Power and Wealth

Afternoon.

Side building, Party Secretary Office.

Dong Xuebing smoked continuously while looking through his Subdistrict Office staff. He has a better understanding of the situation at the Subdistrict after Zhou Yanru’s information. The top two Nan Shan District Leaders have relatives working under him, which is a big headache. He can’t scold or punish them but still has to manage them. If he can’t handle this well, he will offend the District’s Party Secretary and Mayor. This is the worse scenario for him.

These two are his biggest headache.

Geng Xinke is not a pushover, and Dong Xuebing still has not to meet Wang Yuling.

Dong Xuebing snubbed his cigarette and thought of how is he going to establish his authority. This is a must, or he cannot do his work properly. Everyone will be brown-nosing these two, and who will listen to his orders? Geng Xinke is the No. 2 of the Subdistrict, and his authority is only slightly below him in the Subdistrict. Who will the subordinates listen to in the future? If everyone is listening to Geng Xinke because they are afraid of offending his District Mayor sister, he will have no authority.

Knock… knock… knock…

Dong Xuebing lifts his head. “Come in.”

Dong Xuebing will give respect to those who respected him. He will say “Please come in” to those who knock twice politely and will skip the word “Please” for those who knock three times quickly.

The door opens, and Geng Xinke enters.

Dong Xuebing did not stand up and just smiles. “Secretary Geng.”

Geng Xinke smiles and asked. “Director Dong, how was your inspection earlier? Are there any issues with our staff?”

“I am only here for a few hours and am not familiar with the work procedures. Haha… but the Administrative Service Lobby seems to be in order, and the staff has a good attitude. This attitude must be continued. Our Subdistrict Office is to serve the residents, and our efficiency and service attitude must be good.” Dong Xuebing said and waved his hand. “Haha… sit.”

Geng Xinke is uncomfortable with Dong Xuebing’s gesture and did not sit. He smiles. “Oh, we have made a reservation at a restaurant to welcome you this evening.”

Dong Xuebing looks at him. “Didn’t we eat together during lunch? You all don’t need to be so courteous.”

Geng Xinke replied. “This is a token from everyone, and you must not reject us.”

“Oh…” Dong Xuebing paused for a second and smiles. “Thanks for the kind gesture. Alright. Help me made reservations for two more tables and invite all the Subdistrict Office’s leaders and staff. I will treat everyone.” The Subdistrict Office only has around twenty to thirty staff. Of course, this does not include the staff from the Police Station and Health department. These departments are not under the Subdistrict Office.

Geng Xinke looked at Dong Xuebing and replied. “How can we let you pay?”

“That’s settled.” Dong Xuebing waved his hand.

Geng Xinke nodded. “Alright. I will get someone to arrange it.”

Dong Xuebing looks at the door after Geng Xinke left. They had lunch together, and why are they hosting a welcome dinner for him in the evening? He must be up to no good, but Dong Xuebing is not sure what will happen. After knowing Geng Xinke had tried to fight for his position, he becomes wary of him. That’s why he insisted on treating everyone and not use the Office’s funds.

Dong Xuebing looks at his watch. It’s 5 pm.

Dong Xuebing picked up his office phone and called the Party General Office. “Hello, is this Director Zhou? I’m Dong Xuebing.”

Zhou Yanru quickly smiles and replies. “Do you have any orders for me? Oh, your car is ready, and I will send the keys to you now. It’s a two-year-old Volkswagen Passat. Errr… we don’t have any headcount for drivers, but… I can arrange a staff from my General Office to drive you around. Xiao Liu is not bad, and you can get him to drive you in the future.”

“Haha… no need.”

“Oh, do you have anything for me?”

“I will be treating everyone to dinner at 6 pm, and it’s late. Can you get someone to accompany me to the living quarters? I want to keep my luggage first.”

“Ok. I will go over now.”

“You should be busy and don’t need to come personally.”

“It’s fine. Your matter is our General Office’s top priority. I will go to your office now.”

Dong Xuebing smiles after hanging up. Zhou Yanru is fine in all ways, except she is too talkative. She will give a five-sentence reply for a simple question, but she showed respect for him.

…….

The family quarter is located behind the Subdistrict Office, and it’s only a ten-minute walk away.

There is only one grey six-story building because the Subdistrict Office does not have much staff.

On the way up, Zhou Yanru told Dong Xuebing about the history of this building and had gotten one of her staff, a young man in his twenties, to carry his luggage. She is not as “silly” as she looks. Rumors will spread if people know she is alone with him in the apartment, and it will be fine if a third party is around.

This is a two-bedroom apartment, and it’s much bigger than Dong Xuebing’s apartment in Yan Tai County.

The apartment comes with all electrical appliances, including a PC.

Zhou Yanru smiles. “Is this apartment alright?”

“Not bad.” Dong Xuebing nodded and looks at his watch. “It’s almost after work hours. Let’s go to the restaurant together.”

…….

Shan Shui Restaurant.

This restaurant is located diagonally opposite the Subdistrict Office.

When Dong Xuebing reaches the restaurant, he saw Guang Ming Subdistrict Office Police Station Chief, Peng Gang. Sister Zhou had told him that Peng Gang is close with Geng Xinke. Peng Gang has just finished work, and he is still wearing his Police uniform. He is in his thirties, not tall, and is very muscular.

“Director Dong. Hahaha….” Peng Gang walks over.

Dong Xuebing smiled and extended his hand. “Chief Peng.”

Peng Gang shook Dong Xuebing’s hand with a strong grip. “We can’t have alcohol during lunch and didn’t get the chance to know you better. We must drink together later!”

Dong Xuebing replied. “I am not good with alcohol. Don’t try to make me drunk. Haha.”

At this time, a middle-aged man in his forties walks over. “Chief Peng is famous for his alcohol tolerance. Director Dong, I am not disrespectful to you if I get drunk later.” This person is Deputy Director Yu Rongfeng, who oversees the Subdistrict’s Publicity Department. He has sunken eyes and a high nose bridge. Dong Xuebing remembers he is from the Hui ethnic group from his resume.

Dong Xuebing waved his hand. “It’s just a dinner, and it’s alright.”

Yu Rongfeng laughed. “Then I am assured. I can’t hold my liquor well.”

There’s another middle-aged man beside Yu Rongfeng, and Dong Xuebing recognized him. He is Guo Mingfeng, the Subdistrict Office Deputy Director. He is in charge of the Subdistrict’s Civil administration and nursing homes. He is very short. Shorter than 1.6 m and looks ordinary.

Guo Mingfeng narrowed his eyes. “Director Dong, everyone is here, and we had ordered the dishes. Should we start?”

“Alright. Let’s not keep everyone waiting.” Dong Xuebing replied. “Let’s go in.”

Geng Xinke’s three generals, Peng Gang, Yu Rongfeng, and Guo Mingfeng, are all here.

Dong Xuebing secretly observes them. Although they seem to be courteous and polite, he can sense they are targeting him.

……

A private dining room on the second floor of the restaurant.

There are three tables in the room. The staff members are sitting at two tables, and the Leaders are seated at one table.

Dong Xuebing is seated at the host position, and the staff sits down after the Leaders are seated.

This harmonious atmosphere changed suddenly because of one sentence.

Before the dinner started, Geng Xinke smiled and told Dong Xuebing that two Working Party Committee members and a Deputy Director could not attend. They had asked him to pass the message to Dong Xuebing. Dong Xuebing nodded but frowned in his heart. What’s the meaning of this? Are you trying to show me who’s the Boss here? Are you telling me that all the Subdistrict Office staff are close to you?

Zhou Yanru frowned and looks at Geng Xinke and his three generals.

The Secretary of the Disciplinary Work Committee, Qu Yiqiang, did not say anything and looked at the table expressionlessly.

Geng Xinke finally showed some of his true colors.

What Geng Xinke said immediately changed the mood of the private room.

The two staff members’ tables kept quiet and looked at the waiter and waitresses to serve the food. But they are listening and observing the Leaders at the other table. After the top Leader of the Subdistrict Office is changed, they wonder what will happen in the future. Secretary Geng is the District Mayor’s younger brother. This new Director is young and doesn’t seem to have any backings. How is he going to suppress Secretary Geng, and who will they listen to in the future? All of them know this dinner is not as simple as welcoming Director Dong.

Secretary Geng is trying to show the new Director who’s the Boss?

This is a good show!

Some of the staff are looking forward to watching the power struggle between the Directors. The winner tonight will determine their attitude in the future.

Dong Xuebing smiles. “Come, let’s eat before the food gets cold.”

I still have not established my authority, and you are trying to show me who’s the Boss here?

Dong Xuebing sneered in his heart. Show me all your tricks! I have never been scared of anyone in my life!