Power and Wealth

Morning.

Provincial capital.

Dong Xuebing walked out of the airport lobby and did not see the car that was supposed to pick him up.

He looked at the time. It was 9 am.

Dong Xuebing waited for a while before he realized he had not switched on his phone. He switched it on, and it rang immediately. It was Yao Cui.

“Hello, Mayor Dong.” Yao Cui was panting.

Dong Xuebing asked. “Why are you out of breath?”

Yao Cui replied. “I am fine. Are you at the airport?”

Dong Xuebing replied. “Yes. I just landed. Where are you?”

Yao Cui apologized. “I’m sorry. Director Ma and I just left.”

Dong Xuebing frowned. Zhen Shui County is not near the Provincial capital, and they will arrive after 10.30 am. It would be around 1 pm when they return.

Dong Xuebing did not get mad at Yao Cui. He asked. “What happened?”

Yao Cui replied. “Director Ma and I tried out best to book a cab to bring us to the airport. The County does not have any cars.”

“Even the County Party Committee does not have cars?” Dong Xuebing frowned.

“They refused to lend us.” Yao Cui replied angrily.

“What is going on? Why are they refusing?” Dong Xuebing asked.

Yao Cui replied. “They did not refuse us outright. After you called me, I went to the Party Committee building. I informed the Party Committee Office on my way there. When I reached, they told me they had no available cars. But I saw three cars with red ribbons parked outside. I told them you are arriving at the airport and need a car. Director Ma was with me and overheard them calling Deputy Secretary Zhang. The Party Committee Office Director, Jiang Haijiang, came and told us all the cars outside were going to Deputy Secretary Zhang’s son’s wedding, and they could not lend to us. He asked us to think of other solutions. Director Ma and I called the other departments, including Public Security. Still, all their cars are going to Deputy Secretary Zhang’s son’s wedding.” She was complaining to Dong Xuebing.

Dong Xuebing’s face changed.

He had not asked Ma Bing to arrange it because Yao Cui’s words held more weight as she was his secretary. A leader’s secretary represents the leader, and the Party Committee disrespects him by not lending him a car.

Yao Cui might have run around the whole morning, so she was still panting.

Dong Xuebing said. “Catch your breath first. Pass the phone to Director Ma.”

“Ok.” Yao Cui replied. “Director Ma, Mayor Dong wants to speak to you.”

“Oh….” Ma Bing answered. “Mayor Dong, I am Old Ma.”

Dong Xuebing is in charge of the County Government Office Department and is Ma Bing’s direct supervisor. When he said he needed a car, Ma Bing went around to look for one. He was furious when the County Party Committee refused to lend them one. There was not enough time, and they booked a cab to fetch Dong Xuebing.

“Where are you all now?” Dong Xuebing asked.

“Most cabs here will not go to the Provincial Capital as it is too far away. We searched for a while before we found one driver who agreed to take us. We are still within the County and should reach in an hour.”

Dong Xuebing nodded. “All right. You all don’t need to come.”

Ma Bing tried to explain. “Mayor Dong, we….”

Dong Xuebing replied calmly. “I am not blaming you all. It will be too late when you all arrive. I can take a long-distance bus back.”

“We cannot let you do that.”

“Listen to me. Go back first.”

“All right…. I’m sorry, Mayor Dong.”

“It’s all right. It’s not your fault. We might have had some misunderstanding when I arrived. Let’s have dinner together another time.”

Ma Bing was excited. “Sure… sure…. Let me know when you are free.”

“Thanks for your hard work. Let Xiao Yao know”

Ma Bing knew his efforts had not gone to waste after hanging up. He had finally made Mayor Dong forgive him. He was worried Dong Xuebing would let his former classmate, Yao Cui, take over his position. That’s why he was relieved after Dong Xuebing said that.

Airport.

Dong Xuebing walked over to the bus station nearby. The bus to Zhen Shui County was about to depart, and he quickly bought a ticket.

The bus was packed and dirty.

Dong Xuebing does not know anyone in the Provincial Government and can only take the bus.

It’s been a while since Dong Xuebing took a long-distance bus.

The passengers before Dong Xuebing seemed drunk and talked loudly, making him frustrated.

How can all the County’s cars be unavailable? They can send the car to Deputy Party Secretary’s son’s wedding but cannot send one to fetch him. What a joke! How many cars do you need for a wedding?

This is disrespecting him.

Dong Xuebing knew the County Commission for Discipline Inspection does not have cars, and it was not Secretary Pu An’s fault. Secretary Meng has the final say in Zhen Shui County, and Zhang Wanshui is his right-hand man. He believes Zhang Wanshui knows he needs a car but refuses to lend one.

This would never happen in Beijing as this would offend Dong Xuebing. It will not benefit them in any way. But the grassroots worked differently. Anything can happen.

Are you all targeting me because I spoke against you during the Party Committee meeting?

Zhang Wanshui….

Meng’s faction….

Fine! I will remember this!

Dong Xuebing smiled to himself. Do you think I don’t have a car?