Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 291 When soldiers come, generals will block them; when water comes, earth will dam it.

After the meeting, just as Yin Xueyao was about to leave quietly, Jiang Xiaoli left her alone.

Yin Xueyao was taken aback: "Secretary-General Jiang, is there something you need from me?"

Jiang Xiaoli smiled and said, "Comrade Xueyao, it's good that you prioritize the overall situation, respect your profession, and unify your thinking."

The subsequent revisions and improvements to the report will require your continued attention.

Yin Xueyao said calmly, "Of course, Secretary-General."

"Hmm." Jiang Xiaoli nodded. "Xueyao, this investigation is complicated and stressful."

It's not easy for you to withstand the pressure and make the right choice.

By the way, how are you and A-Yu getting along? And President Bi is a tactful person too.

This was both an insult and a warning to Jiang Xiaoli.

This is a clear message to Yin Xueyao: I already know about your scandalous affair with A Yu. If you oppose the investigation report's conclusions, just wait and see the consequences.

But what can Yin Xueyao do at this moment?

But her inherent pride still made her ask coldly, "Secretary-General Jiang, what exactly do you want?"

Jiang Xiaoli said slowly, "I don't want anything, I just want you to understand that the investigation team's job is to reach a unified conclusion, not for everyone to have their own version of events."

Classifying the Wanshan Bridge incident as a force majeure event is good for everyone, and for you, it's the best outcome.

Revise the report properly, sign it, and we'll call it a day.

I can pretend I didn't hear what you said at the meeting, and Bi Yuan's things will forever remain buried.

Yin Xueyao had already chosen to tolerate it, but Jiang Xiaoli's continued humiliation and threats made her very unhappy. She adopted a "what's the use" attitude: "Jiang Xiaoli! Don't go too far!"

I already gave my word at the meeting that I would proceed with the report according to your wishes. What else do you want?

Using this little thing to manipulate and humiliate me, do you really think I, Yin Xueyao, am a soft persimmon that you can knead and squeeze at will?

Do you think you can make me completely submit by holding onto those so-called leverages?

I'm telling you, the worst that can happen is we both die!

I, Yin Xueyao, have lived an upright and honest life. I only stumbled because of a moment of confusion. At most, it's a matter of my lifestyle. But what about you?

Can you honestly say that you have a clear conscience about the Wanshan Bridge incident?

"You're so eager to classify the accident as an act of God; everyone knows what you're really up to!"

Afraid of being overheard, Jiang Xiaoli quickly lowered her voice: "Comrade Xueyao, calm down! Don't get agitated! I was just saying it casually, I didn't mean anything by it."

Yin Xueyao sneered: "Just a casual remark? Secretary Jiang's casual remark is truly malicious!"

Jiang Xiaoli was filled with regret. Originally, Yin Xueyao had already agreed to the investigation report's conclusions, but he had added unnecessary details and stirred up a hornet's nest.

He quickly lowered his stance and apologized, "Xueyao, I apologize. I didn't think before I spoke, but I absolutely did not mean to threaten you, much less humiliate you. Please don't misunderstand!"

Yin Xueyao ignored him and walked away.

Jiang Xiaoli had no choice but to be honest with Huang Xiaoyong and ask him to contact Bi Yuan to give full play to A Yu's initiative.

……

Wu Zhiyuan had already learned in advance of the tone of the upcoming investigation report, which stated that the main cause of the Wanshan Bridge collapse was force majeure.

"Bullshit!" Wu Zhiyuan slammed his fist on the desk, swearing as he vented his anger.

What constitutes an excessively heavy rainstorm or flood? What are the unfavorable geological conditions for engineering projects?

It's nothing more than a carefully crafted fig leaf!

It is a fancy cover-up used to conceal all sorts of crimes such as shoddy workmanship, using inferior materials, bribery, and dereliction of duty!

It is also a talisman used to evade responsibility, protect one's official position, and continue to exploit the people!

Four lives lost, several broken families, and the local people's hopes for this bridge that would bring them prosperity were all wiped out by a casual "force majeure" explanation.

Can the souls of those who died under the collapsed steel and concrete walls rest in peace?

Wu Zhiyuan reported to Ding Yiyi, the acting county head who was studying at the provincial party school.

Ding Yiyi was silent for a moment on the other end of the phone before saying, "Zhiyuan, this is a very tricky matter."

The bridge collapsed less than a year after it was built and opened to traffic. Most people's basic understanding is that the bridge was a shoddy construction project.

However, the municipal investigation team represents the municipal party committee and government, and their conclusions, at least procedurally, are currently the most authoritative.

We lack direct evidence to refute their technical analysis and judgment. Relying solely on suspicion and questioning is weak and ineffective, and may even lead to accusations that we disrespect the investigation and interfere with normal operations.

Wu Zhiyuan agreed: "Yes, we do not have the authority to investigate, and so far, there is no key evidence to prove that the bridge collapsed due to quality issues."

Some people may be able to make their facades look flawless, but much of the crucial evidence may have already been transferred or even lost.

The investigation team has now concluded that the bridge collapse was due to force majeure, a conclusion that is essentially settled.

Ding Yiyi said, "Zhiyuan, you're right. Once the investigation report is officially released in the name of the municipal government, it has administrative effect. It's extremely difficult to overturn it unless groundbreaking new evidence emerges."

Wu Zhiyuan said resentfully, "County Chief Ding, are we just going to stand by and watch them use 'force majeure' as a fig leaf to cover up all the problems and let those who should be held responsible go unpunished?"

"Of course not. The investigation team has its own procedures, but doesn't the county government also bear legal and undeniable responsibility in handling the aftermath of the accident, holding those responsible accountable, and learning from this incident to identify and rectify future hazards and industry irregularities?"

Wu Zhiyuan's eyes lit up: "County Chief Ding, you mean...?"

"The release of the investigation report will not end the matter."

Accountability for the accident, compensation for the aftermath, and industry rectification are all tasks that have only just begun.

I'm thinking, could the county government conduct a thorough safety inspection and rectification campaign across the entire county in the engineering sector?

The focus should be on verifying all government-invested projects from the past three years, especially those in the transportation, water conservancy, and housing construction sectors, conducting a thorough and comprehensive review of the entire process from project initiation, bidding, construction, supervision to acceptance.

Wu Zhiyuan immediately understood that Ding Yiyi was using this as an excuse to conduct an in-depth investigation under the guise of implementing rectification.

That's definitely a brilliant move.

Wu Zhiyuan had to admire Ding Yiyi's political wisdom.

The investigation team was sent by the city government; they can investigate, while the county focuses on rectification and implementation—it's all perfectly legitimate.

After such a major accident, the county has learned a painful lesson and taken comprehensive measures to conduct a thorough safety inspection and rectification to eliminate hidden dangers. This is perfectly reasonable and no one can find fault with it.

Ding Yi paused for a moment, then continued, "As for this leading group, the name can be reconsidered. For example, it could be called the Leading Group for Special Governance of Outstanding Problems in the Engineering Construction Field of Qingshan County, or more directly, the Leading Group for Major Inspection and Rectification of Production Safety."

My idea is that I will serve as the group leader, and you and Comrade Lang Wenping will serve as deputy group leaders.

Comrade Lang Wenping is principled and familiar with the situation. Only with the Discipline Inspection Commission taking the lead can we truly address some deep-seated issues.

Behind every workplace safety accident lies corruption and dereliction of duty.

Technical checks alone may not be enough to uncover the root cause.

With Comrade Wenping around, we have more solid evidence to investigate project processes, fund usage, and cadre performance, and this will create a stronger deterrent effect.

Wu Zhiyuan said, "County Chief Ding, I completely agree."

Comrade Lang Wenping and I are old friends. He has been in Qingshan County for two years and is more familiar with the situation than I am. He is an incorruptible and impartial person.

With him in charge, we can truly tackle the tough challenges in this special campaign.

The leadership team members are crucial; they must be fair, upright, outspoken, decisive, and impartial. We absolutely cannot allow those with ties to the engineering field or those who are afraid of offending others to infiltrate the team. Otherwise, the investigation will only become a formality, failing to live up to the people's expectations.

Ding Yiyi said, "Zhiyuan, you decide who to select. I'm afraid Secretary Geng will interfere later."

Wu Zhiyuan said calmly, "We'll meet force with force and water with earth. We're not afraid."

By the way, there's something I feel I need to report to you.

I learned from other sources that Yin Xueyao, the deputy head of the investigation team and deputy director of the Municipal Emergency Management Bureau, was behaving abnormally.

During the last internal meeting of the investigation team, she strongly opposed the tone set by Jiang Xiaoli and firmly disagreed that the bridge collapse was due to force majeure.

But later, her attitude made a complete 180-degree turn.

I know a bit about Yin Xueyao. Overall, she is a very righteous person and works very diligently.

Something's definitely fishy going on. Yin Xueyao's drastically different attitude must have a reason.