A Solution!

Late morning.

Zhao Xu's office.

As soon as Dong Xuebin and the others left, Zhao Xu picked up the phone on his desk and called Wei Lin, director of the City Finance Bureau. "Hello, Director Wei? This is Zhao Xu."

"Hello, Mayor Zhao."

"The people from Zhenshui County are here."

"Huh? That fast?"

"They just left my office. They may be heading to the Finance Bureau, so I thought I'd give you a heads-up first."

"Mayor Zhao, then what should I do on my end? How much exactly should I give them?"

"No rush. Handle it as you see fit." He said to handle it as he saw fit, but that "no rush" had clearly expressed Zhao Xu's position.

"Oh, all right, I understand," Wei Lin said.

"Oh, right. Do you know a Zhenshui County executive deputy county chief named Dong Xuebin?"

"Dong Xuebin? He called me yesterday. His attitude was awful, and he even threatened me a few times over the phone. Is he the one here asking for money this time?" Since Deputy Mayor Zhao had specifically asked about Dong Xuebin, Wei Lin understood what he meant. "I asked around about him last night. This Little Dong has earned merit a few times, which is why he rose through the ranks so quickly. But he's a cadre from Beihe Province and was only recently transferred here. He has no connections around here, so I have no idea where he gets the nerve. He's far too arrogant."

"This man has a problem with his political awareness."

After hanging up, Zhao Xu shook his head slightly. A lone executive deputy county chief transferred to Meihe City, with no background, actually dared to glare at him? What a joke. If he didn't teach the man a lesson, he wouldn't know his place! Refusing to bow his head to him? Then they could drag this out! They would see who could outlast whom! The money was in the City Finance Bureau's hands now. The ones with money called the shots. That was why Zhao Xu and the others weren't in a hurry. The anxious ones weren't them.

Outside the Municipal Party Committee Courtyard.

Dong Xuebin and the others got into the Land Rover.

"County Chief Dong..." Yan Yizhi hesitated.

Dong Xuebin looked at him. "Lao Yan, just say what you want to say."

After a moment's hesitation, Yan Yizhi said, "I think the city does intend to give us some money. If we get into too serious a conflict with Mayor Zhao's side, then it might..."

"Then we won't get any money?"

"Yes, that's how I see it."

"But how much do you think the city can give us?"

"Uh, I don't think it will be much. If we fight for it... a few million?"

"I said before I came that not one cent of the fifty million could be missing! We have to get all of it back! So even if the city gives us a few million, there's no point in taking it!"

Yan Yizhi and Chen Xiaomei exchanged helpless looks and said nothing more. They still felt it was simply impossible.

Dong Xuebin had that rotten temper. It probably wouldn't change for the rest of his life!

A showdown? Then damn it, this time he really would have a showdown with them! Let's see who could outmatch whom!

Burning with anger, Dong Xuebin immediately looked at Yao Cui. "Little Yao, to the City Finance Bureau. Go!"

If Dong Xuebin had been angry when he learned yesterday that the city had withheld their money, then now he was disgusted by the city's conduct. They were holding their money and refusing to give it to them, yet they still acted righteous? They threatened them? They used power to bully people?

Did he look afraid of them? Screw them!

Didn't they know who Dong Xuebin was?

Putting on airs with him? Throwing their weight around? Wearing those shameless expressions while holding their county's money and disgusting them?

Fine. Didn't they want to disgust them? Today, he would disgust them right back! Still refusing to give them the money? Then they would see! He would make them beg to send the money back to them!

Dong Xuebin had roughly come up with an idea.

When it came to political acumen, Dong Xuebin had none. When it came to maturity and steadiness, he had none either. But when it came to underhanded ideas, all it took was one turn of his eyes for one to pop into his head!

Competing in being underhanded?

Competing in disgusting people?

No one could match Dong Xuebin!

He had originally planned to clean up his reputation properly in Zhenshui County and stop using other methods, but he had no choice. They had bullied him to this point, and there was no way Dong Xuebin could endure it. He had to return to his old trade!

City Finance Bureau.

After parking outside, Dong Xuebin led the others briskly inside. The guard at the compound entrance looked them over but did not stop them.

But before they could enter the Office Building, Dong Xuebin's phone suddenly rang.

It was the number for County Party Secretary Meng Rui's office. Dong Xuebin turned to the others. "Go inside and sit for a while. I need to take this call."

"All right."

"Mm."

Yan Yizhi, Chen Xiaomei, and Yao Cui went into the Office Building.

Dong Xuebin stepped aside. Only after making sure no one was around did he answer. "Hello, Secretary Meng."

Meng Rui said, "County Chief Dong, have you made contact with the city? Tell me what's happening."

Dong Xuebin gave a grunt. "I just came from Deputy Mayor Zhao Xu's office. Deputy Mayor Zhao's attitude was very tough. He has no intention of giving us our money. I think he's dragging this out, probably trying to wear down our patience before finally loosening his grip and giving us only a little. Even if he gives us anything, it probably won't be much, at most a few million. And I don't like the signs coming from the city. They held a Standing Committee Meeting yesterday, then an Expanded Standing Committee Meeting today. I don't know what they're discussing. The city is also delaying our payment, so I'm afraid..."

Meng Rui fell silent. "County Chief Jiang, what do you think?"

It sounded as though the speakerphone was on. Was Jiang Fangfang in the room too?

Jiang Fangfang's calm voice came through. "A few months ago, I heard that the city seemed to be planning to build another Municipal Party Committee Family Compound. The old complex apparently is too outdated, but there has been a funding gap, so construction has never begun." She did not spell it out, but County Chief Jiang's meaning was already obvious.

They wanted to build a new Family Compound?

Could they be using their money??

Dong Xuebin's face darkened as soon as he heard that. If that was true, then the city had gone too far! They were taking the money to serve the people! Whether it was road construction or urban development, it was all so the people could live better lives. Taken from the people, used for the people! The central government's money came from the people's taxes too! And them? They were withholding their money to build dormitories for themselves? To make themselves comfortable? Damn it! What kind of thing was that to do? What funding shortage did they have? They didn't lack money at all!

That was pure greed!

Dong Xuebin's anger flared up again!

Meng Rui pondered for a moment. "Even if the city wants to build a Family Compound, they probably wouldn't use this money, right? This information still needs to be verified, but... we can't wait any longer! The money must be recovered as soon as possible. County Chief Dong, I'll have to trouble you with this. Hurry! Get back as much as you can! Even if it's only a few million, get it back first!" Secretary Meng seemed anxious as well. If the city really wrote off that money, then...

Dong Xuebin said, "We take even a few million?"

"Fight for more, but you have to be fast!"

After thinking for a moment, Dong Xuebin said, "I know time is tight, but I still think we should get all the money back. There are still forty-five million left. I want to try."

Secretary Meng was taken aback. "All of it?"

Dong Xuebin grunted. "All of it."

Jiang Fangfang said from the other end, "That's not very realistic, is it?"

"You said yourself that the city's attitude is very tough. Even getting back twenty million is unlikely, so why are you now saying you want to recover the full amount?" Meng Rui's expression was grave. "Little Dong, you worked very hard to get this money back from the central government. I know you're unwilling to accept this, and County Chief Jiang and I feel the same way. But put that idea aside for now. Otherwise, if you go negotiate with the city carrying that mindset, it will definitely backfire. You may not get back a single cent. We can't consider so much now. First, get the money in place as quickly as possible. A few million is better than nothing. Do you understand what I mean? Get back however much you can. Sigh, we'll slowly figure out the rest later."

Dong Xuebin paused for several seconds but still insisted, "Secretary Meng, County Chief Jiang, let me try. I can't swallow this insult!"

Meng Rui's face sank. "This isn't about acting out of spite! Do you understand?"

Hearing that, Dong Xuebin had no choice. He felt there was no need to argue, either. Though he had not changed his mind, he said, "Then where's the line?"

"Wait a moment," Secretary Meng said.

There was no sound from the other end. It seemed the two were discussing it with the phone muted.

A minute later, the call resumed, and Secretary Meng's voice came through. "If possible, it would be best to get another ten million back. If not, it cannot be less than six million."

Dong Xuebin said, "All right, I understand."

Secretary Meng gave a grunt. "We'll wait for your news. Report any developments at once. If you need any support from the county, tell me."

"Fine, then I'm going into the Finance Bureau."

"Watch your methods. Try not to cause a conflict."

The call ended. Dong Xuebin put his phone into his pocket but did not rush inside. He lit a cigarette and took a few puffs outside, working through his plan.

Between six and ten million?

Naturally, Dong Xuebin did not take Secretary Meng's words to heart. He had said he would get every cent back, and he would get every cent back!

No one was going to get a bargain!

Not one cent! Not even half a cent!

Inside the Office Building.

In the first-floor waiting area, Yan Yizhi and Chen Xiaomei were standing there talking quietly. From time to time, they asked a staff member beside them a few questions.

Yao Cui had gone to get water. Seeing Dong Xuebin approach, she handed him a disposable paper cup. "Have some water."

"Thanks." Dong Xuebin took it and drained it in one gulp, then let out a long breath. "Lao Yan, Old Chen!"

As soon as Yan Yizhi heard him, he stopped talking to the Finance Bureau staffer and returned with Chen Xiaomei. "County Chief Dong, they said Director Wei isn't here."

Dong Xuebin narrowed his eyes. "Not here? Where did he go?"

Yan Yizhi said, "They said he went to a meeting and told us to come back this afternoon."

Dong Xuebin asked, "What floor is Director Wei's office on?"

Yan Yizhi had been there many times before. "At the end of the third floor."

Dong Xuebin strode ahead. "Upstairs!"

Dong Xuebin was now brimming with fighting spirit! The possibility that the city might use the relief funds the central government had given them to build housing for city leaders and let them live in comfort had truly enraged him! Whether it was true or not, Dong Xuebin was no longer going to hold back!

The monthly votes are in urgent danger! Emergency plea for support!