Power and Wealth

Before noon.

County Party Committee Building.

Dong Xuebing returned to his office at 11 am and received a call from Jiang Fangfang asking him to go to her office.

Upstairs.

Knock… knock….

Mayor Jiang’s secretary, Li Xiaona, opened the door and invited Dong Xuebing in politely. “You are here, Mayor Dong. Mayor Jiang is waiting for you inside. Please come in.”

“Yes. Thank you.” Dong Xuebing replied.

Li Xiaona replied. “Don’t mention it. I will prepare tea for you.”

Dong Xuebing quickly says. “It’s fine. I am not thirsty.”

Li Xiaona’s attitude towards Dong Xuebing had changed. She heard what happened during the Committee meeting and was furious at Chu Peng for switching sides last minute. Dong Xuebing’s support also touched her for Mayor Jiang during the meeting. Also, Dong Xuebing’s gift of the gab impressed her. He will make up for Mayor Jiang’s flaws for her quiet nature.

Inside the office.

Jiang Fangfang was reading a document at her desk.

“Are you looking for me, Mayor Jiang?” Dong Xuebing walked over.

“Have a seat.” Jiang Fangfang put aside the document and looked at Dong Xuebing. “I could not tell you are good with words.”

Dong Xuebing smiled. “No…. I was stating facts.”

Dong Xuebing was modest and never felt he would lose to anyone in an argument.

Jiang Fangfang paused for a second and said. “I had suggested getting the Central Government’s assistance. Sorry for dragging you down.”

Dong Xuebing replied quickly. “Don’t say that. It’s fine. I also felt we should not touch the education fund.”

Jiang Fangfang nodded. “I had thought about it. I should go to the Central Government instead.”

Dong Xuebing was surprised. “What about your work here if you go?”

Jiang Fangfang replied. “Solving the County’s financial issue is our top priority.”

Dong Xuebing waved his hand. “No… no…. you cannot leave now. I should go.”

Jiang Fangfang looked at Dong Xuebing. “You might not know this. Asking for money from the Central Government differs from going to the Provincial Government. How confident are you?”

Dong Xuebing was touched. He knew Jiang Fangfang wanted to go because she was concerned about him. She does not want him to be embarrassed for failing to get the funding. It would excuse Secretary Meng and his men to suppress him. This is critical for a newly appointed leader. However, Dong Xuebing was confident he would get the fund. He smiled and said. “Don’t worry. I will try my best and bring back the fund from the Central Government.” He paused for a second and said. “I will not return if I cannot get the money.”

Jiang Fangfang replied. “I did not hear your last sentence.”

Dong Xuebing asked. “How much does our county need?”

Jiang Fangfang replied without thinking. “We need around 10 million RMB this year. Of course, the Central Government will not give us so much.”

Dong Xuebing replied. “Huh? I will try my best.”

Ten million RMB is not a small amount.

“What else do you need? You can bring someone along if you want.”

“Ok. I will think about it and let you know. I should be leaving tomorrow.”

Dong Xuebing only has one week, and he got to hurry. He also did not expect to return to Beijing a few days after arriving here.

Dong Xuebing walked back towards his office after leaving.

Many people gave Dong Xuebing weird looks along the corridor.

Everyone had heard of what happened during the meeting, and no one felt he could get money from the Central Government. They also felt he had picked the wrong side.

Executive Deputy County Mayor office.

Dong Xuebing made a call. “Hello, Xiao Yao?”

Yao Cui replied. “Yes, it’s me, Mayor Dong.”

“Come to my office.” Dong Xuebing hung up and thought about what had happened today.

Someone knocked on the door a while later.

Dong Xuebing said. “Come in.”

Yao Cui entered the office and closed the door behind her. “Are you looking for me?”

Dong Xuebing smiled. “There’s no one around. You don’t need to be so polite. I want you to help me source for someone smart in the Office or Finance Department. I am going to the Central Government and have not decided who to bring. Of course, I might be going with the Finance Department Chief. Recommend some people to me as I don’t know anyone here.”

Yao Cui recommended some staff to Dong Xuebing and told him about their backgrounds briefly.

Dong Xuebing nodded as he listened.

Yao Cui drank from a teacup on the desk after she finished and said unhappily. “Xuebing, I wanted to say this since I entered the office.”

Dong Xuebing laughed. “What is it?”

Yao Cui smacked her lips. “Why did you decide to join Mayor Jiang’s side? Didn’t I tell you about our County’s situation? How are you going to do any work in the future?”

Dong Xuebing smiled. “Anything else?”

“Yes. I still have a lot to say.” Yao Cui continued. “You are too emotional, Xuebing. I know I should not say this as your secretary. But I must say it as your friend.”

A few minutes passed.

Yao Cui finished what she had to say.

Dong Xuebing laughed. “Haha…. Can you listen to me now? What you said is correct, but we must not follow the wind as public servants. I know Secretary Meng is powerful, but his political views are not in line with mine. Mayor Jiang’s political views are similar to mine, and I feel more at ease joining her side. I want to do things for people, and I don’t want to go against my heart to make my life easier. Isn’t this enough?”

Yao Cui kept quiet. “Xuebing….”

“Huh? What is it?” Dong Xuebing looked at Yao Cui.

Yao Cui sighed. “I finally understand why you can become an Executive Deputy Mayor at your age. You have changed a lot since last time.”