Power and Wealth

Noon.

There was a light breeze outside.

Finance Ministry First Deputy Minister office. Xie Guoliang was on the phone by the windows. He had opened the windows slightly to air the room.

Only Dong Xuebing sat in the office.

Chief Qian, Yan Yizhi, and Chen Xiaomei dare not sit in Minister Xie’s office. They were not at the level where they could sit. They could only stand there and wait. They were still in shock over how Dong Xuebing greeted Minister Xie. “Eldest Uncle.” Mayor Dong and Finance Ministry First Deputy Minister are relatives! Yan Yizhi and Chen Xiaomei knew Mayor Dong had a strong background and was posted to Zhen Shui County to gain experience. But they thought he only knew a few people and did not expect his background to be so powerful.

This….

This is scary….

“Chief Yan.” Chen Xiaomei whispered. “This….”

Although Chen Xiaomei spoke softly, Yan Yizhi quickly stopped her.” Stop talking.”

Chief Qian also reminded. “Minister Xie is on the phone. Be quiet.”

Chen Xiaomei immediately kept quiet and looked at Minister Xie. She also secretly glances at Dong Xuebing.

One minute….

Two minutes….

“Just let Old Liu go and settle it. Yes. I still got something on. Alright. That’s all.” Xie Guoliang hung up the call and sat down with a smile. He ignored the rest and looked at Dong Xuebing. “How long will you stay in Beijing this time? Are you going back after this?”

Dong Xuebing replied. “I should be around for five to six days.”

Xie Guoliang nodded. “Then you should visit your Mum. She missed you.” He was referring to Xie Huilan’s mother, Han Jing.”

Dong Xuebing replied. “I will visit her this evening.”

Yan Yizhi and Chen Xiaomei exchanged looks when they saw Xie Guoliang and Dong Xuebing chatting casually. These two are relatives, without a doubt, and they are not distant relatives.

“Alright. Let’s talk about business first.” Xie Guoliang turned to Chief Qian. “Wait outside for a while, Xiao Qian.”

Chief Qian nodded. “Yes… yes….” He said and quickly left the office.

Yan Yizhi saw that and dragged Chen Xiaomei out of the office.

The door closed, and Xie Guoliang and Dong Xuebing remained in the office.

Dong Xuebing said. “Uncle, you should know about our County’s situation. The city and provincial governments could not help us. Our County will stop operation next month if we cannot get funding. We will not have money to pay the staff or maintain the County’s maintenance. There will be chaos. We had no choice but to seek assistance from the Central Government Finance Ministry.”

“Did you bring the document?” Xie Guoliang asked.

“Yes. This is a report on our current financial status.” Dong Xuebing passed the document to him.

Xie Guoliang nodded and started flipping the report. “Hmmm…. It is not looking good for your County. Alright. I will call your Provincial Finance Department.”

Dong Xuebing smiled wearily. “Our province suffered a severe snowstorm earlier this year, and they are not much better than us. Even if they can assist us, they help much.”

“How much do you all need?”

“Huh? Around 20 million.” Dong Xuebing said.

Xie Guoliang thought for a while. “20 million…. Your province does not have that much to assist you all. Alright. I will write a memo and ask Xiao Qian to do the paperwork.”

Dong Xuebing was overjoyed. He had gotten 20 million so quickly. “Thank you, Eldest Uncle.”

Xie Guoliang laughed. “No problem.”

“But….” Dong Xuebing smiled and continued. “Eldest Uncle…. I would be grateful to get 2 million RMB through the proper channel. But since I met you now…. don’t you think 20 million is too little? How about giving us more? You can approve a few hundred million with just a memo.”

Xie Guoliang laughed and pointed at Dong Xuebing. “You are getting ahead of yourself. Twenty million is too little for you? How much do you want?”

Dong Xuebing replied. “It must be at least 50 million.”

“50 million?!” Xie Guoliang picked up the newspaper and ignored Dong Xuebing.

“Err…. Eldest Uncle, our County is poor. You have not been there and don’t know the situation. We could develop our economy better if we got the funds. Our County’s people are waiting for me to bring back the money. It is embarrassing if I only bring back 20 million RMB.” Dong Xuebing did not care if Xie Guoliang was listening and continued talking. He even poured tea for him. “Have some tea.”

Xie Guoliang looked at Dong Xuebing. “30 million. Take it or leave it.”

Dong Xuebing was speechless. “Don’t be a miser, Uncle.”

“The Ministry had planned the budget every year, and every cent is planned. How can I give it to you? Thirty million is not a small amount for your County.” Xie Guoliang looked at Dong Xuebing. “Stop pretending to be poor. You are the wealthiest in our family. Your wedding ring is more than your County’s one-year operating cost.”

Dong Xuebing replied. “But it is my money and not our County’s money. I want to help the County, but I cannot do it without a valid reason.”

“You….”

“Uncle, it’s just 50 million. I promise I will not come to seek assistance in the future. Just this once.”

“You are putting me in a difficult spot.” Xie Guoliang hesitated and wrote something on a paper. “Never mind. You are at the grassroots level for the experience; no one can assist you. It must be difficult for you. Alright. I will help you this time. But I got to say this first. Your County must not look for me again if you all run out of funds. I am only helping you this time.”

Dong Xuebing was overjoyed. “Thank you, Uncle! I thank you on behalf of all our County’s people.”

“Stop your flattery.” Xie Guoliang passed the memo to Dong Xuebing. “Give it to Xiao Qian outside and ask him to do the necessary paperwork.”

Dong Xuebing asked. “How long can the money reach our county?”

Xie Guoliang replied. “It should be less than ten days and latest, within a month. Don’t be anxious. We need time to process it.”