Chapter 24: Concealing the Death Toll

December 7, 2009.

Inside the No. 1 meeting room of the Jianglan Province Anti-Corruption Bureau, a solemn atmosphere lingered, and the large screen displayed a set of extremely large bed photos.

The shooting angle was excellent; at a glance it was professional-level photography.

The female lead was a young nude model.

The male lead was Chu Jinsong, a standing committee member of the Nanzhou Municipal Party Committee, deputy secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, and secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission.

This is the report material transferred from the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission; after technical appraisal, it has now been confirmed to be a set of fake photos produced by technical means.

It mainly shows that white, fatty flesh, which is clearly different from Old Chu's physique.

Old Chu is a person who loves running and fitness; after taking off his administrative jacket and white shirt, his back and abdominal muscles are well-defined, giving no impression of a white-skinned pig.

"Old Chu has only been back at work for about a month, and yet more complaint materials have been sent to the province; it seems Nanzhou really cannot tolerate Old Chu."

The middle-aged man speaking and joking was He Yanqing, section chief of the Comprehensive Guidance Section of the Jianglan Province Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Seated at the head of the table were Deputy Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau and Section Chief of Investigation Division One, Leng Chuan; also attending the meeting were six investigators from Investigation Division One, including Lin Dongfan.

These past few days, Leng Chuan has been conducting covert investigations in Nanzhou; he just returned to the provincial capital today.

The cautious Leng Chuan made no comment on Chu Jinsong's situation and instructed staff to switch to the second set of photos.

The second set of photos.

Taken in Qingzhu Village, Dongchuan Town, Jinling District, Nanzhou City, which is the site of the 9·28 forest fire.

From these photos one can see that after the blaze, Qingzhu Ridge has turned into a barren wasteland, and the free-range mountain pigs raised by villagers have been burned into black carbon corpses.

But what is truly shocking are the victims' bodies; the photos show two of them.

Among them, the female victim was Yang Mei, a feeder at the Qingzhu Ridge pig farm. Yang Mei had divorced early; she died at age 37, leaving behind a 12-year-old daughter and her elderly parents to depend on each other.

The male victim was Yang Shoushan, the owner of the Qingzhu Ridge pig farm.

Yang Shoushan was 53 when he died; he has now been identified by the Nanzhou City Forest Public Security Bureau as the primary responsible party for the 9·28 forest fire, bearing full responsibility.

"The 9·28 forest fire: Yang Shoushan has been deemed the primary responsible party and bears full compensation liability."

"Yang Shoushan's son, Yang Tao, filed a higher-level petition; he had previously been detained by the Dongchuan Town Police Station. Not long after his release, Yang Tao went to the capital to petition, then mysteriously disappeared, and his whereabouts remain unknown."

"Not long ago, Yang Tao's wife, holding a sign with tears in her eyes, knelt at the gates of the provincial government to cry for justice."

"This matter has caused a considerable impact in society and has already attracted high attention from the Provincial Party Committee."

Leng Chuan's remarks made the atmosphere on site much more solemn.

Leng Chuan then continued:

"Some say that the reason the Nanzhou officialdom cannot tolerate Chu Jinsong is because someone fears he will help the Yang family father and son overturn their case."

"Whether that is true or not, we will not discuss it for now."

"All I want to know now is how many people actually died in the 9·28 forest fire."

Saying this, Leng Chuan turned his gaze to Lin Dongfan, seated at the end of the table.

At the scene, only Lin Dongfan had been transferred from Nanzhou City, and he had also participated in drafting the investigation report on the 9·28 forest fire case.

Lin Fan Dong is also a perceptive person.

Upon hearing that, one immediately understands:

Before asking for the specific casualty figures, Leng Chuan first mentioned Chu Jinsong's intention to help the Yang family father and son overturn their case, aiming to let Lin Fan Dong let go of his worries and not fear that a careless word would implicate his father-in-law.

Lin Dongfan solemnly spoke the truth: "A total of 11 people died."

"Eleven people died, yet they falsely reported only two deaths; the officials of Nanzhou City are truly audacious." He Yanqing said, half-laughing, half-angry.

According to the relevant regulations, casualties of fewer than three persons are classified as general accidents.

Casualties ranging from three to ten persons are classified as relatively major accidents.

And casualties exceeding ten persons are classified as major accidents!

When the report was first being written, Lin Dongfan also felt torn; his first draft wrote the true numbers, but his superiors criticized it severely.

The officials of Nanzhou City, in order to evade responsibility, attempted to falsify and cover up the truth!

And even more heartbreaking than this is:

The Nanzhou City Forest Public Security Bureau recharacterized "forest arson" as "forest fire," and dragged out a dead person to serve as a scapegoat, making the deceased bear all responsibility.

This is the main reason why Yang Tao has repeatedly petitioned.

Lin Dongfan recalled: "When Nanzhou City released the casualty figures for the 9·28 forest fire, all units unified their narrative. But who exactly gave the order? I'm low-ranking; I truly don't know."

"Let's set that aside for now and first confirm the specific casualty list."

Leng Chuan looked toward everyone present.

He solemnly announced:

"This morning, Prosecutor General Liu issued a directive formally establishing the 9·28 Special Case Team. I will serve as team leader, and He Yanqing of the Comprehensive Guidance Section will serve as deputy team leader."

Saying this, Leng Chuan once again directed his gaze toward Lin Dongfan.

He continued the announcement: "Comrade Dongfan, given your familiarity with Nanzhou City's situation, you will assume the position of investigation team leader."

Upon hearing this, several of the investigators present felt resentful.

Lin Dongfan is merely a seconded staff member and only a Section Level Three Staff Member; to be appointed team leader of a major case right away—this move is truly outrageous.

Sensing the jealousy among his comrades, Lin Dongfan also felt helpless.

I, who have died once before, have endured all kinds of humiliation; having been reborn, I seized the opportunity to turn the tide against adversity—you petty little worms envying me over nothing.

Recalling his promise to his junior martial sister, Jian Si Ning,

Lin Dongfan raised his hand to speak: "Chief Leng, may I nominate someone?"

"Who do you want to nominate?" Leng Chuan asked, somewhat surprised.

Lin Dongfan smiled and said: "Jian Si Ning from Investigation Division One. After getting to know her these past few days, I think her work competence is adequate and her background is clean. The key is that male-female teamwork makes the job less tiring."

"I agree with that; an all-male team would indeed be boring."

A buddy named Tang Xia, energetically raised his hand to support Lin Dongfan's proposal.

Leng Chuan smiled knowingly: 'Since you all agree, I have no objections. But I hope you don't forget that the 9·28 Project Team is going to swat flies and hit tigers, not go on dates.'

"Thanks, Boss Leng. Rest assured, I'm a pro at tiger-hunting."

Lin Dongfan thought more and more that Boss Leng, when not putting on an ice-cold face, was actually quite cute, a person full of human warmth, and he acted without delay.

After the meeting.

Lin Dongfan called Jian Sining over: 'Chief Leng has already approved your addition to the 9·28 Project Team. Go home right away, pack a few clothes, and assemble at 2 p. m. for departure.'

"Really? Thanks, senior brother."

After longing for this chance to investigate, excitement surged, and Jian Sining tiptoed to kiss Lin Dongfan on the cheek.

Tang Xia saw this and instantly felt jealous: 'Jian, gorgeous, I also raised my hand to recommend you, okay? You only kiss him and not me—what's that supposed to mean?'

"Cough cough, I'm mainly afraid your acne will prick my lips."

Jian Sining casually laughed and joked, leaving Tang Xia feeling depressed and heartbroken.

It's not that he resents Jian Sining favoring her over him; it's just that the fact is right on his face—his 26-year-old face still has acne, which really stings.