The Strongest Master Venturing Urban

On the seventh day of the New Year, Chen Bin arrived at the Provincial Committee early.

Standing in front of the desk, he looked ashamed when he met Zeng Pengchao.

Zeng Pengchao glanced at him and immediately asked coldly.

"Before the Spring Festival, did you remind the new station's duty personnel to pay attention to fire safety?"

"I did, and I even went over personally before the holiday to emphasize it."

"The person who set off the fireworks—was it an internal employee of your station or an external hire?"

"An external hire, only recently brought in to work at the new station."

Just as the two started talking, there was a knock on the door.

Zeng Pengchao's secretary came in.

"Secretary Zeng, Feng Lei, the director of the Provincial Broadcasting Bureau, wants to see you."

Chen Bin knew right away—the man was undoubtedly aiming to stir up trouble behind the scenes.

Clearly understanding the situation, Zeng Pengchao spoke directly to the secretary.

"I won't meet him. Tell him I'm unavailable for the next few days."

"Understood."

After the secretary left, Chen Bin continued speaking.

"Secretary Zeng, I'd like to request disciplinary action from the organization. Whether it's suspension or termination, I am willing to accept it unconditionally."

"Let's wait until the investigation of this incident is complete. If it turns out it's not your responsibility, there's no need for you to bear the consequences."

After leaving Zeng Pengchao's office building, Chen Bin ran into Mao Bocheng at the entrance.

Seeing the older man's weathered face filled him with sudden fury.

Just as he was about to speak, Mao Bocheng was the first to open his mouth.

"Let's go have a talk."

Without overthinking, Chen Bin followed Mao Bocheng to his office.

Once inside, Mao Bocheng began speaking immediately.

"I want you to take full responsibility for the incident."

The words stunned Chen Bin, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"Why?"

"One of the people who set off the fireworks is the son of an old friend of mine. I don't want anything bad to happen to him."

"So you want me to take the fall instead?"

Faced with Chen Bin's questioning, Mao Bocheng didn't deny it; he nodded slowly.

In an instant, Chen Bin let out a bitter laugh, fueled by anger.

"What makes you think I'd agree to that?"

Serious-faced, Mao Bocheng replied, "If you take all the responsibility, at worst you'll be demoted. If not… you might very well be fired completely and expelled from the Party."

"So now you're implying you have dirt on me? Fine! Let's go talk to Secretary Zeng about it right now. Whoever doesn't go is a coward!"

Mao Bocheng said nothing, glaring at Chen Bin's eyes with unwavering determination.

"Don't think having some flimsy evidence means you can manipulate me! I'm not even afraid of Feng Huzhou, and you think I'd be afraid of you? Absolutely absurd!"

Chen Bin had never been reckless, but this time, Mao Bocheng's shamelessness pushed him over the edge.

With those words, he turned and left without a second glance.

After a half-month investigation, the cause of the fire at the new station was finally determined.

Setting off fireworks had ignited the flammable materials on the main building, which led to the massive fire.

The economic loss from this fire amounted to a staggering three billion.

Elsewhere, police examination revealed that the fireworks were set off by Bo Kainian and others.

Fireworks and firecrackers were banned in Tianhai urban districts, and those involved admitted the fireworks were purchased from Jiashu Group.

Jiashu Group is a multifaceted company involved in various profitable industries.

Its chairman, Zhan Jiashu, is a well-known entrepreneur and also a representative of Tianhai City's People's Congress.

When the police visited Zhan Jiashu's home for questioning, his family claimed they didn't know his whereabouts.

Calls to the company yielded equally vague responses.

As Jiashu Group neither produces nor operates its own fireworks businesses, investigators located the actual fireworks manufacturer.

The investigation revealed that Jiashu Group, seeking profits, had purchased fireworks and resold them illicitly.

To uncover more details, the authorities increased manpower to search for Zhan Jiashu.

Meanwhile, in Zeng Pengchao's office.

Pang Nianke, Li Lu, Xiao Cong, and Mao Bocheng were deliberating on how to deal with Chen Bin.

Leading the discussion, Mao Bocheng began, "Secretary Zeng, Chen Bin has been the person in charge of the new station's construction. Given such a major incident, he bears undeniable responsibility. I propose stringent measures."

"So, what's your suggestion?"

"Strip him of all Party positions and terminate his employment."

Li Lu immediately countered, "Isn't that a bit excessive? I believe issuing a severe warning should suffice. After all, Chen Bin didn't wish for anything like this to happen."

The group proceeded to debate, raising various perspectives on handling Chen Bin.

Yet, no consensus was reached by the end.

Zeng Pengchao had to finalize his stance.

"Let's leave it here for now—this matter needs to be discussed at the Standing Committee meeting."

After the meeting, Li Lu called Chen Bin to relay what had just transpired.

He also urged Chen Bin to prepare for the worst possible outcome.

Upon hearing this, Chen Bin immediately gathered the station's middle and upper-level cadres for a meeting.

In the conference room, everyone was present.

"I called you here to discuss two matters. First, due to health reasons, Zhu Lang is no longer fit for his position. The station has decided to terminate his contract, and Shi Can will take over."

Next, Chen Bin dismissed all other personnel arranged by Mao Bocheng.

"Secondly, you've all heard about the new station fire. It's likely I'll be saying goodbye to you because of this. Thank you all for your support over the past three years, and I truly hope the provincial station will continue to thrive."

Finishing his words, Chen Bin stood up and gave everyone a deep, respectful bow.

In an instant, thunderous applause erupted and resonated around the room.

Some among the crowd felt their noses sting with emotion, nearly moved to tears.

Many present had experienced years of suppression despite their technical expertise—without power or influence, they had been overlooked.

When Chen Bin became the station chief, he swept away the idle and incompetent, allowing talented, hardworking individuals to rise.

Now hearing his seemingly farewell speech, the room was filled with deep reluctance.

Chen Bin motioned for everyone to quiet down.

"If I leave, I can't say who will take over. But I believe it's best someone within the station becomes the next chief, since outsiders won't truly understand the specifics here."

As he spoke, his eyes reddened slightly.

"Lastly, I hope you'll all focus on your work. As for my situation, let's wait and see the provincial outcome."

After dismissing the meeting, Chen Bin left first.

Just as the others were about to leave, Lu Lin suddenly stood up.

"Everyone, hold on—I have something to say!"

After the crowd sat back down, he continued.

"We all know the fire at the new station wasn't Chen Bin's fault. If he leaves because of this incident, it's simply unjust. I think we should take action to help him through this."

Moved by Lu Lin's sincerity, Shen Xue immediately said.

"Station Chief Lu, none of us here are ungrateful. What do you think we can do to help Chen Bin?"

"I propose we all go to the Provincial Committee to petition, and ask the leaders above not to punish Chen Bin or force his departure."

His statement was met with immediate support from the majority.

And so, the group left the station en masse, heading straight for the Provincial Committee...