289: Emergency

Not long after starting work that day, Wang Zhongyu knocked and entered. Seeing Wang Zhongyu looking somewhat flustered, Lin Zifeng didn't wait for him to speak before asking in confusion, "What's wrong, Zhongyu? Has something happened?"

"Secretary, I just received a call from home. My wife's water broke, and my parents have already taken her to the County Hospital. I'd like to ask for a few days' leave."

Wang Zhongyu said somewhat urgently.

"That's good news! Congratulations, you're going to be a father, Zhongyu. Go quickly, let Qiang Zi drive you.

Don't be too anxious; everything will surely be safe."

"Thank you, Secretary. Then I'll be going now. If you have any important work arrangements, you can call me at any time."

Seeing Lin Zifeng nod with a smile, Wang Zhongyu left in a hurry.

Shortly after Wang Zhongyu left, there was another knock on the door. Lin Zifeng called for them to enter, and Zhao Delin pushed the door open and walked in.

"Secretary, Secretary Wang just requested five days of leave from the Office. You can't be without someone serving you! Let me take Secretary Wang's place and serve you for these few days!"

As Zhao Delin spoke, he stepped forward and refilled Lin Zifeng's teacup with water.

"Then Director Zhao will have to work hard for the next few days."

Lin Zifeng didn't stand on ceremony. To put it bluntly, Director Zhao Delin was the chief steward for the County Party Secretary, and Lin Zifeng indeed couldn't do without someone by his side.

With so many Cadres reporting to him every day, he couldn't possibly face them all and arrange his own schedule!

Hearing Lin Zifeng readily agree, Zhao Delin withdrew from the Office and went to Wang Zhongyu's Office next door, temporarily taking on the role of Lin Zifeng's Secretary.

More than an hour later, Zhao Delin walked into his Office again.

"Secretary, the Office just received a report call from Heping Town. A sudden incident has occurred at the Yingjianzui Scenic Area. A group of seven hikers ignored the scenic area's warning signs and privately crossed the barriers set by the scenic area to enter the wild mountains.

This group of hikers left the Yingjianzui Scenic Area boundary and entered the wild mountains three days ago.

Because they lost contact with their families, and their families knew their destination was the Yingjianzui Scenic Area, they sought out the scenic area.

The scenic area staff found clues of these people through surveillance; they had secretly climbed over the guardrails and entered the wild mountains.

All of their cell phones are currently out of the service area. Heping Town is requesting the county to organize a rescue team for support."

Hearing Zhao Delin's report, Lin Zifeng immediately stood up. Forcing himself to calm down, he then spoke: "Immediately notify the Fire Department and the Public Security Bureau to organize officers and firefighters with rescue experience to head to Heping Town with professional equipment for support.

Additionally, notify the County Hospital to initiate emergency rescue measures and send medical personnel to follow."

Zhao Delin gave his assent and turned to go make the arrangements.

Just as the Office door closed, Lin Zifeng's private cell phone rang.

Seeing it was a call from Jiang Yufei, he answered immediately.

"Zifeng, have you already received the report about the seven hikers who went missing after entering the wild mountains privately despite the warnings?"

"Yes, I just received the report. I've already arranged for someone to contact the Fire Department and the County Public Security Bureau, asking those two units to send firefighters and police officers with rescue experience to Heping Town with professional rescue equipment.

They should be able to arrive before long."

Lin Zifeng said steadily.

"It's truly an undeserved disaster! What is with these so-called hikers? Why don't they listen to advice when there are such obvious warnings?

They know there's danger yet they still take the risk. Do they really not take their own life and safety seriously just to seek a thrill?

This kind of behavior not only disregards their own lives but also wastes the manpower and financial resources of our local government.

If something really happens to these seven people, both our local government and the scenic area will have to take the blame."

Jiang Yufei had no reservations when speaking in front of Lin Zifeng, so her tone was filled with anger and a sense of being wronged.

"Yufei, I am equally helpless and angry about the actions of these hikers, but as leaders of the local government, we must have a correct understanding of this sudden incident.

Put other thoughts aside for now; life is paramount. Everything must prioritize the safety of these people."

"I've worked for so many years; I still have that much awareness.

I'm at the Yingjianzui Scenic Area right now, in their staff lounge, and I've set up a rescue headquarters.

I've already sent town staff to find local residents who are relatively familiar with the wild mountain area. Once the county rescue team arrives, these locals can serve as guides to lead them into the mountains.

Our Public Security Sub-bureau has also prepared experienced officers, waiting to enter the mountains with the rescue team to carry out the search and rescue.

I only called you after I'd arranged all this work and found a private spot!

Are you not even going to allow someone to seek a little comfort from you?"

By the end, there was a hint of grievance in Jiang Yufei's tone.

"Don't worry too much. Even if something really happens to these people, the responsibility doesn't lie with the local government. We'll just organize people to do our utmost to save them.

We'll do our best and leave the rest to fate!"

Hearing Lin Zifeng's words, Jiang Yufei gave an acknowledging sound and said, "Zifeng, your Older Sister-in-law, President Chen, has arrived. I won't talk to you for now."

The busy signal then sounded from the phone.

Putting away the hung-up phone, Lin Zifeng strolled to the window. He couldn't help but think that if all seven of these people were to perish at the Yingjianzui Scenic Area, it wouldn't just be seven lives lost—it would be seven families!

Even Yushu County and the Yingjianzui Scenic Area would be affected to some extent.

Thinking of this, Lin Zifeng turned and walked out of the Office.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, Zhao Delin quickly came out of the adjacent Office. "Secretary, what are your instructions?

I have already notified the Fire Department, the County Public Security Bureau, and the County Hospital according to your instructions.

I have also reported this sudden incident to the County Magistrate. The County Magistrate has already taken people to Heping Town."

"Let's go. We're going to Heping Town too. I want to have first-hand information to report to the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government at any time."

As Lin Zifeng spoke, he walked straight forward. Zhao Delin gave his assent, hurried to Li Qiang's lounge to call him, and the two of them followed behind Lin Zifeng as they went downstairs.

The party of three got into the car and headed towards Heping Town.

While in the car, Lin Zifeng sent a message to Chen Yuxi, telling her he had important work and briefly describing the incident at the Yingjianzui Scenic Area.

He told Chen Yuxi he wouldn't be coming home tonight, and only after receiving her reply did he put away his phone.

Due to the construction of the expressway, they had to take a detour. Thus, it was nearly two hours later when Li Qiang drove the car into the Yingjianzui Scenic Area.