Chapter 969: Leading the investigation
Next day.
City Party Committee Building, Commission for Discipline Inspection.
The weather was great, and it was warm.
Winter was almost over, and Spring was not far. Dong Xuebing was always in a great mood during this season. He parked his car and walked towards his office building.
“Oh, Director Dong.”
“Were you hospitalized yesterday?”
“How are you feeling, Director?”
“I am fine. Haha…. Thank you.”
Dong Xuebing greeted the staff and entered his office.
It was around 9 am when someone from the Discipline Inspection General Office came to inform Dong Xuebing of a meeting. This was not a committee meeting. All the department heads and deputies had to attend the meeting at the biggest meeting room on the top floor. Around twenty people were attending, and many leaders were there when Dong Xuebing entered the room. Zhan Guiping was slightly annoyed when he saw him.
“Didn’t I ask you to take a few days’ rests?” Zhan Guiping said.
Dong Xuebing smiled. “You should know me, Secretary Zhan. I am fine, and I don’t like to laze around. I had just taken a long leave and still have many things to do.”
“You….”
“Thanks for your concern.”
“Alright. Take a seat.”
“Yes.”
Dong Xuebing sat beside Luo Haiting and smiled at her.
Luo Haiting whispered. “I was almost scared to death yesterday. I went to the hospital to visit you, but the nurse told me you were discharged. It was late, and I did not call you. I didn’t sleep well.”
Dong Xuebing cleared his throat. “I told you I am fine over the phone.”
Luo Haiting sighed. “I am still worried about you.”
Her reply sounded a bit ambiguous, and Dong Xuebing did not reply as the meeting started.
Commission for Discipline Inspection Secretary He Shuien walked up the podium, and his secretary adjusted the microphone for him. “Alright. Let’s start the meeting. We held this annual meeting at the start of every year. We will discuss this year’s target set by the City Party Committee. Before we start, I would like to talk about an incident again. Some of you might know, and some might not know about it. It is about the Xi Ping Third Middle School incident. Dong Xuebing, Inspection First Office’s Director, was the first to receive the anonymous report about the school. He reported to us, and our committee sent him to investigate. I believe all of you have watched the news. That’s right. Xi Ping Third Middle School’s new school building had collapsed, and Director Dong risked his life to save a few of his colleagues. The Provincial Government and City Leaders praised his actions, and everyone should learn from him. I will pa.s.s the mic to him now.”
Even the Provincial Government’s leaders praised Dong Xuebing.
Dong Xuebing was surprised.
Everyone applauded and looked at him.
Dong Xuebing had no choice but to walk to the podium. “Secretary He, I don’t need to say anything.”
He Shuien smiled. “Say a few words. Haha.”
Dong Xuebing looked around as he held the microphone. “I… I don’t know what to say, and I believe anyone would do the same in that situation. I think that is the right thing to do and is a form of responsibility. It is nothing much. I want to thank the Provincial Government and City’s Leaders. I would also like to thank Secretary He…….” He said politely.
Everyone applauded.
Secretary picked up the microphone after Dong Xuebing was done and gave a summary of that incident before talking about this year’s target.
The meeting ended around 11 am.
Secretary He’s secretary called Dong Xuebing. “Director Dong, Secretary He wants you to attend the Committee meeting in the small room.”
Dong Xuebing replied. “Ok. Thanks for informing me.”
Secretary He’s secretary nodded. “I am going to prepare the meeting doc.u.ments.”
Dong Xuebing returned to his office to get ready before going upstairs again for the meeting.
Discipline Inspection Secretary He Shuien, Inspection Bureau Chief Xiao Bin, Deputy Secretary Zhan Guiping, and other Leaders arrived shortly.
“Let’s start.” He Shuien said. “This meeting is about the Xi Ping Third Middle School incident. The Provincial Government had heard about it, and the Leaders were furious. They demanded our Fen Zhou City Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Building department investigate it thoroughly. It does not concern this school building only. All other disaster rebuilding projects might be affected. We must investigate every government official involved and bring them to task if they broke the regulations.”
Everyone looked serious. This order from the Provincial Government Leader was a big deal. A significant crackdown would happen, and many parties and people would be implicated. This was not a surprise. If Dong Xuebing had not investigated after receiving the anonymous report, it would be more severe if there had been casualties. Would the Central Government Leaders be furious if there was death? Fen Zhou City would be in trouble.
“I want to hear everyone’s views.” He Shuien looked at them.
The Provincial Government gave this order, and everyone could not say anything.
Xiao Bin replied. “We must investigate everyone involved and not spare anyone.”
Zhan Guiping nodded. “These people dare to put their hands on the disaster relief funds and should be investigated. Xi Ping Third Middle School is an opening for us to investigate. We will start by investigating the construction material suppliers and the construction sites. Ok. Director Dong’s Inspection First Office shall conduct this investigation, and I nominate them to lead this investigation.”
He Shuien nodded. “That’s settled. You shall lead this investigation.”
Dong Xuebing replied. “Rest a.s.sured, Leaders. I will complete this mission.”
He Shuien nodded. “Ok. Report to us once you have any progress.”
This was Dong Xuebing’s first significant investigation since working in the Commission for Discipline Inspection. The Provincial and City Governments were very concerned about this case, which was reported in the media. He must do his best, which is why he returned to work today. When he saw the future newspaper article, he knew he had to grab this opportunity. This was an opportunity for him to s.h.i.+ne.