256: Chapter 256 Please take this plan back and redo it.

Seeing that things were taking a turn for the worse, Deputy Secretary-General Fang Jianping retreated into the car, but the Coaster was tightly surrounded by the crowd.

The merchants and villagers of South Street held up posters, some clutching shock absorber plates snapped by mining trucks, others holding photos of the collapsed road surface, blocking the front of the vehicle completely.

Fang Jianping sat in the front row of the Coaster, the clamor outside the windows piercing through the glass.

The driver in the front row gripped the steering wheel tightly, sweat beading on his forehead.

"Deputy Secretary-General Fang, more people are gathering. I'm afraid there's going to be trouble," the Deputy Director of the Safety Supervision Bureau leaned in and whispered.

Fang Jianping did not speak.

His mission for this trip to the countryside was to find faults with Heishi Town. If he got out of the car to accept the petitions, he would be taking on a ticking time bomb. Not only would he be unable to investigate Zhu Wenhao, but he would also have to shoulder the burden of Ma Yunlong's long-standing debts back to the city.

However, if he didn't get out, this Coaster wouldn't be able to leave the mining area gates today. If a mass incident occurred, as the team leader, he would be held responsible.

A rhythmic knocking sounded from outside the vehicle door.

Police Chief Zhao Gang was leading several police officers to maintain order on both sides. They hadn't set up a cordon, only clearing a path through the crowd.

Zhu Wenhao stood outside the car door and tapped twice on the glass.

The door slid open.

"Deputy Secretary-General Fang, it's windy outside. It's easy for the masses to catch a cold standing in the mud for so long," Zhu Wenhao said, looking levelly at Fang Jianping inside the car. "The town has prepared a few tables. Could the comrades from the city please step out and collect the materials from the masses on-site?"

Fang Jianping's expression remained unchanged: "Comrade Wenhao, we are here to inspect production safety."

"What the masses have brought is the most authentic evidence of safety hazards." Zhu Wenhao turned sideways and pointed to the crowd behind him. "What the people desire, heaven will surely grant. The city showing compassion for the grassroots would set an example for Heishi Town. We can't let the common people feel that the city came all this way and wouldn't even accept a single petition."

Fang Jianping's knuckles tightened on his knees before slowly relaxing.

He stood up and stepped off the Coaster.

The bureau heads from Environmental Protection, Safety Supervision, and Finance had no choice but to bite the bullet and follow behind.

Director Xu Jie directed the staff to bring over three long tables, lining them up in the open space of the mining area.

The merchants and villagers of South Street formed a long line, piling photos, joint letters, and compensation slips onto the tables, stack by stack.

Zhu Wenhao took a handheld megaphone and walked to the front of the crowd.

"Folks, line up, one by one," Zhu Wenhao said, looking at everyone. "I'm setting a rule for everyone here today. From this day forward, until the mining restructuring is complete, all old mining truck fleets of Heishi Mining are to cease operations! The Town Government will coordinate with mass representatives and the city inspection team to verify road damage one by one! Whatever compensation is due will be deducted from the mining company's accounts!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd.

In the corner, several foremen usually kept by Ma Yunlong grew anxious. If the mine stopped, their source of income would be cut off.

A bald man stiffened his neck and shouted: "The road is collapsed, but if the mine stops, what will we hundreds of workers eat? Is the town going to pay our wages?!"

The voice was abrupt and carried strong incitement. Several miners in the back who didn't understand the situation started to stir.

Zhu Wenhao put down the megaphone.

He turned to look at Director Xu Jie: "Set up another table next to this one and hang a sign: 'Temporary Relief Registration Office for Miners'."

The bald man froze in place.

Zhu Wenhao looked at the miners: "Anyone who is owed wages by the mine, has unpaid workers' compensation, or has lost their livelihood during the shutdown, bring your ID cards to register. The town will first allocate special relief funds from the confiscated mining fines. If anyone dares to withhold a single cent from the workers during this period, Director Zhao is right here, and you can go straight inside to keep Boss Ma company."

The bald man swallowed hard, shrank back into the crowd, and didn't dare to make another sound.

Zhu Wenhao turned around, his gaze passing over the crowd and landing on General Manager Zhou Shutong a few steps away.

"Ms. Zhou."

"Jingjiang's capital wants to restructure Heishi Mining. The new owner must show some sincerity regarding the placement of miners," Zhu Wenhao looked at her. "As long as there is a safety net for this matter, the leaders of the city inspection team can rest assured handing over this mess. Wouldn't you agree?"

In front of high-ranking city officials, the entire town's populace, and hundreds of miners, he forced the capital side onto the stage.

Capital seeks profit. If they said they wouldn't care, the label of being a bloodsucker would be firmly attached; if they accepted, they would have to shoulder the historical burden.

General Manager Zhou Shutong looked at Zhu Wenhao. For the first time, she realized that his methods could be so direct.

"Since Secretary Zhu has spoken." General Manager Zhou Shutong stepped forward. "Our capital side values not just the mine, but even more so, harmony. As long as the restructuring plan is reached, we will take full responsibility for the placement of workers and the payment of arrears."

Thunderous applause erupted among the miners.

Fang Jianping stood behind the table, looking at the mountain of whistleblower materials, his face burning with pain.

Today's surprise inspection not only failed to negate the governance achievements of Heishi Town but instead became a cleaner for Zhu Wenhao to clear out bad debts.

Zhu Wenhao walked up to Fang Jianping's table.

A freshly printed copy of the "On-Site Minutes of the Municipal Safety and Environmental Protection Special Inspection" lay flat on the table.

"Deputy Secretary-General Fang." Zhu Wenhao handed over a fountain pen. "The city has investigated thoroughly. Heishi Mining has major safety and environmental hazards and is to cease production for rectification. Please sign this so that our town can legitimately carry out subsequent work."

Fang Jianping looked at the paper. If he signed it, he would be endorsing the shutdown of Ma Yunlong's mine for Heishi Town; if he didn't, hundreds of people were watching from outside.

Town Mayor Luo Xingbang stood in the back, hands in his coat pockets, watching the veins pop on the back of Fang Jianping's hand as he gripped the pen, a chill rising in his heart.

Zhu Wenhao was using borrowed power to kill, and he even dared to use the city government's blade.

Fang Jianping took the pen and wrote his name on the minutes with such force that it almost pierced the paper.

"Comrade Wenhao, good tactics," Fang Jianping threw down the pen.

"The law is clear, and the public sentiment is real. Many thanks to the city for their compassion for Heishi Town." Zhu Wenhao picked up the megaphone. "Folks, the leaders of the city inspection team came to the grassroots today to help everyone solve their problems! Let's give a round of applause to Deputy Secretary-General Fang!"

The applause was deafening.

Amidst the applause, Fang Jianping turned and boarded the Coaster, the door slamming shut.

"Back to the city," Fang Jianping leaned back in his seat, his voice hoarse.

Linjiang Municipal Government Building, Mayor's Office.

The tea had gone cold. Mayor Su Changming sat behind his huanghuali wood desk, finishing the phone report from Fang Jianping.

The call ended.

Su Changming tapped his index finger on the desk.

The trap regarding the mining disaster had been killed off early, and even the inspection team sent down had been used as a tool. Zhu Wenhao had almost turned the Heishi Town situation into an iron fortress.

Su Changming stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window.

"Since the environmental and safety checks won't work."

He picked up the phone and dialed an internal line.

"Have Director Wang of the Municipal Finance Bureau come over."

He put the phone down.

...

The scene shifts back to Heishi Town.

The city inspection team's motorcade drove away, and the miners and merchants dispersed to line up for registration.

General Manager Zhou Shutong did not immediately board the Maybach to return to Jingjiang.

She walked toward Zhu Wenhao.

"Secretary Zhu, I've finally understood today's performance," General Manager Zhou Shutong said in a cold tone. "You used the city as a blade, and by the way, you used me as a shield."

"Ms. Zhou." Zhu Wenhao looked at her. "Capital wants the mine; I want the people's livelihood. As long as the money is used for the right path, Heishi Town will be your best shield."

"We will discuss the mining restructuring separately," General Manager Zhou Shutong didn't buy it. "This afternoon."

Town Mayor Luo Xingbang walked over from the back.

"Ms. Zhou has come a long way," Town Mayor Luo Xingbang said. "The Town Government has already prepared a conference room. The preliminary coordination for the restructuring will be handled by the town."

Zhu Wenhao glanced at Town Mayor Luo Xingbang.

Town Mayor Luo Xingbang wanted to use his title as Acting Secretary to take this major project into his own hands.

"Fine." Zhu Wenhao did not argue. "Town Mayor Luo will preside over the afternoon meeting."

At 2:00 PM, second-floor conference room of the Heishi Town compound.

Town Mayor Luo Xingbang sat in the main seat as Acting Secretary, Zhu Wenhao sat in the side seat, and Director Xu Jie was responsible for taking minutes.

General Manager Zhou Shutong's team brought out a preliminary proposal.

"Capital holdings to restructure Heishi Mining," General Manager Zhou Shutong opened the proposal. "The deep processing park will be led by the capital side. The Town Government is only responsible for coordinating land, environmental procedures, and local relations, with tax revenue returned according to a fixed agreement."

Town Mayor Luo Xingbang flipped through the proposal. Heishi Town was short on money now, and having capital willing to take over Ma Yunlong's mess was a huge political achievement for his transition from Acting Secretary to full Secretary.

"Ms. Zhou's proposal has no issues in the general direction," Town Mayor Luo Xingbang set the tone.

Zhu Wenhao sat in the side seat and had not spoken. After General Manager Zhou Shutong finished, he closed the proposal.

"Ms. Zhou, in this proposal, how do you plan to account for the historical debts regarding road repairs, miner placement, and ecological restoration?" Zhu Wenhao asked.

General Manager Zhou Shutong looked at him.

"Secretary Zhu, capital is not a charity. The initial sunk costs are too high and will seriously affect the project's expected returns," General Manager Zhou Shutong said frankly. "We are taking over future mining rights, not Ma Yunlong's old debts."

"Ma Yunlong said the same thing back then." Zhu Wenhao pushed the proposal back.

"Your proposal is essentially just replacing him with a more respectable Ma Yunlong and making the accounts look prettier," Zhu Wenhao pointed out the crux.

General Manager Zhou Shutong's expression changed slightly, and the atmosphere in the conference room dropped from warm to freezing point instantly.

Zhu Wenhao stood up, picked up the proposal, and placed it steadily in front of General Manager Zhou Shutong.

"Ms. Zhou, Heishi Town welcomes partners, not robbers."

"Please take this proposal back and redo it."