Power and Wealth

Evening.

County People's Hospital, fourth level.

Dong Xuebing is flipping a book about economics on the bed. He has nothing to do after creating trouble for Xiang Daofa and can only wait for the situation to change in his ward.

Ring… ring… ring… Dong Xuebing's phone rang.

"Hello, Chief Dong? I'm Park Yongxi."

"Oh, Master Park. How are you?"

"A Chief Jia had contacted me earlier and talked to me about the investment fair. I heard that the person in charge of the fair is changed." Dong Xuebing had spoken to Park Yongxi about the investment fair and even settled some details. That's why Park Yongxi felt it's weird when someone who claims to be the person in charge of the investment fair contacted him. "You are not in charge of the investment fair anymore?"

Dong Xuebing sighed. "Something happened, and I am temporary not in charge of getting investment for the County."

"What happened?"

"This is the arrangement decided by the higher-ups. Haha… I also have no choice."

Park Yongxi paused for a few seconds and sighed. "I heard the politics here is very complicated, and it seems it is even worse than I thought." He had heard about the political situation in China and understood the structure well. That's why he could guess what happened after speaking to Dong Xuebing.

Dong Xuebing is feeling frustrated over what happened.

After chatting for a while, Park Yongxi said. "Alright. I will speak to Chief Jia regarding my integrated sports complex. Take care, and let's have a friendly match after you are discharged."

"Sure."

After hanging up, Dong Xuebing looks out of the window towards the Investment Promotion Agency direction. Although he had gotten back at Xiang Daofa this afternoon, that's not the end. Bitten by a dog?! Killing his pet dog?! He had done these to vent his anger. How can these small incidents be compared to the credits of getting a project worth 100 million and organizing the investment fair?

Knock… knock…

Dong Xuebing turns towards the door. "Come in."

Luo Haiting, Guo Panwei, and Lin Pingping entered with fruits. "Chief."

The three of them looked worried, and Luo Haiting did not doll herself up today. She seemed to have changed before coming.

"Didn't I ask you all not to visit?" Dong Xuebing laughed. "You all still brought fruits? Thank you. Have a seat."

"Your health…"

"It's the same issue about my heart. Thanks for your concern."

Everyone knows Dong Xuebing was hospitalized not because of his health reason. They talked about his health for a while, and they looked at each other. Luo Haiting said. "Chief, the County Party Committee is too much. They are creating problems for our Agency by doing this. Our Agency had just started to show some results, and they let someone who doesn't know about our County to run the investment fair. Are they trying to see us fail? I am frustrated! Secretary Xiang had wanted us to increase the County's investments this year! Is this the way to do that?! He is just creating more problems for us!"

Guo Panwei added. "You are the one who had gotten Master Park's project, and Jia Yan can get the credit without doing anything! This is too unreasonable!"

"Deputy Chief Jia's standard is also not that good." Lin Pingping grumbled. "I don't think he can take on this role well."

The three of them are angry.

It's not right for them to talk about or question the County Party Secretary and the Party Committee decision. But this is their way of showing their loyalty towards Dong Xuebing. The current situation is not in Dong Xuebing's favor, as his authority and credit are taken away. Who knows if Jia Yan will replace Dong Xuebing after the former got the credit for the investment fair? With the Party Secretary bearing grudges against Dong Xuebing, it might be possible.

Dong Xuebing is touched by what they said.

Luo Haiting looks at Dong Xuebing. "It will be hard for us to continue without your leadership. That Deputy Chief Jia had come in this afternoon and started giving out orders without knowing anything. Sigh…"

"Chief." Lin Pingping looks at Dong Xuebing. "I am feeling unwell these few days. Should I…"

Dong Xuebing finally knows what these three wanted and is touched. "I am hospitalized because I have no choice. You all should not do this."

Guo Panwei replied unhappily. "But this is too…."

Dong Xuebing waved his hand. "Sister Luo, Sister Lin, and Panwei. I know how you all feel, but you all must not do this. The organization had asked me to step aside, and we must abide by the orders. We must not go against the organization's decision. During the investment fair period, you all must give your support to Chief Jia. Even if you all are mad or have other ideas, keep them to yourself. Don't bring your emotions to work."

This is not because Dong Xuebing is great. It is because he has no choice.

If everyone in the Agency refused to work with Jia Yan, the investment fair will fail and will be escalated. It will not be going against Jia Yan and Xiang Daofa. It will be going against Yan Tai County, including Xie Huilan, as she is named the main organizer of this investment fair. If Dong Xuebing asks his subordinates to do this, then he will be accused of not thinking of the bigger picture. Luo Haiting, Lin Pingping, and Guo Panwei, including him, will be penalized. Xiang Daofa will have an opportunity to find fault with him.

"Chief…"

"Just listen to me. Continue with your work. This period is crucial for the investment fair, and don't let others get hold against you all."

Guo Panwei thought for a while and nodded.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door three times.

The door opened, and a man in his thirties entered. He has short hair and a high nose bridge. He walked into the ward confidently and looked at Dong Xuebing. "Are you Chief Dong? I am Jia Yan. I am here to report to you. Oh, Director Luo, Chief Lin, you all are also here?" He has a casual tone and doesn't sound respectful.

Guo Panwei frowned. He is unhappy with the way Jia Yan speaks to Chief Dong.

Lin Pingping also frowned as she looks at the empty-handed Jia Yan. Chief Dong is hospitalized, and you come visiting empty-handed? This attitude is wrong.

Jia Yan ignored the rest and stood there.

Is this guy Jia Yan?

This is the guy picked by Xiang Daofa?

Dong Xuebing looked at him and smiled. "So, you are Chief Jia? Nice to meet you. I heard about your performance in the City's Investment Promotion Agency, and you had participated in two investment fairs before. No wonder you are picked by Secretary Xiang. I can tell you are an expert in getting investment. I am relieved to have you take over the investment fair. Do your best."

Jia Yan knows Dong Xuebing does not mean what he said. Suppose his performance in the City Investment Promotion Agency is outstanding. Why would he be transferred to Yan Tai County as the Deputy Agency Chief? He had been stagnant in position as the Deputy Office Director in the City Investment Promotion Agency for five years! Although he had participated in two investment fairs, what can a Deputy Office Director do other than photocopying promotion materials and following the higher-up's orders?

Jia Yan is not surprised with what Dong Xuebing said in their first meeting and maintained a smile on his face.

Jia Yan was transferred to Yan Tai County by Secretary Xiang to snatch Dong Xuebing's credit. He does not care about Dong Xuebing's attitude towards him and just needs to do what Secretary Xiang asked him to do. With Secretary Xiang as his backing, he is confident he can suppress his direct superior, Dong Xuebing.

Steal Dong Xuebing's credit?

Jia Yan will not only steal Dong Xuebing's credit. He will also try to create friction between Dong Xuebing and his men and form his clique to challenge Dong Xuebing's position. If everything goes according to plan, he can easily replace Dong Xuebing.

There's nothing more to say to Dong Xuebing.

Jia Yan chatted for a few more minutes and said. "I still have lots of work to do for the investment fair. Chief Dong, please take care of your health, and I will visit you another day."

After Jia Yan left, Dong Xuebing also asked Luo Haiting, Guo Panwei, and Lin Pingping to leave.

Dong Xuebing narrowed his eyes and called Xie Huilan. "Hello, Huilan? I had just met Jia Yan. He has a poor attitude and has no respect for me after stealing my credit. No wonder he is stuck as the Deputy Office Director for so many years. What a snob! I can tell from his attitude he is trying to stir up trouble and is eyeing my position now."

"I also want to see how long can he last."

"I had just instructed my subordinates to carry on with their work and support Jia Yan to prevent any problem with this investment fair. Did I do the right thing?"

"Of course. Haha… this is what you should do." Xie Huilan laughed. "The net is cast, and the stage is prepared. Since Secretary Xiang thinks Jia Yan can put up a good performance, I shall give him my support. You just sit back and watch the show."