Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 1083 - Chapter 1083 Chapter 1039 Initiate an Investigation

Chapter 1083: Chapter 1039: Initiate an Investigation Chapter 1083: Chapter 1039: Initiate an Investigation In the small conference room of the provincial committee, all thirteen standing committee members of the Hongjiang Province were present. Remarkably, at the time Xu Hongzhuan called, none were out of town, all were in Hongcheng City.

At half-past eleven, normally, in another half hour, it would be time to finish work. However, at this moment, inside the small conference room, everyone was there, all seated and all a bit baffled. Why call an emergency standing committee meeting at this time?

He Yusheng’s gaze was somewhat hazy. He had a bad premonition. In the morning, he had received a report from the Bureau of Land and Resources. The situation was terrible. The ground collapse was, as it turned out, related to the Meiping Coal Mine. He had just been discussing with Fang Yuanshan how to handle it when he received a call from Xu Hongzhuan, the Secretary-General of the provincial committee: Secretary Nie had requested all standing committee members to rush to the meeting room for an emergency meeting.

Nie Zhenbang entered with two reports in his hand and took his seat without looking around, saying solemnly, “Comrades, let’s start the meeting.”

After the opening remarks, Nie Zhenbang went straight to the point, “The main purpose of this emergency meeting of the standing committee is to discuss last week’s geological disaster of ground collapses that occurred around the Meiping Coal Mine area.”

“Why? Why did such a severe geological disaster occur? Why, after bringing in the Ou Ke Group, did the Meiping Coal Mine suddenly experience such a major problem? This is a question worthy of deep reflection by all comrades present.”

Nie Zhenbang’s tone was very stern, raising his voice when he mentioned the Ou Ke Group. This action immediately silenced the room.

Many standing committee members looked toward Nie Zhenbang, with Qin Guanghan and Li Yihong involuntarily turning their gazes to Fang Yuanshan. After being quiet for nearly three months, was Nie Zhenbang, who hadn’t made a move until now, suddenly taking action? Could it be that there really was some issue with the Meiping Coal Mine?

Clearly, Secretary Nie spoke bluntly, aiming directly at the Ou Ke Group, which was sufficient to indicate that Nie Zhenbang was ready to turn against Fang Yuanshan. Everyone knew that the Ou Ke Group was a project Fang Yuanshan had strongly advocated for since his appointment. If there was a problem, Fang Yuanshan’s reputation would be in tatters, and life on the Hongjiang River would not be easy for him. To speak of the unspeakable, if any scandal or issue emerged, Fang Yuanshan would only be able to live skulking in humiliation.

At that moment, He Yusheng was also somewhat anxious, looking at Fang Yuanshan. Such coincidences didn’t just happen in this world. It was certain that the geological report had reached Secretary Nie. Now it all depended on how Fang Yuanshan would respond.

On his part, Fang Yuanshan appeared calm and composed. Sitting up straight, he said to Nie Zhenbang, “Secretary Nie, may I say a few words?”

Fang Yuanshan then spoke directly, “Secretary Nie, I feel that the words just now were somewhat overstated. True, according to the Bureau of Land and Resources report, the ground collapses that have occurred in the five townships around the coal mining area do have to do with the mine. The fundamental cause is the severe loss of groundwater, which has altered the geological structure. The ground lost its support, leading to collapses. But personally, I believe that these are unpreventable issues we have to face in economic development. “You have to break some eggs to make an omelette,” as they say. Sometimes, sacrifices are inevitable for economic construction and social progress. There’s definitely no need to make a big fuss.”

Fang Yuanshan’s words were indeed a common mentality among many local leaders at the time.

As his words ended, He Yusheng also spoke up, “Secretary Nie, may I also say a few words?”

At that moment, Nie Zhenbang appeared very indifferent, looking at the two men as if he regarded them as fools. Did they really think they could fool him with such weak justifications?

He nodded calmly, “Vice Governor He, please go ahead.”

He Yusheng nodded slightly and said, “As everyone knows, coal mining inherently damages the environment. Currently, there is no technology in the world that can guarantee that there will be no loss of groundwater during the mining process. Personally, I think that this is an inevitable part of coal mining operations. Even if the Ou Ke Group had not been introduced, I believe that such an incident would have occurred sooner or later; it’s only a matter of time.”

After his words, Nie Zhenbang smiled faintly and said to the two men, “Governor Fang, Vice Governor He, do you two truly believe that?”

Speaking gravely, Nie Zhenbang said, “However, as far as I know, Ou Ke Group’s problems are not limited to this aspect. Prior to this, Ou Ke Group had claimed to invest five hundred million into Meiping Coal Mine, but in fact, according to investigations, they have only put in one hundred million up to now. Moreover, this portion of the funds mainly went into the coal miners’ residential area in Meiping City. It is said that Ou Ke Group planned to renovate the residential area and, using its land as a basis, develop the real estate market. Furthermore, in coal mining operations, Ou Ke Group didn’t even arrange measures for groundwater reflow before increasing the coal mine’s output. This is directly causing serious loss of groundwater and is the direct cause of geological disasters. Here are a series of photos. Everyone, please take a look. In the construction of mine shafts, the mighty Ou Ke Group is actually still using technology and equipment from the seventies and eighties of the last century.”

Nie Zhenbang’s words struck like a bolt from the blue; as soon as they were said, many standing committee members’ expressions changed. Fang Yuanshan’s originally composed expression was no longer composed. These were things he had not clarified beforehand. Now, struck by Nie Zhenbang’s blow, Fang Yuanshan was thrown into disarray. The Ou Ke Group was brought in by him, and regardless, the reputation of judging people poorly was bound to fall on his head.

On the table, the photos from Chen Le’s covert investigation were of considerable professional standard.

Judging by the clarity of the photos, they are quite good. Inside the coal mine’s tunnels, the lights are dim, stretching deep below. One can even see that in many places within the mine, wood is still being used for support.

This series of photos, laid out on the table, immediately caused many standing committee members to frown. Hongjiang Province is not known for its large-scale mining development. However, everyone present was not unworldly common folk. Clearly, the use of such technology in mining is a great hidden danger. It is a disregard for the miners’ lives and safety.

Beside them, the provincial committee secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, Gong Zheng, spoke gloomily, “Secretary Nie, I suggest that the provincial committee and the provincial government immediately terminate cooperation with the Ou Ke Group and close these mine shafts. Otherwise, if a mining disaster were to occur, the consequences would be unimaginable.”

Following that, Li Wei also spoke up, “I agree with Secretary Gong’s opinion, and I think it is necessary to immediately open a case for investigation into Meiping Coal Mine and Ou Ke Group. Such unconscionable enterprises, lacking social responsibility and public morality, must be exposed. Moreover, the cooperation should be terminated.”

Next up, Wei Lin, Chen Le, Xu Hongzhuan, and Zhou Chuanjia all made stern speeches, and without exception, everyone’s target was the Ou Ke Group.

Fang Yuanshan’s expression was gloomy, and He Yusheng’s was ashen. He Yusheng had contemplated a crushing defeat but had never thought that it would come so swiftly. In such a short period, Fang Yuanshan had been forced to retreat step by step. Not only had his authority been undercut, but he had also been cornered by Nie Zhenbang. His future within Hongjiang Province would now be difficult.

At this moment, Qin Guanghan also spoke in a moderated voice, “I approve of launching an investigation into the Ou Ke Group.”

His concise words made the point clear. At this time, Qin Guanghan also timely switched sides, obviously realizing that continuing on this path would only lead to darkness.

Fang Yuanshan’s mind was rapidly at work, considering how to resolve the current difficulties and crisis–this was Fang Yuanshan’s main concern right now. How to turn the situation around under such disadvantageous circumstances was what he most needed to consider.

After a moment of contemplation, Fang Yuanshan spoke in a deep voice, “I really didn’t expect that Ou Ke Group would be such a company. Here, I would like to first apologize to Secretary Nie and ask the organization for punishment–for my poor judgment. I failed to see the true nature of Ou Ke Group. I was blinded and almost made a grave mistake. I ask the organization to criticize and discipline me.”

As he spoke, Fang Yuanshan shifted his tone and said sternly, “Now that sufficient evidence against Ou Ke Group is at hand, and presumably, there won’t be any discrepancy, I suggest that the provincial committee immediately form a special task force to investigate Ou Ke Group. Based on the previous investment agreement, since Ou Ke Group has already violated the contract, the provincial government has the right to unilaterally terminate the contract. This matter needs a proper explanation for the public. Those who are engaged in illegal business practices must be severely punished to clean up the investment environment in Hongjiang Province.”

As Fang Yuanshan’s words fell, the meeting room was enveloped in silence. Even Nie Zhenbang couldn’t help but admire Fang Yuanshan’s decisiveness to make such a decision in such a short time, sacrificing the pawn to save the chariot. The ruthlessness of discarding a long-term partner at the drop of a hat was not something that just anyone could have.

However, by speaking out this way, Fang Yuanshan might have extricated himself from the crisis, but his reputation within the province was invisibly soiled. Think about it, who would dare to follow Fang Yuanshan in the future? If anything went wrong, one might be abandoned by Governor Fang at any moment.

No matter how Fang Yuanshan reacted, the main goal had been achieved. Nie Zhenbang summed up, “Since everyone shares this view, I don’t think there’s a need to raise hands and vote anymore. As Ou Ke Group is after all a commercial company, I suggest that the Public Security Department and the Discipline Inspection Commission jointly form a special task force to investigate the Meiping Coal Mine and Ou Ke Group.” (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (NovelFire.net) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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