Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 795 - 751: Breaking the Rules (Requesting Double Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 795: Chapter 751: Breaking the Rules (Requesting Double Monthly Tickets)

Serious investigation and punishment.

As for such matters, Yang Hengqiu was very dismissive. It was almost always the same. As long as there’s no problem, no one bothers to check. But when a big issue arises, someone must be held accountable, making a big deal into a small one. The slogans are shouted loudly, but in practice, how things are done deserves further discussion.

Noise like thunder, yet little rain falls; that was certain. If the incident at Victorious Coal Mine were to escalate, it would indeed be unfortunate for Wuliang City and those lower down the chain. But Nie Zhenbang, as Governor of Bashu Province, would it then reflect well on you?

Yang Hengqiu regarded such words with disdain. Young governor, no matter how much fuss there is, his methods are just mediocre. There’s nothing new about them.

By his side, Liu Bingyi, however, was very earnest, “Yes, we will definitely follow the governor’s instructions and handle this properly. We will take good care of the aftermath of the accident, deal seriously with those responsible, and conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident. We will give the public a clear explanation.”

“Old Yang, do you feel that the governor is nothing special?” Liu Bingyi asked, speaking to Yang Hengqiu as they walked out of the mine’s conference room.

The attitude displayed by Yang Hengqiu at this moment made Liu Bingyi feel something was off. Such dismissiveness was dangerous. Liu Bingyi was very clear about Nie Zhenbang; this young governor would certainly not be making empty threats.

The two had been good friends for many years. In their work in Wuliang City, although there had been disagreements and discontent between them, overall, Yang Hengqiu was a decent person. And having grown accustomed to working in tandem with Yang Hengqiu, Liu Bingyi didn’t want to see him fall over this matter, which is why he was offering a word of caution.

Looking at Liu Bingyi, Yang Hengqiu appeared somewhat embarrassed, chuckling, “Secretary, look what you’re saying. I certainly don’t think that way.”

Yang Hengqiu’s denial did not lead to any change in Liu Bingyi’s expression, who continued to gaze at Yang Hengqiu, “Old Yang, it’s best if you don’t think that way. We have been working together for many years. You must have a judgment about what kind of person I am. On this matter, let me be clear with you, be careful and cautious. It’s for your own good.”

…

Around 9:30 p.m.

At this moment, the nighttime lights around the entire Victorious Coal Mine were lit up, bright as day.

By the entrance of shaft number two, Nie Zhenbang had already arrived. After nearly twenty-nine hours of relayed efforts, the “lifeline” was about to break through.

On Nie Zhenbang’s left was Director Yao of the State Administration of Work Safety, on his right were Pan Jianzhang, Huang Jin and others. Leaders from Wuliang City and Gushan County, big and small, were all standing on the periphery.

Since Governor Nie had settled on the ground of the Victorious Coal Mine and did not budge, naturally, officials from Wuliang City and Gushan County dared not act rashly.

Despite the past two days not being particularly hot, the dismal environment of the mine meant the clothes of the leadership were somewhat shabby.

At this moment, underground in the mine shaft, the chains pulling the mine carts began to move. As a cart emerged, the faces of several soldiers on it were completely blackened. From afar, their faces looked entirely dark except for their teeth and eyes which were clearly visible.

Upon surfacing, the soldiers shouted aloud, “We’ve broken through, we’ve broken through!”

As their words fell, the entire mine erupted in deafening cheers and applause. Leaders from Wuliang City behind Nie Zhenbang all breathed a sigh of relief. With the “lifeline” tunneled through, the trapped miners could be rescued. If there were no casualties, then the entire matter would essentially be resolved.

Nie Zhenbang also seemed very pleased; after all, this was his first time personally directing a rescue operation. To achieve such a rapid breakthrough was undoubtedly cause for joy.

Turning to the officials behind him, he said, “Mayor Yang, arrange for personnel to clear a path, don’t block the ambulances from entering. Make sure the medical staff are ready.”

The channel was finally open. Soon, miners and engineers involved in the excavation and rescue operation came out of the tunnel one after another.

At the same time, Xu Jiang, the engineer battalion commander, had also emerged from the tunnel. He stepped off the mining cart and walked straight to Nie Zhenbang. Xu Jiang’s emotions were not overly jubilant. His face did not display the joy of a successful rescue, and upon seeing this, Nie Zhenbang felt a sinking feeling in his heart. Xu Jiang’s demeanor was exceedingly abnormal.

Xu Jiang glanced at the senior leaders beside him. Then, standing at attention, he saluted and said, “Commander, the rescue channel was successfully opened at 9:25 a.m.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Jiang crouched down, sounding somewhat disheartened and on the verge of tears, “The situation on the collapsed tunnel side is very bad. According to messages from survivors, the moment the tunnel collapsed, over a dozen miners were buried on the spot. Afterwards, water began to flood the tunnel on a large scale. The air inside was running out. Of the eighty miners we had when the channel was opened, forty-something had already died. The other survivors are in poor health, with lives in danger at any moment. Commander, it was our failure to do our job properly. If we could have acted just a bit sooner… they would have…”

Listening to Xu Jiang’s words, the previously joyful atmosphere cooled in an instant, and everyone’s expressions turned grim. There were casualties. The accident had become significantly more difficult to manage.

No one spoke in the wait that followed. Everyone was anticipating the sight of surviving miners. The mining carts kept running, transporting miners from below, one car after another. Something covered every miner’s eyes for protection.

Nearly two hours later, at eleven o’clock, as the last unit of the engineer battalion and the last soldier emerged from the tunnel, the rescue operation took a temporary pause.

Moreover, during the recent rescue, three more had died. Only thirty-six people were transported by ambulance in total, and there were forty-three fatalities.

Around the mine, the waiting families of the miners began crying at this news. The loss of their loved ones, coupled with the end of the rescue operation, dashed their last hopes. Excluding the bodies still buried, the other corpses had been brought up and were laid down in rows on the mountain. Many family members who had identified their loved ones were now sobbing loudly.

Nie Zhenbang too was in a somber mood. Glancing at Yao, the head of the safety inspection bureau beside him, he then said, “Director Yao, now that the rescue is over, I think we should go to the meeting room and call together a meeting to discuss the aftermath.”

Hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Director Yao looked surprised and thought for a moment before saying, “Good idea, let’s have a meeting. It will help us create our final investigation and summary report.”

Director Yao’s words were a reminder to Nie Zhenbang, hinting how the report should be written after the meeting’s outcome. This gave Nie Zhenbang considerable respect.

Nie Zhenbang seemed to ignore Director Yao’s implications and nodded, saying, “For Wuliang City’s part, let Comrade Liu Binyi and Comrade Yang Hengqiu serve as our representatives.”

This was a small-scale meeting. Besides Nie Zhenbang, only Pan Jianzhang, Huang Jin, Fang Yuan, and Director Yao from the Safety Bureau were present.

As soon as they sat down, Nie Zhenbang started, “Firstly, we must ensure proper burial for the victims and their families must be compensated. In terms of compensation standards, we need to provide the maximum allowable under our national standards. This task must receive utmost attention from the Wuliang City Municipal Party Committee and City Government and will be overseen by Comrades Liu Binyi and Yang Hengqiu.”

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After pausing, Nie Zhenbang continued, “Regarding the number of casualties to be reported, I’ve decided to announce the number of deaths at Victorious Coal Mine accurately. I will order the Wuliang City Municipal Party Committee and City Government, and Gushan County Party Committee and County Government, to publicly apologize to society. Furthermore, I suggest Wuliang City immediately commence an investigation into small coal mines. All mines with an annual production of less than 100,000 tons must be eradicated, either by consolidation or closure. In matters of principle, there can be no allowance for sentiment.”

His words caused a shock among everyone else, and Director Yao, in particular, looked astonished. According to the labor department’s documents from the ’90s, an accident in a mine with over 40 deaths or direct economic losses exceeding 10 million would be classified as an exceptionally severe safety accident. This recent event alone, with compensation exceeding 10 million, meant Nie Zhenbang’s decision was akin to setting off a bomb.

In other provinces where efforts were made to cover up such incidents, Nie Zhenbang chose to act in the opposite manner. This could offend many. Why was Nie Zhenbang doing this? Was it necessary?

Next to him, Pan Jianzhang and others wore expressions of stunned surprise. After a long moment, it was Pan Jianzhang who spoke on behalf of everyone, “Governor, wouldn’t this approach be a bit…”

In front of so many people, Pan Jianzhang still spoke very cautiously, not fully voicing his concerns, yet his intentions were clear for Nie Zhenbang to understand.

“Jianzhang, I have made up my mind about this matter, and there’s no need for further discussion. On this issue, my stance is firm: no compromises. The true number of casualties will be reported. There will be no hiding, no cover-ups,” Nie Zhenbang said with a grave voice. “Comrades, when an incident occurs, covering it up has seemingly become an unspoken rule in the system. It is precisely because of this that people below lead unbridled lives, knowing that they have support from above. Now, I, Nie Zhenbang, intend to break this unspoken rule within Bashu Province. I want all leading officials in Bashu Province to witness my attitude. And breaking the rule starts now!”(To be continued. If you like this work, please go to qidian.com to give your vote of recommendation or a monthly pass. Your support is my greatest motivation.).