Two days later.
Chengguan Police Station.
Early in the morning, around 8 a.m.
In the specially assigned duty room for Dong Xuebing, he had already gotten up early, freshened up, packed his luggage, and tidied his clothes. After arranging everything neatly, he spent so ti in front of the mirror to ensure he looked presentable. Only after confirming everything was in order did Dong Xuebing leave the room with his luggage. Today was the official reporting day, as Dong Xuebing’s appointnt letter stated. After staying at the police station for a few days, handling the necessary tasks, and making the necessary expressions, Dong Xuebing headed to the city to do his official duties. He didn’t know what others thought, but Dong Xuebing was quite satisfied with how things had gone before his formal appointnt. It had been an interesting experience, and although the effects were still unknown, it was, after all, an attempt.
He was leaving.
Heading to the city for the official report.
Dong Xuebing walked into the courtyard with his luggage.
As soon as he stepped outside, he noticed that Chang Lin, the Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee and Director of the Public Security Bureau, was already waiting in the courtyard. It was unclear how long he had been there. Dong Xuebing had made it clear more than once over the past few days that he was not officially appointed yet and would not et any county leaders or officials. However, due to the recent incident, Chang Lin, as a county committee mber, was the only one who could et and communicate with Dong Xuebing. They had shared several als and drinks over the past few days, all prepared by Dong Xuebing, so their relationship had beco a bit closer. Dong Xuebing had learned a bit about the situation in Jiaolin County from Chang Lin. He had a rough understanding by now.
“Secretary Dong,” Chang Lin imdiately approached.
Dong Xuebing smiled. “Director Chang, what brings you here?”
Chang Lin replied, “I heard you are reporting to the city today. Since the transportation isn’t very convenient and we can’t let you take a long-distance bus, I specially arranged a car for you.”
Dong Xuebing politely declined, “No need. I can go by myself. There are cars in the city as well.”
Chang Lin insisted, “How can that be? I’ve already called the driver. Once you arrive, he will return, and then you can co with the city car.”
Dong Xuebing thought for a mont and agreed, “Alright then.”
Chang Lin noticed Dong Xuebing’s luggage and quickly took it, saying, “Let handle your luggage. I’ll have soone arrange to send it to the staff compound.”
Dong Xuebing hesitated, “It’s not necessary. Let’s leave it.”
Chang Lin firmly took the luggage. “You don’t need to be so polite with . It’s just a small favor.”
Dong Xuebing couldn’t refuse and accepted Chang Lin’s kindness. He then got into the car.
Forty minutes later.
The car exited the highway and arrived in Baohong City.
Dong Xuebing had seen Baohong City when coming from the provincial capital. The view from the highway was limited, and he couldn’t see it in full. Now that he had entered the city, he found that Baohong City was not significantly different from Jiaolin County. Although it was sowhat better regarding urban developnt, people, and environnt, the difference was insignificant. After all, this was not a wealthy place. Local people might notice so distinctions, but to Dong Xuebing, it seed pretty similar. He wasn’t disappointed, as he had prepared for this. Moreover, he ca here not to focus on the environnt but to achieve a deputy departnt-level position. Therefore, Dong Xuebing was not particularly concerned even if the environnt was lacking. He had worked in national-level impoverished counties before and did not mind the conditions too much.
Baohong City.
City Party Committee compound.
The car arrived and stopped at the entrance.
Without any luggage, Dong Xuebing grabbed his bag and pushed open the car door. He said to the driver, “Thank you very much. You can go back now.”
The driver respectfully replied, “I’ll wait for you.”
Dong Xuebing smiled and said, "No need. There are cars in the city to take ."
The driver hesitated for a mont. "Well, alright. I'll head back now."
Dong Xuebing responded, "Alright then, drive safely and have a good trip."
The driver felt that Dong Xuebing was too polite. He wasn’t used to such courteousness, and after so awkward mumbling of thanks, Dong Xuebing got out of the car. Ŕ
The driver waited until Dong Xuebing had entered the compound before driving back.
In the compound.
As soon as Dong Xuebing entered, he was stopped by the security guard.
The guard, likely unfamiliar with Dong Xuebing, said, "Please register. Who are you looking for?"
Dong Xuebing replied calmly, "I’m going to the Organization Departnt."
"Please register first." The guard handed him a registration book.
Dong Xuebing was not upset and wrote his na in the book.
The guard glanced at the na and was montarily stunned. "Dong Xuebing, you’re the new county party secretary from Jiaolin County?"
Dong Xuebing nodded, "That’s ."
"I’m sorry. Please co in." The guard imdiately said.
Dong Xuebing asked, "Which building is the Organization Departnt in?"
The guard pointed, "That building over there, on the third floor."
Dong Xuebing smiled and said, "Alright, thank you."
"You’re welco." The guard looked at him once more before leaving.
Dong Xuebing followed the directions, entered the building, and descended the stairs. The building was quite old, likely having been around for several decades. The walls were painted in an outdated green, giving it a shabby look. As he climbed the stairs, Dong Xuebing found the Organization Departnt’s floor, as indicated by the sign.
A staff mber was walking towards him. Upon seeing him, she stopped and asked, "Who are you looking for?"
Dong Xuebing replied, "I’m looking for your minister."
The woman frowned slightly. "You’re looking for the minister because…"
Dong Xuebing explained, "I’m Dong Xuebing, here to report to the Organization Departnt."
The woman’s eyes widened in recognition. After a few seconds, she said, "I know you. However, the minister is out on business today and may not return. If you’re here to report, you should find Minister Ma. His office is down this corridor, the third room on the right."
Dong Xuebing said, "Alright, thank you."
"You’re welco." The woman glanced at him again before walking away.
Dong Xuebing proceeded to the indicated office. He saw the door with the sign for the Executive Deputy Minister of the Organization Departnt and knocked lightly.
Knock knock.
A male voice from inside said, "Co in."
Dong Xuebing opened the door and entered. "Hello, Minister Ma."
Ma Wei looked up at him with a puzzled expression. "You are…"
Ma Wei was in his early forties, looking youthful without the typical beer belly or baldness seen in so leaders. He was thin, with neatly trimd hair and a few wrinkles on his face, hinting at his age.
Dong Xuebing said, "I’m Dong Xuebing, here to report to the Organization Departnt."
Ma Wei’s face lit up with understanding. He stood up and said, "Hello, I’ve been waiting for you."
Seeing Ma Wei extend his hand, Dong Xuebing shook it, opting for a two-handed handshake out of respect. Although Ma Wei’s rank was slightly higher, it was still above his own. While Dong Xuebing had a naturally carefree deanor, he presented himself with dignity.
Ma Wei studied him for a mont.
After a brief introduction, Dong Xuebing handed over his appointnt letter to Ma Wei.
Ma Wei opened the docunt and nodded, "The minister is out on business today. Since you're starting today, I'll take you down myself."
Dong Xuebing smiled, "Alright, thank you, Minister Ma."
Ma Wei said, "No need to be polite. Do you need help with your luggage?"
Dong Xuebing replied, "No, I ca a few days ago and have already been to Jiaolin County. My luggage is over there. I only have this briefcase with ."
Ma Wei said, "That makes things easier. Please wait a mont while I finish up here and arrange for a car."
Dong Xuebing responded, "Alright, you go ahead. There's no rush."
Dong Xuebing settled comfortably on the guest sofa, not playing with his phone, maintaining a composed deanor. He poured himself a cup of hot water and drank it slowly. From Ma Wei's gaze, Dong Xuebing could tell that the city was likely aware of the issues he’d stirred up in Jiaolin County. Ma Wei's eyes were sowhat strange, and he studied Dong Xuebing for quite a while.
Dong Xuebing also gathered another insight. It seed that the city was not warmly welcoming his appointnt.
One clue was the absence of the Organization Departnt minister. Even when Dong Xuebing’s rank was lower in the past, he had always been accompanied by a top official upon his appointnt. This not only showed basic respect but also conveyed an attitude. Dong Xuebing’s appointnt date had been set half a month ago, so the local area must have known about it, and the Organization Departnt should have received advance notice. Even the guard knew Dong Xuebing's na, so it was unlikely that the minister wasn’t aware. The fact that the minister was away at this ti indicated a lack of respect for Dong Xuebing. It was as if they didn’t want to accompany him or interact with him, reflecting a deliberate attitude. Dong Xuebing didn’t believe that the minister had urgent business; such things in the system are subtle signals, and actions are often purposeful. In politics, sotis people don't show consideration as in daily life because certain behaviors are intentionally displayed.
As for why, Dong Xuebing had a rough idea.
This was the territory of the Fang family. Last ti, Fang Ping had already warned Dong Xuebing. With Dong Xuebing coming to office, the Fang family’s loyalists would be aware. Soone likely had given instructions, resulting in Dong Xuebing receiving a cold reception from the Organization Departnt on his first day. This clearly indicated that the provincial and municipal authorities were not welcoming him and foreshadowed that Dong Xuebing would face difficulties in his future work.
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