Feng Xiaoyuan, the former chief of animal husbandry, represented the small-time operators.

ECONOMIST: In rural China, a private oil boom became a state-owned one

Yet Feng Xiaoyuan, Feng Bingxian and Wang Shijun, who had been on their way to becoming oil millionaires, continued to press their case.

ECONOMIST: In rural China, a private oil boom became a state-owned one

Feng Xiaoyuan was then 50 years old.

ECONOMIST: In rural China, a private oil boom became a state-owned one