The Qingshui River Pollution Incident

At three in the afternoon, on the banks of the Qingshui River.

A temporary meeting venue had been set up on the patch of open ground where Lin Yanzhou had been surrounded last time.

Residents had already flocked over after hearing the news, packing the site in ring upon ring until not a drop of water could have slipped through, silently placing enormous pressure on the on-site meeting.

Deputy Mayor Ding Yizhen arrived ten minutes early, intending to seize the initiative and take control of the situation.

But as soon as his convoy approached, the surging crowd slowed it down.

He got out with a frown. One look at the dense sea of people instantly darkened his expression. Turning to the secretary close behind him, he demanded in a low voice, "Who told you to notify so many ordinary residents? Didn't I tell you to have the project office find a few reliable people to make a token appearance?!"

The secretary hurried half a step closer and lowered his voice to report, "Sir, Deputy Mayor Wen personally instructed the office to send out the notices. He said that since this was an on-site working meeting, we should listen to what the public really thought."

"Wen Zhiyuan?!" A surge of affronted fury rushed straight to his head. "Fuck, the wheel of fortune really does turn. Even a salted fish has flipped over, and now he's started telling me what to do!"

Suppressing his anger, he walked toward the center of the venue. But when his gaze swept over the department heads who had already arrived and were talking quietly beside the table, his heart turned cold.

How was this Ding Yizhen's home turf? This was clearly a stage Lin Yanzhou had built, and he had become the supporting player about to be hoisted onto the pyre! There was Deputy Mayor Wen Zhiyuan, who oversaw environmental protection (given important responsibilities by Lin Yanzhou); newly appointed Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau Director Luo Yong (nominated by Lin Yanzhou); Municipal Finance Bureau Director Liu Yongning (nominated by Lin Yanzhou); Municipal Public Security Bureau Director Zhao Donglai (ambiguous in his stance, but no longer daring to oppose him openly); Guangming District Chief Sun Liancheng (arguably one of Ding's people, but weak-willed); the Qingshan District Party secretary and district chief (whose direct interests were at stake and who were eager to resolve the problem); Cheng Du, who had just been promoted to deputy chief of Guangming District and director of its Public Security Branch Bureau (a staunch supporter of Lin Yanzhou); and the general manager of the Water Group (nominated by Li Dakang).

Looking around, aside from Zhao Donglai and the Water Group's general manager, who might speak up for him, almost everyone was either one of Lin Yanzhou's people or someone who dared not offend him.

How was this his home turf? It was clearly Lin Yanzhou's parade ground!

At three sharp, Lin Yanzhou's car arrived right on time.

After getting out, he dispensed with pleasantries, walked straight to the head seat, and sat down. He got directly to the point. "Mayor Ding, let's begin. We have only one goal today: produce a thorough, workable solution and give the people downstream a clear answer."

Ding Yizhen steeled himself and chaired the meeting, first asking the Environmental Protection Bureau to report its findings on the sources of the pollution.

Luo Yong had come prepared. He pointed directly at the sewage outfall into the Qingshui River behind him. "Mayor Lin, leaders, after round-the-clock investigations and technical analysis, we have now established the facts conclusively. First, the pollution primarily came from the Guangming Peak Project illegally discharging chemical wastewater directly into the Qingshui River. Second, domestic sewage and industrial wastewater from the construction site were routed into an abandoned municipal storm drain, ultimately flowing into the Qingshui River. Here are copies of the construction drawings from that time and our test reports."

The evidence was conclusive, pinning responsibility squarely on the Guangming Peak Project.

Ding Yizhen tried to defend it. "The circumstances were complicated in the project's early stages. Perhaps it was an emergency measure at the time?"

Wen Zhiyuan immediately interrupted him. "Mayor Ding, an emergency cannot justify long-term illegal wastewater discharge! This wasn't merely a dereliction of duty, but a disregard for laws and regulations!" This "sidelined" deputy mayor seemed exceptionally forceful at that moment.

Finance Bureau Director Liu Yongning spoke next. "Based on Director Luo's report, our preliminary estimate is that completely cutting off the pollution sources, repairing the damaged pipe network, and purifying the existing water will require approximately eighty million yuan. The Municipal Finance Bureau has conducted a preliminary review and believes that, since this concerns a major public welfare issue, funding must be guaranteed. We can advance the money from the special emergency fund, but responsibility must ultimately be established, and the responsible party must bear the cost."

Those words put the money issue directly on the table and implied that reimbursement would be sought from the Guangming Peak Project.

Ding Yizhen's face darkened. "Eighty million? Isn't that too much? The project's funds are very tight too."

The Qingshan District chief immediately grew anxious. "Mayor Ding, this funding cannot wait any longer! The people in our district have already been drinking dirty water for six months! If this drags on, we'll have a major problem! This money must be made available as soon as possible!"

Guangming District Chief Sun Liancheng wanted to chime in on Ding's behalf, but a glare from Cheng Du stopped him. Cheng Du said gravely, "The Guangming Branch Bureau has completed its investigation. All those responsible have been reported to the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection. Internal personnel have already been placed under shuanggui by the commission in accordance with the law, while all external personnel have been handed over to the procuratorate for prosecution. Going forward, we will do everything possible to maintain social stability throughout the cleanup. Any attempt to obstruct or delay the cleanup will be treated as obstruction of official duties and dealt with firmly!"

Zhao Donglai also cleared his throat and stated his position. "The Municipal Bureau supports the Guangming Branch Bureau in handling this case according to law. Ensuring that the cleanup proceeds smoothly is a priority for the public security system at present." He had chosen to stand with the prevailing tide.

Ding Yizhen was completely isolated. He discovered that every time he spoke, at least two or three people would simultaneously challenge and question him. His so-called "resistance" seemed pale and powerless before the invisible net Lin Yanzhou had woven. It was like sinking into a mire: the harder he struggled, the deeper he sank.

Lin Yanzhou listened calmly throughout, until everyone had stated their position and all eyes once again focused on him.

He slowly rose, walked to the riverbank, and pointed at the murky water. His voice was not loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly:

"You've all seen it, and you've all made yourselves very clear. The problem is clear, responsibility is established, everyone involved has already been punished, the solution is specific, and funding has been secured. What reason is there, then, for any further delay?"

He turned, his sharp gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Ding Yizhen's ashen face. "Mayor Ding, you're the overall commander of the Guangming Peak Project. In your view, is there anything in this plan that still needs to be 'studied'?"

Ding Yizhen opened his mouth, only to find that he could not utter a single word. Every retreat had been blocked, every excuse exposed. With difficulty, he shook his head.

"Good!" Lin Yanzhou brought the gavel down. "Then enter the following into the meeting minutes:

"First, the Environmental Protection Bureau will take the lead, with the Water Group assisting, to completely shut off the illegal outfalls within three days.

"Second, the Finance Bureau will ensure the funds are in place tomorrow. The work will go out to tender immediately, and construction crews will enter the site within a week.

"Third, Qingshan and Guangming districts will establish a joint working group, with Deputy Mayor Wen Zhiyuan coordinating overall. It will be responsible for reassuring residents and providing emergency water supplies, ensuring that their access to water is not affected during the cleanup.

"Fourth, the Public Security Bureau will step up routine patrols. If anyone dares to stir up trouble at this critical juncture, no matter who is involved, investigate it to the bottom and handle it according to law.

"Fifth, forward the on-site meeting minutes to the Municipal Party Committee's Publicity Department as well. Ask them to follow up, promptly publicize the cleanup's progress, and respond to public concerns."

After each point, someone answered loudly, "Yes!"

Once all five points had been delivered, the entire solution was clear and definite, with responsibility assigned to individuals and specific deadlines set.

"Mayor Ding, do you have anything to add?" Lin Yanzhou asked at the end.

Ding Yizhen waved a hand, his voice dry. "No. The Guangming Peak Project will resolutely comply with Mayor Lin's instructions."

"Meeting adjourned!"

The residents applauded with extraordinary enthusiasm. This was their first time seeing a so-called on-site meeting. When they had received the notice earlier, they had been bewildered, thinking the government was playing some new trick. But after seeing the meeting's results, they finally understood: at last, an upright magistrate had come.

Everyone left amid the residents' sustained applause to carry out their respective tasks. Ding Yizhen stood rooted to the spot, utterly lost, watching Lin Yanzhou's car speed away in a cloud of dust. He had intended to flex his muscles, only for Lin Yanzhou to pin him to the ground and grind him down without giving him any chance to fight back.

In the car, Chen Mo asked quietly, "Sir, Ding Yizhen this time..."

Lin Yanzhou said evenly, "He's already fighting like a cornered beast. Li Dakang can protect him for a while, but not forever. If he still fails to recognize his place after this, have him oversee science, education, and health. If he still insists on being a toad lusting after swan meat, just let the discipline inspection commission's blade fall."

Through a single on-site working meeting, Lin Yanzhou had used his absolute control to declare to everyone: in Jingzhou, a new era of solving problems had arrived.