Power and Wealth

Before noon.

Zhao Xu’s office.

Zhao Xu called the City Finance Department Chief, Wei Lin after Dong Xuebing left. “Hello, Chief Wei. I am Zhao Xu.”

“Good morning, Mayor Zhao.”

“Zhen Shui County’s people are here.”

“Oh, so fast?”

“They just left my office and might be going to the Finance Department. I am letting you know.”

“Mayor Zhao, how much should I give them?”

“There’s no hurry. You can decide.” Zhao Xu told Wei Lin to decide, but he also told him there was no hurry.

“Oh, ok. I understand.” Wei Lin replied.

“Ah, do you know about Zhen Shui County’s Executive Deputy Mayor Dong Xuebing?”

“Dong Xuebing called me yesterday, and he was rude. He even threatened me. Did he come to ask for money?” Since Mayor Zhao had mentioned Dong Xuebing, Wei Lin knew what he wanted. “I asked around about him last night. This Xiao Dong achieved some results and got promoted fast. But he is from Hebei Province and is newly transferred here. He does not have any connections here. I wonder where he got the guts to threaten me. He is unreasonable.”

“This person’s mindset is wrong.”

Zhao Xu shook his head after hanging up. Dong Xuebing, who has no backing, had come to Mei He City and demanded the funds. What a joke. I will teach you a lesson to let you know your place. The money is in the City Finance Department. We are the boss! If Zhao Xu doesn’t release the money, they can do nothing.

Outside of the City Party Committee building.

Dong Xuebing and the rest got into the Land Rover.

“Mayor Dong.” Yan Yizhi hesitated.

Dong Xuebing looked at Yan Yizhi. “What is it, Old Yan?”

Yan Yizhi said. “I think the City should be willing to give us the fund. If we clash with Mayor Zhao, we might….”

“We might not get the fund?”

“Yes. That’s how I feel.”

“Then how much do you think the City will return us?”

“Huh? I don’t think it will be a lot, but we might get a few million RMB if we try.”

“I said before we came. I am getting all the funds back! Fifty million RMB and not a cent less. That’s why I will not accept even if the City gives us a few million RMB.”

Yan Yizhi and Chen Xiaomei exchanged looks and did not say anything. They felt this is impossible to succeed.

This is Dong Xuebing’s stubbornness acting up.

Go against the City? I will f**king show you how I will go against you all!

Dong Xuebing turned to Yao Cui. “Go to the City Finance Department now.”

Dong Xuebing was mad when he knew the City had stopped the funds yesterday. He is furious and disgusted by the City leader today. You took our funds and refused to return them, yet you still claimed to be correct and threatened us.

Do you think I am scared of you all?!

Go and find out who I am first!

You dare to put on airs and snub me?! You all took our funds and threatened us!?

Fine. I will have ‘fun’ with you all today! I will make you all return the funds and beg me to accept them!

Dong Xuebing has a rough idea.

Dong Xuebing does not have high political wisdom and is immature. But he is full of wicked ideas.

Who can compare to him when it comes to wicked ideas?

Dong Xuebing had planned to change his reputation and not rely on tricks in Zhen Shui County. But others are stepping all over him, and he cannot tolerate it. He decided to reveal his true colors.

City Finance Department.

The car stopped outside, and Dong Xuebing entered the compound. The guards saw them and did not stop them.

But before Dong Xuebing entered the office building, his phone rang.

It was Secretary Meng’s office number. Dong Xuebing turned and said. “Wait for me inside. I got a call.”

“All right.”

“Ok.”

Yan Yizhi, Chen Xiaomei, and Yao Cui entered the building.

Dong Xuebing walked aside and answered. “Hello, Secretary Meng.”

Meng Rui asked. “Have you met the city leaders? How’s the situation?”

Dong Xuebing replied. “I met Deputy City Mayor Zhao Xu and just left his office. Mayor Zhao is firm and has no intention of returning the fund. I think he is trying to delay us and wear out our patience. Even if they return the fund eventually, it will not be a lot. At most is a few million RMB. I can also tell the City is up to something. They held a Party Committee Meeting yesterday and had another one this morning. I don’t know what was discussed, and they are trying to delay the return of our funds. I am afraid….”

Meng Rui kept quiet. “What do you think, Mayor Jiang?”

This call is on speaker phone, and Jang Fangfang is with Meng Rui.

Jiang Fangfang calmly replied. “I heard the City plans to build a new Party Committee family quarters during a meeting a few months ago. The current family quarters are old, but the City lacks the funds to rebuild it.” Mayor Jiang had made herself clear.

They will build new family quarters and might be using Zhen Shui County’s fund!

Dong Xuebing’s face turned black. The City had crossed the line if this is true. The funds are supposed to be spent on the people and not on building better accommodation for yourself!

These people are greedy!

Dong Xuebing got mad again.

Meng Rui paused for a while and said. “The City should not be using our funds to rebuild their family quarters, and this is not confirmed. But we must get back the fund as soon as possible. Please try to get back at least a few million RMB first, Mayor Dong.” Secretary Meng seemed to be anxious. If the City had planned and divided the fund….

Dong Xuebing asked. “Even a few million RMB?”

“Just try to get as much as possible, and it must be fast.”

Dong Xuebing thought for a while. “I know we don’t have time, but we should try to get back the full amount. I want to get back the remaining 45 million RMB.”

Secretary Meng was shocked. “All the funds?”

Dong Xuebing replied. “Yes. Everything.”

Jiang Fangfang added. “It’s impossible.”

“You said the City is firm, and we might not even get back 20 million RMB. Why are you saying you want to get back the full amount?” Meng Rui frowned. “I know you worked hard to get this fund from the Central Government, and you are unwilling to let the City reap the fruits of your labor. Mayor Jiang and I feel the same too. But you should give up. If you negotiate with the City with this mindset, you might not get back a cent. There’s no time to think about it. Just try to get as much as possible. A few million RMB is better than nothing. I know you want more…. Sigh…. We will think of another solution for the rest of the fund.”

Dong Xuebing paused for a few seconds and insisted. “Secretary Meng, Mayor Jiang, let me try. I cannot accept this.”

Meng Rui’s expression changed. “This is not the time for you to act up. Do you understand?”

Dong Xuebing had no choice and did not want to argue. Although he had decided, he asked. “What is the lowest amount we should accept?”

“Wait.” Secretary Meng said.

The phone went silent. Meng Rui and Jiang Fangfang were discussing and muted the call.

About one minute later. Secretary Meng said. “It will be great if we can get 10 million RMB. If not, it must not be lower than 6 million RMB.”

Dong Xuebing replied. “All right, I understand.”

Secretary Meng replied. “We are waiting for your news. Call us if anything happens. Our County has your back.”

“Ok. I am going to the Finance Department now.”

“Take note of your choice of words, and try not to clash with them.”

Dong Xuebing kept his phone and lit a cigarette. He is thinking of a plan.

6 to 10 million RMB….

Dong Xuebing did not care about Secretary Meng’s words. He said he would get back all the funds and would not accept anything less.

No one can take advantage of him!

Not even a cent!

Inside the office building.

Resting area at level one. Yan Yizhi and Chen Xiaomei were whispering among themselves. They would ask a staff member near them once in a while.

Yao Cui had gone to get a cup of water. She saw Dong Xuebing and quickly passed the water to him. “Have some water.”

“Thank you.” Dong Xuebing drank the water and exhaled loudly. “Old Yan, Old Chen.”

Yan Yizhi stopped talking to the Finance Department staff and returned with Chen Xiaomei. “They say Chief Wei is not around.”

Dong Xuebing narrowed his eyes. “His is not around? Where did he go?”

Yan Yizhi replied. “He is away for a meeting. They ask us to come back in the afternoon.”

Dong Xuebing asked. “Where is Chief Wei’s office?”

Yan Yizhi had visited his office before. “It’s at the end of the corridor on the third floor.”

Dong Xuebing walked towards the stairs. “Let’s go.”

Dong Xuebing is furious. The City might use its Central Government funds to build a family quarter. He will not allow this to happen! He is not going to hold back anymore!