Chapter 787: Discovering a Hidden Mudslide Hazard!

"County Magistrate Tang, the rain is too heavy, the road conditions ahead are poor, and the car cannot drive any further," Ma Ran reported softly.

"Understood, then we will get out and walk," Tang Ye decided immediately.

"Then please put on your raincoat and rubber boots first." Ma Ran was meticulous and had prepared them in advance.

Tang Ye changed into his raincoat and rubber boots, and followed the muddy road along the riverbed, walking deeper into the area.

The Deputy County Magistrate in charge of water conservancy and the Director of the Water Conservancy Bureau had no choice but to bite the bullet and follow behind Tang Ye.

Deep down, both of them still held a measure of respect for Tang Ye.

This inspection route had been selected by Tang Ye himself; from a professional standpoint regarding flood control and prevention, it was also a critical waterway that posed a significant safety threat to the entire county during the flood season.

Qiao Lin followed at the end of the group, gasping for breath after not walking for long, his heart full of resentment toward Tang Ye.

The research trip was meant to be a mere formality; why insist on looking for trouble?

After walking forward for nearly another hour, Tang Ye suddenly stopped in his tracks.

He pointed to a pile of scattered soil and gravel by the side of the road and beckoned to Shen Yuping: "Deputy County Magistrate Shen, take a look at this."

Shen Yuping was thirty-eight years old this year, the only female Deputy County Magistrate in the County Government; she was of average appearance, well-proportioned, and always maintained a rigorous and earnest work style.

However, she was not in a good state today.

It happened to be the second day of her menstrual period, and the bleeding was exceptionally heavy, leaving her feeling physically uncomfortable all over.

Tang Ye's words caused her pupils to tremble slightly.

She squatted down to inspect it and said: "These soil and rock fragments just rolled down from the mountain."

Tang Ye frowned and said: "Is it possible that there is a high probability of a large-scale landslide here? I noticed just now that there is a village under the hillside with many houses; we must organize the evacuation and relocation of the villagers."

Although Shen Yuping felt that Tang Ye was making a mountain out of a molehill, she immediately picked up her phone and dialed the number of the local township leaders. The township leaders had not received prior notice that the county was coming for an inspection, so they were inevitably bewildered after answering the call; by the time they rushed over, half an hour had already passed.

The one who arrived was the Secretary of the Township Party Committee, Ji Shaoquan. Upon arriving at the scene and seeing the situation, he felt that Tang Ye was making a fuss over nothing.

"County Magistrate Tang, every year when the rainy season comes in late spring and early summer, some rocks fall from the mountain; we are used to it. How about this: I will mention it to the fellow villagers and tell everyone to be more careful and take some precautions?"

Seeing that Ji Shaoquan did not attach great importance to it, Tang Ye's expression darkened as he said: "Comrade Shaoquan, mudslides are extremely dangerous natural disasters; we must never take them lightly. I suggest you immediately conduct ideological work with the nearby villagers; there must not be any negligence."

Ji Shaoquan looked troubled: "I am clear about the situation in this village. The young people in the village have all gone out to work, and what remains are all left-behind children and the elderly. Most of the elderly are stubborn, and it is truly too difficult to get through to them. Moreover, there is no suitable place in the town to relocate so many people."

Seeing that Ji Shaoquan was unwilling to accept his method of handling the situation, Tang Ye's expression became increasingly grave.

Qiao Lin sneered inwardly: If it were Jiang Anbang who had made such a request, Ji Shaoquan would never dare to be so perfunctory. Tang Ye was merely an official here for an exchange; he should just rely on investment promotion to complete a few political achievement projects and fill out his resume nicely—why be so serious?

Ji Shaoquan also felt that Tang Ye was being "too fussy."

It was just a rainy day with a few rocks falling from the mountain; was there any need to make such a big fuss?

It was clearly a case of taking a chicken feather as a token of authority.

This type of young official had never spent time at the grassroots level and did not understand the local situation.

Making villagers who had lived in their old houses for decades move away suddenly was as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Tang Ye knew that it was useless to say more to Ji Shaoquan, so he simply took out his phone and dialed the number of the Director of the Emergency Management Bureau, Chu Weiming.

"Director Chu, this is Tang Ye."

"County Magistrate Tang, what are your instructions?"

"I am currently at Guma Village in Hongshan Township. A section of the hillside here has become very soft because of the heavy rain, and there is water seeping out from the slope; it is highly likely that a landslide will occur. You must organize experts to come over and assess the risk immediately!"

"Understood! I will bring a team over right away."

Hanging up the phone, Chu Weiming rubbed his throbbing temples.

Tang Ye was his direct superior, and now that the other party had a request, he had to respond immediately.

"The Emergency Management Bureau will bring Geological Disaster Experts over to conduct a risk assessment in a while. Let's go to the village and wait for a bit, and take the opportunity to understand the public sentiment," Tang Ye instructed the group.

Qiao Lin breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

Although Tang Ye's actions were a bit of a grand display, at least they didn't have to continue walking forward on foot.

Qiao Lin himself was a "phoenix man" who had tested his way out of the mountains, but ever since he went to university, he had never returned to the village.

He was afraid that once he went back, he would never be able to walk out again.

He usually loved to buy luxury brand clothing, and his pursuit of high-end standards in food and daily expenses actually stemmed from the inferiority complex deep in his bones.

He was afraid that the poor, rustic smell of a mountain dweller in his bones would make others look down on him.

Although Ji Shaoquan was one hundred percent unwilling, he still took out his phone and dialed the Party Branch Secretary's number.

"Party Branch Secretary Ma, this is Ji Shaoquan."

"Secretary Ji, what can I do for you?"

"There are leaders from the county coming to inspect our area; could you help arrange it? Is that convenient?"

"Sigh, coming to inspect in such heavy rain, it really is worrying!"

Ji Shaoquan was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly smiled and explained: "The leaders are also concerned about our common people and want to understand everyone's true situation."

"Alright then, when will you arrive? I'll go to the village entrance to welcome you."

"We will be there in five minutes!"

"So fast? I'm heading over immediately."

Party Branch Secretary Ma Wu stood at the window of the village branch office for a few minutes before he saw a group of people in raincoats gradually becoming clear in the curtain of rain. He hurriedly held up an umbrella and went to meet them.

Ji Shaoquan crowded up to Ma Wu and introduced the group at the top of his voice: "This is our new Executive Deputy County Magistrate of Dayu County, Tang Ye; this is Deputy County Magistrate Shen Yuping; this is Director Qiao from the County Government Office; this is the one from the Water Conservancy Bureau..."

Before Ji Shaoquan could finish the introduction, Ma Wu suddenly stepped forward, grabbed Tang Ye's hand, and shook it vigorously, his tone excited: "Oh my, I recognize you! You are County Magistrate Tang, right? Welcome to our village!"

Seeing Ma Wu being so enthusiastic toward Tang Ye, Ji Shaoquan was bewildered for a moment.

Just a moment ago on the phone, Ma Wu's tone was clearly full of impatience.

Ma Wu led Tang Ye and the others into the village branch office and hurriedly picked up the thermos on the table to pour tea for everyone, handing the first cup to Tang Ye. "County Magistrate Tang, our village has been looking forward to you coming to take a look!"

Tang Ye responded with a smile: "Party Branch Secretary Ma, your words make me feel ashamed. I have been in Dayu County for a while now, but I really haven't been to the grassroots level much; I have come too rarely."

Ma Wu's eyes were full of excitement: "County Magistrate Tang, I often read the newspapers and watch TV; I know you are an official transferred from another province who has brought many good projects to our Dayu County and helped the mountain villagers solve many difficult problems. Our village has long been looking forward to your arrival, hoping you can help us find a way out for the village!"

Ji Shaoquan finally realized the truth.

Ma Wu was so polite to Tang Ye, even somewhat ingratiating!

That was because Tang Ye had a reputation abroad!

Qiao Lin felt incomparably bitter inside.

It had to be said!

Relying on his superb showmanship, Tang Ye had quietly established a good reputation among the common people of Dayu County!