Qi Tongwei: Can I be young again?

Fang Jue nodded and recounted the whole story in detail.

It turns out that when Runtaihua Paper Mill moved to Jinshan County six months ago, he wholeheartedly supported it. After all, it could solve the employment problem in Jinshan County and generate revenue, making it a very good project.

However, after the paper mill had been operating normally for a period of time, problems arose. First, it disturbed the residents. The machines in the paper mill made a loud noise, often keeping the surrounding residents from sleeping.

To resolve this issue, Fang Jue approached Li Dakang, as this was his political achievement and he had to take responsibility.

At the time, Li Dakang was reasonable enough to take Fang Jue to find Zhao Ruihu. After some negotiation, the three of them reached an agreement.

First, soundproofing equipment was installed in the workshop.

Second, provide some compensation to residents living near the factory.

Only after both measures were implemented was the problem of disturbing the peace considered completely resolved.

But soon, a second problem arose.

First, villagers reported that their water smelled strange. Then, small fish and shrimp in the river died, including many of the newly released crab seedlings.

And so, Fang Jue took the river water to the water quality testing center.

It would have been better if he hadn't been tested; the test gave him a real shock.

According to the quality inspection report, the water contained a large number of elements exceeding the standard, meaning that the water was polluted.

Keep in mind that tap water was not yet widely available at that time, and 80% of household drinking water came from rivers.

This pollution directly resulted in residents having no water available.

Fang Jue got anxious at that moment.

Later, he began investigating how the water was contaminated, and eventually traced it back to the paper mill.

He even had a fight with Zhao Ruihu over this, but he lost the argument and was kicked out.

Left with no other choice, he turned to Li Dakang again.

It must be said that Li Dakang was quite capable. After negotiating with Zhao Ruihu, the paper mill paid for running water to be installed for all the surrounding residents.

The drinking water problem has been solved, but the pollution problem remains.

The villagers who used to make a living from aquatic products had no choice but to change careers and do something else.

The once clear river has become foul-smelling.

Fang Jue was unwilling to accept this.

He is a veteran member of the Communist Party. Although he doesn't usually take action, he still cares a lot about the environment of his hometown.

So, they approached Li Dakang for the third time.

This time, Li Dakang was furious, saying that he was making trouble for no reason and ruining the development of Jinshan County.

After a big argument, the two parted on bad terms.

Later, Fang Jue, still furious, went to the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, wanting the paper mill to move away.

The provincial discipline inspection commission arrived, and the paper mill was shut down for a week, supposedly to deal with wastewater discharge issues.

But a week later, they said it was all resolved.

Then the paper mill continued to operate.

Fang Jue saw no results, so she decided to continue reporting the matter to the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection.

As a result, the next day, a bald man came to the door.

The man warned Fang Jue not to cause trouble, and specifically stated that the paper mill belonged to Zhao Ruihu. He warned Fang Jue to give him some face, otherwise he would suffer the consequences if he continued to cause trouble.

Fang Jue wasn't easily intimidated.

He's about to retire and isn't afraid of Zhao Lichun's retaliation at all; he plans to continue filing complaints.

Oh dear... On the way to the provincial capital, I suddenly fainted, and after a check-up, it turned out to be food poisoning.

"County Chief Qi, do you think it's such a coincidence?" Fang Jue said helplessly, "I was just about to report it to the provincial authorities, and then I got food poisoning. I don't believe it even if you beat me to death that no one did it."

Qi Tongwei didn't believe it either.

But he couldn't just listen to one side of the story. After all, Runtaihua Paper Mill was a prestigious factory in Jinshan County, and it couldn't be defined in just a few words.

Also, he didn't know Fang Jue very well.

In unforeseen circumstances, one must be cautious, lest one be used as a pawn, which would be no fun.

"County Chief Fang, you said this food poisoning was deliberately caused. Do you have any evidence?"

“No evidence.” Fang Jue shook his head. “I remember buying a bottle of mineral water when I went to the provincial capital that day. Now that I think about it, that bottle of mineral water might have been switched.”

"Subjective guess?"

“Yes.” Fang Jue recalled, “On the day I was poisoned, I didn’t eat anything except water, and I didn’t offend anyone else except Zhao Ruihu and Li Dakang.”

"Then why don't you suspect Li Dakang, but instead suspect Zhao Ruihu?"

"Hehe." Fang Jue chuckled. "Li Dakang and I don't get along, but to be fair, apart from being overly protective of his reputation, he wouldn't do anything particularly bad. Poisoning... he wouldn't dare."

Qi Tongwei nodded.

The two of them thought of the same thing: if Li Dakang were really capable of poisoning people, he wouldn't have personally paid for Zhao Lichun to buy land.

“County Chief Qi, I really don’t dare to step forward anymore. I’m so old, I want to live a couple more years! As for the matter, I’ve already told you. If you really want what’s best for Jinshan County, that paper mill can’t be kept.”

Qi Tongwei neither agreed nor refused.

There's a lot of information; he needs to consider the actual situation and conduct thorough investigations before making a decision.

Of course, even if what Fang Jue said is true, the fate of the paper mill still depends on Li Dakang's approval.

This is his political achievement, and also his face.

Getting him to remove this achievement would be extremely difficult, unless the province issues a firm order.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Qi Tongwei took his leave.

As soon as Wang Hua stepped out of Fang Jue's house, he came up to her and said, "County Chief Qi, what did County Chief Fang say to you in secret, and why did he have to send me away?"

"You want to know?"

“Yes.” Wang Hua nodded. “I’m your secretary now. We’re in this together. Tell me about it, and I can help you share the burden.”

Qi Tongwei glanced down at the time. "It's getting late. Let's go back to the dorm, get a bottle of wine, and talk slowly."

"I have no money."

"Damn it, I didn't ask you for money. You're so stingy, just like Li Dakang. Drive over!"

"okay."

Chapter Sixty-Three: The Foundation of Power

Wang Hua and Qi Tongwei's dorm rooms were separated by only one wall. When they had nothing to do, the two would drink a little wine and discuss their work.

On the way back, Qi Tongwei bought a bag of peanuts and a bottle of baijiu (Chinese liquor), and had a simple dinner.

"County Chief Qi, you're exaggerating a bit by saying County Chief Fang was poisoned. Even if Zhao Ruihu is bold, he wouldn't dare to lay a hand on a section chief! County Chief Fang is probably just making things up; it's not believable."

"Then why is he spouting nonsense?"

“Revenge!” Wang Hua took a sip of his wine and analyzed, “Think about it, as soon as Li Dakang came over, he sidelined Fang Jue. How could he not hate him? This paper mill is Li Dakang’s biggest achievement. Given the opportunity, he will definitely try to trip him up.”

“That’s possible,” Qi Tongwei nodded. “However, everything still needs evidence. Right now, I don’t believe what Li Dakang and Fang Jue are saying.”

"Then who do you believe?"

"I believe you!" Qi Tongwei took out a cigarette and handed one to Wang Hua. "Now the organization has assigned you a task."

"What mission?"

"Go check the sewage outlets of Runtaihua Paper Mill. Remember to do it carefully, but don't alert them."

"No problem, I'm familiar with this."

Wang Hua had worked as a narcotics officer and a criminal investigator, so finding evidence was no problem for him at all.

As for Qi Tongwei, he wasn't idle either.

The next morning, instead of going to the county government building, he went to Jinniu River according to the address provided by Fang Jue.

The Jinniu River is the mother river of Jinshan County. Its water is very clear and it has many tributaries. Before the advent of tap water, residents relied on this river for washing rice and vegetables, as well as for drinking water.

In Qi Tongwei's memory, this river also holds memories of his childhood.

When he was a child, he would go swimming with his friends in the village to catch fish and shrimp in order to escape the summer heat. It was a very pleasant experience.

Childhood memories are always sweet.

But after a gust of cold wind, the sweetness disappeared, replaced by an indescribable fishy stench.

Looking at the river water again, it had become much muddier.

In some corners, dead fish and rotten shrimp were floating, a completely different scene from what I remembered.

"Hey, isn't this Tongwei from the next village? I heard from the old Party Secretary that you're now the county head, that's impressive!" The old lady from the next village greeted him with a smile.

Qi Tongwei nodded slightly. "Auntie, what's wrong with this river? Why does it smell so much worse?"