Chapter 1054: Thousand people send-off
Afternoon.
City Party Committee Building
Dong Xuebing had planned to grab his stuff and leave after bidding farewell to the leaders. But he chatted with Secretary Zhan and Luo Haiting until almost noon, and his Liu Hanqing and the rest of the Inspection First Office staff dragged him to have lunch at the cafeteria.
After lunch.
“I got to leave now.”
“Leave in the evening, Director.”
“We will meet again. I will treat you all to dinner when I return.”
“Take care and drive safely.”
Dong Xuebing had packed his luggage in his car earlier, and he walked to his black Land Rover. He entered and waved to everyone.
A few colleagues waved to him.
Something happened when Dong Xuebing was about to drive out of the compound.
A large crowd of almost a thousand people had gathered outside.
“What is going on?”
“Why are people gathering outside?”
“Are they blocking the exit to protest?”
“s.h.i.+t. Inform security now! Hurry!”
The civilian crowd was getting more prominent, with people joining in from all directions.
After the previous incident, the City Government Building tightened its security. Even City Party Secretary and City Mayor came out of the building. Xie Huilan and a few city leaders followed behind with some security officers. The Public Security Bureau officers also arrived.
What is happening?
No one knows.
Dong Xuebing could not drive out of the compound and stopped at the exit. He got out of his car and looked at the crowd.
Eh?
These people looked familiar.
Dong Xuebing noticed many familiar faces in the crowd.
Isn’t that guy the relative of the kid I saved from the freezing river?
That person is the relative of the kid I saved from the Siberian tiger at the zoo.
Those people are the ones I saved during the earthquake.
Dong Xuebing even saw the people he saved when he was the Deputy Chief of Yan Tai County Public Security Bureau. Some were from the landslide, the teachers from the school where the escaped criminals took them, hostages, etc…….
An old man walked out of the crowd. “Director Dong! We heard you are promoted and will be transferred to a faraway place. We are here to send you off.”
Dong Xuebing walked over. “Sir, you are….”
The old man replied. “You saved my son during the earthquake! You dug him out from the rumbles with your bare hands.”
Dong Xuebing could not remember as he had saved too many people.
However, the leaders and government staff were relieved when they heard about the old man. These people were not here to create trouble.
The old man pointed to the crowd behind. “These people are the ones you saved and their relatives. We heard you are leaving, and we rushed over from different districts and counties.”
Dong Xuebing was stunned.
The leaders and staff behind were shocked. Director Dong had saved so many people?!
During the earthquake, Dong Xuebing saved a few thousand people. He saved at least two thousand people at the District Second Hospital.
The crowd continued to grow.
One thousand….
One thousand five hundred people….
Two thousand people….
“Director Dong! You are one of the few good officials!”
“That’s right! Please stay in Fen Zhou City.”
“What are you all talking about?! Director Dong is promoted! How can you ask him to stay?!”
“That’s right. We are here to send Director Dong.”
An old lady walked out of the crowd and grabbed Dong Xuebing’s hand. “Director Dong, you have worked in Fen Zhou City for slightly more than two years. I know some people dislike you, and some hate you. I don’t care about all this. I only know that someone willing to risk his life for the people is a good person and official! I cannot represent everybody in Fen Zhou City, but I can represent the people here. Director Dong, I thank you on behalf of everybody for your contributions to Fen Zhou City. Thank you for saving our relatives and us. We are not fools. We know who cares for the people.”
Dong Xuebing quickly said. “Don’t mention it. It’s my duty.”
The crowd cheered.
“Thank you, Director Dong.”
“Please come back to Fen Zhou City!”
“We will wait for your return! This will always be your home.”
Dong Xuebing nodded. “Thank you. Thank you, everyone.”
The crowd"s voices could be heard several streets away.
A few reporters arrived and started taking pictures.
Not only was Dong Xuebing moved by the crowd, but many city leaders and staff were also touched. Fen Zhou City or even Hebei Province had never seen a few thousand people sending off a government official.
This was Dong Xuebing’s greatest achievement.
Xie Huilan was glad.
About fifteen minutes later.
“Let Director Dong go.”
“That’s right. We should not block the roads.”
“Let’s step aside.”
The crowd split, forming a path for Dong Xuebing.
Dong Xuebing waved to everyone and drove his Land Rover out of the City Party Committee Building compound. He only moved around ten meters and noticed the crowd following behind.
Dong Xuebing got out of his car and said. “Please go back.”
“Let us send you a while more.”
“That’s right, Director Dong. Just drive, and you don’t need to care about us.”
Dong Xuebing got back into his car and drove slowly for a while. The crowd continued to follow him.
Dong Xuebing stopped the care again and said. “I cannot accept such treatment. Thank you, everyone. Please go back.”
The crowd refused and continued to follow Dong Xuebing’s car.
The crowd walked for almost two kilometers before they dispersed.
Dong Xuebing was moved and felt everything he had done was worthwhile.