Power and Wealth

Chapter 1747

Chapter 1747

"Three!"

"Two!"

"One!"

"Midnight!"

"Happy New Year!"

"It's a new year!"

At midnight, the countdown on the Spring Festival Gala ended. The people in the villa applauded and celebrated. Xie Hao went out and personally set off a string of firecrackers crackling outside. After the celebration, the Spring Festival Gala continued with more programs. Taking advantage of this moment, Xia Yanzhen and Ci Lifen went to the kitchen to make dumplings. Although many people had eaten around 8 o'clock and weren't very hungry, eating dumplings during the New Year was customary.

Ring, ring, ring.

The phone kept ringing. Most of those present were senior leaders, even Xie Jing, who was a cadre. At this time, most people were paying New Year's greetings.

Everyone answered their phones one after another, suddenly bustling.

Dong Xuebing was no exception. He answered several calls from old friends and subordinates with good relationships, as those who called at this time were mostly those with excellent relationships.

For example, Luo Haiting.

"Dong Director, it's me, Luo."

"Sister Luo, Happy New Year."

"The same to you. Happy New Year. I wish you a successful year ahead."

"Haha, thank you for your kind words. Take care of your loved ones and children."

"Sure, I know you're busy. I won't disturb you for now. I'll visit your home on the second day of the new year."

After answering several calls, Dong Xuebing made a few calls, such as to his unit leaders, his old mother, Yang Zhaode, and Uncle Yang. Finally, he found a quiet corner and secretly called Yu Meixia, Jiang Fangfang, Qu Yunxuan, Xu Yan, Zhang Longjuan, Geng Yuehua, and others. This call lasted longer, chatting with each of the women who were closest to him.

"Dinner's ready."

"The dumplings are here."

"Come and eat, Xiao Bing, stop calling."

Xia Yanzhen and Ci Lifen took care of everyone, placing several steaming plates of dumplings on the table.

Dong Xuebing responded and hung up the phone before sitting down. He waited for the elders to start eating before picking up one and tasting it. Mmm, delicious!

Ci Lifen said, "Xiaohao, eat."

Xie Hao sneered, "I'm not even hungry."

"Even if you're not hungry, eat a few. Hurry up," Ci Lifen urged her son.

"I told him the same. With his current experience and the situation, becoming a Deputy Bureau Director within a year is impossible," Han Jing said helplessly. "But this boy, you know him. He's obsessed with official ranks. Just now, he came to me again, insisting on being transferred to some county—Jiao Lin County, I think—to take up a grassroots official position. I don't even know what to say anymore."

Xie Guobang pondered. "Jiao Lin County? Where is that?"

"It's a small county in northern Shaanxi Province, as he described it. I've never heard of it," Han Jing said. "Xiao Bing seems determined to go there."

Xie Guobang waved his hand. "Why go there? He hasn't made any major mistakes. Transfers are usually upward steps, not downward. Although being County Party Secretary or County Governor is considered equivalent to his current position, the responsibilities differ. If the accumulation of experience in grassroots work is already sufficient, there's not much meaning in going there—at least not in alignment with his current position."

Han Jing sighed, "I told him the same, but this kid just won't listen. He insists on going down there and even says he'd settle for County Governor if need be."

Xie Guobang asked, "What's he thinking?"

Shaking her head, Han Jing replied, "Who knows? What our son-in-law is thinking is beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. He's always been unpredictable, you know that. But every time Xiao Bing decides, he's not wrong. Like during the earthquake and many other instances where no one believed him, Xiao Bing went ahead against all odds, and it turned out he was right. So, even though I know it's not suitable, I hesitated momentarily and thought about discussing it with you instead of giving him a direct answer."

Xie Guobang pondered, "You have a point. This boy always has some uncanny ability that defies logic."

"So, what do you think we should do? Should we approve his transfer?" Han Jing asked.

Xie Guobang replied, "Let me talk to Xiao Bing about it."

"Okay, but please don't criticize him. I'm serious," Han Jing said firmly, protecting her son-in-law.

...

A while later, Xie Guobang waved from upstairs, "Xiao Bing, come up here for a moment."

Dong Xuebing sighed; he knew what this was about. "Dad, I'm coming."

Taking the stairs, Dong Xuebing found Xie Guobang waiting for him upstairs. "I heard you want to go to a county in northern Shaanxi. Have you made up your mind? Are you sure about this?"

Dong Xuebing nodded firmly, "Yes."

Xie Guobang continued, "Working at the grassroots level won't have the same environment as the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. It might affect your future development and delay your promotion. Are you prepared for that?"

"I'm prepared, Dad. I've worked in nationally designated impoverished counties before; these challenges are manageable for me," Dong Xuebing assured him.

Xie Guobang looked him in the eye.

Dong Xuebing met his gaze without flinching.

After a moment, Xie Guobang nodded, "Alright, since you've decided, there's not much we can say. You've always been someone who doesn't listen to others' advice. If you're willing to go, go ahead. But let me make it clear: I can only help you make contacts. Neither Grandpa nor I can manipulate that if you want to go to northern Shaanxi. You might not know, but that area belongs to the Fang family's territory. I can't easily manage trying to transfer a county Party Secretary or County Governor. Our family's relationship with the Fangs has never been great. Moreover, the Central Organization Department will pose significant difficulties. You were just promoted to Deputy Section Chief not long ago. Trying to transfer now will be very challenging. Are you prepared for this?"

"Fang family's territory? I had no idea," Dong Xuebing admitted.

"And there are obstacles from the Central Organization Department?" he continued.

After a moment, Dong Xuebing reaffirmed, "Dad, I've made up my mind. I must go this time, or I'll miss this opportunity in the future."

"Alright, give it a try then. As long as there's a vacancy in Jiao Lin County and the Central Organization Department approves, I'll help with the rest," Xie Guobang agreed.