Chapter 1041 - 1006: Quality Issues

Xu Chunliang is energetic now and simply gets up to exercise at the gym. Cultivation is not the same as exercise; you can’t achieve shaping just by cultivation. Although Xu Chunliang was highly skilled in martial arts in the past, he didn’t have the muscular build he has now. Of course, times have changed, and so have aesthetic standards. Back then, the popular aesthetics were genteel young men as beautiful as jade, while now, it is all about being healthy and sunny. Except in the entertainment industry, mainstream aesthetics remain somewhat feminine.

As Xu Chunliang passed by his grandfather’s room, he noticed light seeping through the door crack. It seemed his grandfather hadn’t slept all night.

Xu Chunliang sighed inwardly. Despite the outward appearance of not liking his father, his grandfather still cared about him.

At this moment, Xu Chunliang received a message on his phone; Feng Mingjun indeed said it and did it—he’s in Africa and safe, and would contact his grandfather.

Xu Chunliang planned to share this message with his grandfather later, but he heard his grandfather’s footsteps.

Xu Changshan opened the door, seeing his grandson standing at the entrance: "Chunliang, up so early? Your dad sent a message. Guess where he is?"

Xu Chunliang took his grandfather’s phone and looked at it. It read—Dad, it’s inconvenient to call back, everything’s safe.

Along with a photo marked with the day’s date.

Xu Chunliang glanced at it. His dad is holding a hunting rifle, with the background of Mount Kilimanjaro: "It should be Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa."

Xu Changshan said, "What’s he doing there?" Then he seemed to remember something, giving his forehead a slap: "He’s... could he be bringing back an African woman?"

Xu Chunliang burst into laughter, sometimes you have to admire the elder’s imagination. Deliberately, he said, "Given his way of doing things, it’s not impossible."

Xu Changshan gritted his teeth and said, "If he dares to embarrass the Xu Family, I’ll break his leg!"

Xu Changshan cursed, but a weight was finally lifted off his heart. Xu Chunliang advised him to go rest, as staying up late is never good for the elderly.

Xu Chunliang went to the gym, working out while watching the news.

"The latest news from our station: Recent surprise inspections of traditional Chinese medicine pharmacies and clinics in Dongzhou City have found a large number of unqualified products. Now, please watch our on-site reporter’s report..."

Initially, Xu Chunliang didn’t pay attention, but soon, he heard the name Mulan Group.

Anything related to Mulan Group naturally caught Xu Chunliang’s attention. This surprise inspection stemmed from consumer complaints, where a consumer purchased medicine with the same prescription from Nanjiang City Hospital of TCM, but the same medicine cooked from provincial purchases had completely different effects. Later, this consumer had the medicinal materials purchased from Nanjiang City Hospital identified, revealing that multiple medicines were below standard quality, especially with the most outrageous counterfeit involving scorpions—dishonest merchants filling the scorpions with sand.

It’s said to be one or two dried scorpions with six fen of sand, leading to insufficient dosage and ineffectiveness when consumed.

Such phenomena are common in today’s Chinese medicine product market, and it’s precisely because of these unscrupulous merchants’ dishonest operations that traditional Chinese medicine efficacy has worsened, greatly impacting its reputation.

Even if you found a famous doctor and their prescription was precise, if the medicinal materials had too many impurities, the brewed decoction wouldn’t work as it should.

Many old Chinese medicine practitioners have realized this situation. Take Huichun Hall, for example; Xu Changshan picks and purchases all the medicinal materials himself, never delegating the task. There’s even an unwritten rule—when treated at Huichun Hall, you must get your medicine right there. Only prescriptions, no purchasing, otherwise, you’re advised to seek better elsewhere.

On the surface, this approach seems domineering, and some patients don’t understand, even thinking he’s greedy. But in fact, he’s protecting patients and defending Huichun Hall’s reputation. If he prescribes medicine and patients buy non-conforming products, they’d blame him.

Of course, some TCM clinics adopt a one-stop prescription and purchasing system to maximize profits. This surprise inspection also uncovered many non-compliant TCM clinics.

Xu Chunliang’s focus was on Mulan Group, as the news clearly pointed out that many medicinal materials came from Mulan Group.

Xu Chunliang had confidence in Mulan Group’s product quality because Mulan Group supplies Changshan Hospital, Infectious Disease Hospital, Enheng Pharmaceutical, all of whom provided feedback claiming Mulan Group’s product quality to be top-notch, with no past issues.

Not long after, Xiahou Mulan called Xu Chunliang, saying she would visit Dongzhou soon to discuss investment matters with Infectious Disease Hospital, and also to urgently address the issue of non-conforming medicines in Dongzhou. She hadn’t seen the news but received notifications from related authorities and felt the matter was suspicious.

Although Dongzhou is not far from Qiaocheng, Mulan Group’s market in Dongzhou wasn’t significant until recently when Xu Chunliang facilitated some deals. The largest deal was with Enheng Pharmaceutical, yet none of the companies Xiahou Mulan personally signed with had any issues. She hadn’t received a specific list of the units checked, and Xiahou Mulan suspected that the medicinal materials came from the secondary market.

In other words, the Group didn’t directly supply; medicine retailers acquired them wholesale from Mulan Group and resold them to target clients. Xiahou Mulan asked Xu Chunliang to help figure out which exposed non-compliant units were involved. If it turned out to be Mulan Group’s materials, she’d take responsibility; if not, she wouldn’t bear the blame, as it concerned the entire Group’s reputation.

Xu Chunliang immediately contacted Dongzhou TV Station’s news department head, Xue Meizhen, who could be considered an acquaintance by now.

Xue Meizhen had become friends with Xu Chunliang, though she wasn’t clear on the details, she promised to return to the station and get back to Xu Chunliang soon.

Xu Chunliang believed this was no small matter and decided to personally visit.

Dongzhou TV Station’s headquarters had just moved from Hidden Dragon Lakefront to New City District, and the environment was good. On his way to the station, he passed by Kangjian Elderly Care Center. This elderly care center had been operating for quite some time and had become a high-end representative for elder care in Dongzhou.

Xu Chunliang remembered Zhai Pingqing, who visited him in Nanjiang, proposing to invest in a new hospital. Xu Chunliang hadn’t given him a definite response at the time, and Zhai Pingqing hadn’t followed up these days—had he backed out?

Xu Chunliang arrived at the TV station, and the security guard saw the administrative center pass on his windshield, quickly opening the gate for him. This pass was arranged by Qin Zhengyang. Though small, it allowed him to move freely through major enterprises and government units in Dongzhou without anyone charging parking fees.

Xu Chunliang parked the car and entered the TV station’s news center, heading directly to the office area on the third floor.

Xue Meizhen had just arrived, surprised to see Xu Chunliang knock and enter: "That fast?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "When it’s a friend’s matter, I have to rush to deal with it."

Xue Meizhen picked up the phone and called the responsible person for the report, asking them to send over the list of involved units.

After hanging up, she poured Xu Chunliang a cup of tea: "Xiaoxu, why so tense? The matter doesn’t concern your hospital, right?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "How does it not concern us? Though they haven’t checked us, many of our hospital’s medicinal materials are supplied by Mulan Group."

Xue Meizhen sympathetically said, "Then it’s troublesome. I’ve heard the province is taking this very seriously, and the drug administration dispatched inspection teams that may conduct another spot check."

Xu Chunliang said, "What’s troublesome? The medicinal materials at our hospital have no quality issues."

Xue Meizhen advised, "Xiaoxu, it’s best to be cautious. I suggest your hospital conduct a self-inspection, especially those sourced from Mulan Group."

Xu Chunliang stated, "Sister Xue, your words seem a bit hasty. Do you have evidence?"

Xue Meizhen replied, "As journalists, we must be factual. We can’t publish news without evidence. This time, we’re cooperating with the inspection team."

Xu Chunliang said, "I also have to remind you, have you considered the potential impact this matter could have on Mulan Group?"

Xue Meizhen replied, "Of course, we considered it. They’re financially strong, but as journalists, we must insist on reporting the truth."

Xu Chunliang sighed, "What if the truth isn’t as you believe?"

Xue Meizhen was puzzled, "What do you mean?"

Xu Chunliang stated, "Mulan Group has been very decisive about this matter. Every product sold from their Group is rigorously tested and traceable. From what I understand, their quality has always been consistently excellent..."

At this point, the leader of the news crew, Wang Lichuan, walked in, bringing the information Xu Chunliang wanted.

Xu Chunliang glanced at the list of units inspected during the surprise check, saying, "You shouldn’t have involved yourself. I can confirm that these units didn’t directly purchase from Mulan Group."

Wang Lichuan, responsible for the news report this time, spoke firmly, "Even if it’s not directly purchased, does that mean checked products aren’t from Mulan Group?"

Xu Chunliang smiled lightly, "Without investigation, there’s no right to speak. Mulan Group has already collected some non-conforming samples, and they’ll take action soon."

Wang Lichuan said, "The inspection team dispatched by the provincial drug administration wouldn’t be wrong."

Xu Chunliang replied, "Of course, they wouldn’t err in spotting non-conforming drugs. However, when you broadcast such news without fully understanding the truth, you’ve inflicted significant damage to Mulan Group—can you bear the responsibility?"

Though Wang Lichuan acknowledged Xu Chunliang’s abilities, he was somewhat displeased by the young man’s confrontational questioning, "Are you saying that us journalists reporting truthfully is wrong? Our work doesn’t require outsiders’ instructions."

Wang Lichuan’s strong stance made Xue Meizhen worried. Who is Xu Chunliang? Despite his youth, he has connections with two governors, yet you’re stirring trouble for me. She quickly said, "Xiaowang, you can continue with your work."