Power and Wealth

Meeting Room.

9:40.

Originally, when Fang Wenping said so, it was time to adjourn the meeting. However, unexpectedly, Chen Kai'an spoke up at this moment, causing several department heads who were preparing to leave to sit back down.

"Director Fang," Chen Kai'an said.

Fang Wenping glanced at him. "Do you have something to say?"

Chen Kai'an hesitated. "I'm not sure if I should speak or not."

"Just say it." This person seemed to be quite close to Fang Wenping. However, Fang Wenping seemed to be this way with everyone she dealt with, whether they were her subordinates or adversaries. She always appeared somewhat disdainful, as if she were above others, whether they were her people, other political opponents, or someone like Dong Xuebing, who was from the Xie family. Fang Wenping had never regarded anyone highly; this air of superiority seemed to come naturally to her. If it were anyone else showing such an expression or speaking in this manner, people would find it off-putting. But when it came from Fang Wenping, it seemed perfectly normal. Dong Xuebing sometimes had this feeling, too. It seemed that this woman was born with this demeanor.

To the point.

Seeing Director Fang speak, Chen Kai'an continued, "After yesterday's departmental adjustments, the personnel are basically all in place. But I've heard many people reflecting on some issues, mainly concerning our Ninth Supervision Office’s Second Section."

Everyone also turned their gaze to Dong Xuebing.

Dong Xuebing was slightly taken aback. Damn, why is this about my department?

Fang Wenping said coldly, "What issues have been raised?"

Chen Kai'an paused for a moment. "Mostly regarding the personnel transfer to the Second Division. It's been noticed that everyone who transferred is a female comrade. Some are concerned about whether this has negative implications. I believe many of you have heard about it. Many people from various departments have been discussing it. Within our Commission, the Second Section of our Ninth Supervision Office, apart from the section head, comprises female comrades. I feel that it might be necessary to make adjustments under certain circumstances. After all, we are the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Even in other organizations, such a situation is unheard of. It's a bit..."

No one spoke.

But everyone was paying attention. Objectively speaking, this issue did have some minor problems. Many departments have managed to avoid such situations. But when you thought about it carefully, it wasn't that big of a deal for the Second Section. Because this time, the Second Section had reduced its personnel, and Dong Xuebing, as the division head, only had four people under him. Saying that the entire department was comprised of female comrades meant only four people. If it were a department with more than a dozen people, all female comrades, then it would indeed be a big deal. It depended on how the leadership viewed it.

But Dong Xuebing didn't buy it. He sneered, "Director Chen, what exactly are you trying to say? I don't understand."

Chen Kai'an glanced at him. "It's not good for the image."

Dong Xuebing retorted, "How is it not good for the image? I don't understand."

Chen Kai'an said, "I'm not deliberately picking on you. Many people are discussing this matter. I'm just reporting the situation."

Dong Xuebing stared at him. "But no matter how I look at it, you're picking on me. What do you mean, Director Chen? How does our Second Section's personnel adjustment affect your Comprehensive Division? Why is it your concern if it's not good for the image? It's absurd. Oh, let me ask you this: Aren't all of us here, male comrades? With Director Fang as the head, isn't that the same as the situation in my department? Why haven't I heard you say anything about it being bad for the image? Are you indirectly criticizing Director Fang?"

Chen Kai'an became annoyed. "What are you saying?"

"I didn't say anything. You said it yourself. I am the department head. If all the subordinates are of the opposite sex, it's considered a grave ethics violation. What has Director Fang become? My department only has four people. And there must be more than five or six people here," Dong Xuebing said.

Chen Kai'an retorted, "You're a male comrade."

Dong Xuebing countered, "So what if I'm male? So, in your opinion, having female subordinates under a male leader is unacceptable, but is it okay if it's the other way around? What era are we living in? Old Chen, you've been in discipline inspection for so long, and I'm puzzled. How can your consciousness be so low? It's been decades since the Central Committee emphasized gender equality. Why haven't you changed your mindset? Are you still stuck in the old ways of male superiority and female inferiority? I feel embarrassed for you. Where are your Party principles?"

Chen Kai'an became agitated. "I'm not favoring males over females. I'm just talking about this specific issue."

Dong Xuebing didn't let him finish. He interrupted, "So why are you distinguishing between male and female leaders? You are indeed favoring males over females. Moreover, as far as I know, the head of the Comprehensive Division of the Second Supervision Office, Sister Wang, is also a female comrade, and there are male comrades in her department. Sister Wang has been working in the unit for so many years. Why haven't you mentioned anything about it being detrimental to the image? Why is it suddenly an issue when it comes to me? You're not favoring males over females? What are you then? You're treating male and female comrades differently."

Chen Kai'an became furious. "I..."

"Director Fang is still here, and you're saying this?" Dong Xuebing sneered. "Do you still have any respect for Director Fang? Aren't you indirectly criticizing Director Fang? It's fine if my department needs adjustments. We can also bring in some male comrades. But if that's the case, shouldn't we also bring in some female comrades for everyone here? Since it's Director Chen's proposal, I suggest Director Chen should step down first."

Chen Kai'an was livid. "You..."

Dong Xuebing continued, "This is simply groundless. Promoting these cadres is not solely up to me, Dong Xuebing. It's with the consent of Director Fang and the approval of the Commission's leadership. You can question me, but you're also questioning Director Fang and the leadership of the Commission. Cadres' transfers and promotions are based on their work capabilities. I wonder, how come in your eyes, Director Chen, gender needs to be considered? What's wrong with female comrades? Are female comrades inferior in your eyes while male comrades are considered human beings?"

Chen Kai'an tried to explain, "I didn't mean..."

"But that's what you implied," Dong Xuebing slapped him with one accusation after another.

In the end, the people in the meeting room shook their heads slightly. They could see that Chen Kai'an was no match for Dong Xuebing. Their verbal skills were not on the same level.

Fang Wenping ended the argument by saying, "Alright, let's adjourn the meeting." She was trying to protect Chen Kai'an. The more they argued, the clearer it became that Chen Kai'an couldn't explain himself.