Chapter 58

The car was moving, and the closer it got to the instrument factory, the harder it was to proceed.

The traffic jam on the riverside avenue had spread to the surrounding roads, with vehicles lining up in long queues and the sound of honking horns rising and falling.

Chu Tianshu said slowly, "They have negotiated with the factory leaders and reported to the petition department. This morning, they even went to the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, but none of these actions have received sufficient attention. They are truly left with no choice."

"Xiao Chu, I didn't expect the situation to be as serious as you described," Jian Ruoming said, looking at the slow-moving crowd outside the car window and then at Chu Tianshu. "If I'm not mistaken, you are very familiar with them."

Chu Tianshu said frankly, "I rent a room in the simple dormitory of the instrument factory and have lived with them for two years."

At this moment, Jian Ruoming's phone rang. Huang Rushan urgently asked where she was.

Jian Ruoming said the car was stuck on a street not far from the instrument factory. She then asked about the situation at the scene.

Huang Rushan, like an ant on a hot pan, told Jian Ruoming that the police had already arrested a worker who was leading the disturbance. The worker's family had blocked the police car, and others had surrounded Vice Mayor Tang Yifu. The crowd was agitated, and the situation was almost out of control. Deputy Mayor Yi Haitao had just arrived at the scene.

Jian Ruoming asked the driver to stop the car and got out with Chu Tianshu to walk to the scene.

"Xiao Chu, the situation is very serious. The police have already made an arrest," Jian Ruoming said as they walked.

"What?" Chu Tianshu was shocked. "Who was arrested? Do you know?"

Jian Ruoming shook her head.

Chu Tianshu's mood became heavy. This was not the outcome anyone wanted.

Jian Ruoming said, "Xiao Chu, I think the laid-off workers can't continue to cause trouble. If they do, it will lead to chaos and instability. Public sympathy for them will be completely lost, and the escalation of conflicts will only bring unnecessary harm to the families of those who are emotionally agitated."

Chu Tianshu thought for a moment and found Jian Ruoming's words reasonable. He asked, "Director Jian, if they don't cause trouble, what can they do?"

Jian Ruoming continued, "State-owned enterprise reform is an inevitable trend, and no one can stop it. Their demands should be addressed through more rational and sensible means to gain attention from all sides. The current situation is that the overall transfer plan for the instrument factory has not adequately considered the rights of the laid-off workers, and this must be corrected."

"Correction? Easier said than done. I am powerless," Chu Tianshu said helplessly. "I heard that several bidding companies are eyeing the land of the instrument factory, which they have long coveted. They have used all kinds of connections and resources and are eager to swallow it up."

"Indeed, as you said, we cannot stop the overall transfer of the instrument factory with our strength, but we can control the process by working on the bidding companies, trying to buy time and space."

Chu Tianshu was still confused. "How exactly do we do that?"

Jian Ruoming said, "This is not something that can be explained in a few words. I believe we must immediately stop the workers' extreme behavior to prevent it from being exploited by those with ulterior motives."

Chu Tianshu argued, "Director Jian, the bidding companies have deep backgrounds; we cannot underestimate their power."

Jian Ruoming said, "The long-term rights of the workers need to be protected, but the most important thing now is to protect their personal safety. To make the public understand the hardships of the laid-off workers and to let the city leaders hear their voices, there are more rational and sensible ways, such as using the media and public opinion."

Chu Tianshu had to look at Jian Ruoming with new respect. Her experience in provincial agencies and her calm and meticulous thinking had endowed her with wisdom and a broad perspective under her elegant appearance. He asked hurriedly, "Director Jian, what should we do now?"

Jian Ruoming said, "Xiao Chu, you understand the laid-off workers. You must do your best to calm the situation as soon as possible."

Chu Tianshu was familiar with the area and led Jian Ruoming through several narrow alleys, quickly arriving at the riverside avenue.

The entrance of the instrument factory was crowded with people, making it impossible to move.

Workers, who had heard the news, rushed to the scene, and the number had grown from dozens to hundreds. The crowd of onlookers also grew larger, and even the drivers stuck in traffic got out of their cars, smoking and asking around. They were so afraid of being fined by the police that when they heard about the blockade of the police car, they forgot about their need to get going and joined the crowd, cheering and enjoying the commotion.

Chu Tianshu looked around and saw a group of female workers arguing with the police car. Since it was on the side of the road and there were many onlookers, this area was the main cause of the traffic jam. A group of male workers, who were a bit further away, were clearly more agitated, shouting and cursing at the police who were trying to block them.

In the middle of the crowd, Chu Tianshu suddenly saw a familiar figure, slender and graceful, with a ponytail swinging back and forth, but he couldn't remember who she was.

There were also some unidentified people in the crowd, some trying to steal, some causing friction, and a few suspicious-looking individuals huddled together, apparently plotting to rob unattended small shops.

The situation was volatile, and Chu Tianshu didn't have time to think. He said to Jian Ruoming, "Director Jian, be careful. I'll go and check!" Without waiting for her to respond, he quickly rushed into the crowd, heading toward the police car.

Although Chu Tianshu was familiar with a few workers from the simple dormitory, most of the workers from the instrument factory did not recognize him. Entering the crowd of agitated people was like walking into a burning furnace, and a single misstep could result in being burned by the flames of anger.

But Chu Tianshu thought, the situation must not get out of control. Escalating conflicts would only lead to bloodshed and tears for the laid-off workers, causing chaos and passivity. It would be better to calm the situation first and then use the media and public opinion to express the demands of the laid-off workers. He believed Jian Ruoming would find a way to pressure the bidding companies.

After much effort, Chu Tianshu finally reached the police car. The first person he saw was Tan Yufen, who was sprawled on the hood of the police car, trying to block it from moving.

Chu Tianshu's heart sank. He immediately understood that the person arrested was Zhang Wei. He hurried forward and called out, "Sister, what happened to Brother Wei?"

Seeing Chu Tianshu, Tan Yufen was taken aback, and tears streamed down her face. She sobbed, "Brother Wei, they put him in the car."

Tan Yufen wiped her tears and looked up at Chu Tianshu, only then noticing that her chest was exposed. She turned away, pulled up her shirt, and fastened the button that had come undone.

Chu Tianshu quickly averted his gaze.

The previously fearless and bold Tan Yufen suddenly became shy. She turned her back, pulled up her shirt, and fastened the button.

Chu Tianshu turned to a young police officer nearby and asked, "Officer, who is in charge? I need to speak with him."

The young police officer looked at Chu Tianshu suspiciously and, hearing him call Tan Yufen "sister," assumed he was also a worker from the instrument factory. He warned, "Please step back. Don't escalate the situation, or you will be arrested too."

Chu Tianshu shouted, "I am here to calm the situation. Don't exaggerate. If the conflict escalates and leads to a large-scale confrontation, you will be held responsible."

Seeing Chu Tianshu's righteous stance, the young police officer, unsure of his identity, became a bit intimidated and looked toward the front police car.

Chu Tianshu turned and walked toward the front police car. The crowd, intimidated by his presence, automatically made way for him.

Reaching the police car, Chu Tianshu knocked on the door.

Inside the police car, Han Li was intently watching the crowd nearby. He couldn't take Zhang Wei away and was anxiously waiting for Hao Jiancheng's orders. The sudden knock startled him.

"What's going on?" Han Li shouted instinctively.

Chu Tianshu recognized the voice and, upon closer inspection, saw that the police officer inside was the police station chief he had dealt with two nights ago. Without hesitation, he yanked open the car door.

Han Li, seeing a civilian at first, thought it was a laid-off worker causing trouble and was about to react, but then recognized the imposing figure outside the car as the influential Chu Tianshu. He jumped out of the car, excitedly saying, "Oh, what are you doing here?"

Chu Tianshu didn't explain much, just said vaguely, "I am here to handle the group incident and hope for your full cooperation."

Han Li saluted Chu Tianshu and said loudly, "Please give your instructions, sir!"

In Han Li's view, Chu Tianshu, who even made Hao Jiancheng yield, must have significant influence. Being sent to handle the emergency at such a critical moment meant he must have a powerful background.

Chu Tianshu asked, "Chief Han, did you arrest a laid-off worker?"

Han Li replied, "Yes."

Chu Tianshu said, "Release him!"

"Um..." Han Li looked at the crowd nearby.

Chu Tianshu's face turned serious. "Huh?"

Han Li smiled nervously and explained, "These people are too arrogant. If we don't arrest someone, we can't control their behavior."

"Maintaining stability is the top priority. Conflicts must be resolved, not escalated. Do you understand?" Chu Tianshu tugged at Han Li's clothes and said sternly, "Do you know that Deputy Mayor Yi Haitao is already on the scene? If the situation isn't calmed down quickly, you won't be able to keep your job."

Chu Tianshu mentioned Deputy Mayor Yi Haitao, which made Han Li hesitate, wondering if this was the reason for Chu Tianshu's presence.

Seeing Han Li still hesitating, Chu Tianshu said sternly, "Listen to me and release the person immediately."

Han Li responded loudly, "Yes, sir."

He ran to the back police car and instructed the young police officer to release the person.

Zhang Wei jumped out of the police car.

Chu Tianshu ran forward, grabbed his hand, and said, "Brother Wei, I'm sorry for what you've been through."

Zhang Wei, a tough man who had served in the military, was deeply moved, and his eyes welled up with tears.