Chapter 1239: Don't Do This Next Time

About a week after going to Qingxi County, Su Xinghui returned to Shangjun County town. When he saw his family and Lu Xiaoya at home, he felt as if a lifetime had passed.

These past few days in Qingxi County, he felt as if he were in a dragon's den and a tiger's lair, his nerves tense every moment. Especially when Cui Minda pulled out his gun and pointed it at his forehead, he truly saw the murderous intent in Cui Minda's eyes, and he almost felt as if he were going to be reborn again.

Now, he had finally returned home. In this warm and happy home, he felt as if he had returned from the darkness into the sunlight.

At the dinner table, Lu Xiaoya kept looking at Su Xinghui with loving eyes. Guo Suhua complained, "Xinghui, why did you go to such a far place as Qingxi County? You didn't even say a word to the family."

Su Xinghui smiled and said, "Mom, a friend over there had some trouble, so I went to visit."

Guo Suhua said, "That doesn't mean you had to be gone for so long."

Su Xinghui said, "I know, Mom, it won't happen next time."

Guo Suhua said, "Eat more. You must not have eaten or slept well while you were out; you've lost weight."

Lu Xiaoya put a piece of pork rib into Su Xinghui's bowl, and Su Xinghui ate it in big mouthfuls, feeling warm inside.

After dinner, Su Xinghui and Lu Xiaoya went out for a walk. Lu Xiaoya asked, "Xinghui, what did you actually go do so far away this time?"

Su Xinghui knew that he had been gone for almost a week, and for a town mayor to go so far away was unjustifiable in any case. Some things had to be told to Lu Xiaoya.

He said to Lu Xiaoya, "It's like this: Senior Brother Jiang received a tip-off call and went to Qingxi County to interview about the quality issues of the Changjiang main embankment project there. He was framed by local officials who falsely accused him of soliciting a prostitute and detained him. I went for this matter."

Lu Xiaoya said in surprise, "There's actually such a thing? Then has Senior Brother Jiang been rescued now?"

Su Xinghui said, "He has already been rescued; otherwise, how could I have come back?"

Lu Xiaoya said, "Then such a thing must be very dangerous, right? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Su Xinghui said, "It wasn't dangerous. Behind me, I have our dad."

Su Xinghui said this with a smile. He was trying to ease the atmosphere so that Lu Xiaoya wouldn't worry. He couldn't not tell Lu Xiaoya about the things in Qingxi County, but he couldn't tell her everything either.

Sure enough, hearing Su Xinghui mention Lu Zhenghong's name, Lu Xiaoya felt relieved. In her heart, with Lu Zhenghong there, what couldn't be settled in a small Qingxi County? She couldn't imagine what kind of danger Su Xinghui had experienced in Qingxi County.

Lu Xiaoya said, "Anyway, you are not allowed to do this next time. Next time you go out, take me with you."

Su Xinghui nodded and said, "Fine, I'll take you next time."

Only then did Lu Xiaoya look at him with a smile and firmly hold his arm, as if by doing so, he wouldn't be able to leave her behind next time.

Su Xinghui said, "I've been out for a week; let's go to Secretary Zhang's place."

Lu Xiaoya nodded, and the two went to Zhang Kaishan's house together.

Before returning, Su Xinghui had already called Zhang Kaishan. Zhang Kaishan was waiting for Su Xinghui at home. Seeing Su Xinghui arrive, Zhang Kaishan stood up and went into the study with him.

This time Su Xinghui was gone for six or seven days. Lu Zhenghong had specifically called Zhang Kaishan to say that Su Xinghui was handling an important matter in Qingxi County and that his work for these few days should be arranged for others to do. Zhang Kaishan had been on edge the whole time.

Once seated, Zhang Kaishan asked, "What exactly did you go to Qingxi County to handle this time?"

Su Xinghui told Zhang Kaishan about what he had gone to Qingxi County to handle. Zhang Kaishan was shocked to hear that the officials in Qingxi County were so reckless. He patted the desk lightly and said, "This is outrageous! To be so lawless—is this still the world of the Communist Party?"

Su Xinghui nodded and said, "Yes, before I went to Qingxi County, I didn't expect the situation there to be so bad. It's even worse than Shangjun County three years ago."

Thinking of Shangjun County three years ago, Zhang Kaishan sighed, "Why are there always such greedy cadres who don't care about the lives of the common people? Not to mention anything else, they even tampered with the Changjiang main embankment? What if there's a big flood? These are millions of common people!"

Su Xinghui frowned and said, "Uncle Zhang, I am very worried about this problem right now. I have talked with some technical personnel who study water conservancy, and they said that according to various signs, there is a high possibility that a once-in-a-century flood will occur in the Changjiang River Basin within a few years. However, we have not yet made any preparations for this possible flood, and many places have such problems with the Changjiang main embankment. I am worried..."

Zhang Kaishan stared at Su Xinghui and said, "Do you think it's really possible for such a big flood to occur?"

Su Xinghui nodded and said, "My experience in flood control work over these years can be considered quite rich. I think it is very possible for a big flood to occur. Uncle Zhang, you also have rich experience in this area; haven't you seen signs of this?"

Zhang Kaishan had been the deputy county magistrate in charge of agriculture, forestry, and water conservancy for many years, so his experience in water conservancy was, of course, unparalleled. He could see that there were indeed signs of a big flood in recent years. With the same amount of water, the water level of the Changjiang River was higher year by year. If this were allowed to continue, it was possible for the Changjiang water level to exceed the big flood of '54.

If that day really came, could those tampered embankments hold up?

Of course, that was Qingyang City's business, not something Zhang Kaishan should worry about. But if that day really came, even the embankments of Shangjun County might not have a 100% guarantee of not breaching.

Zhang Kaishan nodded and said, "Now is the time to start making preparations."

Su Xinghui said, "Not only do we need to make preparations, but the entire Changjiang River Basin needs to start making preparations. Otherwise, if we are caught off guard and a big flood really occurs, the losses will be very great."

Zhang Kaishan said, "What do you plan to do?"

Su Xinghui said, "I plan to go to the province tomorrow to report to Governor Lu in person about my trip to Qingxi County. Taking this opportunity, I will also reflect on the risk of a big flood in the Changjiang River Basin."

In fact, the big flood of '98 three years later was not just in the Changjiang River Basin; it could be said to be a nationwide big flood. However, Su Xinghui could only talk about the Changjiang River Basin. If he successfully predicted a nationwide big flood, it would only arouse suspicion.

Zhang Kaishan nodded and said, "Fine, then you go tomorrow. As for the affairs of your Pengjiawan Town, Qi Jian is managing them quite well for you now." ===== CHAPTER 1241 =====