Afternoon.
Before the end of the workday.
Zhang Feng, the County Party Secretary's secretary, called Dong Xuebin's office. "Hello, County Chief Dong, Secretary Meng wants you to come over."
"Got it."
"As soon as possible."
"Mm, I'm on my way."
After hanging up, Dong Xuebin left the office, suppressing his anger.
Secretary Meng and Jiang Fangfang were both in the County Party Secretary's office.
As he pushed the door open and entered, Dong Xuebin said expressionlessly, "Secretary Meng, County Chief Jiang, you wanted to see me?"
Meng Rui gestured downward. "Have a seat first, County Chief Dong." After a pause, he asked, "You know what happened, right?"
"The city intercepted the funds?" Dong Xuebin said grimly, "This was my fault. I should've had the Ministry of Finance transfer the money directly into the county's finance account."
Jiang Fangfang said evenly, "Even if you wanted to, the procedures wouldn't allow it."
Meng Rui gave a grunt. "This isn't your responsibility. Getting fifty million from the central government was already a major achievement. I never expected the city to withhold most of it. We called you here to discuss this. County Chief Jiang and I both called over there earlier to ask about it. Several city leaders claimed they had no idea what was going on, but I could hear the perfunctory tone in their voices. As for the other leaders in charge of the relevant departments, none of them could be reached. Their phones were either off or unanswered." Meng Rui's meaning was clear enough. The city had deliberately withheld the money, which was why some played dumb while others vanished. No one wanted to be the first to stick their neck out and take responsibility.
The city didn't know?
Nobody knew?
That was obviously impossible!
"I'll try calling again."