Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 115 Four Types of People in Government Offices

Wu Zhiyuan clearly felt that people's attitudes towards him had changed a lot.

Previously, young people would greet him respectfully, addressing him as "Secretary Wu" or "Section Chief Wu".

Whether passing by in the corridor or briefly meeting in the elevator, people look at him with fawning eyes, and their small talk can go from the elevator entrance all the way to the office door, all in an attempt to build a relationship and get close to him.

Now, no one calls him "Secretary Wu" or "Section Chief Wu," no one gives him a fawning smile, and no one comes up to exchange pleasantries.

It's common for officials to lose interest once they leave, but this blatant distancing still left Wu Zhiyuan feeling bitter.

Indeed, in officialdom, without power and without a powerful backer, you are nothing.

As he reached the stairwell, he saw a familiar figure—Bian Songlong, secretary of Song Leyi, secretary of the Longdong District Committee.

"Oh, Zhiyuan, long time no see! I've missed you so much!" Bian Songlong patted Wu Zhiyuan's arm affectionately. "Secretary Xu has been promoted to the Provincial Political Consultative Conference. Has your personal secretary also risen to prominence? You'll have to look after your old classmate in the future!"

His words, though seemingly flattering, were actually barbed. He knew Xu Youwei was going to the provincial political consultative conference to retire and enjoy his retirement, but he deliberately used the word "promotion" to disgust people.

Wu Zhiyuan said calmly, "Songlong is joking. Secretary Xu's transfer is normal. As for me, I'm just a brick; I'll go wherever the organization needs me. I'll have to rely on you old classmates for support in the future."

He didn't want to get entangled with such a petty person, so he spoke in a neither humble nor arrogant tone and prepared to leave.

Bian Songlong seemed unsatisfied and said insincerely, "Zhiyuan, to be honest, which department did you go to? If you haven't been assigned a position yet, I'll talk to Secretary Song and see if we can get you a place in the district. It won't be as good as before, but it's better than being idle!"

Bian Songlong's actions, while seemingly showing concern, were actually a way of flaunting his power and status, and further belittling Wu Zhiyuan.

Wu Zhiyuan smiled calmly: "Thank you for your concern, Songlong. The organization will make arrangements."

Then, he strode forward.

After reporting to the Organization Department of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, Wu Zhiyuan knocked on Lin Xue's office door.

Under normal circumstances, deputy section-level cadres do not need to report to the head of their unit when they are transferred.

However, the relationship between Wu Zhiyuan and Lin Xue was already quite delicate.

This was not the first time Wu Zhiyuan had entered Lin Xue's office.

Lin Xue was talking to Ding Yiyi when she saw Wu Zhiyuan arrive. She said, "Zhiyuan, Secretary Ding is here too. We'd like to say a few words to you."

Wu Zhiyuan greeted Ding Yiyi respectfully.

After we sat down, Lin Xue said, "Zhiyuan, after discussion, you will be assigned to the First Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office as its deputy director. Secretary Ding will be in charge of the First Office."

Let me give you three requirements. First, have a beginner's mindset. Forget your past identity and experience. Here, you are a new recruit, starting from scratch.

Second, strictly abide by discipline. Confidentiality and case-handling discipline are lifelines that must never be violated.

Third, be diligent in learning and practice. Learn from experienced colleagues and improve your skills through practical experience in handling cases.

Wu Zhiyuan solemnly said, "Secretary Lin, I will resolutely obey the organization's arrangements! I will keep your three requirements in mind, get into the role as soon as possible, strive to be a qualified discipline inspection cadre, and never let down the organization's trust and your expectations."

Lin Xue nodded slightly and turned her gaze to Ding Yiyi: "Comrade Yiyi, you are the leader in charge, so you will arrange the specific work."

Ding Yiyi smiled slightly: "Comrade Wu Zhiyuan, welcome to the First Office. Secretary Lin's requirements are my requirements."

Liu Guobin, the director of the First Office, is a veteran discipline inspector. He has worked in the discipline inspection system for over twenty years. He is politically reliable, professionally competent, and experienced. He has handled many major cases and is known for his fairness and integrity. You can learn a lot from him.

I hope you can quickly familiarize yourself with the situation, get into your role, and actively assist Comrade Guobin in carrying out all the work of the First Office, and strive to handle several influential cases…”

Back in the room, Wu Zhiyuan went into Liu Guobin's office.

Liu Guobin is the director of the first office and a deputy researcher. He will retire next year, but he is still working diligently, currently hunched over his desk reviewing case files.

In Wu Zhiyuan's view, there are generally four types of people in government agencies:

The first type is the person who works diligently.

People like Xu Youwei, Lin Xue, and Liu Guobin in front of me.

They are idealistic and responsible, the backbone of their organizations, often undertaking the most critical and challenging tasks, and are the core force driving the work forward.

The second type is the person who follows the rules step by step and seeks to avoid mistakes rather than make achievements.

They are the majority in the organization. They abide by the rules and complete assigned tasks on time, but lack initiative and creativity, and their highest standard is to avoid making mistakes.

They maintain the organization's daily operations and provide a stable foundation, but it's difficult to expect them to make significant breakthroughs or contributions.

The third type is people who rarely do anything, or even lie down completely, but don't cause trouble.

They lack enthusiasm for their work, either because they have no hope of promotion or because of their personality. They are content to just get by, completing the minimum amount of work, but they will not actively create trouble.

The fourth type is the person who rarely does anything and deliberately causes trouble.

They are adept at scheming, finding loopholes, and cultivating relationships. They devote a great deal of energy to flattering, spreading rumors, gathering information, and stabbing people in the back.

They do nothing, yet they still demand all the benefits they receive; otherwise, they cause trouble.

These people are few in number, but they are very destructive. They are the "toxins" in the organizational ecosystem, specifically designed to drain the energy of those in charge and pollute the work environment.

Wu Zhiyuan said respectfully, "Director Liu, hello! I am Wu Zhiyuan, here to report for duty. Please feel free to offer your criticism and guidance in the future!"

"Okay, Secretary Lin and Secretary Ding have both told me." Liu Guobin gestured for Wu Zhiyuan to sit down, and after a few pleasantries, he got down to business, "Director Wu, it's just in time for you to come."

Liu Guobin stood up and closed the office door.

Wu Zhiyuan immediately realized that the following conversation was anything but ordinary.

Liu Guobin sat back down, took out a brown paper file bag from the drawer, but did not open it immediately: "Director Wu, you've just arrived, so you should familiarize yourself with the business first."

But right now there's a rather special task that Secretary Lin specifically assigned to you to lead.

This is both a responsibility your leader is giving you and a sign of their trust in you.

Wu Zhiyuan immediately replied, "Director Liu, please give me your instructions. I will do my best to complete the task assigned by the leader."

Liu Guobin opened the file bag and took out not a thick file, but several letters: "There are several anonymous letters here, all reflecting problems of Comrade Chen Zhenglei, Deputy Secretary of the Longdong District Committee. They are valuable, but not very valuable. They can be used as clues to investigate problems."

Wu Zhiyuan knew more or less about Chen Zhenglei.

Chen Zhenglei worked in Longdong District for a long time, starting from the township level and rising step by step to become the deputy secretary of the district party committee.

Chen Zhenglei was one of Sang Jiaquan's most capable henchmen. Their relationship was no secret in Longdong District and even the city.

Sang Jiaquan has been operating in Longdong District for many years and has served as the district head and district party secretary.