Chapter 1300: Han Jing is here
It was chaotic.
The situation was getting worse.
After Minister Lui, Dong Xuebing clashed with Jiang Song again. This guy is like a hedgehog, full of p.r.i.c.ks. Dong Xuebing listens to Sister Xu but does not care about others. He does not like Jiang Song’s tone when he speaks to Sister Xu. F**k! I still have not settled the score with you for promoting that guy. How dare you go against me again and again?
Making a scene at the City Bureau!
Dong Xuebing is going to make a bigger scene today.
Dong Xuebing looked at Jiang Song. “Come on! I dare you to repeat it!”
Jiang Song did not expect a Deputy County Mayor to shout at him. He was furious and stepped forward. “Did you forget your surname? Huh?”
Dong Xuebing shrugged his shoulders. “My surname is Dong. You all should know.”
Song Jiang could not hold back his anger. He pointed at Dong Xuebing in his face. “You better…”
“I hate others pointing their fingers at me.” Dong Xuebing raised his arm and grabbed Jiang Song’s finger. He looked at him coldly. “Do you believe I can make you never point others with this finger again?”
Everyone was shocked.
“Chief Jiang!”
“Let go!”
“Watch out, Chief Jiang!”
Dong Xuebing was going to hit the City Bureau Chief.
Many people could not believe their eyes.
Jiang Song’s face changed, and he tried to pull his hand back. However, he could not move.
“Xiao Dong!” Minister Lui tried to stop him because he knew Dong Xuebing would do that.
Xu Yan pulled Dong Xuebing back. “Let go! Do you want to cause more trouble?” She saw Dong Xuebing not moving. She hugged him from his back and tried to pull him away. She panted. “Stop it! Let go of him. Can you hear me?”
Dong Xuebing had to let go of Song Jiang’s finger. He said to Song Jiang. “I am letting you off because of my former leader. I am partly responsible for what happened today. I will pay for the medical bills and will give you all an explanation. But forget about handcuffing and bringing me back for questioning. It’s a grudge between w.a.n.g Shen and me. Don’t try to escalate this incident.” He paused and pulled Xu Yan away. “Let’s go, Sister Xu.” Dong Xuebing did not plan to leave. He waited for his mother-in-law to call the State Security Bureau and settle this incident. However, Xu Yan is here, and he changes his mind. He is leaving as he does not want Xu Yan to worry.
Go first.
We can settle this incident later.
Dong Xuebing’s thinking is simple, but to others, it is ridiculous.
You barged into the City State Security Bureau, hit many people, scolded the leaders, and almost hit the leader. How can you think of leaving now?
Bulls.h.i.+t!
How can we let you go?
The people watching from the windows rolled their eyes.
“This guy is crazy.”
“He has no respect for others.”
“That’s right. He has no respect for our Chief.”
“What are the leaders waiting for? Just finish him off with a gunshot.”
Everybody in the office buildings was talking about Dong Xuebing.
The people in front of Dong Xuebing immediately blocked his way.
Xu Yan whispered into Dong Xuebing’s ears. “Stop causing more trouble. This incident cannot end like this. Just follow them, and I will think of a way to get you out.”
Dong Xuebing replied. “It’s fine. I called my mother-in-law.”
“Your mother-in-law? Xie Huilan’s mother?” Xu Yan looked at him. “I had not asked you before. What does your wife’s family do?”
“I thought you knew about it a long time ago?”
“It was a guess, and you did not admit it.”
They were interrupted when they were chatting.
Jiang Song looked at Dong Xuebing coldly. “No one is leaving if this incident is not settled!”
“What if I want to leave?” Dong Xuebing smiled. “Do you think these few people and guns can stop me? Haha… you are funny.”
Jiang Song raised his hand. The guards at the gates were waiting for his order.
Minister Lui stood there and shook his head. He did not stop Jiang Song because it was beyond his control. This brat is not listening to anyone. Who can stop someone who can escape from over fifty fully equipped and armed US soldiers? But how is this incident going to end if he leaves?”
Dong Xuebing and the State Security Bureau staff entered a stalemate again.
Many people rushed out of the office building with guns. They surrounded Dong Xuebing.
Suddenly, a car engine roared. Everyone turned and saw an Audi A8 entering the Bureau. Someone else is here. When Xu Yan came, the guards tried to stop her. But she dashed past them. But the guards did not stop this Audi. They were about to ask the driver for his ID when they saw the registration plate. They immediately let the car enter.
Whose car is that?
Is it a State Security Bureau leader?
Minister Lui and Jiang Song looked at the car.
Everyone saw the registration plate when the Audi got nearer.
This…
This is the Beijing City Party Committee’s No. 1 car!
City Party Secretary Xie’s car!
Everyone knows who Secretary Xie is.
Secretary Xie’s rank is several levels higher than Minister Lui’s former rank. He is a Sub-national leader who appears on TV often. Everyone was speechless. Although the City State Security Bureau is under the City’s jurisdiction, the city government seldom interferes with the State Security Bureau’s work. Secretary Xie is different from other Provincial Party Secretary. He is a Politburo member.
Why is Secretary Xie’s car here?
Did he hear about this incident and send someone over?
Impossible. This incident might be severe, but it is not serious enough to alarm Secretary Xie.
The people watching from the windows were puzzled. They looked at the number plate again. It was the City Party Secretary’s car, and no one dared to impersonate his car with a fake number plate. Secretary Xie controls Beijing. Who dares to impersonate his car?
That will be seeking your death.
Only an idiot will do that. This must be Secretary Xie’s car.
In front of a third-floor window, the Western Branch staff inhaled deeply and exchanged looks. They remembered an incident a long time ago. Chief Xiao Dong was still in the Western Branch. Chief Zhen held back Chief Dong’s transfer, and a group of top leaders visited their branch a few days later. Secretary Xie was among the leaders. During lunch, Dong Xuebing does not have a seat at the tables. Secretary Xie saw it and asked his secretary to give up his seat for Dong Xuebing. He even called him by his name. Everyone realized Dong Xuebing had strong backing at that moment. They didn’t know the details then and remembered that incident when Secretary Xie appeared.
The Audi stopped.
The driver got out and opened the rear pa.s.senger door. A middle-aged woman got out of the car slowly.
It’s Han Jing!
Secretary Xie’s wife!
Everyone has seen Madam Han on TV before.
“It’s Madam Han!”
“Why is Secretary Xie’s wife here?”
“She came here alone in Secretary Xie’s car.”
Everybody got more confused as they looked at the situation.
Jiang Song and the Deputy Chiefs were puzzled. Only Minister Lui was not surprised.
Minister Lui walked over.
Jiang Song and the City Bureau leaders followed quickly. They must walk over to greet her no matter why Madam Han came. She represents Secretary Xie as she came in his car.
Minister Lui greeted. “Madam Han.”
Han Jing smiled. “Old Lui, it’s been a while since you had dinner at my place.”
Minister Lui laughed. “I got asthma and heart problems. I am getting old, and my health is failing. I should be in the hospital if not for some issues here.”
Han Jing replied. “You got to watch your health. My son-in-law gave me a few Wild Ginsengs. I will send a box to you.”
Both knew each other.
Jiang Song and the other leaders walked over. However, their ranks were too low to speak to Han Jing. They could only stand beside and look at Minister Lui chatting with her.
Madam Han is here.
Why is she here?
They were confused and nervous.
Jiang Song looked at Madam Han and remembered Dong Xuebing’s information. His wife’s name is Xie Huilan, and her family members’ details are blank.
Xie Huilan…
Xie Huilan…
Jiang Song got a bad feeling suddenly.
Han Jing finished chatting with Minister Lui and looked behind her. She waved to Dong Xuebing. “Come here, Xiao Bing.”
Dong Xuebing thought his mother-in-law would call the State Security and did not expect her to come. He knows she came because she cares about him. He was touched. He walked over and greeted Han Jing. “Mum.”
Everybody was stunned when they heard that.
Outside of the compound.
More people gathered.
Many people were shocked when Dong Xuebing volunteered.
Jiang Fangfang, Pu An, Yao Cui, and the rest immediately stopped him. It was too dangerous for Dong Xuebing to go in.
Dong Xuebing replied. “I am responsible for this.”
“Why are you responsible?” Jian Xiangrong said. “You saved enough lives this afternoon.”
Jiang Fangfang was surprisingly firm. “You are not going anywhere today. Stay here and wait.”
Li Xiaona said. “You almost fell today. You cannot go. It’s too dangerous.”
Dong Xuebing ignored them and looked at the shocked fireman. “How heavy is the concrete slab pressing on Sister Zhen?”
The fireman replied. “We are unsure about the exact weight, but it should be at least one ton. It might… might be much more than that.” The seven firemen could lift a few hundred kilograms. But they could not lift that concrete slab even by an inch. It should be more than a ton. Of course, the concrete slab might be stuck by other debris.
Over a ton…
Everybody inhaled deeply.
Dong Xuebing frowned and said. “Let me try.”
“Xiao Dong!”
“Mayor Dong!”
“Mayor Dong, you…”
Dong Xuebing was very guilty. If he knew somebody might die, he would not attend the Party Committee meeting. He would rush to here to rescue the residents. He trusted the ‘Future’ newspaper, which resulted in this situation. He takes things seriously and feels responsible for this situation. He was not going to listen to others. He looked at Yao Cui and Pu An, who were holding him back, and at Jiang Fangfang. “Don’t worry. I know what I am doing. I will be fine even if the building collapses. I was buried under a collapsed hospital for many days in Fen Zhou City during the earthquake, and I am still alive and kicking now.”
“But…”
“Don’t say anymore. There’s no time.” Dong Xuebing flicked his arm, and the hands holding him were pushed away. He turned to the fireman. “Let’s go.”
The fireman replied. “You alone are not enough.”
Dong Xuebing replied calmly. “I am stronger than most people.”
The fireman was speechless. This is not about how strong you are. One more person will not make a big difference.
Yao Cui was anxious. “Mayor Jiang.”
Jiang Fangfang stared at Dong Xuebing’s back and said nothing.
The most surprised were the Meng Faction staff, especially Chu Peng. They did not expect Dong Xuebing to volunteer to risk his life to save Chu Peng’s wife.
“Mayor Dong…” Chu Peng was emotional. “You…’
Dong Xuebing consoled him. “Leave it to me. I will try my best.”
Chu Peng followed along. “Let’s go.”
“No. The person inside is your wife. Your emotions might affect the rescue operation. This is not the time to be rash. You must remain calm.” Dong Xuebing disagreed.
Chu Peng replied. “But we don’t have enough people.”
Dong Xuebing said. “It’s enough. Leave it to me.”
The Meng Faction members grabbed Chu Peng. They don’t want him to risk his life.
Dong Xuebing looked at Jiang Fangfang and Yao Cui. He gave them an a.s.suring smile and said to the fireman. “Lower the ladder’s platform.”
The platform was lowered.
Dong Xuebing and the fireman stepped on the platform.
The platform rose steadily. First floor… second floor… third floor… they reached.
The fireman team leader was full of respect for Mayor Dong’s courage. But he did not expect to move the concrete slab with the few of them. “You must be careful.”
“I know.”
“Team leader! We don’t have enough time.”
“The victim’s pulse is getting weaker. We are losing her.”
The fireman team leader shouted. “Let’s try again!”
Dong Xuebing and he got off the platform and climbed into the window.
Suddenly, the floor beneath the fireman team leader gave way. Cras.h.!.+ A large part of the floor collapsed, and more cracks formed on the ceiling.
Too many people.
The building could not hold the weight.
Dong Xuebing reacted fast. He grabbed the team leader and stopped him from falling. Three of the firemen inside fell.
Crash…
Boom!
Debris fell from upstairs.
Dong Xuebing shouted. “It is going to collapse! Get out of there!” He threw the team leader back on the ladder platform.
The firemen inside quickly rush to the window and get onto the platform.
One fireman…
Three firemen…
Five firemen…
Everybody got onto the platform.
The ladder platform could only hold so much weight and was swaying with seven people.
The third floor and second floor were almost crushed. Cras.h.!.+ The outer walls collapsed.
“It is collapsing!”
“Oh no!”
“Run!”
“What are you doing, Mayor Dong?”
“Hurry and run! What are you waiting for?”
People started screaming.
The fireman controlling the ladder moved it away slightly to avoid the debris. But Dong Xuebing did not move. He stood by the window and looked inside.
The firemen team leader extended his hand and shouted. “Hurry and get on, Mayor Dong! Get on! It’s too late to save her!”
The other firemen also shouted at Dong Xuebing.
But Dong Xuebing did not move.
This was a bedroom.
Dong Xuebing could see a pair of woman’s feet under that concrete slab.
The other side of the slab was pressing on rocks and a broken bedframe. These things prevented Zeng Jinhua from getting crushed to death.
She should be alive.
Debris continued to fall. These debris was from the concrete walls, weighing over 50 kg.
Anyone would be dead if the falling debris. .h.i.t them.
But Dong Xuebing was not concerned about the falling debris. He dodged a few pieces without looking. He did not get onto the ladder platform. Instead, he rushed towards the trapped Zeng Jinhua.
The third-floor outer walls were gone.
The higher floors crushed the second floor.
Although Dong Xuebing was inside the building, everybody outside the family quarters could see him. They could also see that piece of concrete slab pressing on Zeng Jinhua.
The building was swaying, and it looked like it would collapse completely.
The floor beneath Dong Xuebing’s feet was shocking.
“Mayor Dong!”
“Jinhua! Jinhua!”
“Hurry and get out of there, Mayor Dong!”
“There’s still s.p.a.ce on the platform! Hurry before it’s too late!”
The firemen on the platform and the leaders looking from a distance were shocked. They did not expect Dong Xuebing to do this.
Dong Xuebing did not run.
He did not run even when the building was collapsing!
He is going to throw his life away to save someone else.
Everybody was shocked.