Power and Wealth

3rd June.

Fen Zhou City, Nan Shan District.

The sun is bright, and it’s a hot and stuffy morning. Crickets and birds are chipping noisily on the trees along the road. A few old men were playing chess and admiring their birds in cages hang on the tree branches. A few middle-aged women were exercising in the exercise area outside of an estate. A road sign, “Huai An Yi Li,” is by the roadside, and kids play around them. This is a sharp contrast from the busy streets outside.

A taxi stopped near the entrance.

Dong Xuebing carried his luggage and got off the taxi. He smiles as he looks around and saw the laidback estate.

“Sir, can I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“Which area is under Guang Ming Subdistrict Office?”

“This area, Guang Ming North Street, Guang Ming South Street, and everything you see here is under Guang Ming Subdistrict.

“Oh, thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

The old man replied Dong Xuebing and continued to watch others play chess.

Dong Xuebing took a stroll along the street. Huai An Yi Li, Huai An Er Li, Huai An Kindergarten. Guang Ming Estate, Guang Ming Street Junior School, 13 City Middle School, South Street Garden, North Street Plaza, Farmers’ Market, Clothing business street, etc. Dong Xuebing spent a few hours wandering about his Subdistrict and realized this is a big area. The population is at least more than 90,000 to 100,000. He is satisfied as this place is much better than Yan Tai County. His authority and responsibility are bigger now, and he suddenly felt the pressure.

It’s time to report.

Dong Xuebing parked his Cayenne at a basement carpark in Nan Shan District. He took a taxi to avoid unwanted attention.

…….

Before noon.

District Party Committee Building.

Many people are walking in and out of the compound, and some look like Leaders. Dong Xuebing had memorized his superiors’ resumes from the District Government’s website before coming. Still, he could not recognize anyone of them. That’s why he did not greet anyone.

The guards went up to Dong Xuebing. “Who are you looking for?”

Dong Xuebing replied. “Is this Nan Shan District Party Committee? I am here to report to the Organization Department.”

“… here to report?”

The guard is stunned. He knew a Subdistrict Director would be reporting for duty today and also heard the Director is young. But he did not expect the young man in front of him is the Director because he looks too young. This person should be in his mid-twenties, and how can someone become a Subdistrict Director at his age? The guard knows about the situation at Nan Shan District, and this guy should be the youngest Subdistrict Director. He did not stop Dong Xuebing and allowed him to enter. “Please walk along this path, and the Organization Department is on the third floor of that office building.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

After Dong Xuebing enters, the guard quickly calls the Organization Department to inform them.

District Party Committee Office Building.

Dong Xuebing did not go to the Organization Department first. Instead, he went to the District Party Secretary’s Office and knocks on the secretary’s door. The District Party Secretary has a nice name, Wang Anshi, and he was the one who issued the transfer order. That’s why Dong Xuebing must meet Secretary Wang first and see if he can join his clique. He is alone in the District and will have to face the issue of joining a faction. If he can join the District Party Secretary’s faction, it will be easier to carry out his work. He does not want to make more enemies.

Dong Xuebing has this intention, but the other party doesn’t seem to be interested.

There are three people in the secretary’s office, and Dong Xuebing does not know which one is Wang Anshi’s secretary. He introduced himself, and a man, in his early thirties, took a glance at him and told him Secretary Wang is in a meeting. His reply is not cold, but it’s not welcoming either.

The secretary’s attitude reflects the Leader’s attitude.

After leaving the secretary’s office, Dong Xuebing knows the District Secretary is not interested in pulling him into his faction. Maybe Xiang Daofa had told him something.

Dong Xuebing shook his head and went to the Organization Department.

Knock, knock….

“Come in.”

“Chief Xue, I’m Dong Xuebing and is here to report to you.”

District Party Committee Member and Organization Department Chief, Xue Qingrong, is fatty in his late forties and has a bulging tummy and receding hairline. He has a bright smile, giving others a friendly impression. “Director Dong, hahaha… I had heard about your achievements in Yan Tai County. You are a promising young man, and Nan Shan District has been waiting for you. Come and have a seat.”

Dong Xuebing quickly replies modestly.

Xue Qingrong looks welcoming, but Dong Xuebing can feel his smile is not sincere.

Xue Qingrong doesn’t understand Dong Xuebing at all, and it’s all pleasantries. Yan Tai County is further away from Nan Shan District, and other than some meetings in the City Government, both sides seldom cross paths. Nan Shan District’s Counties also don’t have any dealings with Yan Tai Counties. Xue Qingrong only knows about Dong Xuebing from his resume and the Leaders’ recommendations. He knows Dong Xuebing has achieved outstanding performance in the Investment Promotion Agency, and that’s all. He doesn’t need to know about Dong Xuebing anyway, as no matter how well he performed in Yan Tai County, he must start from scratch again in Nan Shan.

After a while, Xue Qingrong looks at his watch. “It’s about time. Let’s go. I will bring you to Guang Ming Subdistrict Office.”

…….

Noon.

Guang Ming Subdistrict Office.

A Government Audi A6 enters the subdistrict compound. This area has lots of greenery, and a few office buildings can be seen in the distance. The car stopped, and the first thing Dong Xuebing saw is the Government Administrative Service Lobby. A few signages were hung beside the main door. , , , . There are lots of counters for Hu Kou applications, filing, etc. Many people are queuing up behind the counters.

The car stopped, and Xue Qingrong and Dong Xuebing alighted.

A man, in his early thirties, and two middle-aged men and woman, walks over to welcome them. “Chief Xue.”

Xue Qingrong nodded and smiled. “Let’s go upstairs first.”

That man, in his early thirties, seems to be the Leader of the group. He looked at Dong Xuebing and led the way upstairs.

The Subdistrict Office is different from many departments. Many residents will come over for applications or filing, and they can’t make a grand welcome ceremony there. That’s why Xue Qingrong had called them to prepare the meeting room and notify all the department heads.

On the way upstairs, Dong Xuebing observes the Subdistrict Office’s working environment.

National Population and Family Planning Commission, National Public Complaints and Proposals Administration, General Office of the Chinese Communist Party, Commission for Discipline Inspection, Publicity Department, and Organization Department. All the most powerful Leaders in the Subdistrict are located in this building.

Small meeting room.

The meeting room is half-filled with around twenty to thirty people. Other than the department heads, many staff was there too. When Dong Xuebing and Xue Qingrong enter the room, everyone’s eyes are on Dong Xuebing. Many of them were shocked by his age. Most Subdistrict Office Directors are in their late thirties, and it’s rare to see someone in his twenties.

Xue Qingrong went up the podium and started reading the District Party Committee’s orders.

Clap… clap… clap…

Xue Qingrong welcomed Dong Xuebing again and continued with a simple speech about the rules and regulations. After that, it is Dong Xuebing’s turn to speak. He maintained a smile and did not say much as he is unfamiliar with this area.

“That’s all I have to say.” Dong Xuebing smiles. “Thank you.”

Everyone applause!

Everyone will applause even if the Leader says, “The weather is good today.”

The meeting ended.

Dong Xuebing and Xue Qingrong chatted and walked down the podium.

The man, who welcomed them at the entrance, walks up to them. “Chief Xue, Director Dong, it’s almost noon. Are you all having lunch in the cafeteria? The food is ready.”

Xue Qingrong replies with a smile. “Alright. Let’s go.”

That man waved a staff member over and gave some instructions to him.

Xue Qingrong patted that man’s shoulders and told Dong Xuebing. “This is Xiao Geng. He is the Party Working Committee’s Deputy Secretary and is someone very capable.”

The No. 2 of the Party Committee?

This man might not even be thirty years old and might only be in his late twenties. Dong Xuebing nodded and shook Geng Xinke’s hand. It’s rare for someone at Xue Qingrong’s level to introduce someone, and he must be someone with a strong backing.

They went down the stairs, and the majority of them are department Leaders.

On the way to the cafeteria, Xue Qingrong suddenly asks. “Xiao Wang is not around today?”

Geng Xinke replied. “Director Wang had applied for leave for today and is not around.”

Xue Qingrong nodded and did not continue.

A few Leaders turn and look at Dong Xuebing’s expression.

Deputy Director Wang? Dong Xuebing did not show any unhappy expression and continued smiling. But in his heart, he took note of this Deputy Director Wang. Applying for leave on his first day of appointment, even the District’s Organization Department Chief is looking for him. This person should not be simple.

During lunch, Dong Xuebing did not talk much and spent most of the time observing these department heads. He must find out their relationships and backings as soon as possible.