only a few years later, she would be completely won over by Chen Feng? Moreover, Chen Feng was so much younger than her, and she was still conquered by him. It seemed that charm was ageless.
"Vice District Chief Qin, honestly, I don't know how I've become this way either. I used to think I would only be devoted to one woman my entire life, but once you enter the political arena, it's like diving into a deep sea..." Chen Feng smiled wryly.
"Alright, if we keep talking, we won't finish even in three days and three nights. You should go quickly and talk to John about the charging station project," Qin Yan changed the subject. They were not young lovers, engaged in romance. They were ambitious political figures who had to prioritize their careers.
"John is a smart person. Mingshan District is China's most important new energy vehicle manufacturing base, with an industrial structure and technical support. As long as I briefly explain the future overcapacity of new energy to John over the phone and mention that Mingshan District has the capability to develop charging stations, he will definitely agree with my plan," Chen Feng explained earnestly.
"In that case, what do you plan to do next?" Qin Yan asked tentatively.
"Next, I plan to go and find Cui Yali, the head of the Jiangcheng Personnel Department," Chen Feng said meaningfully.
"We are already part of the Jiangcheng political establishment. Do we still need to curry favor with Cui Yali?" Qin Yan asked, confused.