Outside the JD District Vanguard Chemical Plant.

Many media reporters rushed to the scene upon hearing the news, but were basically intercepted by the police. Faced with questions from the media, the police remained tight-lipped and did not mention a word.

In the City Committee's news office, Deputy Secretary Song was holding a press conference.

However, this press conference only invited dozens of media outlets, including Jiangbei TV Station, Jiangbei Daily, Jiangbei Evening News, Jiangbei News... These media outlets strongly represented the official media of Jiangbei City, while other media were kept out.

The atmosphere at the press conference was relatively harmonious at first.

Song Ming, after all, was a veteran, and he stood at the podium, facing the barrage of long and short cameras, appearing relaxed and at ease.

"First of all, please allow me to apologize for the explosion at Vanguard Chemical Plant." Song Ming said with a grave face, "This morning, I received urgent news that a severe explosion occurred at Vanguard Chemical Plant, resulting in twelve deaths, five severe injuries, and thirty-six missing... The City Committee and City Government immediately launched emergency plans, mobilized one hundred and thirty-six fire engines, two aerial firefighting helicopters, mobilized fifteen ambulances, and over five hundred armed police warriors rushed to the scene for rescue. Additionally, Secretary Tang personally arrived at the scene to oversee the operations..."

After a series of data and on-site situation reports, Song Ming said, "Now, the media can freely ask questions."

"Deputy Secretary Song, what is the current situation?" a reporter from Jiangbei TV Station asked.

"The current situation is under control, and the emotions of the families of the victims are stable," replied Song Ming.

"Deputy Secretary Song, when will the fire be under control?"

"This..." Song Ming hesitated for a moment, then said, "I believe that with the efforts of our firefighters, we will soon overcome this difficulty and control the fire."

There was a round of applause...

The crowd clapped enthusiastically, creating a very harmonious atmosphere at the scene, and Song Ming appeared somewhat relieved. Normally, the Department of Propaganda would be responsible for this press conference, but to demonstrate the City Committee's high level of attention to this matter, Song Ming decided to personally step in.

After a harmonious Q&A session, suddenly, a female reporter from Jiangbei TV Station stood up and asked, "Deputy Secretary Song, I am Mu Bai from Jiangbei TV Station. I just received a call from my colleague at the front line, who reported that the situation is very bad and the death toll has already reached sixty or seventy, with family members at the scene being very chaotic. When Secretary Tang arrived at the scene, he was even surrounded by workers and family members. How will the City Committee respond to this more complex situation?"

Mu Bai's remark immediately caused an uproar at the scene. The death toll had reached sixty or seventy? Wasn't that shocking? According to national safety regulations, any accident with a death toll exceeding thirty-six must be reported to higher authorities.

Song Ming's face immediately darkened, and Vice Minister Li of the Propaganda Department hurriedly smiled and said, "Don't listen to those rumors from unreliable sources, everyone should try to follow the official announcements. After all, we have conducted an on-site investigation."

"Then... what will the City Committee do to handle the upcoming situation?" Mu Bai insisted, "Also, has the cause of this accident been clearly investigated?"

"Firstly, the Nascent Soul of this accident was due to the workers' operational error," Song Ming said, looking around at everyone. "Additionally, the City Committee has already formed an expert investigation team and a safety squad, all prepared to handle the more complex situations that follow. This includes post-disaster reconstruction work and comforting the families..."

After Mu Bai disrupted the harmonious press conference, it ended shortly afterward.

After the conference, a reporter from Jiangbei TV Station found Mu Bai and expressed concern, "Mu Bai, weren't you too direct just now?"

"How could I not be direct?" Mu Bai retorted, "Aren't we reporters supposed to deliver the truth to the public?"

"Sigh, you're still young!" An older reporter patted Mu Bai on the shoulder, saying, "Many things are not as you imagine."

"Regardless, I need to go to the scene and see for myself," Mu Bai glanced at him and asked, "Are you coming?"

"Yes, of course!" The other person nodded, saying, "After all, I still have some journalistic integrity, right?"

After that, the two of them quickly drove to the JD District.

By this time, night had fallen, but the fires at the first and second furnaces of Vanguard Chemical Plant were still not effectively controlled, each furnace stored tens of tons of chemicals, and the fierce fire was emitting purple and blue flames, exceptionally noticeable under the night sky.

"Secretary Tang, you haven't eaten all day, have something to eat first," Lin Chuan brought a boxed meal.

"I can't eat," Tang Yumeng was very anxious, the fire had not been effectively controlled despite the efforts of over one hundred fire engines. Two helicopters continuously transported dry ice to extinguish the fire, yet the intensity of the fire had not diminished. Why was this happening?

At that moment, two individuals wearing safety helmets hurriedly entered the simple room.

"Secretary Tang, we've found the problem," one of them said anxiously.

"Speak!" Tang Yumeng quickly stood up.

"The second and third furnaces are interconnected, that's why the fire has been uncontrollable," the person anxiously explained, "Now, we must separate the second and third furnaces."

"Is there a way?" Tang Yumeng asked anxiously.

"Someone has to take the risk," the person in charge said awkwardly. "Since the circuits and computer motherboard are already burned, we can only approach the furnace through the underground safety passage, but it is quite dangerous to exit through the safety passage."

"Isn't this sending someone to their death?" Tang Yumeng looked at the two of them.

"Pretty much," the person in charge sighed and said, "But, if we do not do this, furnaces four, five, and those that follow are basically interconnected."

Hisss...

Tang Yumeng took in a breath of cold air and said, "How could this happen!"

The room fell deadly silent. If the fire is not controlled soon, the entire avant-garde chemical plant would be lost. Not to mention the loss of several billion, it will also cause major environmental pollution, and even the entire surrounding area would become barren. At that time, Tang Yumeng's official hat would certainly not be saved.

"Let me go," Song Xiaojia stood up at this moment.

"No way!" Tang Yumeng rejected her without a second thought. Song Xiaojia's status was extraordinary, and she absolutely could not let her take the risk.

"Secretary Tang..." Song Xiaojia just began to speak.

"No more words," Tang Yumeng shook her head and said, "I absolutely will not allow you to go."

At this moment, Zhang Wenhui, who had been silently smoking, stood up. His nicotine-stained fingers tapped on the desktop and said, "I'm quite familiar with this chemical plant. Let me go. I should be able to control the fire."

"Captain Zhang, it's too dangerous," Song Xiaojia panicked.

"Silly girl, if you can stand up to take the risk, why can't I?" Zhang Wenhui smiled calmly and asked, "Tell me, what is the duty of a police officer?"

"To protect the personal safety, freedom, and legal property of citizens, and to protect public property," Song Xiaojia recited without missing a word.

"I am a policeman," Zhang Wenhui said with a smile, holding his hat and gently wiping the national emblem on the brim. That emblem shone brilliantly.

"Captain Zhang..." At this moment, Song Xiaojia's nose felt sour.

No one in the room dared to speak; those who had been awarded 'People's Police', 'Outstanding Police' all hesitated. Instead, it was Zhang Wenhui – often looked down upon, even despising himself – who stood up. This old cop, who had devoted more than twenty years to his duty, never considered for promotion or salary increase, but he stepped forward at the critical moment.

Song Xiaojia suddenly felt Zhang Wenhui's image towering, while she and her colleagues seemed so insignificant.

"Old Zhang, let me go with you," Lin Chuan put down his lunchbox, which was wiped clean. He patted his belly, smiling, "I've eaten my fill."

"Lin Chuan, you can't go!" Tang Yumeng was anxious.

"Secretary Tang, it's too dangerous for Old Zhang alone," Lin Chuan smiled, "I'll go with him, at least he'll have company, and besides, handling such complex tasks, I see Old Zhang might struggle. I'm clever enough to handle it."

Pfft...

Tang Yumeng, who was originally weighed down with worries, was amused by Lin Chuan's antics.

Song Xiaojia looked up at Lin Chuan, who had always been a ruffian in her heart, and he also stood up, which somewhat surprised her. Moments ago, she was upset because Lin Chuan was eating alone while everyone was fretting over this disastrous fire that had turned their hair white, but now she felt that maybe Lin Chuan wasn't so bad.

"Okay," Zhang Wenhui patted Lin Chuan's shoulder and turned to instruct Song Xiaojia, "Go get a bulletproof vest for Lin Chuan, and a safety helmet too."

"No need," Lin Chuan waved his hand and said, "These things are a burden."

Tang Yumeng took a bulletproof vest from the side and handed it to Lin Chuan, almost commanding, "Put it on."

"Yes!" Lin Chuan chuckled.

Tang Yumeng's face blushed slightly; she didn't understand why she cared so much about Lin Chuan. Perhaps because he looked too much like Tang Hao, not only did he look similar, but his actions and manners were also similar. He always silently protected her, and he had just endured quite a few punches and kicks because of the workers' attack. Tang Yumeng stared at Lin Chuan and instructed, "You must come back safely."

"Secretary Tang, mission guaranteed!" Lin Chuan straightened up, saluting with a very standard military salute.

"Go," Tang Yumeng smiled, and that smile was like a lily blooming in a secluded valley, permeating a faint fragrance.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.