Chapter 358: Taking Office (Part 1)

As the man pushed open the door, Zhang Xiaojia was taken aback to see none other than the top leader of the Landscaping Bureau. She immediately stood up and greeted him, "Director Zhang."

Director Zhang was indeed the head of the Shazhou City Landscaping Bureau. He had been hosting a dinner for friends when he suddenly saw Zhang Xiaojia enter alongside Su Mingjun, the Executive Deputy Director of the Organization Department. This sight left him quite surprised. Although Director Zhang and Su Mingjun held the same administrative rank, the Organization Department was a key organ of the Municipal Party Committee, giving it a status clearly superior to that of the Landscaping Bureau. Realizing this, Director Zhang estimated that Su Mingjun would be the one to take the seat of honor, so he picked up his wine glass and walked over to greet them.

After exchanging pleasantries and sharing a few jokes with Su Mingjun, Director Zhang smiled and asked, "Zhang Xiaojia, has your study program concluded?"

Xiaojia politely stood up and replied, "I just returned from Lingxi this morning. I plan to report for duty at the bureau on Monday."

Director Zhang responded with a warm demeanor, "No rush, no rush. Take two days to rest before you report for duty."

Xiaojia introduced her husband, "This is my husband, Hou Weidong."

Hou Weidong stood up as well and said, "Hello, Director Zhang."

Director Zhang smiled at Hou Weidong and asked, "Where does Xiao Hou work?"

Hou Weidong replied, "I work at the Science and Technology Commission of Yiyang County." At this point, he had not yet officially reported for duty at the Comprehensive Section of Shazhou City, so he did not mention his new position.

Su Mingjun, as the Executive Deputy Director of the Organization Department, was tight-lipped and did not reveal Hou Weidong’s new identity. Instead, he poured a glass of wine and said, "Director Zhang, Xiaojia is my brother’s wife. Now that she has completed her studies and returned, I hope you will give her your guidance and support."

Seeing Zhang Xiaojia dining with Su Mingjun, Director Zhang naturally understood that their relationship was not ordinary. He replied, "Naturally. Zhang Xiaojia has returned with new skills and will surely take on major responsibilities in the unit."

He then turned to Hou Weidong and said, "Hou Weidong, Zhang Xiaojia is a reserve cadre in the Landscaping Bureau. In the future, there will undoubtedly be many matters requiring her attention. You should take on more of the household chores. Nowadays, men and women are equal, aren’t they?"

Xiaojia laughed and said, "When Hou Weidong was in Yiyang, there were hardly any household chores to speak of." Being of a feminine nature, she couldn’t help but hint at their situation in front of the director.

However, Director Zhang did not pay close attention to the subtle implications in Zhang Xiaojia’s words. His focus remained primarily on Su Mingjun. After exchanging a few more words with Su Mingjun and clinking glasses with Mrs. Su, he returned to his seat.

In the afternoon, Zhou Yongtai, Deputy Director of the Yiyang County Science and Technology Commission, called. His tone was urgent. "Director Hou, an incident has occurred at the construction site. A worker fell and suffered serious injuries. He has already been sent to the hospital."

Hou Weidong was startled and asked, "Is he out of danger?"

"No, he is currently undergoing emergency treatment," Zhou Yongtai added. "The Construction Commission has issued a notice requiring an immediate halt to production for a safety inspection. Given the tight schedule, it is unclear when work can resume after the shutdown."

"Since an accident has occurred, we must follow the Construction Commission’s instructions. I will return and figure out a solution," Hou Weidong said. He was about to be transferred to the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee Office and certainly did not want to drop the ball at a critical moment. Upon receiving the news, he drove at high speed along the highway, reaching Yiyang County in just half an hour.

At the hospital, Zhou Yongtai was waiting outside the emergency room. Seeing Hou Weidong, he looked as if he had found a savior. "Director Hou, you’re back. This worker has a rare blood type, known as the Bombay phenotype. The Yiyang County Hospital does not have this blood type in stock. We are currently coordinating with the Shazhou City People’s Hospital."

Hou Weidong went directly to find Director Li. During his time as Secretary Zhu Yan’s assistant, Director Li had dined with Zhu Yan three times through the connections of Jiang Yuxin, so they were on friendly terms. Upon meeting, Hou Weidong said, "Director Li, is there still hope for the patient? Do not worry about the cost; use the best medicine available."

Director Li was polite to Hou Weidong and explained, "The injured worker’s blood type is the rare Bombay phenotype. Because the red blood cells lack the H antigen, they do not have A or B antigens. However, their serum produces antibodies against the H substance. Since the H substance is present in the red blood cells of all other blood types, individuals with the Bombay phenotype can only receive blood from donors with the same rare type."

Hou Weidong was confused by the medical jargon and interrupted, "Director Li, is there anyone in Yiyang with the Bombay phenotype?"

Director Li shook his head. "Not only in Yiyang, but even in Shazhou, there is no such blood type. I estimate that only Lingxi Province might have it. We are currently contacting the Shazhou City Health Bureau and the Shazhou City First People’s Hospital, hoping they can coordinate with hospitals in other provinces and cities."

"It is unclear when we will receive feedback," Director Li said, rubbing his hands helplessly. "Right now, we can only wait. This matter is urgent for us, but for the city and provincial authorities, it is a minor issue. If the staff member reports to the section chief, who then reports to the director or bureau chief, valuable time will be wasted. We have encountered such delays before."

Hou Weidong immediately called Yang Liu and explained the situation. "Yang Liu, can you urge the Health Bureau in the name of the Municipal Party Committee Office?"

Yang Liu was the secretary to Deputy Secretary Gao, who oversaw education, culture, and health affairs. She agreed immediately. "Director Hou, rest assured. I will handle this matter." She went to Deputy Secretary Gao’s office and reported, "Deputy Secretary Gao, I just received a call from Yiyang County. A construction worker was accidentally injured, and his blood type is the rare Bombay phenotype. They are requesting assistance from the municipal bureau."

Deputy Secretary Gao instructed, "Human life is paramount. Contact Director Xiao of the Health Bureau immediately and ask them to provide full support."

Armed with this directive, Yang Liu called Director Xiao. Finally, she added, "Deputy Secretary Gao requests that the municipal bureau attach great importance to this matter. She will expect a report on the outcome."

Director Xiao was in the middle of a meeting. Upon learning that Deputy Secretary Gao was personally overseeing the matter, he addressed the members of the leadership team present. "A construction worker in Yiyang County has been injured, and his blood type is the rare Bombay phenotype. Deputy Secretary Gao has instructed us to show the spirit of solidarity and efficiency towards our sixty-one class brothers and do our utmost to save the injured. Let’s conclude today’s meeting here. The remaining agenda items will be postponed. We will split into two teams. One team, led by Director Li, will take experts and relevant equipment from the First Hospital to Yiyang immediately. The other team, led by Director Yang, will contact the provincial department to ensure the blood is retrieved as quickly as possible."

He paused and added, "We must have political sensitivity. Although Deputy Secretary Gao is serving a temporary term, she has influence within the Municipal Party Committee. We must not neglect this matter."

Hou Weidong rushed to the entrance of the emergency room, where he saw Zhu Kailong, the boss of the construction team, pacing anxiously. With a grim expression, Zhu said, "Director Hou, this is truly a disaster. The safety regulations at the site are sound, and everyone was operating strictly according to safety protocols. However, the worker slipped and fell. This is not my fault."

"Now is not the time to assign blame. Let’s focus on saving the injured worker first. We can discuss other matters later," Hou Weidong said in a low voice. "If the worker unfortunately dies, you must prepare for compensation and comfort his family. We cannot allow any disturbances."

Zhu Kailong nodded while muttering, "I’ve had bad luck for eight lifetimes."

At that moment, Yang Liu called back. Hearing that the Shazhou City Bureau had mobilized urgently, Hou Weidong felt slightly relieved. He prepared to go to Director Li’s office to inform him of the situation.

Just as he reached the door, he heard Director Li’s voice: "Director Li, rest assured, we will go all out." Seeing Hou Weidong enter, Director Li did not greet him but immediately made a phone call, instructing the relevant departments of the county hospital to make full preparations and coordinate with the doctors from the city hospital for a joint consultation.

After hanging up, Director Li looked at Hou Weidong with suspicion. "Director Hou, the municipal bureau has fully mobilized to save this injured worker. Director Li is leading a team down here, and Director Xiao, the top leader, is coming as well. Director Hou, who did you just call? How did you exert such influence?"

Hou Weidong had already received Yang Liu’s call. He deliberately spoke in a calm tone, "I called Deputy Secretary Gao’s secretary. Deputy Secretary Gao attaches great importance to this matter."

Director Li said, "Director Hou has escalated this matter to the municipal leadership. No wonder the municipal bureau acted so swiftly. If this had not been reported to the higher-ups and had to go through the hierarchy level by level, by the time the blood arrived from Lingxi, the patient might not have survived." He sighed inwardly, "It is good to be an official."

Half an hour later, Director Li from the municipal bureau arrived in Yiyang with the experts. At the same time, the blood retrieved from the Lingxi Blood Center was on the highway, speeding towards Yiyang.

At 7:00 PM, the construction worker was out of danger.

Director Xiao of the Municipal Health Bureau reported the matter to Deputy Secretary Gao immediately. The Shazhou City Television Station and newspaper provided follow-up coverage of the incident. Subsequently, the Lingxi Provincial Television Station also broadcasted the news. A workplace injury incident had transformed into a heroic story within the health system.

This vivid example made Hou Weidong realize once again the magic of power. For the special position he was about to assume, he felt both anticipation and a touch of anxiety. The next morning, Hou Weidong woke up early and called Zhou Yongtai. He was not reassured about the safety at the construction site, believing that seeing is believing.

After inspection, he found that the agricultural research base had indeed implemented various measures effectively. Safety responsibility agreements had been signed at every level, regulations had been established, and safety personnel had been assigned. Measures to prevent falls, fire hazards, and deep foundation pit accidents were well implemented. The worker’s fall was indeed an accidental event.

Hou Weidong finally felt relieved. He had just taken off his hard hat and had not yet reached the gate of the construction site when he heard a voice reprimanding, "Stop work immediately for rectification. We hold safety meetings every month, and you participated. Now that an accident has occurred, I have to bear the responsibility for you."

Zhu Kailong, the old boss of the construction team, was following Hou Weidong. He recognized the voice and said, "Director Hou, that is Director Jiang from the Construction Commission. The schedule is so tight right now. If we stop work, the project will definitely be delayed. You just inspected the site, and there are no major issues with our safety systems. Please plead my case."

At the gate, Hou Weidong saw Director Jiang, who looked displeased. He smiled and greeted him, "Director Jiang, after emergency treatment yesterday, the worker is out of danger."

Director Jiang was still angry and did not respond. He turned to Zhu Kailong, the construction boss standing next to Hou Weidong, and said, "Zhu Kailong, we issued a notice yesterday ordering you to stop work for rectification. Did your ears turn into mosquitoes? Why are you still working?"

Zhu Kailong glanced at Hou Weidong and smiled ingratiatingly. "We have stopped work. These are materials ordered some time ago, which just arrived today. After unloading, we closed up for self-inspection."

Hou Weidong offered a cigarette and asked, "Director Jiang, how many days will the work stop?"

Director Jiang took the cigarette and smoked while saying, "No safety accidents have occurred at any construction site in Yiyang this year. How is your Science and Technology Commission managing things? You deal with science, yet your management level is like this." Director Jiang was the Deputy Director of the Construction Commission in charge of safety. He had been scolded by Director Zhang Yajun at the leadership meeting yesterday and was holding a grudge. Seeing Hou Weidong, he couldn’t help but lecture him.