I nodded in satisfaction, and just as I saw Zhang Shuangli approaching quickly, I said in a deep voice: "County Magistrate Zhang, the dike will be blown up to release the flood. Please contact the county immediately and ask the county to urgently coordinate with all the towns and villages downstream to make full preparations in advance to ensure that the flood release process is absolutely safe and there will be no mistakes!"
Zhang Shuangli did not hesitate, his eyes met mine for a moment, and he nodded heavily: "Understood!" Then he took out his mobile phone and quickly dialed the number.
I turned to Xiong Jifei, my eyes sparkling, "Old Xiong! You were born as a housekeeper, so you have the best coordination ability. From now on, the logistical support for all flood relief workers will be handed over to you! There must not be any mistakes in food, clothing, housing and transportation! You must not let everyone bleed and sweat, and let them down again! 'When troops move, food and grass must go first', now is the time for you to show your real ability!"
Xiong Jifei's eyes were equally resolute, and he responded in a deep voice: "Don't worry, County Magistrate Guan! I guarantee that I will complete the task and will not let you down!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he turned around without any hesitation and ran towards the office cafeteria with big strides.
Hu Jia, who was standing by, had already held back his anger and came closer, eager to try: "Leader! Give me a task too!"
Looking at this young face in front of me, a surge of vigor and vitality came over me, making my heart feel soothed.
I smiled and patted his shoulder: "Why, do you want me to be a commander without troops? I have to keep an orderly around me?" Then I put away my smile and said seriously: "Comrade Hu Jia! I order you to contact the County Transportation Bureau immediately and make sure that the road to Tongxiang Town can still remain open! This is our lifeline!"
"Bang! Comrade Commander!" Hu Jia stood at attention, legs together, back straight, raised his hand to salute in a very standard military salute, and said in a loud voice: "Resolutely complete the task!"
Xiang Qianjin, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but exclaimed: "Hey! This little Hu, his military salute is really impressive!"
I smiled and asked Xiang Qianjin: "Have you had breakfast?"
He scratched his head and smiled innocently: "You haven't eaten yet, how dare I pick up my chopsticks first?"
After being reminded by him, I suddenly felt hungry, so I invited him to go to the cafeteria together.
After simply putting some things in the bag, Zhang Shuangli came over with a serious expression, "County Magistrate Guan, I have reported the matter of blowing up the dike to release the flood to County Magistrate Tong... He reacted very well."
This was expected. Some people can act like a decent person when they are in the office and give orders, but when it comes to a critical moment when they need to make decisions, they will hesitate and lose their composure.
I looked calm: "It must be covered up. What did County Magistrate Tong say specifically?"
"County Magistrate Tong's opinion lacked accurate hydrological data support, and the hasty dyke blasting and flood discharge caused difficult-to-calculate economic losses. He also stressed that the whole county was fighting the flood as a whole, and if Tongxiang released the flood, it would probably bring additional pressure to the flood control work of the downstream towns."
After a few seconds of silence, I said to Zhang Shuangli, "County Magistrate Tong considers the problem from a global perspective, which is worth learning. So, you should immediately organize the comrades at the water conservancy station to accurately measure the key hydrological data. At the same time, compile a detailed report on the flood discharge area, emphasizing that except for one enterprise, most of the farmland in the flood discharge area will be straightened along the natural low-lying belt after the flood is discharged, and finally merge into the main river channel downstream, which will have little impact on the flood control situation of the downstream towns."
Zhang Shuangli blinked his eyes, his brain quickly recording the key points, and finally asked tentatively: "Then... can we slow down the dike-blasting issue for a while?"
"You can't stop!" I shook my head firmly, "There is no time to lose, we must act immediately according to the original plan!"
His eyes lit up, and he immediately understood my intention - to let him do these two things, so that I could prepare irrefutable evidence in advance for possible doubts and criticisms in the future.
As soon as Zhang Shuangli left, Zhang Qiming rushed in with his clothes tidied. When he saw me, he immediately smiled and apologized: "County Magistrate Guan! Oh, sorry, sorry! I went to the countryside too late yesterday and didn't get back in time. I didn't expect such a big thing to happen. Please criticize me!"
I waved to him calmly: "Hurry up and sit down. Have you had time to eat yet?" Then I told Xiao Xiang: "Go get some food for Mayor Zhang."
Seeing that I was not angry but rather gentle, he seemed relieved and sat down opposite me.
"Is the road still passable on the way back from the country?" I asked.
His eyes quickly turned around: "The road conditions...are not very good. Some rural roads are flooded and impassable, but they are not completely blocked for the time being."
I nodded, looking at him calmly: "According to the decision of the county party committee and county government, you will be temporarily suspended from your post. Do you have any opinion?"
He answered decisively: "No objection! I will resolutely obey the organization's arrangements! County Magistrate Guan, I hope you can give me a chance to redeem myself and make meritorious contributions!"
I couldn't help but look sideways. The Zhang Qiming in front of me was no longer the arrogant and domineering person he was when I was the deputy mayor of Tongxiang. The domineering attitude that he used to compete with me openly and secretly seemed to have been restrained a lot.
It turns out that evil people can also "grow".
"How about this," I pondered, "Although all industrial and mining enterprises in the county have stopped work and production according to the county's instructions, I am still a little relieved. Tongxiang Town has many coal mines and is also an area prone to geological disasters. After you finish your meal, you should pay a special visit to these coal mines and carefully inspect and supervise them to ensure that everything is safe."
"놆! I will complete the task!" He agreed readily and was about to leave.
I raised my hand to stop him: "Eat your meal first. You are in a hurry right now."
Hearing this, he became polite, picked up the white rice porridge that Xiao Xiang had just brought, and began to drink it up.
I stood up and looked at Xiong Jifei in the distance, and made a slight gesture. Xiong Jifei understood and followed me out without hesitation.
When we got to a deserted place, I lowered my voice and asked Xiong Jifei, "Old Xiong, Zhang Qiming's attitude today is really abnormal."
Xiong Jifei hesitated for a moment and whispered, "County Guan, you said... maybe he already knew that he was suspended? Maybe he even talked to his superiors, and they gave him a reassurance, asking him to cooperate honestly and get through this flood, and then they would find a way to get him back to work?"
My heart trembled: "Old Bear, what you said really enlightened me! It makes sense!"
Xiong Jifei frowned slightly and continued to analyze: "Looking at the context, this suspension is a blessing in disguise for him."
I was stunned: "What do you mean?"
He explained: "If he is still the mayor, it is only natural for him to charge into battle and take responsibility. Now that he is suspended, he is no longer an official. No matter how big the trouble is in the flood control, he will be blamed! Guanxian, you can't rely on such a person! You send him to the coal mine to check the implementation of the suspension of production. Will he be perfunctory or even pretend to obey but disobey?"
I thought for a moment and said, "Wei Shuang and his men are moving villagers from house to house. Even if the mine owner wants to start operations, he has not found workers to do the work. There must be a big problem."
Xiong Jifei nodded: "That's true."
I never imagined at the time that it was this self-righteous judgment and taken-for-granted thinking that would eventually lead to a tragedy that I would regret forever.
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