Power and Wealth

Evening.

7 pm.

Xu Yan and Yu Meixia were washing dishes in the kitchen after dinner.

Dong Xuebing smoked on the balcony and thought about what Xu Yan had said in the afternoon. He thought for a while and called Xie Huilan.

“Where are you, Huilan?”

“I am on the way home.”

“Oh, are you reaching home? Have you finished your work?”

“I should be reached after 10 pm. Haha…. You can sleep first and don’t need to wait for me.”

f𝗿e𝗲𝘄𝚎𝐛𝚗𝐨𝙫ℯl. c𝗼𝚖

“I need to ask you something. What do you think if I go to the grass root?” Dong Xuebing told Xie Huilan his thoughts.

“This is a good idea. But it is meaningless if you are going to be a Deputy District Mayor or Deputy County Mayor. It will be different if you enter the District Party Committee or County Party Committee as a Party Secretary or Deputy Party Secretary. Hahaha…. It’s good to gain some experience from the grass root, and it will be easier for you to be promoted with some results. You can save one to two years. You might become a County Mayor at twenty-six.”

“Err…. I don’t think it will be so fast.”

“Oh, my hubby is trying to be modest.”

“I will work towards this goal if you agree.”

“Ok. The City should not object. Even if Secretary Wan does not like you, you have the results. He cannot stop you. Mayor Zhong has gotten closer to us recently, and the City will approve if you can get a transfer application. However… it is not easy for you to get an opening. It will be considered a promotion if you enter a County Party Committee. Moreover, you are asking for a transfer to another province. You are still young and entered the City Government less than six months. The leader who proposed your transfer will be under great pressure. It’s fine if you remain in one of the city departments. But things would be different if you entered a District or County Party Committee at your age. Have you considered the difficulties you will face? You got to think through it carefully.”

“Yes. I know.”

“I am driving now. Let’s talk after I get back.”

“Ok. Drive safe. Bye.”

Dong Xuebing knew what to do after hanging up. He needs to use his connections to get a transfer, and this is critical. Huilan is right. His prospect will be better if he makes this move.

But how am I going to get this transfer?

Dong Xuebing does not know anyone in the Provincial Organization Department.

Although Dong Xuebing had worked in Hebei Province for two years, he did not know any Provincial leaders.

Sister Xu said from inside the apartment.

“Xiao Bing, come and have some fruits with Meixia.”

“Sister Xu, we should get going. It’s late.”

“Have some before you go. Stop smoking and come in, Xiao Bing.”

Dong Xuebing snubbed his cigarette and returned to the living room. He ate a piece of apple slowly while thinking about his transfer.

Yu Meixia looked at Dong Xuebing and asked. “Did something happen?”

Xu Yan laughed. “He must be thinking of getting a promotion.”

Dong Xuebing smiled. “Do you know any Provincial Organization Department leader?”

“No.”

“How am I going to know a leader? It will be meaningless if I send a cheap gift, but it will be against the regulations if I give him an expensive gift. Also, the leader might not want to meet a City leader like me. It’s hard to know a Provincial Government leader.” He wanted to try his luck by going to a Provincial Organization Department leader. He had appeared on the Provincial TV Station more than once, and the leader might be willing to meet him.

However, how is he going to bring up the topic? He cannot go up to the leader and ask for a transfer.

Xu Yan ate a piece of orange slowly and said. “I don’t know any Organization Department Leaders, but I know someone from the Provincial Organization Department. Let me ask for you.”

Dong Xuebing asked. “Err…. Is this alright?”

Xu Yan points at Dong Xuebing. “Why are you being so polite with me now?”

Xu Yan joked with Dong Xuebing and returned to her room with her phone.

Xu Yan stayed in her room for a while, and Dong Xuebing did not harbor any hope. He knew this transfer would be difficult. His connections were mainly within the City, and transferring to another province was not up to him. Moreover, he had a bad relationship with the City Party Secretary. He needs approval from the Provincial Organization Department leader to get a transfer. Most Provincial Organization Department staff does not have this authority.

Xu Yan came out of her room.

Yu Meixia was more anxious than Dong Xuebing. She asked. “How was it, Sister Xu?”

Xu Yan thought for a second and said. “My friend does not have the authority to make this decision. However, he is helping a leader to look for doctors. He knew I was from Beijing and had lived here for 40 years. He asked me to recommend a doctor to treat an Organization Department Deputy Minister migraine. His migraine was getting worse, and he had visited many hospitals.”

Dong Xuebing blinked. “Deputy Minister?”

“Provincial Organization Department’s third in rank.” Xu Yan looked at Dong Xuebing. “What do you think? You always boast your traditional Chinese Medicine is good. This is an opportunity for you. Can you do it?” She had tried his treatment before and knew it was effective.

Dong Xuebing asked. “Can he decide my transfer?”

Xu Yan nodded. “Although it is almost the end of his term, he had held his position for quite some time. Your transfer should be approved if he is willing to help.”

Dong Xuebing slapped his thigh. “Then I will try.”

“Are you confident?”

“It should not be a problem if it is only a migraine.” Dong Xuebing replied. He cannot miss this opportunity.

“Fine. I will call my friend.” Xu Yan did not return to her room and made the call in front of Dong Xuebing. After hanging up, she said to Dong Xuebing. “He asks you to go to the Province as soon as possible. You should go to the Province if you have nothing on tomorrow. Here…. This is Deputy Minister Jia’s phone number. I only told him that you are a doctor and did not tell him your identity.”

“Ok. Thank you, Sister Xu.”

“Stop pretending to be so nice. Hahaha….”