Chapter 28 of 100

Chapter 28: The Power of Officials

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Chen Xiang said, "Find a place to wash your face and rinse your mouth right away! Those who can still stand, we'll set off in three minutes."

Everyone looked at each other, clearly, there were not many who could still stand.

Li Yi hadn't drunk much and said, "Captain Chen, you've had quite a bit. How about I take you there?"

Chen Xiang also realized he had drunk too much, and everyone here had drunk too much. He nodded and said, "Alright! Li Yi and I will go first. You guys, hurry up!"

Li Yi drove Chen Xiang, following his directions to Construction North Road.

The car was fast, and the night wind was strong, blowing away a third of Chen Xiang's drunkenness.

Seeing his heavy thoughts, Li Yi asked, "Is the problem that serious?"

Chen Xiang shook his head and said, "It has nothing to do with our traffic police detachment. The culprit was drunk and fooling around with a woman in the car, which led to the collision with other vehicles. A man and a woman in the culprit's car, four or five innocent pedestrians, and the drivers of two other cars all died. The scene was very tragic."

Li Yi said, "Then why do you look so worried?"

Chen Xiang smiled bitterly and said, "The culprit is from the Provincial Party Committee Office. I don't know the specifics."

Li Yi said, "That has nothing to do with you! After all, it's not your fault."

"Official matters are complicated," Chen Xiang still frowned, "In a while, I might be transferred to the district bureau as the chief, even though it's a lateral move, the power is different, and I care a lot about it. This incident might affect my transfer."

Li Yi said, "Oh," thinking to himself, "People in the official world are so anxious and worried about a job transfer?"

Chen Xiang suddenly gave him a passionate look, "Brother Li, if possible, could you put in a good word for me with Secretary Wen?"

Li Yi was taken aback, thinking, "I don't even know Secretary Wen, let alone have any influence with him. How can I put in a good word?" His first reaction was to refuse, but seeing Chen Xiang's eager eyes, he couldn't bear to disappoint him. He vaguely said, "I'll do my best, but I can't guarantee anything!" This gave Li Yi a way out. Whether it succeeds or not, it's not his responsibility!

Chen Xiang was excited by Li Yi's vague promise! He turned around, looking at Li Yi with gratitude, "Brother, thanks! I'll show you my actions!" His eyes were full of longing, as if the position of the district public security bureau was in Li Yi's hands, ready to be given to him at any moment.

Li Yi smiled bitterly, "I can only do my best. Secretary Wen is such a high-ranking official, he generally won't change his mind because of others. Your transfer probably won't even catch his attention. This should be the responsibility of the Municipal Public Security Bureau, right?"

Chen Xiang said, "That's true, but one level of officialdom can crush you. If Secretary Wen can say a word for me, it will be a done deal! Even if he just doesn't hold me responsible for this, I'll be relieved."

Li Yi thought, "Isn't this just a case of desperation?"

They soon arrived at the scene. The local traffic police detachment, public security detachment, and police station were already there. There were also a few Audi cars with special license plates.

Following Chen Xiang's instructions, Li Yi parked the car far away and followed Chen Xiang over.

Chen Xiang ran over, and the short distance made him sweat profusely. When he reached the scene, he was drenched in sweat, wiping it away while reporting to the leaders.

"Putting on a show for the leaders! How tiring!" Li Yi sighed softly.

Li Yi saw several people who often appeared on the city's TV news: the Party Secretary of the city, Ye Chengfeng, the mayor, Wu Jiang, and a few others, one of whom Li Yi recognized: Wen Yuxi!

Li Yi didn't deliberately avoid them, but he didn't move forward either, just watching from the perimeter as a passerby.

Wen Yuxi was furious, and Li Yi occasionally heard him say, "Call the provincial health department director and the city health bureau director! With such a big accident, the 120 has been called for a long time, but they haven't shown up! What are they eating for?"

Li Yi was also angry. They had all arrived, but the 120 hadn't? Don't they know that saving lives is like putting out a fire?

Staff immediately made phone calls.

"Vroom—vroom—" The ambulance finally arrived. Seven or eight ambulances parked outside the scene, and dozens of medical personnel jumped out, rushing to the accident vehicles.

Li Yi was also curious and couldn't help but follow the crowd forward.

A doctor, after checking the injuries inside the car, reported, "Four people in three cars are already dead at the scene."

Another doctor, checking the injured on the ground, reported, "Two dead, three critically injured!"

Secretary Wen roared, "Aren't you saving people! What are you reporting for!"

Hearing a provincial party secretary swear, Li Yi found it somewhat novel.

The officials present, however, were not surprised; this was a sign that Secretary Wen was about to lose his temper! Everyone fell silent.

At this moment, the city health bureau director jumped out of his car and ran over. Seeing the scene, his legs felt weak. He approached Secretary Wen and others, stammering, "Hello, Secretary Wen! Hello, Governor Wang! Hello, Secretary Ye! Hello, Mayor Wu!..."

Wen Yuxi interrupted his greetings, pointing at the accident scene with his right index finger, and said coldly, "I called you here to see this. It's been over forty minutes since the incident! We've been here for over twenty minutes! Where was your 120? They just arrived three minutes ago! Even if the victims weren't killed by the collision, they were dragged to death by you! I suggest we temporarily revoke your position and wait for further instructions! Secretary Ye, Mayor Wu, do you have any objections?"

Ye Chengfeng and Wu Jiang agreed, "Secretary Wen's instructions are very correct! We will hold a standing committee meeting to discuss and select a qualified and capable new director."

What a powerful official!

Li Yi was shocked. A city health bureau director could be dismissed so easily!

Li Yi thought of the scene at the hospital, that Doctor Wu, the one who wanted to discharge him! If Li Yi had power, he would first drive such a bad apple out of the medical system! And those hospital managers who set such policies, all of them should be driven out. Unfortunately, he was just an ordinary citizen, and he could do nothing.

He silently vowed in his heart: I must become a high-ranking official like Wen Yuxi!

Wen Yuxi glanced at the dead in the car, frowning deeply.

Deputy Governor Wang Guozhi, who was in charge of transportation and health, stepped forward and said, "Secretary Wen, I also bear leadership responsibility for this! I will conduct a thorough self-examination later."

The other officials all lowered their heads. Even the deputy governor was making a self-examination, they felt even more ashamed and couldn't help but resent Wen Yuxi for making a mountain out of a molehill. It was just a car accident, why make such a big fuss? They all looked at him, waiting to see how he would treat Deputy Governor Wang Guozhi.

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