Rebirth 1979: Hunting wild boars and saving educated youth

Chapter 181 The First Taste of Soup

Chen Feng pushed open the half-open door of "Prince Cafe" and was instantly enveloped by the warm yellow light inside.

This store is the product of the renewal of the area around Ninghai University. It is cleverly located, next to Phnom Penh Company and not far from Ninghai University.

Xiao Hai specially left a private corner for him, as if this space belonged to him alone.

After sitting down, Xu Kangyang walked over soon with a barely perceptible look of fatigue on his face.

Chen Feng went up to him, his smile tinged with joking, "Uncle Xu, Mr. Mayor, why don't you look so happy about the new official taking office? Instead, you seem to be worried."

Xu Kangyang smiled bitterly, shook his head slightly, and sighed after sitting down. "Xiao Chen, I really have to thank you for that brilliant idea this time. Without you, I wouldn't be able to take the position of mayor. But now that I'm in this position, the burden on my shoulders is so heavy that I can't breathe. It's much more difficult than when I was in the Health Department."

Hearing this, Chen Feng leaned forward and motioned for him to continue.

"It's a long story, but I'm mainly burdened by three mountains." Xu Kangyang rubbed his temples. "The first one is the financial mountain. I used to complain about the Health Department's tight budget, outdated hospital equipment, and limited services. Now that I'm in charge, I look at the accounts and see how stretched we are. If it weren't for grants from higher authorities and loans, some departments wouldn't even be able to make ends meet."

Speaking of this, Xu Kangyang frowned, as if he could feel the heavy pressure.

"As an official, you can't do anything without money. If the mayor can't pay salaries, where will his face be? Won't he be criticized by others?"

He paused, then continued, "The second problem is the state-owned enterprises. Ninghai's state-owned enterprises are in a mess, almost all losing money. Only one, which provides supporting services to the military industry, is barely profitable, and that's entirely due to policy support. Now that military-industrial enterprise itself is in trouble, I think it's about to collapse. State-owned enterprise employees can't be left without paying their salaries, right? It's another financial burden!"

Xu Kangyang's tone grew heavier. "Finally, there's the issue of employment. With the influx of educated youth returning to the city, jobs are in short supply. Young people have nothing to do, and that leads to social problems and public security. If anything goes wrong, I, as the mayor, will be held responsible!"

After saying that, Xu Kangyang leaned back in his chair, his eyes full of helplessness and worry.

Chen Feng listened silently, feeling a certain empathy. It seemed like being mayor wasn't an easy job.

"Uncle Xu, what do you think?" he asked.

Xu Kangyang sighed, his voice filled with helplessness: "It's difficult, these problems are not easy to solve!"

Chen Feng smiled faintly and said, "Uncle Xu, do you still expect to resolve all the above issues during your term? Impossible!"

"As mayor, I always wanted to do more," Xu Kangyang said slowly, "but now I realize that my abilities are limited. Ninghai City's problems are truly beyond the reach of a single mayor like me."

There was a hint of reluctance in his voice.

Chen Feng took a sip of coffee and said, "During your term, if you can focus on one issue and do it well, that's all that matters. But you also have to leave some for those who come after you."

Xu Kangyang was amused, and his tense face relaxed. "Xiao Chen, I'd like to hear your opinion. Where do you think I should start?"

Chen Feng waved his hand and smiled modestly: "I don't know about this. I'm not in the position to meddle in other people's business. I dare not give any blind advice."

Xu Kangyang was relentless: "Just talk about it casually, you talk and I listen, just treat it as a family chat. Anyway, according to the old man, my Xiaoxue and you are already engaged..."

As soon as these words were spoken, the air suddenly became subtle.

Chen Feng quickly interrupted: "Uncle Xu, that was just a joke, why did you take it seriously? Besides, although the old man respects me very much, he and I are not related at all. How could you believe him when he said he would be engaged to me?"

Xu Kangyang was stunned for a moment, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes: "You don't know yet?"

Chen Feng looked confused: "What do I know?"

It seems that Mr. Geng hasn't told him about the recognition of relatives yet, Xu Kangyang thought to himself, and then waved his hands repeatedly.

"It's nothing, it's nothing. You've built your business from scratch at such a young age. Few young people can match you in business. Although you've never been an official, you should have a say in issues concerning state-owned enterprises and employment. You should be better than me in this area. Just tell me, don't hide it from your uncle."

Chen Feng thought about it, and after a moment's silence, he said, "I think we should start with the aspects that will produce the fastest results and give the most impact to the people."

Xu Kangyang leaned forward, obviously very interested in this topic: "Go ahead."

"Uncle Xu, do you know about the teachers' community I built at Ninghai University?" Chen Feng asked.

Xu Kangyang nodded and praised it highly: "I know, it's really well done. I've heard many people tell me that it's better than the dormitories in our office. Many people in the city envy it. Now, teachers at Ninghai University are the envy of everyone!"

Chen Feng smiled faintly: "Uncle Xu, if you can solve the housing problem of the people of Ninghai during your term, just imagine what the situation will be like? If you have political achievements and win the hearts of the people, it is inevitable that you will rise to a higher level in the future."

These words hit Xu Kangyang's heart like a heavy hammer, and he was immediately moved.

However, he soon frowned again: "But the government has no money. How much money will it cost to build houses for so many government agencies and ordinary people in Ninghai City?"

Chen Feng seemed confident: "You don't have to spend any money on this. On the contrary, it can enrich your finances because you have the land."

"Land?" Xu Kangyang was stunned, obviously not understanding the ins and outs of it.

"Yes, land." Chen Feng continued, "Hong Kong Island model, bidding and auctioning!"

Land finance is an unstoppable historical trend. If Ninghai doesn't do it, other cities will definitely do it first in the future.

Especially after the tax-sharing system was implemented, local finances became extremely poor, but with so many responsibilities, what could they do? The only option was to make money from land, which was also an important driving force behind the subsequent surge in housing prices.

He told Xu Kangyang the details of how to play this real estate.

Xu Kangyang was stunned and his heart was pounding, as if he had seen a new world: "Can we play it like this?" His tone was full of disbelief and excitement.

Chen Feng continued to explain, "Of course, the later in life, the greater the impact of rising land prices on the economy, and the more criticism it draws. But in the early days, it was definitely beneficial to the economy, because with money, local governments could do a lot of things, including building infrastructure and improving social welfare. Uncle Xu, if you were the first to benefit from this, it would definitely be a major political achievement for you."

As for the disadvantages, they will not become apparent until at least thirty years later.

Xu Kangyang remained silent, but a huge wave of emotions was rising in his heart.

He looked at Chen Feng, his eyes filled with shock and gratitude.

What's wrong with this guy's brain? He's a real talent!