Chapter 877
The Unsolvable Overt Scheme
Upon hearing Du Chonglai's undisguised cursing tone, Yue Feng knew that his intuition at the forest farm was correct; Zhou Jianchun most likely had some information that he wasn't sharing with Yue Feng.
Yue Feng leaned closer and asked, "What's wrong that you're so upset?"
Du Chonglai took a deep breath, his nostrils flaring slightly, and said, "This Zhou Jianchun knows the relationship between us men. He's dug a blatant pit, waiting for you to jump in!"
"Huh? What do you mean? He plotted against me?" Yue Feng's eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this.
Du Chonglai poured tea for Yue Feng: "To say that this was a scheme against you is a bit unfair! This isn't a conspiracy, but a perfectly legitimate open plan!"
"Please continue, I haven't figured out what's going on yet!" Yue Feng gestured for Du Chong to continue.
Du Chonglai said, "Secretary Yang of Hongxing Forest Farm was preparing to retire due to his age and health condition. He had already reported this to the Forestry Bureau at the end of last year during a meeting!"
As the first-ranking deputy director, Zhou Jianchun had already taken actual control of the forest farm, and its management performance was quite good; the higher-ups couldn't find anything wrong with it!
"Isn't that great! He's capable, so promoting him is a natural progression!" Yue Feng continued, following up on this line of questioning.
"It was indeed a natural progression, but during the meeting, both Director Wang and Deputy Director Liu from our Forestry Bureau asked him about the succession of personnel and whether there were suitable candidates to fill the vacancies!"
In principle, our forestry bureau has the power to appoint and dismiss the leaders of forest farms, but the usual practice is to give priority to the succession or addition of personnel within the forest farm leadership team!
Only when there are absolutely no suitable people will we coordinate to have someone parachuted in from outside!
This is quite understandable. A forest farm is a small society; outsiders without connections are easily ostracized and find it difficult to carry out their work! I won't go into these trivial matters.
Yue Feng nodded, gesturing for the other person to continue.
Du Chonglai continued, "At the time, Zhou Jianchun didn't mention any candidates at all! He made excuses, saying that he had just taken over the management of the forest farm and was not familiar with some things, and that he needed to understand them before he could draw a conclusion!"
He's playing the delaying tactic brilliantly! He deliberately put a decision on something he could have made immediately on hold, and hasn't submitted a new personnel list yet!
Now that the news has spread, those who sense an opportunity will naturally flock to him!
He must have already planned for your father to work in the forest ranger team!
You've done quite well these past few years. With both financial resources and connections, you have the confidence to help your father compete for this position!
Given your dad's age, he'd definitely want to try this opportunity for promotion!
Who wants to be a lowly soldier forever, bossed around by a leader who's even younger than them?
At this point, the final result is that when you ask him for help, he will tell you that he cannot make the decision because there are many people with different ideas and the relationships are complicated!
If he can't give you a definite answer, you'll most likely come to me.
If I want to get this done, I definitely need to talk to him first. That way, I'll speak up for him, and if things get done in the end, I'll owe him a favor!
Well, he's made a fortune off of everyone's goodwill.
Not only did he manage to please both sides without any faults, but those who begged him for a chance but ultimately didn't get it should blame the leaders in the Forestry Bureau who made the decision, or to put it bluntly, they should blame me!
"I've been unfairly blamed for this!!"
After listening to Du Chonglai's analysis, Yue Feng finally understood why Grandpa Du's first reaction was so agitated.
Yue Feng had previously read about unsolvable schemes like the "Decree of Grace" in books or movies, and always felt that such things were a world away from ordinary people like himself.
Unexpectedly, because of his father's job promotion, he was taught a lesson by Zhou Jianchun, a big shot who looked down on the forest farm leader.
It was only after Du Chonglai treated Yue Feng like his own child and didn't use any official jargon, personally explaining things clearly, that Yue Feng realized the intricacies of the situation.
If Yue Feng were left to figure things out on his own, things would probably be settled by then, and he wouldn't even know what Zhou Jianchun was planning.
The difference in IQ and EQ between people is indeed very large, and Yue Feng has to admit that!
After listening carefully and digesting the details, Yue Feng asked, "Grandpa, isn't he afraid of offending you by doing this?"
As the governing body of the forest farm, if the Forestry Bureau wanted to make things difficult for him, it would be a piece of cake.
Du Chonglai looked into Yue Feng's eyes and asked, "Have you offended me?"
What did you do to offend me?
Because you're unsure about the right candidate?
Because I went to him to plead on your father's behalf regarding his promotion?
Although they are thoughtful, they will definitely do what they are supposed to do!
Even if I'm unhappy, he did things for me, so how can I complain about him?
Faced with this series of questions, Yue Feng was completely convinced.
Even if you know in your heart that the other party's motives are impure, you still have to accept the outcome. There is indeed no solution to a conspiracy.
"I'll tell my dad when I get back that he's quitting this damn team leader job!" Yue Feng took a deep breath and said somewhat defiantly.
"You're not going to do it anymore? Even if you can accept it, will your dad feel at ease?" Du Chonglai retorted.
Once the thoughts are already formed, saying something inappropriate now would cause any person to feel a bit emotionally affected.
The lower one's starting point was in the past, the more likely one is to experience emotional fluctuations now that life has improved. Even if Yue Lei has a good mindset, he will definitely feel uncomfortable.
When questioned, Yue Feng could only remain silent.
It's not worth asking others for help over such a trivial matter! This sudden change in attitude made Yue Feng feel a strange, inexplicable unease.
Du Chonglai took a deep breath and said two seconds later, "Never mind, I'll go say hello!"
Don't get worked up about this. The process doesn't matter, as long as the result is what we want!
But don't rush into this!
He knows how to stall, scheme, and plot; we can do the same!
There's still half a year left until the end of the year, so let's hold back for now. He'll be the one getting anxious later!
We've kept quiet for now; I'd like to see how he handles this!
Even if your dad doesn't get promoted this time, I can just help him find a new job at the Forestry Bureau!
In our logistics department, Lao Li, who is in charge of warehouse storage, is just a year or two away from retirement age.
Let him take sick leave then, and your dad can take over his job, managing the warehouse and supplies in the office. It's lucrative and not tiring at all! Even easier than the forest rangers' job!
A leader is a leader; his perspective on issues far surpasses that of ordinary people. Du Chonglai found the loophole in this open scheme in a very short time.
Haste makes waste; if you remain calm, you can turn the tables and become proactive. In the end, Zhou Jianchun will be the one in a hurry.
Having said that, Yue Feng nodded: "Okay, then I'll listen to you. Let's stay calm and not fall for his tricks!"
Du Chonglai immediately expressed his satisfaction upon meeting Yue Feng: "Actually, if you ask me, it would be much more comfortable for your father to be transferred to the Forestry Bureau than to the front line of the forest farm!"
The forest rangers at the forest farm have to go out on patrols in the winter, and the conditions are actually quite harsh! Being transferred to the Forestry Bureau as a warehouse keeper or something similar, although the power is limited, you're protected from the wind and rain, and there are some small perks and benefits!
When I retire, my pension will be substantial!
Why suffer in a frontline place like the forest farm!
This wasn't the first time Du Chonglai had mentioned something similar to Yue Feng.
As the deputy director of the forestry bureau in charge of logistics, arranging a warehouse keeper position was practically just a matter of making a call to the middle-level managers in the logistics department to reserve a spot.
Once the recruitment and onboarding procedures are completed, everything will be legal and no one will be able to find fault with it.
With Lao Du's connections and Yue Feng's background, Yue Lei still has room for advancement even if he becomes a warehouse keeper.
If the opportunity is right, there's a good chance that one could become a minor official like the head of the logistics department before retirement.
Yue Feng had also tried to talk to his father about this, but the old man refused almost without thinking.
The reason is quite simple: the old man refused because the Forestry Bureau office was too far from his old home in the village, and commuting back and forth every day was inconvenient!
In addition, working in the forest ranger team meant he could handle a gun every day, go hunting occasionally during patrols, and even take his own baby eagle with him to and from get off work. Everyone in the forest farm treated him very politely, and he hardly had to worry about anyone's attitude. The old man was very satisfied with his work experience.
Yue Feng's family is now well-off and doesn't need his father's salary. He just wants his father to have something to do so he won't be bored. Since his father is unwilling, Yue Feng didn't try to persuade him anymore.
Yue Feng pouted and said helplessly, "My dad only has an elementary school education, and he can't even read many words!"
Besides, he's gotten to know everyone at the forest farm! He also likes forest patrol and other similar jobs. I've tried to persuade him to do it more than once, but he's unwilling!
"Not to mention the forestry bureau, even at the restaurant run by my elder brother and sister-in-law, I asked my father if he wanted to come and help, but he also thought it was too much trouble!"
Upon hearing this, Du Chonglai fell silent, a rare occurrence.
Although Yue Feng is not very old, he has laid a very good foundation for his family.
Du Chonglai, as the person in charge of handling the paperwork for his businesses on the mountain, was familiar with the actual situation. He also frequently visited the restaurant in the city—a lucrative place that made him a fortune!
Considering these objective circumstances, Yue Lei, as Yue Feng's father, has the right to be capricious in choosing a job!
"Alright! Let's respect your dad's idea! Let's put it aside for now and make a final decision when the time is right!"
If that self-important Zhou Jianchun dares to treat us like fools, I wouldn't mind teaching him a lesson he won't forget!
"Yes, thank you, sir!" Yue Feng nodded and thanked him solemnly.
"Let's leave this matter here for now!"
You're not in a hurry to leave, are you? Tell me more about the Falconry Club in the capital!
There are some things about my situation that you may not be aware of.
At my age, I'll probably retire in less than ten years, around my early sixties. But my uncle's younger brother just turned forty this year, so he still has a chance to climb the ranks!
As the eldest brother, I have to find a way to pave the way for him before I retire!
Hearing this, Yue Feng was slightly taken aback. This was the first time Du Chonglai had mentioned his family situation to Yue Feng.
"Your younger brother also works in the system? I've never heard you mention him before!" Yue Feng asked.
“I’m a former soldier, but my brother is different; he’s a proper college student!”
Now they're at the same rank as me, deputy division chief, working in the Organization Department of Jinshi City!
Upon hearing this, Yue Feng instantly realized why Lao Du was so concerned about the Raptor Club that Yue Feng had set up in the capital.
Old Du, deputy director of the Fengcheng Forestry Bureau, is a deputy division-level cadre. If he doesn't make any mistakes before retirement, he will most likely be promoted by half a rank, meaning that a division-level cadre can only retire at most. The outcome is predictable, with no room for imagination.
However, a 40-year-old college graduate at the deputy division level working in the Organization Department of Jinshi City has a different level of prestige.
Jinshi itself is half a rank higher, and the Organization Department is a department that manages officials, making it the backbone of the younger generation!
If he can find a suitable mentor, Du Chonglai's cousin has a very high chance of entering the 'Hall' (a government office), and it is entirely possible for him to make further progress, with unlimited potential.
Seeing the shocked expression on Yue Feng's face, Du Chonglai's lips curled up slightly: "Now you understand why I care so much about this, right?"
Our Du family has no one to rely on beyond that! The support I, as your cousin, can offer is extremely limited!
In those big cities, if you want to climb the ladder, ability isn't enough; connections are paramount! I need to find a strong backer for my brother!
Yue Feng, regaining his composure, nodded: "Got it! This is a serious matter! It's worth it for me to swallow my pride and beg someone for help!"
Upon hearing this, Du Chonglai was stunned.
At their level, they are extremely careful in their words and actions, especially when making promises on important matters, they are very cautious!
The words you speak are the shackles you put on yourself.
Unexpectedly, Yue Feng actually said that he could ask for help.
"Can you really help my brother find a reliable backer?" Du Chonglai asked, his face twitching slightly.
"Whether it will work or not, I can't say! I'm not someone from within the system, and I don't really understand the ins and outs of it! But I can give it a try!"
College students of this era are already very outstanding. It's not taboo for me to say a few words about them or to introduce them if the opportunity arises!
Everyone has capable relatives or friends back in their hometown!
Your brother is my uncle by seniority. If he becomes successful in the future, won't I benefit from it too?
"Alright! Just for those few words! Whether it works out or not, I'll accept your favor!"
In an instant, Du Chonglai realized that the forest ranger captain and the forest farm director, these petty officials at the very bottom of the officialdom's hierarchy, were completely incomparable to his cousin's career path.
To put it more bluntly, if Yue Feng could really keep his promise, Lao Du felt that even if he risked making a mistake and ruining his reputation in his later years, it would be worth it to help Yue Feng's father get a job as the head of a forest farm.
"Hehe, there's no rush. We can look into it together when we have the chance!"
Many of the young masters and nobles I know in Beijing come from families with revolutionary backgrounds. I'll ask my buddy to find out more about them first, and then we'll see! (End of Chapter)