Chapter 808

Chen Lao Ban's corpse was discovered at six in the morning the next day by an elderly person doing morning exercises.

When it was fished out, the body was bloated, but the hands still clutched a plastic bag tightly.

Inside was the water-soaked fishing spot business license, plus a family photo showing him embracing his wife and children, grinning ear to ear.

When the news reached Yuan Ben Zhong's ears, this deputy bureau chief had just finished breakfast at the unit cafeteria, holding a cup of soy milk, strolling toward the office.

Secretary Xiao Zhang followed behind him, speaking cautiously: "Bureau Chief, Chen Lao Ban of Bibo Pond... jumped into the river last night."

Yuan Ben Zhong's steps halted, and a few drops of soy milk spilled.

He turned his head to look at Xiao Zhang.

His face showed little expression: "Jumped into the river? Why would he jump into the river?"

"I heard the fishing spot was shut down, and he couldn't take it..." Xiao Zhang lowered his voice: "The family is causing a scene at the Faction, saying... saying you drove him to death..."

"Bullshit!"

Yuan Ben Zhong tossed the soy milk cup into the trash can.

His voice suddenly rose: "He had problems running his own business—what's that got to do with me? The law enforcement department inspected according to law; how can that be blamed on me?"

The voice was too loud, and several colleagues in the hallway looked over.

Yuan Ben Zhong realized he had lost composure.

He cleared his throat.

He resumed his leadership demeanor: "Alright, I know about this. Have the office issue a notice; we'll hold a safety production meeting this afternoon. Our land and resources system should also take warning and strengthen supervision and management."

"Yes." Xiao Zhang nodded, then asked: "What about Chen Lao Ban's family side..."

"Let them follow procedure." Yuan Ben Zhong waved his hand: "If they need to go to the Faction, go to the Faction; if they need to go to the Letters and Calls Office, go to the Letters and Calls Office. We're a business department; we don't handle this."

After saying that, he pushed open the office door and walked in, slamming it shut with a bang.

Xiao Zhang stood at the doorway, stunned for a few seconds, then shook his head and left.

Inside the office.

Yuan Ben Zhong sat in the leather swivel chair and lit a cigarette.

Amidst the swirling smoke.

His complexion looked a bit grim.

Someone had died.

This matter could be big or small.

Putting it lightly, it's just a business operator who couldn't cope and committed suicide.

Putting it seriously...

If someone really latches onto this and won't let go, it could become a troublesome matter, possibly leading to serious consequences; besides, the city is already in a turbulent situation.

He picked up the desk phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, Lao Liu..."

Yuan Ben Zhong lowered his voice, reminding the other party: "Handle the Bibo Pond matter cleanly. If the family kicks up a fuss, appease them appropriately... yes, spending some money is fine, just don't let them go around spreading rumors."

He hung up the phone.

Yuan Ben Zhong then sent a WeChat message to Su Qingyu: "You know about the Chen Lao Ban matter, right? Keep your people in line and don't let them talk nonsense."

Su Qingyu replied instantly: "Bureau Chief, rest assured, I understand. Do you need me to do anything on my end?"

Yuan Ben Zhong thought for a moment: "Find a time to go 'console' the family. Bring some condolence money, and just say... just say that Chen Lao Ban had a good relationship with you before his death, and you're expressing your personal condolences."

"Understood, I'll go this afternoon."

After putting down the phone, Yuan Ben Zhong leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

The unease in his heart gradually subsided.

It's just a death, after all?

Over these years, Wuzhou has developed so fast—what project hasn't had an accident? People have died in demolitions, construction sites, mines... but in the end, weren't they all settled?

He, Yuan Ben Zhong, has been able to sit in the Land and Resources Bureau for so many years—what storms hasn't he seen?

Thinking that way.

Yuan Ben Zhong's mood improved, and he even started humming a little tune.

The afternoon safety production meeting was conducted with an aura of righteous vigor.

Yuan Ben Zhong sat on the rostrum.

Holding the script.

With clear pronunciation and rounded tone, he emphasized:

"... Comrades, the bloody lesson is right before our eyes!"

"The tragedy at the Bibo Pond fishing spot has sounded the alarm for us! Safety production outweighs Mount Tai! We must adopt a highly responsible attitude toward the people, enforce implementation strictly, and tighten supervision."

Below the stage, the heads of various departments sat upright with solemn attention, taking careful notes.

No one mentioned Chen Lao Ban's name.

Nor did anyone mention why the fishing spot was shut down.

Everyone seemed to have reached an unspoken consensus—leaders sing high notes on stage, we just cooperate below; as for the truth? That doesn't matter.

Halfway through the meeting, his phone vibrated.

He lowered his head to glance at it.

It was a text message:

"Bureau Chief, the family matter has been settled. One hundred thousand, they've signed the settlement. The condition is... they want to meet you in person to express their thanks."

Yuan Ben Zhong furrowed his brows and briefly replied: "No time, you handle it."

He then continued speaking passionately:

"……So, we must learn from one instance and apply to all, conduct a comprehensive inspection! Especially those business venues with safety hazards—what needs rectifying should be rectified, what needs shutting down should be shut down! No leniency!"

Applause rose from the audience.

Yuan Ben Zhong nodded satisfactorily, lifted his teacup and took a sip.

The tea was top-quality Longjing.

It had a clean fragrance and a sweet aftertaste.

Yuan Ben Zhong recalled an old saying—when the person leaves, the tea grows cold!

Feeling that this wasn't right—when a person dies, the tea is still hot, as long as the chair beneath one's butt remains steady! Who the hell dares not to give face?

In the evening, Yuan Ben Zhong had a dinner engagement.

The host was a boss in real estate, surnamed Ma, who wanted a plot of land in East City.

After three rounds of drinks.

Boss Ma raised his cup in a toast: "Bureau Chief, regarding that plot of land, please put in extra effort."

Yuan Ben Zhong held his wine cup, smiling narrowly, and replied: "Easy, easy. But Old Ma, land policies have tightened now; procedurally… it might be a bit troublesome."

"I understand, I understand."

Boss Ma pulled out a bulging file folder from his briefcase, pushed it over without changing expression: "This is a draft of the approval documents; take a look first, and if it's feasible, I'll submit the formal materials later."

The envelope was thick.

Yuan Ben Zhong could tell with a casual touch that what was inside was definitely not approval documents, but rather a beloved local specialty.

This counts as a meeting gift, an appetizer?

Yuan Ben Zhong laughed heartily, slipped the envelope into his pocket: "General Manager Ma is someone who understands procedures; we're old friends, and I'll definitely help wherever I can."

As they were chatting, the private room door opened.

The waiter brought out a main course—steamed perch.

The fish was large, placed in the center of the plate, its eyes still open.

Boss Ma enthusiastically introduced: "Bureau Chief, try it—this is a wild perch just caught today, specially saved for you."

Yuan Ben Zhong looked at the fish and suddenly recalled the morning's news—when Chen Lao Ban's corpse was fished out of the water, its eyes were also open.

He felt an inexplicable blockage in his chest.

But soon, this unpleasant feeling vanished like smoke.

He neither believed in gods nor in karmic retribution, firmly holding to one belief—this is a jungle society of the strong preying on the weak; if you have power, use it, or it expires and becomes useless!

He picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of fish belly meat, placed it in his mouth to savor carefully: "Not bad, fresh."

"As long as you like it."

Boss Ma beamed all over and poured him another drink.