Right path to power

With the opening of the water stage, square dancing, singing competitions and other programs have been held one after another, and the popularity of the Changning River cultural tourism project has gradually increased.

Taking advantage of the summer vacation, Dayuan's operations team launched a series of programs, including a quiz with prizes, which attracted many people from the surrounding area to participate with their children. Coupled with the reopening of Changning Ancient Street and reports from television stations and related media, Fuchuan County ushered in a small tourism boom.

The Changning River rafting project also started operation a week ahead of schedule. On the opening day, a food festival was held in the surrounding area, which attracted many people to come and play.

Although a large number of tourists flocked to Fuchuan County, Lin Xiao made various preparations in advance based on his experience in Fengshan.

In addition to ordering Liu Yun to increase police presence and strengthen patrols, he also requested that departments such as urban management, industry and commerce, health and family planning, and tourism increase the intensity of inspections and spot checks, improve service quality, and strive to give tourists the best experience.

At the same time, through both overt and covert investigations, we will urge all types of businesses to operate in compliance with regulations and resolutely and severely punish behaviors such as shortchanging customers, raising prices on short notice, forcing customers to buy or sell, and overcharging customers.

In addition, the county has set up several service stations to provide consultation and complaint services.

These measures have yielded remarkable results, leaving tourists with an excellent impression and gradually spreading through word of mouth.

This attracted even more people to visit.

Unbeknownst to many, Fuchuan County has become a popular tourist destination, even attracting the attention of provincial leaders.

"County Chief Lin, the overall progress of the project is faster than expected. I estimate that once the supporting residential projects start pre-sales, there will be another surge in demand."

Li Lei, the person in charge of the Dayuan Real Estate project department, happily reported to Lin Xiao, who came to conduct research.

Lin Xiao was also very happy. It can be said that the Changning River cultural tourism project has achieved initial success. Next, they are waiting for the "Childhood in the Countryside" program team to come and film. After the program airs, it will surely attract more attention.

"Mr. Li, we hope that while ensuring the progress, you must also ensure the quality of the project. Once a safety accident occurs, the impact will be significant. You must strengthen your self-supervision, and the county will also arrange relevant departments to conduct supervision and inspection."

Li Lei said confidently, "Please rest assured, County Chief Lin, ensuring quality and quantity has always been our top priority at Dayuan Real Estate. General Manager Zhao has also repeatedly emphasized that quality checks must be conducted at every stage..."

Just then, a young female secretary suddenly pushed the door open and rushed in: "Mr. Li, something terrible has happened..."

"What are you doing? Can't you see we're in a meeting?" Li Lei said angrily, inwardly blaming his secretary for being oblivious.

The secretary, reprimanded, turned pale and her eyes reddened. She said, aggrieved, "Mr. Li, I just received a call saying there's been a collapse on the riverside walkway..."

"What?"

Li Lei suddenly stood up, his face turning pale instantly.

He had just been patting his chest and guaranteeing the quality of the project, but an accident happened right after he finished speaking. This is such a quick slap in the face.

"Let's go to the scene." Lin Xiao frowned and got up to walk out.

At the same time, Wang Xinghong was instructed to immediately notify the fire department, police, and hospitals to call and rush to the scene as quickly as possible to handle the situation.

Soon, the group arrived at the accident scene.

A large crowd had gathered around, and several patrolling police officers were maintaining order and organizing people to evacuate to the cordon.

"Did anyone fall? Is anyone hurt?" Lin Xiao asked loudly.

"Reporting to the county magistrate, three people have fallen in. Two have been rescued, but one was swept away by the river. We are conducting a full-scale search and rescue operation."

"Notify all towns and villages along the river to organize search and rescue forces and do everything possible to save lives. Has the fire brigade arrived yet?"

"Reporting to the county magistrate, we've arrived."

"Report to the municipal fire brigade as soon as possible to request reinforcements, and the brigade will coordinate with fire departments in neighboring districts and counties along the river to provide assistance."

"Yes, County Magistrate."

"The injured should be rushed to the hospital for treatment. The cordon should be expanded further outwards, and the crowd should be evacuated. Relevant personnel from the Dayuan Real Estate project should remain on site to cooperate with the investigation and should not leave without authorization..."

With a series of instructions issued, the on-site rescue work became smooth and orderly.

At this moment, Lin Xiao arrived at the collapse site. Upon closer inspection, the collapsed walkway was estimated to be 100 meters long. From the collapsed section, it was clear that the walkway was mostly soil underneath, with only a thin layer of cement pavement on top, and the steel bars inside the guardrails on both sides were also relatively thin.

It is obvious that there are problems with the construction quality of this trail.

Lin Xiao's face darkened—what she feared most had come to pass.

Just when the cultural tourism project was finally showing initial results, a safety accident occurred.

Li Lei said with a guilty expression, "I'm sorry, County Chief Lin, it's a management problem on our part. Regarding this unexpected incident, the company will..."

Lin Xiao interrupted, "Don't rush to take responsibility. The county will investigate who is at fault. I've taken a quick look, and this isn't an accident; it's a typical construction quality issue. Dayuan has always had a good reputation, so why did this happen?"

"Construction quality?"

Li Lei was full of doubts. He had been with Dayuan for over ten years and had never encountered any engineering quality problems.

He inspected the collapsed area carefully, looked around, and then turned to Lin Xiao, saying, "County Chief, the construction company for this section of the project wasn't Dayuan; it was subcontracted to Jianhong Construction Company. However, Dayuan also bears management responsibility. General Manager Zhao is already on his way."

Upon hearing the name "Jianhong Construction," Lin Xiao paused, "Isn't this your Dayuan project? How come it's Jianhong's again?"

He certainly remembered Jianhong Construction; not long ago, he had refused to put in a good word for Xia Yingjie.

"Yes...the county leaders put in a good word for me..."

"County leaders? Which ones?"

Just then, Tang Meiyun arrived at the scene. Seeing Lin Xiao there, she hurriedly went up to greet her.

Lin Xiao looked at her, recalling Li Lei's words from earlier, and asked, "County Chief Tang, do you know which company is specifically in charge of this section of the project?"

Tang Meiyun's heart tightened—could it be such a coincidence?

"County Chief, I'm not entirely sure either. I apologize for not paying enough attention to the specific operation of the project in the past. I will definitely pay more attention in the future."

She looked ashamed at the collapsed walkway, thinking to herself: she really was unaware of the project details. She hadn't interfered with who Dayuan awarded the project to; she had only recommended a few companies. As for why she made those recommendations, that was at Zhu Lishu's behest, and she had repeatedly emphasized the need to ensure the quality of the project...

She felt she had done her job very well.

So what does the collapse of the trail have to do with her?

Lin Xiao glanced at her: "Project quality is of paramount importance. Supervision cannot just be lip service; we must take real responsibility."

When criticized in public, Tang Meiyun's face turned pale. She wanted to explain, but in the end, she just nodded slightly.

"Found it, found it!"

"The person has been found."

Someone came forward to report that the person who had been swept away by the river had been rescued and was receiving emergency treatment.

Lin Xiao quickly walked towards where the people had been rescued.

Several medical staff are taking turns performing CPR and artificial respiration on the person who fell into the water.

Some onlookers whispered among themselves, while others took photos and videos.

Just when the project was showing signs of improvement, this incident occurred, which is enough to expose a major management loophole.

As for how Jianhong Construction obtained the subcontract and which leader made the request, these questions need to be thoroughly investigated.

Exclamations of surprise erupted from the crowd.

The person who fell into the water was rescued and immediately sent to the hospital for further treatment.

Watching the ambulance leave, Lin Xiao said to Li Lei, "Close the entire riverside scenic walkway as soon as possible for quality inspection and to eliminate safety hazards. The county will soon send a working group to conduct a quality assessment of the entire project. Starting tomorrow, except for Changning Ancient Street, which will remain open to the public, all other completed or under-construction projects, as well as projects already in use, will be closed until they pass the county's inspection. Also, make sure the injured are comforted."

Li Lei was annoyed and tried to say, "County Chief Lin, isn't this a bit...?"

"Are you trying to say that everyone is on edge? Let me tell you—human life is of paramount importance. We were just lucky today, and the rescue was timely, which prevented serious consequences, but it's enough to make everyone take this seriously, including myself."

"Can......"

Li Lei was about to say something when he was interrupted by a rebuke from not far away.

"What do you mean, 'what do you mean, 'do'! Just do as County Chief Lin says." Zhao Binyuan walked over hurriedly, his face grim. "I'm sorry, County Chief Lin, I'm sorry to disappoint you. I, Dayuan, bear the main responsibility for this matter. Do whatever you say. It was my poor management. I will immediately shut down all projects and conduct a safety hazard investigation."

Lin Xiao nodded slightly—he was satisfied with Zhao Binyuan's attitude and trusted Zhao Binyuan from the bottom of his heart.

He didn't say anything more, but instead asked Zhao Binyuan to go back to the county with him, while instructing Tang Meiyun to stay at the scene to handle the aftermath.