The next day.
9:00 a.m., County Party Committee Compound.
Today was the day of the new month's regular Standing Committee meeting.
The cadres and clerks of the County Party Committee and county government had all arrived early. Everyone already knew what this Standing Committee meeting would discuss, and they all took it seriously. They understood that today's meeting was not merely about how to allocate the funds appropriated by the central government. It was also a clash between Meng's faction and Jiang's faction, a distribution of interests and a friction of political views. County Chief Jiang had once been a lone commander; in the past, Secretary Meng would clearly have made the decisions regarding most of this money. He could reconcile and balance the interests within Meng's faction, give those below some benefits to stabilize his power base, and carry out his own political agenda without obstruction, gaining more political capital and benefits for himself. But Jiang's faction was no longer what it had once been. It had long begun to rise. Though it was still far weaker than Meng's faction, it could no longer be underestimated. This Standing Committee meeting would definitely be worth watching.
A little after nine.
Because he had stopped at an early breakfast stall near the entrance, Dong Xuebin was a little late. As soon as he arrived, he quickly headed upstairs to the County Chief's Office.
Knock, knock, knock. He knocked on the door.
"Come in." It was Li Xiaona's voice.
Dong Xuebin entered. "Secretary Li, is County Chief Jiang here?"
A bottle of perfume had made Li Xiaona's attitude toward Dong Xuebin even friendlier. Smiling, she said, "County Chief Jiang is in the inner office. Please go in."
"Alright." Dong Xuebin walked over, and the scent of Chanel perfume reached his nose. He