Zhong Mingren's ward is becoming more and more like the office of the provincial party committee, with documents, materials, and books piled up everywhere on the desk, sofa, and bedside table, and comrades who come to report on their work are constantly coming every day. After his condition stabilized, Zhong Mingren originally wanted to be discharged from the hospital, but the hospital did not agree, fearing that there would be another accident, and insisted that he stay in the hospital for observation for a period of time. Fortunately, it is observed, there is less interference from doctors and nurses, and the daily work is not affected, Zhong Mingren has been in a good mood and is in a good mood.

However, after reading the information and investigation reports on the pollution of the Xiajiang River sent by Li Dongfang one after another, Zhong Mingren's good mood disappeared.

Zhong Mingren fell into a painful introspection and self-blame that he had never felt before. Although He Jiaguo had blown the wind in front of him before this, which made him mentally prepared, he still didn't expect the problem to be so serious! Pieces of materials written in black and white were placed there, like a pile of charcoal fires burning day and night, roasting his soul, making him sweat profusely and tasteless in sleep. Over the past 15 years, due to the pollution of the international industrial park, there have been frequent disasters in agriculture, animal husbandry, and fishery in five counties and cities, including Qinghu in the lower reaches of the Xiajiang River, and the total economic losses have been as high as several billion yuan, which may have exceeded the income of the international industrial park's profits and taxes. What is particularly serious is that it has caused a sudden increase in endemic diseases in Qinghu City and the three counties and cities downstream, forming several high-incidence areas of cancer, and the cancer mortality rate has also increased year by year. What kind of industrial park is this? It's a garbage and sewage manufacturing plant. As a former secretary of the Xiajiang Municipal Party Committee and now the secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, he can't help but ask himself again and again: How did this evolve to this point? When you Zhong Mingren declared that you represented the interests of the people on various political occasions, did you really represent the interests of the people? When making this major decision, did you consider the benefits and disadvantages from the perspective of the people? How did it cause such a serious catastrophe to the people?

Yes, there are many objective reasons for this: due to the limitations of the times, the lack of understanding of environmental protection issues, in order to solve the problem of food and clothing, it was too late to consider environmental protection, and so on. But can these objective reasons be a reason for you to shirk responsibility? You, Zhong Mingren, are the secretary of the Xichuan Provincial Party Committee of the Communist Party of China and one of the commanders of Xichuan Province's reform and opening up in the past 21 years.

The crux of the problem is not that the international industrial park has made a mistake in decision-making, that it is not terrible to make a mistake in the order, and if there is a healthy check-in mechanism, if someone can stand up and stop drinking earlier, this catastrophic pollution that has lasted for 15 years will be stopped at an early stage. But because of the lack of this mechanism, the problem is clearly there, but no one dares to mention it! All he's heard for fifteen years is flattery! Even the leaders of the Qinghu Municipal Party Committee, who suffered the most, were flattered there! What the hell is going on? Is it that the subordinate cadres have no sense of responsibility, or is he so pressed that the subordinate cadres dare not speak? The matter is so serious that it cannot be said that the subordinate cadres are not responsible, but the main responsibility is still his, the big boss! After Li Dongfang became the secretary of the Xiajiang Municipal Party Committee, he repeatedly reflected this problem to him, what did he do? Asking Li Dongfang to read the "Environmental Protection Law of the People's Republic of China", and reading it three times, this kind of domineering is already unreasonable!

Of course, there is also Zhao Qigong who publicly raised this issue. Of course, Zhao Qigong and Li Dongfang are not the same thing, this person is obviously playing the political card, as long as you don't touch his personal political interests, he will never mention this kind of topic that offends you, and he did not mention it before the democratic life meeting of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee. If Wang Peisong hadn't discovered the problem with Vice Governor Zhao, Zhao Qigong would never have mentioned it.

After Li Dongfang raised this question, although he didn't believe it and was very disgusted in his heart, he still faced this problem with a responsible attitude and conducted some investigation to understand. He asked Qian Fanxing several times, and he also went to the park with Qian Fanxing to inspect the site and listen to the report, but he didn't expect that what he heard and saw was all falsehood. From the park management committee, the provincial and municipal environmental protection bureaus, to the mayor Qian Fanxing, they didn't tell him the truth, and they all insisted that it was caused by lax management! What's going on with Qian Fanxing? He trusted him so much and repeatedly stressed the need to seek truth from facts, but this comrade still did not seek truth from facts!

When Qian Fanxing's face repeatedly appeared in front of Zhong Mingren, he didn't expect Qian Fanxing to come to report again.

Zhong Mingren remembers the situation that day very clearly. He had just had dinner and was about to take a walk on the boulevard of the East Courtyard accompanied by his secretary and staff, when Qian Fanxing came and met him at the top of the staircase. He hesitated for a moment, wanting to give up the routine walk and talk to Qian Fanxing about the International Industrial Park, but after thinking about it, he felt that there was no need to be in such a hurry, so he asked Qian Fanxing to accompany him for a walk. This walk is half an hour, because it is in a public place, there are doctors, nurses and wounded and sick people coming and going, and it is inconvenient to talk about the problem of the international industrial park, he did not ask, and Qian Fanxing did not say. Qian Fanxing, as usual, talked about the progress of Times Avenue with obvious flattery and flattery, saying that he and the comrades in Xiajiang were working on Times Avenue with the spirit of the big boss who did the Outer Ring Road back then. If it was in the past, he would be very happy when he heard this kind of words, but he couldn't be happy this day, and he was instinctively alert to Qian Fanxing, but he didn't show it.

After the walk and returned to the room, without waiting for Zhong Mingren to speak, Qian Fanxing made a formal report with a bitter face and emotion, and said: "Big boss, I'm not here to complain to you today - it seems that I, the mayor, can't do it!" ”

Zhong Mingren didn't know what was going on: "What? Got a disagreement with the comrades in the East? Take your time and don't be so emotional. ”

Qian Fanxing calmed down a little: "Comrade Dongfang forced me to order the closure of the international industrial park, big boss, do you know this?!" ”

Zhong Mingren was stunned for a moment, and wanted to start a topic about it, but when the words came to his lips, he swallowed them back - he wanted to hear what this mayor comrade wanted to say today? He shook his head, pointed to the polluted materials piled up on the desk, and said quietly: "Comrade Dongfang has sent some materials one after another, but he hasn't told me about the closure of the park." Comrade Jiaguo also sent two books a few days ago, one is "Reflections on the Giant Panda" and the other is "Silent Spring", which I am reading. However, I know their thoughts, and He Jiaguo and I muttered about the Guanyuan! ”

Qian Fanxing spied on Zhong Mingren's expression, as if he was a little unsure: "Big boss, I don't know what you think now?" ”

Zhong Mingren frowned: "You don't care what I think, just say what you think, the mayor of Xiajiang City is you!" ”

Qian Fanxing said hesitantly: "Big boss, you know my attitude, in fact...... In fact, it has always been clear: the pollution problem of international industrial parks is a regulatory problem, and it has not yet reached the point of closing the parks...... Make a fuss! ”

Zhong Mingren snorted and agreed: "You are not wrong, there are indeed people who make a fuss, such as Comrade Zhao Qigong!" ”

Qian Fanxing thought that he had set the right direction, and he became bolder, and his words were explicit: "Comrade Zhao Qigong in the province is in trouble, and Comrade Li Dongfang in our city is cooperating, it is really in full swing!" plus a He Jiaguo, who also jumped up and down behind Li Dongfang, making me unable to do anything serious! Maybe he couldn't figure out the relationship between Zhong Mingren and He Jiaguo, and added cautiously, "Of course, Jiaguo is young and lacks political experience, so it is inevitable that Li Dongfang will be used as a gunman, big boss, I'm afraid you have to say hello to Jiaguo." ”

Zhong Mingren was silent, not only disappointed in the mayor in front of him, but also disgusted.

Qian Fanxing also seemed to notice something unusual, and glanced at Zhong Mingren timidly, not daring to continue.

Zhong Mingren said: "Oh, Comrade Fanxing, you say, go on, I'll listen!" ”

Qian Fanxing thought about it, and plucked up the courage to continue: "Big boss, I know you don't like the comrades below to make small reports, and I really don't beat Comrade Li Dongfang's small reports today, I really have to say: Li Dongfang, this comrade, is essentially another Zhao Qigong, and when I was forced to order the closure of the park today, he said everything that Zhao Qigong couldn't say!" ”

Zhong Mingren looked at Qian Fanxing attentively: "Oh, how did you come to this conclusion?" What did Comrade Dongfang say? ”

Qian Fanxing became excited: "Comrade Dongfang said that your big boss has single-handedly created pollution for fifteen years regardless of the life and death of the people!" ”

Zhong Mingren's expression changed suddenly: This is too harsh, how can Li Dongfang say that? How dare you say that? When did he ignore the lives of the people? If he had known that the international industrial park would cause such serious pollution, he would not have made a decision on this project fifteen years ago!

However, would Li Dongfang say that? Would you say that in front of Qian Fanxing? Doubtful. Taking a step back, what if Li Dongfang said it? Isn't that true? In fact, he has been creating pollution for fifteen years! Why can't people criticize it?

Zhong Mingren got up from the sofa, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looked at the night scene outside the window and was silent for a long time, before turning around and asking Qian Fanxing: "Comrade Fanxing, is Comrade Dongfang right?" Please answer me with the party spirit and conscience of a communist! ”

Qian Fanxing almost said: "Of course it's not right, who doesn't know the cadres and masses in Xiajiang?" The International Industrial Park is the first successful international development zone in Xiajiang and our province, and it is a model for your big boss to grasp with one hand, whether it is to Xiajiang or to our province, the contribution and influence are great, which is a fact for all to see! Li Dongfang and Zhao Qigong made a fuss about the International Industrial Park, and it was Xiang Zhuang who danced the sword with the intention of Pei Gong! ”

Zhong Mingren's face suddenly became very ugly: "Comrade Fanxing, this is the answer you gave me with your party spirit and conscience?" ”

Qian Fanxing felt that something was wrong: "Big boss, I'm ...... I'm telling the truth! ”

Zhong Mingren finally became furious: "Tell the truth? Comrade Qian Fanxing, on the issue of international industrial parks, did you tell me the truth? You only say what I like to hear - falsehoods, empty words, clichés,! It's time to look at words and emotions again, isn't it?! ”

This strong reaction surprised Qian Fanxing, who was so frightened that his face turned white, and he broke out in a cold sweat for a while, speechless.

Zhong Mingren grabbed a pile of materials and trembled angrily in front of Qian Fanxing: "Take a look, take it back for me to take a good look!" It's bloody! Don't you really see these blood and tears? You have neither party spirit nor conscience! Do you really respect me when you tell lies in front of me again and again? No! Not at all! You are trapping me in injustice, trapping the Xichuan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China in injustice! The more he talked, the more angry he became, and he remembered the "forced palace" reflected by He Jiaguo in due time, "There is one more thing, and I will also say it by the way today: On the issue of Times Avenue funds, you also gave me this hand, right?" I know that the Department of Transportation and the Road and Bridge Company have told me a lie, and there is no one billion funds to invest, and you still dare to demolish four streets! Are you forcing the Department of Transportation? You're forcing me, trapping me, putting me on the fire to roast! Fortunately, Comrade Jiaguo brought the funds, otherwise what would be the situation? The common people will point to the four demolished old streets and scold my ancestors for eight generations! ”

Qian Fanxing kept wiping his sweat: "Secretary Zhong, I ...... the problem of funds in this era of Dadao I'll have to explain, I'...... I didn't think much of it at the time, really. I...... I think you are the big boss of our Xichuan Province, and you always ...... to get some money There's always a way to ......"

Zhong Mingren sneered: "What can I do? Do you want me to scrape the ground to help you create political achievements?! ”

At this time, the night sky outside the window suddenly lit up extraordinarily, and there was a fire somewhere, and the fire seemed to be not small.

Qian Fanxing was stunned, couldn't help but stand up, looked out the window, probably realized that something was wrong, and sat down uneasily.

Zhong Mingren turned his back to the window, did not notice the fire outside the window, and continued to criticize Qian Fanxing and said: "Comrade Qian Fanxing, didn't you come this time to touch my attitude?" So, now I can tell you my attitude: after I go back, I will immediately hold a mayor's office meeting at the request of Comrade Li Dongfang, and officially close the international industrial park in the form of a ** order! Facts have proved that Comrade Li Dongfang and Comrade He Jiaguo are right, they have party spirit and conscience, they are not only superior, they only seek truth, and Zhao Qigong's political blackmail is two completely different things! On this issue, you Qian Fanxing is wrong again, I never thought that Comrade Li Dongfang would participate in Zhao Qigong's political blackmail! ”

Qian Fanxing sat on the sofa with half his buttocks, like a dog, nodded again and again, and didn't dare to say a word more.

At this moment, the phone on the desk rang, and the ringtone was sharp and piercing.

Zhong Mingren walked over to answer the phone and said, his attitude was somewhat relaxed: "You comrade must be sober-minded, don't make mistakes again and again!" I can tell you clearly: Even if Zhao Qigong engages in political blackmail, Zhao Qigong's correct opinion must also be accepted, and he cannot be nonsense because of others! If I can't even do this, I, the secretary of the provincial party committee, am too unskilled, and I should step down! ”

Speaking of this, Zhong Mingren grabbed the phone and asked, it was Li Dongfang, who was looking for Qian Fanxing.

Zhong Mingren asked casually: "Dongfang, looking for Comrade Fanxing, how did you find me here?" Why not call his phone? ”

Li Dongfang said: "His mobile phone is turned off, come to your big boss to complain, does he dare to turn it on?" Big boss, you ask him to answer the phone! ”

Zhong Mingren noticed the fire outside the window, and before handing the microphone to Qian Fanxing, he asked Li Dongfang by the way: "Dongfang, there is a fire outside my window, it seems that there is a fire somewhere, and the fire seems to be not small-do you know this?" ”

Li Dongfang said anxiously: "Big boss, I'll find Qian Fanxing for this matter!" It's the Roman Forum that's on fire, and it's a serious fire! Early this morning, the Xiajiang River was polluted by our international industrial park, Qinghu City was cut off, Qian Fanxing was dizzy, and all the city's fire trucks were sent to Qinghu City to deliver water to the residents, not even a fire truck was left! Big boss, let Qian Fanxing answer the phone! ”

Zhong Mingren was shocked, and his hand holding the phone couldn't help shaking. It was only then that he knew that the Xiajiang River had been seriously polluted again, and that there had been such a big mistake in dealing with the aftermath! What's even more infuriating is that until this time, Qian Fanxing hadn't revealed the pollution to him! He criticized him so harshly that he didn't even say a word about such a serious situation!

When Qian Fanxing answered the phone, Zhong Mingren was silent, thinking, and pacing in the room.

As soon as the call between Qian Fanxing and Li Dongfang ended, the anger in Zhong Mingren's heart broke out again: "Comrade Qian Fanxing, didn't you say that you, the mayor, can't do it?" I don't think you, the mayor, should be doing it anymore! If you continue to do it, I am afraid that the people of Qinghu City will still have to drink sewage, and I don't know which square building we will burn down one day! Now the fire is urgent, I won't say anything more to you, if you really have the idea of resigning, you can report to the provincial party committee, I personally will never keep you! I used to see the wrong person, but now it seems that your comrade is essentially no different from Zhao Qigong, you have yourself in your heart, and there has never been a people! Never! ”

Faced with an angry provincial party secretary, Qian Fanxing ended a self-defeating report in extreme embarrassment.

After Qian Fanxing left, Zhong Mingren was restless and asked his secretary to call again and again to inquire about the situation in the Roman Forum.

At almost 10 o'clock, Li Dongfang personally called over and reported that the consequences of the fire were very serious: eight people were killed in the fire, more than 30 people were injured, including two international friends who had come to China for tourism. Because the fire truck failed to arrive in time, almost all of the shopping malls on the ground floor of the building were burned down, and the direct economic loss was estimated to be no less than 30 million.

After listening to the report, Zhong Mingren felt extremely heavy, and after a long time, he sighed and said: "Comrade Dongfang, don't say it, I am the one who should bear the main responsibility for this, I am ready to be discharged from the hospital as soon as possible, prepare to convene an enlarged meeting of the provincial party committee, and listen carefully to the criticism of the comrades!" After a pause, he then instructed, "Comrade Dongfang, please prepare well, make a key speech at the meeting, spread it out, and I will give you half a day." ”

Li Dongfang excused himself: "Big boss, what else am I talking about?" Haven't you talked about the past that should be talked about? There's no need for that! ”

Zhong Mingren said in an unquestioning tone: "I think this is necessary!" It's necessary! In the past, I basically didn't listen to it, and other comrades didn't hear it, but if you talk about it, this is the content of your secret report at the Xiajiang City CPC Committee a few months ago: The issue of the number one leader's political affairs, the issue of the project of political achievements, the issue of democratization of decision-making and employment, and the issue of seeking truth from facts, boil down to one point, that is, the question of how to truly be responsible for our reform cause and the fundamental interests of the broadest masses of the people! Comrade Dongfang, please do not care about the face of me and any leading comrade of the provincial party committee, no matter who this leading comrade is! If we talk about face like this again, we are afraid that we will even lose the inside! ”

There was silence on the other end of the phone, a long silence......

Zhong Mingren thought that the phone was malfunctioning: "Hey, hey, Comrade Dongfang, did you hear what I said?" ”

Li Dongfang's familiar voice sounded clearly again, his voice was heavy and low, revealing deep respect and sincere touch: "Big boss, what if...... If you must insist on doing so, then ...... Then I'll do as you instructed! ”

Zhong Mingren said: "Okay, good, I insist on doing this, and I hope that this meeting will become an important beginning of intra-party democracy in our province." ”

After putting down the phone, Zhong Mingren fell into a deeper self-blame and self-examination: Twenty-one years have passed since reform and opening up, and Xichuan Province and Xiajiang City have undergone historic changes that are no less than those of brother provinces and cities. Now it seems that there are great achievements and many problems, such as intra-party democracy. When and from what point did intra-party democracy begin to become a form lacking in content? In Xichuan Province and Xiajiang City, how many hidden dangers similar to international industrial parks exist to varying degrees? There is only one earth for mankind, and there is no reason for anyone to ravage and plunder it savagely, which is related to the common interests of all mankind......