Chapter 15: Undercurrents (Part 6)

Facing Teng Deming's earnest "teachings," Yin Sen slumped like a meat grub on a rush mat, shrinking listlessly into the bamboo chair opposite Teng Deming, nodding repeatedly in agreement like a chick pecking at rice...

Teng Deming's sermon continued:

"Regarding the personal life of a chief executive, if you can anticipate certain matters ahead of the office director, your value as a vice-president will immediately become apparent. Do not constantly talk endlessly about work in front of your superior! If you mistake such behavior for dedication, you are making a grave mistake. Most of the time, he may not need that at all. Outside of official working hours, try your best to find some leisure activities for him to relieve the tense rhythm of work; perhaps that is what he wants to say but cannot express directly.

Men, do I really need to remind you specifically about details like this?

Take Wang Weixin, for instance. He has mentioned to me on multiple occasions that Bian Zecheng has a quick mind and is very attentive to details. Actually, don't I know the little schemes inside old Wang's head?! Isn't it just that Bian Zecheng frequently creates opportunities for him to go fishing at the reservoir, hunting at the ranch, singing at karaoke parlors, and having young girls give him massages—at best, just to relieve his psychological thirst? Haha...

Throughout history, Liu Luoguo, Ji Xiaolan, and Heshen have served as representative incarnations of various officials in successive imperial courts. But why could they all live in relative peace and serve the emperor together? It stems from the balance achieved through various opposing forces. Don't forget that the emperor is also a mortal with normal human emotions and desires. If he were to forget the mundane world every day due to managing state affairs and ruling the realm, who could possibly endure it?

If conquering an empire requires fierce generals, then maintaining an empire requires eunuchs. Just think, in many special circumstances, only Heshen could save the emperor from 'fire and water'...

Such little tricks often make the 'chief executive' beam with joy and praise his subordinates everywhere. What is the reason? Selfishness dictates it!

The ancients said that a gentleman should neither be elated by material gains nor saddened by personal losses! I ask you, how many people in this world have achieved that? Tao Yuanming? Fan Zhongxian? Utter nonsense! It's just showing off some empty rhetoric. The common trait of literati is that they love to manufacture emotional resonance out of thin air to agitate and deceive others, while hiding in the dark to gloat and admire their own reflections. As the saying goes: 'Romantic tales always belong to past dynasties, and ancient literary styles are copied by future generations!'

Hehe, did I stray too far from the topic?"

Teng Deming said with a somewhat self-deprecating smile.

"No, no, no, your junior has benefited immensely!"

Yin Sen replied deferentially.

***

"If you find it beneficial, I might as well ramble on for a few more words."

Teng Deming continued:

"The distinction between 'tension' and 'relaxation.' This phrase should be the one you feel most personally. People always say that the banking system is forged in iron, but that statement only captures half the truth! On the one hand, we must uphold the rigid management of regulations. Without this, chaos would ensue in any industry. On the other hand, during the execution of regulations, one must still consider human factors from all aspects and attend to these necessary links. In fact, it is precisely these seemingly tedious and trivial links that ultimately test a leader's emotional and intellectual quotient!

How to reflect your own value amidst the entanglement and choices between interests and conflicts depends entirely on your own decisions! This is truly a very subtle art. The regulations themselves are merely a 'mountain.' A mountain is always majestic, motionless, and naturally lifeless! How one approaches the implementation of rules in work reflects a stream of 'water' flowing around the mountain! It relies on the human brain to operate. Strictly speaking, 'mountains' are all identically dull, but the shapes of 'water' are infinitely diverse. Only 'water' is the ultimate factor that determines the state of the 'landscape.' As the ancient saying goes, the highest goodness is like water! Only the power of water is truly supreme.

Perhaps many people fail to realize this: different post assignments within a bank possess different potential interest-generating attributes. The operator of credit business possesses a natural, distinct symbol of authority and intrinsic interest. To put it simply, for two enterprises with roughly equivalent capital expansion and nearly identical operating states that simultaneously require the bank's credit support, the professional privilege inherent in choosing the credit allocation target at that moment is glaringly obvious. In making such a choice, if you can manage to both comply with rules and regulations and skillfully weave the personal sentiments of the financial practitioner into the process, while making the other party fully understand and accept it, then the rewards generated by your work art will gradually manifest.

Through cumulative accumulation, this highest realm of operation will manifest as achieving your desires effortlessly and with complete mastery simply through normal operational duties. Once you possess this grasp, on your own working platform, you can seamlessly integrate public and private interests, internal and external balance, and the handling methods of big and small affairs at your fingertips. You can practically experience the sensation of summoning wind and rain and feeling at ease wherever you go! With this kind of skill supported by your own network of connections, why worry about having no future?"

...

Yin Sen was speechless.

Staring dumbfounded at Teng Deming, his eyes flooded with a complex mix of astonishment, admiration, envy, inferiority, and fear...

Teng Deming let out a sigh.

"You foolish boy! Learn well; for you, the road ahead is still long! Remember one thing: when you must live under someone else's roof, you need to learn to lower your head voluntarily! From the perspective of the current situation, giving Zhang Maolin face is equivalent to paving your own path. The value of a deputy is often determined by the evaluation of the principal. From today until you are transferred, whatever reputation you hold at the Songyang City Prosperity Bank depends entirely on Zhang Maolin's mouth. Do you understand my meaning?!"

"Yes, yes, I understand! Rest assured, I guarantee to support President Zhang just as I supported President Wang! No, even more so; I will surely devote myself body and soul, spare no effort, attend to every trivial detail, and lead by example! I will surrender all my heart, soul, and energy to Songyang! I guarantee it! Hearing your words, this junior has surpassed reading books for ten years!..."

Yin Sen patted his chest repeatedly with loud thuds.

***

"Hehe, do my shallow insights possess such great energy?! However—"

Teng Deming did not continue. He lit another cigarette and squinted with a smile at Yin Sen.

Yin Sen's neck seemed somewhat stiff, but he forced a powerful twist, and his entire body consequently turned toward Teng Deming's direction.

"Little Yin, I might as well disclose a piece of information to you: early next year, the provincial branch plans to establish a directly affiliated sub-branch in the provincial capital's high-tech development zone, which is also an official county-level unit. As far as I know, President Tan does not yet have a mature candidate in mind for the 'chief executive,' and I believe President Tan might be considering you to some extent. A month ago, we went together to the provincial government to visit your uncle, primarily to market the opening of corporate deposit accounts for various provincial ministries and bureaus. Over the banquet table, President Tan specifically brought up your work. Of course, President Tan said it intentionally for your uncle to hear. Do you understand my meaning?"

"Really?! Thank you!"

Yin Sen was so ecstatic he almost jumped up! It was only the pain from his stiff neck that jolted him and stopped his next movement.

Teng Deming waved his hand and said:

"Just keep this matter to yourself privately, and mind the discipline! Last week, the provincial branch submitted the report on the organizational setup of the direct sub-branch to the head office, and we have also done some unilateral communication work. We estimate the approval will arrive in two or three months. Therefore, during this period, you must keep everything simple, keep your head down and work hard, and ensure a smooth transition. Make sure no untoward incidents occur, so as not to cause trouble for President Tan and me when the time comes!"

"Thank you for your painstaking efforts! I will certainly convey this precious sentiment to my uncle in a timely manner! Rest assured, during my remaining days in Songyang, let alone serving as a vice-president, even if I have to act like a grandson, I guarantee I will accept and face everything with complete sincerity and willingness!!!"

Yin Sen shook hands with Teng Deming, practically trembling.