Chapter 2014

Chapter 2014

Afternoon

Qingxi Province

After having lunch at Xu Yan’s house, Dong Xuebing didn’t stay long. He had somewhere else to go, so he bid farewell, “Sister Xu, I’m off now, I’ve got some things to take care of.”

Xu Yan was very considerate and said, “Go ahead, and don’t let things come up unexpectedly.”

Dong Xuebing smiled, “It’s one thing if you don’t mind, but I have to apologize for this.”

“You’re a troublemaker, always making a big deal out of nothing. Alright, off you go,” Xu Yan laughed.

Before leaving, Dong Xuebing added, “By the way, since your son is still studying in Beijing and staying at his uncle’s place, it’s not ideal. Let me help you with that. If you’re open to it, I’ll reach out to some people to help you relocate back to Beijing. The living conditions will be better, and the political prospects are wider. Additionally, you can spend time with your son. It’s much better than staying here alone without any familiar faces.”

Xu Yan smiled, “No need.”

Dong Xuebing insisted, “No, you have to listen to me. I still know some people at the National Security Department. I’ve helped them a lot, so they’ll return the favor. Additionally, the country is forming a new security committee, and the National Security, Judiciary, General Staff, and General Political Department are all being unified. My second uncle is a leader at the General Staff Department, and he has a significant influence on this integration. I’ll give him a heads-up, and it will be fine.”

Xu Yan glanced at him, “Isn’t it troublesome?”

“No trouble at all, it’s a small thing,” Dong Xuebing replied.

“Alright, give it a try. If it doesn’t work, no worries,” Xu Yan agreed, though she probably still wanted to go back to Beijing for her son.

Dong Xuebing smiled, “It’ll work. Don’t worry. I’ll call soon and make sure we move it up a level. Alright, I’ll leave now.”

He went downstairs and hailed a taxi.

While waiting for the taxi, Dong Xuebing called his second uncle, Xie Guojian. “Hello, Second Uncle, it’s Xuebing. I have something I’d like to ask you.”

Xie Guojian chuckled. “Go ahead.”

Dong Xuebing said, “About the security committee formation. I have a friend who wants to get in. Do you think that’s possible?”

Xie Guojian asked, “What level officer?”

Dong Xuebing replied, “Not an officer, but a civil servant, Deputy-departmental level. Currently, they’re the deputy director of the Qingxi National Security here.”

“Your call comes at the perfect time. We’re discussing this right now,” Xie Guojian thought for a moment and then said, “Alright, send me their details, and I’ll get in touch with them. It shouldn’t be a big problem. Tell them to wait for the official notice. It should be finalized by next month.”

“Great, thank you, Second Uncle,” Dong Xuebing happily responded.

Having helped his second aunt earlier, he was now seeking help from his second uncle. This is how things worked in the system: mutual support and cooperation.

With Xu Yan’s matter settled and his apology delivered, Dong Xuebing felt a sense of relief.

The taxi arrived, and Dong Xuebing got in. “Take me to Zhenshui County.”

“That far?” the driver asked. “Why not take a long-distance bus? A taxi will be quite expensive.”

Dong Xuebing said, “The long-distance buses are too slow, and I’m in a hurry. It’s fine, take me.”

The driver didn’t protest and started the car. Typically, taxis didn’t go such long distances.

On the way, Dong Xuebing calculated the time. It had been about seven to eight hours since Zhang Longjuan called him early in the morning, so she should have woken up by now. He decided to call her.

The international call signal was bad, crackling and buzzing.

After a few rings, the call went through. “Hello, handsome guy, haha.”

Dong Xuebing said, “Sister Zhang, you’re awake, right?”

“Just woke up, having some milk to nourish my baby. Haha, what’s up? If you need something, say it,” Zhang Longjuan responded.

Dong Xuebing said, “I was thinking, you know, I own 20% of your company. When the baby is born, I want to transfer my shares to the child.”

Zhang Longjuan laughed, “Do you know how much my company’s 20% is worth?”

Dong Xuebing wasn’t concerned, “Whatever the price is, I’ll transfer it all to the child. Don’t argue, that’s what I’ve decided.”

Zhang Longjuan said, “I don’t agree.”

Dong Xuebing replied, “You may not agree, but it’s happening.”

“Alright, we’ll talk about it later,” Zhang Longjuan said.

No matter how Zhang Longjuan understood it, this was Dong Xuebing’s way of expressing his sense of responsibility and apology. He didn’t want to leave any unresolved feelings, and that’s why he made the sudden decision to change his itinerary today.

What is the purpose of life?

Some live for money, while others live for power.

But Dong Xuebing’s goal was to live without regret. He didn’t want to look back in his later years and regret the decisions he made in his youth.

As he was thinking, the phone rang again.

An unknown number.

Dong Xuebing hesitantly answered, “Hello.”

A woman’s voice came through, and she sounded older, “Hello, is this Secretary Dong?”

“Yes, this is me,” Dong Xuebing said, puzzled. “Who is this?”

The woman quickly replied, “I’m Liang Na, the deputy secretary of Yanbei County’s party committee. We’ve never met, but I got your number from someone else. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

Dong Xuebing was stunned, “Oh, hello, Secretary Liang. What can I do for you?”

Liang Na, the third-ranking official of Yanbei County, was surprised when he was called out of the blue. The Yanbei County Party Secretary, Yang Gang, had a history of major conflicts with Dong Xuebing’s side. It seemed odd that someone from Yanbei County was reaching out.

The woman hurriedly said, “Actually, it’s nothing urgent. I just wanted to see if you’re free sometime. I’ve long admired your work, and I was wondering if we could have a meal together.”

Dong Xuebing was even more surprised, “I’m not in the county right now, I’m on vacation. But a meal sounds fine, Secretary Liang. Let’s arrange a time when I get back.”

“Alright, here’s my phone number. I’ll wait for your call,” the woman said politely.

Dong Xuebing replied, “Okay, we’ll contact each other then.”

After hanging up, Dong Xuebing sensed that something was amiss. He decided to call someone from a neighboring county to confirm. He didn’t call Zhang Dongfang, even though they were on good terms now, since Zhang was in a different political camp. He didn’t call Su Yan either, as she had been with him for a shorter time and didn’t have the connections yet. Instead, he called Meng Hanmei directly.

When the phone connected, Dong Xuebing asked, “Hey, Meng, is the deputy secretary of Yanbei County named Liang Na?”

“Yes, it is,” Meng Hanmei replied.

Dong Xuebing said, “She just called me and invited me for a meal. What does this mean? I don’t think this is just a casual invitation. Is the merger decision made?”

“I don’t know for sure, but I’ll ask around,” Meng Hanmei replied, understanding the situation.

“Okay, find out and let me know. I’ll wait,” Dong Xuebing said before hanging up.

About ten minutes later, Meng Hanmei called back, sounding excited, “Secretary, I checked with a friend in the city. It has been confirmed that once Jiao Lin County merges and becomes a city, Yanbei County will fall under our jurisdiction. The provincial meeting today mentioned it. Secretary Liang must have heard the news and wants to make early preparations. After all, there’s been a lot of tension between our two countries recently.”

“Got it,” Dong Xuebing said, now understanding the situation better.

Not long after, several calls came through, including one from Zhang Dongfang and another from a city leader, all confirming the news.

This was good news.

Dong Xuebing was in a good mood. Yanbei County had been ruthless before, with over a dozen officers coming to destroy Jiao Lin County’s property and even attacking their people. Although Dong Xuebing had ensured that all those officers were handled, the issue was far from over. Now it was time to settle the score. Once Yanbei County was merged, the power dynamic would shift. The two counties would no longer be equal, and Dong Xuebing would become the superior authority over the Yanbei County leadership, including Yang Gang.

He’d been waiting for this moment.

Liang Na, the third-ranking official, had already reached out to him in advance.

Yang Gang must have heard the news and was probably nervous by now.

But no matter how nervous Yang Gang was, it wouldn’t matter. Dong Xuebing had already made up his mind, and with Zhang Dongfang’s support, they were united on this issue.

Although the merger would take time, the selection of personnel was already on Dong Xuebing’s mind. Yang Gang would be replaced, and Dong Xuebing was determined not to let Zhang Dongfang take the position.

The position was too important to let go.

He already had someone in mind: Luo Haiting.

Dong Xuebing shook his head. After the county merger, Luo Haiting would have a place as the District Party Secretary. She was skilled in relationships but lacked the toughness to lead a county. He thought she would be more suitable in a position under the city’s jurisdiction.

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