Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 793 - 749 Emergency Rescue (Request for Double Monthly Votes)

Chapter 793 -749 Emergency Rescue (Request for Double Monthly Votes)

Nie Zhenbang’s words silenced the entire room. For the leaders of Gushan County, the governor was too remote, beyond their reach.

For the cadre of Wuliang City, they were not very familiar with Governor Nie’s personality and working style. At this moment, Governor Nie’s face was as dark as an approaching storm, and no one wanted to provoke him.

Big principles, they did not understand, but small principles, they were clear about. The current situation clearly spelled doom for anyone who stepped forward. No fool would dare rush out.

At this moment, Liu Bingyi could only bite the bullet and step forward, whispering, “Governor, shall we go to Victorious Coal Mine first?”

Hearing Liu Bingyi’s words, Nie Zhenbang fell silent for a moment, then nodded and said, “Let’s go!”

At this time, Nie Zhenbang also had to take the hint from Liu Bingyi and step down the offered steps. Anger aside, if things became deadlocked, was he really going to dismiss all these people? Obviously, that was impossible. Not to mention having a reason, relying on inadequate rescue efforts alone would not be enough.

However, the fury had to be expressed. Only then could these people feel his determination and attitude.

The distance from Daxing Town’s government to Victorious Coal Mine was not far, merely about three miles, but as expected, the road was in terrible condition. The road was wide enough, about ten meters, but was pitted and bumpy all the way. Dust rose in thick black clouds in the wake of the cars.

This was characteristic of coal-producing areas. In a major coal-producing province like Northern Jinmei Province, it seemed the entire province was shrouded in this black dust.

In the car with Nie Zhenbang, Liu Bingyi looked out the window and listened as Nie Zhenbang said solemnly, “Binyi, in coal mining construction and extraction, we must be strict. We have to shut down a number of small coal mines with serious pollution, low output, and high dangers. Don’t be afraid of damaging some people’s interests. In troubled times, stern measures are needed. In the face of interest disputes, one must be even stronger and more decisive. Without this, nothing can be achieved.”

The bumpy ride of three miles took almost ten minutes before they finally reached Victorious Coal Mine.

Victorious Coal Mine was built on a hill, and beneath that hill lay the coal that was a key industry for Gushan County.

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Looking around, there were no green hills or clear waters, just black everywhere. The ground was black, the hills were black, the buildings were black, as were the machines and vehicles. Next to it, one could see mountains of waste rock piled high.

As the car stopped, people rushed forward to open the door, and Gushan County’s Party Secretary and County Chief came to meet them.

They reported to Liu Bingyi and Nie Zhenbang, “Governor, this man here is Wang Dacheng, the chairman of Victorious Coal Mine.”

At the moment, Wang Dacheng was being extremely cautious. He knew very well what he represented in front of these people. To put it nicely, he was a coal boss. But compared to those coal bosses in Jinmei Province, he fell far short. In front of the governor, he was just a commoner with a bit of money. With such a big incident, Wang Dacheng knew that there was no hiding it.

“G… Governor Nie,” stammered Wang Dacheng cautiously and with some fear in his heart.

Nie Zhenbang waved his hand dismissively and went straight to the point, “You’re the mine owner. What’s the situation with the trapped workers? Do you have a map of the mine’s internal structure? Can ventilation still be maintained underground? What measures have you taken?”

Nie Zhenbang was in no mood for politeness as the situation was not for pleasantries or expressions of warmth. Saving lives was like fighting fires. At the moment, the eighty trapped miners underground were still waiting, hoping for a miracle.

At that moment, there was no use in showing a friendly and approachable attitude. It was already good enough that he had not lost his temper outright.

Wang Dacheng was stunned at that moment. The man in front of him, younger than himself, was the governor, and his question seemed too professional. Standing beside him, dumbstruck and without a word, the Party Secretary of Gushan County couldn’t stand it any longer. He walked over to Wang Dacheng, tugged at him, and whispered, “Wang Dacheng, the governor is asking you something.”

“Ah, oh!”

This clumsy performance of Wang Dacheng made Nie Zhenbang frown. He turned his head and said, “Comrade Binyi, arrange for an office and get someone to bring over the mine’s underground structure map. In addition, find a miner familiar with the situation to come over and explain things. Experts from the Bureau of Land and Resources are here; let’s all gather to study and discuss the specific rescue plan.”

As he was speaking, he turned to the Deputy Governor Huang Jin on his left, “Deputy Governor Huang, get your people to swiftly get into work mode, take control of the mine owner and other related responsible parties, and freeze their bank accounts. Conduct a thorough investigation and gather first-hand detailed information about the mine accident.”

“Lao Pan, from your end, work with the Provincial Coal Management Bureau, the Safety Supervision Bureau, and the relevant departments of the Bureau of Land and Resources to investigate the mine’s qualifications and procedures.”

Nie Zhenbang didn’t bother with this Wang Dacheng anymore; this kind of person, obviously clueless like a straw bag, wasn’t someone he had the patience to interrogate in detail at this time.

While speaking, he glanced at the sky, Nie Zhenbang said to Mayor Yang Hengqiu beside him, “Mayor Yang, it’s already past four in the afternoon. By the looks of it, today’s rescue may require to work through the night. Go and arrange for enough electric cables and night-time construction lights. Additionally, prepare logistical support for the rescue personnel and the working group.”

The capability of an expert is immediately evident; unlike the meeting discussion method in Wuliang City at Daxing Town, once Governor Nie appeared, he went directly to the scene, and a series of arrangements were carried out simultaneously, yet everything was in good order. This is true ability.

Inside the meeting room of Victorious Coal Mine. Hanging on the wall was a structural diagram of the shaft where the accident occurred at the mine. At this moment, an expert from the Bureau of Land and Resources explained, “Victorious Coal Mine uses an inclined underhand tunnel mining method. Descending about three hundred meters down the inclined shaft, approximately two hundred and fifty meters under the ground. Here is the working face where the miners are trapped. Looking at the layout, the main issue is around two hundred meters into the shaft; here, where previous operations took place, there was a gas leak and explosion. The vibrations caused the tunnel to be blocked. Now, the only method is to forcefully excavate.”

As the expert concluded, another one beside him held a different opinion, “Old Qin, I disagree with this plan. Whether using excavators or other equipment, it’s inevitable that vibrations will occur. After the explosion, the supports inside the mine are already very fragile. Starting work like this could likely lead to a complete collapse of the mine.”

Hearing the words of this expert, Nie Zhenbang nodded; indeed, rescue operations must be approached with caution, to ensure that the attempt to save lives doesn’t end up being lethal. Immediately after, Nie Zhenbang asked, “Professor Wen, do you have any alternative plans?”

Professor Wen, who had just challenged Professor Qin’s viewpoint, nodded upon hearing Nie Zhenbang’s question, “Governor Nie, my plan is to horizontally excavate from another mine nearby. Comrades, please look here. This is Well No. 2 next to the accident shaft; the distance between the two is about three hundred meters. If we dig horizontally, using handheld drills and mechanical equipment, we can advance about twenty meters per hour. Including reinforcing and various safety measures, it’s estimated that, at most, it would take twenty-four to thirty hours to break through this passage and rescue the trapped workers. The only thing is, I heard Victorious Coal Mine has a total of only one hundred and twenty miners. With the current shortage of manpower, whether it’s possible to sustain such high-intensity labor for so long is in question.”

At this point, Nie Zhenbang pondered for a moment, looking at Professor Qin and said, “Professor Qin, as experts, you and Professor Wen, what do you think of Professor Wen’s plan?”

Professor Qin, a true scholar, found controversy in academia quite normal but always sought practical solutions. After a moment of silence, he nodded, “Governor Nie, Professor Wen’s plan is indeed more prudent than mine. The main issue is the availability of manpower. Without enough people, the longer it takes, the greater the risk, and the lower the survival rate, especially since we don’t know if there’s water accumulated down in the mine.”

There’s no point in hesitation now; the rescue must go ahead. After pondering, Nie Zhenbang had made his decision, looking at the two professors he asked, “Professor Wen, Professor Qin, in regards to excavation, could dispatched sappers be capable of undertaking this task?”

Nie Zhenbang’s remark caused a stir among the people present. Although he was the governor, since the founding of the nation, the military and the government have been completely non-interfering systems. Government leaders don’t necessarily have much influence in the military. It was unexpected that Nie Zhenbang could mobilize the army.

Professor Wen and Professor Qin exchanged glances and after a brief consultation, Professor Wen also nodded, “Although the sappers are not professional miners, their expertise in this field is more solid. Naturally, it would be better to have them involved.”

Hearing this, Nie Zhenbang nodded, and then stood up and said, “Good. Professor Wen, Deputy Governor Lao Pan, Comrade Binyi, immediately organize personnel to start the rescue operation. I will contact the military right away.”

Contacting the military was not difficult for Nie Zhenbang, as the Nie family itself had a longstanding influence in the military. Moreover, with the current status of his uncle, Nie Guodong. After reaching out to his uncle, he quickly received news that a battalion of sappers from the Tianfu Military Region had been dispatched, carrying equipment, and was on its way to Gushan County aboard transport from a certain army aviation regiment of the Tianfu Military Region. (