Power and Wealth

Chapter 1630

Afternoon.

Around one-thirty.

Dong Xuebing casually stubbed out his cigarette, one hand in his pocket, leading Han Fei, Sun Zhaobang, Zhang Dongliang, and others from Second Office into the office building.

"So, this is Director Dong?"

"I really couldn't tell."

"Yeah, he's got quite the temper."

"Not just quite, it's indescribable!"

"Sigh, let's see how the leaders handle this!"

"It definitely won't end well. When has our unit ever had such a drama?"

Once the people from the Second Office and the General office left, those outside and upstairs watching the excitement began to whisper, discussing the matter from beginning to end again. The conclusion was that the new director from the Second Office might be suspended or face disciplinary action within the Party. Administrative warnings seemed unlikely—too lenient. Sigh, the truth was that Yang Zhen from the General office was initially in the wrong. He had crashed into someone else's car and acted as if it was justified. Someone used their power to oppress others. It would have been fine if Dong Xuebing had come forward to reason with him. However, Director Dong didn't do that. Instead, he chose a domineering way for everyone to discipline Yang Zhen, which was problematic.

On the way.

In the corridor.

Han Fei looked at Dong Xuebing's back and coughed, hesitating, "Director Dong, this time it's all my fault. I'm causing trouble for you. I..."

Dong Xuebing waved his hand.

Sun Zhaobang said, "This matter..."

Zhang Dongliang was also slightly anxious, "Director Dong, what if Yang Zhen and the others..."

"No problem." Dong Xuebing resumed his previous expression, replied, and said no more.

When everyone reached the Second Office office area, Dong Xuebing didn't even look back. He went into his office in the same manner as before, seemingly not nervous at all. Instead, he seemed to be in a good mood. Once the door closed, there was silence inside. Han Fei and He Zhou exchanged glances, but this time, no one blamed Dong Xuebing behind his back, and no one murmured about him being unsociable.

Sun Zhaobang looked at the door of his office and whispered, "Director Dong is considerate today!"

"Yeah." Zhang Dongliang also secretly clicked his tongue: "Seeing Yang Zhen being kicked and his car smashed, it's satisfying!"

Han Fei sighed, "But it seems like he's been implicated too."

He Zhou sighed, "It's going to be tricky."

When the people from the Second Office heard this, they fell silent, feeling a bit stifled.

About five or six minutes later, there was suddenly a hurried sound of footsteps outside, making Han Fei, Sun Zhaobang, and others nervous as they looked over, fearing a leader from the Eighth Division might be coming to investigate or taking Director Dong away. However, the person who appeared at the door was unexpectedly Second Office’s Director Yin Cheng'an.

Yin Cheng'an came in panting and immediately asked, "What's going on? Did someone get into a fight? A car accident?" He rushed back upon hearing the news but hadn't fully understood the situation.

Han Fei immediately said, "Director Yin, you're back! We've been bullied by the people from the General office again!"

Yin Cheng'an looked at her and said, "Tell me in detail! Don't worry, I'm here!"

Zhang Dongliang explained, "Deputy Director Yang Zhen from the General office crashed into Han Fei's new car. The side mirror got scratched, but he didn't apologize and acted self-righteous, insisting that Han Fei didn't park the car properly. Isn't that bullying? We argued with them, but there were more people from the General Office, and Yang Zhen was a leader. Many other department officials also sided with them, telling us not to make a fuss. It's infuriating. Fortunately, Director Dong intervened. He saw the situation and stood up for us. He... um, crashed Yang Zhen's Audi, and in the end, Yang Zhen pushed Director Dong, and Director Dong... kicked him."

Yin Cheng'an gasped, "Director Dong hit someone?"

Han Fei nodded, "But the other party also made the first move."

Yin Cheng'an asked, "Where is Director Dong?"

Sun Zhaobang pointed to the office, "In there."

Yin Cheng'an was speechless. It would have been manageable if there hadn't been a car crash or fight. He would have sought an explanation from the General Office for his subordinates. How could anyone bully his people from the Second Office? But now... Yin Cheng'an said, "Director Dong is usually a low-key leader. How... sigh, no matter what, you can't hit people, let alone damage their car..."

Zhang Dongliang said, "Director Dong was just helping us."

Han Fei hurriedly said, "Director Yin, will the blame be shifted to Director Dong? This matter... Damn, I'll take responsibility alone. It has nothing to do with Director Dong!"

Yin Cheng'an said, "You think it's that simple? Someone got hit, and the car was wrecked. They can't just turn a blind eye!"

Han Fei asked anxiously, "Then what should we do?"

Yin Cheng'an said, "What else can we do? I'll talk to the leaders, but even if I explain, it won't help. This has already caused a big stir, and..."

After that, Yin Cheng'an criticized Han Fei and the others, "You guys, when something happens, call me immediately, or at least wait for me to arrive! Now, someone got beaten, and it's hard to resolve! Director Dong just took office, and his foundation is shallow. Definitely..."

Han Fei was on the verge of tears, "It's all my fault!"

Sun Zhaobang said, "It's not your fault. Yang Zhen and the people from the General office are too much, too arrogant. If it weren't for Director Dong's dominance, if I had it, I would have beaten them too!"

Yin Cheng'an interrupted, "Enough, stop talking nonsense."

Yin Cheng'an was also amazed at Dong Xuebing's courage and protective behavior. He had been in contact with him for some time and hadn't realized that this new director from the Second Office had such a temper. He seemed so quiet and low-key usually, but at crucial moments, he was fierce. After glancing at Dong Xuebing's office, Yin Cheng'an didn't go in to find him. Instead, he thought for a moment and then went back to make a few phone calls, trying to help Dong Xuebing plead for leniency.

...

On the other side.

Eighth Division.

General Office's office area.

As soon as Yang Zhen and his people returned, the office became noisy, full of angry voices from the clerks. Everyone was burning with anger!

At this time, the director of the General Office, Zeng Ming, returned, his face darkened. He had obviously already heard about what had happened on his way back.

When he saw the leader, Yang Zhen immediately said, "Director Zeng!"

Zeng Ming raised his head, "No need to say it, I already know. Don't worry. Everyone's grievances won't go unanswered. That guy Dong Xuebing from Second Office can't get away with it!"

Crashed into someone!

Hit someone!

Zeng Ming definitely couldn't swallow this anger!

Turning around, Zeng Ming went straight to his office, picked up the phone, and dialed the leader of the Eighth Division, his tone full of anger!

"Hey, Xiao Zeng."

"Director! What is Second Office trying to do?"

"What's going on? Let's calm down first. What happened?"

"Haven't you heard? People from the Second Office attacked our personnel!"

"Oh? Is that so? I've been in a meeting outside, didn't know about it."

"They hit someone? Are you sure?"

"Everyone saw it! Very sure! There are shoe prints on Xiao Yang's stomach! He was kicked so hard he flew! Is this how members of the Discipline Inspection Commission act? Is there any sense of responsibility? They're just hooligans! Thugs!"

"Who from Second Office hit someone? Han Fei?"

"Han Fei doesn't have the courage for that! It was that new guy, Dong Xuebing!"

"...Him?"

"Director, you have to give us justice!"

Zeng Ming went to complain to his superiors!

...

Second Office.

Office area.

Han Fei was so anxious that she stomped her foot. "What do we do now?"

"Isn't Director Yin going to explain?" Sun Zhaobang comforted, "Director Yin has a good relationship with the higher-ups, and Director Dong should..."

But He Zhou remained calm, "If it's not a big deal, it's manageable. But now it involves Yang Zhen, a cadre at the Division Chief level. I believe Director Zeng from the General office won't agree. Also, so many people witnessed it, and the news must have spread. So even if Director Yin has a good relationship with the higher-ups, it's hard to handle. The first thing the higher-ups must consider is to contain the situation and set an example. After all, we're in the Discipline Inspection Commission and can't set a bad example. Moreover, Director Zeng from the General office has a good relationship with the higher-ups."

Han Fei slammed the table, "So, does that mean Director Dong will be disciplined?"

"Being disciplined would be the least of it." Zhou pondered, "I'm afraid he'll be suspended pending investigation. That would be the end of Director Dong's career. He's even younger than us. As Director Yin said, Director Dong's foundation is not stable. Although I don't know how he reached this level, some issues might arise if an investigation were to happen. Moreover, there might be others fanning the flames. It could end Director Dong's political life or even lead to permanent dismissal. It's a serious matter."

Zhang Dongliang was astonished, "Is it that serious?"

He Zhou sighed, "What do you think? This has had a severe impact. It's assault, and it's against a colleague at the same level. The punishment from above won't be light, or else they can't justify it to others."

Sun Zhaobang said, "What about Director Dong..."

Zhang Dongliang's expression also darkened.

Their impression of Director Dong had changed significantly today, and naturally, they didn't want him to get into trouble.

Han Fei gritted her teeth, stood abruptly, and shouted, "No, absolutely not! Director Dong stood up for me today, and I've implicated him. I can't let him bear all the responsibility. If anyone should bear it, it's me. This whole thing started because of me!"

He Zhou said, "Director Dong is a leader, his identity is there, it's better. You bear it? How can you bear it?" He paused and then suddenly said, "Oh, by the way, doesn't your dad have a lot of connections with the leaders above?"