"Mingshan Town has been doing very well recently with its foreign trade and new energy components. My idea is, should we focus on these two projects?" Cheng Lu asked tentatively.
"Your thinking is correct. It's better to leverage what you know. Think about it further, which of the two would be best?" Chen Feng probed.
"Chen Feng, it's like this. Jiangcheng recently launched a 'Hundred Days Investment Promotion Action,' which includes a self-driving vehicle parts project. I want to go back and bring this project to Mingshan Town, which would complement Mingshan Town's new energy vehicle parts industry," Cheng Lu said hesitantly.
"That's a good idea, but have you considered one thing? This 'Hundred Days Investment Promotion Action' isn't for Mingshan Town, it's for Jiangcheng," Chen Feng retorted.
"Chen Feng, actually, I've thought about this too. I was just about to ask you how to solve this problem, and you've already asked me," Cheng Lu said, looking at Chen Feng with admiration. Chen Feng, as expected from someone with an economic background, could immediately identify the core issue.
"Administrative divisions aren't the problem. The problem is, do you have connections in Jiangcheng?" Chen Feng asked calmly.
"Of course, I have connections! My relatives have influence in Jiangcheng's political circles. Everything is ready except for the crucial element. As long as you solve the administrative division issue, I'm confident I can bring that self-driving vehicle parts project to Mingshan Town. Even though I don't understand economics, the fact that Mingshan Town has a large automotive parts industry is common knowledge," Cheng Lu said excitedly.
"Since that's the case, I won't hide anything. You go back to Jiangcheng and tell your relative that Mingshan Town is indeed not currently part of Jiangcheng. However, it won't be long before Mingshan Town becomes a district of Jiangcheng. Investing in Mingshan Town is essentially investing in Jiangcheng," Chen Feng continued calmly.
"Chen Feng, this approach might not work. As you know, the idea of Mingshan Town merging with Jiangcheng as a district has been discussed for a long time, and people in Jiangcheng have become numb to it," Cheng Lu replied with a troubled expression.
"That was indeed the case before, but recently, the situation has changed, and there has been a major breakthrough," Chen Feng replied excitedly.
"A major breakthrough? What major breakthrough? Why don't I know anything about it?"
"The major breakthrough is that the provincial government has agreed to Jiangcheng merging with Mingshan Town," Chen Feng said calmly.
"What? The provincial capital has agreed? Is that true? I don't know about something so significant?" Cheng Lu exclaimed in astonishment.
"Precisely because this matter is so significant, it's normal for you not to know," Chen Feng said with a smile.
"Chen Feng, if the provincial capital agrees to Jiangcheng merging with Mingshan Town, this is a tremendous piece of good news. Why conceal it? Wouldn't it be better to just announce it directly?" Cheng Lu asked, perplexed.
"Miss Cheng, you haven't been in politics for very long, so there are some things you might not have fully grasped. While the merger of Jiangcheng and Mingshan Town is good for most people, it's bad for a small minority," Chen Feng said earnestly.
"The merger of Mingshan Town into Jiangcheng, isn't that a great thing? How can anyone be unhappy about it?" Cheng Lu continued, still confused.
"Yongming County is unhappy! Think about it, 70% of Yongming County's finances come from Mingshan Town. Once Mingshan Town is incorporated into Jiangcheng, Yongming County would become a destitute county. To appease this part of the population, we must be low-key. Once a mutually beneficial solution is found, the merger of Jiangcheng and Mingshan Town can be officially announced, and the problem won't be too significant." Chen Feng's explanation made Cheng Lu understand instantly.
"Chen Feng, I understand what you mean. Yongming County is to be kept in the dark for now, and the implementation will only happen when a win-win solution is devised. But this raises a question: Yongming County will never agree to Mingshan Town being demarcated, so won't the merger of Jiangcheng and Mingshan Town be indefinitely postponed?" Cheng Lu probed.
"On the surface, that's exactly how it seems. However, personally, I don't think it's an insurmountable difficulty," Chen Feng replied calmly.
"Chen Feng, from what you're saying, it sounds like you have a plan?" Cheng Lu asked excitedly.
"Yes, in fact, I've been thinking about this problem. When I was Qin Town Mayor's driver, I was already contemplating this. Mingshan Town's geographical conditions are too superior; it's bound to be merged with Jiangcheng eventually. Yongming County's disagreement is normal. However, if Yongming County is offered significant benefits, they would be willing to agree," Chen Feng replied unhurriedly.
"Continue," Cheng Lu said, looking at Chen Feng with admiration. At some point, Chen Feng's perspective had broadened considerably; he was no longer thinking like a grassroots politician but with a grander vision and strategy.
"I've considered it. The best solution is to incorporate the entire Yongming County into Jiangcheng. That way, the problem will be easily solved."
"What? The entire Yongming County to be incorporated into Jiangcheng? Is that possible?"
"Of course, it is."
"Chen Feng, I feel you're being a bit too idealistic. Honestly, although I don't have extensive experience in politics, I understand some things. For example, the reason Jiangcheng wants to merge with Mingshan Town is precisely because Mingshan Town's economy is increasingly prosperous. Why would Jiangcheng County want an underdeveloped county like Yongming County? It's the same logic as why the United States doesn't merge with Mexico. Mexico has tried to voluntarily join the United States several times in history, but they were all rejected. Why? Isn't it because Mexico is poor?" Cheng Lu explained earnestly.
"Miss Cheng, I didn't expect you to think so deeply. To be honest, your thinking is completely valid. The essence of converting a town into a district is to merge economically developed areas. However, you can look even deeper..." Chen Feng guided Cheng Lu.
"Look even deeper? You mean, Yongming County is no longer as impoverished as it used to be?" Cheng Lu speculated.
"Yes, think about it. Mingshan Town, Liangfang Town... and several other towns have developed economically. If they are all incorporated into Jiangcheng, it will benefit both sides," Chen Feng explained earnestly.
"Chen Feng, since you say so, I feel relieved. I'll head back to Jiangcheng today," Cheng Lu said excitedly.
"I'll accompany you," Chen Feng said with a smile.
"Chen Feng, I have important business in Jiangcheng this time, not for leisure. You don't need to come," Cheng Lu politely declined. It wasn't that she didn't want Chen Feng to accompany her; honestly, she wished he could follow her every day. However, this trip to Jiangcheng was to discuss investment promotion for her father's project. If Chen Feng went along, it would expose the plan.
"Miss Cheng, if I don't go with you, and you tell the people in Jiangcheng about the plan to incorporate Yongming County into Jiangcheng, they might not believe you. You need a strategist," Chen Feng continued with a calm smile.
"It's fine. You've already given me a general idea of Yongming County merging into Jiangcheng, and I understand it now," Cheng Lu replied confidently.
"Miss Cheng, you're not new to politics. You should know that political matters are very complex, and unexpected events are frequent. Think carefully: if the people in Jiangcheng suddenly ask you how Yongming County should develop after merging into Jiangcheng, how would you answer? How would you answer about the resettlement of the original staff of Yongming County after its merger into Jiangcheng..." Chen Feng retorted unhurriedly.