Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 348 The Political Wisdom of a Strong Start and a Decline

Ding Dakang was speechless and kept admitting his mistake: "County Chief Wu, this was indeed our oversight, we will rectify it immediately."

Wu Zhiyuan said coldly, "The relevant regulations on work safety are merely formalities and involve falsification, which is a serious matter!"

This is not only a contempt for national safety regulations on work safety, but also an extreme lack of responsibility towards the lives of miners! It must be dealt with seriously in accordance with the law and regulations!

At this moment, Liao Chenggong arrived in a hurry.

He smiled broadly and said, "County Chief Wu, I'm so sorry I'm late!"

I had an urgent matter to attend to and went to the county town.

I heard you were inspecting the coal mine, so I rushed back.

Liao Chenggong glared at Ding Dakang and criticized, "Dakang, what's going on? County Chief Wu came to inspect, why didn't you notify me immediately!"

Ding Dakang knew Liao Chenggong was acting, so he played along, saying, "President Liao, it was indeed my fault."

Wu Zhiyuan pointed to the screen: "President Liao, you've come at the perfect time. Take a look for yourself."

This is a record retrieved from your coal mine's underground personnel positioning system.

In the past year, how many times have you, the mine manager and actual controller of the company, gone down into the mine? The system shows zero.

The number of times and duration of the other deputy mine managers and safety managers went down the mine are seriously inconsistent with your paper records.

General Manager Liao emphasized that coal mining enterprises bear primary responsibility for safe production and required that key personnel take the lead in implementing the system of going down into the mine for inspections.

You went down the mine zero times in a year, yet there are records of you going down the mine in the paper log. This isn't negligence; it's blatant falsification!

Liao Chenggong's tone softened considerably: "County Chief Wu, this is indeed a major management oversight on my part."

As you know, although I am nominally the director of Daling Coal Mine, I actually manage several other factories as well.

Work is so busy, I wish I could split myself in two.

The specific work underground in the coal mine was indeed not handled meticulously enough, and the people below were outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant, engaging in formalism and falsification.

I offer my sincere apologies to you, to the county party committee, and to the county government, and guarantee that I will immediately rectify the situation and severely punish those responsible.

Wu Zhiyuan said without any mercy: "It's not that the people below are outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant; it's that you, as the top leader, have simply not taken safety in production and national regulations to heart!"

It is a mandatory requirement for leaders to take shifts down into the mine. This is to allow you to go deep into the front line to discover hidden dangers and solve problems, not to have you sign a record in the logbook and be done with it!

"You never go down into the mine, so what makes you think you can guarantee safety underground? What makes you think you can be responsible for the lives of the miners?"

Liao Chenggong was speechless, his face flushing red and then turning pale.

When had he ever been rebuked like this before? But with his weakness firmly in someone's grasp, he dared not speak out in anger.

Wu Zhiyuan turned to Shi Xianqiang: "Director Shi, have you called the Safety Supervision Bureau and the Coal Mine Safety Supervision Branch?"

Shi Xianqiang looked troubled: "Not yet."

He was in a dilemma; on the one hand, Wu Zhiyuan was very serious.

On the other hand, he had a good personal relationship with Liao Chenggong and had received many banquets and red envelopes from Liao Chenggong.

Liao Chenggong was also at a loss, not expecting Wu Zhiyuan to be so unyielding and unapproachable.

He's such a hothead!

But there was no other way; at this point, I could only pretend to be weak.

Before meeting Wu Zhiyuan, he called Yuan Jin.

But Yuan Jin hasn't called Wu Zhiyuan yet.

In an attempt to appease Wu Zhiyuan, he kept apologizing: "County Chief Wu, please calm down."

This is indeed my fault. I accept it all and will immediately make comprehensive rectifications, plugging all the loopholes at once, and never making the same mistake again.

"Let's not send the safety supervision bureau and the coal mine safety supervision branch. If this gets out of hand, the company will shut down, and the livelihoods of hundreds of miners will be affected."

Wu Zhiyuan said with a stern face: "President Liao, are you thinking about the miners' livelihood now?"

"You never go down into the mine with your shift supervisor, and you blatantly falsify safety records. Have you ever considered that miners are risking their lives underground?"

He paused, then emphasized, "Safety in production is never something done for the leaders to see!"

I'll let you off the hook today, but if there's a real accident underground tomorrow, who will forgive the miners who died?

Who will explain this to their families?

Just then, Wu Zhiyuan's phone rang.

Upon closer inspection, it was a call from Yuan Jin.

He immediately guessed eight or nine out of ten.

Yuan Jin was most likely pleading on Liao Chenggong's behalf.

Wu Zhiyuan gestured to everyone to wait a moment, then walked to the window to answer the phone.

After hearing Wu Zhiyuan call out "Secretary Yuan", Liao Chenggong finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Yuan Jin may disregard Liao Chenggong's dignity, but he cannot disregard Yuan Jin's dignity.

"Zhiyuan, are you still in Daling Town?" Yuan Jin asked calmly.

"Yes, Secretary Yuan, I went to Daling Town for research. I first went to the cement plant and now I'm at Daling Coal Mine. I found some problems."

Wu Zhiyuan briefly outlined the issues, including not only the coal mine problem but also the cement plant's road closure. He concluded by saying, "The Daling coal mine problem is of a serious nature. I am prepared to notify the safety supervision and coal mine supervision departments to order the coal mine to suspend production for rectification and conduct a comprehensive investigation of potential hazards in accordance with the law."

Yuan Jin paused for a few seconds and then said, "Comrade Zhiyuan, you've just taken office and you're full of energy and eager to make a breakthrough, which is excellent."

Daling Coal Mine is a key enterprise in the county. Liao Chenggong, a rough and unrefined man, may have been somewhat crude in his management style and sometimes used simplistic methods.

However, the coal mine has made significant contributions to the county's economic development, being a major taxpayer and creating numerous jobs. Liao Chenggong was also a philanthropist.

Safety in production must be prioritized, and it must be a constant and unwavering priority.

Yuan Jin changed the subject: "However, the way we handle this can be more flexible."

Immediately imposing production shutdowns and rectifications is a huge blow to enterprises and will affect the county's economic indicators, tax revenue, and workers' livelihoods.

My opinion is that criticism should be severe, demands should be clear, and rectification should be resolute, but we should also give them an opportunity to make immediate changes.

They should be asked to develop practical and feasible rectification plans, and regulatory authorities should strengthen supervision.

If the rectification is not in place, it is not too late to take strict measures.

After all, stability and development are also of paramount importance. What do you think?

Wu Zhiyuan listened quietly.

Yuan Jin's words were watertight, and although they were quite tactful, the core meaning was clear: don't make a big fuss, and let Liao Chenggong off the hook.

Wu Zhiyuan didn't actually intend to shut down the coal mine for rectification. As the county head, he also hoped that the coal mine would produce more and pay more taxes.

However, he does not want GDP stained with blood, and safety in production must never be relaxed.

He knew someone would definitely intervene on his behalf, so he adopted a "high start, low finish" strategy.

When Yuan Jin made the call, Wu Zhiyuan was bound to give her face, since he was new to the area and his position was not yet secure.

Lin Xue also reminded everyone to remain calm and low-key.

But the problem must be solved.

If we back down completely because of a single phone call from Yuan Jin, not only will we lose face, but all our previous efforts will also be in vain.

"Secretary Yuan, you have considered everything very thoroughly. I fully understand the importance of stability and development."

Coal mine leaders leading shifts down into the mine to falsify data is not only a sign of lax management, but also a disregard for safety regulations and an extreme irresponsibility towards miners' lives.

However, you are right, an immediate and complete shutdown would have certain negative impacts.

I have a proposed solution for your consideration.

First, the fact that the road to Dajiang Cement Plant was dug up is clear and has a serious impact.

The road must be reopened to traffic by today. Shunfa Cement must issue a public apology to Dajiang Cement for this incident and provide reasonable compensation based on the list of losses provided by Dajiang Cement. The specific negotiations will be led by the Daling Town Government and witnessed by the judicial office.

At the same time, the Daling Town Police Station must impose administrative penalties on the person directly responsible for digging up the road in accordance with the law.

This is the bottom line for maintaining a good business environment and the rule of law.

"I have no objection. If you're wrong, you should admit it and correct it. You should urge Daling Town to implement this."

Yuan Jin did not raise any objections. Liao Chenggong was in the wrong, and punishing a few specific individuals involved would not be a big deal.

"Second, coal mines can produce, but they must rectify the situation while producing."

My idea is to form a joint working group composed of the county safety supervision bureau, the coal mine safety supervision branch, and the Daling town government to enter the Daling coal mine and conduct a comprehensive and thorough safety inspection of the mine. All hidden dangers should be recorded, and the responsible persons, rectification measures, and rectification deadlines should be clearly defined.

Going forward, Daling Coal Mine must strictly implement the system of leaders taking shifts underground, and if similar problems are discovered again, production must be immediately suspended for rectification.

Secretary Yuan, it's not that I'm making a mountain out of a molehill, but workplace safety is of paramount importance!

The requirements from above stipulate that safety in production is the shared responsibility of the Party and the government, and that each position has dual responsibilities.

If something goes wrong, it won't be good for either of us.

Yuan Jin spoke up: "Comrade Zhiyuan has considered things quite comprehensively, adhering to principles while also taking into account the actual situation. Let's proceed according to your approach."

We must ensure that the rectification measures are implemented effectively, especially the safety rectification efforts. They must not be merely a formality; tangible results must be achieved.

Yuan Jin was also afraid of something happening at the coal mine.

If a major safety accident occurs in the coal mine, Wu Zhiyuan will be held responsible, and so will the county party secretary.

After hanging up the phone, Wu Zhiyuan walked back to the group, his gaze landing on Liao Chenggong:

"Secretary Yuan attaches great importance to today's events. The safety fraud at Daling Coal Mine is a serious matter and should be shut down immediately for rectification."

However, considering the company's actual difficulties, and after consulting with Secretary Yuan, it has been decided to give you a period of time to rectify the situation...

Wu Zhiyuan discussed his proposed solutions after communicating with Yuan Jin.

Finally, he stared at Liao Chenggong: "Mr. Liao, what are your opinions on this proposed solution?"

How could Liao Chenggong dare to offer any opinions?

If it weren't for Yuan Jin intervening, this hothead would most likely have caused the coal mine to shut down for rectification.

The coal mine was his cash cow and money-printing machine; a single day of shutdown resulted in huge losses.

With a fawning smile, he said, "No objections, I will definitely comply and make immediate rectifications!"

Thank you, County Head Wu, and thank you, Secretary Yuan, for giving us the opportunity to correct our mistakes!

Wu Zhiyuan nodded, his tone softening slightly: "The road to Dajiang Cement Plant must be repaired by tonight. As for compensation and the police station's handling of the matter, do as I say. Any problems?"

"No problem." How could Liao Chenggong dare to say no?

"Mr. Liao, harmony brings wealth, and fair competition is key."

"Yes, yes, County Chief Wu is right. Harmony brings wealth, and fair competition is essential."

Wu Zhiyuan had another card to play in dealing with Liao Chenggong: the Daling Coal Mine was highly likely to have tax evasion issues.

"In addition, General Manager Liao, I just heard from Mine Manager Ding that Daling Coal Mine had an output value of more than 400 million yuan last year, but only paid more than 8 million yuan in taxes."

This tax burden rate seems a bit low.

I'll have someone from the tax bureau come over later to help you assess the situation and see if there are any policies you haven't fully understood or any irregularities in your tax processing. It'll be a kind of tax risk check-up.

As far as I know, when the tax bureau's risk management department responds to risks, it generally only requires the payment of back taxes and late fees, without imposing fines.

However, if the tax bureau's inspection department takes notice, a fine of up to five times the amount can be imposed.