Power and Wealth

Chapter 1635

Afternoon.

At the office.

Yang Zhen was also waiting in his department for disciplinary action against Dong Xuebing from above, but it didn't come, and he grew impatient. Glancing at the clock, it had been quite some time. So, after arranging for his car to be repaired, he went to the director's office.

Knock, knock.

"Come in."

"Director Zeng."

"Xiao Yang, is your injury still hurting?"

"Thank you for your concern, Director. It's getting better."

"Well, you've been through a lot this time. Don't worry, we'll give you an explanation. The people in our department of General affairs are not ones to be bullied."

"Thank you, Director Zeng."

"By the way, why hasn't there been any news about the punishment?"

"Yeah, I'm wondering too. It's been quite a while."

"Hmm, you can have a seat first. Let me make a call."

Yang Zhen didn't sit down; he couldn't wait any longer. He hadn't even dared to leave the General Office's building because people would look at him strangely whenever he walked outside. Yang Zhen felt very embarrassed. He had been kicked, and his car needed major repairs. He would lose face if he didn't get justice in terms of punishment.

Zeng Ming called, not to the higher-ups but to Deputy Director Zhou Dai's secretary, "Hello, it's Zeng Ming. Is Deputy Director Zhou busy in his office now? Oh, okay, I just wanted to ask about the disciplinary action against Dong Xuebing. What's the current situation? It's not about compensating for the car repair costs; I'm talking about the disciplinary action. Are you sure there's been no mistake? Okay, I see. Is Deputy Director Zhou available now? Hmm, I'll come over right away. Please let him know."

After hanging up the phone, Zeng Ming's face darkened.

Yang Zhen heard it, too; his expression changed, "Director Zeng, what's going on?"

Zeng Ming slammed the table, "How would I know? Dong Xuebing wasn't given any punishment. Instead, he was just asked to compensate for the car repair costs and write a self-criticism letter."

"This..."

In his anger, Zeng Ming immediately said, "I'm going to Deputy Director Zhou's office."

It wasn't just a personal matter between Yang Zhen and Dong Xuebing; it had become a dispute between departments. It also concerned Zeng Ming's face. He couldn't ignore it, especially since he had previously lost to Yin Cheng'an as Deputy Director. Now, with the people from his department fighting against those from the General Office, Zeng Ming couldn't swallow his pride if they didn't even get an explanation.

In the Deputy Director's office.

Zeng Ming arrived a minute later. "Director Zhou," Zeng Ming entered angrily, "what's the meaning of this? Someone got beaten up, the car was wrecked, and no action was taken?"

Zhou Dai looked at him, "Dong Xuebing has already been made to compensate Yang Zhen for his losses."

"This doesn't count as punishment. How can we justify this to everyone?"

Zhou Dai seemed to have forgotten about Dong Xuebing's confrontation with him earlier and had an apparent change of attitude, "It's just a conflict and dispute between colleagues. Director Zhu's opinion is that it's not a significant issue. If it can be resolved internally, then let it be. If it escalates, it won't look good for our Eighth Division's reputation, right? The leader has already made a decision, so this matter is settled. I know that your colleagues in the General Office may feel aggrieved, but Zeng, you have to consider the bigger picture."

Zeng Ming was taken aback, "Director Zhu has made the decision?"

"Yes," Zhou Dai said, "So you don't need to escalate it further. The outcome has been decided, and there won't be any changes. Take care of your team's emotions, and the big picture is what matters."

Zeng Ming breathed, "Director Zhou, can you give me some insight into whether Dong Xuebing is..."

After so many years of interaction, Zhou Dai's relationship with him was still good, and the General Office had always cooperated well with him. So, after giving Zeng Ming a glance, Zhou Dai said, "That new guy, Dong Xuebing, seems to be quite extraordinary. That's all I know; I'm unclear about the rest."

Zeng Ming was stunned, "Even Director Zhu..."

Zhou Dai said, "The director can't discipline him either."

"I see." Zeng Ming's anger seemed to dissipate suddenly, and he became calm.

Zhou Dai instructed, "After you return, work consoling the General Office colleagues. This matter ends here." Dong Xuebing had just quarreled with him, and Zhou Dai had no good impression of him. He would have preferred to give Dong Xuebing a heavier punishment. Zhou Dai had proposed to Director Zhu to discipline Dong Xuebing. However, Director Zhu's attitude made Zhou Dai realize this new young man had a different background. It was not just about giving Dong Xuebing a lesson; it was beyond his control.

Zeng Ming also understood that Dong Xuebing might have a background that couldn't be easily provoked. Although he appeared ordinary and had no apparent connections, Zeng Ming, with his years of experience in the system, understood that people with backgrounds like these were often influential. It wasn't that he couldn't find out about Dong Xuebing's background; it was more likely that Dong Xuebing's was too formidable for someone like Zeng Ming or Zhou Dai to know or understand.

In the Eighth Division.

General Office.

Zeng Ming returned slowly.

Yang Zhen was the first to approach him, "Director Zeng."

The other members of the General Office also looked at him with concern. Some of them had also been involved in the altercation with the Second Department, so they also paid close attention to the situation.

Zeng Ming didn't speak but called Yang Zhen into his office alone. After closing the door, he said, "The decision has been made from above, under Director Zhu's instructions."

Yang Zhen was annoyed, "Then what about Dong Xuebing?"

"He seems to be more than just an ordinary person. Even Director Zhou doesn't know much about his situation. Only Director Zhu has some information."

Yang Zhen couldn't believe it, "How can someone who beats people and then justifies his actions not be punished?"

"I just found out myself. The situation isn't as simple as we thought," Zeng Ming also felt frustrated, but there was nothing he could do. "I heard Director Zhu doesn't want to take action against him."

"How is that possible?" Yang Zhen exclaimed.

"Probably just like that," sighed Zeng Ming.

Zeng Ming quickly grasped the situation. Even though he was furious, he accepted it. He knew he would settle the score later; it wasn't too late. After all, in the bureaucratic realm, there were hidden dragons and crouching tigers, and some individuals with powerful backgrounds were not to be trifled with. But Zeng Ming understood that revenge could wait. However, Yang Zhen couldn't accept it. He was younger and not as mature as Zeng Ming.

Yang Zhen was about to explode with anger. After a perfunctory response to Zeng Ming, he left the office. Faced with anxious inquiries from his colleagues, Yang Zhen remained silent. He left the General Office and reached the end of the corridor, where he pulled out his phone and flipped through his contacts from top to bottom.

Director Liu...

Secretary Zheng...

Uncle Lu...

After searching for a while, Yang Zhen found the contact of the highest-ranking deputy minister of a ministry. Of course, this wasn't someone he could usually contact. This deputy minister had some acquaintance with Yang Zhen's father. They were somewhat familiar. Initially, Yang Zhen felt hesitant about directly contacting him, at least he should inform his father first. But Yang Zhen had suffered too much from Dong Xuebing's antics. He felt embarrassed to let his family know. He didn't even know how to broach the subject. So, regardless of appropriateness, he decided not to care. He was in a desperate situation and directly dialed the number. Ring... ring... After four or five rings, the call was answered.

"Hello, Xiao Zhen?" came the voice of an old man from the other end.

"Uncle Fang, it's me," Yang Zhen immediately responded.

"Is something wrong? Your dad invited me for dinner today. I might be busy," the old man chuckled.

"No, Uncle Fang, it's not that. I—I was beaten up, and it's related to my work unit," Yang Zhen explained hurriedly.

"What happened?" the old man asked, his tone serious. "Take your time and explain. Don't rush."

"It's like this," Yang Zhen felt extremely wronged. He poured out his grievances to his father's old friend without reservation. "Uncle Fang, you have to help me resolve this."

"That's outrageous!" the old man was also angered upon hearing the story. "Have you told your dad?"

"No, I called you first," Yang Zhen said. "It's beyond unfair."

"It's indeed unacceptable. He not only crashed into your car but also resorted to violence. Is this still the Disciplinary Commission?" The old man was displeased. "What did your leaders say?"

"They didn't punish him; they just asked him to compensate for the damages," Yang Zhen replied.

"No punishment?" the old man was surprised.

"No, just compensation and a written self-criticism," Yang Zhen said.

The old man pondered for a moment. "It shouldn't be like this. By the way, what's the name of that person?"

"His name is Dong Xuebing. He's a cadre transferred here just last month," Yang Zhen answered.

At the mention of the name, the old man fell silent for a moment. "Dong Xuebing... Is he an ordinary-looking young man in his mid-twenties?"

Yang Zhen was taken aback. "Yes, do you know him?"

The old man remained silent for a while longer before sighing. "I don't know how he ended up in your unit. But I've heard of him. Xiao Zhen, I'm sorry, but I can do nothing about this."

"How come, Uncle?" Yang Zhen became anxious.

"Some things I can't discuss with you. But Dong Xuebing isn't someone to be trifled with. Try to avoid him as much as possible. If you push him too hard, he's capable of anything. And in Beijing, very few dare to mess with him. Remember what your Uncle Fang said. Let it go."

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