Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 318 The Principles and Flexibility of Policy Implementation

Bi Yuan glanced at it and explained, "County Chief Ding, you've misunderstood."

These are not materials for the main project; they are some scraps and bedding materials temporarily piled up for leveling the site.

The actual granite blocks used for the dam are stored in another stockpile; their quality is absolutely top-notch, and they all have test reports.

Bi Yuan scolded Liu Chengbao, who was standing beside him: "What's going on? Didn't you explain things clearly to County Chief Ding? Quickly take the leader to see a qualified material yard!"

Liu Chengbao quickly said, "President Bi, I already explained. County heads, this way please."

Ding Yiyi remained unmoved.

Since the sections open to visitors are all model sections, the quality of the construction is definitely not a problem.

She pointed to a section of retaining wall not far away: "What about this section of retaining wall? The stones are laid so loosely, and the mortar is so thin. Is it also a temporary project?"

Bi Yuan smiled apologetically and said, "The weather has been cold lately, so the mortar is setting slowly, and the workers' operation is a bit inadequate."

County Chief Ding, please rest assured, we will rectify the situation immediately and resolutely redo any work that needs to be done!

Our Biyuan Group has always maintained high standards and strict requirements for project quality, and we absolutely do not allow any flaws!

Ding Yiyi said with a stern face, "President Bi, we have discovered more than one problem."

The concrete grade, the amount of reinforcing steel, and the foundation treatment—these all seem far from meeting high standards, don't they?

Wu Zhiyuan pointed to a section of concrete retaining wall that had just been poured and said in a serious tone, "President Bi, take a look at this."

The concrete is whitish in color, the aggregate is sparse, and there are so many honeycomb and pitted surfaces on the poured surface that even I, a layman, can tell that there is a problem with its strength!

Where are the steel bars required by the design? We just looked closely, and in many places we couldn't find any steel bars at all!

Is this building a dam, or just piling up earth?

Bi Yuan argued, "County Chief Wu, you are unaware that concrete pouring is greatly affected by temperature. It's been cold lately, so there may be some bleeding. If the curing is done properly, the strength will increase later."

The reinforcing bars were installed according to the drawings; some were covered by concrete, and some were tied later.

Wu Zhiyuan chimed in, "President Bi, do you think we're all laymen?"

In reinforced concrete structures, the steel bars form the framework and must be tied and fixed in place before pouring. This is a basic construction principle.

Furthermore, your basic treatment involved directly laying stones on the soft riverbed soil without even the most basic compaction.

Can such a foundation withstand the weight of the dam and the impact of floods?

Ding Yi's expression was grave, and he said bluntly, "President Bi, you should know better than anyone how the Wanshan Bridge collapsed!"

Taking chances and cutting corners will only result in shoddy construction and bloody lessons!

The Qinghe River embankment protects the lives and property of hundreds of thousands of people in Qingshan, but what I saw today has given me serious doubts about the quality of this project!

Bi Yuan said sincerely, "County Chief Ding, your criticism is correct."

We must never forget the lessons learned from the Wanshan Bridge.

Because we have learned from past mistakes, we are paying extra attention to the reinforcement project of the Qinghe River embankment and dare not slack off in the slightest.

The problems pointed out by the two leaders today are indeed oversights caused by our inadequate on-site management and non-standard worker operations.

We will immediately conduct a thorough investigation, hold those responsible accountable, and implement comprehensive rectification to ensure that no potential risks remain!

Ding Yiyi didn't take the bait: "President Bi, the problems we're seeing today are not accidental, nor are they isolated incidents!"

From stone materials to mortar, concrete, steel reinforcement, and foundation treatment, there is systematic shoddy workmanship throughout the entire construction chain!

This cannot be explained by mere management negligence; it is deliberate, lawless, and shows utter disregard for the lives of ordinary people!

Bi Yuan forced a smile: "County Chief Ding, you're exaggerating. It really was just a matter of not being strict enough in controlling the details of the construction..."

Ding Yi interrupted Bi Yuan: "President Bi, whether it's a matter of construction details or not is not up to you or me to decide. Facts and data will speak for themselves."

She looked at Wu Zhiyuan: "County Chief Wu, call the leaders of the Water Resources Bureau and the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau and ask them to immediately bring their technical backbones and quality inspectors, along with professional testing equipment, to the Qinghe embankment site."

At the same time, notify the county television station to send a reporter over.

Upon hearing this, Bi Yuan's expression changed drastically. He hadn't expected Ding Yi to be so serious. He quickly said, "County Chief Ding, isn't this unnecessary? We will definitely rectify the issues thoroughly and guarantee the quality of the project."

"A guarantee?" Ding Yiyi said coldly, "Did you make a similar guarantee before the Wanshan Bridge collapsed?"

The tragedy at Wanshan Bridge, the loss of four precious lives—isn't that enough to wake you up?

Or do you think the lives of the people of Qingshan County are only worth the money saved by cutting corners?

Bi Yuan knew that once experts from the Water Resources Bureau and the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau, as well as television reporters, arrived at the scene, the problem would be completely exposed, and the consequences would be unimaginable.

He made an excuse to go to the restroom and dialed the phone number of Geng Dongqing, the county party secretary.

"Secretary Geng, Ding Yiyi and Wu Zhiyuan suddenly came to the Qinghe embankment construction site, nitpicking and finding a whole bunch of problems, such as substandard stone materials, insufficient concrete grade, and shoddy steel reinforcement..."

They are currently furious on site, calling the Water Resources Bureau and the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau for a comprehensive inspection, and also notifying television reporters.

"Secretary Geng, if this gets out of hand, I won't be able to continue this project. You have to put in a good word for me with County Chief Ding."

"Bi Yuan, Bi Yuan, are you just ignoring what I said?"

Geng Dongqing's voice suddenly became stern: "Four lives were lost on the Wanshan Bridge. That was a lesson learned in blood!"

I've told you this again and again: taking on projects is fine, but quality is the bottom line, the red line, and you absolutely cannot cross it!

You've created a whole bunch of problems for me, and Ding Yiyi caught you red-handed. How am I supposed to speak up for you?

Bi Yuan defended himself: "Secretary Geng, calm down and let me explain."

It's not a big problem, it's just that the construction was a bit flawed because of the cold weather and the workers weren't very skilled.

County Chief Ding is deliberately picking a fight; a new broom sweeps clean...

"Enough!" Geng Dongqing interrupted him impatiently. "Is Ding Yiyi deliberately picking a fight? Don't you know how the project quality is?"

I had heard some rumors beforehand, and I specifically reminded you.

Let me tell you, if there are any serious problems with the quality of the project, and it causes a huge mess, no one can protect you!

Bi Yuan lowered his voice: "Secretary Geng, this project is not just my project; it involves many aspects."

If County Chief Ding really investigates thoroughly and it causes a huge uproar, then it probably won't just be a matter of project quality anymore.

"I'm just a nobody; if I fall, I fall. But if it implicates some leaders and affects the overall situation in Qingshan County, that would be bad."

Geng Dongqing remained silent for a few seconds.

He certainly understood Bi Yuan's implied meaning.

After the Wanshan Bridge collapsed, he was under considerable pressure and it took him a lot of effort to suppress the matter.

If the Qinghe dike has another problem, and Ding Yi seizes on it and digs into it, the consequences are unpredictable.

That bastard Bi Yuan is using this subtle method to kidnap him.

Geng Dongqing warned, "Don't give me that. If there are any problems with the quality of the project, it will be the responsibility of your Biyuan Group!"

Those who need to rectify the situation should rectify it, and those who deserve punishment should accept punishment. Stop making irrelevant accusations and confusing the public!

"Yes, yes, Secretary Geng, I understand. Ensuring the quality of the project is my responsibility!"

My concern is that County Chief Ding is young and impetuous; if he overdoes it and things get out of control, that would be bad.

"Alright! Lower your attitude, admit your mistakes, and promise to rectify them. I'll call Ding Yiyi right now."

But remember this, this is the last time!

If any further problems arise, don't blame me for being ruthless!

After hanging up the phone, Geng Dongqing dialed Ding Yiyi's number.

"County Chief, I heard you were inspecting the Qinghe River embankment construction site? You've worked hard!"

Bi Yuan just called me and admitted that there were some problems with the construction site management, and he also made a profound self-criticism.

There is no small matter when it comes to the quality of a project, especially for key flood control projects like the Qinghe River embankment.

It's right of you to discover problems on-site and point them out promptly; it shows you're being responsible to the people.

I have already severely criticized Bi Yuan and ordered them to immediately cease work and conduct a comprehensive self-examination and rectification.

Then, Geng Dongqing changed the subject: "However, County Chief, we must also pay attention to our methods when dealing with problems."

Biyuan Group is a key taxpayer introduced to our county and has contributed to the development of Qingshan.

The focus of this investigation was on criticism, education, and urging rectification, giving them a chance to correct their mistakes and demonstrating our sincerity in optimizing the business environment.

Of course, necessary tests and investigations should be conducted as required; these are essential procedures.

My suggestion is that the Water Resources Bureau and the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau should first send key personnel to intervene under the guise of guiding rectification and investigating potential hazards, and come up with a professional rectification plan.

Biyuan Company must implement these measures without fail. If the rectification is not in place, or if more problems are discovered later, then it will not be too late for us to take more stringent measures.

As for notifying the TV station, I think it's unnecessary for now.

The matter is still under investigation and no final conclusion has been reached. Exposing it prematurely could easily trigger public opinion and hinder the company's rectification efforts.

We can wait until the investigation is complete and the rectification is in place before deciding whether to make it public. What do you think, County Head?

Geng Dongqing has set the tone, and if they don't listen at all, it will undoubtedly make the conflict between the two public.

Ding Yiyi had only been the county head for a short time, and he still needed Geng Dongqing's support for many tasks.

If there is a public break, Geng Dongqing will hinder progress at every turn, making it extremely difficult to advance many tasks.

The principles and flexibility of policy implementation should be organically unified.

"Secretary Geng, I understand your considerations. Optimizing the business environment and supporting enterprise development is the responsibility of our government."

However, the premise is that enterprises must operate in accordance with the law and guarantee the quality of the project. This is the bottom line and the red line, which is related to the lives and property safety of hundreds of thousands of people and cannot be ambiguous in the slightest.

Of course, I agree to withhold notification from the television station for now to avoid unnecessary speculation.

Ding Yiyi made a concession, which was something that both Bi Yuan and Geng Dongqing cared about.