MMB Chapter 82 This is outrageous!
Chapter 82 This is outrageous!
Chapter 81 This is outrageous!
Since February, Suicheng has been experiencing a drought, with not a single drop of water.
The water levels at all the reservoirs and water stations under the company's jurisdiction have fallen below the warning line, with the Heshan Water Plant being the most severely affected. It is said that the water level is only one meter high, and people are going in to catch fish.
The once-flowing Blue River has withered, with several sections of the riverbed dried up. The snow-white pebbles are exposed to the sun and are burning hot. A group of teenagers are chasing small fish barefoot on the riverbed, having a great time, completely unaware of the disaster that lies beneath the exposed riverbed.
When Lin Chen returned to the villa today, he found that the cactus he had planted on the balcony had died from drought. Everything indicated that the drought in Suicheng was actually quite serious.
It's just that those of them who live in towns don't feel it.
Today, the provincial company issued a guideline for drought relief, which clearly states in black and white that all companies in the province should shift their focus to drought relief.
During the morning meeting, Tan Huasheng, the director in charge of production, read out the provincial company's various preventative documents regarding the impending drought, as required by the provincial company.
All water stations and water plants should close their outlet valves and prepare for water storage. All reservoirs should also replenish water as needed according to water levels to prepare for the drought. In addition, water supply centers in each township should assign personnel to different areas, set up posts and sentries, and be ready to issue drought warnings at any time.
But in a godforsaken place like Suicheng, droughts occur every few years, and no one seems to care. Nobody listens to the report, and Tan Huasheng only reads a few pages before giving up.
Tan Huasheng's meetings with the director and station chief were different from his meetings with Song Jiehui. His meetings were more harmonious, usually just symbolic meetings where everyone would tell jokes together.
After all, these people were all old friends of his.
Director Wu chuckled, a cigarette dangling from his lips, "It's just a pointless exercise."
Director Liu chimed in, "It might rain tomorrow, so all our work will have been for nothing."
Director Zhou: "Exactly, there's a key task every day, and I can't tell which one isn't a key task anymore."
Station Chief Li: "Yes, they were all key tasks, and in the end, one thing took over from another, and then another took over from yet another."
Lin Chen found their words somewhat absurd, yet they also seemed to make sense. All the departments above were saying their work was important and had to be completed.
This has caused the people below to lose their sense of focus on key tasks.
"Enough." Tan Huasheng reprimanded sternly, "I don't care how you do your work. You can do one thing and throw it away, but you must get the materials right. Everything must be completed perfectly."
Station Chief Li: "Don't worry, Director Tan, we understand. Whether we do it or not, it will definitely be completed successfully, and we won't miss out on this achievement."
Wow, that just goes to show they know how to make money.
Today, Lin Chen received several phone calls at work, all saying that their villages had lost water and asking the company to handle it immediately.
I called the local Donggua Water Supply Station, and they explained that the water in the storage tank had run dry because the Heshan Water Plant had stopped supplying water.
Lin Chen called Station Chief Li of the Heshan Water Plant again. Station Chief Li explained that the upstream water flow was too small, the water level at the water plant was too low, and the terrain of these villages was too high, so the water pressure could not be supplied.
Lin Chen asked angrily, "Why aren't you storing water? Didn't the documents say that we need to fight drought and store water during this period?"
Station Chief Li's voice was barely audible, like a mosquito's buzz: "Well—the leadership didn't specifically say anything about storing water."
numb.
Lin Chen knew this was no small matter, so he went to report the situation to Tan Huasheng. After all, it was unacceptable for people not to have water to drink: "Director Tan, it's a big deal that the people don't have water to drink. I suggest we send a few water trucks to provide some support."
After hearing this, Tan Huasheng remained quite calm: "Lin Chen, it's not that serious. You won't die if you don't drink water for a day, and I saw in the weather forecast that it will rain in a few days."
Lin Chen also checked the weather forecast, and it did indeed say that it would rain in a couple of days.
Two days later, a dark cloud did indeed appear, followed by a light drizzle. It was more like fog than rain, and the fog dried up almost immediately before it even touched the ground.
Two more days passed, and then bad news arrived: two people in Tianji Village were causing a commotion because they had no water to drink.
To be precise, it wasn't from thirst; he slipped and fell while looking for water. It was really unfortunate. His family was already crying and shouting, carrying him to the company gate. The situation was getting out of control.
Upon receiving notification of the death, Song Jiehui immediately convened an emergency meeting.
In the conference room, Song Jiehui sat in the main seat, tapping his fingers on the edge of the table. His face was as black as the bottom of a pot, a stark contrast to Tan Huasheng's previous conciliatory manner during the meeting.
"What are you all doing?" Song Jiehui's voice slammed on the table, making the teacup lid jump.
"Were you just playing around in those meetings? Reading documents and then throwing them away? Listening to instructions and then forgetting them? Now that something's happened, which of you can take responsibility?"
The people below were all deflated. Director Wu and Director Liu, who had been shouting "What a load of rubbish!" and "What a load of rubbish!" earlier, now had their heads almost touching the table, and didn't even dare to breathe.
Seeing Song Jiehui get angry, Tan Huasheng swallowed hard and forced himself to speak: "Director Song, this is my fault for not supervising properly. I have repeatedly emphasized this in the meeting, repeatedly, that we must take preventative measures and keep a close eye on things, but one or two of them just let it go in one ear and out the other—I am here to apologize to you."
This guy is really good for nothing, but he's a master at admitting his mistakes. Lin Chen has witnessed his skill and ability in this area many times, and he can lie without even blinking.
Upon hearing Tan Huasheng's words, the other station managers and factory directors turned pale and inwardly groaned.
Song Jiehui scanned the crowd, his gaze finally settling on Li Kai, the station chief of the Heshan Water Plant: "Li Kai, you tell me first, why isn't the Heshan Water Plant storing water? Did you not hear Director Tan's instructions, or did you hear them but deliberately choose not to?"
At this moment, Li Kai felt like he wanted to die. He stood up tremblingly, glanced at Tan Huasheng, and finally answered with a trembling mouth, "Well, I heard Director Tan's instructions, but I thought the drought wouldn't last too long, and the weather forecast also said it would rain, so I didn't store any water."
"So you knowingly disobeyed orders?" Director Song angrily threw the documents on the table to the floor with a loud thud, the conference room practically silent. "Then you're fired as station chief. Suspended from your duties for reflection, awaiting further action!"
Wow, to be honest, this is the first time Lin Chen has ever seen Director Song so angry. It seems he really cares about these two lives. But there's no rush to punish him. Let's talk about a solution first. The people don't even have water to drink yet.
"Director Song, I was wrong, please give me another chance." Station Chief Li knelt down with a thud, crying and begging for forgiveness, but Song Jiehui ignored him and slowly scanned the faces of the group of directors and station chiefs.
Lin Chen could tell that Director Song was trying to establish his authority. These people were basically Tan Huasheng's men, and he couldn't tolerate it.
Seeing that the situation was not good, Tan Huasheng quickly stepped forward to fawn over him: "Director Song, the most urgent task is to solve the problem of drinking water for the masses. We cannot afford any more casualties. Other matters can be dealt with later."
He was also afraid that Song Jiehui would continue to use this as an excuse, and that things would eventually affect him.
Director Song nodded and looked at Tang Xin: "Tang Xin, tell me the situation."
Tang Xin immediately stood up: "Director Song, Director Tan, before the meeting I had already arranged for two water trucks from the company to be filled with water and sent to the villages that were without water to provide support, but the water in the trucks is limited. The villagers are in a panic right now and are crowding together to fetch water. I estimate that the two trucks of water will not last more than a day. If it doesn't rain, it will be even more troublesome later."
Director Song frowned: "The water truck can only provide immediate relief; we must find another way to remedy the situation. The Heshan Water Plant needs to replenish its water level as soon as possible. Director Tan, you are familiar with the water plant's situation; do you have any other ideas?"
Tan Huasheng's face darkened, and he stammered, "The water levels at the company's four water plants are all low right now, so there's no way to allocate excess water; the water level at the Wushan water station is okay, but it's too difficult to transfer water from there—the pipelines and water pressure can't keep up. I really can't think of any other solution—"
Lin Chen seemed to have thought of something and said, "Director Song, isn't the tributary of the Heshan Water Plant connected to the Maoshan Water Plant of the Municipal Company? Could you communicate with the Municipal Company to have the Maoshan Water Plant transfer some water over?"
Just as he finished speaking, Station Chief Li, who was halfway through crying, suddenly stood up and said with a mournful face, "It's the Maoshan Water Plant of the Municipal Company that has completely cut off the water from upstream, not releasing a single drop. That's why our Heshan Water Plant is facing such a severe water shortage. There's no way they could have opened the sluice gates to release water—"
Lin Chen was stunned for a moment, then his temper flared up instantly: "Doesn't the water diversion regulations clearly state that water plants can only limit the flow, not cut it off?"
Station Chief Li shook his head with a wry smile: "They're from the city company, they're at a higher level than us, what can you do?"
Lin Chen cursed directly: "That's fucking outrageous! Who gave them this right?"
The moment Lin Chen said this, the conference room fell silent. Even Song Jiehui paused in his tapping of the table, his gaze darkening: "Lin Chen, does the regulation really state that interception is prohibited?"
Song Jiehui didn't understand this at all; he had never been in sales before.
Lin Chen, an expert, is very familiar with this water diversion procedure: "Yes, the water diversion procedure issued by the provincial company last year clearly states that tributary water plants can only limit the flow according to water demand, and absolutely cannot completely shut off the flow, affecting the downstream water supply."
Station Chief Li quickly spoke up: "But Maoshan Water Plant is directly under the city company and doesn't take our county company seriously at all. They shut off the water supply from the very beginning and didn't release a single drop of water. There's nothing I can do about it."
Tan Huasheng's face darkened even more. He had just said he had no solution, but now this water diversion issue had emerged. If word got out, he, as the director in charge of production, would be held accountable. After all, he hadn't kept a close eye on the water diversion between upstream and downstream areas in the early stages of the drought, allowing the Maoshan Water Plant to act recklessly.
He quickly tried to smooth things over: "I know a little about this, but it's difficult to communicate with the city company. They're at a higher level than us, so our words don't carry any weight. If we try to coordinate, we'll just get rejected."
Lin Chen knew Tan Huasheng was shirking responsibility, but now was not the time to hold him accountable. He said sternly, "We have to communicate, even if it's difficult. The people have no water to drink, and people have died. Do you think their municipal company can just walk away from it?"
Song Jiehui nodded: "Lin Chen, find out the provincial company's water diversion management regulations. We'll call the Maoshan Water Plant of the municipal company now and ask them to open the sluice gates."
Lin Chen: "Are you going to hit me or should I?"
Song Jiehui: "Go ahead and do it, you know the procedures well."
The call connected, and Liang Rixing, the director of Maoshan Water Plant, answered. After hearing Lin Chen introduce himself as being from Suicheng, the county company, he casually asked, "Suicheng? What's up?"
Lin Chen controlled his emotions and tried his best to remain polite: "Director Liang, it's like this, the drought in Suicheng is severe, the water level at Heshan Water Plant has dropped to the bottom, many villages are without water, and there have even been deaths. Do you think it's possible to have Maoshan Water Plant open its gates to release some water to help us?"
Liang Rixing replied dismissively, "The water from Maoshan Water Plant is for the city's water supply. The city is also short of water now, so how could we possibly supply it to your county? You should figure it out yourselves and not bother the city."
Damn, Lin Chen originally wanted to have a proper talk with him, but it seems that's not going to work out.
Lin Chen raised his voice, his tone firm: "Station Chief Liang, you must have read the provincial company's water diversion management regulations, right? They clearly stipulate that tributary water plants must not dam water and must ensure downstream water supply. Maoshan Water Plant has now completely shut off the flow, which violates the water diversion regulations, causing water shortages and casualties among the people in our county. This has a very bad impact. If this gets to the provincial company, I think your job as plant chief is over."
Liang Rixing remained defiant: "I made water storage preparations according to company regulations. What's wrong with that? Don't try to scare me. Besides, the regulations stipulate that urban water supply should be prioritized. You guys should try to overcome your own problems. If you really can't, use water trucks to transport the water. Don't try to pressure me with the provincial company."
"Overcome? How do we overcome this? The regulations state that under normal circumstances, priority should be given to urban areas. Is this the normal situation now?"
"This is a matter of life and death!" Lin Chen shouted involuntarily.
Leung Yat-hing: "Don't yell at me. You're the one begging me, not the other way around."
Lin Chen was truly exasperated, and his tone grew even colder: "Liang Rixing, I'm really giving you face. I'm calling you today not to beg you, but to inform you that either you should immediately have the Maoshan Water Plant open the floodgates to release water, or I'll call the provincial company right now and have them investigate this matter to see whether the city's water supply is more important or the lives of ordinary people are more important."
Lin Chen's words resonated throughout the conference room, making everyone feel as if they had been cleansed and felt so comfortable they wanted to cry out. Tang Xin felt the same way she did that night, feeling incredibly relaxed.
Liang Rixing, sitting opposite him, remained silent for a few more minutes, clearly feeling the pressure.
Lin Chen pressed his advantage, issuing a stern warning: "Station Chief Liang, this phone call was recorded in its entirety. I can tell you clearly, if you don't loosen your grip soon, your time as factory manager is numbered."
Wow, who in the conference room would have thought that Lin Chen would dare to threaten others?
That's so cool.
Liang Rixing was clearly scared. After a moment of silence, he finally relented: "Fine, I'll have the Maoshan Water Plant open the gates and release half the water first. But let me make this clear: if there are any problems with the water supply in the city, your county company will be responsible, hmph."
That "humph" was his last act of defiance.
Hang up when you're done.
Director Song also breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Lin Chen is really capable and has a strong will. Otherwise, we definitely wouldn't have been able to get the water sorted out."
Tan Huasheng could only echo, "Lin Chen is indeed a talented person, haha."
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