Chapter Two: The Path to Success 47. Environmental Controversy (Part Five)

Two days later, following Director Shi’s arrangement, I reported the testing conclusions at the factory directors’ meeting. The meeting approved the donation plan drafted by the Party and Mass Work Department under Director Shi’s guidance.

The next day, I met with the village representatives in the village committee office. I was accompanied by Zhang Zhengliang, Chen Quanan, and two staff members from the Party and Mass Work Department and the Security Department. Besides the previous village representatives, Village Director Jiang Zhenghua also attended, along with several other villagers who were deeply concerned about matters affecting their own interests.

I first asked Chen Quanan to read aloud the environmental bureau’s testing results. Once he finished, the atmosphere exploded. Lin Kun was adamant about seeing the report. I handed him a copy and passed it around to others who requested it. After reviewing it, Lin Kun erupted, standing up and shouting at me, “You’re just trying to fool us, thinking we don’t understand! If you want us to respect you, start by calling you Secretary Wang. But if you treat us like this, you’re nothing. Listen, we’re not so easily fooled. If you don’t compensate us, we’ll block your factory gates again and stop your production. Then we’ll see who’s afraid of whom.”

Hearing Lin Kun’s outburst, I remained calm and addressed him and the villagers evenly, “Everyone, please calm down. The testing shows our factory has no issues. But as long-time neighbors, we understand your hardships and won’t just stand by.”

Seeing the villagers all fix their eyes on me, I continued, “After careful consideration, the factory, out of humanitarian concern, will provide donations to families who suffered losses last time, whether crop damage or illnesses.”

Their eyes immediately brightened with hope. I turned to Zhang Zhengliang, “Director Zhang, please read the donation list and standards to everyone.” Then I asked Village Director Jiang to verify the list for any omissions and inform everyone when they can come to the factory to collect the money.

The villagers quickly looked to Zhang Zhengliang. He began reading from the prepared document. As soon as he finished, a villager eagerly asked, “Can we come to the factory to collect the money today?”

Before I could answer, a middle-aged plump woman named Wang Dafeng sitting nearby shouted, “Damn you, Zhang Erwa! Have you never seen money? You get bribed with just this little amount, because your crops barely suffered. Of course, you’re willing, but we’re not.”

Then she turned to me and yelled, “Offering so little money and thinking you can just brush us off? No way!”

Lin Kun chimed in beside her, “Exactly, no way! We don’t want this lousy donation. We want full compensation for our losses. Otherwise, we’ll keep blocking the gates and take our grievance to the provincial government!”

Zhang Zhengliang tried to explain that according to the test results, the factory was not obliged to do anything, and the donations were out of gratitude for years of support. But no one listened. At Lin Kun’s signal, “Let’s go,” the villagers stood and began to leave. Two, including “Zhang Erwa,” hesitated but followed when they saw the others leaving.

Village Director Jiang approached me with an embarrassed smile. “Sorry, Secretary Wang, I didn’t expect this outcome.”

Although I had feared this approach might fail, especially after Director Shi promised to increase donation standards, I had still held onto some hope. Now, that hope was gone.

I graciously replied, “Not at all, Director Jiang. We appreciate all the work you’ve done for us. None of us wanted this result.”

Jiang’s expression relaxed somewhat. He leaned close and whispered, “Secretary Wang, may I speak to you privately?”

Curious, I nodded. He led me to an adjacent room, turned on the light, and closed the door quietly before saying in a low voice, “Secretary Wang, there’s something I want to tell you confidentially.”

I encouraged him with a look: “Go ahead.”

“Do you know about Lin Kun’s connections?” Jiang asked.

“What connections?” I inquired.

“Lin Kun is the cousin of a director in your factory, Lin Ke or something like that. This whole trouble was stirred up by Lin Kun.”

I was stunned by this revelation but remained cautious. “Is this information reliable?”

“I’ve heard it from several people. I also heard that your Director Lin has visited Lin Kun’s home multiple times recently.”

This news sparked suspicion. Could Lin Ke be behind this, using his cousin to cause trouble? What was his motive? I suddenly recalled Lin Ke’s attitude toward me—was he disgruntled and deliberately trying to create a problem that I would have to bear responsibility for? If so, Lin Ke was truly dark and dangerous. Yet, without evidence, I could not jump to conclusions.

Since Jiang had entrusted me with such critical information, I had to acknowledge it to encourage him to continue sharing valuable intelligence. Information, after all, is paramount.

I firmly shook Jiang’s hand and said, “Thank you so much, Director Jiang, for this important information. Please keep an eye on Lin Ke and Lin Kun and inform me immediately of any developments. The factory will not forget your efforts, and if you ever need my help, I will do my best to assist.”

Jiang appeared moved and readily agreed. Afterwards, we returned to the factory.

With the situation worsening, I felt immense pressure, as if trapped in a dead end with no solution in sight. Yet, I had to report the current state to Director Shi.

I expected Director Shi to blame me for the failure. Instead, he simply said, “Noted,” without another word or even asking what my next steps would be. It felt strange.

After some thought, I reported the information Jiang gave me about the relationship between Lin Ke and Lin Kun. Director Shi looked at me and asked, “Is there any evidence that Lin Ke is involved in this?”

“No, none,” I replied.

“Even if they are cousins, that doesn’t prove Lin Ke ordered this,” he said. “In the future, don’t bring me unsubstantiated rumors and hearsay.”

His words struck me hard, like a slap in the face, as if accusing me of failing to manage the situation and shirking responsibility, even questioning my character. I had no defense and quietly said, “Understood. I will be more careful in the future.”