161: Chapter 161 The Number One at Shifting Blame

Upon seeing the news in today's Handong Daily, Wang Yanjun finally understood; it was because of drinking Wuniu Group's milk powder.

Burning with rage, he immediately called the reporting hotline published in the paper to file a complaint.

The two hotlines were constantly jammed with calls.

It was also possible to report online, and a large amount of information was quickly obtained.

As the deputy team leader, Qin Chuan convened a meeting for everyone and announced some very grim news.

"Everyone, the situation is shocking. Preliminary statistics show that around 300,000 infants and young children have been affected, and for a significant portion, the damage is lifelong and irreversible..."

Upon hearing Qin Chuan's report, almost everyone in the investigation team was filled with righteous indignation.

"Damn it, damn it, absolutely damn it!"

"People like this must be arrested and executed!"

"I never expected this. Chairwoman Niu Wenhua, with all her accolades and hailed as the 'Dairy Queen,' would actually do something like this. It's infuriating!"

At this moment, what was Chairwoman Niu Wenhua doing? She was also holding a meeting.

However, it wasn't to admit her mistakes or reflect on her own actions, but to consider how to pass the buck, shift the blame to others, and cast herself as a victim.

She had gone to see provincial leaders, as well as municipal leaders, visiting all the leaders with whom she had good relationships.

But to her disappointment, the leaders all expressed that they were unable to help.

With no leaders to rely on, the first thing she thought of was passing the buck.

"Everyone, our product's melamine levels are severely excessive. It has now been determined that this has little to do with us; we are also victims. It was those damned dairy farmers who, in order to increase the protein content of the milk, added melamine to the cows' feed..."

"Therefore, we have become the victims. We must demand compensation from those damned dairy farmers for our financial and reputational losses..."

She spoke incessantly, spittle flying as she went on and on.

After hearing this, the middle and senior management of Wuniu Group's eyes lit up. That's right, they could shift all the blame onto the dairy farmers.

As expected of Chairwoman Niu Wenhua, she really is something!

Thus, not long after, Wuniu Group released a public statement.

In this announcement, they played the role of the victim, shifting all responsibility onto the dairy farmers, and righteously declared that they would stand firmly with the victimized families and use the weapons of the law to seek compensation from those dairy farmers.

As soon as this announcement was released, it immediately caused a huge uproar! It was like pouring a ladle of cold water into a hot wok.

"How shameless! It completely defies one's worldview!"

"This buck-passing is truly unimaginable; they actually positioned themselves as victims and pushed all the responsibility onto the dairy farmers!"

"This Chairwoman Niu Wenhua really deserves to die; she's still shirking responsibility at a time like this!"

Public opinion on the internet exploded. Qin Chuan also noticed this announcement immediately, a cold sneer appearing on the corner of his mouth.

"Trying to pass the buck, are you? If that's the case, don't blame me for being impolite."

Qin Chuan gave orders to hold a press conference, requesting well-known media from both inside and outside the province to attend, with the location set at the Provincial Bureau's press conference hall.

The Toxic Milk Powder Incident was already a hot topic; once the news went out, there was no need for invitations, and a massive number of media outlets swarmed in.

What Qin Chuan didn't expect was that, about two hours before the press conference, he received a call from a certain provincial leader.

This was a lower-ranked Vice Governor who was not a member of the Provincial Party Committee standing committee, but being a Vice Governor, his power and influence were still quite significant.

The call was from the provincial leader's secretary. "Comrade Qin Chuan, please come over. Vice Governor Qian wants to see you."

After receiving the call, Qin Chuan knocked on the door and entered Vice Governor Qian's office shortly after. "Vice Governor Qian, you wanted to see me?"

Vice Governor Qian nodded slightly, his entire demeanor radiating the kind of authority only a provincial leader possesses.

"Comrade Qin Chuan, I heard you are preparing to hold a press conference regarding the milk powder incident and have invited many famous media outlets from inside and outside the province."

"Yes, that is indeed the case."

This was practically public knowledge, so Qin Chuan naturally did not deny it. Faced with Vice Governor Qian's inquiry, he answered directly.

Vice Governor Qian likely did not know that Qin Chuan was Secretary Zhendong's son, so he continued to ask, "Tell me, how have you arranged this press conference, and what content will mainly be released?"

Qin Chuan gave a brief report. "Vice Governor Qian, according to our investigation, the Toxic Milk Powder Incident involving Wuniu Group is shocking. It is preliminarily estimated that at least 300,000 infants and young children have been affected..."

After listening, Vice Governor Qian's expression became very serious, and he said slowly:

"The problem is indeed a bit serious, but as the saying goes, 'don't air your dirty laundry in public.' I suggest handling this as low-key as possible and canceling the press conference. After all, it's not easy for a company to reach this scale. Wuniu Group is a major taxpayer in our Handong Province, and we should protect what needs to be protected."

Qin Chuan sneered inwardly. This Vice Governor Qian was clearly biased; he had come to act as a lobbyist for Chairwoman Niu Wenhua.

"Vice Governor Qian, the news about the press conference has already been released, and many media reporters are on their way. If we cancel it now, the impact will be bad."

Upon hearing this, Vice Governor Qian's face darkened, and he radiated an even stronger sense of authority. If it were any other official, they would probably have started trembling with fear.

Qin Chuan did not; his reaction was very calm.

Vice Governor Qian said with dissatisfaction, "Comrade Qin Chuan, the press conference must be canceled. I am not discussing this with you; I am ordering you."

Qin Chuan pretended to be in a difficult position. "But my father has already agreed, and he strongly supports holding the press conference to release the relevant content and information to the public and the media."

Vice Governor Qian's expression gradually began to look unpleasant.

He was already cursing inside, 'Damn it! I am a Vice Governor, you don't listen to me, but you listen to your father. What a good son. Who is your father? Who does he think he is?'

"Comrade Qin Chuan, being in the system, do not bring family factors into this. So what if your father agrees and supports it? What you should listen to is not your father's opinion, but the orders of your superiors."

"Now, in my capacity as Vice Governor, I order you to immediately cancel this press conference. Handle the Wuniu Group issue low-key. If necessary, you can negotiate with Chairwoman Niu Wenhua to minimize the impact of the matter. You must protect this enterprise well."

This was very clear, and it also represented that Vice Governor Qian was completely biased.

Qin Chuan still refused, saying, "Vice Governor Qian, if that's the case, my father definitely won't agree. How about I call him and discuss this matter?"

Vice Governor Qian waved his hand impatiently, signaling Qin Chuan to make the call immediately.