"Chen Feng, forget it. Yongming County Publicity Department has already issued a notice. The matter is settled, there's no need to dwell on it."
Qin Yan specifically called Chen Feng into her office.
"Director Qin, if it were tens of thousands, or hundreds of thousands, I could let it go. But this is tens of millions. Such a large sponsorship, just letting it go like this would be too much of a waste."
Chen Feng said with a dejected expression.
"I know it's a waste, but what can we do? The Yongming County Publicity Department has issued a notice. Although the Yongming County Publicity Department is a nominal department, if it decides to be serious, there's nothing we can do."
"Director Qin, something is very wrong. Only you, Cheng Lu, and I knew when I went to the provincial capital's gaming company for sponsorship. How did the Yongming County Publicity Department find out?"
Chen Feng asked with a look of confusion.
"I have an acquaintance in the Publicity Department, so I asked around. It was a few retired teachers from Mingshan Town who reported it to the Yongming County Publicity Department. As for how these retired teachers found out, it's unknown."
Qin Yan explained.
"Retired teachers from Mingshan Town are causing trouble? That's unlikely. They are teachers, how could they do something that affects the students of Mingshan Town?"
Chen Feng asked, completely bewildered.
"It's easy to understand. When Director Wu was in charge, these retired teachers received special treatment every year, tens of thousands annually. After we removed Director Wu, this special treatment ceased. With such a significant reduction in income, they naturally resent you."
Qin Yan explained.
"For mere tens of thousands, they disregard the interests of students? Are they still teachers?"
Chen Feng was stunned.
"Chen Feng, you haven't been in the political arena for just a day or two. Why are your thoughts still so naive? Teachers, in the eyes of many, are just a profession to make money, not as sacred as you imagine. If everyone viewed the teaching profession as sacred, would there be private tutoring? Would there be violations against students? Would there be falsification in职称 assessments?..."
Qin Yan's rhetorical questions left Chen Feng speechless.
Indeed, he had idealized teachers too much.
In reality, the teaching profession, like countless other professions, had good people and bad people.
"Director Qin, I need to go to Yongming County. The educational development of Mingshan Town has finally picked up steam. It cannot be halted because of a few selfish and dark retired teachers. I want to go to Yongming County to lobby the Yongming County Publicity Department."
Chen Feng said solemnly.
"Chen Feng, I advise you not to do that. Some things, the less you interfere, the better. Honestly, the development of education in Mingshan Town has already been quite successful. There's no need to get stuck on this. As I said, your position as Deputy Town Mayor in charge of education is just a title. While considering the interests of Mingshan Town's students, you should also consider your own interests. Your actions recently have earned you a lot of attention from your superiors. There's no need to ruin that good impression over a sponsorship."
Qin Yan advised Chen Feng.
"Director Qin, if it were something else, I could turn a blind eye. You are right, in the political arena, one must learn to turn a blind eye. Being too meticulous is never good. However, this time, it involves so many students in Mingshan Town, and I cannot turn a blind eye. To put it bluntly, if I get demoted because of this, I won't regret it."
Chen Feng replied calmly.
"You, you're good in many ways, but sometimes, you just can't be ruthless. Honestly, like you, I also have a kind heart. However, my kindness has conditions; it must not affect my own development. You, on the other hand, persist in your original kindness under any circumstances. I admire you for that; I certainly can't do it."
Qin Yan sighed.
"Director Qin, please don't praise me like that. I'm not that great; I'm just stubborn and can't stand obvious injustices. Alright, Director Qin, it's getting late, I need to head to Yongming County."
After speaking, Chen Feng drove directly to Yongming County.
After Chen Feng left, Qin Yan immediately called the second-in-command of the Yongming County Publicity Department.
She had worked in the Yongming County Publicity Department before, so naturally, she had connections.
"Deputy Director Wang, I need to trouble you with something."
Qin Yan got straight to the point.
"Director Qin, you're too kind. I got my position as the second-in-command of the Yongming County Publicity Department with your help. Please, say whatever you need; I'll definitely help if I can."
Deputy Director Wang replied readily.
"My subordinate, Chen Feng, is currently going to Yongming County. This young man is stubborn and insists on meeting the director of the Yongming County Publicity Department to resolve the matter of the provincial capital's gaming company sponsoring Mingshan Town's education. Please keep an eye on him and prevent him from offending Director Wei."
Qin Yan continued to get straight to the point.
"Director Qin, don't worry, I'll keep an eye on Deputy Town Mayor Chen. Honestly, this young man, Deputy Town Mayor Chen, has quite a reputation in Yongming County. He's a capable and visionary young man. I'll make sure he doesn't ruin his future."
After a few more words, Deputy Director Wang hung up.
Director Wei of the Yongming County Publicity Department was not in a good mood today. If Chen Feng came to see Director Wei about the provincial capital's gaming company sponsorship, he would definitely be reprimanded.
He had to stop Chen Feng.
Two hours later, Deputy Director Wang stopped Chen Feng at the entrance of the Yongming County compound.
"Deputy Town Mayor Chen, Director Wei is not in a good mood today. It's best not to see him."
Deputy Director Wang said directly.
"Not in a good mood? What happened?"
Chen Feng asked instinctively.
"I heard that a sum of money allocated by Jiangcheng to the Yongming County Publicity Department was suddenly canceled. Director Wei had planned to use this money to give us benefits. With the sudden cancellation, he naturally got angry. If you go to see him at this time, you'll surely get reprimanded."
Deputy Director Wang said earnestly.
"Deputy Director Wang, I think this is the perfect time to see Director Wei."
Chen Feng said confidently.
"What do you mean?"
Deputy Director Wang was taken aback.
"Director Wei's bad mood isn't for any other reason than money. In this society today, money issues are often not the issue. By the way, how much was the money from Jiangcheng?"
Chen Feng asked with a meaningful gaze.
"It wasn't a lot of money, just one hundred thousand. It was just enough for the Yongming County Publicity Department to issue some holiday bonuses and the like. But Jiangcheng suddenly stopped the funds, and Director Wei had already announced the bonuses. If it were you, wouldn't you be annoyed?"
"Deputy Director Wang, don't worry. I'll go see Director Wei right now. Not only will I not be reprimanded, but I'll also smoothly resolve the matter of the provincial capital's gaming company sponsorship."
Chen Feng said with a faint smile.
"Really?"
"Of course, it's true. I'm not foolish enough to joke about my future."
"Can you tell me how you plan to do it?"
Deputy Director Wang asked with curiosity.
"It's simple. Yongming County is short ten thousand yuan in welfare funds, right? Mingshan Town will cover this."
Chen Feng stated concisely.
"Mingshan Town is that wealthy?"
Deputy Director Wang asked excitedly.
"Mingshan Town is the most developed town in Yongming County, and it's only separated from Jiangcheng by a river. The finances are quite prosperous. Ten thousand yuan is nothing."
Chen Feng said with a smile.
"You make a good point. But the problem is, Director Wei has a peculiar personality. He likes money very much, but he pretends not to care about it. If you directly offer him a hundred thousand yuan like this, he definitely won't accept it."
Deputy Director Wang said with a dejected tone.