Chapter Seven: The Duel of Arts (Part One)

Teng Deming focused his gaze intently, already realizing that his true purpose for coming to Songyang had been thoroughly seen through by the other party. Although this outcome was not unexpected, the innate pride and restraint within him felt severely challenged and difficult to accept.

A surge of anger began to stir in Teng Deming’s heart. Yet, when his eyes met Zhang Maolin’s, that flame was instantly extinguished, as if doused by a sudden splash of cold water.

“Well, jumping to conclusions, huh? Already switching into work mode? No wonder you’re a disciplinary official! Alright then, it’s better to comply than to resist. Today, I’ll just play the part of the person being interviewed by Secretary Zhang. Ha ha ha…”

Teng Deming’s jest carried a weightier meaning beneath its surface.

“Heh, Director Teng, you do have a way with jokes. Your teasing almost makes me nervous. Didn’t we just agree to be sincere with each other?” Zhang Maolin replied.

Though Zhang Maolin deeply disliked Teng Deming’s duplicitous manner, he knew he had to strive to maintain as relaxed an atmosphere as possible. At this critical juncture, he understood the importance of priorities more than anyone.

Teng Deming continued, “The conclusion regarding the Wen Lu incident is clear—nothing complicated, just an unexpected traffic accident. Life is unpredictable. Perhaps because Wen Lu was formerly the credit department head at the municipal bank, even minor details get blown out of proportion by some idle gossipers. Still, our leadership must consider the sensitivity of public opinion. If rumors originate from within Songyang’s XingShang Bank and then spread further, the consequences won’t be trivial. Internal discourse often carries bias and, worse, can incite unrest. At this stage, the municipal bank must steer public opinion in the right direction. We must endeavor to minimize any negative fallout.”

“Director Teng, what’s the provincial bank’s stance on handling the over three million yuan under Wen Lu’s name?” Zhang Maolin pressed.

“Well, that’s still undecided. But I expect they’ll opt for a quiet, behind-the-scenes approach, which aligns with President Tan’s wishes. Our provincial bank hasn’t had any major incidents for over two years now, and in a few months, we aim to reach a milestone of a thousand days of safe operation. This is a top priority. Maolin, do you know what achieving this means for the entire provincial XingShang Bank? It not only elevates our risk control standards but also brings substantial improvements in staff salaries, operational expense ratios, credit authorization limits, and single-approval powers. Both the team’s collective honor and individual benefits will see great gains. Therefore, the provincial bank will not tolerate any discord during this crucial period. Over the years, Songyang’s municipal bank has never been a burden to the province, especially your work in discipline inspection, which has been exemplary. Now is a decisive moment. As the saying goes, ‘Train soldiers for a thousand days to use them for just one moment.’ At this pivotal point, the Songyang branch must not falter!”

Teng Deming deliberately emphasized his words, glancing at the silent Zhang Maolin before continuing:

“I can imagine that many at your Songyang branch see the Wen Lu incident as a major, sensitive upheaval. But in the broader provincial context, it’s merely a small ‘interlude’ in our work, hardly worth the fuss. What’s done is done; why get hung up on trivial details? We must not waste precious energy on useless trifles. Songyang people have long had a stubborn flaw—the tendency to stir up trouble and seek scandal in chaos!

Within XingShang Bank, quite a few individuals are keen on wild speculation and spreading rumors, seemingly eager for disorder. Right now, your branch’s most critical task is to open minds, focus on key priorities, highlight the main message, and clarify the overall goal. As a member of the leadership and the party committee, you must champion the big picture and maintain unity. The province’s main theme now is stability, stability, and more stability! Promoting steady growth across all indicators is paramount. Every leader must consider this overarching goal; otherwise, you risk opposing the provincial party committee and going against the grain!”

Teng Deming slowed his speech in the final sentences, punctuating his words with a series of deliberate hand gestures. His body language settled into a formal, composed posture—fingers interlaced neatly over his rounded belly.

After a brief pause, his admonition continued:

“Maolin, I truly understand your anxiety these days. The quality of discipline inspection work at Songyang’s municipal bank has always been a shining example within the provincial XingShang system. As a ‘veteran’ in this field, the province is very satisfied with your leadership. President Tan himself highly appreciates your work ethic. I can confidentially share some news: before year’s end, the provincial bank plans a broad reshuffle of department-level cadres. You, as an experienced discipline inspector, should consider moving up or sideways. Ha ha ha—if you haven’t earned merits, at least you’ve put in effort; if not effort, then at least you’ve been a hard worker! Even if you’re approaching retirement, you could still secure a senior consultant position with proper benefits. Leave that matter to me. Of course, you’ll have to put in some effort yourself, ha ha ha.”

Hearing Teng Deming’s smooth words, Zhang Maolin could only respond with a weak laugh. He found the director’s speech neither amusing nor helpful. Instead, it felt tedious, pointless, even nauseating—mere childish nonsense.

“Ha ha, with such encouragement from you, Director Teng, is it possible that this old horse Zhang Maolin still has some miles left to run? Ha ha…” Zhang Maolin replied lightly.

Seeing Zhang Maolin smile, Teng Deming seemed pleased and took the opportunity to continue:

“Exactly! There are so many important matters waiting for your attention, yet you stubbornly run headlong into a dead end, banging your head against the wall for no reason! It’s like losing a penny in the dark and then spending ten yuan on a flashlight to search the whole world. Brother, how else can I describe your way of thinking?”

Caught up in the moment, Teng Deming even playfully tapped Zhang Maolin’s shoulder a few times, a gesture of camaraderie.