Power and Wealth

Chapter 536 - Blocking the Subdistrict Office’s entrance!

Guang Ming Subdistrict Office’s meeting room.

Dong Xuebing immediately call for a meeting after returning from Liu Xiang Hu Tong. The few Deputy Directors, Party Administration Office, and Police Chief are at the meeting.

Dong Xuebing took a sip from his teacup. “Tell me about the progress.”

Yu Rongfeng is the most senior among them, and he is the first to speak. “It’s difficult. Those people refused to listen.”

“We have informed them of the demolition.” Guo Mingfeng’s voice is slightly hoarse, as he had been shouting earlier. “It’s impossible to communicate with them, and it will be difficult to tear those buildings down forcefully. Xue Gui is their Leader and had gathered a group of hooligans to stir up the residents’ emotions.” Guo Mingfeng and the rest are also furious by those people’s attitudes.

After listening to their reports, Dong Xuebing said. “I had gone to Liu Xiang Hu Tong with Director Zhou earlier.” He looks at Zhou Yanru.

Zhou Yanru continued. “The surrounding residents are unhappy with those illegal buildings, and they are very concerned with the traffic issues and cleanliness. When those people blocked that road, the residents have to make a big detour to get home. Those unlicensed restaurants and food stalls are creating a mess in that area. Rubbish is everywhere. When Director Dong and I went there, we saw a few units vacant. Some residents had moved out because of the stench.”

Everyone has a serious expression on their face.

“This is a serious issue.” Dong Xuebing knocks on the table. “Liu Xiang Hu Tong’s issue must be settled. Do you all have any suggestions?”

No one said a word.

Wang Yuling sat there quietly, looking at her new watch. She had not been late the past two days, but she is still not interested in her work.

Deputy Director Meng Shenguo, who is overseeing the Administration Service Lobby, had left a bad impression on Dong Xuebing because of the way he handles Wang Yuling’s incident. He needs to use this opportunity to express his views. “Since we have notified them that we are going to tear down those buildings, then we can just ignore them temporarily and tear down those buildings secretly at night.”

Yu Rongfeng glanced at him. “This will not work.”

Peng Gang nodded. “I overheard many of the stall owners saying they will be spending the night at their stalls. Also, they will be prepared after our notification this morning. It will only make matters worse if we go at night.”

Everyone starts to share their thoughts but could not conclude.

After a while, Dong Xuebing puts down his teacup loudly. “We had not demolished those illegal buildings previously, and it will be harder to do it this time. But no matter how hard it is, we must obey the District’s orders. We must be responsible to our residents and not these illegal business owners. That Xue Gui is their Leader and is critical. Chief Peng, are there any outstanding cases at your station against him?”

Peng Gang paused for a second. “I think….”

Dong Xuebing continued. “I heard he had beaten up some nearby residents.”

Peng Gang nodded and did not say anything.

“We must place him under control first!” Dong Xuebing gave out the orders. “Bring him back to the Police Station for questioning!”

After the Leader is eliminated, the rest of the work will be easier. Dong Xuebing hopes arresting Xue Gui will serve as a warning to the other stall owners. He is only a distant relative of District Organization Department Chief, Xue Qingrong, and they might not be close. Furthermore, the Subdistrict Office will place him under custody for a day, and he will be released after the buildings are demolished.

The meeting ended.

Dong Xuebing returned to his office in a bad mood as he recalled what he saw this morning. The residents are complaining about the Subdistrict Office and claiming all Government Officials are in cahoots. He can feel the pressure as he always wants to do something for the people, and he is determined to eliminate this mess at Liu Xiang Hu Tong!

After lunch, Dong Xuebing started to monitor Guang Ming Police Station’s movements. They must act fast and quietly to avoid clashing with those illegal business owners. It would be terrific if they can arrest Xue Gui away from Liu Xiang Hu Tong.

1 pm. Dong Xuebing’s office phone rang.

“Hello.”

“Director Dong. I’m Peng Gang.”

“How is it?”

“We caught him in a restaurant, and not many people saw us.” Peng Gang’s background is very noisy, and Dong Xuebing can hear Xue Gui scolding and shouting. “We are going back to the station now.”

Dong Xuebing replied. “Well done.”

It will be easier to tear down those buildings if Xue Gui is not around.

Dong Xuebing took out a notebook and started writing a plan to demolish those buildings. News of Xue Gui getting arrested should be spread throughout Liu Xiang Hu Tong. Those store owners don’t know he is only going to be in custody for 24 hours. Dong Xuebing will give them the impression that Xue Gui had committed a serious crime and is arrested for going against the Government. The first buildings to be demolished tomorrow morning will be Xue Gui’s illegal buildings.

Yes. This should be enough.

Dong Xuebing put down his pen and was about to call his men to carry out his orders.

But at this time, a phone call messed up his plans.

Peng Gang called. “Director Dong. The District Public Security Bureau Branch’s Leader called and reprimanded me for making a fuss out of nothing. This is implying us to release Xue Gui.”

Dong Xuebing’s face changed. “Where is Xue Gui?!”

“… released.”

“Released?! Who ask you to release him?!”

“The higher-up is firmed, and we….”

Peng Gang is calling to inform Dong Xuebing that he had tried his best to carry out the order, but he cannot stand the pressure from the higher-up. Actually, it is not because Peng Gang cannot stand the pressure from the higher-up. He doesn’t want to take on the pressure because of Dong Xuebing. After he had arrested Xue Gui, the District Public Security Bureau Branch expressed unhappiness with the arrest and called him. This means Organization Department Chief Xue might have interfered in this matter. Another reason is the Subdistrict Office doesn’t have much power over Guang Ming Police Station. Guang Ming Police Station’s direct superior is the District Public Security Bureau Branch and got to obey their orders.

Dong Xuebing’s face changed after hanging up the phone. Did Xue Qingrong interfere in this incident?

Dong Xuebing thought Chief Xue would not interfere in this incident because they are distant relatives. If Xue Gui is his son, he will interfere, but why is he bothered by a distant hooligan relative? Xue Gui has a bad reputation in Liu Xiang Hu Tong, broke many regulations, and even led everyone against the Subdistrict Office. Why is he trying to protect a relative like this?

Getting the District Public Security Bureau Branch Leader to exert pressure on us to release Xue Gui?!

Releasing Xue Gui will disrupt our plans! How are we going to tear down those illegal buildings?! You are giving us trouble!

Although Dong Xuebing is furious, he must still give Chief Xue face. He could not build a good relationship with the District Party Secretary and Mayor and doesn’t want to offend the District Organization Department Chief Xue Qingrong now. That’s why he did not order the Police to arrest Xue Gui again.

Five minutes….

Ten minutes….

Thirty minutes….

As Dong Xuebing thought of settling Liu Xiang Hu Tong’s issue, Zhou Yanru rushed into his office.

“Director, something happened!”

“What is it?”

Zhou Yanru panted and pointed downstairs. “Liu Xiang Hu Tong’s stall owners and other residents had come to create trouble here. They had blocked our Subdistrict Office’s entrance!”

Dong Xuebing is about to explode. “Let’s go and take a look!”

After walking out of his office, Dong Xuebing can hear shouting through the glass panels along the corridor.

Dong Xuebing walks over to the window and looks downstairs. Around thirty people had blocked the main gate, stopping anyone from entering. They are the illegal stall owners and some residents there. A few hooligans are among them, but Dong Xuebing cannot see Xue Gui.

“Retract the force eviction order!”

“If you all dare to tear down our stalls, we will tear down your Subdistrict Office first! Do you all think I don’t dare?! Ah?!”

“Block their entrance! If we cannot do business in peace, we will not let them have any peace!”

The group is shouting threats loudly!

F**k!

Dong Xuebing knows this must be Xue Gui’s doings. He clenched his fists. Taking revenge immediately after you are released from the Police Station?! Are you trying to show me who the Boss is? Blocking a Government Department’s entrance?! Do you think no one dares do anything to you because Chief Xue is protecting you?! Do you think you are untouchable?!