Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 301 Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee Control Bureau

The Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee convened.

After studying and passing several issues, the topic of restarting the investigation into the collapse of the Wanshan Bridge came up.

Lin Xue, as the meeting's host, said with a serious expression: "A huge investment project for the people's livelihood collapsed suddenly less than a year after it opened to traffic, even under weather conditions that were not extremely severe, resulting in the deaths of four people and causing extremely negative social impact."

The city sent an investigation team, which should have been tasked with finding out the cause, comforting the deceased, and calming public sentiment.

However, serious disagreements have now emerged within the investigation team, and the authenticity of key evidence and the impartiality of the investigation procedures have been publicly questioned, leading to the inability to reach a conclusion and a stalemate in the handling of the accident.

The families of the victims are emotionally distraught, and public opinion continues to grow.

This is no longer a simple technical dispute, but a major issue of principle concerning whether the investigation is fair, whether the truth can be revealed, and whether the government's credibility can be maintained.

As the local government, Qingshan County Government has the responsibility to report problems and make suggestions to higher authorities.

Today's Standing Committee meeting will conduct a collective study and make a decision on this matter of great importance and far-reaching impact.

Han Ying, a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, came from the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission and was a colleague of Lin Xue before.

She was the first to speak: "Secretary Lin, fellow members of the Standing Committee. After receiving the report from Qingshan County, the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection attached great importance to it, immediately reviewed the relevant materials, and gained a preliminary understanding of the situation."

I believe that the problems reflected in the Qingshan County report are not unfounded, nor are they an overreaction; rather, they touch upon the core bottom line of the accident investigation—truthfulness, impartiality, and seriousness!

Han Ying first strongly questioned the original investigation team's conclusion of force majeure, and finally said: "Is it to face up to the problem and solve the problem, or to avoid the problem and cover up the contradictions?"

Is it about upholding the truth and correcting mistakes, or about perpetuating errors for the sake of the so-called overall situation and stability?

A new bridge, costing over 50 million yuan and opened to traffic less than a year ago, collapsed, claiming four lives. This is not something that can be easily dismissed!

The people are watching us. If we cannot thoroughly investigate an accident with such obvious doubts about the evidence and such a strong public outcry, and give a conclusion that can withstand any scrutiny, where is the credibility of our Party Committee and government?

How can we answer to the people? How can we answer to history?

She paused, then said firmly, "Therefore, I personally fully agree with the recommendations in the Qingshan County report."

The current investigation, due to questionable core evidence and serious internal disagreements, no longer meets the conditions to continue and reach credible conclusions. It must be stopped immediately!

A new, more authoritative joint investigation team must be established to thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident, especially to delve into any potential engineering quality issues, corruption, and whether there were any dereliction of duty, falsification, or other violations of discipline or law during the preliminary investigation.

This is not only a tribute to the deceased, but also a responsibility to the living, and an essential requirement for restoring public trust!

The Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection firmly supports the correct decision of the Municipal Party Committee and will, in accordance with the arrangements of the Municipal Party Committee, go all out to lead the new investigation.

No matter who is involved or what level is involved, we will investigate thoroughly and show absolutely no leniency!

There was silence in the conference room.

Even the people of Wenchang City dared not easily oppose a reinvestigation.

Even ordinary people wouldn't believe that the sudden collapse of a bridge less than a year after its completion was due to force majeure. The bridge must have taken into account factors such as floods and geology during its design and construction.

Now, Jiang Xiaoli attributes the investigation's conclusions to force majeure. If this isn't a colossal lie, then what is it?

If this matter attracts the attention of the provincial authorities, and they send an investigation team, the truth will eventually come to light.

Lin Xue's gaze swept over the crowd: "Any other comrades have any further opinions?"

After a brief silence, Huang Jinbao, member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, spoke.

He was close to Wen Changcheng, but preventing the re-sending of the investigation team was too risky. However, he was also inclined to favor Wen Changcheng, so he said it very tactfully: "Comrade Han Ying's opinion is very pertinent, and the problem is indeed very serious."

I agree to a reinvestigation.

But in practice, could we be more cautious?

For example, could the new investigation team be led by the municipal government, with the cooperation of the discipline inspection commission and relevant departments?

This approach is likely to facilitate better overall coordination and better reflect the importance and unified attitude of the municipal party committee and government towards this matter.

Wen Changcheng, another staunch opponent, spoke up as a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Executive Vice Mayor: "I agree to reinvestigate. But is it necessary for the Discipline Inspection Commission to take the lead?"

Investigating the causes of engineering quality issues is highly specialized. Wouldn't it be more appropriate for the relevant departments, such as housing and construction, transportation, and emergency management, to take the lead, with the discipline inspection commission responsible for supervision?

This also helps prevent external misinterpretations that could disrupt stability.

Their statements have implicitly acknowledged that a reinvestigation is inevitable; the only remaining issue is who will lead the investigation.

After listening to the speeches of each member of the Standing Committee, Lin Xue spoke last: "Comrades, as for why the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection should take the lead, Comrade Han Ying has already explained it very clearly."

This is not a simple technical issue, but a complex case that may involve engineering quality, corruption, and dereliction of duty.

The investigation was led by the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, with the cooperation of public security, auditing and other departments, precisely because this investigation may involve the handling of violations of discipline and law, and requires strong investigative methods.

Business departments should certainly participate fully, but the leadership and coordination of the investigation must be overseen by the Discipline Inspection Commission to ensure the independence and authority of the investigation.

This is also the consistent practice of higher authorities when handling similar major safety accidents, especially those involving potential corruption.

She glanced at Wen Changcheng, then at the other Standing Committee members: "As for the stability issue mentioned by Mayor Changcheng and several comrades..."

I believe that finding out the truth, handling the matter according to law and regulations, holding those responsible accountable, learning profound lessons, and preventing similar tragedies from happening again are the greatest ways to maintain stability.

Covering up problems and avoiding conflicts will only create bigger hidden dangers and trigger stronger dissatisfaction, which is the real instability!

Now, please vote on the following draft resolution.

First, the work of the existing Wanshan Bridge accident investigation team, headed by Comrade Jiang Xiaoli, is to be suspended.

second……"

Lin Xue stated five points, and concluded by saying, "Those who agree with this draft resolution, please raise your hands."

After speaking, Lin Xue raised her right hand first.

Han Ying raised her hand without hesitation.

Huang Jinbao looked at Lin Xue, then at Wen Changcheng, hesitated for two seconds, and finally slowly raised his hand.

One, two, three...

One by one, more than half of the Standing Committee members raised their hands.

Lin Xue said decisively, "The resolution is passed! The Municipal Party Committee Office and the Municipal Government Office are requested to immediately formulate an official document based on the Standing Committee's resolution and issue it."

Comrade Han Ying, please take the lead in establishing and implementing the joint investigation team!

End of the meeting.

Wen Changcheng wasn't too worried about re-establishing the investigation team; rather, this incident was a heavy blow to his prestige.

This Jiang Xiaoli has absolutely no leadership skills!

If it weren't for opposition from some members of the investigation team, how could Lin Xue have gotten involved?

As long as the investigation team unanimously approves, even if it concludes that it was due to force majeure, it will be of no use to anyone who questions it.

These days, aren't there countless absurd conclusions across the country, such as the collapse of a new bridge being due to force majeure?

……

Geng Dongqing learned immediately that the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee had approved the re-establishment of the investigation team, which was led by the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection.

He called Huang Xiaoyong to his office for a private talk.

Huang Xiaoyong already had a bad feeling: "Secretary Geng, what should we do? The Discipline Inspection Commission is in charge, so they're going to get serious."

At that time, Feng Dayou's false report will definitely not be able to be hidden, and Bi Yuan may not be able to withstand it either...

Geng Dongqing feigned composure: "What's the panic? The sky hasn't fallen yet!"

So what if the Discipline Inspection Commission is in charge? The investigation team can't be entirely composed of people from the Discipline Inspection Commission; there has to be some people from other departments involved.

Once the investigation concludes, the final decision on how to handle the matter and hold those responsible accountable is not solely up to the disciplinary committee.

Mayor Wen is, after all, the mayor; his power over personnel appointments and decision-making still carries considerable weight.

Geng Dongqing lowered his voice: "The key lies in Mayor Wen's attitude. As long as he is willing to protect us, there is still room for maneuver."

At least, it's feasible to determine liability and the severity of punishment.

Huang Xiaoyong chimed in, "That's right. Wen Changcheng is the second-in-command after all, so he can negotiate and compromise with Lin Xue."

As for Bi Yuan, I will try my best to handle things cleanly, returning what should be returned, and maintaining a consistent story.

Geng Dongqing nodded, then suddenly asked, "Have you been in contact with Li Li recently?"

"Yes, but when I call her, she always says she's busy or doesn't answer. She also replies to my messages very perfunctorily."

"Call her right now, be firm, and if that doesn't work, lay it all out! Make her realize that you're in the same boat as her!"