Power and Wealth
Chapter 1492 – Morning
Morning.
Provincial capital.
Inside the airport.
” Mayor Dong, we’re leaving.”
“Alright, have a safe journey.”
“The waiting hall is ahead. You can’t go in. Go back.”
“Okay, after you arrive safely, call me to let me know.”
“I will. Matt and the others also said goodbye, saying it was a pleasure to meet you.”
“Can you help me translate? I’m honored to know everyone and wish you great prosperity.”
After a few farewells, Zhang Longjuan waved gracefully to Dong Xuebing. She turned around and took the elevator with a dozen foreign businessmen to the waiting hall to go through security. In public places, Dong Xuebing didn’t have much to say to Zhang Longjuan. The two of them had already spoken privately on the way there. Dong Xuebing watched everyone leave and waited until he lost sight of Zhang Longjuan and the others after the escalator. Then he turned and left.
As soon as he left the airport, his phone rang.
It was a call from Jiang Fangfang. “Has she left, Mayor Dong?”
There were too many people, and Dong Xuebing couldn’t hear clearly. He covered one ear and said, “She just boarded the plane. She should be going through security and boarding now.”
“Okay, come back now.”
“Yes, I’ll go to your place first.”
“No need, return to the Investment Promotion Bureau first and handle the contracts.”
“Alright, I’ll go to the County Party Committee compound later. I’ll give you a summary of the work during the investment promotion meeting.”
“If you can organize it, organize it. It’s not that urgent. We are worried about your and your colleagues’ physical and mental state at the Investment Promotion Bureau. From the preparation of the investment promotion to the investment promotion meeting, you haven’t taken a break for a day for more than two weeks. Even an iron man couldn’t endure it. So, I’ve specially approved five days off for all my colleagues at the Investment Promotion Bureau. Take a good rest and get your body back in shape. After the rest, you will still be busy when the first funds for many projects arrive. Rest up and be ready.”
“Haha, I’ll thank you on behalf of Old Zheng and the others.”
He arrived at the parking lot, hung up the phone, got in the car, and drove back to the county.
Morning.
Zhen Shui County.
Investment Promotion Bureau courtyard.
After parking and going upstairs, Dong Xuebing saw a lively scene in the office area. Chang Juan leaned on the desk, chatting happily with Cheng Yujie, Gong Na, Xiao Hong, and several other women. Chen Yunsong also occasionally inserted a few words with a smile. No one was working, and there wasn’t much work left, to be honest.
“Cough, cough.”
“Hey, Mayor Dong.”
“Mayor Dong, you’re back.”
Everyone hurriedly put away their laughter and returned to their seats. These days, Dong Xuebing has already established authority in everyone’s hearts.
But Dong Xuebing wasn’t a rigid person. Seeing everyone dispersing, he smiled and said, “What are you chatting about? Let me join in the fun, too.”
“Nothing much.”
“I heard you were talking about tourism.”
“Yeah, we were discussing the best places for tourism.”
“Hehe, you guys are talking about the right topic.”
“Well, Mayor Dong, what does this mean?”
“Old Zheng, everyone, gather around. I have a few things to say.”
Hearing Dong Xuebing’s voice, Zheng Dayou came out of the office.
Dong Xuebing gathered everyone and said, “The county has just approved it. Today, everyone should put in some extra effort to sort out the contracts and handle current matters, and starting tomorrow, everyone gets a five-day vacation. If you want to travel, go ahead. If you want to sleep at home, do that. I won’t interfere. Hehe. As for the four or five days of overtime during statutory holidays, you can claim overtime pay for that or consider it annual leave.”
Chang Juan laughed, “That sounds great.”
Cheng Yujie sighed, “Finally, some rest.”
Gong Na and Xiao Hong were also very happy. “Thank you, Mayor Dong.”
“No need to thank me.” Dong Xuebing looked at them and said, “Whether it’s the bonus or the vacation, it’s all the result of everyone’s hard work. I forgot to mention yesterday, in the busy schedule, that you all did a fantastic job at the investment promotion conference.” After saying that, Dong Xuebing applauded, and everyone joined in.
Clap, clap, clap.
Everyone clapped and cheered, especially Gong Na and Xiao Hong.
Under Dong Xuebing’s leadership this time, the Investment Promotion Bureau completed an almost impossible task. Naturally, everyone was in high spirits, benefiting from it. Besides the pre-arranged rewards and promotions, substantial bonuses, which would soon appear in their accounts, awaited them. In addition, there was political capital, honor, and the impending expansion of functional powers. These were not things that could be bought with money. Among them, Xiao Hong was particularly sentimental. She was doing well in the county government initially, although she didn’t have the best interpersonal relationships in the office. At least she lived a stable life without worrying about food or clothing. Later, Yao Cui pushed her into the Investment Promotion Bureau, which she was reluctant about. After all, this department was known for being deserted. In government circles, everyone knew that. However, in this department, which even had to share office space with a botanical research institute and another department, they miraculously attracted an investment of two billion. Xiao Hong almost loved Yao Cui now. Thinking about that bonus, she couldn’t help but want to hug Yao Cui and give her a few kisses.
“Everything that needs to be said has been said. That’s it.” Dong Xuebing looked at the time; it was already noon and said, “Let’s adjourn. It’s also time for lunch.”
Chang Juan looked at him, “Did you bring lunch?”
Dong Xuebing glanced at them, “Did you all bring lunch?”
Cheng Yujie smiled, “Yes, want to have mine?”
Gong Na quickly took out a full lunch box from the drawer under the front desk, “I brought a bit too much today. If you don’t mind, you can have some.”
Zheng Dayou chuckled, “My wife also made lunch for me, but what I brought may not be enough.”
Dong Xuebing laughed, “Old Zheng, are you being thrifty? Considering your appearance, your wife must be skilled in cooking. No, I have to taste it. Everyone, share some with me.”
Chang Juan magically pulled out an empty lunch box, “I have an extra one.”
Gong Na immediately said, “I’ll go heat the food. Let me borrow the microwave oven upstairs.”
“We don’t have a microwave oven here?” Dong Xuebing was speechless.
Zheng Dayou said, “The old one broke down like an air conditioner. It doesn’t turn on when you plug it in. We had someone try to fix it, but in the end, it wasn’t repaired. It was treated as scrap.”
Xiao Hong helped Gong Na carry the lunch boxes upstairs to borrow a microwave oven from the Botanical Research Institute. In no time, they brought back several fragrant and steaming lunch boxes.
“Mayor Dong, let me serve you.”
“Hehe, thank you. Did you make this yourself, Xiao Gong?”
“Yeah, it’s not too busy today. I cooked the dishes myself this morning.”
“It looks good. Let me taste it. Mmm, delicious.”
Each person scooped some food onto Dong Xuebing’s plate, and everyone sat together to enjoy the meal.
Dong Xuebing was not extravagant at all. Sometimes, extravagance and waste were just for appearances and work. On the contrary, he liked the current atmosphere in the office. When working, focus on work; during leisure time, Dong Xuebing prefers to get along well with his subordinates.
While chatting and laughing, everyone enjoyed their lunch.
Suddenly, Chang Juan smiled and said, “Mayor Dong, a few of us just discussed and thought of going to the neighboring province for a few days. Would you like to join us?”
Dong Xuebing shook his head, “You all have a five-day vacation. Go and relax. I won’t be able to go; there are still many things to handle in the county. I’m not free.” Dong Xuebing would certainly take a day or two off for rest, but five days was impossible. He couldn’t afford to be away with so many responsibilities and overseeing multiple departments.
Chang Juan looked at Zheng Dayou, “Director Zheng?”
Zheng Dayou smiled, “You guys go ahead. I’ll pass.”
“How many people are going?” Dong Xuebing asked.
Cheng Yujie said, “Director Chang, I, Director Chen, Xiao Gong, and Xiao Hong, just the five of us, without our families.”
Dong Xuebing nodded and took out his car keys, handing them to Chang Juan, “The neighboring province isn’t far; you can go on a self-driving tour. Take my car.”
“Oh, how can we accept that?” Cheng Yujie hurriedly said.
Chen Yunsong also said, “That’s a Land Rover you’re talking about. What if I damage it? I can use the Passat that was recently assigned to the bureau.”
Dong Xuebing smiled, “That’s a government car. Taking it out for personal use would cause a stir. But my car is private; it’s not a problem. Alright, don’t be overly polite. Consider it a reward for everyone’s hard work these past few days.”
Chang Juan smiled and said, “Hehe, thank you.”
Dong Xuebing stretched his shirt, “It’s a bit hot. Oh, right, the air conditioning. That’s right, the air conditioning is also broken.” Dong Xuebing was helpless, saying, “Okay, Director Zheng, have someone write a note and go directly to the Finance Bureau. I’ll see if the finance can still allocate money. By then, we can equip the office with new things. This can’t go on. As for the office space, we’ll change it in the future. At the very least, get an independent office building. Also, with so many projects coming in this time, we’ll need to recruit people in the future. This office area won’t be enough.” With such a large sum of money, the county would soon be financially comfortable. As the leader in charge of finance and the person responsible for attracting investment, Dong Xuebing certainly had the right to allocate this money directly or indirectly generated by the finance. Naturally, he would prioritize the departments under his jurisdiction.
Cheng Yujie immediately said, “Mayor Dong, you’re wise.”
Chang Juan and Chen Yunsong also flattered, clapping a few times.
Everyone had long wanted to change locations, especially expanding the Investment Promotion Bureau and recruiting people, which they valued the most. There were only a few people in the office, all officials and leaders, but there were hardly any subordinates to command. This was not what it should be. Changing work locations and expanding after recruiting people would make a significant difference. Cadres would have their own offices, and each department would have subordinates to command. What a feeling it would be, and how different it would be once they expanded! Everyone imagined it, feeling that the future was bright. They were also grateful to have stayed in the Investment Promotion Bureau. With the benefits, they would undoubtedly remember Dong Xuebing’s kindness because Dong Xuebing essentially brought about the prosperity of the Investment Promotion Bureau.
Finance Bureau
Investment Promotion Bureau
County Government Office
Dong Xuebing had already consolidated the departments under his jurisdiction three months into his tenure. This aspect also reflected the work capability of Dong Xuebing, the leader.