Were You Previously in an Opera Troupe?

~Date:~ November 7~

Conference Room.

"I support County Chief Jiang's proposal!"

Dong Xuebin's powerful declaration left the other ten County Party Committee Standing Committee Members present momentarily stunned, as if none of them had expected him to say that!

Jiang Fangfang slowly glanced at Dong Xuebin.

Meng Rui's face darkened slightly as he looked at him.

Zhang Wanshui and Cheng Fuguang frowned, their eyes flickering.

Ci Boyang and Jiang Hai's expressions changed slightly!

Whether Dong Xuebin took office or not would not fundamentally affect the situation in Zhenshui County. This was Secretary Meng's one-man domain, so Dong Xuebin's vote in the Standing Committee meant little to either side. No matter which camp he joined, it could not change Secretary Meng's overwhelmingly dominant position. But whether it was necessary or not, it still carried political significance. Naturally, people would watch where Dong Xuebin chose to stand. Sometimes, attitude mattered more than actual influence. If Dong Xuebin leaned toward Secretary Meng, it would merely be icing on the cake. With Secretary Meng's support, his path would be smoother and take him farther, which was important for a newcomer like Dong Xuebin. But if he leaned toward County Chief Jiang, he would be in for suffering. All that awaited him would be suppression from Secretary Meng's faction, and his work would certainly be obstructed at every turn. Even an idiot knew that. After all, more than half of the eleven Standing Committee Members were Secretary Meng's diehard followers. Jiang Fangfang's only confidant was gone, leaving her completely alone. So even though Dong Xuebin was the Executive Vice County Chief, everyone had assumed he would remain temporarily neutral, while leaning slightly toward Secretary Meng without falling out too badly with County Chief Jiang, much like Deputy County Chief Ci's strategy.

That was the general trend.

Who could afford to lack political awareness??

Everyone wanted to climb higher, so naturally they had to assess the situation. No one wanted to make trouble for themselves!

So when Dong Xuebin said that, everyone's first reaction was whether County Chief Dong had misspoken. Why would he foolishly throw his full support behind County Chief Jiang at his very first Standing Committee meeting? Would anyone with even a little political wisdom do something like that? What did this mean??

Was he jumping into a fire pit himself?

No one could be that stupid, right??

After several days of contact, Dong Xuebin had presented himself as fairly steady and composed. Thus, they had not thought he would make such a foolish mistake. What they did not know was that this was obviously not Dong Xuebin's true personality. It was not that he lacked political wisdom, nor that he knew nothing about being an official. But once Dong Xuebin got emotionally involved, once he got angry, he would not give a damn about anything. Factions, struggles, County Party Secretaries—who the hell cared!

Remain neutral?

The instant Dong Xuebin saw Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee Chu Peng stab Jiang Fangfang in the back, he had completely abandoned his policy of neutrality!

Earlier, he had seen Chu Peng leave County Chief Jiang's office. He and County Chief Jiang had apparently not parted on pleasant terms, though Dong Xuebin neither knew nor cared why. He only knew that if Chu Peng remained neutral or even leaned toward Secretary Meng, County Chief Jiang's life would not merely become difficult—it might affect Jiang Fangfang's position as County Chief. Once the city learned that County Chief Jiang had lost all significance in the Standing Committee, that not a single person supported her, they would certainly question Jiang Fangfang's ability. It was entirely possible they would remove her and replace her with a new County Chief. Therefore, Chu Peng's abstention might well be fatal to County Chief Jiang, and that was why Dong Xuebin had gotten angry. To be fair, he did not want County Chief Jiang transferred away, and he truly could not stand watching a group of grown men gang up on Jiang Fangfang.

No one supported her?

Fine! I'll support her!

Dong Xuebin's thinking was that simple. When it truly came down to it, he still acted entirely according to his personal preferences. Besides, he genuinely agreed with Jiang Fangfang's governing policies.

One second...

Two seconds...

The meeting room was quiet, and everyone looked at Dong Xuebin.

Since he had already said it, Dong Xuebin had no intention of regretting it. He simply continued, "County Chief Jiang is right. The Education Funds absolutely cannot be touched!"

If anyone else had said it, no one would have paid much attention. After all, the vote had ended, and Secretary Meng's position had won the support of the majority. But the one speaking now was Dong Xuebin. Not only was he the county government's Executive Vice County Chief, he was also the leader in charge of finance. Once he and Jiang Fangfang, the county government's first and second-ranking leaders, reached a unified position, even Secretary Meng had to give it some thought.

Cheng Fuguang, Minister of the Propaganda Department, frowned. "County Chief Dong, then how do you propose we solve the financial problem?"

Dong Xuebin said bluntly, "I don't care how you solve it. The Education Funds cannot be touched."

Cheng Fuguang became somewhat annoyed. "You make it sound easy, but without money, how is the county supposed to function? How are salaries supposed to be paid? Have you considered that?"

Dong Xuebin said, "Minister Cheng, you're a leader in the Propaganda Department. You won't have to take responsibility if something goes wrong, but I'm in charge of finance. If the higher-ups hold someone accountable, are you telling me to take the blame?"

Cheng Fuguang snapped, "You..."

Zhang Wanshui, the Deputy Party Secretary, said, "This isn't about responsibility right now!"

"But I think it is about responsibility!" Dong Xuebin looked at him. "Anyone who wants to touch the earmarked education funds can go ahead, but don't route it through the finance account. I definitely won't sign off on it."

Jiang Fangfang nodded slightly and looked at Dong Xuebin with appreciation.

Liao Hu, Minister of Organization Department, said, "County Chief Dong, you need to consider the bigger picture!"

Dong Xuebin glanced at him. "Then Minister Liao should consider the bigger picture. The earmarked education funds can go through your Organization Department's account. Then it won't be my concern!"

Liao Hu also got angry. "How could it possibly go through the Organization Department?"

Dong Xuebin smiled. "You won't agree either? Well, neither will I!"

Jiang Hai, Director of the County Party Committee Office, coldly looked at him. "Secretary Meng has already said it! This is a temporary measure!"

Dong Xuebin said, "I know it's a temporary measure, but there have to be principles in everything we do. How can we touch money meant for children? Even if we can repay it later, we absolutely cannot open this precedent! We can shortchange anything but children! My position is the same as County Chief Jiang's!"

Deputy County Chief Ci Boyang immediately said, "County Chief Dong, the earmarked education funds will not be needed in full for the time being. We can delay it and get the finances through this first."

"Delay it?" Dong Xuebin looked at him. "Anything can be delayed, but how can the people's affairs be delayed? Anything can be held up, but how can children's education be held up? Everyone should know the situation in the towns and villages better than I do! The children have no desks! No textbooks! Some places do not even have money to hire teachers! Once we divert this money, how will we explain it to the children? How will we explain it to the people? Every yuan we use from our salaries could be one textbook for a child! Every few dozen yuan we use could be one desk that should have gone to a child! Can you take that money with peace of mind? Can you take it with a clear conscience? I can't! I'd rather go without pay for a year! I'd rather live frugally for a year! I'd rather stand outside the City Finance Bureau every day begging for funds! But I will never use a single cent meant for the children!"

This had been blown completely out of proportion!

Hearing that, no one spoke carelessly.

Jian Xiangrong, the neutral Minister of the United Front Work Department, glanced at Dong Xuebin and secretly found it amusing. This new Executive Vice County Chief really can talk. His eloquence is practically flawless. Six County Party Committee Standing Committee Members together still can't outargue him? He's left them all speechless?

Dong Xuebin had verbally battled the entire room today!

Everyone was secretly alarmed. If simply voting for County Chief Jiang had not been enough to explain things, then what he had just said was already a clear declaration of his stance!

Dong Xuebin had chosen a side!

He had actually stood by County Chief Jiang without hesitation!

And judging from his manner, County Chief Dong intended to serve as County Chief Jiang's vanguard, charging into battle for her on the front lines? Even the retired former Executive Vice County Chief and Chu Peng, who had always been close to County Chief Jiang, had merely supported Jiang Fangfang in the vote and made a brief verbal statement. They had never engaged Secretary Meng in such a fierce debate at a Standing Committee meeting, because no one wanted to offend Secretary Meng's faction too badly. They all had their concerns. But Dong Xuebin... everyone was already speechless.

What kind of person was this?

He was completely unwilling to play by the rules!!

Meng Rui was getting annoyed too. Looking at Dong Xuebin, he said, "After all that, I still haven't heard how you plan to solve the financial problem. Everyone knows the situation you described, but how do we solve the finances? Huh?"

Dong Xuebin showed no fear. "I agree with County Chief Jiang's opinion! Let's go ask the central government for money!"

Many people helplessly shook their heads. Go to the central government? Easy for him to say! Everyone knew it would be impossible to get anything!

Meng Rui gave a small laugh, then said, "If we could get the money, no one would want to touch the earmarked education funds. Fine, County Chief Dong, I'll give you one week. I hope you won't disappoint everyone!" Anyone could make empty promises, so Meng Rui simply tossed the problem to him, using it to put Dong Xuebin in his place!

Go to the central government for money just like that?

Why would they possibly give it to him?

Yet Dong Xuebin seemed determined to go head-to-head with them. Without even thinking, he said, "Fine! I'll go myself!"

Meng Rui nodded. "Then it's settled! I hope that in a week, we'll hear good news brought back by County Chief Dong! Meeting adjourned!"

Everyone gave Dong Xuebin different looks before gathering their things and leaving the meeting room. Because Dong Xuebin had chosen a side, many of Secretary Meng's faction members who had previously been fairly friendly toward him were no longer so warm. They brushed past him coldly and went about their business.

The Standing Committee meeting had ended.

News that Dong Xuebin had endured immense pressure to join Jiang Fangfang's camp immediately spread. Upon hearing it, many people's first reaction was the same: had County Chief Dong lost his mind??

Then, the details of the Standing Committee meeting spread one by one.

The Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee switching sides...

County Chief Dong going to the central government to seek money...

And Dong Xuebin verbally battling the entire room...

After hearing it all, everyone broke out in a cold sweat, especially over his feat of verbally battling the entire room. It left many people deeply shocked.

What a County Chief Dong!

More than half the Standing Committee combined still couldn't outargue you? Damn! Were you previously in an opera troupe!?