Volume 2 [391] The Municipal Party Secretary
[391] Municipal Party Secretary
After a busy day, the Dongyang Municipal Party Committee and Government were finally about to leave work. Many people in a hurry had already secretly left early. The leaders could only turn a blind eye when they saw this, because they couldn't criticize or fine people for such a small matter.
Secretary Shan stretched his aching back. He'd been busy these past few days, and the afternoons were often packed. He glanced at the large grandfather clock in the corner; it was time to go home for dinner.
Secretary Shan packed his briefcase; he had a few documents to take home and review that evening. *Ring ring*, the landline on his desk rang. "Shan, you're really punctual. In another minute, this room will be empty."
"Hello, Dongyang Municipal Government, who are you looking for?" Not many people can get through to the phone on his desk, so Secretary Shan dares not use any honorifics.
"Shan, what's wrong with you? Someone at the station is going to expose what happened in Dongyang City." Judging from the voice, this was a senior classmate of Shan's, who was now a leader at CCTV. They usually kept in touch by phone.
Secretary Shan was taken aback: "What could possibly happen in Dongyang City that could be exposed? I haven't heard of anything like it recently."
"It's about seafood poisoning. The article has already been submitted for review, and it might even be broadcast on tonight's evening news. If you're still unaware of this, then it's a huge problem; this is a serious dereliction of duty."
Secretary Shan's expression changed: "Seafood poisoning? I haven't received a single word about it!"
“I secretly watched the scene in the video. It seems to be in a hospital. There aren’t many hospitals in Dongyang City. You can call and ask which hospital has the most patients and the most reporters are probably hiding there. If you can’t get him to cancel the broadcast plan, or if you can’t react in advance, then you’re going to become famous this time.”
Secretary Shan's forehead was covered in sweat: "I understand, I'll go check right away. Thank you, senior brother, I would still be in the dark if you hadn't notified me."
"Alright, I just didn't want the teacher to be angry if she found out about this. Anyway, this is all I can do to help. Also, I want to remind you that the person who submitted the manuscript for review is Chen Xinyu, a very popular African war correspondent recently. She has a lot of influence in the station, so I don't think you can persuade her to retract the manuscript. So you should prepare a countermeasure in advance."
After hanging up the phone, Secretary Shan immediately called the mayor and said, "Nobody's going home today. Everyone's gotta get busy."
At the city's central hospital, Sun Gang and the others were nearly unconscious from diarrhea. After Zhao Qiang returned, he spoke with the doctor again, strongly insisting that they be treated for ordinary food poisoning first, rather than overcomplicating the situation. The doctor agreed, since the medication wouldn't kill them. However, even after switching to a different IV drip and administering almost all of it, there was no improvement; the diarrhea continued unabated. Fortunately, they didn't vomit, otherwise, this ordeal would have been fatal.
Zhao Qiang was also puzzled. If it were ordinary food poisoning, the diarrhea should stop immediately. Did this illness really need to be considered more complicated? However, judging from the medical records, the employees of Haifeng Group's Dongyang branch were clearly treated in this way. Did they really have to wait until a period of time to test for diarrhea bacteria in the stool before they could use medication?
Sun Gang and Chen Yang hugged each other and cried bitterly. Sun Gang said, "I've ruined you guys. I shouldn't have treated you to seafood."
Chen Yang said, "It's not your fault, Gangzi. We all wanted to eat it, but I just don't understand. Zhao Qiang and his girlfriend ate it too, so why are they fine? Are we weaker than a woman?"
Not only Chen Yang couldn't understand this, but Zhao Qiang himself didn't understand either. If it were that he ate it and was fine, it would be easy to explain, since his body was controlled by a biochip and should be different from ordinary people. But Luo Wei was not like that; she was a perfectly normal person. If it was because of her gender, then Meng Yu was also having diarrhea, and she was a genuine woman.
Zhao Hai said weakly, "Come on, you're still jealous of Qiang right now. You won't be satisfied until Qiang is like us?"
Chen Yang said, "Aren't you jealous? You say I'm more handsome than Zhao Qiang, richer than Zhao Qiang, and successful in Dongyang City, so why don't any girls like me? You even punish me with diarrhea after eating seafood. I'd feel better if everyone had diarrhea together."
Luo Wei shook her head as she listened. Chen Yang must be out of his mind. Zhao Qiang was really unlucky to have such a deskmate.
"Make way, make way! Secretary Shan is coming soon. You must keep quiet and show your gratitude for Secretary Shan's personal visit to the patients. Do you understand?" A man walked into the treatment room and shouted loudly, repeating himself several times as if afraid others wouldn't hear him. He was practically shouting into the patient's ear.
Sun Gang didn't even have the strength to call out, so he could only wave weakly. Eventually, the person saw him and came over, saying, "Sun Gang? What are you doing here?"
"Brother Wu, why are you at the hospital at this hour?" Sun Gang asked.
Wu Ge said, "Secretary Shan is coming to the hospital to visit the patients soon. The large number of patients with diarrhea and vomiting has already attracted great attention from the municipal party committee and government. Do you think I, as the vanguard, can not come?"
Sun Gang struggled to sit up, but he was too exhausted and eventually slumped back into the chair. "Are the Party Secretary and the Mayor coming? Oh dear, please plead for us and get them to use the best medicine to cure our illnesses. We've suffered terribly! I never want to eat seafood again in my life. If I recover my health, I promise I will never sell seafood again. May all seafood sellers die!" This was the same as saying "I'll never drink again" when you're drunk and suffering.
Wu Ge said, "Are you out of your mind? If Secretary Shan could cure your illnesses, what would be the point of having doctors? Just rest. When Secretary Shan comes, be enthusiastic. If anyone says anything they shouldn't, we'll settle the score later."
Zhao Qiang was annoyed that Brother Wu wouldn't introduce him to the municipal government, so he made a sarcastic remark from the side: "How can you be enthusiastic when someone's practically dead? There's no need to put on such a show."
Wu Ge was already reluctant to come ahead of time to scout, and now that someone was talking to him, he was even more unhappy. He cursed, "How come you can be seen everywhere, Sun Gang? I just don't understand, what kind of friends do you keep making? He was just loitering in front of the municipal government building. Maybe he's plotting something and you've been implicated by him."
Sun Gang was somewhat surprised: "Ah, Qiang, what are you doing at the municipal government?"
Zhao Qiang said, "Of course we should report the situation. So many people have diarrhea; it must be a major incident. If the municipal government doesn't respond promptly, it will affect even more people."
Wu Ge snorted coldly: "Do you need to worry about this? People like you ruin all the good things, idiots, minding your own business."
Zhao Qiang wouldn't let it go, grabbing Wu Ge and saying, "What did you say? Dare to repeat yourself?"
Wu Ge wasn't a coward either. He straightened his neck and tried to shove Zhao Qiang: "I'm telling you, you idiot. What's wrong? You're not happy? The police are coming soon. Let me tell you, this is a government-run world, not a place for an idiot like you to run wild."
Seeing the two arguing, Chen Yang tried to raise his voice as loud as possible: "Zhao Qiang, what are you doing? Are you crazy? Why are you talking back to Brother Wu? Let him go right now!"
Zhao Qiang sneered, raised his hand, and slapped Wu Ge hard across the face, saying, "You keep calling me an idiot, I'd be doing your parents a disservice if I didn't wake you up. What government? Let me tell you, this world belongs to all of us, not just one person or one organization."
"You...you dare to hit me?" Brother Wu was stunned for a moment, but the burning pain on his face quickly brought him back to his senses. Touching his face, which was swollen with five finger marks, he said in astonishment that this was the first time in Dongyang City that someone had dared to hit him.
Zhao Qiang kicked Wu Ge in the thigh again, causing Wu Ge to lose his balance and fall to the ground with a thud, knocking over two chairs. He probably hurt his leg bone and rolled on the ground, clutching his leg and howling. At this moment, the police did indeed enter. Seeing this scene, they were also furious. This was practically a rebellion. Even the crackdown hadn't scared this kind of person. It looked like he would have to be locked up in jail for a few years and eat cornbread for a few years. The police shouted and rushed over.
Luo Wei was extremely anxious when she saw that a fight was about to break out. She remembered Xu Xiaoya's instructions and knew that if they couldn't stop it in time, it would probably be another shocking bloodbath. Given Zhao Qiang's temper, he wouldn't stop until he had crippled these people.
"Stop hitting him! Stop hitting him! Get out of here! Don't provoke him, you'll get hurt!" Luo Wei pushed away the police officers who rushed at her, trying to drive them away.
Chen Yang muttered to himself, "Are these two out of their minds? Do they think they're the General Secretary of the Central Committee? Trying to act tough with people like that, aren't they just asking for trouble? Doesn't she even know who she can't afford to offend?"
Sun Gang scrambled up from the chair, trembling: "Quick, quick, help me! Something's going to happen to Qiang!"
Zhao Hai said, "How can I help? My limbs are already weak. You can still get up, but I can't."
Zhao Qiang was prepared for a fierce battle, but a loud shout from the doorway stopped everyone in their tracks: "Stop!"
"Secretary Shan," Brother Wu, scrambled to his feet and lunged forward. The real culprit had arrived; he was here to lodge a complaint. The police officers barely managed to stop in their tracks. If they had taken another step forward, Zhao Qiang's fist would have slammed into their faces. Zhao Qiang's punches were not easy to catch; he wore a transforming ring. If a punch struck an opponent, the ring would instantly transform into a protective shield before contact, increasing the damage to the enemy while protecting the fist from recoil.
Secretary Shan shoved Brother Wu aside, angrily saying, "Wu, what are you doing? I told you to go to the front lines and check on the situation at the hospital, not to cause trouble."
Wu Ge hurriedly explained, "Secretary Shan, I'm not causing trouble. Someone else is trying to cause trouble, and I can't stop him."
Dan: "You mean him?"
Wu Ge said repeatedly, "Yes, yes, it was him. He even slapped me. Secretary Shan, you have to stand up for me!"
Secretary Shan sneered, "Good riddance! One slap wasn't enough; you should have been slapped several more times."
Wu was stunned, as were the police officers beside him. What was wrong with Secretary Shan today? He usually valued Secretary Wu quite a bit. Otherwise, they wouldn't have rushed over so quickly after seeing Secretary Wu being beaten. Wasn't this just to give Secretary Shan face?
Wu thought he had misheard, so he leaned closer to show Secretary Shan his face: "Secretary Shan, it was me who was hit, not him."
Secretary Shan shoved Brother Wu aside and ignored him, then chuckled and came over, "Junior brother, what brings you here?"
Wu Ge's head buzzed. Oh no, why was Secretary Shan calling that idiot "junior brother"?
Zhao Qiang wiped the dust off his hands, then greeted Secretary Shan with a smile, "Senior brother, what a coincidence."
Shan Hongfei shook hands with Zhao Qiang, then patted Zhao Qiang on the shoulder: "What coincidence? Why did you come to Dongyang City without telling me? Were you planning to come incognito?"
Zhao Qiang chuckled, "The term 'undercover investigation' doesn't quite apply to me. I'd completely forgotten you're the Party Secretary of Dongyang City, otherwise I would have called you this morning, saving me from wandering around the city government building for ages without anyone paying me any attention." He then gave Wu Ge a meaningful look; Wu Ge's face wasn't red and swollen anymore, but pale. Shan Hongfei's attitude towards Zhao Qiang had terrified him.
Shan Hongfei pointed at Wu Mi: "These people are more trouble than they're worth. I can't count on them."
Secretary Wu was so frightened that his legs went weak and he collapsed to the ground. Shan Hongfei's words were tantamount to a death sentence for him.
Sun Gang was still in a daze, but Chen Yang reacted quickly: "My god, Qiang Zhen and the municipal party secretary, I'm a genius prophet!"
Zhao Hai rolled his eyes at Chen Yang: "You're just being a Monday morning quarterback. You're chickening out now, aren't you? With your foul mouth spouting nonsense, Zhao Qiang is definitely angry with you. Do you still want to work in Dongyang City?"
Sun Gang said, "There's hope for me to get my money back. Qiang promised he'd definitely help me make it happen."
Zhao Hai then reminded Sun Gang, "Gangzi, don't dream. As far as I know, Haifeng Group can completely ignore the officials in Dongyang City. In their eyes, only the central government officials are their equals."
Sun Gang said, "No way, it's just a branch factory."
Zhao Hai said, "Didn't your friend say that the branch factory had already reported the matter? Now the branch factory's decision doesn't count; it needs the head office's approval."
Sun Gang glanced at Wu Ge on the ground and said, "Don't mention him. He's just unlucky. He offended Qiang, and now he's regretting it."
Sun Gang's words reminded Brother Wu, who jumped up and squatted down in front of Sun Gang's chair: "Gangzi, help me, help me plead with your friend. I was blind to your greatness, but I can't let Secretary Shan give up on me like this. I've worked hard all my life, hoping that Secretary Shan will promote me. If he doesn't care about me, my future will be ruined."
Sun Gang said, "Who can you blame for what you did? I can barely take care of my own life right now, how can I have the mind to deal with you?"
Angkor gritted his teeth and said, "I'll help you get your debt back, and whether I get it back or not, I'll cover it myself. Just help me this once."
Sun Gang gestured to the two close fellow apprentices over there and said, "I already have Secretary Shan's help, so why would I need your help to collect the debt this time?"
Wu Ge said, “You can’t think like that. Secretary Shan has no control over Haifeng Group. I have a classmate at the Donghai City headquarters. He can talk to the higher-ups. I will definitely help you sort this out. You can plead with your friend for me and ask him to ask Secretary Shan to forgive me this time. Everyone makes mistakes. I should be given a chance to make amends.”
Sun Gang was intrigued. "Really? You guarantee you can talk to high-level officials?"
Angkor said, "I guarantee that I will contact the chairman of Haifeng Group directly. Isn't her name Luo Wei? My friend said he sees her several times a day."
(Thanks to readers 513195352, He Wenxiu aa, Wengweng, and Ya8 [2 tickets] for their monthly support)
(Thanks to readers 871354534, 想被爱好者难, g傲, and 金枪大地主 for their generous donations)
Volume 2 [392] Emergency Measures
[392] Emergency Measures
After Shan Hongfei and Zhao Qiang finished their intimate conversation, Shan turned to Luo Wei and said, "Why did Chairman Luo come down to inspect the place in person? Haifeng Group is a leading enterprise in Dongyang City. Its profits and taxes have grown rapidly recently, and it has already received high praise from our municipal party committee and government."
Luo Wei smiled faintly: "Thank you, Secretary Shan. Senior Brother Zhao mainly accompanied me this time to investigate the food poisoning incident among the employees at the branch factory."
Dan Hongfei slapped his forehead: "Oh dear, I was so busy talking to my junior brother that I forgot about the important matter."
Sun Gang, who was reclining on a chair next to Wu Ge and receiving an IV drip, picked at his ear and asked, "Did I hear that right? What were Secretary Shan and Zhao Qiang's girlfriend talking about? Chairman Luo? Haifeng Group?"
Angkor's face grew even paler, "...Hmm, it really does look like her..."
Dan Hongfei was extremely anxious when he remembered the purpose of his trip. He immediately arranged for the staff who arrived later to keep an eye on the emergency room and report any suspicious persons immediately. Of course, these staff members had been instructed before they came that while they were looking for people, they could not do it too obviously, otherwise the reporters would see through it at a glance, and it would be even more difficult to explain later. Instead, it would give others a handle to use against them.
Zhao Qiang asked, "Senior brother, what is the purpose of your visit this time? Are you just going through the motions, or do you intend to thoroughly investigate this matter?"
Shan Hongfei said, "Is there any need to ask? Of course, we must thoroughly investigate this matter. I had no idea that such a big thing had happened before. Someone reported the situation to CCTV. Fortunately, one of our senior classmates from a few years earlier is now working at CCTV. If he hadn't informed me in advance, it would have been too late for me to do anything after it made the news."
Zhao Qiang blushed: "No, I didn't know you were the Party Secretary here before." Zhao Qiang had really forgotten about it. It seemed that Xu Liming had mentioned it a long time ago, but he hadn't paid any attention to it.
Shan Hongfei pulled Zhao Qiang aside and asked, "So, what do you mean? You know about this?"
Luo Wei chuckled softly without saying a word, but her expression was strange. Shan Hongfei was puzzled and eagerly awaited Zhao Qiang's explanation. Zhao Qiang said, "I thought this matter was quite serious before, so I wanted to report the situation to the municipal government leaders, hoping to draw their attention. But the security guard wouldn't let me in. When I asked Secretary Wu to introduce me, he scolded me. In a fit of anger, I took it to the TV station."
Dan Hongfei slapped his thigh: "This is truly a case of the flood washing away the Dragon King's temple. Fortunately, we explained things clearly before the news aired. Now, it's probably impossible to stop CCTV from broadcasting the news. However, we can react in advance. I have already notified the dean to immediately organize an emergency team, and the team investigating the source of these patients' food has also been dispatched to ensure that the source of infection is controlled."
Zhao Qiang chuckled and said, "How could we not stop it from airing? I'll make a call and ask."
Shan Hongfei said, "Our senior brother said that the manuscript is currently in Chen Xinyu's hands. If she is involved in this matter, it will be difficult to plead for her."
Zhao Qiang said, "On the contrary, she could have done it if no one else had interfered."
Just then, the call connected, and Chen Xinyu excitedly boasted to Zhao Qiang, "I've already arranged for you to be on the news broadcast. I'll make sure the whole country knows about it."
Zhao Qiang coughed and said, "Xinyu, I'm so sorry, things have changed a bit. The Dongyang Municipal Party Committee is now in a mess..."
Before Zhao Qiang could finish speaking, Chen Xinyu interrupted, "It's nothing. I'll immediately have someone take the article down and find another news story to replace it. Don't apologize to me. Have you forgotten our promise? I like doing things for you. Call me stupid if you want, but I'm doing it willingly."
Zhao Qiang was deeply moved. He never imagined that there were girls like this in the world. This might have been possible in turbulent Africa, but now Chen Xinyu didn't need to be subservient to him. This could only mean one thing: he was too charming. Thinking of this, Zhao Qiang's face was filled with pride.