Chapter 1044 - 1009: No Good Ending

Xu Chunliang said, "This matter is difficult to handle. It has now drawn the serious attention of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Those people over in Nanwan won’t let it go easily either. You guys are essentially smearing national enterprises. As for Wang Lichuan, that little bastard, although he’s the one who stirred things up, he doesn’t have the ability to bear such a big responsibility. Sister Xue, to be blunt, this matter is likely to fall on your shoulders."

Xue Meizhen felt unable to cry even if she wanted to: "Xiaoxu, you know, this news has nothing to do with me." She clearly understood in her heart that it couldn’t be unrelated. Such an important news piece must have been first reviewed by her. It’s just that usually she’s lenient with Wang Lichuan and was too indifferent about this news.

Xu Chunliang said, "You’re the Director of the News Center at the TV station, how can it not be related?"

Xue Meizhen replied, "Then what do I do now?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Rather than waiting for someone else to shift the blame, you might as well stab him first before he does."

Xue Meizhen said, "Xiaoxu, I’m somewhat unclear on this. Could you give me a hint?"

Xu Chunliang lowered his voice and said, "Doesn’t that little bastard have connections? You should contact the relevant departments, and before things blow up, report and expose him and his father."

Xue Meizhen gasped in surprise. Truly Xu Chunliang, merciless in retaliation, but upon thinking it over, Xu Chunliang made a great point. If the sky falls, someone big has to bear it. If the blame is pushed onto Old Hou, she would become merely a passive participant, and the responsibility would be considerably lighter.

Xue Meizhen said, "But he’s the Station Director. Who would believe me?"

Xu Chunliang said, "What about it? I’m sure he has his faults. In a place like yours, it’s the officials with heavy authority who are most prone to mishaps."

Xue Meizhen, enlightened by his words, realized that Old Hou had some indiscretions in his lifestyle. Striking first is the way to go. This time, the storm is fierce, and to protect herself, she must act first. But whom should she contact? With Director Hou’s stature and influence, taking him down by herself seems too difficult.

Xu Chunliang said, "You can provide clues. I’ll report them to the higher-ups for you."

Xue Meizhen was overjoyed: "That’s wonderful, Xiaoxu, I..." She lowered her voice: "I have evidence of Hou Guoyi’s indiscretions."

Xu Chunliang said, "Give it to me. We cannot tolerate those who appear noble on the surface but act sordidly behind the scenes to remain a part of our revolutionary team."

That evening, Xu Chunliang found an excuse not to return home and quietly slipped into Xiahou Mulan’s room, patiently guiding her movements in practice.

When Xiahou Mulan woke up in the morning, she felt as if she’d been completely worn out by him, almost suspecting whether he had some addiction to this.

While Xu Chunliang was showering, she opened her computer to check the latest materials sent by the Group. Now they have gathered enough evidence, and next is the rights protection to clear those who have targeted the Group’s reputation.

Xu Chunliang came over grinning in his bathrobe, and Xiahou Mulan, feeling somewhat intimidated by his exploits, raised her hands in surrender: "I’m done for, I’ve got lots to do today. You’re practically the reincarnation of a sex fiend."

Xu Chunliang said, "It’s not my fault, it was because last night’s meal was too nourishing. If it wasn’t spent on you, it’d be wasted."

Xiahou Mulan rolled her eyes. He sure had many excuses. Xu Chunliang came and embraced her.

Xiahou Mulan said, "You really are bursting with energy."

Xu Chunliang said, "It proves you’re attractive. I remain composed with others, but with you, I want to work tirelessly."

Xiahou Mulan said, "I don’t believe it. I bet you’re like that with anyone."

Xu Chunliang laughed and, seeing the time, remembered he had to go with the team to Xia Pi to check on the sealed medicinal materials at Changsheng, and hurriedly dressed and left without even eating breakfast.

The team, although having arrived just the previous night, was highly efficient. They’d already ruled out any connection between the irregular medicines and Mulan Group, and Li Kaiqiang had reported this to the higher-ups.

Following Lin Sijin’s instructions, the matter had to be handled carefully, with no tolerance for anyone or any unit defaming nationally protected ethnic enterprises. She would report this to the higher-ups and pursue the responsibility of the relevant units.

Before the team even reached Xia Pi, the city’s pharmaceutical supervision department called Xu Chunliang.

Why Xu Chunliang? Because this matter was directly dispatched by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, without prior notice to Dongzhou or even Pinghai. Pinghai Province, being well-informed, upon hearing of the matter, managed to track down the team’s list, which included only Xu Chunliang from Dongzhou City’s health system.

It’s rather puzzling that Xu Chunliang, given his qualifications, was able to join the working group dispatched by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The province contacted Dongzhou City, seeking to know details of the investigation through the Dongzhou Pharmaceutical Supervision Bureau by locating Xu Chunliang.

Contacting Xu Chunliang was the Vice Director of Dongzhou Pharmaceutical Supervision Bureau, Chang Laishun. Although Chang Laishun hadn’t interacted with Xu Chunliang before, he had long heard of his reputation, offering his name voluntarily and being very respectful, considering Xu Chunliang is now a member of a special working group from the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Xu Chunliang told Chang Laishun that he was on his way to Xia Pi and would get in touch later if there were any matters to discuss.

Chang Laishun indicated that those medicinal materials from Changsheng were being investigated jointly with Xia Pi Pharmaceutical Supervision Bureau, and he is currently at Xia Pi.

Upon hearing this, Xu Chunliang knew the team’s operations had been leaked and casually mentioned meeting up later before hanging up the phone.

Xu Chunliang whispered to Li Kaiqiang, who was sitting next to him: "The news about the work group has already spread, our city’s pharmaceutical supervision bureau is already waiting in Xia Pi."

Li Kaiqiang laughed: "Their news is quite informed."

Xu Chunliang said: "Probably because they’re guilty."

Li Kaiqiang said: "Their intentions are good, but their work is not rigorous enough. They’re only thinking of cracking down on counterfeit products and haven’t considered protecting the related enterprises. How can they let the media expose them without solid evidence?"

Xu Chunliang said: "I will report to Secretary Wang, Dongzhou TV Station is just making a mess."

The work group arrived at the Changsheng Medicinal Materials Wholesale Center, and Director Chang Laishun of the Dongzhou Pharmaceutical Supervision Bureau was already waiting there with the heads of the local pharmaceutical supervision departments.

Chang Laishun came over with a big grin to shake hands with the leaders. Li Kaiqiang didn’t welcome him at all: "Who are you?"

Being snubbed in front of so many people was inevitably embarrassing, but Chang Laishun still kept a smile on his face: "Leaders, I am Chang Laishun from the Dongzhou Pharmaceutical Supervision Bureau, and Changsheng was sealed by us."

Li Kaiqiang still didn’t give him a good look and told him to lead the way. The first thing they did when they arrived at the wholesale center was to let the experts take samples.

Chang Laishun wasn’t familiar with the others and having already been snubbed once, he didn’t want to face further embarrassment, so he cozied up to Xu Chunliang and pulled out a box of cigarettes: "Director Xu, I’m an old friend of your Dean Yan."

Xu Chunliang noted that he didn’t smoke, though Chang Laishun didn’t really have to worry, as this matter wasn’t much related to him.

Chang Laishun looked worried: "Director Xu, why did this matter even alarm the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine?"

Xu Chunliang said: "Director Chang, do you really not know or are you pretending not to know?"

Chang Laishun said: "I really don’t know, these kinds of things happen every year. Someone reports it, and the sudden inspection is to protect the rights of the patients."

Xu Chunliang said: "Protecting patient rights is certainly correct, but in doing so, one cannot harm the reputation of enterprises and businesses, especially not a nationally supported ethnic enterprise like the Mulan Group."

Chang Laishun drew in a breath of cold air, realizing he couldn’t handle such a big responsibility. He quickly lowered his voice: "What’s really going on?"

Xu Chunliang hadn’t had a chance to explain when Huang Gongxian came over with a handful of scorpions, crushing them to reveal visible sand mixed inside. Huang Gongxian said: "Chunliang, it indeed came from the Mulan Group, then the sand was added and it was repackaged. This medicine merchant is too wicked, making money unscrupulously at the expense of the patients’ health and framing others."

Xu Chunliang asked Chang Laishun: "Where is the owner of this store?"

Chang Laishun replied: "He’s in Min Nan, we’ve already notified him to come back to cooperate with the investigation."

Xu Chunliang said: "This person is committing a crime, he should be reported to the Public Security Bureau to be arrested."

Chang Laishun said: "Director Xu, you haven’t finished what you were saying earlier."

Xu Chunliang said: "The current evidence already shows that the counterfeit medical materials were tampered with by Changsheng, and have nothing to do with the Mulan Group. But during the sudden inspection, your people brought Dongzhou TV Station along, and they broadcasted the news everywhere, writing all sorts of stories, directing all accusations toward the Mulan Group, causing unpredictable adverse effects on the Mulan Group."

Chang Laishun’s scalp tightened: "Director Xu, this matter has nothing to do with us. It was the inspection team from the province, we didn’t intend for Dongzhou TV Station to report, they acted on their own." Realizing something was wrong, Chang Laishun quickly shifted the blame.

Xu Chunliang said: "As the saying goes, family scandals should not be exposed. This kind of thing must be addressed, but it is not suitable for publicity. Traditional Chinese medicine is already under scrutiny, this only adds fuel to the fire."

Chang Laishun said: "Director Xu, it really had nothing to do with us."

"Who arranged the interview with Dongzhou TV Station?"

Chang Laishun replied: "They took the initiative to ask us for news, it wasn’t my idea, it was organized by our Director Liu."

Xu Chunliang said: "Is he crazy? How could he let reporters interview on such a matter?"

Chang Laishun didn’t want to take responsibility and sighed: "He’s old friends with Director Hou of the TV station, and Hou Guoyi has a son-in-law in charge of the news there. Probably Director Liu thought it was a hot topic and provided it to him."

Xu Chunliang reported all of Director Hou’s violations at Dongzhou TV Station to Wang Jianming through Qin Zhengyang, and also handed over all the materials provided by Xue Meizhen to Wang Jianming for review.

Wang Jianming, after reviewing, was furious and personally ordered the disciplinary inspection department to investigate the matter thoroughly, stating that once verified, there would be no tolerance.

These past few days, the changing weather has caused my blood pressure to rise a bit, making me feel dizzy. I plan to rest for a day, take a break tomorrow to adjust, thank you all.