Power and Wealth

Chapter 1817

It’s Nine O’Clock

The sky was getting darker, and the moon was completely covered.

“Auntie, Uncle, it’s getting late, so I’ll head back,” Dong Xuebing said, feeling satisfied after a good meal and a few drinks. He glanced at the time and bid them farewell. “You two should get some rest.”

Su's mother cheerfully replied, “Stay a little longer.”

Su's father, also pleased, said, “Have another cup of tea.”

Dong Xuebing responded, “I won’t impose any longer. I’ll come again when I have time.”

Su Yan said, “Dad, Mom, Secretary Dong still have lots of work.”

“Alright then, come over for a meal anytime if you can. Treat this place like your own home; don’t be polite. Next time, Auntie will let you taste her cooking again,” Su mother said with a smile.

Dong Xuebing stood up and said, “Alright then, I’ll take my leave.”

Su father, feeling a bit lightheaded, got up as well. “We’ll see you off.”

“No, you’ve both had enough to drink. Don’t come out. It’s cold outside,” Dong Xuebing insisted. “Let Xiao Su see me out.”

However, Su's father and Su's mother still walked him to the door.

“Secretary Dong, come often,” Su's mother waved goodbye.

Su father also said to Dong Xuebing as he was about to head downstairs, “If Xiao Yan does anything foolish or makes mistakes, please feel free to criticize him. I’m sorry for the trouble he’s caused you.”

Dong Xuebing chuckled, “You’re making it sound serious. It’s not that bad. You two should head back.”

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Dong Xuebing finally stepped out of the Su family’s hallway, and a rush of cold air hit him, clearing his head from the effects of the alcohol.

Su Yan quickly followed behind, “Secretary Dong, should I call a car for you from the office?”

Dong Xuebing waved his hand, “No rush, walk with me for a bit. We can hail a taxi when we see one. It’s late at night; they might be resting. Let’s not disturb the drivers.”

Su Yan sensed that Dong Xuebing probably had something to discuss with him and didn’t mention anything else.

This was Su Yan's home, not a government housing complex. He hadn’t had the qualifications to stay in the official housing before, but he would in the future. However, this was still his family’s old house in an old neighborhood, so he did no need to be too cautious. Aside from a few familiar old neighbors, no one knew about Su Yan’s situation, and there were hardly any people around in the neighborhood at this late hour. It was still convenient to talk.

Dong Xuebing turned his head to look at Su Yan, “I came by today since it was on the way, and I got a bit lost. I also wanted to ask you about the situation in our county.”

Although the previous Secretary, Li Guian, didn’t have an obvious advantage, he still managed to control the situation. If Dong Xuebing only had five votes in the Standing Committee, that would make him equal to Zhang Dongfang. Zhang Dongfang would have six votes if that last person remained neutral or abstained. In that scenario, Dong Xuebing, as the County Party Secretary, would be very passive, allowing a second-in-command to press down on him, which is definitely not the outcome he wanted to see. Therefore, it was essential for him to understand more.

Dong Xuebing said, “Could you roughly tell me what the personalities of Secretary Li’s former Standing Committee members are like?” He was starting to focus on the matter.

Su Yan replied, “I don’t know much, but I can share what I’ve heard and seen.”

Dong Xuebing nodded. They had already walked out of the community, waiting by the roadside for a taxi while he listened to Su Yan.

Five minutes passed.

Ten minutes passed.

Two taxis drove by, but Dong Xuebing didn’t flag them down. Instead, he listened intently, even pulling out a couple of cigarettes to smoke.

The Secretary of the Disciplinary Inspection Commission, Wang Bin, is cautious in character.

The Minister of the Propaganda Department, Sun Changzhi, is indecisive.

His frown deepened as Dong Xuebing listened to the character traits of the county Standing Committee members he wanted to win over. This made him feel that his job would be even more challenging, and the number of uncertainties increased, making things difficult. While listening to Su Yan, Dong Xuebing also thought about how to win over the remaining Standing Committee members. He had to ensure this was foolproof; otherwise, if he became passive right after taking office, it would surely lead to a vicious cycle. In that case, Zhang Dongfang would seize control, and Dong Xuebing would become a laughingstock. At that time, it would be questionable whether he could remain in Jiaoling County when the ancient tomb was excavated. If a county mayor forever suppresses a county Party Secretary, his tenure as the top leader would likely end soon, let alone the fact that both the city and the province had a poor impression of him, eager for him to roll out. At that point, it would be equivalent to giving the city a reason to replace him, something Dong Xuebing would never allow.

Why was he here?

He was here to fight for a chance at a deputy department-level position.

He wanted to seize this rare opportunity to take on a deputy department role while helping the local people with some practical matters and ideally improving the local economic situation and development. That would be the best outcome. Therefore, he would show no mercy to anyone obstructing his goals.

Su Yan finished speaking.

A vacant taxi had finally arrived.

Dong Xuebing had heard what he needed, and since Su Yan probably didn’t know much more, he didn’t ask any further questions. He flagged down the taxi, got in, and said, “Let’s go, Xiao Su.”

Su Yan told the driver the address of the county party committee’s family compound and watched as the taxi drove away before returning home.

In the car.

Dong Xuebing’s mind was racing.

In the past, he had to pay attention to others’ expressions since he was at a lower level, but this time, he was the top leader, and he absolutely couldn’t continue like this.