Siheyuan: Starting from the driver

Chapter 717 The Night School's Rigorous Entrance Exams Approach; Thorough Investigation into the Melting Accident
The matter in the smelting workshop is neither a big deal nor a small matter.

There was no explosion, and it did not affect other workshops; the incident only had a limited impact.

For the general public at the steel rolling mill, this matter had nothing to do with them; everyone was off work as usual.

Night school.

Yan Wanbin stood on the podium, looking at the students below, all of whom were present, a rare sight.

He cleared his throat twice. "Classmates, after more than ten weeks of study, our theoretical learning has come to an end."

As soon as he finished speaking, whispers immediately broke out in the audience.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. 'Finally, it's over. My head was about to explode.'

Yan Wanbin didn't interrupt the discussion, but waited quietly until everyone had finished speaking before he spoke: "In order to make sure everyone clearly understands the knowledge they have acquired."

"Let's have a short pop quiz. We'll have one hour."

As he spoke, Yan Wanbin took out a thick stack of test papers and patted them.

The moment the words were spoken, the classroom erupted in chaos.

"Huh? The test is now?"

"Teacher Yan, isn't this too sudden? You came right after finishing the lesson?"

"Oh no, I've mixed up so many concepts."

"It's good to take the test sooner, so you'll know where you're lacking."

Teacher Li pressed down with both hands and said in an unquestionable tone, "I've brought all the test papers, and everyone's here. Enough with the nonsense, let's begin the exam!"

Yan Wanbin immediately distributed the test papers.

When the exam papers were handed out, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Since they were already there, they thought, "We're already here."

"do it!"

"We've got them all."

Everyone then began to bury themselves in their work.

Yan Wanbin, on the other hand, was able to relax leisurely for a while, occasionally going down to patrol and check on everyone's answering of the questions.

The students were all very different; some were handling things with ease, while others looked worried, racking their brains, and scratching their heads.

An hour passed in the blink of an eye.

"Alright, time's up!" Yan Wanbin clapped his hands.

Immediately, the students in the last row sadly collected their papers.

"No need to collect the test papers, let's start going over the questions now."

"Huh?!" Everyone stared at Yan Wanbin in unison; this was too sudden.

"Why are you looking at me?! Do I have the answers on my face? Look at the test paper, let's start with the first question. Anyone who doesn't understand, raise your hand."

"Don't pretend to know what you don't. Don't just have a superficial understanding. This one point of knowledge might be the most important one that determines whether you can graduate."

"For the first question, what's the answer?"

Yan Wanbin explained the entire test paper once, then took a sip of water to calm himself down.

"Starting next week, we will officially begin our practical courses. You will all spend the next few weeks in the practical room until the end of the semester."

"These past few weeks of hands-on practice haven't been for you to play around with; there are workpieces to complete in each class."

"You are the first batch of students to graduate from our evening college. Your performance is related to the college's achievements and reputation. The school has high expectations for you, and the graduation assessment will be very difficult."

"A significant portion of you will likely have to repeat a grade, so work hard."

Upon hearing Yan Wanbin's serious words, everyone exchanged glances, their expressions becoming solemn.

Graduating smoothly in three years is the goal everyone wants to achieve, and many people don't have much confidence in it to begin with.

Now, after Yan Wanbin said that, I felt even less confident, and my heart was pounding.

Graduating in three years and getting that diploma sooner means a chance to improve one's situation sooner.

"Teacher Yan, what are the specific requirements for the graduation assessment?" Jin Jianxian asked impatiently.

His question almost represented the sentiments of everyone.

Yan Wanbin shook his head: "We haven't reached a conclusion yet, but we can expect that the graduation requirements will be very strict. As I mentioned before, you are the first batch of night school students to graduate, which is related to all aspects of night school."

"So be prepared for the worst. I'm not exaggerating. By the way, starting today, I'll give you a test paper before school ends each day. Please do it when you get home."

"Next time we'll go over the explanation, everyone should do it carefully and take notes on anything you don't understand."

Yan Wanbin didn't reveal much, but that was enough to make everyone take it seriously.

"Alright, it's getting late. Let's go to the practice room now and get some practice to get used to the feel of it."

His gaze lingered deliberately on the faces of Qi Mengru, Yu Xingmei, and others.
"For those of you who didn't work your way up from the factory floor, you should make the most of this last bit of time. It's often not as scary as you imagine!"

Qi Mengru, Yu Xingmei, and other people who did not work in the factory frowned deeply, forming a deep brow.

Yan Wanbin didn't give them any more time to be sentimental. He waved his hand and said, "Alright, stop standing around. Now get to the practical training room!"

hospital.

The pungent smell of disinfectant replaced the rust and burnt odor of the workshop.

Thick, sterile gauze was wrapped around Xiao Wang's disfigured left arm.

His face was as pale as paper, his eyes tightly shut, and his lips cracked. The high fever occasionally caused him to murmur in pain, "No, don't come near me... the tube... the tube burst... it hurts so much!"

Secretary Wang and Sister Li from the trade union stayed by the bedside, their eyes filled with sorrow.

A brand-new enamel basin and towels were placed on the bedside table, and a certificate with the words "Advanced Producer" printed on it was placed on the table, which looked particularly glaring.

Yesterday, Secretary Wang signed the agreement on behalf of the organization and the steel mill, and the hospital immediately performed the amputation surgery.

His life was saved for the time being, but the trauma that would completely change his life had only just begun.

Xiao Wang suddenly opened his eyes and looked at his empty left hand.

I have no arms. It's not a hallucination, it's not a dream.

Those heavy, familiar arms that could wield a hammer weighing over ten kilograms have vanished.

ah--"

"Xiao Wang! Xiao Wang! Don't get agitated!" Secretary Wang tried to hold down his body, which was trembling with pain and despair, but was afraid of touching the wound, so he could only support him lightly.

"Doctor! Doctor!" Sister Li from the union shouted.

"Coming, coming!" The doctor arrived immediately and, seeing the agitated Xiao Wang, quickly began treatment.

After a while, Xiao Wang's eyes became vacant, and he stopped looking to the left, staring intently at the mottled ceiling.

"My arm," he murmured, repeating the words over and over. "Xiao Wang, this is Secretary Wang. Don't worry, as long as the steel mill is still around, the mill will take care of you for life! Just focus on recovering and don't worry about anything else."

Secretary Wang's voice was low as he wanted to hold Xiao Wang's only intact right hand, but he was afraid of hurting his pride.

Xiao Wang seemed to understand, yet also seemed not to hear. He didn't respond to Secretary Wang's words, nor did he cry; he simply turned his empty gaze back to the ceiling.

Anyone who suddenly loses an arm would be at a loss.

In the corridor outside the ward, Wan Shen spoke in a low voice to the head of the medical department: "All subsequent rehabilitation treatments must be carried out to the highest standards! The best medicines and the best rehabilitation therapists must all be arranged!"

"The cost is not a problem; send it directly to the steel rolling mill! The union must also immediately follow up on the nutrition and nursing care expenses! The accident happened at the factory; it's a work-related injury! The factory must take full responsibility!"

The head of the medical department nodded repeatedly: "Secretary Wan, please rest assured, we will do our best."

Steel rolling mill.

Equipment Department Archives.

The cramped archive room was filled with the smell of dust and old paper, and a few incandescent bulbs emitted a glaring light.

"Found it! Factory Director! Secretary Wang! Found it!" Wang Youcai's voice was hoarse, trembling with excitement, as he tightly gripped several pages of paper in his hand.

"How about it?"

Factory Director Yang, Secretary Wang, Li Huaide, and others rushed over.

"The test report shows that the values ​​for tensile strength, yield strength, and impact toughness all meet the standards."

"The signature field for the person in charge of acceptance is very blurry! The technical supervisor's signature is Zhao Yougui?! Isn't that the former director? He's retired!"

The person in charge of signing for the package at the time was Chen Jianmin? He passed away a few years ago from an illness.

"Meets the standards?" Factory Director Yang grabbed the report. The printed numbers and stamps on the report showed that this batch of boards was "qualified".

But the facts are clear: this report is completely inconsistent with the on-site assessments of Mr. Sun and others.

"The test results are fake?" Secretary Wang said in a deep voice.

"Or perhaps it was switched at the factory after it entered the factory?! The lobbyist didn't handle it properly during the installation process, and it was replaced?"

Li Huaide's analysis was guided by a tone of inquiry.

"It's still possible." Factory Director Yang's eyes were as cold as a knife as he slammed the report on the table. "The workshop itself provided substandard products, and then colluded with some of us to create this fake report!"

Instantly, the atmosphere plummeted to freezing point.

Either way, the situation is dire.

"Investigate! There are documents circulating about the steel's entry, exit, and welding processes after production. Are Lao Wang and Lao Xie, who are in charge of warehousing, still around? Call them in for questioning tonight! And more!"

Factory Director Yang's gaze pierced the head of the Equipment Department: "Find the home addresses of Zhao Yougui and Chen Jianmin immediately! Arrange for the security and personnel departments to visit them at dawn!"

"Regardless of whether he retired or not, we must uncover the truth! The Materials Department! Although Chen Jianmin is no longer here, we must clarify the work processes he handled, who was the head of the Materials Department at that time, and who was his deputy!

Listening to Director Yang's detailed instructions, Li Huaide felt a great sense of relief. It would be wonderful if the problem wasn't with logistics.

However, we cannot let our guard down. Before things are settled, who knows what unexpected problems might arise.

The next day, morning
A small meeting room in a steel rolling mill.

The smoke swirled, resembling a battlefield shrouded in thick fog.

The long conference table was covered with spread-out blueprints, yellowed files, and scattered notes. A few cold steamed buns and pickled vegetables were piled on the corner of the table.

Factory Director Yang, Wang Youcai, Li Huaide, Master Sun, and others gathered together.

Wang Youcai stood up: "Comrades, after a night of investigation, the results are as follows."

"This 'qualified' warehouse entry report has been personally verified by Master Sun and Engineer Li, and it is completely invalid."

According to recollections from the late former head of the Materials Department, Chen Jianmin, and the warehouse managers at the time, Lao Xie and Lao Wang, did not conduct a thorough inspection of the batch and appearance of the goods upon receipt, as was the usual practice.

"Alright, get to the point!" Director Yang interrupted.

"Warehouse records show that the problematic batch of sheet metal was immediately used in the manufacture of prefabricated support frames for the main ventilation ducts in the smelting workshop upon entering the warehouse."

"The most direct point of responsibility lies in the installation and welding process. Several veteran welders confirmed that the person responsible for welding these high-strength support frames was Li Daniu, the best level-7 welder at the time."

“He complained about the poor quality of the materials many times and had a heated argument with Chen Jianmin, who was in charge at the time. Li Daniu requested that the materials be changed, but Chen Jianmin insisted that the welding must be completed on time, citing reasons such as ‘tight schedule’ and ‘leader’s requirements’.”

"Li Daniu had no choice but to 'get by' as he put it, which specifically meant that the weld foundation was not solid, some areas were not preheated enough, and the weld dimensions were off and were not reworked."

Engineer Li stepped forward to agree and explain, "That's right, with Li Dani's welding method, something bad is bound to happen sooner or later."

The general situation has been explained clearly.

Wang Youcai took a deep breath.

"Therefore, the core chain of responsibility for this accident is basically clear: Zhao Yougui instructed Chen Jianmin to pass through the material storage process, forcing Li Daniu to carry out construction to a low standard, which ultimately led to today's result."

The accident was caused entirely by internal factors within the steel rolling mill.

The conference room fell into a deathly silence.

Factory Director Yang's knuckles were clenched so tightly they turned white, and his eyes burned with fury.

Li Huaide's brows finally relaxed, but upon seeing the tense atmosphere, they immediately furrowed again, revealing deep anger on his face.
"This is outrageous! This is downright criminal! They treat human life like dirt! They must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law!"

“That’s right, this matter must be resolved, and we must give Xiao Wang an explanation!” Secretary Wang said firmly.

Factory Director Yang nodded emphatically: "The direct trigger for the accident was the evil they sowed together! This matter cannot be erased simply by their retirement or death!"

"The principal offender, Zhao Yougui, should be severely punished according to Party discipline and national law. Although Chen Jianmin has passed away, he should still be punished. His behavior should be recorded as a negative example in the archives, and all cadres and leaders should take it as a warning!"

"As for Li Daniu, a level 7 welder, he knew there was a problem but did not report it, and still forced welding, which led to this accident."

"The relevant materials have been transferred to the judicial authorities! The security department, in cooperation with the local police station, will apprehend him! An investigation will be launched to determine whether he accepted any benefits from Chen Jianmin or others."

"The Equipment Department, Technical Department, and Smelting Workshop failed in their oversight. This preliminary report on the accident must be issued to warn the entire plant and emphasize the determination to hold those responsible accountable!"

Director Yang imposed penalties on everyone involved, ensuring that no one involved in the accident would escape punishment later.

Accountability will be determined based on one's position! This includes dereliction of duty, negligence, neglect of duty, providing false documents, and failure to perform duties.

Regardless of the severity of the offense or whether the individual is still on duty, all cases will be thoroughly investigated! Those who deserve punishment will be punished, and those who should be handed over to the judiciary will be dealt with without hesitation!
After recounting the series of punishments, Director Yang took a deep breath, his mood immediately becoming heavy.

"For Xiao Wang, together with the personnel department and the finance department, we will implement the highest national standards for work-related injury compensation, disability compensation, and follow-up employment arrangements."

"He is a hero who was injured while on duty! He should be set as a benchmark and warning for the entire factory's safety education!"

"Execute now!"

"Understood!" the attendees responded in unison.

Li Huaide looked at Director Yang's upright posture, seemingly listening attentively, but the index finger and thumb of his hand resting on his knee under the table were unconsciously and rapidly twisting.

Director Yang said so much, seemingly mentioning many severe punishments, but most importantly, he didn't seem to mention his own punishment.

Ultimately, this is a major problem in the area under Director Yang's jurisdiction. As the director, he cannot shirk his responsibility. Is he trying to cover it up?
Li Huaide thought about it and decided not to act rashly.

(End of this chapter)