Power and Wealth

Chapter 1849

Chapter 1849

Outskirts.

In front of a row house.

Dong Xuebing’s bastard attitude, full of insolence, completely enraged the provincial investigation team. His tone and demeanor were enough to make anyone want to spit blood. Cheng Wei and the other members of the Monitoring Division were from the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission, a department one level higher than the city-level discipline commission responsible for Jiaolin County. This was a county party secretary under investigation, yet he was acting with complete disrespect. This wasn’t just ignoring them. It was almost like he was deliberately challenging them!

Cheng Wei’s face darkened. "What’s the deal with these photos? Care to explain?"

Another investigation team member looked at Dong Xuebing and said, "We already know the situation. We’ve received reports, and we have concrete evidence. You can't deny this. The provincial authorities have already decided, and this investigation will go all the way. We hope you stop harboring any illusions. We wouldn't be here without solid proof that this is your county’s construction. Secretary Dong, I hope you set an example and take the lead by coming clean."

Dong Xuebing blinked. "What problem? What do we have to explain?"

Another female investigation team member angrily said, "So you’re not going to cooperate?"

Dong Xuebing shrugged. "Of course, we’ll cooperate with the provincial discipline commission’s work, but we’re in the middle of moving. Let us finish what we’re doing first. It’s important to cooperate, but we also can’t neglect our county's work. You guys from the provincial commission have your duties, and I have mine. Just because you came doesn’t mean I have to drop everything. Everything must follow the proper order, right? Otherwise, you may be responsible for your work, but how can I be responsible for my county's work? Don’t you agree?"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Wei and the others were utterly furious!

Cooperate? Cooperate with your ass! You’re not cooperating at all!

You’re just brushing us off like this?! Are you trying to rebel?

The members of the investigation team exchanged looks. These were all provincial discipline commission officials and supervisors. Usually, when they went to the grassroots level to conduct investigations, everyone treated them with respect and fear. But with Dong Xuebing, it was different. He had shown them no respect, not even a bit of the automatic deference people typically gave to higher authorities. Cheng Wei had heard about Dong Xuebing's bad reputation from his time at the Central Discipline Inspection Commission, but now he was seeing it firsthand. He fully believed the rumors — this guy was indeed a complete rogue, and the rumors were not exaggerated!

How did they end up meeting someone like this?

Cheng Wei knew that this investigation wouldn’t go smoothly now. With a county party secretary like him, anyone would be frustrated.

But no matter what, Cheng Wei had to continue the investigation because the orders from the provincial authorities were clear. Cheng Wei could tell from the leadership's directives that Jiaolin County was one of the critical targets for investigation in the province. The province wanted to "clean house" in Jiaolin, and even though the leadership hadn’t stated it directly, Cheng Wei could tell. He also understood why the province was so harsh with Jiaolin County. Three counties were involved in this case, but why was Jiaolin County being targeted so severely? It was most likely because of Dong Xuebing. A bastard like him, who didn’t even care for the face of the provincial government, was bound to bring trouble to the province. He deserved this.

Cheng Wei thought this way.

But Dong Xuebing had a different idea. This situation had a clear sequence from his perspective—he wasn’t ignoring the province. It was the province that had first disrespected him. So, what else could he say? Naturally, he wasn’t going to let himself be easily bullied!

You want to mess with me, provincial authorities?

I may not be able to make you suffer, but I can give you a little taste of your own medicine!

Of course, Dong Xuebing’s delay was purposeful. First, it was to push back against the province, and second, it was to buy some time for the final wrap-up of the urban management bureau’s work.

Outside.

The provincial investigation team was furious.

“What kind of county party secretary is this?”

“Who handles things like this?”

“He’s challenging us!”

“Director Cheng, should we contact the higher-ups and explain the situation? They’re not cooperating at all—how can we investigate?”

“Maybe we should bypass them!”

“Let’s go to the new county party headquarters and investigate ourselves!”

Everyone was voicing their opinions.

They’d investigated many cases before but never encountered such a situation. Even when investigating at the city level, the other side wouldn’t dare challenge the provincial Discipline Inspection Commission. Yet now, in a small county, the county party secretary had this attitude. The people from the second monitoring office found it hard to accept!

Cheng Wei spoke up, “We’re not concerned about this moment. The yard’s not going anywhere, so let’s wait for the rest of the investigation team to arrive.”

About half an hour later, other professional team members began arriving. The province had sent them to facilitate the investigation.

“Secretary Dong!” Cheng Wei walked into the yard.

Dong Xuebing had nearly finished organizing everything and was ready. “Director Cheng?”

With the last bit of patience, Cheng Wei asked, “Is everything done? Can we leave now?”

Dong Xuebing glanced around, gave a few more instructions, and then said to Cheng Wei, “Sorry for making the investigation team wait so long. Alright, we’re ready. You want to see the place in the photos. Fine, I’ll take you there.” He turned to the others, “Mayor Zhang, Director Meng, Director Chang, let’s go. The team needs to conduct their investigation, and we’ll cooperate.”

He called all the county leaders to join him.