Wasteland Border Inspector-Chapter 274 - 122: Discussing Dao Seated—The Chess Pieces and the Chess Player (Part 4)
"But if we switch to a contract responsibility system, it would be us inspectors hiring these residents to help expand the Outer City. One is doing one’s own work, the other is working for someone else’s wages. The level of enthusiasm and sense of responsibility are worlds apart, utterly different matters."
Cheng Ye cleared his throat and casually pointed to one of the regulations, "Look here, with the inspector proposing material needs and Happiness City matching those needs, if there are no restrictions, it’s inevitable that some will indulge in wasteful spending to hasten progress, over-reporting and over-receiving. But if we impose restrictive measures, it will tie our hands; encountering an emergency and needing to adjust materials would become difficult and might cause delays instead."
"And this one too; requiring inspectors to randomly select sections for contracted responsibilities appears fair, but is actually unreasonable. Our team of inspectors is not identical in skills; suppose someone excels at planning construction, then they should be allocated a stable section, not randomly assigned to the outer areas to take on risks, which would slow down the progress."
"Or rather, everyone has different understandings of areas; what others see as a problematic section might suit his vision and understanding of how to develop it."
"And consider this... using construction speed as the main assessment criterion is also problematic. Migrants just arrived, and their greatest need is security and basic guarantees. If we push too hard for expansion, how can inspectors ensure these people will be willing to cooperate?"
There couldn’t possibly be a perfect plan in this world.
No matter how detailed or reasonable, there will always be gaps if you wish to nitpick.
After highlighting several apparent issues in one breath, Cheng Ye paused to take a sip of tea.
His peripheral vision flicked to the upper right corner of the panel, where the cooperation degree had quietly climbed to 12%, just over the threshold for intelligence gathering.
Ding Yishan was silent for a moment before suddenly smiling, "From what you’re saying, you’re not against inspectors contracting areas, just against the current contract-style approach?"
"Station Chief Ding, why do you think the two methods can’t run parallel?"
Cheng Ye put down the tea cup, his tone calm as if discussing a mundane matter.
"Parallel?"
Ding Yishan’s brows noticeably twitched, his expression subtly changing.
Although he quickly masked it, Cheng Ye captured that fleeting astonishment.
And reflected on the panel, the cooperation degree soared instantaneously, directly hitting 27%.
Goodness.
Did this touch Ding Yishan deeply?
"You’re saying that contracting and responsibility systems can proceed simultaneously?"
"Yes, the contract system has its reasoning; the two systems don’t necessarily conflict." Cheng Ye gently nodded, slowly unveiling part of what he pondered over last night, "According to this plan’s layout, the Safe Zone can only accommodate about 200,000 people at most, and the remaining peripheral areas carry considerable risks..."
"In the core safe area, pushing the resident contracting system should face little resistance. People have a sense of belonging and naturally are willing to contribute, but for the dangerous peripheral areas, surely no one would willingly go."
"In such cases, if we inspectors are willing to take the initiative to lead the teams and contract these dangerous areas, it’s a demonstration of responsibility, an effort to minimally reduce losses for Happiness City, and physically aiding its development, a sacrificial act that unites the people’s hearts!"
Cheng Ye slightly raised his volume, timely showing a somewhat baffled and naive demeanor.
"This kind of action clearly deserves extensive support systems along with no-holds-barred reward clauses, making inspectors feel that voluntarily going to those dangerous places is worthwhile, noticeable, and rewarded! Only then will someone be willing to step forward, becoming the strong wall in front of the residents, laying bricks and adding tiles for the future of Happiness City!"
He paused, flipped through a couple of pages of the plan, increasingly perplexed:
"But in the plan Jiang Chuan wrote, between the lines, it’s as if we inspectors are eager to rush out and lead people in contract construction, as if we’re afraid of not catching up. It’s odd; inspectors are clearly sacrificing themselves to contribute, yet still, need to be bound by a pile of performance targets, and poorly executed work results in punishment? Isn’t this... thankless?"
Hiss.
This last sentence, Cheng Ye deliberated for quite a while before speaking it out.
Ding Yishan’s face indeed showed no ripples, even nodding slightly in agreement as if saying, "You’re right."
But the cooperation degree on the panel couldn’t lie, it surged by an extravagant 21% almost breaking through the 50 mark!
"Interesting."
Cheng Ye’s heart was ablaze, finally figuring out another path to increasing cooperation.
Besides coercion and interrogation, creating a sense of recognition and getting the other to accept one’s viewpoint can also count as cooperation?
After contemplating for a short while, Ding Yishan suddenly turned his head towards the outer hall and called out aloud, "Jiang Chuan, come over and share your thoughts?"
"Uh..." Jiang Chuan, standing at the door, was visibly startled by being called out, shuddered and walked over, stammering, "Station Chief, I... I was thinking, thinking..."
He thought for a long time but couldn’t squeeze out a single sentence.
Watching Jiang Chuan about to enter a freeze-up state, Ding Yishan timely raised his hand and said, "Alright, did you hear what Inspector Cheng just said?"
"Heard, heard it!"
"What do you think should be done?"
"Me?"
Jiang Chuan was stunned again, but this time he didn’t answer, immediately turning to Cheng Ye, eyes filled with pleading.
Hmm?
Is Ding Yishan deliberately not breaking this tacit understanding between the two of them?
Cheng Ye raised an eyebrow, thoughts flashing through his brain like sparks.
If Ding Yishan asked him directly, that would imply acknowledgment of his involvement in this power distribution, making him a player rather than being confined to his Intern Inspector status.
But now, asking through Jiang Chuan either indicates that what he proposed isn’t substantial enough, or...
Wait a minute, could it be that Ding Yishan never intended to implement this plan, but is testing him boldly?
That can’t be, surely.
The plan is so detailed, even delineating how power should be distributed.
Dozens of trucks have arrived, and tons of materials are being allocated — the usual signs of burning bridges or determined actions.
Couldn’t be that... we’ve gone as far as taking our pants off, only to realize it was just a feint?
Cheng Ye suddenly felt a bit dumbfounded; if it was a test, he might have revealed too much just now.
That ambition was almost overflowing!
But then, a much stranger thought struck Cheng Ye’s mind, prompting him to call up the panel and simply click to reflect on the intelligence regarding Red Mountain Merchant Team.
Entering the intelligence room, time flow slowed sharply, providing ample time for contemplation.
From the duo’s conversation, progressively developing to the present, a bold idea abruptly emerged in Cheng Ye’s brain.
Could it be... Ding Yishan wasn’t even aware of the flaws in inspectors proactively contracting, as he presented in the proposal?
After Cheng Ye pointed it out, did his confidence waver just now?
This thought, arising, felt absurd even to Cheng Ye, but considering the skyrocketing cooperation degree and Jiang Chuan’s genuine gaze.
Cheng Ye’s eyelids twitched, his heart intensely shook.
Goodness, if his guess were accurate, then the amusement would be substantial indeed.
Using Jiang Chuan’s mouth to delve into details, yet not clarifying the mutual tacit understanding between them, Ding Yishan’s stance couldn’t be clearer.
Clearly, he changed Cheng Ye’s positioning, no longer treating him as a mere pawn.
Yes, seeking solutions is fine; after all, whether it was the plan submitted yesterday or today’s talk, they both somewhat showcased an ability to address this issue.
But the matter lies in if he lays out concrete, feasible operation plans, even detailing power allocation, wouldn’t that...
In a moment, thoughts swirled in Cheng Ye’s mind.
To advance, if Ding Yishan is willing to adopt his suggestions, he will become directly involved in setting the rules of this chess game as a Chess Player.
Beyond anything else, merely the power in his hands would rival that of the Station Chief’s authority.
The sole trouble would be if others learned of this, his situation would become exceedingly perilous.
Even potentially inviting fatal dangers due to prematurely revealing his ambition and capabilities.
To retreat, there are ways to feign ignorance and muddle through.
However, at this stage, retreating again could be risky if Ding Yishan decides to get to the bottom and even set aside their unspoken understanding.
The gains and risks then would be utterly disproportionate, not worth it!
"If they know my abilities and aim to eliminate me, then surely they are my enemy to deal with sooner or later."
"Even in the worst-case scenario, with Starfish present, anyone who dares show up can just be directly taken down!"
Resolutely thinking, Cheng Ye exhaled long and deeply.
The intelligence room then collapsed abruptly.
...
