Funding secured for Qingshui River pollution cleanup

While Lin Yanzhou was on his way to the Qingshui River, an exceptionally heated discussion was underway in the small conference room at the municipal government offices. Everyone had different views on the Guangming Peak Project.

At Sun Liancheng's suggestion, Wen Zhiyuan also invited Executive Vice Mayor Wu Qinghua, municipal policy research office director Li Zhouming, development and reform commission director Zhang Hua, and representatives from the municipal planning bureau and the municipal land and natural resources bureau to participate, so they could gain a more comprehensive and thorough understanding of the Guangming Peak Project and avoid overlooking important information.

Sun Liancheng also wanted to use this opportunity to give his former superior, Wu Qinghua, some exposure before the mayor and see whether there was a chance to bring him into the mayor's camp.

When everyone arrived at the municipal Party committee conference room, the table was covered with planning maps, data reports, and policy documents.

Holding a laser pointer, Wen Zhiyuan indicated a regional planning map on the projection screen.

"Mayor Lin's instructions just now were very clear. We need to break out of the old, extensive model of 'large-scale demolition and construction, rapid monetization.' The focus is on how to build a new model that is 'refined and sustainable.'

"Director Zhang, you previously worked on ecological economic zone planning at the provincial level. Tell us your thoughts."

Zhang Hua adjusted his glasses and stood up. "I believe the key lies in integration and internal driving forces. The Guangming Peak area must not become an isolated 'new city.' It must be deeply integrated with the existing industries, transportation, and ecological framework of the main urban area. For example, here..."

He pointed to an area on the planning map. "The original plan was to raze everything and build a commercial center. But according to some preliminary materials we've obtained, this area contains several old factory complexes with decades of history. Their production capacity may be outdated, but industrial workers are concentrated there, and the community ecosystem is well established. Could we draw on the experience of some more advanced regions and carry out 'micro-renovations,' preserving the character of the industrial heritage while introducing new business activities such as research and design and cultural and creative industries, achieving industrial upgrading rather than simple replacement? That would preserve the city's memory and reduce social disruption, and it might also foster more distinctive industrial clusters."

Policy research office director Li Zhouming nodded and added, "Director Zhang's thinking is very enlightening. From an investment perspective, razing everything would be extremely costly, entail a lengthy demolition and relocation process, and easily trigger disputes. If we adopt a 'patchwork' approach to development, dividing it into zones and phases and combining preservation with renewal, the initial funding pressure would be much lower. It would also better meet the market's demand to 'advance steadily on solid ground.'"

Executive Vice Mayor Wu Qinghua raised a question. "But would that affect the overall image and pace of implementation? What Secretary Li Dakang values most is speed and image."

Wen Zhiyuan picked up the thread. "That is the key issue Mayor Lin needs to weigh and plan for. Our job now is to produce a proposal based on Mayor Lin's requirements and demonstrate that 'high-quality speed' is the only true speed."

"For example, we could prioritize construction in the core and demonstration zones, quickly establishing a benchmark effect while simultaneously advancing detailed planning and the introduction of industries in the other areas. We can use the success of the demonstration zone to prove the new model's feasibility and superiority, which would in turn accelerate the entire project. That means using quality to drive speed, rather than sacrificing quality for speed."

He looked around at everyone. "Mayor Lin will want to hear our understanding when he returns. Our task is not simply to reject the original proposal, but to produce an improved one that is more practical, more sustainable, and capable of passing at the municipal Party committee level-or at least acceptable to Secretary Li Dakang."

"Keep going, everyone. Discuss these dimensions in depth: industrial integration, investment and financing models, social risk management, and ecological protection. I want concrete ideas and preliminary feasibility analyses."

Sparks of ideas kept colliding in the conference room.

They all knew that Lin Yanzhou leaving them here for an in-depth discussion meant the burden ahead would be very heavy. But it was also an enormous opportunity to participate in and lead the reshaping of a major project that might become a benchmark.

Meanwhile, Lin Yanzhou's car had reached the banks of the Qingshui River. He got out and stood beside the river as the early autumn breeze brushed his face, carrying the river's distinctive foul, murky odor.

He gazed at the water. More than a month had passed since the last on-site working meeting, and the water quality had indeed improved. The murky dark green had turned grayish yellow, and from close up, objects a few dozen centimeters underwater were faintly visible. But it was still a far cry from "clear."

More noticeable was the soil along the banks, which still gave off a faint chemical odor, reminding people of the industrial wounds this place had suffered.

Environmental protection bureau director Luo Yong stood half a step behind him to one side, cautiously reporting their progress and difficulties. "Mayor, as you can see, the water quality readings have fallen by sixty percent compared with before. Both COD and ammonia nitrogen now meet Class V water standards. Although the water is still unsuitable for direct contact, ecological restoration is already showing initial results."

"But the soil contamination around here and the removal of sediment really are matters where fine work takes time. They need time and enormous investment. Restoring everything to its original state will probably take around ten years, and some of the damage is even irreversible."

Lin Yanzhou did not turn around. His gaze remained fixed on the traces of black pollutants floating on the river. He knew the Qingshui River involved groundwater contamination from industrial wastewater and already qualified as moderately polluted.

The core remediation measures were "groundwater extraction and treatment + permeable reactive barriers," with a recovery period generally ranging from five to ten years. Recovery from heavy metal contamination took ten to fifteen years. Heavy metals could not be degraded and required long-term monitoring for stability.

This was required coursework in Party school training and economic development for them as leading Party and government officials.

He stopped dwelling on the remediation timeline. "What about the cleanup funding? The last meeting explicitly required the main companies responsible for the pollution to bear the cleanup costs. Have the corporate payments been secured to cover the portion advanced by the municipal treasury?"

An awkward look appeared on Luo Yong's face, and he swallowed. "Well... Mayor Lin, the funds haven't all arrived yet. Mayor Ding's position is that the treasury should cover things for now. He's coordinating with the relevant companies. He said the companies have difficulties too, and they need time to turn their funds around."

"Difficulties?" Lin Yanzhou's voice carried a bone-chilling coldness.

"Why didn't they think about the difficulties of cleaning up afterward when they polluted the river? The treasury's money belongs to the taxpayers of this entire city. It is not an unlimited advance for wiping polluting companies' backsides!"

He turned and said to Luo Yong, "Put it on speaker and call Vice Mayor Ding Yizhen."

The call connected quickly, and Ding Yizhen's warm voice came through. "Hello, Director Luo. I'm receiving investors right now. If it's nothing important, let's talk later."

"Standing Committee Member Ding, Mayor Lin is right beside me. He wants to speak to you."

Ding Yizhen's heart sank. He immediately went into a quiet room. "Mayor Yanzhou, what are your instructions?"

"Comrade Yizhen."

Lin Yanzhou got straight to the point, his voice audible to both Luo Yong and Cheng Du through the speakerphone.

"I'm at the Qingshui River cleanup site right now. Comrade Luo Yong reports that the companies' share of the cleanup funding has still not been transferred to the municipal treasury. You said earlier that you were coordinating this. I'd like to hear the specific progress and timetable."

There was a pause on the other end, followed by Ding Yizhen's smiling explanation. "Oh, that matter. Mayor Yanzhou, I'm working on it as quickly as possible. Several of the main companies, such as the Guangming Chemical Plant, genuinely have difficulties. Their results last quarter were poor. I'm working on persuading them to pay in installments..."

"Comrade Yizhen," Lin Yanzhou interrupted without ceremony.

"The Qingshui River cleanup is a key public welfare project designated by the municipal Party committee and government. It is also an environmental prerequisite for the smooth progress of the Guangming Peak Project. Cleanup funding must be guaranteed! I am now explicitly requiring every company involved to transfer its full share of cleanup costs into the municipal treasury's designated account within five working days. The portion advanced by the treasury must be reimbursed at the same time."

He paused, putting pressure on the person at the other end, then continued, "Comrade Luo Yong, your municipal environmental protection bureau is to issue another penalty decision and payment demand to the polluting companies under Article Nine of the Measures for Administrative Penalties for Ecological and Environmental Violations and Article Ninety-Four of the Water Pollution Prevention and Control Law, requiring them to fund the pollution cleanup."

"If the companies involved have any objections, they may apply for administrative reconsideration or bring an administrative lawsuit. I will coordinate with the relevant bodies to prioritize handling them. If any company fails to pay within the deadline, apply to the court for compulsory enforcement in the name of the municipal environmental protection bureau."

Luo Yong immediately replied, "Understood. I'll implement it right away."

Lin Yanzhou addressed Cheng Du next. "Comrade Cheng Du."

Cheng Du jolted and immediately answered, "Mayor, I'm here!"

"You are responsible for supervising implementation. After five working days, if the funds from any company have not arrived, immediately assist the municipal environmental protection bureau in initiating proceedings to apply for a court order freezing the bank accounts of that company and its affiliated companies and seizing the corresponding assets."

"At the same time, in accordance with the minutes of the last on-site working meeting, the Guangming District Public Security Bureau is to take the lead in opening a criminal investigation into that company and pursuing its legal liability for environmental pollution."

Not only did Ding Yizhen hear every word clearly over the phone, but Luo Yong, Cheng Du, and the accompanying personnel beside Lin Yanzhou heard it all distinctly as well.

This was a merciless final ultimatum, with no room left whatsoever.

The line was silent for several seconds. When Ding Yizhen spoke again, all trace of his earlier smile had vanished, replaced by solemn seriousness. "Understood, Mayor Lin. Please rest assured. I will personally see to it immediately and ensure that all the funds are in place within five working days!"

"Good. I'll be waiting to see the results." With that, Lin Yanzhou hung up.

He put away the phone and looked at the tense faces of Luo Yong and Cheng Du. "Did you hear that? The funding issue must be resolved within five working days. Director Luo, your job is to mobilize the strongest team as soon as the funds arrive and accelerate the cleanup. I want real improvements that can be seen with the naked eye! Comrade Cheng Du, your task is to keep these companies firmly in your sights. Legal measures are our final safeguard. I don't want to use them, but if anyone wants to test us, there will be absolutely no leniency!"

"Yes, Mayor!" the two answered in unison, cold sweat seeping down both their backs. They could clearly feel that this young mayor's methods were far tougher than they had imagined.

Lin Yanzhou took one last look at the Qingshui River, then turned toward his official car.

He only wanted to resolve the problem quickly. Whoever tried to play games with public welfare, no matter who they were, he would draw his sword. His original aspiration was to improve people's lives.

He also knew that these thunderous measures would soon spread through Jingzhou's relevant circles of vested interests. This was both an effort to resolve the Qingshui River's funding predicament and an unmistakable assertion of authority.

Next, it would depend on how Ding Yizhen "coordinated" and what choices those companies made. Only after this preliminary obstacle was removed could the great chess game of the Guangming Peak Project truly proceed according to his thinking, one move at a time.

By the time he returned to his office, it was already evening. Li Ze and the others were waiting outside the door, their faces tired but their eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Mayor, we have some preliminary ideas." Li Ze stepped forward and handed him an outline.

Lin Yanzhou took it and read as he walked. "Come in and tell me. Let me hear how you understand 'fortifying each step and advancing steadily on solid ground.'"

The office door closed, and a new round of brainstorming quietly unfolded in the gathering dusk.

Li Dakang was listening to his secretary report that Lin Yanzhou had called Ding Yizhen from beside the Qingshui River and demanded that he resolve the funding issue within five working days.

Li Dakang sat behind his desk, continually toying with the two packs of special-supply cigarettes as he considered his next move.

"Notify Ding Yizhen that he is required to carry out Mayor Yanzhou's instructions."