Power and Wealth
Chapter 1149 – Challenge
Morning.
The County Party Committee.
The Commission for Discipline Inspection Secretary, Pu An’s house.
“Dad, can you come for a minute?”
“What is it, Taotao?”
“Let’s talk in the room.”
“We are leaving soon. What is it?”
Pu An and his daughter went into the room.
Pu Tao said angrily after they entered the room. “Dad, I am thirty this year, and this is my wedding. Can’t you make my wedding grander? I know you are the Commission for Discipline Inspection, and I got to take note of your appearances. I am not an unreasonable person. I can don’t care about the banquet venue or my wedding gown. But can’t you get a better leading car for my wedding convoy? Look at Zhang Wanshui’s son. His leading car, a Lexus, cost almost a million RMB, and the two cars behind are Audis. Our wedding convoy’s leading car is an Audi A6. Many of my friends and classmates are here, making me embarrassed.”
Pu An frowned. “All cars are the same.”
Pu Yao retorted. “It’s different. It will make us look bad. Everyone in the County is looking at us. We will lose to Zhang Wanshui.”
Pu An replied. “But where can you find a proper wedding company in Zhen Shui County?”
Pu Tao said. “We can go to a wedding company in the City. You had prepared for the wedding, and getting a better car with your connections should not be hard.”
“These cars are from the city.”
“An Audi? Even a domestically made BMW or Mercedes Benz is better.”
“Just make do with it. It’s your wedding today, and you should be happy.”
“How can I be happy? I get upset when I see that Audi.”
“Don’t be mad, Taotao. Go and accompany our guests. Don’t let them wait.”
Pu Tao stormed out of the room.
Pu An was helpless. He did not go out and light a cigarette.
The door opened.
It was United Front Work Department Chief Jian Xiangrong. They were the neutral members of the Party Committee. Although they were not on any side, their lives were not much better. After all, Secretary Meng has the majority of the votes. Their votes did not matter much to him, which will form a balance in the committee. As neutrals, they were close.
“What’s wrong, Old Pu?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing? Taotao seems to be mad.”
“Sigh…. She is mad with me because of the wedding convoy’s leading car.”
Jian Xiangrong looked at him. “I always wanted to ask about this. Why did you arrange for an Audi? Does Taotao’s husband’s family prepare it?”
Pu An shook his head. “I was the one who decided. You should know about the City’s situation. There are only two wedding companies, and I contacted them after I booked the banquet. They told me their cars were rented out. It’s an auspicious day today, and there are many weddings. Some couples had booked the cars six months ago. I tried contacting wedding companies from other cities, but Zhen Shui County is too far. They refused to send their cars. Ultimately, I got to ask others for help, and I can only get this Audi.” Although a Party Committee member is influential in Zhen Shui County, Zhen Shui County is too poor. The whole county has less than five luxury cars. His influence was insufficient to borrow a better car from other cities.
“There are many weddings today. I saw a few weddings on my way here. What about the Province?”
“They refused to send their cars even though I offered to pay more. It’s too far, and you should know about our family’s financial condition. I cannot afford to rent a good car.”
“Sigh…. I cannot help as we don’t have any good cars.”
“It’s alright.”
Pu An is famous for being incorruptible in Zhen Shui County.
Many people might think Pu An was putting up a show, but Xiang Jianrong has known him for many years. His family is not wealthy, and Jian Xiangrong is about the same. This was one of the reasons why they were close. Sigh…. Jian Xiangrong always felt Old Pu should not fall out with Zhang Wanshui, but he did not say it. He knew Pu An’s temper and stubbornness.
Since it had happened, nothing can be done.
Half an hour later.
The family quarters.
Both families’ relatives came out of the building at the same time. They had received the brides, and the grooms carried them with their friends and relatives behind them.
Crack! Bang! Boom!
Firecrackers were let off again.
“Congratulations, Secretary Zhang.”
“I wish you happiness, Xiao Zhang.”
“Have a baby soon! Haha….”
The people at the family quarters went over to congratulate the couple.
Most people congratulate Deputy Secretary Zhang Wanshui’s son. A few Party Committee members and department chiefs surrounded him. Very few people congratulate Pu An and Pu Tao. Zhang Wanshui’s family wedding convoy’s leading car is a Lexus. The rest were also good cars. Some could not even enter the family quarters. Their convoy had at least twenty cars, and Pu An’s family only had around six cars.
The difference was noticeable.
Zhang Wanshui and Pu An were downstairs.
“Thank you, everyone, for coming.” Zhang Wanshui said proudly. “Please get into the cars.”
Zhang Wanshui’s son was also feeling proud. He carried his bride into the car and waved to everyone.
The cars were going to the hotel, and all the guests got into the cars.
Zhang Wanshui and his in-laws have more relatives. After all, his daughter-in-law is the daughter of a retired Zhen Shui County leader. They had been living in the family quarters. They had many cars and could fit all the guests easily. Zhang Wanshui glanced at Pu An’s side and continued on his way.
Pu An and his wife were looking terrible. They looked at the government staff congratulating Zhang Wanshui and his family.
Pu Tao was angry as her husband carried her into the car. She did not smile, but her husband had a good temper. He just smiled wearily.
There’s a significant difference between both sides.
Anyone can see the difference.
When Pu Tao and her family felt embarrassed, a beautiful woman in a suit slowly walked out of the building.
“Mayor.”
“Mayor Jiang.”
Jiang Fangfang nodded.
Zhang Wanshui was surprised. He did not expect Jiang Fangfang to come out. They were not on the same faction, but her rank was much higher. He walked over quickly to greet her.
Jiang Fangfang congratulates Zhang Wanshui, his son and daughter-in-law, before turning to Pu An.
Jiang Fangfang turned and walked towards Pu An slowly. “Congratulations, Secretary Pu.”
Pu An quickly replies. “Thank you, Mayor Jiang. Xiao Tao, why are you still in the car?”
Pu Tao saw Jiang Fangfang and quickly pulled her husband. They were about to get out of the car to greet her.
However, Jiang Fangfang waved and smiled faintly. “The bride and groom are the stars today. You all don’t need to get down. Secretary Pu, leave a seat in one of the cars. I am going with you all.”
Pu An paused for a second. “Thank you, Mayor Jiang.”
“It’s Xiao Tao’s wedding. I should attend her banquet. What’s there to thank?”
“Please get in.” Pu An said.
Jiang Fangfang nodded and got into the second car.
Zhang Wanshui frowned as he looked at Jiang Fangfang.
Many guests needed more time to react. Although they know Secretary Meng and Mayor Jiang would attend their banquets, they should appear when the banquets are about to start. Why did Mayor Jiang come out early and get into Pu An’s daughter’s wedding convoy?
The Mayor held a different status.
Jiang Fangfang had helped Pu An’s family ease their embarrassment. Although they still lost to Zhang Wanshui, it did not make them look bad. Some staff who have not decided, and Jiang’s faction got into Pu An’s wedding convoy.
Yao Cui and Ma Bing also got into Pu An’s cars.
Pu An knew Mayor Jiang was trying to pull him to her side. He had been neutral between both parties but will join her faction after today.
Today was more chaotic than everyone expected.
Secretary Meng was prepared to go downstairs. A few seconds after Mayor Jiang’s appearance, he walked out of the building with his wife.
“Secretary Meng.”
“Huh, Secretary Meng?”
“Secretary Meng, you are here.”
“Haha…. Congratulations.” Meng Rui congratulated Pu An and Zhang Wanshui before getting into Zhang Wanshui’s car.