Power and Wealth
Chapter 1579 – Warning from the Party Secretary’s husband
City Party Committee.
In the corridor.
Just as he was leaving the City Party Committee Secretary’s office, Dong Xuebing’s phone in his pocket rang. Looking at the number, it seemed to be a call from Jiangnan Province.
“Who is it?”
“It’s from our province.”
“It’s probably from the province. I’ll answer.”
“Yeah, you go ahead. I’ll be downstairs in a moment.”
“Okay, I’ll wait for you at the cafeteria entrance. Hurry up.”
Xie Huilan met a colleague, chatting with him happily before taking the elevator down together.
Dong Xuebing answered the phone.
“Hello, who is this?”
“Is this Director Dong?”
“Yes, who is this?”
“Hello, I’m from the Discipline Inspection Office of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection.”
“Oh, what can I do for you?”
“I just heard that the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection leaders are coming to our province for supervision and inspection. I wanted to ask if we need to cooperate with you on anything. Do we need to send someone down to assist you?”
“No need, I can handle it myself. We’ll discuss the rest later. If I need anything, I’ll contact the comrades from the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection.”
“Okay, then.”
“Well, that’s it for now.”
“Okay, sorry for bothering you. You’re busy.”
Dong Xuebing hung up the phone and went to take the elevator.
Downstairs.
In the courtyard.
The cafeteria was just across the way, just a few steps away.
Dong Xuebing slowly approached and saw Xie Huilan and other City leaders standing at the entrance. There were about twenty people, probably all members of the City Committee and leaders of various departments. Initially, they were prepared to host a meal for the leaders from the province, but since the provincial delegation had left, they couldn’t let the food go to waste, so they decided to have it themselves. There were also many junior staff members standing around.
When Dong Xuebing arrived, everyone noticed him, and their gazes shifted towards him. They greeted him one after another, calling him “Director Dong” or “Mr. Dong”.
Dong Xuebing smiled and responded to their greetings.
Xie Huilan pointed her finger and said, “Let me introduce you formally. This is my husband, Dong Xuebing.”
Dong Xuebing greeted them warmly, “Hello everyone, please don’t stand on ceremony. Just call me Xuebing. I work in the Discipline Inspection Commission, but now it’s lunchtime, so I’m just Huilan’s husband. We’re all in the same city, all part of the same family, so don’t treat me as an outsider. I’m also a resident of our Xiaxing City.”
Everyone laughed.
Many people also had a good impression of him.
Firstly, Dong Xuebing didn’t act like a senior Central Discipline Inspection Commission official. Secondly, he had stood up for them when the province had made things difficult for Xiaxing City.
Xie Huilan spoke up, “Let’s eat.”
The people gradually entered the cafeteria.
The tables were already set, with four or five tables of various sizes, and the dishes were plentiful.
Of course, Dong Xuebing sat at the first table with Xie Huilan. Xie Huilan sat directly at the head of the table without any hesitation, while Dong Xuebing sat beside her. Since this wasn’t his workplace, Dong Xuebing didn’t assert himself, but even if he did, it would be to boost his wife’s confidence.
Let’s eat.
There were dishes and wine.
But now it was working hours, and no one dared to drink.
However, Dong Xuebing poured himself a full glass and stood up, raising his glass to the people at the first table and the tables behind him. “We can’t drink during working hours, but as a family member, I don’t have so many restrictions. I’ll raise a glass to all of you. I appreciate your support of my wife’s work, and I hope we can support each other and understand each other in the future. So, cheers everyone. I’ll drink first.”
Gululu, Dong Xuebing drank up his cup and toasted.
“Mr. Dong, you’re too kind.”
“It’s necessary, it’s necessary.”
“Mr. Dong, you have a good drinking capacity.”
Everyone quickly raised their glasses with tea or other beverages instead of alcohol.
Since she took office, many of the subordinates who had leaned toward Xie Huilan didn’t think much of it. Still, those who belonged to Mayor Xia’s faction or other neutral subordinates felt a bit uncomfortable. There was no other reason but that the husband of the City Committee Secretary was too dominant, both in personality and in his workplace. It felt like he thanked everyone for supporting Secretary Xie by having a Central Commission for Discipline Inspection leader toast to them. It seemed like he was implying something to them.
Mayor Xia remained composed and even chatted with Dong Xuebing with a smile.
However, a few City committee members in Mayor Xia’s camp felt slightly bitter when they sipped their tea, and their mood wasn’t very high. Some of them even started to think.
Following suit, neutral subordinates or leaders who were previously aligned with the former secretary began to communicate actively with Xie Huilan and Dong Xuebing. Evidently, their attitudes had changed, and they were more polite to Secretary Xie. This incident, where Dong Xuebing intimidated the provincial authorities, was not just about intimidating the province but also about intimidating Xiaxing City. He dared to criticize even the officials from the provincial inspection team.
The situation in Xiaxing City had subtly changed.
Dong Xuebing and his position brought about all of this.
Seeing this situation, Dong Xuebing was also quite satisfied. He came here to support his wife, and if he could help her stand firm and develop smoothly, that would be his most outstanding achievement. Now, it seemed that the effect had been achieved. He didn’t say much more. Sometimes, saying a few words was enough, and saying too much would have the opposite effect. Huilan will handle the remaining matters herself.
“Come, let’s eat.”
“Mr. Dong, I’ll toast to you.”
“I can’t handle alcohol well. Let’s all use tea instead.”
“Alright, feel free. Here’s to you.”
The meal was lively, and Dong Xuebing remained the center of attention. Firstly, because of his rank and status, and secondly, his performance today was too eye-catching.
After the meal.
An afternoon passed.
Some of the subordinates who weren’t at the City Committee and most of the government officials gradually heard about what happened in the City Committee courtyard that morning. When they heard that the provincial inspection team had criticized Secretary Xie, and then Secretary Xie’s husband had promptly revealed his position in the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and criticized the provincial leaders, the officials in Xiaxing City were all amazed. It had been many years since such a dramatic scene had occurred in the city. Many officials wished they had been there to witness it. After all, seeing the provincial leaders being scolded and leaving in embarrassment was quite impressive.
Moreover, many officials also sensed something unsettling:
The new City Committee Secretary’s husband is a Central Commission for Discipline Inspection leader.
And he is in charge of Jiangnan Province, which oversees their province.
This matter couldn’t be kept secret. In the blink of an eye, it spread like wildfire.