Power and Wealth

The whole cafeteria was quiet.

The City’s Party Secretary had called Dong Xuebing personally to sit beside him, and Dong Xuebing had no other choice. To be honest, Dong Xuebing does not want to sit next to him as his rank was too high, and Dong Xuebing was nervous. Dong Xuebing was also feeling guilty conscience. He thought Xie Guobang does not know about him dating Xie Huilan. But Xie Guobang called him by his full name. That means he knew about Dong Xuebing’s relationship with Xie Huilan. Is he...... going to get back at Dong Xuebing?

Dong Xuebing could feel his sweat trickling down his back as he walked over and sat down beside Party Secretary Xie.

Xie Guobang did not look at Dong Xuebing and look at the rest. “Let’s eat.”

Dong Xuebing picked up his chopsticks cautiously.

Eh? Dong Xuebing noticed the expressions of all the other leaders at the table, and it suddenly dawns on him. No! This is not right. Damn! Dong Xuebing finally realize what was happening. Secretary Xie did not call him out to settle the score with him. He was helping Dong Xuebing! It was not only because Zhen Anguo did not let him sit at the table. Secretary Xie was giving him a warning for holding back Dong Xuebing’s transfer! That’s right! Dong Xuebing was touched. Secretary Xie was really something. Xie Huilan must have said something to her father and had asked him for help. If not, Secretary Xie would never ask Dong Xuebing to sit beside him.

Even Dong Xuebing could understand the reasons behind Secretary Xie’s actions, let alone the other leaders of the branch.

At that moment, the look in everyone’s eyes changed as they looked at Dong Xuebing!

Everyone knows how capable Chief Xiao Dong was. He could solve problems, but no one knew Chief Xiao Dong had any background. Even the City’s Party Secretary offered him a seat. Chief Xiao Dong could also ask him to come all the way to the Western District Branch to pressure Chief Zhen. How can this relationship be normal?! Absolutely not!

Yan Lei’s face had turned green. If he knew Secretary Xie had wanted Dong Xuebing to join him for lunch, he would never sit down at the only remaining seat. Will Secretary Xie be angry with him? Yan Lei did not even dare to pick up his chopsticks. He just sat there in a daze! He was regretting his actions! How is it possible that the City’s Party Secretary knows Dong Xuebing? One was a Deputy Sub-national leader rank, and the other was only a Deputy Section Chief rank! The gap was too big.

Xu Yan laughed to herself. This Xiao Dong really knows how to hide.

Xie Guobang’s assistant looked at Dong Xuebing. He had never heard of Dong Xuebing and does not know how Secretary Xie knows him. Why did Secretary Xie offer a low-rank youngster a seat? But Secretary Shen knew that Party Secretary’s every word or action had significant meanings behind it. Secretary Shen secretly remember Dong Xuebing’s name in his heart.

At the table, Zhen Anguo was the most embarrassed. He knew Secretary Xie had not purposely come to the branch to warn him. Secretary Xie was only dropping by on his way. But that’s enough. To let a Central Government’s Senior Official say all those things, that means he was unhappy with Zhen Anguo’s actions. Zhen Anguo wiped the sweat on his forehead. If it was the State Security that wants to transfer Xiao Dong, he could still stop it. After all, the higher-ups must take note of the immediate supervisor’s opinions. But for a Central Government Leader like Secretary Xie, it was different. If Dong Xuebing’s transfer were arranged by him, Zhen Anguo would never dare to stop it. This was asking for trouble.

Xie Guobang did not say a word during lunch and left after that. He did not even look at Dong Xuebing. He made it look as he had said those things at the table casually. But everyone knew he did it on purpose.

After the City’s leaders left, Dong Xuebing quickly walked to a quiet corner and called Xie Huilan.

“Hello, Sister Xie? Your father had come to my branch for inspection earlier.”

Xie Huilan laughed. “Haha, I know.”

Dong Xuebing knew this was arranged by Xie Huilan. “During lunch, Secretary Xie had purposely offered me a seat beside him. Sister Xie, did you say anything to him?”

“Erm... You can say so.”

Dong Xuebing was touched. “Sister Xie, thank you so much. I......”

“You are the one who had helped me. I had promised that I will help you get the transfer. If I can’t even do such a simple thing, I will be embarrassed. Don’t thank me anymore, alright?”

Dong Xuebing hesitated for a while and asked: “Your...... Your father...... Should I thank him personally?” He knew his rank was too low to speak to Secretary Xie, but Secretary Xie had done him a favor, and it would be rude if he kept quiet.

“You don’t need to do anything now. Everyone in my family is against us dating. Err...... wait until you achieve some results at the grassroots level first. My dad likes capable subordinates.”

“Huh? You mean Chief Zhen will surely approve my transfer now?”

“Haha, if he still does not release you, his transfer order will be issued.”

After hanging up the phone, Dong Xuebing clenched his fist and sighed. Finally. This problem is solved! What a close shave! This transfer was almost called off!

Back at the main building, everyone was looking at Dong Xuebing with respect.

Dong Xuebing saw Yan Lei among a group of people who were walking into the building. He walked quickly and tapped Yan Lei’s shoulders with a smile. “Secretary Yan, busy?”

Yan Lei looked at him and nodded before hurrying away.

Dong Xuebing had wanted to make some sarcastic remarks to get back at Yan Lei for snatching the chair earlier. But when he saw Yan Lei avoiding him, he was speechless. City’s Party Secretary’s influence was too significant. Even Yan Lei who was always finding trouble with him, was scared.

Back at the General Affairs Office, Tan Limei went up to Dong Xuebing. “Chief Dong, Chief Zhen is looking for you.” Tan Limei did not see what happened at the cafeteria, but she heard of it. She was also shocked. She wanted to ask Dong Xuebing what happened, but when she thought that Dong Xuebing had the City’s Party Secretary’s backing, she dare not speak to him like before.

Dong Xuebing nodded and replied: “Ok.” Why is he looking for me?

Dong Xuebing went upstairs and knocked on Chief Zhen’s office.

“Come in.” Zhen Anguo looked at Xiao Dong and smiled. “Have a seat.”

Dong Xuebing thought to himself. An hour ago, you scolded me in front of everyone. Now, you are smiling at me? He was very unhappy with Zhen Anguo, but he did not show it on his face. “Chief Zhen, you are looking for me?”

Zhen Anguo nodded and passed him a set of documents. “Look at these.”

Dong Xuebing picked up the document and read it. “This is?”

Zhen Anguo replied. “This is a Party School Training course. This is not our City’s District Party School training. It is our State Security Training course on firearm training, Psychology, investigations, etc. Normally, only the people from the Sixth Bureau can participate in this training. This course will be starting in a few days. Xiao Dong, I would like to send you for this training. You still have not attended any State Security training since you join, right?”

Dong Xuebing start to wonder what Zhen Anguo was up to. Could he want to make use of this training to stop his transfer? Damn! When will he give up?

Zhen Anguo saw Dong Xuebing’s face changed and knew what he was thinking. He was pissed, but he still explains patiently. “You are only involved in administrative work since you entered the State Security. You will be going to the grassroots level and joining the Public Security soon. This training is essential for you. If not, how are you going to cope with that environment? It will be better for you to attend the Party School’s training than the training organized by the local authorities. This course is organized by State Security, and what they teach is better than other agencies.”

Damn! You should make it clear from the start! You gave me a scare!

Dong Xuebing understood what Zhen Anguo was telling him. He was not a graduate from the Police Training School and cannot be compared to the officers from there. Even a junior Police officer will be better than him. He might not be doing investigation work as a Deputy Bureau Chief after his transfer, but he should at least know how to use a gun and basic investigation techniques. If not, he will be a laughing stock there. The training in the County will not be as proper as the Central Government. State Security Party School’s training is the best option. “...... Thank you, Chief Zhen. I will cherish this opportunity.” But Dong Xuebing was not grateful to Zhen Anguo at all. If Party Secretary Xie had not dropped by today, you would never let me go. If there is anyone I have to thank, it should be Secretary Xie and Xie Huilan!

What Zhen Anguo did now was slapping himself. But he had no choice. The City’s Party Secretary had given obvious hints, and there is no way for Zhen Anguo to stop this transfer anymore. He does not even dare to delay the transfer for one day. This was why after Zhen Anguo returned to his office after lunch, he immediately calls his higher-ups and approved Dong Xuebing’s transfer. He even helped Dong Xuebing get a spot in the State Security training. This training will be recorded in Dong Xuebing’s personal files.

Soon, the whole branch heard of what happened and was amazed by Chief Xiao Dong.

Not only Chief Xiao Dong was capable and could solve problems. The way he handles political struggle was enough to amaze everyone. During the few months Chief Xiao Dong was in the branch, he had gone against the Branch’s No. 1 four times. Zhou Guoan’s refusal to give Chief Xiao Dong’s District Party School’s training course spot was the first time. Zhou Guoan demoting Chief Xiao Dong was the second time. Zhen Anguo leaving Chief Xiao Dong out for the exchange program was the third time, and the fourth time was stopping Chief Xiao Dong’s transfer.

4 times!

Such clashes had happened 4 times!

But Chief Xiao Dong won every single time! It was unbelievable!

At night, Dong Xuebing’s phone rang non-stop. Many people had called him to congratulate him and offered to treat him for dinner. The calls continued until 9 pm. Dong Xuebing immediately fell asleep after he washed up.

The next morning, Dong Xuebing’s transfer order was issued.

Dong Xuebing, 23 years old will be transferred to Hebei Province’s Fenzhou City, Yantai County, as Public Security Deputy Bureau Chief. His position’s rank is Deputy Section Chief!