Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 277 The Power of the County Party Secretary

Wu Zhiyuan said solemnly, "County Chief Huang, the most urgent task is to save lives!"

The missing person may still be waiting for rescue in the icy river. Every second of delay makes the hope increasingly slim!

According to the accident classification standards, an accident resulting in three or more deaths is considered a major accident.

According to regulations, the investigation into this accident should be led by the city government.

Is it inappropriate for Secretary Geng to serve as the head of the investigation team?

Wu Zhiyuan turned his gaze to Fan Yueting: "Director Fan, have you reported this to the city?"

Fan Yueting stammered, "This, this, not yet..."

It's clear that Fan Yueting has something he can't say about.

Perhaps Huang Xiaoyong prevented him from reporting it.

When accidents occur, it is not uncommon for local governments to choose to conceal them.

In some cases, local governments would try to cover it up if possible, and if they couldn't hide it, they would conceal the number of deaths.

However, unlike mining accidents, bridge collapses are difficult to conceal.

Of course, the death toll can be underreported.

Wu Zhiyuan said in an unquestionable tone, "Director Fan, immediately report the bridge collapse to the city!"

Then, his gaze fell on Huang Xiaoyong, and he said decisively, "County Chief Huang, I am the Executive Deputy County Chief. Before County Chief Ding arrives, I will take over the on-site rescue work!"

As for the investigation into the cause of the accident, it will definitely be led by the city government, with the county government providing assistance!

Huang Xiaoyong was a hot-tempered man. As soon as Wu Zhiyuan finished speaking, he flew into a rage and roared, "What are you talking about? Taking over the on-site rescue work? What gives you the right!"

As soon as I received the report, I rushed here!

In the pitch black, with the water flowing swiftly, I was the one organizing and coordinating on-site, connecting all parties involved, and making decisions under pressure!

The current progress in the rescue work is the result of the hard work of everyone on site!

And you? Where are you? Now that most of the people have been rescued and the situation is basically stable, you run over here and immediately ask to take over as the commander-in-chief?

There's no such logic in this world! You're blatantly stealing the credit and taking all the credit!

Wu Zhiyuan retorted sharply: "County Chief Huang, first of all, you need to understand what this 'peach' is."

If "peach" refers to the survivors who were rescued, then I, Wu Zhiyuan, sincerely hope that there are as many "peaches" as possible!

Every life saved is the best reward for the hard work of all the comrades on site, including you, County Chief Huang!

This credit belongs to everyone who participated in the rescue; no one can claim it all for themselves, let alone 'take it'!

As for my late arrival, it was due to poor information reporting channels; the duty room did not report to me or County Chief Ding.

But as soon as I received the report, I set off immediately.

Right now, our focus should be on whether any lives can be saved, not arguing about who arrived first or last!

Wu Zhiyuan stopped arguing pointlessly with Huang Xiaoyong and issued orders to the heads of emergency response, public security, and Wanshan Town departments:

First, the search and rescue area on the water should be immediately expanded to at least three kilometers upstream and downstream of the broken bridge.

The focus is on investigating all river bends, shallows, behind bridge piers, and areas with abundant aquatic plants where people or objects may remain.

Secondly, the Wanshan Town Party Committee and government immediately organized and mobilized villagers from all villages along the river who were familiar with the water conditions and terrain of this section of the Qinghe River and had experience navigating at night. Under the premise of ensuring safety, they formed several search teams, equipped them with life jackets, and carried out a comprehensive search...

"Let's see who dares!" Huang Xiaoyong's temper flared up again. He pointed at Wu Zhiyuan and said, "Wu Zhiyuan, you're giving orders blindly!"

Expand the area? Three kilometers? Do you know how much more manpower and resources that would require? Rescue efforts must be based on science!

Nearly an hour has passed since the bridge collapsed. If someone was trapped in their car, do you think they would still be alive?

I'm not saying to stop the search and rescue, but we can't blindly expand the search area late at night!

If someone drowns during a search and rescue operation, causing a secondary disaster, can you bear that responsibility?

Wu Zhiyuan looked coldly at the furious Huang Xiaoyong and said in a serious tone: "County Chief Huang, scientific rescue is not the same as conservative rescue, much less giving up when there is still hope!"

To date, the exact number of vehicles and people that have fallen into the river remains unknown!

Who says that people who fall into a car and end up in a river can't climb out?

Public safety is indeed very important, so it is essential to take safety precautions, such as providing life jackets and powerful flashlights.

We mobilize the masses to utilize their familiarity with the terrain and supplement the lack of professional personnel, not to send them on dangerous missions!

If you give up any possible effort just because you're afraid of taking responsibility, that's the biggest irresponsibility!

If any members of the public are injured or killed during the search and rescue operation, I will be the first to apologize to the county party committee and the county government!

Without waiting for Huang Xiaoyong's rebuttal, Wu Zhiyuan turned directly to the heads of public security, fire department, and Wanshan Town, his tone leaving no room for doubt: "Execute the order! Expand the search area, mobilize reliable members of the public to assist in the search, and take immediate action!"

All participants must be led by town or village officials, wear life jackets, and travel in groups of at least three. Entering deep, fast-flowing water alone or without protection is strictly prohibited…

A higher-ranking official can crush you.

Wu Zhiyuan is a member of the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee and the Executive Deputy County Head, while Huang Xiaoyong is only a Deputy County Head. Although both are at the deputy division level, there is no doubt that Wu Zhiyuan has a higher status and more power.

The responsible persons made separate arrangements.

Seeing his power usurped, Huang Xiaoyong trembled with rage. Pointing at Wu Zhiyuan, his fingers shaking, he shouted, "Wu Zhiyuan! You wait! I'm going to report you to Secretary Geng for acting arbitrarily and giving reckless orders!"

Wu Zhiyuan sneered, "Go ahead! But right now, saving lives is the top priority!"

About forty minutes after the search area was expanded, the temporary command center received a report that a survivor had been found about one kilometer downstream from the broken bridge, trapped in a patch of water plants.

Wu Zhiyuan immediately ordered the assault boats to carry medical personnel for emergency rescue.

Huang Xiaoyong looked very grim. He had just opposed blindly expanding the search area, but once the search area was expanded, survivors were quickly found.

At this moment, he desperately hoped that the survivor had not fallen into the river because of the bridge collapse, but for some other reason.

The survivor was quickly brought ashore and examined by medical personnel; he was found to be out of danger.

The man was an elderly man in his sixties who was driving his electric car across the bridge when the bridge suddenly collapsed.

He and his car plunged into the river.

The elderly man couldn't swim, and he was injured when he fell into the river.

Fortunately, he wasn't trapped in the car and managed to grab onto a tree trunk that was being swept downstream in the water.

A few days ago, heavy rain fell in Qingshan, and some trees were washed away and carried downstream.

When the elderly man was pulled ashore, he was still relatively conscious and kept saying, "Thank you... thank you to the government..."

The elderly man was rescued and brought ashore, which greatly encouraged everyone.

After all, it was a living, breathing human being.

This is also a reward for everyone's hard work in the search and rescue.

"They've really been rescued!"

"Good heavens, I'm so lucky to be alive!"

"Thanks to expanding the search area!"

"County Chief Wu's perseverance and determination are truly commendable!"

The public was abuzz with discussion.

Some people who initially had doubts or objections to expanding the search area at night are now completely convinced.

Ding Yi rushed over from the provincial capital late at night.

When a safety accident occurs, the top leaders personally go to the scene, which reflects their attitude.

This night was destined to be a sleepless one for Ding Yiyi, Wu Zhiyuan, and many others involved in the on-site search and rescue.

But for Geng Dongqing, it was an intoxicating night.

Throughout the entire ordeal, Geng Dongqing only issued orders to Huang Xiaoyong and others over the phone, while he himself was in a mountain villa in Qingshan County, engaging in intimate encounters with beautiful women several times.

Many officials who have fallen from grace have had a sentence in their official reports stating that they violated lifestyle discipline by engaging in improper sexual relations with others.

When people are well-fed and warm, they begin to indulge in lust.

Geng Dongqing is now the top official in Qingshan County and holds great power.

Don't underestimate the power of a county party secretary.

A famous internet celebrity county party secretary once said that another county party secretary told him how much power a county party secretary had.

It can be as big as having a dream the night before and being able to turn it into reality the next day.