Power and Wealth
Chapter 1145 – Return to the County!
One day….
Two days….
Three days….
Morning. The sun is not up yet.
Dong Xuebing had settled everything in Beijing and had bid goodbyes to the Xie family. His luggage was packed, and he took a cab to the airport. He was supposed to return to the County the day before yesterday, but he was too busy. He had to change his flight to this morning.
Inside the car.
Dong Xuebing called the County Finance Department Chief Yan Yizhi.
“Hello, Chief Yan.”
“Mayor Dong.”
“Sorry to call you so early.”
“It’s fine. I just woke up.”
“Is everything fine at the Finance Department this month?”
“Everything was fine. Anyway, we cannot give out the salary on time this month. Secretary Meng and Mayor Jiang are asking about the funds.”
“I checked yesterday. The fund from the Central Government should be in these few days.”
“Huh? I did not tell the higher-ups because you told me to last time. Mayor Jiang and Secretary Meng do not know about it yet. I told them you remained in Beijing to get the fund and did not return with us.”
“Ok. Let’s report to Mayor Jiang after I am back.”
Yan Yizhi found an excuse for Dong Xuebing and did not claim the credit.
Dong Xuebing nodded after hanging up. Yan Yizhi is smart and knows what to do. Chen Xiaomei had hinted that she wanted to join his faction and kept feeding him information. He was unsure if she acted under Yan Yizhi’s instructions or wanted to join him. However, he can confirm it now. Yan Yizhi and Chen Xiaomei were from the Meng faction and did not tell Secretary Meng about the fund. This is an indication of their intentions.
The Finance Department is one of the departments under Dong Xuebing. Now, the no.1 and no.2 of the Finance Department have joined him, and things will be easier.
This is a good move.
Dong Xuebing was satisfied with this Beijing trip. Putting Zhong Lizhen’s incident aside, he had gotten 50 million RMB of funding. He pulled the Finance Department Chief and Deputy Chief to his side. Of course, Huilan’s Eldest Uncle, Xie Guoliang, played a significant role. They would never join his side if they did not see Dong Xuebing’s connections and influence.
Dong Xuebing reached the airport. He paid the driver and called Zhen Shui County Government Office Director Ma Bin.
“Hello, Director Ma.”
“It’s me, Mayor Dong.”
“I am boarding the plane and should arrive around 9 am.”
“Alright. I will get someone to fetch you from the airport.”
“Ok. Sorry to trouble you all.”
“Don’t say that. It’s my job.”
Ma Bin has been cautious towards Dong Xuebing because of Yao Cui.
Boarding pass….
Security checks….
Ring… ring… ring….
Ma Bin called. “Hello, Mayor Dong.”
Dong Xuebing replied. “What is it, Director Ma?”
Ma Bin replied. “I checked… err… our County government cars are not available. Mayor Ci had taken one car last night, and staff used the other to go to another province. I cannot reach him and don’t know when he will return. Do you want me to ask the Public Security?” Ma Bin was not making things difficult for Dong Xuebing. It was because Zhen Shui County was too poor. Even the Mayor uses a domestic car worth around 100,000 RMB, and the other Party Committee Members are not assigned cars.
Use the Public Security Bureau’s car?!
This is wrong. Dong Xuebing is not in charge of the Public Security Bureau.
Dong Xuebing was particular about these as he is still new to the County. “What about the County Party Committee?”
“The County Party Committee should have available cars.” Ma Bin hesitated. “But a leader’s relative is getting married today.”
“Married?”
“It’s Secretary Zhang’s son and Secretary Pu’s daughter.”
Secretary Zhang? Deputy County Party Secretary Zhang Wanshui? A member of the Meng faction?!
Secretary Pu is the County’s Commission for Discipline Inspection secretary. He is not with any faction.
Dong Xuebing thought about these two men. Marriage?
“I remember Secretary Pu’s daughter is much older than Secretary Zhang’s son.” Dong Xuebing asked. He was speechless. Why are these two families allying? Although he is new to Zhan Shui County, he heard a lot about the leaders from Yao Cui. He knew they were not on good terms.
Ma Bin stuttered. “No… no…. Err…. I did not make myself clear. They are not getting married to each other. They are both holding their weddings today.”
What?
Their weddings are today?
Dong Xuebing narrowed his eyes. Something is going on.
Why are two County Party Committee members’ children holding their wedding on the same day?
Ma Bin lowered his voice and explained softly. “Secretary Zhang and Secretary Pu are not on good terms, and today is a coincidence. They picked today because it is an auspicious date. They knew about it when they tried to book the restaurant for the wedding banquet. Both refused to change the dates, which resulted in this situation. They even booked the same venue for the wedding banquets. After all, we only got one hotel in our county. It’s a mess now.”
This is a mess.
Although Dong Xuebing is not in Zhen Shui County now, he can sense the tension.
Deputy Party Committee Secretary Zhang is the no.3 of the Party Committee, and Secretary Pu should give in. However, Secretary Pu is stubborn and is not on good terms. This is these two’s personal affairs, but it’s more than that. They had sent out invitations to the staff, and they had to decide which banquet to attend. If a staff attended Secretary Zhang’s banquet, he would offend Secretary Pu.
Wow…. This is getting complicated.
The leader, who drove the car to another province, must have planned this trip. He did not want to offend either side and went away to hide.
Dong Xuebing has a headache. He ponders if he should return now.
Although Dong Xuebing does not mind offending others, he will try his best not to. It’s better to have friends than enemies.
Dong Xuebing asked about the situation from Ma Bin, and the gates opened.
Airline staff started checking the boarding passes.
Dong Xuebing replied. “I am going to board the plane now. Let’s talk later.”
“I will ask if any cars from the Party Committee are available.” Ma Bin replied.
Dong Xuebing knows the County Government and Party Committee are at odds and said. “It’s fine. I will do it.”
“Err…. How about I ask Mayor Jiang?”
“Don’t bother Mayor Jiang for a small matter like this. Ok. Bye.”
“Alright.”
Dong Xuebing sighed after hanging up. It’s only some vehicles, and they got to ask around to borrow one.
Be content….
Dong Xuebing called Yao Cui to ask her to borrow a car from the County Party Committee.
“Hello, Mayor Dong.” Yao Cui said.
Dong Xuebing smiled. “Is it convenient to talk now?”
“Yes, I am at home. I am still sleeping.”
“Sorry to wake you so early.”
“Haha…. Don’t say that. If my parents hear it, they will scold me. Are you coming back today?”
“Yes. I will reach around 9 am. But the County Government does not have any cars. Can you borrow a car from the County Party Committee?”
“Ok. I will call them now.”
“Can you drive?”
“Yes, but I seldom drive.”
“Can you fetch me if you are free?”
“Sure, if you dare to let me drive. Oh….” Yao Cui’s tone changed suddenly. “You had picked the wrong time to return. The county is….”
“Is it regarding Secretary Zhang and Secretary Pu’s children’s wedding?”
“Oh, you know about this? Sigh…. It’s a mess now. I received two wedding invitations and tried calling you for your advice. But your phone was off.”
“My battery was flat.”
“Then…. What are you going to do?”
“Let’s talk after I am back.”
“Ok. I will ask for the car now.”
Dong Xuebing switched off his phone and fastened his seatbelt after he boarded the plane.
Although Zhang Wanshui is Secretary Meng’s man, he is the County Party Committee Deputy Secretary. Dong Xuebing should attend his banquet. However, Secretary Pu had been neutral in the Party Committee for many years. Dong Xuebing should try to pull him over as a part of Jiang’s faction. He should also attend his daughter’s wedding banquet.
Sigh….
Why did they pick the same day to hold their weddings?
Zhen Shui Hotel is the County’s partner. The person in charge should inform the other party when he knows both are holding the wedding on the same day.