Power and Wealth

Two days later.

Saturday, early in the morning, around five o'clock.

Most of the sky was still dark, with a faint hint of dawn spreading at the horizon. The streetlights cast a halo on the streets.

Dong Xuebing left his house, got into his car, and called Zhang Longjuan.

"Hey, Sister Zhang, are you busy?"

"Not at all. Haha, what's up, my little handsome guy?"

"I just wanted to confirm the time and number of tickets for the flight with you."

"Considering the time difference, it's still early morning there. Why are you up so early?"

"Yeah, today is the investment promotion conference. I must rush to the city later, so I must leave early. I should have prepared yesterday, but there were some issues on the city's side. The venue hasn't been secured yet, so it got delayed today. There's still much to do, so I must discuss the flight details with you first. Should I book three tickets for your company's senior management as well?"

"Don't worry about the plane tickets."

"We can reimburse here."

"Such a small amount of money. I can afford it."

"Well then, what are your plans?"

"Haha, look at the time. I'll give you a surprise when the time comes."

"Any surprise is fine, just make sure you can come. We'll discuss the timing later."

"Don't worry. I will come. But I have to arrange things here first. The timing is uncertain yet. Wait for my message."

"Alright, I know you're busy. No rush."

"No hurry is fine. Haha, let's stop here. I got another call coming in."

"Alright. You do your thing. Call me when the time is confirmed."

While he spoke casually, Dong Xuebing wasn't as indifferent in his heart. The estimated plan had undergone significant changes, and Dong Xuebing now wanted to swallow the reassurance pill as soon as possible. However, Sister Zhang's way of doing things was reliable, and they had a deep relationship. There shouldn't be any changes. With this in mind, Dong Xuebing felt more at ease. While driving, he made another call.

"Hello, City Investment Promotion Bureau."

"I'm Dong Xuebing, in charge of investment promotion in Zhen Shui County."

"Oh, Mayor Dong. We were just about to inform you."

"Is the venue ready? We can come over now."

"Yes, everything is ready. You can come over now. Remember the address, It's at the Central Park on South Street Second Avenue."

"Central Park?"

"This investment promotion conference is quite large, and there wasn't a large venue available, so they decided at the last minute to set up facilities and booths in Central Park."

"Alright, I got it."

"The investment promotion conference starts at 9 a.m. Hurry over."

Ten minutes later.

In the courtyard of the Investment Promotion Bureau.

Dong Xuebing's car arrived, and he got out after parking.

Yesterday, Dong Xuebing informed the people at the Investment Promotion Bureau. Now, everyone was here. Zheng Dayou and Cheng Yujie looked the most composed, while Chen Yunsong appeared slightly anxious. Chang Juan and Gong Na were yawning, having woken up early. It was clear they hadn't slept well.

"Mayor Dong." Seeing Dong Xuebing, everyone greeted him.

Dong Xuebing didn't waste any words. "The venue is ready. Let's get going."

Zheng Dayou reminded him, "You haven't assigned tasks yet. How should we arrange the details?"

Dong Xuebing quickly thought and said, "Sister Cheng, you stay at the Investment Promotion Bureau. If any investors come for inspections, you'll be ready to receive them, coordinate logistics, and ensure everything goes smoothly. As for you, Xiao Xiao, stay as well. Once we finalize our contacts, you'll take the investors for on-site inspections. Familiarize yourself with several projects, remember them well, and don't just read off the project list. It might give investors an untrustworthy feeling. Regarding policy fluctuations, you can discuss them with the investors. If you can't make decisions, contact me and Director Zheng. You can come over anytime if they need more personnel at the investment promotion conference. There is no need to stick to one place; be flexible. Wherever they need personnel, move there. One car will be left for you."

Xiao Hong immediately responded, "Okay."

Cheng Yujie also assured that she would complete the tasks.

"Sister Cheng, Xiao Xiao, I'm entrusting this to both of you. Remember," Dong Xuebing repeatedly reminded them not to make any mistakes because he knew that in investment promotion work, even a small detail could determine success or failure. After quickly assigning the tasks, he added, "The rest of you, get in the cars. Let's go to the city, move faster. The opening is at 9 a.m., and there's much to do, including setting up the booths."

Old Wei, the driver, was already waiting in the car.

Two new Passats were bought. They are black and look very sleek.

Chen Yunsong and Chang Juan got into Dong Xuebing's Land Rover, with Chen Yunsong taking the wheel. Zheng Dayou and Gong Na were there in the Passat.

The cars set off, heading towards the city.

6.30 am.ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ N(o)vᴇl(ꜰ)ire.nᴇt

The sky had brightened.

In the center of Meihuo City, the Central Park, cars lined almost half the iron fence outside, densely packed in a large circle. Checking the license plates, most were domestically produced vehicles from the investment promotion bureaus of various districts and counties in Meihuo City. Quite a few people had arrived. Glancing inside the fence, Dong Xuebing saw many booths were already temporarily set up. Dong Xuebing and his team weren't particularly early, but they weren't late either.

"Look at the time."

"Quick, move these things here."

"Is Director Li here?"

"What's going on? How can you forget the list? Go back and get it for me."

Faint shouts and hustle and bustle could be heard within the park, creating a sense of urgency.

Zheng Dayou and the others knew there wasn't much time. As soon as they got out of the car, Chen Yunsong and Gong Na started unloading project brochures from the Passat's trunk—several hundred copies that weren't light.

Looking at Dong Xuebing, Chang Juan said, "Mayor Dong, leave this to us. You go have breakfast first. We'll ensure everything is arranged by the time you return."

Dong Xuebing glanced at them, "Are you sure you can handle it?"

Chang Juan replied, "We'll make it. You can trust us."

Dong Xuebing said, "Okay then. I'll bring breakfast for everyone when I come back."

Gong Na hurriedly said, "Mayor Dong, please don't. Let me go buy it."

"You guys set up the booth; hurry up. I'll be right back." Dong Xuebing got into his car and left.

Before 9 a.m., the booths should be set up, and there was plenty of time. Dong Xuebing's current concern was the issue with investors. He had contacted a few investors in the last couple of days, and even though he had confirmed with two or three of them when they were about to register and book flights and hotels through the City Investment Promotion Bureau, they suddenly said they had urgent matters and couldn't make it. After much hassle, they ended up with no investors. When they later booked hotel rooms, they only reserved for a few staff members from the Investment Promotion Bureau, making Dong Xuebing feel quite embarrassed. The county didn't ask for updates later, and Dong Xuebing didn't proactively report the progress. He had been so confident and committed when he made the military order initially, and now, with such results, Dong Xuebing couldn't bring himself to talk about it. At least he would wait for Zhang Longjuan to arrive. Ah, he wondered when Sister Zhang would come.

Not far from the early breakfast stall.

To save trouble, Dong Xuebing bought a large bag of buns, some with vegetable fillings and some with meat fillings. Since there was no fried liver here, he bought some plastic-packaged soy milk to serve as a diluter.

At the entrance of the park.

Dong Xuebing walked in with breakfast.

A staff member from the City Investment Promotion Bureau stopped him.

"Who are you?"

"I'm from Zhen Shui County."

"How should I address you?"

"Dong Xuebing."

The person was slightly surprised, probably having heard of Dong Xuebing's name, giving him a deep look. He immediately searched through a box nearby and handed him a work permit. "Your access pass."

Dong Xuebing took it. "Good, thank you."

"The exhibition area for Zhen Shui County is at the back."

"Just keep going inside?"

"Yes, keep going straight along this road."

Dong Xuebing nodded, using one hand to clip the access pass to his clothes, making it look formal. This pass was designed to better maintain order at the venue, preventing unrelated people from entering. It also differentiated identities because most investment promotion staff from one county or district wouldn't recognize those from another. If the people from Zhen Shui County caught hold of the investment promotion staff from Cheng Gang County, for example, thinking they were investors and kept handing out flyers, it could be embarrassing. With the work permit, everything became more convenient, at least giving a clear identity at a glance.

Inside the park.

Green grass surrounded them; it was morning, so the air was very fresh.

The park had a considerable area, including small hills. However, it seemed that the rear mountain wasn't the venue for this event. Most booths were concentrated in the front square as soon as they entered.

Walking and walking.

Walking and walking.

Dong Xuebing looked around at the booths on both sides and surprisingly didn't find the sign for Zhen Shui County.

It wasn't until he walked for about three or four minutes that he saw Zheng Dayou, Chang Juan, Gong Na, and others. He was slightly stunned; they seemed to be arguing with someone.

"It's too far."

"There's no space in front anymore."

"But we can't be assigned here."

"It's not too biased. Investors will visit every corner."

"Then why are our booths an exception at Zhen Shui County compared to others?"

"Director Zheng, this is the exhibition area arranged by higher-ups. It doesn't matter how much you shout at me; I'm just a messenger. The booths have already been booked, and we can't change it now."

"Who made the arrangement?"

"Mayor Hua made the arrangement."

The staff member said a few more words and left.

Leaving a group of Zhen Shui County Investment Promotion Bureau staff members with gloomy faces.

Dong Xuebing's expression also darkened when he heard it. He looked at the booth with Zhenshui County's sign hanging, almost at the bottom of the small hill. It was the farthest and worst location among all the booths. Even the temporarily built booths were lower quality than others, with old tables and chairs.

Different treatment.

Arranged by Deputy Mayor Hua Li.

Enough is enough. This guy hasn't finished yet. Why didn't he notify me in advance of the Investment Promotion Conference? Now he's playing this nasty trick on me.

Dong Xuebing was a little annoyed. He hadn't settled the account with Hua Li for Hui Lan's incident yet, and he didn't expect the other party to be fed up with him several times first.