Chapter 17: The New Discipline Inspection Secretary (Part 1)

The room was stiflingly hot, as a fierce blast of warm air poured continuously from the wide louvers of the three-ton floor-standing air conditioner.

Zhang Maolin felt a surge of irritation and casually splashed the remaining water from his teacup onto the floor. At that exact moment, the newly appointed Secretary for Discipline Inspection, Shi Yan, pushed open the door and said softly:

"Hello, President Zhang! I've put together a rough, high-level plan for next year's discipline inspection and supervision work. Of course, some parts are modeled after the overall operational deployments of the provincial branch's discipline inspection line. Could I trouble you to review it and see if it's feasible?"

Shi Yan walked briskly to the opposite side of Zhang Maolin's desk, holding a stack of manuscripts with both hands.

Zhang Maolin took the materials and gestured for him to take a seat.

"Well, well! You've anticipated the Party committee's work ahead of time. It's rare to see such initiative. Such a thick stack of papers—looks like the content is quite substantial! Did you write all of this yourself?"

As Zhang Maolin casually riffled through the pages, a look of delight spread across his face. He continued:

"So, how is it? Are you getting used to working in the Songyang region? The climate here is characterized by strong winds, blowing sand, and dry air. If you face any difficulties in your daily life, please don't hesitate to mention them to Chairman Liu of the labor union, or you can even come straight to me. We must take good care of you—our discipline inspection secretary who has traveled from afar—in every possible aspect, haha..."

Shi Yan replied with a smile:

"Thank you for your concern, President Zhang. I have a fairly decent ability to adapt to environments. Besides, during my previous work in the supervision office of the provincial branch, I often came to the Songyang branch for research, so I'm somewhat prepared on all fronts. However, for the discipline inspection work under my charge moving forward, I will have to rely heavily on the strong support of the branch Party committee, and especially on you personally!"

Zhang Maolin answered:

"That is absolutely not a problem, rest assured! I've always had a saying on the tip of my tongue: 'An organization that does not support discipline inspection and supervision work is not a wise organization; a leader who does not understand the work of the discipline inspection secretary is not a clever leader.' Within our Prosperity Commercial Bank system, those who practice discipline inspection and supervision are not only overworked, but often carry a heavy burden in their hearts! You will gradually come to realize this. After all, our discipline inspection and supervision posts are thankless assignments. But please believe me, the Songyang City Branch Party committee will never let your hardships compound; we will definitely ensure you taste the sweetness within the bitterness, because you are exerting yourself for the sake of our Songyang Branch! On this point, old Zhang here completely understands."

A faint flush appeared on Shi Yan's face as he smiled and said:

"Excuse me! To be honest, coming to Songyang for this assignment puts me under immense pressure. I'm not afraid of hardship, but I'm terrified of failing my mission! As an area within the province's Prosperity Commercial Bank system with a high incidence of cases, Songyang City will undoubtedly face many difficulties and even severe tests in its discipline inspection and supervision work.

Before my departure, President Tan and Vice President Teng of the provincial branch both called me in for individual talks. Faced with the heavy trust placed in me by the leadership, I truly feel as though I am walking on thin ice, trembling with fear! But the moment I remember there is an outstanding veteran discipline inspection secretary like yourself at the helm here, my confidence returns."

Zhang Maolin said:

"Sigh, Little Shi, your words make my face burn with shame! If I search my conscience, during the years I served as discipline inspection secretary, although I did accomplish some meaningful work, the internal management level of the Songyang Prosperity Commercial Bank has still stagnated. Violations of regulations and laws have emerged one after another, and a few individual cases even shook the head office. To be frank, as an incompetent discipline inspection secretary, I feel deeply ashamed before the local elders and folks!"

Shi Yan said:

"We shouldn't draw conclusions quite so simply. Can anyone assert with certainty that if a place has many thieves, the police are automatically derelict in their duty? The two do not share a direct causal relationship."

Zhang Maolin replied:

"That may be how you put it, but surely an abundance of mice in a house is not a point of pride for the cat?! Discipline inspection and supervision work must be pursued with unremitting perseverance; the moment there is the slightest lapse in attention, negative consequences will immediately follow!"

"Hehehe..."

Shi Yan's laugh was rather unusual—his mouth didn't open very wide, yet the sound was remarkably loud.

"President Zhang, there is something I would like to do in the next couple of days, and I felt I should seek your opinion first. There will surely be many similar situations in the future, and I hope you won't find it tedious!"

Zhang Maolin said:

"Oh? Is that really necessary? You are the discipline inspection secretary; as long as it falls within the scope of your normal working authority, you can directly instruct the director of the supervision office to make specific arrangements. Of course, if there are any difficulties or thorny aspects, I am definitely here to help and lend my backing. Tell me, what is this about?"

Looking at the sincere and solemn expression on Shi Yan's face, Wen Lu suddenly crossed Zhang Maolin's mind, though it was only a fleeting thought.

"I want to—reach out to Wen Lu's family. Do you think that's permissible?"

Shi Yan's words were brief and direct.

"Huh? What? You have this in mind?!"

Zhang Maolin stood up as if triggered by a reflex, his expression transforming entirely from a moment ago.

From the very beginning, Zhang Maolin had been guessing: was Shi Yan deliberately using such an inadequate excuse to come and communicate with him? He must be planning to address his personal living conditions in Songyang or raise other related demands. After all, cadres transferred from elsewhere always had their own requests regarding major aspects like lodging, vehicle allocation, and office supply procurement.

Zhang Maolin had long anticipated that Shi Yan would operate in this fashion. In anticipation, Zhang Maolin had specifically instructed Director Kan of the administration office beforehand, emphasizing that Shi Yan was a young cadre dispatched from the provincial branch with a tremendously bright future ahead, and that everyone must cherish this bond! They were to pull out all the stops to take good care of this young dispatched cadre, especially regarding routine room and board arrangements, where the standards should be set slightly higher than the provincial branch's regulations in this regard, ensuring he worked well, lived well, and stayed healthy during his time in Songyang...

Zhang Maolin's abrupt movement caught the other man off guard.

Seeing Zhang Maolin rise from his seat, Shi Yan followed suit out of politeness.

"Oh, it's nothing, nothing at all. Please, sit, sit."

Realizing his own abruptness, Zhang Maolin waved a hand at Shi Yan and slowly sat back down. In a soft, gentle tone, he said:

"You've just arrived in Songyang; don't you plan to visit the grassroots business outlets first? It would help you familiarize yourself with the situation. Shouldn't other matters be considered later?"

Shi Yan replied:

"I figure visiting grassroots units for research can wait for later. By comparison, Wen Lu's case is both sensitive and vital. Before I left, the provincial branch had already received several anonymous letters regarding this matter, the core content of which all urges the provincial branch to issue a conclusion as soon as possible..."

"Oh, well—have you mentioned this idea of yours to the leaders of the provincial branch beforehand?"

Zhang Maolin pressed further.

Shi Yan said:

"I don't suppose that was necessary. I am now the discipline inspection secretary of the Songyang City Prosperity Commercial Bank, and I conduct my work solely under the leadership of the city branch Party committee. Therefore, as long as you personally consent, that should be enough, right? Besides, going down for research and visits doesn't violate organizational discipline."