Power and Wealth

Morning.

Dong Xuebingg’s apartment.

"Mom, this is a promise."

"Yes. I promise you. Work hard."

"Anyway, get ready. This will happen anytime."

"You first show some results before talking about it, hehe."

"Sure, don't disturb your rest. Wait for my good news."

"Okay, but don't engage in any superficial projects, alright?"

"Not. Mom, you should know me. I'm naturally inclined to do practical things for the common people. How could I use superficial achievements to deceive others?"

"That's good. Go rest."

"Alright, take care of yourself and Dad."

After hanging up with his mother-in-law, Dong Xuebing felt relieved. At least he got Han Jing's assurance, which was enough for him. His mother-in-law's status was undoubtedly influential, and Dong Xuebing needed that assurance. Once he produced another decent performance, he could transfer back. Dong Xuebing believed it wouldn't be too difficult, maybe a month if things moved quickly, or two months at most. Regarding the specific approach to achieving results, Dong Xuebing hadn't figured it out yet.

Playing some music, Dong Xuebing reclined on his bed again. Leaning back, he took out his laptop, logged into QQ, and started browsing the internet.

Cough, cough.

Ding, ding, ding.

Many unprocessed messages popped up.

Dong Xuebing closed them one by one. In the friends list, he noticed that Jiang Fangfang was also online. It was Friday, and Dong Xuebing had a day off, while Jiang Fangfang probably still had work to do. She might be in the office, either browsing the internet or researching.

Dong Xuebing typed affectionately: "Sister Jiang."

After a while, Jiang Fangfang's avatar flashed, and she replied, "Here."

Dong Xuebing typed quickly: "What are you busy with?"

Ding, ding, ding. Jiang Fangfang responded, "Reviewing materials."

"Do you have time tonight? How about you come to my place for dinner, or I can come to yours." Dong Xuebing had been busy with work these days and hadn't spent time alone with Jiang Fangfang since their visit to her mother's house. Moreover, it had been a while since he had a proper conversation with her.

Jiang Fangfang replied, "Busy tonight."

Dong Xuebing asked, "What about tomorrow or the day after?"

Jiang Fangfang replied, "Tomorrow won't work either. The day after tomorrow is fine."

"Alright, let's set it for Sunday night."

"Sure, let's do that. I have to get back to work now."

After arranging the meeting, Dong Xuebing lay on the bed again, feeling slightly satisfied. Then, he thought about the matter of achieving political achievements. He had considered asking Jiang Fangfang, but she seemed busy, so he decided to leave it for later.

At that moment, his phone rang.

The number displayed was from Aunt Zhong.

Dong Xuebing quickly answered, "Hello, Professor Zhou."

On the other end, the magnetic voice of Zhong Lizhen rang out, "I called you twice yesterday, but both times you were on another call."

"Hi, I've been swamped lately, and my phone hasn't stopped ringing. Uh, is there something you need?" Dong Xuebing expressed concern, "Is it another health issue? If so, let me know. Your working conditions, with no day or night, working twenty-four hours a day, are not good. You need to pay attention to work-life balance."

"When did I say I'm not feeling well?"

"Cough, no, so what do you need?"

"You go to the airport to pick up someone tomorrow morning and then send them back to the airport in the evening."

"Sure, picking up people is not a problem. I'll make arrangements. They come and leave on the same day, right? Do you want me to show them around and play with them? I'm all for helping you with anything." Dong Xuebing naturally cared about Zhong Lizhen's affairs.

"Two people, you can pick them up and bring them to your county. They are researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences."

"Why would researchers come to our county if not for leisure?"

Zhong Lizhen's tone became somewhat low, "I said last time that it's about the site selection for the Chinese Academy of Sciences Experimental Base. You persistently asked me to take care of it. The funds have already arrived, and they are starting to select a site. I recommended your Zhen Shui County. The researchers are there to assess your county's environmental and geographical conditions. This is just a preliminary investigation. If there are no problems, within a month, an academician from the Chinese Academy of Sciences will go down with a team to coordinate with your county. Once the negotiations are successful, it will be finalized. Oh, I've been busy for you here, recommending you, saying good things about you, and you haven't taken it seriously. You've forgotten it all."

So that's what it's about.

Dong Xuebing suddenly slapped his forehead, "Hey, look at my memory. No, it's just that these days have been too busy and tiring. My mind is a bit muddled."

"Then I'd better recommend another place. This site selection is a big deal, and the projects to be carried out in the Experimental Base in the future are also crucial. I doubt whether you can cooperate well with the construction of the Experimental Base with your work attitude. In recent days, many counties and cities have come, and other research institutes and academicians have also recommended many places as references. If you can't handle it, someone else will take over." Zhong Lizhen's tone was not very good.

Dong Xuebing quickly smiled, "Look, why are you angry, Aunt Zhong? I didn't mean that. You can rest assured that we will take it seriously and cooperate wholeheartedly with the work of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Don't give it to others; it must come to our place. There is a flight tomorrow morning. I'll pick them up personally. Thank you, Auntie, you've helped us a lot."

Zhong Lizhen, on the other end, remained silent.ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ɴovᴇl_Firᴇ.ɴet

Dong Xuebing hurriedly said, "So it's settled. Rest assured, I'll take care of it. I was at fault just now. Please, don't be angry."

After a moment of silence, "8:30 tomorrow morning at the military airport on the outskirts of your provincial capital."

Dong Xuebing smiled, "No problem, I'll arrive early and warmly welcome the comrades from the Chinese Academy of Sciences."

Zhong Lizhen responded with a faint "Hmm" and said, "I've given them your phone number. They are two students from my research department. They will contact you when the time comes."

"Your students, sure."

"But let me make it clear first. Whether the site can be finalized in your county depends on the actual situation of your county. Although I am in charge of this and will personally supervise some projects in the future, I have the first recommendation right for the site selection. However, whether it can be finalized is not certain. It's not something I can decide alone. Be mentally prepared first. If the actual situation of your county does not meet the site selection requirements, then there is nothing I can do. I can't abandon principles because of personal relationships. That would be irresponsible."

" I understand. By the way, did Academician Chen Xuekai also recommend our county?"

"No, he didn't."

"You didn't tell your teacher?"

"I'm good at research but not at asking for favors."

"Uh, no problem. Can I talk to Academician Chen?"

"Up to you."

"Okay, by the way, what is the main direction of the research projects at this experimental base? You didn't tell me last time. Can you give me an idea?"

"The projects are confidential; I can't disclose them."

"Well, that's fine. Anyway, thank you for this, Aunt Zhong. Regardless of the outcome, I appreciate your help. When I return to Beijing, I'll treat you to a big meal."

"No need. Just cooperate well with the site selection work."

Zhong Lizhen spoke rigidly, lacking warmth.

But Dong Xuebing knew Professor Zhong had a cold appearance but a warm heart. She recommended Zhen Shui County because of Dong Xuebing, which was evident. She cared a lot about Dong Xuebing's affairs. Moreover, Dong Xuebing had long been accustomed to Professor Zhong's stern tone.

After hanging up, Dong Xuebing didn't put down his phone and directly called Professor Chen Xuekai.

Dialing…

The call went through.

"Hello, Academician Chen, it's Xiao Dong."

"Hello, Xiao Dong. Do you need something?"

"A little bit. Are you busy?"

"It's okay, what's up?"

"Well, it's about the new experimental base of the Chinese Academy of Sciences."

"Hehe, you're well-informed. Yes, what's the matter?"

"We also want to strive for it in our county. By the way, I'm currently working in Zhen Shui County."

"Zhen Shui County, I see. So, Li Zhen recommended it, huh? Well, there should be a visit by inspection personnel tomorrow, right?"

"I'm a bit unsure. Do you think our county has a good chance?"

"This is under Li Zhen's responsibility. Since she recommended you, as long as the environmental conditions of your county are roughly okay, it should be fine."

"Oh, that's good."

"And don't worry. If there are any problems, I'll help you then. I owe you a big favor, and now that you've asked, I won't take it lightly."

"Thank you so much."

"The premise is that your county complies with the site selection requirements. Even if there are some issues, they shouldn't be too serious."

"I understand."

"Okay, I'll hang up for now."

The Experimental Base…

The Experimental Base…

Dong Xuebing paced around in the room, his mood hard to calm. He stretched lazily toward the window, feeling like he was bursting into laughter.

Things happen as you think about them.

Didn't Mother-in-law say to get another qualification? Even before her words settled, political achievements were already rolling in.

The importance of this project is self-evident, and it's not even a superficial project. If Dong Xuebing could implement this experimental base, it would undoubtedly be one of his political achievements. Of course, the premise is that Dong Xuebing needs to hold the reins of the science and technology department. This needs to be handled urgently. Thinking about how to do it, it seems that the technology department has always been under Deputy County Chief Cai Boyang. That's not too good to handle. But regardless, Dong Xuebing has made up his mind. For his plans, he must achieve this political achievement. Moreover, he must leave a margin. No one can talk about this matter; otherwise, it will cause trouble if it's known. He needs to secretly take the Chinese Academy of Sciences people for an inspection tomorrow and then quickly take over the science and technology department. This is the only foolproof way.