Wasteland Border Inspector-Chapter 273 - 122: Discussing Dao Seated—The Chess Pieces and the Chess Player (Part 3)
Cheng Ye instinctively opened the panel and glanced at the cooperation level between the two people.
Jiang Chuan was still at 55%, just like Miao Yang, staying in this range once they got familiar.
But Ding Yishan, unsurprisingly, had a cooperation level of... 0%.
Since Chu Xuan and Harlem, this was the third person he saw with a completely zero cooperation level.
"Is it pure distrust, or... is there simply no intention for any substantial exchange of information?"
Cheng Ye mused.
From the cooperation level alone, quite a lot can actually be interpreted.
For instance, the current 0% is almost equivalent to saying outright, that in the upcoming dialogue, as long as he takes the initiative to ask questions, it’s very likely Ding Yishan won’t answer any of them.
It also indicates that this conversation is currently one-sided, with only him answering, while Ding Yishan is probably here with a lot of questions.
"Cheng Ye..." Ding Yishan picked up the kettle, poured a cup of hot tea in front of him, speaking with a casual tone as if making small talk, "How long have you been at the checkpoint?"
"It’s been over three months now."
"Over three months..." Ding Yishan nodded, put down the kettle, "Not a long time, not lacking in ability, I looked through your previous Inner City records, and they didn’t mention you knowing these things."
"The records... also didn’t mention my ability to take down an Advanced Fusion Body."
Cheng Ye smiled slightly, and since it couldn’t be explained, he opted for an even more interesting response, "Once you’re in the checkpoint, you should have the self-learning ability to understand the necessary things proactively."
"Well said, self-learning ability is crucial!"
Ding Yishan nodded heavily, indeed not dwelling on the "records", "Many of our veteran Inspectors at the checkpoint don’t get this, always thinking they can coast by with internal alliances and faction-building. If all had your sense, it would make my job as Station Chief much easier!"
Faction-building, just openly mentioned like that?
Cheng Ye remained unfazed, glanced at the still 0% cooperation level, pondering without responding.
It seemed Ding Yishan didn’t expect a response either, as he changed the topic: "Regarding the ideas you proposed, I had Chuan reorganize them. Would you like to see the revised results?"
"Sure." Cheng Ye took a sip of his tea, humbly saying, "I was scattered last night, no idea if the reorganization might have some oversights."
Ding Yishan showed a hint of a approving smile, pulling out a stack of bound papers from a drawer under the coffee table.
Clearly, there was some preparation beforehand.
"Regarding the several opinions on Inspectors taking responsibility for Outer City construction?"
Cheng Ye’s eyes rested on the cover.
He slightly raised his eyebrows, repeated the title, face showing confusion, "Station Chief Ding, I didn’t mention our Inspectors needing to take charge last night?"
"Oh, that..."
Ding Yishan picked up his tea cup, tone casually as if discussing a small matter, "Maybe Chuan misheard and added it in himself, just ignore the title, look at the content instead, it might have been expanded somewhat along your thoughts from last night."
Expanded?
Cheng Ye glanced towards the outer hall, where Jiang Chuan gave a smile that was awkward yet not impolite, "Inspector Cheng, you spoke too quickly last night, I couldn’t keep up, later I thought... and added in some of my own ideas, there might be mistakes or... some parts may be unreasonable, feel free to point them out."
That last sentence, Jiang Chuan said a bit haltingly.
Cheng Ye secretly found it amusing, knowing this was probably Ding Yishan’s own "work".
But since he didn’t want to make it explicit...
Was he really looking for some accommodating approval, or did he actually want constructive feedback?
Picking up the proposal document, Cheng Ye focused his mind and read line by line.
This plan bore roughly 60-70% similarity to the framework he casually mentioned last night, but made considerable changes in specific implementations.
For example, his suggestion of issuing team resource packages was changed to resource vouchers requiring contributions for exchange.
Also, his idea of specific area-focused construction, where each area specializes and multiple areas work together for production, was changed to each area being fully equipped.
Of course, the key point was the Inspectors taking charge.
Cheng Ye mentioned nothing about the execution of taking charge last night, yet the proposal had complete details.
From pages seven to thirteen, six full pages listed the specifics, from region division to scope of responsibility, even the coordination with other departmental units was clearly stated.
"Station Chief Ding, this... might not work." Cheng Ye pretended to frown in thought, while his gaze stayed fixed on the panel.
If the cooperation level didn’t change at all, he would casually mention a minor issue to gloss over it.
If it did change...
"Oh?" Ding Yishan paused with the tea cup in hand, "Where won’t it work? Tell me, I’m listening."
His words fell.
What caught Cheng Ye by surprise was the cooperation level on the panel actually moved! 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦
From 0% it jumped slightly to 5%, then flickered back to 2%.
Well, weren’t they really here to hear my "criticisms"?
Cheng Ye was a bit taken aback, then quickly suppressed his thoughts, speaking steadily, "If we let our Inspectors take charge, it shifts to a contractor responsibility system, completely changing the core."
"Contractor responsibility?" Ding Yishan frowned, repeating the term thoughtfully.
"What I understand by ’taking charge’ should be resident-centered."
Cheng Ye leaned forward slightly, speaking with a few notes of certainty, "Let them choose a place to settle, build that area as their new home. Throughout the process, Happiness City only provides essential material aid, then establishes a strict reward and penalty, and personal responsibility system to ensure orderly progress, so that residents have a sense of belonging and motivation to work."
