Power and Wealth-Chapter 1888

In the room.

It was just past 3 p.m.

Dong Xuebing sat behind his desk, smoking a cigarette, his mind racing. He was trying to think of a way to resolve the situation. He wasn't afraid of punishment, but right now was a critical time in his political career. He was up for a promotion from division head to deputy bureau chief, and he couldn’t afford to face any disciplinary action. If that happened, many of his plans would be derailed, and any opportunity to be promoted from a county to a city-level position would become an unattainable dream.

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He thought left.

He thought right.

But there was no solution.

At this moment, both the provincial and city authorities were after him and displeased with him, and Dong Xuebing, alone, felt powerless. This wasn’t the Xie family’s turf—he couldn’t call on family for help. The only person Dong Xuebing could rely on was himself.

What to do?

He had to come up with something.

After thinking for a while, the only person Dong Xuebing could think of for help was Fang Wenping. The only ally he could rely on in the northern Shaanxi region was her. However, reaching out to her was a last resort. After some hesitation, Dong Xuebing didn’t make the call. He couldn’t bring himself to do it. After all, he had argued with Fang Wenping over the phone just earlier that afternoon. Their argument was pretty heated and almost escalated into a complete falling-out. It wasn’t a pleasant interaction. He felt too embarrassed to ask for her help now. Dong Xuebing was well known for his pride, and everyone who knew him understood that he was a man who valued his face. The second reason he didn’t call was that he knew this issue would be difficult for Fang Wenping. Although this was Fang Wenping’s territory, and many provincial leaders were from the Fang faction, internal factional struggles were still fierce. Relationships were complex, and not everyone within the same faction was necessarily united. The issues involved were numerous and not easily solved. Fang Wenping was still new to the role. Asking her to speak up for a rival family like the Xie family would put her in a tough position. It could even cause a rift with her faction. He doubted she would do this for him.

Personal friendships are one thing.

Politics is another.

Besides, their relationship wasn’t deep enough. Had they ever gotten along easily?

Dong Xuebing thought about it like this, and after much hesitation, he still didn’t make the call. He stewed in frustration for a while. Finally, cursing under his breath, he slammed his hand on the desk. It seemed like nothing would work. So, he decided to stop hesitating.

Bring it on.

If the enemy comes, I’ll fight; if the water comes, I’ll block it.

At that moment, the door knocked, and Su Yan entered worriedly. "Secretary, Director Zhang from the city’s Discipline Inspection Commission is here. He wants to talk to you."

Dong Xuebing took a sip of tea. "Let them in."

Hearing the secretary’s tense tone, Su Yan grew even more worried. He hoped there wouldn’t be more trouble. Dong Xuebing’s temper was foul, and he hoped he wouldn’t end up scolding the city’s Discipline Inspection staff again.

Soon after, Director Zhang entered with a few people.

When Director Zhang looked at him, Su Yan quickly closed the door and left.

"Are you Comrade Dong Xuebing?" Director Zhang, who hadn’t met him before, introduced himself formally. "I am Zhang Ping, Director of the Second Supervision Office of the City’s Discipline Inspection Commission."

Dong Xuebing didn’t get up. He sat with an air of indifference. "Director Zhang, please have a seat."

Hearing this, the City Discipline Inspection Commission people showed displeasure and anger on their faces. What kind of attitude was this? "You still want to sit down? Who do you think you are? We're here to investigate you, don’t you know? And you’re acting like this?"

But Dong Xuebing had a different mindset. "You guys are the ones causing trouble for me. Why should I be polite to you? You can leave if you want. I don’t care. I’ll still do what I must, whether you like it."

From the start, Dong Xuebing made it clear he wouldn’t play nice with them.

At that moment, Zhang Ping could really see the kind of leader Dong Xuebing was. No wonder he had the guts to send the foreign guests packing. At first, Zhang Ping couldn’t believe someone in such a position could lack political acumen like this, but after seeing Dong Xuebing in person, hearing his approach to work and his way of speaking, he was convinced.

Zhang Ping sat down across from him. "Alright, let’s get straight to the point. Yesterday afternoon, did you insult the city government office’s staff?"

Dong Xuebing answered without hesitation, "Yes, I did."

Everyone had expected him to deny it, but Dong Xuebing’s response was so direct and clean that they were all taken aback. They thought, "He’s bold enough to admit it."

Zhang Ping looked at him, "And you also cancelled the hotel reservation for the foreign guests?"

"Yes, I did," Dong Xuebing replied as he picked up his tea and took a few sips.

Zhang Ping was inwardly surprised. He didn’t explain or comment further, but he had to admit he’d never met anyone like this. He pressed, "And it’s true that you paid for the hotel reservation?"

Dong Xuebing laughed lightly. "You just said I paid personally. So, this matter isn’t under the purview of the Discipline Inspection Commission anymore, right? The money came from my funds, and I have every right to choose the hotel and the number of rooms. I didn’t spend a penny of the county’s money. You can check if you don’t believe my income is legitimate. Feel free to investigate any time."

His words were spoken with confidence.

One of the people from the City Discipline Inspection Commission couldn’t hold back. "You think we won’t check?"

Dong Xuebing smiled. "Go ahead, check all you want. You can follow the banking procedures. Want to see my past property declarations? No problem. I can even make a call and have them sent to you." Looking at the young inspection officer who had spoken to him loudly, Dong Xuebing said, "Don’t yell at me. I’m more familiar with these procedures than you."

The young officer was furious and about to retort.

But Zhang Ping raised a hand to stop him.

Indeed, that officer and even Zhang Ping knew that Dong Xuebing was more familiar with these procedures than anyone. Dong Xuebing had once been the director of the city’s Discipline Inspection Commission’s monitoring office, and later, he was transferred to the Central Discipline Inspection Commission. His professional knowledge and experience far surpassed Zhang Ping’s.

That wasn’t the end of it. Dong Xuebing looked at Zhang Ping and said, "To put it bluntly, I’ve been investigated by the Discipline Inspection Commission more than once or twice. I’ve worked in the Commission for years. Don’t try to beat around the bush."

Zhang Ping coldly replied, "Let’s not talk about the hotel. Comrade Dong Xuebing, I’ve looked at your file. You’ve been in the Discipline Inspection Commission for a long time. Don’t you know the principles of party discipline? Insulting city staff, especially in front of so many people, do you realize the severe negative impact this has caused?"

Dong Xuebing, ever the provocateur, responded sarcastically, "Oh? I didn’t know."

Zhang Ping said, "As the top leader, you’ve set a bad example for everyone."

Dong Xuebing chuckled and said, "You can investigate all you want. I’ll cooperate with the city’s Discipline Inspection Commission’s investigation, but it’s not up to you to lecture me here. I know the principles better than you do."

"You..." Several inspectors from the City Discipline Inspection Commission were infuriated.

After several exchanges, the conversation wasn’t going smoothly at all.

The City Discipline Inspection Commission inspectors had figured it out: the county party secretary from Jiao Lin was a thorough, shameless rogue—a tough nut to crack, one whose either soft or hard tactics couldn’t sway.

Finally reaching his limit, Zhang Ping snapped, "Fine, then. No need to discuss anything further. Comrade Dong Xuebing, wait for the disciplinary decision." They had investigated everything that needed investigating and gathered all the information, and there was no need for further discussion. A party warning or disciplinary action was inevitable. Seeing Dong Xuebing’s attitude, Zhang Ping no longer had the energy to argue. It was clear that they would let the results speak for themselves.

Damn it.

So you want to play hardball?

We can’t do anything to you?

But then, a black Range Rover with a Beijing license plate 6666 suddenly drove into the temporary county committee compound. It came in fast, and with a screeching sound, it stopped in the courtyard.

The door opened, and out stepped a gorgeous middle-aged woman.

Once she stepped out, the woman asked, "Where’s Dong Xuebing’s office?"

Su Yan, waiting outside, noticed the woman from a distance and felt she looked somewhat familiar. Hearing her tone and seeing her commanding presence, Su Yan wasn’t sure who she was but pointed toward Dong Xuebing’s office. "The secretary is in there. May I ask who you are?"

Without saying another word, the woman, in high heels, marched purposefully into the building.

A civil servant nearby tried to stop her, saying, "Hey, the city’s Discipline Inspection Commission is here. You can’t just..."

The woman didn’t listen. She pushed the door open and looked inside. "Are you busy?"

All eyes in the courtyard turned toward the office.

Zhang Ping had been quite angry inside, thinking, "Who’s this barging in? We may be leaving, but we haven’t left yet!" However, he froze once he saw the woman and quickly jumped to his feet. "Oh, Provincial Governor Fang, what brings you here?"

Jiao Lin County was several levels below the provincial government, and Fang Wenping had only just been appointed, so many people hadn’t recognized her yet. But how could Zhang Ping not recognize her? As city officials, they paid close attention to movements at the provincial level, and Zhang Ping had seen her on TV multiple times.

"Uh…"

"Provincial Governor Fang."

"The new Deputy Governor from the province?"

The people from Jiao Lin County outside were equally confused.

Usually, a Deputy governor wouldn’t even visit a county like theirs, let alone come to a city alone. Even when they did visit, there would typically be a whole group of people with them for inspections. But here, Provincial Governor Fang had arrived alone, without a driver or secretary. Why was she here? She seemed to be looking for Dong Xuebing and spoke in such a stern tone.

It dawned on everyone: wasn’t she in charge of the foreign guest arrangements? The City Discipline Inspection Commission had just arrived, and now Fang Wenping was here. Was she going to hold Dong Xuebing accountable for something?

It seemed like a double-pressure attack.

This was a two-pronged assault.

Dong Xuebing was really in danger this time.