Breaking the Ice
Early the next morning, in the dilapidated community office, Lin Yanzhou sat at the head of the table, surrounded by officials with grave expressions; outside, residents packed the area so tightly that not a drop of water could have passed through.
As the meeting began, the buck-passing and wrangling unfolded right on schedule.
Qingshan District complained first. "Mayor Lin, our district's finances are in dire straits. The pipe network in this area is severely aging, and replacing it completely would require enormous funding. Besides, the pollution really does come from the construction in Guangming District."
Guangming District immediately countered, "The project site has yet to be handed over. During construction, responsibility for safety and environmental protection lies with the project headquarters and the contractor. We've already sent them repeated letters demanding corrective action."
The water company began citing various regulations, attempting to demonstrate how overlapping and complicated the responsibilities were.
The Environmental Protection Bureau had sent its deputy director, Luo Yong. One glance was enough to see that he was a typical intellectual; pushed into this situation, he had clearly been sent to provide "explanations," or even take the blame.
He adjusted his glasses. "Mayor Lin, based on our preliminary investigation, we can be reasonably certain that the water pollution originated in water from Qingshui River Chemical."
The words had barely left his mouth before Liu Fengming cut him off, his tone stern and impatient. "Director Luo, how long have you even been at the Environmental Protection Bureau? You haven't fully grasped the situation yet. Don't jump to conclusions!"
The contractor's representative beside him hurried to follow Liu Fengming's lead. "Yes, yes, Mayor Liu is right. This definitely has nothing to do with Qingshui River. We've conducted construction strictly according to regulations. Small-scale leaks may be unavoidable, but we've responded very quickly and have been actively cooperating with the response all along. It's just that we really still need the government's help coordinating compensation and pipe network upgrades."
Lin Yanzhou gestured for Vice Mayor Liu Fengming, who oversaw the relevant portfolios, to speak; his main responsibilities included urban construction, environmental protection, water resources and water services, civil affairs, and poverty alleviation.
Liu Fengming wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Mayor Lin, I've reported this situation to Mayor Ding. His view was that construction in this area would be completed within two years, and everything could be resolved together then."
An awkward silence fell over the office.
Lin Yanzhou suddenly signaled for his secretary to bring over bowls of murky tap water. "Please, everyone, taste the water ordinary people drink every day."
Everyone looked toward Liu Fengming, hoping he would say something. Left with no choice, Liu Fengming spoke. "Mayor Lin, surely this isn't appropriate!"
Lin Yanzhou picked up a bowl first and drained it in one go under his secretary's worried gaze.
Seeing that Lin Yanzhou had drunk it, everyone seated there could only steel themselves and swallow theirs. Retching immediately broke out all around.
"Let me ask you all how this water tastes." Lin Yanzhou's gaze slowly swept the room. Wherever it landed, people unconsciously lowered their heads and pretended to leaf through the documents in their hands. Not even a crow or sparrow made a sound; no one dared raise their head and answer.
"Mayor Liu, you answer." Lin Yanzhou had no intention of stopping there.
"Mayor Lin, it's not fit for human consumption. I accept the blame. Once I get back, I'll immediately organize the departments to put things right." Liu Fengming's eyes darted away, not daring to meet Lin Yanzhou's gaze.
"Since everyone agrees it's not fit for human consumption," Lin Yanzhou's voice suddenly hardened, "yet our ordinary people have been drinking it for a year, why have none of you seen where the problem lies? Are you unable to solve it, or unwilling?"
"Comrades, if an official won't stand up for the people, he'd be better off going home to sell sweet potatoes." Lin Yanzhou continued, deeply pained. "Since you all say it's difficult, you must have your reasons. I've only just arrived and don't understand the relevant circumstances, so I won't force you."
"Until this is resolved, arrange emergency water supplies. The Guangming Peak Project Department will put up the money first. Once the investigation determines whose problem it was, I'll hold whoever is responsible accountable. Until it's resolved, before the problem is solved, I'll send each of you a bowl every day, so you remember what ordinary people are enduring and don't forget it all the moment you lift your backsides out of your chairs!"
Everyone exchanged looks. At that moment, Vice Mayor Liu stood up. "Comrades, Mayor Lin has only just arrived, and we're already tossing this longstanding problem at him. What kind of conduct is that? We need to take responsibility and act on our own initiative."
"First, the water company must assess immediately after returning how long restoring the water supply will take; second, will the Guangming Peak project supply water every day during the transition as the mayor requires? Third, every department must submit its plan and timetable for thoroughly resolving the pipe network pollution!"
"Mayor, would this be acceptable?" Liu Fengming asked Lin Yanzhou cautiously.
"Vice Mayor Liu, are you still practicing tai chi here? Right here, today, you must give me a clear answer! Who's responsible for what, and when will it be finished? Put it down in black and white, signed and sealed with your fingerprints! If you can't solve it, I'll recommend to the municipal Party committee right now that we replace you with people who can!"
The room fell completely silent. Seeing that no one would respond, Lin Yanzhou issued orders directly.
"Water company! Emergency water tankers must be in place before noon!"
"Environmental Protection Bureau! Submit the pollution assessment report this afternoon!"
"The city will take the lead, with both districts cooperating to establish a working group to investigate responsibility for this problem!"
"The project headquarters will cooperate fully and advance the funds!"
Each order was clear and specific, with responsibility assigned to individuals. No one dared pass the buck again.
After the meeting, Lin Yanzhou said just one thing to the residents: "The problem will be solved. Please give me a little time."
Hopeful applause erupted from the crowd. At Lin Yanzhou's signal, Chen Mo escorted Environmental Protection Bureau Deputy Director Luo Yong into the official car.
The news spread like wildfire. On his second day in office, the new mayor had made an inspection without notices, advance alerts, reports, or accompanying reception parties, going straight to the grassroots and the scene, speaking up for ordinary people and making on-the-spot decisions to resolve a longstanding, stubborn problem!
On the drive back, Lin Yanzhou received an encrypted message: "The people's hearts are like water: they can carry a boat or overturn it. Though risky, this move surpasses countless schemes. -Father"
Inside the municipal Party committee building, Li Dakang stood at the window gazing into the distance after hearing the report.
"Lin Yanzhou." This was no spur-of-the-moment act of kindness, but a precisely targeted probe and a signal. "This fire he lit really burned both accurately and ruthlessly."
In a single day, Lin Yanzhou had chosen the most inconspicuous point of entry to make his voice forcefully heard in Jingzhou. At the same time, this was the first step toward breaking out of the information cocoon (meaning a little silkworm breaking out of its shell). Wasn't the "harmony and stability" in official briefing materials precisely what needed to be tested against the real voices in the streets and alleyways?
This would tell him more about how Jingzhou operated and where resistance came from than directly tackling those enormous projects. It showed his precise grasp of Jingzhou's political situation and his determination to break the deadlock.