Chapter 15: Undercurrents (Part I)

According to Zhang Maolin's original intention, the inauguration ceremony of the new leadership team should simply be held in the main conference room of the municipal branch headquarters, just going through the motions. He repeatedly emphasized the need to keep a low profile, saying that he, Zhang Maolin, was a native, rough-hewn fellow born and raised in Songyang, and there was no need to make such a big fuss like those "parachute" leaders during their inaugurations, deliberately staging an extravagant and pompous spectacle. Besides, continuing to rent an external venue would cost a significant amount of money—what was the point of that?!

To this, Liu Wanyi, Bian Zecheng, and Yin Sen all raised unanimous objections! Bian Zecheng's attitude was particularly distinct. He stressed that during the adjustments of the municipal branch's leadership teams over the past few terms, the inauguration ceremonies of new teams had always been held in the banquet hall of the Songyang Hotel. By what logic should things become so shabby and break the established rules just because it was his turn as President Zhang! More importantly, this occasion not only involved the personal presence of leaders from the provincial branch, but also required the participation of several high-ranking leaders from the Songyang Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government. It might be fine if President Zhang didn't care about his own face, but what if this inadvertently caused misunderstandings at the leadership level? That would be no small matter, and wouldn't it create a joke or even lead to unexpected complications?!

In the end, Zhang Maolin could only shake his head with a bitter smile and say: Since that's the case, I'll let you have your way this once! However, let this be an exception. From now on, barring extremely special circumstances, large-scale meetings of the municipal branch will be held at the headquarters. It's not like our own office building lacks large conference rooms; why must we waste all that "silver" renting venues outside just to put on airs?!...

Teng Deming, Vice President of the provincial branch, quietly arrived in Songyang a day early.

In accordance with Teng Deming's instructions, Yin Sen waited for him in advance at a resort-style hotel in the suburbs of Songyang.

"Does anyone else know I'm coming?"

As soon as he stepped into the room, Teng Deming asked somewhat impatiently.

"Except for myself and 'Old God', no one knows of your grand arrival! Actually, I know you are primarily considering Zhang Maolin, aren't you?! That guy is a typical stubborn, pig-headed idiot! These days, he's only preoccupied with preparing day and night for his coronation; how could he possibly have the time to care about you..."

"Humph!"

Teng Deming did not say much more. He merely glanced sideways at Yin Sen, then sat down, turning his head to look at the snow in the courtyard outside the window and the lonely jujube tree standing in the snow.

Teng Deming's expression was as cold as frost! This somewhat exceeded Yin Sen's expectations, and he seemed to sense a hint of trouble. Pondering for a few seconds, he still spoke slowly, addressing the back of Teng Deming's head:

"Regarding this promotion of Zhang Maolin, I personally reserve my opinion! Moreover, I have already drawn up a written statement for this purpose. Over the years I've been sent down to work at the Songyang Xinghang Bank, I have given it my all and poured my heart into it. Even without remarkable achievements, I've certainly put in hard labor, haven't I? If not hard labor, at least exhaustion! In the end, it amounts to nothing! I simply cannot accept this. Whether in terms of professional proficiency or marketing capability, in which aspect is Zhang Maolin ahead of me?"

Yin Sen breathed heavily, took a step forward around the sofa, and casually handed a stack of manuscript papers to Teng Deming.

"I have no interest in this stuff! You should hand it directly to President Tan; he is coming to Songyang tomorrow morning."

With a look of utter disgust, Teng Deming raised his hand to push the papers back.

"You—don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with you. The document merely outlines my personal views on this cadre competition. Well, when I see President Tan tomorrow, I'll consult him on a few questions. Otherwise, I—I am truly going to burst with frustration!"

Yin Sen said indignantly.

"Consult? You want to consult him? Do you think President Tan will have the patience to answer your questions?! I see that you are increasingly losing track of who you are! Young man, if you treat the little bit of capital you possess merely as a bargaining chip for enjoyment or even seizing benefits, then in the end you will simply wind up like a foolish silkworm—spinning a cocoon around yourself and trapping your own destiny!"

As he spoke, Teng Deming turned around and looked Yin Sen up and down from head to toe. That unfamiliar and eerie expression made Yin Sen's scalp tingle and left him feeling completely at a loss to cope.

"B-But, President Teng! During the vice-director-level competition at the provincial branch the year before last, the provincial branch comforted me by telling me to wait for the next term. They even promised that the organization would definitely consider my placement in the future. Besides, you were there the day of that talk. Now President Wang has simply patted his backside and left, and they've replaced him with Zhang Maolin! Three years have passed—how many three-year periods does a person have in life? You are all experienced veterans; you surely cannot—you surely cannot let me waste my prime years in Songyang, can you? Ah?"

Yin Sen's final words were practically shouting.

"You outrageous wretch! Do you know who you are talking to?!"

Teng Deming whirled around abruptly, raised his right hand, but dropped it an instant later.

Teng Deming's gesture came quickly and ended even faster, or perhaps it was merely a subconscious reaction.

Teng Deming stared unblinkingly at the frustrated Yin Sen before him for a few seconds, then sat down blankly. He casually handed Yin Sen a cigarette:

"Little Yin! I've been in a bad mood these past few days, and it seems I can never quite sort out the threads of certain matters. Today, I simply had to vent my frustrations on you. You wouldn't hold a grudge against me for this, would you?!"

Teng Deming's tone softened considerably. He let out a long breath, and a grayish-white plume of smoke puffed straight out of his mouth like a rigid stick.

Yin Sen said submissively:

"How could that be? I'm no longer a child! If you hadn't looked out for me from all sides over the years, how could I have gotten to where I am today?! It's just that this round of adjustments to the Songyang leadership team is truly bizarre. In other words, if Bian Zecheng had moved up, or even if Liu Wanyi had been promoted to the primary position, I could have accepted it. It is solely Zhang Maolin's promotion that leaves me utterly baffled! From whatever perspective you look at it, he is not the best candidate. What kind of considerations are the provincial branch decision-makers—and President Tan himself, in particular—actually harboring? This Zhang Maolin, aside from constantly finding fault everywhere and losing his temper, I have truly never seen him make any eye-catching contribution to the work of the Songyang branch. Giving an opportunity to a character like this—if we're not careful, he will conjure up one trouble after another out of thin air to torment others, and he might even churn the current excellent situation in Songyang into a complete mess..."

Yin Sen's mouth fired away like a machine gun in rapid bursts!

Teng Deming showed no particular reaction; he merely sat calmly and smoked until the other person finished venting.

After a brief silence, Teng Deming slowly flicked away the cigarette ash and ruthlessly crushed the long cigarette butt into the white steel ashtray.

"Finished? Heh. Young man, do you know why I came here alone in advance? Why I sought you out separately? It seems President Tan understands you after all; he understands you even better than your uncle does! I caught up with President Tan before I came, and he had already anticipated your attitude just now, even guessing every single word you would say. Admirable, truly admirable!

I can understand your feelings at this moment; after all, having the subjective desire to actively strive for progress is at least far more valuable than the lazy tendency to just muddle through days by eating and drinking. Right? Heh..."