Power and Wealth

Meeting room.

“I support Mayor Jiang’s suggestion!”

Dong Xuebing said loudly, and all the committee members were shocked. They did not expect him to say this.

Jiang Fangfang looked at Dong Xuebing slowly.

Meng Rui glanced at Dong Xuebing angrily.

Zhang Wanshui and Cheng Fuguang frowned.

Ci Boyang and Jiang Hai’s expressions changed.

Dong Xuebing’s appointment will not affect the political situation in Zhen Shui County, as Secretary Meng has the final say. That’s why he does not need to vote to support Mayor Jiang. Nothing will change regardless of which side he stood, and no one cares. If Dong Xuebing joined the Meng faction, he would have a smoother career and could go further. This is important for him. If he joins Mayor Jiang, he will be suppressed by Secretary Meng and face obstruction at work. Even an idiot will know which side to choose. More than half of the Party Committee are Secretary Meng’s supporters, and Jiang Fangfang has no supporters. She is alone. Everyone thought Dong Xuebing would remain neutral or join Secretary Meng’s side.

This is the political situation in Zhen Shui County.

Anyone who wants to move up must monitor the situation and not make life difficult for himself.

That’s why everyone thought they heard things when Dong Xuebing announced he supported Jiang Fangfang’s suggestion. Anyone with some political wisdom would not say this.

Dong Xuebing is seeking his death.

Why is he so stupid?

Dong Xuebing has given everyone a good impression since he comes to Zhen Shui County. No one expected him to make this decision. But none of them knew the ‘good’ impression was fake. He has political wisdom, but he is too emotional. He does not care about the consequences when he gets mad.

Maintain a neutral position?

After Political and Legal Secretary Chu Peng switched sides, Dong Xuebing gave up on staying neutral.

Dong Xuebing noticed Chu Peng was angry when he left Mayor Jiang’s office earlier. He did not know the reason and was not interested to know. He only knows Jiang Fangfang’s life will be difficult if Chu Peng becomes neutral or switches to Secretary Meng’s side. It would affect her position if the City Government knew she was powerless at the Committee meetings. They would question her ability and might demote her. Chu Peng’s action might cause her career, making Dong Xuebing mad. He does not want to see Jiang Fangfang be transferred away or see a group of men suppressing her.

No one wants to support her?!

Fine! I will support her!

Dong Xuebing is simple, and he does things according to his feelings. He also agrees with Jiang Fangfang’s suggestion.

One second….

Two seconds….

Everyone looked at Dong Xuebing in disbelief.

Dong Xuebing did not regret it and continued. “Mayor Jiang is right. We must not touch the education fund.”

No one would care if it was someone else. After all, the votes were cast, and Secretary Meng had the majority. However, Dong Xuebing was the one casting a vote and was in charge of the Finance Department. Suppose Jiang Fangfang and Dong Xuebing, the County Government’s no. 1 and 2, have the same views. In that case, Secretary Meng must reconsider this decision.

Publicity Department Minister Cheng Fuguang frowned. “Mayor Dong, how will you solve our County’s finance issue?”

Dong Xuebing replied. “I don’t care how we are going to settle it. We must not touch the Education fund.”

Cheng Fuguang got mad. “It’s easy for you to say that. How is the County Government going to operate without funds? Have you thought about it?”

Dong Xuebing replied. “Minister Cheng, you are a Publicity Department leader and don’t need to bear any responsibility for this decision. But I am in charge of the Finance Department. I got to bear this responsibility if the higher question it.”

Cheng Fuguang could not retort. “You….”

Deputy Secretary Zhang Wanshui added. “We are not talking about taking responsibility now.”

“But I think this is the issue of bearing responsibility now.” Dong Xuebing looked at him. “You all can use the education fund if you want, but it should not go through the Finance Department account. I will not sign it.”

Jiang Fangfang nodded and looked at Dong Xuebing.

Organization Department Minister Liao Haiwei said. “You must think of the bigger picture, Mayor Dong.”

Dong Xuebing looked at him. “Since Minister Liao wants to think of the bigger picture, the education fund can go through your Organization Department account. I will have no objections.”

Liao Haiwei got mad too. “How can we go through the Organization Department account?”

Dong Xuebing laughed. “Oh, you disagree too.”

Party Committee Office Department Chief, Jiang Hai, looked at Dong Xuebing coldly. “Secretary Meng has said this is a temporary measure.”

Dong Xuebing replied. “I know this is temporary, but we must have principles. How can we touch the fund meant for children’s education? Even if we can repay the fund in the future, we must not start it. My views on this are in line with Mayor Jiang.”

Deputy Mayor Ci Boyang said. “Mayor Dong, the Education Department will not use all the funds now, and we can wait a while. We should use it to settle our problems first.”

“Wait?” Dong Xuebing looked at him and said. “Anything can wait, but we cannot wait when it comes to the people. How can let children’s education wait? I am sure all of you know about our County’s situation. The kids cannot afford books, and some schools don’t have tables. They don’t even have money to hire teachers. How are we going to face the children if we use this fund? How are we going to answer the people? Every dollar we spend might be a child’s textbook. The money we spend might be a table for a child. Can you all spend your money at ease? I can’t. I would rather not get paid for a year and beg the City Finance Department daily for money than to use a single cent meant for the children.”

This statement raised the situation to another level.

No one dares to say a word.

United Front Work Department Minister Jian Xiangrong looked at Dong Xuebing and was amused. This new Executive Deputy Mayor is persuasive, and six Party Committee members could not retort him.

Dong Xuebing was fighting against Meng Rui’s faction alone.

Everyone was shocked. Voting for Mayor Jiang might not mean Dong Xuebing had chosen to join her faction, but his words now showed his position.

Dong Xuebing had joined Jiang Fangfang’s side.

He had joined her side without reservations.

Mayor Dong is prepared to be Mayor Jiang’s vanguard. Even the former Executive Deputy Mayor and Chu Peng showed their support by casting votes and had not led the way like Dong Xuebing. This was because they did not want to offend Secretary Meng and his men too much.

What is this guy thinking?

This guy is not playing by the rules.

Meng Rui got frustrated and looked at Dong Xuebing. “You still have not told us how you will solve our financial issue. We all know what you are talking about, but how will this solve it?”

Dong Xuebing replied fearlessly. “I agree with Mayor Jiang’s suggestion to go to the Central Government.”

Many of the committee members shook their heads. It’s easy to say this, but everyone knows it’s impossible to succeed.

Meng Rui scoffed. “No one will want to touch the education fund if the Central Government can help us. Fine. Mayor Dong, I am giving you one week. I hope you will not disappoint everyone.” He was throwing this problem back at Dong Xuebing.

Asking for money from the Central Government?

Why would they give you money?

Dong Xuebing replied without thinking. “Sure! I will go there personally.”

Meng Rui nodded. “I hope you can bring back good news in a week. Let’s dismiss.”

Everyone looked at Dong Xuebing and left. He had picked a side, and Secretary Meng’s men gave him cold shoulders.

The Party Committee Meeting ended.

News of Dong Xuebing going against the Party Committee members and joining Jiang Fangfang’s faction spread. The first reaction in everyone’s mind was, “Did Mayor Dong go mad?”

The details of the meeting spread among the government.

Political and Legal Secretary had switched sides….

Mayor Dong is going to the Central Government to ask for funding assistance….

Dong Xuebing argued against all the Committee Members….

Everyone broke into a cold sweat, especially when they heard Dong Xuebing arguing with the Committee Members.

More than half of the Party Committee members could not win you in an argument. Are you an actor from crosstalk?