Power and Wealth - C.1575: I am also here for an inspection

In the courtyard.

The crowd grew larger and larger.

Dong Xuebing launched into a harsh rebuke against the provincial officials.

Many people were dumbfounded, swallowing hard as they listened. When Dong Xuebing first stepped forward, the people of Xiaxing City felt his appearance was too sudden, the timing and circumstances were wrong, and his tone was inappropriate. They thought he would calm down afterward, at least leaving himself a way out and also giving his wife, the secretary of the city committee, a way out. Otherwise, if he clashed with provincial leaders, how could he continue to work in the future? But to everyone's surprise, Dong Xuebing lacked this self-awareness and intensified his approach. After sarcastically criticizing provincial leaders and cadres earlier, he now directly criticized the comrades from the provincial inspection team.

"Stop showing off."

"Go home early."

"I'm embarrassed for you."

Each sentence made everyone's heart pound. Many people glanced at each other, unsure what to say, intimidated by Dong Xuebing's momentum. Even if he ranked low among deputy provincial leaders, he was still a deputy provincial leader. He was part of the inspection team sent by the province. How dare a family member of a local city committee secretary criticize them like this? Xiaxing City was sweating profusely.

Gao Jie and several cadres also felt a sense of darkness in their eyes.

The most significant change in expression was from Mayor Xia. Initially, he remained relatively calm, watching Secretary Xie and her husband confront the provincial authorities and observe the situation. But after Dong Xuebing's words were fired like bullets, Mayor Xia became less composed, gradually showing a look of astonishment. Secretary Xie had only been in office for a few days, and her files had just been filed with the province. No one knew what her husband did. But seeing Dong Xuebing's audacity, everyone had one thought: this family member is too fierce.

Is this still a family member?

The family member of the city committee secretary?

How come you're even more impressive than the city committee secretary?

Someone observed Secretary Xie's reaction and found it speechless. Secretary Xie still had the same calm expression. She even chatted with Mayor Xia with her arms crossed, though no one knew what they were talking about. But from the look of it, it wasn't about the situation at the scene. Secretary Xie seemed to give the impression that this matter had nothing to do with her at all. Her husband criticized the provincial leaders to their faces, but she seemed not to have heard anything.

It's a mess.

This situation really can't be resolved.

The people of Xiaxing City started to worry, feeling very nervous.

In stark contrast were the inspection personnel from the province. Each one was furious. After inspecting for so many days, they had never experienced such treatment before. Watching the family members of the city committee secretary criticize even Deputy Governor Jia and Director Zhou. Everyone felt their anger building up.

Some people started to fight back.

"Who do you think you are?"

"It's not your turn to speak here."

"Do we need you to teach us how to conduct inspections?"

Their tongues were no match for Dong Xuebing's, and Dong Xuebing didn't spare them either. He continued, "Your way of working is problematic, and it seems like I need to teach you a lesson. What was the focus of this inspection? Was it about hygiene work? It was just a bottle. The comrades from Xiaxing City waited here for two hours. Don't you need water? Is dropping a bottle such a big deal? Why make it a big deal and nitpick about it? This is not about you being responsible for your work; it's intentionally causing trouble. Why didn't you explain or apologize for your lateness? The provincial leaders are no different. Nobody is without fault, yet you act like you have the privilege to be righteous. If you think you have that privilege, fine, pretend I didn't say any of this."

Dong Xuebing's attitude left the people of Xiaxing City conflicted. They were afraid the provincial leaders would take their anger out on them, fearing various consequences. But Dong Xuebing's words were satisfying, relieving those whom Deputy Governor Jia and Director Zhou had just scolded.

"That's well said. Isn't that the truth? In the end, it's because the people from the province are too nitpicky; they don't like Xiaxing City. You can see it from the incident of being two hours late. They don't care about us, delaying so much of our work. After arriving, they didn't even offer a word about traffic or an explanation. Instead, they focused on trivial matters unrelated to the inspection, causing trouble. It's unbearable to watch."

Dong Xuebing echoed the sentiments of many.

But no one dared to show agreement on their faces.

Xie Huilan continued her conversation with Mayor Xia, possibly discussing the afternoon's work.

The atmosphere on the scene became increasingly awkward and tense, the air so thick it was hard to breathe. Many knew that Secretary Xie and her husband might be in trouble. In their view, he might be correct, but no matter if you're right or not, the big fist counts. The level of the provincial inspection team is there for all to see. Even if you're right, it isn't significant. One level higher in the hierarchy can crush you. How could you dare to compete with superiors?

What about Secretary Xie? Why isn't she saying anything? If she could apologize on behalf of her husband, it would show an attitude. Isn't she too calm? She's even discussing work now. Can't she see how tense the situation is? Can't she see how angry the comrades from the province are?

Director Zhou glanced at Dong Xuebing. "That's enough," he said.

Dong Xuebing nodded. "I'm done for now."

The scene gradually calmed down. People upstairs and in the courtyard looked at them, knowing that the provincial leaders were about to make a statement. Even Xie Huilan and Mayor Xia stopped their conversation and looked over. Everyone understood that the provincial leaders were about to get angry and wouldn't let them off the hook. So, they all sweated for Secretary Xie and her husband, wanting to see how the province would handle it. After all, openly confronting provincial leaders was no small matter; at the very least, it obstructed official business, and this matter couldn't be resolved peacefully.

Deputy Governor Jia's eyes were cold.

Director Zhou felt that the Deputy Governor didn't need to lower himself to argue with Dong Xuebing, so he stepped forward, looking at Dong Xuebing. "Let me tell you how we conduct inspections and the direction of inspections; you don't need to meddle. You mind your own business."

Before he could finish, Dong Xuebing interrupted.

Dong Xuebing smiled. "You're here to inspect, and so am I."

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