Officialdom: The beautiful leader took me to the top

Pang Shibiao's fingers, which were holding a cigarette, suddenly paused, and ash fell onto his trouser leg.

He himself was completely unaware, his brows furrowed into a deep knot. "What did you say? His father was an old worker at the Guodong Mine? How come I didn't know that?"

Fatty Ma explained, "At first I didn't know either. After Li Dong came to the mine today, some of the guys below were keeping an eye on him."

"When he was in the factory area, he chatted with a worker for a few minutes."

"When we went to inquire later, we found out that he and Li Dong's father were actually colleagues, and Li Dong's father had also worked in the mine for many years."

"Later I had someone check and found out his name was Li Zhigang, who had worked in the third tunneling team for almost 20 years."

"I retired a few years ago because of heart problems, and I think I also have silicosis. I heard that I'm still not very healthy."

"I used to live in the mine's family compound, but I moved away recently because Li Dong got rich."

"And there's Ma Xiaotang from the mining office. Her father and Li Zhigang were colleagues, and they were even betrothed as children!"

“Silicosis…” Pang Shibiao muttered these three words over and over, his eyes suddenly turning sinister. “So, Li Donglai’s arrival at the Guodong Mine really wasn’t a coincidence?”

At this point, he stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray. "I knew something was wrong. Li Dong clearly had a bright future in the Tianzhou police force, but instead of going to other units, he insisted on coming to our mine's police station to be the director of the security team."

"Why would you give up a comfortable life to cause trouble in this godforsaken mine? Turns out you had ulterior motives!"

Fatty Ma carefully chose his words before cautiously replying, "Brother-in-law, do you think it's possible... he's here because of what happened back then?"

The moment those words were spoken, the air in the office froze.

Years ago, the third tunneling team had a water inrush accident that killed three people.

Ma Xiaotang's father died in that mining accident!

At that time, Pang Shibiao was not the mine manager; his father was the mine manager.

But it was he and Dong Shouan who together suppressed this matter!

To silence public criticism, he bribed his superiors quite a bit.

Even those in the mine who knew a little about the situation were either silenced with money or suppressed and intimidated.

Whether Li Dong’s father knew about it or not, Pang Shibiao did not know!

A flicker of panic crossed Pang Shibiao's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by ruthlessness. "Bullshit!"

"More than 10 years have passed, and the evidence has long been buried underground."

"Even if he really came for this reason, what kind of trouble could he possibly cause?"

Despite saying that, Pang Shibiao's heart was in turmoil.

My brother-in-law may not have meant anything by it, but he took it to heart. We must be careful about this!

However, his brother-in-law was not good with words and not very reliable, so Pang Shibiao did not tell him the specific arrangements. He only asked him to keep an eye on the banquet and report any issues promptly.

After saying all this, Pang Shibiao was still a little worried. "How about this, you buy me some time, I'm also planning to go to the mine."

Fatty Ma understood the unspoken meaning: "Brother-in-law, are you coming to the cafeteria too?"

Pang Shibiao sneered, "Of course, Li Dong did such a big thing today, and he's also a rising star in the Tianzhou police force."

"Even Zhao Hongbo personally attended his welcome banquet. If I, the mine manager, don't come, wouldn't people say I'm petty and don't follow the organization's lead?"

Fatty Ma was clearly startled. "Brother-in-law, that Li Dong is just a small-time security team leader. Even if he has some powerful connections, it's not like he needs you to personally intervene, is it?"

"Zhao Hongbo is already here. If you come along at a time like this, wouldn't that be putting Li Dong on a pedestal?"

Pang Shibiao angrily retorted, "What else do you know besides eating?"

Fatty Ma didn't dare to argue and hurriedly nodded and bowed in agreement, "Yes, yes, brother-in-law, you have such foresight. How can my pig brain compare to yours?"

Pang Shibiao didn't say anything, but his tone was impatient. "Stop talking nonsense and go keep an eye on things in the cafeteria. Don't let that old fox Zhao Hongbo pull any tricks."

"I'll change my clothes and go over. Remember, don't look scared and don't say anything. Just watch my expression."

After everything was explained, Pang Shibiao hung up the phone.

Seeing this, his trusted confidants all gathered around, calling out, "Brother Biao!"

Pang Shibiao's eyes were gloomy. He took out his cigarette case but didn't light it. "Send someone out to find out about Li Dong, especially his father, Li Zhigang."

"Find out where his father was when the third tunneling team had the accident."

"Also, how much did Li Zhigang actually know about that flooding accident back then?"

"Also, have someone keep a close eye on Dong Shou'an for me. I can't let that guy ruin my plans!"

Watching his subordinates hastily depart, the fierceness on Pang Shibiao's face gradually faded, replaced by a dark cloud.

He walked to the window, looked at the gray sky outside, and his expression gradually became serious.

The flooding accident 10 years ago is a thorn in his side.

At that time, he was just a mid-level leader in the mine and was still gaining experience there.

When the accident happened, he was in the control room and watched the water level rise little by little.

Hearing the desperate cries coming through the walkie-talkie, he realized it was his father who had made the decision to seal off the alleyway where the accident had occurred.

He and Dong Shouan used money and threats to silence those in the know.

Ma Xiaotang's father was the captain of the third tunneling team, and he could have survived.

He insisted on going back to save people, which is how he got buried underneath.

To compensate and to silence the gossip, the mine treated Ma Xiaotang exceptionally well, even arranging for her to take over the financial work, all to prevent those in the know from revealing anything!

Unexpectedly, Li Dong's transfer has brought this matter back to mind.

Now, Pang Shibiao only hopes that everything is just overthinking.

Otherwise, if Zhao Hongbo were to bring this up again and then let Li Dong make a big deal out of it, he would really be in trouble.

Not only him, but even his father, who was the mine manager at the time, could be implicated!

Thinking of this, Pang Shibiao abruptly stubbed out his cigarette, his eyes turning fierce again!

No, you can't sit still.

Dong Shou'an is no longer reliable; we must find a way to get rid of him as soon as possible and replace him with our own people.

As for Li Dong, his identity as a police officer made him somewhat hesitant.

However, this is a mine, and it's perfectly normal for one or two people to die every year!

Li Dong, you'd better not run into my line of fire, and don't come here because of what happened back then.

Otherwise, I might make sure you don't leave alive!

Thinking of this, Pang Shibiao turned around, picked up his coat, and went out the door without looking back.

The dim lighting in the corridor stretched his shadow infinitely long, making him look like a beast that had broken free of its cage, ready to devour anyone at any moment!