Power and Wealth

Morning.

10.30 am.

Zhen Shui County.

Dong Xuebing took a cab to the housing estate, where he parked his car after leaving the bus terminal. The Beijing registration plate, 6666, Land Rover, was dusted after many days. He drove it to a car wash nearby to wash his car. The workers at the carwash and passersby were staring at the Land Rover. This car cost at least 4 million RMB, and they had never seen such an expensive car in Zhen Shui County. A 170,000 to 180,000 RMB Toyota is considered an expensive car here.

“It’s done.”

“How much is it?”

“Huh? 3 RMB.”

3 RMB is very cheap.

Dong Xuebing was surprised by the cost of living here. He paid and drove off.

Where is he going?

The County Party Committee family quarters, of course.

Anyone who knows Dong Xuebing well will know he is vengeful. He had created all sorts of troubles at other people’s weddings. Someone blocked the wedding convoy with a Mercedes Benz at his cousin’s wedding in Yan Tai County, Hui Tian Village. He smashed that car without hesitation. When he visited Yang Zhaode and his mother’s house, he blocked the entrance with his car because of some conflicts. The wedding guests were setting off firecrackers, and he played funeral music loudly. This was why he was known as the God of Plagues. However, no one in Zhen Shui County knows about his glorious past.

The County Party Committee family quarters.

The wedding convoy had arrived, and two rows of cars stopped in front of a building. It was crowded, and both sides started setting off firecrackers, trying to outdo each other.

Bang, boom….

The firecrackers are deafening.

The staff attending the weddings were troubled.

“Old Liu, what should we do?”

“What else can we do?”

“Sigh…. These two families had fallen out completely.”

“Let’s not talk about this. Which banquet are you attending?”

“I am attending Secretary Zhang’s son’s wedding banquet.”

“This is ridiculous. Sigh…. We are getting dragged into their fight.”

“That’s right. If Secretary Pu bears a grudge against us…. He is the Commission for Discipline Inspection secretary. That is the Commission for Discipline Inspection.”

“Old Xu is smart. He got an excuse to leave the County. I will also hide if I can.”

All the staff were discussing. The firecrackers were loud, and no one could hear them.

Among the crowd.

The Finance Department Yan Yizhen and Chen Xiaomei were there.

Yao Cui and County Government Office Director Ma Bing arrived.

A County Party Committee member’s family wedding would have packed the family quarters, and two members’ families’ weddings made it worse. All the department chiefs, villages, and town government chiefs were there. Most guests should attend the banquet and not join the family to receive the bride. Maybe they were pressured by Secretary Pu and Deputy Secretary Zhang to come. Most guests were here, and some stayed at the family quarters.

Of course, the County Party Secretary and Mayor were not there. They would not join the convoy to go to the banquet.

However, both of them were looking at the wedding convoy closely.

Meng Rui, Secretary Meng, was looking from upstairs. He shook his head when he saw the two families trying to outdo with other with their firecrackers. When he heard Zhang Wanshui and Pu An’s children are holding their wedding on the same day, he told his secretary to tell Zhang Wanshui to tone down. He knew they were not on good terms. It’s OK to have conflicts, but they must not show it. Also, Pu An is not on either side and has been in the County for many years. He was also holding an important portfolio. Meng Rui does not want to fall out with him. However, Zhang Wanshui did not heed his warnings and was prepared to go to war with Pu An. So, he was watching closely without saying anything.

Jiang Fangfang was also watching the wedding convoys from her window. She had no expression. She looked at them and sat down to enjoy her tea.

“Secretary Yao.”

“Sister Li.”

Mayor Jiang’s secretary, Li Xiaona, found Yao Cui.

Dong Xuebing is on Jiang Fangfang’s side, and their secretaries get closer.

Li Xiaona asked. “Has Mayor Dong arrived?”

Yao Cui replied. “He contacted me earlier. He should reach the bus terminal now.”

Li Xiaona said. “Mayor Jiang asked if he needs Old Wang to pick him up at the terminal.”

Yao Cui replied. “No need. I wanted to fetch him, but he refused.”

Li Xiaona asked. “Mayor Dong has no car, and the terminal is quite far. But since Mayor Dong say he does not need anyone to pick him, we shall wait for him. Call me if he needs help. I will ask Old Wang to pick him.” Mayor Jiang treats Mayor Dong differently, and Li Xiaona knows what to do.

“OK. Thank you, Sister Li.”

“Don’t say that. It’s Mayor Jiang’s instruction.”

Li Xiaona seemed to be busy, and she left quickly.

Yao Cui looked toward Zhang Wanshui’s family convoy angrily.

Pu An’s family only had five to six cars; the leading car was an old Audi A6.

Zhang Wanshui’s family’s leading car was a Lexus, and the rest were Audi, which were rented cars. However, Yao Cui was mad when she saw the other cars. All of them were from the County Party Committee Office Department and other government departments. Even the County Government’s car was there. It was the car borrowed by Deputy Mayor Ci Boyang. It was the last car of the convoy and was there to make up the numbers.

Yao Cui felt the Meng’s faction was too much.

Mayor Dong had gone to Beijing to get funding for the County. Everyone would benefit if he managed to get funding. He would solve the County’s wages issue. Still, these people don’t even want to give up a car to pick him up. Even if Mayor Dong failed, he is still the County’s Executive Deputy Mayor.

Zhang Wanshui’s secretary walked past and saw Yao Cui.

“Secretary Yao.”

“Yes?”

“Has Mayor Dong arrived?”

“I don’t know.”

Yao Cui did not hide her anger. Almost all the County Government and County Party Committee cars were used by Zhang Wanshui, and Dong Xuebing could not get a car. Zhang Wanshui created this situation, and she did not give his secretary “face.”

Deputy Secretary Zhang’s secretary frowned and did not say anything. He walked out and called Zhang Wanshui.

“Hello, Secretary Zhang.”

“Have you reached the hotel?”

“Not yet. I saw Mayor Dong’s secretary Xiao Yao. She used to be fine talking, but I don’t know what happened. She seemed to be upset today.” A secretary must report anything to the leader.

“Xiao Yao? I know.”

“Then I….”

“Go and set up the venue and ignore them.”

Zhang Wanshui hung up and thought nothing about it.

A few of the Party Committee members were at Zhang Wanshui’s house. The Publicity Department, Cheng Fuguang, Organization Department, Liao Haiwei, Deputy Mayor Ci Boyang, and Party Committee Deputy Office Department Director, Jiang Hai, were there. They were all from the Meng’s faction and were close. Pu An’s side only has a Party Committee member, United Front Work Department Chief Jian Xiangrong.

When Yao Cui went to borrow a car from the Party Committee, Jiang Hai informed Zhang Wanshui. After all, Dong Xuebing is a Party Committee member. However, the Meng faction is powerful in the county, and Dong Xuebing is on Jiang Fangfang’s side. Zhang Wanshui felt he did not need to do anything and did not lend him a car.

This is a show of his attitude.

That resulted in Yao Cui not finding any cars to pick up Dong Xuebing from the airport.

Maybe this is the first show of power from the Meng faction.