Wu Qiangwei was at a loss; she didn't expect that this was the reason behind the accident.
"Mayor Wu, shall we talk in the car?"
The rain was getting heavier, and the wind stronger.
Although it was June, the temperature dropped rapidly.
Moreover, he saw Wu Qiangwei ca out wearing trousers and a white shirt, without even a coat.
Being exposed like this, it's easy to catch a cold.
They got into Song Guanchao's car, Song Guanchao asked, "Mayor, should we go to the hospital?"
"Yes."
Zhong Baofeng replied, "At the dical University Affiliated Hospital."
"Okay." Song Guanchao navigated and headed there.
On the way, Wu Qiangwei asked, "How is the driver?"
"The driver was beaten by the family; he's sent to the hospital as well."
"Did the driver drink alcohol?"
"No."
"Is this road open for trucks?"
"Yes, it's not restricted."
Wu Qiangwei needed to confirm whether the truck was violating traffic rules by being on the road at this ti.
After a thorough inquiry, they confird that the truck was fine; the deceased was fully responsible.
Even though seven people died, the driver was not at fault.
However, this made things difficult.
If the driver is faultless, insurance won't compensate.
According to current laws, at most they can pay a little from mandatory liability insurance as a humanitarian gesture.
But mandatory insurance isn't worth much.
These are seven lives!
Wu Qiangwei had a headache.
Zhong Baofeng knew what Mayor Wu was trying to ascertain with all these questions.
He had so suggestions but held back saying them.
Wu Qiangwei had been in the Provincial City for too short a ti; he didn't understand her personality.
If he said sothing that didn't please her, he might be rebuked.
So, it was best to stay silent.
They reached the hospital, it was just past five o'clock.
Although it was still raining heavily, the sky was starting to show streaks of pale blue.
The hospital was extraordinarily busy; all the doctors and nurses on duty were bustling around, the lights in the ergency room were constantly on.
Those with minor injuries sat outside the ergency room after simple treatnt.
The remaining family mbers of the deceased gathered together, emotionally charged.
Many police officers present stood on the periphery, watching the family.
In the crowd, Wu Qiangwei spotted Han Lan.
No wonder she didn't see her at the accident scene earlier, she ca ahead.
"Mayor Wu." Han Lan approached, her delicate eyebrows knitted, and said, "The families of the deceased are very emotional, so have gone to the inpatient departnt to assault the driver."
Wu Qiangwei asked, "Are there police over there?"
"Yes, police are stopping them for now, but they are very emotional, demanding the driver's life."
Wu Qiangwei looked around and asked, "Where is Mr. Cao?"
Zhong Baofeng replied, "I can't get through to Mr. Cao's phone."
"Can't get through?"
In such a serious accident, the district head's phone is unreachable?
"Keep trying!"
"Okay, I'll keep calling."
Zhong Baofeng walked to the side and continued to call.
Wu Qiangwei looked at the families, feeling so pressure.
The most important thing now was to calm these families emotions down.
Then cos discussing compensation.
If the driver was responsible, it wouldn't be an issue.
Unfortunately, the driver is not at fault, which makes it difficult to handle.
Because it involves a compensation issue.
No matter how emotional these families are, the dead can't co back.
To make them calm down and completely resolve this matter, effort must be made in negotiating compensation.
To put it bluntly and callously, since they died, it's sensible to discuss compensation.
As for demanding retribution, it's all nonsense.
But now the problem is, the deceased is in a completely disadvantageous position.
For Wu Qiangwei, the most pressing issue now is money.
Song Guanchao had no opinion because Secretary Han was still there, and he couldn't speak carelessly.
Besides, Wu Qiangwei is not naive; she has experience in handling such incidents.
"To the inpatient departnt, I'll talk to the families."
As they headed to the inpatient departnt, Wu Qiangwei was walking ahead when she suddenly felt soone touch her hand.
She turned her head, it was Song Guanchao.
She knew Song Guanchao wanted to say sothing to her.
"Secretary Han, please wait here, I need to discuss sothing."
She turned and walked towards the fire escape, Song Guanchao followed.
In the hallway, Wu Qiangwei asked, "What do you want to say?"
Song Guanchao asked, "How do you plan on handling this?"
Wu Qiangwei was silent for a few seconds, then said, "The driver is not at fault."
Song Guanchao understood; she intends to proceed normally.
"If the driver is not at fault, no one will pay compensation."
"I know."
"Have you thought of who will pay this compensation?"
"The City Governnt."
As Mayor, she has this power.
Song Guanchao shook his head: "There's no justification, the City Governnt cannot pay this money."
Then he continued: "I have an idea."
Wu Qiangwei's tense brows suddenly relaxed.
She was familiar with this sentence.
When they were in Lingjiang, whenever encountering an issue, Song Guanchao would always give her refreshing suggestions.
Although sotis his suggestions were a bit unconventional, they indeed gave her new perspectives and broadened her thinking.
"Go ahead."
"This money should be paid by the District Governnt."
Wu Qiangwei didn't refute imdiately, pondering: "Are you confident?"
"Yes."
"To what extent?"
"Absolutely sure!"
"Oh?" Wu Qiangwei suddenly smiled: "Then you'll handle this?"
"Sure."
"Let's go."
Wu Qiangwei returned to the corridor: "Secretary Han, let's head out."
But upon entering the elevator, Han Lan noticed sothing amiss: "Mayor Wu, we need to go up; you pressed the wrong floor."
Wu Qiangwei said, "I didn't press the wrong floor, we're heading back; soone will handle this here."
Han Lan didn't understand what she ant by this.
But she had an advantage of not probing unnecessarily.
Out of the elevator, Wu Qiangwei said, "It's still early, let's go back and sleep for a while."
On the way back, Zhong Baofeng called: "Mayor Wu, where are you?"
Wu Qiangwei didn't answer but asked instead: "Did Mr. Cao's phone get through?"
"Not yet."
"Then keep trying, we're heading back, manage things well at the hospital."
"???" Zhong Baofeng was a bit stunned.
What is going on?
Wu Qiangwei obviously had no intention to explain, she hung up after speaking.
Though Zhong Baofeng had nurous doubts, he couldn't keep calling for answers.
Looking at the families blocking outside the ergency room, he felt a bit overwheld.
Such a major traffic accident; he alone, as deputy district head, to solve it?
...
"Tomorrow I will contact the Party school and have them handle this matter." Wu Qiangwei said.
Song Guanchao responded, "Once this is resolved, I'll work to eliminate Yao Guangsong, then you can transfer over."
Wu Qiangwei gave a gentle acknowledgent, Song Guanchao's eagerness to transfer to the Provincial City made her heart leap, her face was filled with joy.
The car stopped downstairs; it was near six o'clock, the sky was dimly lit.
"I'll walk you up."
"Yes."
Exiting the elevator, Wu Qiangwei opened the door: "Rest for a while here; head back when it's fully light."
Song Guanchao stepped toward the room but said, "Isn't this inconvenient?"
Wu Qiangwei rolled her eyes; this guy was still as thick-skinned as ever.
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