Power and Wealth

Next day.

Morning, 6 am.

The sky is still dark, but Dong Xuebing has washed up and dressed. He left the family quarters building and saw a few people waiting for him. Secretary Yao Cui, Finance Department Chief Yan Yizhi, and Deputy Chief Chen Xiaomei.

“Mayor Dong.”

“Good morning, Mayor Dong.”

“Good morning. What time did you all reach?”

“We just arrived.”

“Have you all taken your breakfast? Let’s go and have breakfast first.”

Dong Xuebing said and took out his keys. He walked to the Land Rover and opened the boot. Yao Cui, Yan Yizhi, and Chen Xiaomei brought their luggage, and he asked curiously. “Why did you all bring your luggage?”

Yan Yizhi replied. “It’s just some clothes to change.”

Yao Cui added. “We don’t know how long we will be there. That’s why we brought our luggage.”

“All right. Put them in the car.” Dong Xuebing pointed to the boot.

Chen Xiaomei’s luggage was the biggest and heaviest.

Zhen Shui County is far from the City and has poor road conditions. It was foggy this morning, and it affected their visibility. To and fro from the city will take at least 4 to 5 hours, and Dong Xuebing knows they were prepared for a long battle there. The county wants them to get back the money at all costs. It’s not easy to get the money, and will not happen in one day. If the city denies it, there’s nothing they can do despite the funds being meant for Zhen Shui County. They need to prepare for the worst.

The luggage is loaded into the car.

Dong Xuebing threw the keys to Yao Cui. “Let’s go.”

Yao Cui blinked and asked. “We are driving your car to the City?”

“Just use it.” Dong Xuebing replied without thinking. “It is more suitable for the road condition.”

Yan Yizhi and Chen Xiaomei looked at the car and did not say anything. They knew Land Rover was powerful and could handle bad road conditions. However, this is not the issue. This car is too expensive, and rumors will spread if they drive to the city. They did not say anything when they saw Mayor Dong’s attitude.

…….

After 6 am.”

Yao Cui’s family’s breakfast store.

The Land Rover stopped, and they got out.

“Mum, Dad.” Yao Cui shouted towards the store.

Her parents were serving customers and looked out of the store.

Dong Xuebing walked into the store. “Aunt, Uncle, we are here to have breakfast.”

Yao Cui’s mother quickly said. “Ah, Mayor Dong. Hurry and have a seat. Huh…. Do you want to go to my house? The store is dirty.”

“It’s fine, Aunt.” Dong Xuebing sat at an empty table.

Yan Yizhi and Chen Xiaomei knew they were Secretary Yao’s parents. They saw Dong Xuebing addressing them politely, and they quickly greeted them.

Yao Cui asked. “What do you want to eat, Mayor Dong?”

Dong Xuebing replied. “I am fine with anything. Go ahead and order.”

The food was served quickly, and they started eating.

Dong Xuebing volunteered to go to the city because he was furious over this matter. He was full after eating a bit because of his anger.

The breakfast store was quiet this morning, and they were the only customers after another group left.

Dong Xuebing saw they were alone and said. “You all should know this is not an easy task, and we might have to stay there for a few days. We will be facing difficulties and might offend many people. I understand you all are unwilling to go, and I must apologize first. Just know that whatever happens has nothing to do with you all, and I will not let you all take responsibility.” They do not know Dong Xuebing’s working style, and he needs to warn them.

Yan Yizhi replied. “You are treating us as outsiders.”

Chen Xiaomei pushed back her long hair. “That’s right, Mayor Dong. We are willing to go. They have taken our money, and we must get it back!”

Dong Xuebing nodded.

Yan Yizhi said. “I heard the County wants to reclaim half of the funds.”

Dong Xuebing replied. “That’s the lowest requirement. That means we will need to get twenty million RMB from them.”

Yan Yizhi sighed. “It’s twenty million RMB and will not be easy. We must think of a solution.”

Dong Xuebing looked at them and said. “There’s one more thing I need to say. We must set the tone right internally first. Although Secretary Meng and Mayor Jiang say getting back half of the funds is fine, I will not accept it. Fifty million RMB is 50 million RMB. We are going to get everything back! I am not giving a single cent to them!”

“Ah?!”

“Huh?”

Yan Yizhi and Chen Xiaomei were stunned.

Yao Cui did not expect Dong Xuebing to say this too.

You want all the funds?! Will the city agree?

Yan Yizhi quickly says. “Mayor Dong, the City….”

Dong Xuebing waved his hand to interrupt him. “I might have appointed you all to accompany me, but I am not forcing you all. It’s not too late for you all to back out now.”

Yan Yizhi kept quiet.

Chen Xiaomei smiled wearily.

Dong Xuebing continued. “If we get back the fund, we will get back the remaining 45 million RMB. We will not compromise!”

Yan Yizhi thought for a while and said. “We will go. Just tell us what to do.”

Chen Xiaomei asked. “Mayor Dong, just give the orders. What are our duties?”

Dong Xuebing thought for a second and said. “Let’s talk about it when we reach there. I don’t have a plan now. We will check the situation first.”

Dong Xuebing hates being threatened. He is fine if the City takes five or six million RMB and issues the rest to Zhen Shui County. After all, the city is not wealthy too. But the city had taken most of the funds to force Zhen Shui County to compromise and give up the funds. You all want to have a good name for yourselves after doing such things?! Dream on! I traveled to Beijing and used my connections to get this fund, and you want to threaten me with the fund?!

F**k!

I will never tolerate this!

Don’t even think of getting a single cent from us!

“All right. Are you all done?”

“Yes. We are full.”

“Let’s go!”

They got into the Land Rover and left.