Chapter 338

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Protagonist:

Chen Yi

Chen Congyu is now a member of the Jiangning City Federation of Industry and Commerce, belonging to the private enterprise sector.

Unlike the members of the Federation of Industry and Commerce, its Chairman is a standard official post, and there is a very high possibility of assuming the post of Jiangning City *****; in some special economic zones, the Chairmen or Vice-Chairmen of the Federation of Industry and Commerce directly appointed by the government are often concurrently held by leaders of the United Front Work Department, making them bona fide front-line leading members.

As of now, only three private entrepreneurs have served as provincial Federation of Industry and Commerce Chairmen, but from another angle, among the thirty-plus provinces nationwide, 10% of Federation of Industry and Commerce Chairmen are served by genuine private entrepreneurs. Of course, they all have to give up direct management of companies, even not serving as Chairman of the Board or participating in Board decisions, retaining only equity.

Chen Zhongguo slowly pondered.

Jiangning is a vice-provincial city; its Federation of Industry and Commerce Chairman is not an eye-catching role. If pushed by Chen Zhongguo, Chen Congyu's assumption of office would have almost no problem — a 200-billion-asset enterprise sits there, and he has been a member within the Federation for quite a few years.

However, if one wants to reach the position of high official or Vice-Chairman, the difficulty is great. Although the CPPCC has little real power, it is after all a post at the same level as the Mayor or Deputy Mayor. From a businessman's perspective, it can be called a single step to heaven.

And from the CPPCC to the United Front Work Department, that is even harder, belonging to returning from the second line to the front line; the difficulty is no less than Chen Zhongguo returning to the Central level.

Having thought it through, Chen Zhongguo also secretly marveled at Chen Yi's boldness, saying: "Your three-step plan, each step is harder than the last."

"But all are operable, aren't they?" Chen Yi said with a shrug, saying: "Old Dad can manage an enterprise with 200 billion in assets and nearly a trillion in revenue; could he not do well as a minor bureau-director-level official?"

"A minor bureau-director-level official?" Chen Zhongguo exhaled, saying: "Your Uncle has worked hard for over ten years and is still a minor deputy-bureau-level official."

"Try it; we don't lose anything anyway."

Chen Zhongguo said indifferently: "Reputation would be damaged."

"Suppose, before taking each step, we accumulate some political achievements; would that be better?"

"Oh?"

Chen Yi's preparation was quite sufficient; he spread his hands, saying: "Among the Federation of Industry and Commerce's responsibilities is one: to represent and safeguard members' rights and interests. For instance, right now, the United States is launching anti-dumping accusations against Chinese color TVs. I think if the Federation of Industry and Commerce, through some US connections, helps Chinese enterprises obtain legitimate benefits, and then carries out a series of publicity, wouldn't that be a huge political achievement?"

Chen Zhongguo, without even needing to check materials, said: "The Federation of Industry and Commerce's most important responsibility is, among non-public economic figures, to publicize and implement the Party and state's guidelines and policies, strengthen ideological and political work... safeguarding members' rights is the least important point."

He knew the government structure all too clearly.

"We have people above." Chen Yi spoke very sincerely; from the heat flow in his chest, it should count as honesty.

The more difficult the truth, the easier it is to obtain Shenjia.

Chen Zhongguo hesitated slightly; this was absolutely a shortcut, just too perilous.

Mount Hua — a single line — Heavens!

Of course, once successful, the benefits gained are also very large; just a bureau-director-level post requires the Princelings to struggle for many years. Even if Chen Congyu's qualifications are insufficient to assume a top post in some region, going to a central ministry is also a quite good choice; the future path would only get wider. He is only 46 now; if he can have another 20 years...

"Why didn't Congyu come?" Chen Zhongguo suddenly asked.

Chen Yi gave a slightly embarrassed smile: "I haven't discussed it with Old Dad yet."

Another heat flow surged in his chest, more than 50% larger than the previous one.

Chen Zhongguo listened until he nearly fainted, dissatisfied, saying: "You didn't talk to Congyu, this..."

"I think Old Dad will agree. It's a good thing, right?" Chen Yi's confidence came from his mother Fang Man Yi.

"The Third Son never listened to me; otherwise he would have gone into government back then. Now asking him to transform, would he be willing to walk this dangerous path?" As Chen Zhongguo spoke, he instead felt that not notifying in advance was better; if really notified, Chen Congyu would probably oppose.

"He should have long grown tired of playing in the business world." Chen Yi said: "Let's complete the first step first; we'll see about the second step later. If after the first step Old Dad is unwilling, we'll retreat back." Chen Yi smiled and glanced at his watch, saying: "I promised the people outside, I'll go out within 10 minutes."

"Go on; go back and discuss again." Chen Zhongguo concealed Fang Man Yi's name. Compared to the Chen Family, the Fang Family was much weaker; back then agreeing to the marriage was also valuing Fang Man Yi's character and talent — she was the material for a madam.

Chen Yi laughed heartily and left; not two days passed before news came of the Federation of Industry and Commerce's re-election.

At this time, Chen Yi went to find his mother to explain the situation.

"Only one day left and you tell me?" Fang Man Yi was almost angry.

Chen Yi laughed hehe, saying: "Mainly three things: first, Old Dad must participate; the specific operation will proceed tonight; with Fo Lao making a move, there should be no problem; second, there needs to be an inaugural speech, it just has to be written well enough; third, after election he may have to give up control of Chen Group. My thought: the internal CEO is doing a good job, so let him continue; the Board of Directors can be handed to a few minor shareholders."

"In your three things, not a single one is about telling your dad?"

"Comrade Chen Congyu's awareness is sometimes a bit lacking; let's do the first step first, succeed then talk." Chen Yi said half-jokingly. He understood his old dad's personality somewhat. Such a stifling, boring thing as entering politics, he mostly wouldn't want to do; but if forced onto the stage, he ought to do it not badly.

Fang Man Yi likewise fell into deep thought.

Same as the Old Master's understanding, the path Chen Yi found, once opened, Chen Congyu's 20-plus years of business experience would truly not count as wasted. Later, whether going to the United Front Work Department, Ministry of Information Industry, or Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade, or even the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where Chen Family power is strongest, all would be quite smooth.

If it doesn't open, the loss isn't much either.

But in normal people's eyes, this is more like spending big money to buy lottery tickets; first time buying a 100-yuan ticket, getting a Federation of Industry and Commerce Chairman or Vice-Chairman title worth 20 yuan; second time spending 1000 yuan, wanting a 10,000-yuan ***** position; if accidentally successful, then investing 100,000 or even 1 million yuan to compete for the ethereal 5 million grand prize — Minister or Vice-Minister of the United Front Work Department...

After a long while, Fang Man Yi exhaled, saying: "I'll go prepare a bit."

Equivalent to agreeing to Chen Yi's suggestion.

"I knew you had the resolve." Chen Yi spoke the truth again; honesty is very important.

A night without words.

The next day at noon, Comrade Chen Congyu finally understood what had happened; at this moment, he was already the Chairman of the Jiangning City Federation of Industry and Commerce. The Vice-Chairman was concurrently held by Wang Zhihua, Deputy Director of the Jiangning City United Front Work Department; having a deputy-bureau-level cadre as a subordinate is quite powerful.

On the other hand, Deputy Mayor Fang Zhennan's contact units included the Federation of Industry and Commerce; in other words, Chen Congyu also counted as his brother-in-law's indirect subordinate.

For such a result, Chen Yi and Lady Fang Man Yi naturally high-fived in celebration, while Chen Congyu was somewhat dissatisfied and hesitant; when seeing Chen Yi, he even said with anger unabated: "Do you think I have no talent for business?"

Chen Yi could not answer; if he honestly said "You truly have no talent for business," the Chen Family head would surely explode in rage.

Therefore, to preserve his newly acquired ability to read Middle English, Chen Yi chose a creative phrasing: "I have a secret art that can let you maintain 40 years of health."

Chen Congyu is 46 now; 40 years later is 86. If he can maintain 40 years of health, by 2044, who knows how China's political ecology will have evolved. At that time, perhaps Chen Congyu with an enterprise background would instead be welcomed by all sectors of society?

"How can you do it?" Chen Congyu indeed forgot his own question. Or rather, he cared more about this question. Since his own grandfather regained health, he also had considerable doubts about Chen Yi's Danshen Tablets.

Chen Yi laughed hehe, saying: "In short, considering you still have 40 years of time, I feel an enterprise cannot unleash your potential."

Put this way, Chen Congyu felt much better. But he still maintained a Party member's skeptical spirit, asking: "Living 40 more years, would there be side effects?"

"For you, none." Chen Yi answered thus.

Fang Man Yi immediately asked nervously: "What about you?"

"A little bit, really just a little bit." Chen Yi felt it unnecessary to explain, only saying: "It requires losing some blood."

Big brother Chen Heng asked doubtfully: "Losing blood? You didn't join a cult, did you?"

Chen Yi opened his mouth, then said instead: "There won't be the harming-others-for-self-benefit problem you're worried about; it's a good secret art."

"Grace" was of course a good secret art, but whether Catholicism or some other sect was ultimately a cult, he truly couldn't be certain.

To shift the topic, Chen Yi seized the moment to ask: "Big brother, when do you have a long holiday, so you can go have a good time?"

"Ever since Grandpa's health improved, it hasn't been easy for me to go on missions anymore. There'll be plenty of holidays in the future." Chen Heng said with a sigh.

"Then preparing to transfer out?"

Chen Heng "hmph"ed, saying: "Want me to enter politics too? Not going."

"Ultimately you still have to enter politics." Chen Yi said with a laugh, then said: "Last time you introduced Sun Ruihe, I sent him outside; you might be able to meet next time."

"How's he doing?"

"Pretty good; if there's a chance next time, send a few more people to me."

"Maybe there'll be a chance." Chen Heng spoke to here, then stopped.

All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce Deputy Chairman Wang Zhihua had long been waiting outside; seeing through the colorless glass that their talk had ended, he hurried over, smiling: "Chairman, let's go meet the unit's colleagues together. Mayor Fang Zhennan and the Organization Department Director will meet up with us in front of the unit."

Chen Congyu hadn't recovered yet, asking: "Federation of Industry and Commerce members? Didn't we just meet them all?"

Wang Zhihua laughed, saying: "I mean agency colleagues; our Jiangning City establishment has nearly 100 people now, all establishments are civil-servant-referenced."

Civil-servant-referenced means non-civil-servant-series personnel of administrative units managed with reference to the Civil Servant Law; in promotion, treatment and other aspects they interconnect with civil servants. It is also an establishment system with Chinese characteristics.

Chen Congyu was instead surprised at the hugeness of the small department in his impression, asking uncertainly: "100 people?"

"Including the General Office, Membership Department, Economics Department, Liaison Department, Research Department, Propaganda and Education Department, and Organization and Personnel Department..." Wang Zhihua rattled off like counting his own treasures: "You see, though the sparrow is small, it has all five internal organs."

Chen Congyu first glared fiercely at Chen Yi, then asked Wang Zhihua: "Then what is the Federation of Industry and Commerce's main work next?"

"Fundraising and housing allocation." Wang Zhihua laughed until his teeth were all showing.

……(Unfinished. If you like this work, welcome to come to Qidian (qidian. com) to cast recommendation tickets, monthly tickets; your support is my greatest motivation.)