Power and Wealth
Chapter 1536 – First Day of Appointment
Two days later.
Early in the morning.
In a residential area in the western part of the city.
Dong Xuebing got out of bed inside the apartment, brushed his teeth, and washed up. He checked the time and realized he was running late for work. However, Dong Xuebing remained relaxed and unhurried. He casually made a packet of Kang Shifu instant noodles in the kitchen, added an egg, and ate leisurely. He felt content; it had been a while since he had been this relaxed. Finally, he lit a cigarette and smoked while tidying up and preparing for work.
The apartment was insignificant, just a tiny two-bedroom apartment of about sixty square meters. The living room was not spacious, and the two bedrooms were relatively modest. The conditions and furnishings in the apartment were relatively simple, but Dong Xuebing didn’t mind. This was the dormitory for cadres of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, so it was expected to be much cleaner than other departments. Dong Xuebing understood this personally and didn’t fuss over it too much. He thought it didn’t matter whether the living conditions were good or bad; they couldn’t be worse than those in Zhen Shui County, a national-level impoverished county. He was used to living there, let alone here. Although the neighborhood was old, it was located in the central-western part of the city, the downtown area of Beijing. Transportation and shopping were relatively convenient, and facilities were complete. Most importantly, it was very close to the unit. So, Dong Xuebing didn’t go to his villa in the western suburbs. After reporting to the unit yesterday, Dong Xuebing took the key and luggage and moved in the afternoon. He spent the time alone browsing the internet and watching TV, enjoying himself.
It was ten o’clock.
Dong Xuebing finally left the apartment and found the old Xiali car parked under a Chinese Toon tree in the courtyard. He drove out of the neighborhood. The Xiali had two boxes; the body was scratched, and the paint was peeling off in many places. It looked shabby, but Dong Xuebing borrowed it from Xie Ran and Xie Jing for half a day. Dong Xuebing had already given Xie Ran and Xie Jing an Audi A8 each. The Xiali was their previous commuting vehicle, which they no longer needed, so Dong Xuebing took it. Although the condition of the car was worse than that of a Land Rover or Porsche, it had one advantage that Dong Xuebing valued: low-key, not attracting attention.
His mother-in-law wanted him to keep a low profile.
His mother-in-law wanted him to get by.
Dong Xuebing remembered that and decided to do so.
Five minutes later.
Ping An Li West Street.
Dong Xuebing drove the creaky old Xiali and arrived at the unit. The reason for saying “creak” was that the Xiali was too old, and the engine’s sound was loud. Listening to the old engine roar made people feel like the car could fall apart anytime. It was really in poor condition. However, Dong Xuebing drove it with relish. New job, new environment. Nobody knew him, nobody understood him. This was a new beginning. Dong Xuebing enjoyed the feeling of starting from scratch. He was tired of the infamous taste.
The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
There were no signs or markings outside the central courtyard or any military-restricted area signs. However, armed police stood guard, and the entire compound was surrounded by a more than 4-meter-high, more than 2-meter-thick gray brick wall. It exuded a solemn atmosphere.
As soon as the car arrived, the armed police immediately approached.
Dong Xuebing rolled down the car window and showed his work permit.
The armed police nodded and let Dong Xuebing pass.
Dong Xuebing drove the Xiali yesterday when he came, but since he had just reported, he hadn’t had time to get his pass, so he could only rely on his work permit to come and go.
Inside the compound.
It was more like a work area than a unit.
The courtyard was densely packed with buildings, some six or seven stories high, some four or five stories high, with old and new buildings. There were also some dense parking lots and bicycle sheds. Almost every building had formed a small independent office area, with even the canteen having two or three sections labeled as canteen number one, canteen number two, and canteen number three. Dong Xuebing glanced around and continued driving inward. His unit was the farthest inside; even if he drove in, it would take two minutes, and he had to pass through two or three rows of office buildings and an internal convenience supermarket.
Quarter past ten.
The Xiali car finally arrived under a five-story office building.
Dong Xuebing parked the car in an open-air parking area below the building. After closing the car door, he walked slowly into the office building. He climbed the stairs to the fourth floor. As soon as he reached the fourth-floor landing, he saw a sign hanging on the wall: “Eighth Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.” This floor was the work area for the Eighth Office. The corridor was spacious, with several work areas and offices inside. Dong Xuebing turned into an office area labeled “Second Division.” Inside were partitioned rooms, the sound of copiers, the clacking of computer keyboards, and the ringing of telephones. Everyone was busy working. It was past ten; their regular working hours started at nine. Except for Dong Xuebing, everyone else had arrived early.
“Director Dong.”
“Director Dong, good morning.”
The two people nearby greeted Dong Xuebing.
Dong Xuebing smiled and returned their greetings, then walked towards his office and closed the door behind him.
The people in the office area all glanced in that direction.
Being late for more than an hour on the first day of work made many people speechless.
Who doesn’t try to make a good impression on the leader on the first day of work? But you seem to treat it as nothing. Everyone wasn’t particularly surprised because everyone sitting in this office was not simple, and none of them lacked background. Many people had different expressions—some smiled, some sat quietly working without lifting their heads, and some frowned and shook their heads.
Inside the office.
After Dong Xuebing entered, he glanced around. The layout was relatively simple, but everything essential was there. Sitting behind his desk, Dong Xuebing squinted and looked back at the sunlight streaming in through the window. He whistled softly, then turned on the water dispenser’s heating switch, brought over the teapot, took the tea leaves from his bag, and brewed tea.
Sprinkle the tea leaves.
Wait for the water temperature.
Pour water to brew tea.
All in one go, the office was filled with the fragrance of tea.
Dong Xuebing lifted a small teacup, took a sip, and felt at ease.
On the first day in office, it’s common to report to the leader, express oneself, meet with subordinates, communicate, and even give a speech to enhance one’s prestige and let them understand oneself a little. These are all standard procedures. However, since his mother-in-law said Dong Xuebing should keep a low profile, he didn’t do any of that. He didn’t even look at documents or ask the leader for tasks. Because he understood that his understanding of keeping a low profile might differ from others. In Dong Xuebing’s view, with his personality, he probably couldn’t keep a low profile no matter where he went. He might as well do nothing and not get involved in anything. After all, in such a large department, one more or one less person wouldn’t make much of a difference.
The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) has relatively bloated internal institutions.
These include the General Office, the Central Inspection Work Office, the Research Office, the Policy and Regulation Office, the Propaganda and Education Office, the First Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office, the Second Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office, the Third Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office, the Fourth Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office, the Fifth Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office, the Sixth Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office, the Seventh Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office, the Eighth Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office, the Party Conduct and Clean Government Building Office, the Office for Correcting Departmental and Industry Malpractices, the State Council Office for Rectifying Malpractices, the Law Enforcement and Supervision Office, the Case Handling Office, the Case Supervision and Management Office, the Prevention Office, the Petition Office, the Cadre Office, the Foreign Affairs Bureau, the General Affairs Management Bureau, the Retired Cadres Bureau, and the Organizational Party Committee.
Among these, the Discipline Inspection and Supervision Offices, from one to eight, are the most critical executive departments within the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
Dong Xuebing previously served as the Director of the Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office in Fenzhou City, a position similar to his current one. However, the scope of authority is quite different. The eight Discipline Inspection and Supervision Offices of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection have specific arrangements: Offices one to four mainly supervise and inspect the various ministries and commissions of the state, while Offices five to eight are responsible for the discipline inspection and supervision work of local provinces, autonomous regions, and Cities, with the Eighth Office mainly responsible for the six provinces in the central and southern regions.
Overseeing six significant provinces.
The weight of authority is evident.
The department where Dong Xuebing is located is the Second Division of the Eighth Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. He is currently a division-level inspector and supervisor of the Eighth Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Although Dong Xuebing’s rank is equivalent to that of a Deputy Director of a division and some highly-ranked deputy directors, his current position is not a leadership position, just a nominal one. In terms of power, it is not comparable to substantive cadres with leadership positions. However, being in such a powerful department as the Eighth Office of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, even as a Division-level inspector, carries considerable weight. Previously, two people called Dong Xuebing “Director Dong.” Strictly speaking, his position does not warrant this title. Still, since this is the political arena, even deputy directors are called directors, and Dong Xuebing is a Division-level cadre. Being called “Director Dong” is justified and sounds much better than “Inspector Dong.”
As for the functions of the Second Division under the Eighth Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office, they are also subdivided.
The scope of supervision and oversight of the Second Division includes two provinces in the central and southern regions, one of which is the province where Dong Xuebing’s wife has taken office this time, the province of Jiangnan.
After Dong Xuebing understood this, he also understood the meaning of his mother-in-law’s words the day before yesterday and why he was asked to protect Hui Lan. Because this is indeed within his jurisdiction. The Eighth Office is mainly responsible for investigating and handling deputy provincial-level and higher-ranking party members and cadres in local areas, including deputy provincial governors, governors, and even provincial party secretaries. Dong Xuebing has the right to investigate them, equivalent to holding a mighty sword. Of course, investigating and supervising cadres above the deputy provincial level is not simple; it requires following procedures and applying to higher authorities. But at least there is authority, and they also have a vague supervisory authority over cities and districts under the province’s jurisdiction. This is a deterrent.
In the future, anyone who dares to hinder Huilan might have to consider whether Dong Xuebing will lose his temper first.
Translation notes:
Xiali