Power and Wealth

Getting in the car.

The car started moving.

Everyone headed toward the new county party headquarters, which wasn’t far—less than two kilometers away. They would arrive in just a few minutes.

In the car.

Dong Xuebing told Meng Hanmei, “Director Meng, keep an eye on renovating the old county party headquarters. I’m putting this entirely in your hands. If you need funding, come to me for approval. You don’t need to check with me about the other details; I trust you can handle it. As for the construction team, hire a reliable one. I don’t have any other demands, except one: the quality of the renovation must pass inspection. I don’t want to see leaking roofs again. Also, please try to speed up the process.”

Meng Hanmei absentmindedly replied, “Got it.”

Dong Xuebing continued, “You don’t need to wait for the party committee’s meeting to discuss this. You can start arranging the renovation this afternoon. I’ll bring it up in the next meeting; mention it briefly, and it’ll pass. Since the province is investigating this matter, renovating the old headquarters is the only option. This proposal won’t fail, and I have the advantage in the standing committee, so it’s even less of a problem.”

But Meng Hanmei was not focused on this. She thought differently than Dong Xuebing. She was concerned that Dong Xuebing had gone too far this time. Once the investigation team finished their work, it was uncertain whether Dong Xuebing would even remain in his position as the county party secretary. Even if his position were somehow preserved, he would be implicated. The county party committee members who had aligned with him might no longer follow him. If that happened, Zhang Dongfang’s faction would take the upper hand. The end result would be the same—Dong Xuebing, unable to maintain control of the county, would eventually be ousted. Meng Hanmei couldn’t help but worry about her future as well.

In another car.

The car was filled with investigation team members, so he wasn’t too cautious and answered it. “Hello, leader.”

On the other end, an unknown middle-aged voice responded, “Old Cheng, how’s the investigation going?”

“We haven’t gotten far yet,” Cheng Wei explained. “We’ve been here for almost an hour, but the county party secretary of Jiao Lin County is being very uncooperative. He’s been dodging us and acting dumb. We’re heading to the new county party headquarters now, and we should be there soon.”

The person on the other end said, “Dong Xuebing is uncooperative. I know him. That’s why I warned you to be careful. The secretary of Jiao Lin County has a bad temper and is quite troublesome. But don’t worry about him. Just investigate as you should, gather the evidence, and lay out the facts. There’s no need to waste time arguing with him. Once we have the evidence, the higher-ups will approve the suspension investigation. Once we control him, the rest will be easier, and there won’t be any obstructions.”

Cheng Wei immediately replied, “Understood.”

The leader on the other end added, “Let me repeat it: Dong Xuebing has a bad temper. I’m sure you’ve already seen that for yourself.”

Cheng Wei said in a low voice, “Yes, I’ve experienced it firsthand.”

The leader continued, “Don’t let him throw you off course. We already have the evidence. Just follow your pace, and there won’t be any issues.”

Cheng Wei responded, “Got it.”

“Alright, I’ll be waiting for your update.” The line went dead.

Cheng Wei hung up the phone, now even more certain that the province was trying to take Dong Xuebing down through this investigation. Otherwise, the leader wouldn’t be concerned about Dong Xuebing’s situation. The message relayed to him was very clear, and Cheng Wei now fully understood.

Getting rid of Dong Xuebing?

They couldn’t have asked for more.

That bastard was infuriating.

Five minutes later.

After turning a couple of corners, the cars arrived at an intersection.

The ground was covered with dirt and rubble, and the road had become difficult to walk. Dong Xuebing ordered the car to stop, and everyone followed suit, parking their vehicles.

Dong Xuebing exited the car and said, "Let’s walk from here."

The county leaders and the investigation team also got out of their cars.

They started walking, but the ground was full of rubble and dirt. Dong Xuebing remembered that the last time he came to the new county party headquarters, the area had already been cleared up. So why was there so much debris now? But no one gave it much thought and followed Dong Xuebing as he led the way.

At this moment, an unexpected figure appeared.

Huo Yibang, the head of the Jiao Lin County Urban Management Bureau, was coming from the opposite direction.

"Mm."

"Old Huo."

"Bureau Chief Huo."

Naturally, the local cadres recognized him.

Huo Yibang greeted everyone, then glanced at the provincial investigation team members. His gaze was complicated, as if he had heard some news about the situation in the county, even though he had been busy with work the whole night and morning. His eyes hinted at surprise, and his attitude towards Dong Xuebing had become even more respectful than yesterday. He said, "Secretary."

Dong Xuebing nodded, "What’s the situation?"

Huo Yibang nodded in return, "It’s all taken care of."

"Good." Dong Xuebing patted him on the shoulder, "Thank you for your hard work."

"Don’t mention it. It’s not hard; it’s our job," Huo Yibang replied.

Many people overheard their conversation but couldn’t understand what they were discussing. They had no idea what “taken care of” or “hard work” meant.

What was taken care of?

What hard work?

What were they whispering about?

Dong Xuebing no longer delayed, quickening his pace and signaling Huo Yibang to lead the way. The group of dozens of people followed behind.

Many people’s minds were still occupied with the conversation between Dong Xuebing and Huo Yibang.

Zhang Dongfang, Meng Hanmei, and the provincial investigation team were thinking, but none of them understood what had been said.

It wasn’t until they arrived at the site of the new county party headquarters that, under Dong Xuebing’s guidance, they looked around. Many people from Jiao Lin County, nervous and uneasy before, looked around. But as soon as they took a glance, their expressions froze in shock.

Zhang Dongfang stood there stunned.

Chang Lin, Sun Changzhi, Meng Hanmei, Su Yan, and the others were also dumbfounded.

Even the provincial investigation team members, except Dong Xuebing and Huo Yibang, who already knew what was happening, were left speechless.

What did they see?

They saw that there was nothing to see.

The new county party headquarters—this was the site of the new county party headquarters.

It was supposed to be the site of a grand building with walls and many palatial structures, but now it has become an empty plot of land.

And what else?

Nothing at all.

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