Chapter 1047 - 1012: Connections

Most people nodded in agreement, including Yan Huaiyi and Pan Junfeng, clearly supporting Zhai Pingqing’s opinion.

Hu Zhengjin said, "President Zhai is very correct. The more capital we bring in, the more complex the issue of profit distribution becomes in the future. We do not reject multi-party cooperation, but under the same conditions, we will definitely choose the best plan. After all, we have to be responsible to the hospital and to all employees."

Xu Chunliang thought to himself that Zhai Pingqing must have done a lot of preparation in advance. Hu Zhengjin personally accompanying him to show support already indicates something. Currently, it’s not clear if he’s working on other fronts, and I have indeed underestimated his determination to invest.

After Zhai Pingqing and the others left, Yan Huaiyi specifically kept Xu Chunliang and Pan Junfeng behind for a small meeting.

During the meeting, Xu Chunliang noticed that Zhai Pingqing’s investment plan had already intrigued many, including Yan Huaiyi. Yan Huaiyi left the meeting to conduct some psychological work.

Sure enough, Yan Huaiyi stammered as he expressed his thoughts. Now that Equatorial Capital has confirmed they will halt their investment, if we want to build the new hospital, we must rely on external capital. Kangjian Group actively approached us, and we have no reason to turn them away.

Yan Huaiyi still highly values Xu Chunliang’s opinion. He can see that Xu Chunliang is not very interested in Kangjian Group, but if we reject Kangjian Group, will there be better opportunities later? Although Xu Chunliang claims that many consortiums are interested in our new hospital, none have signed a formal contract yet.

Take Mulan Group as an example. The incident two days ago scared us greatly, prompting us to conduct self-examinations. Luckily, Mulan Group’s products were not at fault. However, if Mulan Group invests in the new hospital, any risks it poses will affect the hospital, which is the same for other investors.

Yan Huaiyi has never doubted Xu Chunliang’s abilities, but if Xu Chunliang secures investments from three or more investors to complete this project, the risk for the investors is shared, but the risk for the hospital largely increases.

If Yan Huaiyi had to choose, he would rather cooperate with one company; dealing with numerous cooperators is too complicated.

Xu Chunliang, after hearing Yan Huaiyi’s thoughts, smiled and said, "Dean Yan, don’t worry. I won’t oppose Kangjian Group’s investment. Who finds money troublesome? As long as Kangjian’s investment funds are legitimate and the procedures are legal, I certainly won’t obstruct them. What I said at the meeting was merely to safeguard our hospital’s interests."

Pan Junfeng nodded along and said, "Dean Yan, although we urgently need investment, we mustn’t make this too apparent. Cooperation is a process of negotiation. If Kangjian believes we have no other choice, they will undoubtedly seek greater rights. Xiaoxu’s response today was right. We need to show Kangjian there are countless others eager to invest in our hospital; it’s their choice whether to invest or not."

Yan Huaiyi gave a wry smile and said, "I understand all this... but we can’t... go... too slowly... If we... overdo it... and they truly leave... at that time..."

Yan Huaiyi hesitated for a while but couldn’t get his words out completely, so he picked up his water cup and took a big sip, momentarily muddled, having forgotten what he wanted to say.

Pan Junfeng said, "Dean Yan, I believe such concerns are unnecessary. I have been observing Zhai Pingqing’s expressions today, and I find his investment intentions quite strong, and he doesn’t easily change his investment plans."

Yan Huaiyi said, "Xiaoxu... Xu, don’t overthink it. It’s not that I don’t support you... I’m just... just... afraid... of Equatorial Capital’s sneaky operations."

Xu Chunliang said, "I don’t think too much. If Zhai Pingqing brings fifty billion to invest in our hospital, I’ll gladly welcome it with both hands. I only want to understand his true motive for investing."

Yan Huaiyi said, "To make money."

Xu Chunliang shook his head and said, "Talking about making money, others in medical care and elderly wellness have higher profits and lower risks. They’ve already reached the leading edge in the field. Why shift to invest in us?"

Pan Junfeng said, "Maybe it’s precisely because he’s on top of that field, he wants to switch paths to prove himself again. Anyway, these big figures have plenty of money. I heard that after accumulating a certain amount of wealth, to them, money becomes just a number; they don’t care about money but the satisfaction of self-achievement."

Xu Chunliang laughed and said, "I don’t know much about Zhai Pingqing as a person. He’s indeed wealthy, but not yet in the top ranks of the richest elites. I feel this person is somewhat hypocritical. A businessman targeting the wallets of the elderly likely doesn’t have noble ethics. Of course, that’s just my personal view."

Pan Junfeng said, "Let’s all research his investment plan together in the coming days and see if there are any traps or loopholes. I suggest we can leak this news externally."

As Xu Chunliang returned to his office, Ji Jiajia called him, saying she successfully completed the itch powder concoction.

Xu Chunliang immediately realized that she must have tested it on someone. He quickly asked what she did, but Ji Jiajia assured him not to worry and that she hadn’t had the chance to use it on humans yet. But the mice she bought had already quit due to extreme itchiness, even before she could use the antidote.

Xu Chunliang then lectured her; she needed regular discipline, or who knows what trouble she might stir up.

At that moment, Pan Junfeng arrived to see him. Xu Chunliang hung up the phone, stood up to greet him, and said with a smile, "Dean Pan, you could have just called me if you needed something, why come personally?"

Pan Junfeng said, "I came to see Yingying for something and thought I’d drop by and sit for a while."

The administrative office’s Pan Yingying is his niece. However, just now, Xu Chunliang attended the meeting with him, showing that Pan Junfeng wanted to discuss things privately, away from Yan Huaiyi.

Xu Chunliang invited him to sit down and helped refill his thermos with hot water.

Pan Junfeng said, "Chunliang, Director Hu personally accompanying Zhai Pingqing today shows that Kangjian Group has gained support from the health bureau."

Xu Chunliang said, "This person has a knack for things."

Pan Junfeng sipped his tea and said, "To open an elderly center near the administrative hub of New City District, can one do so without solid connections?"

Xu Chunliang sensed his underlying implication and asked softly, "Dean Pan, can you tell me which connections he’s strong in?"

Pan Junfeng said, "Civil affairs."

"Provincial?"

Pan Junfeng gave him a meaningful look, "Higher!"

Xu Chunliang furrowed his brows. No wonder Zhai Pingqing’s elderly wellness centers are flourishing nationwide. It’s not hard to imagine that without backing from such connections, they couldn’t possibly run smoothly. Speaking of Da Heng’s Hot Spring Town, they didn’t get local civil affairs support, let alone higher-level departments.

Xu Chunliang asked, "Where did you hear this from? Details, please."

Pan Junfeng said, "My connections aren’t as good as yours, but this can be confirmed. Earlier, I quietly asked Director Hu about it; he’s not too familiar with Zhai Pingqing but implied that our Secretary Wang is keen to promote this partnership."

Xu Chunliang felt a chill, Wang Jianming? He hadn’t heard Wang had any connection to Zhai Pingqing. If he indeed endorses Zhai Pingqing, then the likelihood of the investment’s success is high. People are willing to invest money; I can’t just push it away. Not to mention if I have the ability to stop it, being accused of personal motives and taking benefits would follow if I did.

Pan Junfeng said, "Chunliang, do you have any grudge with Zhai Pingqing?"

Xu Chunliang shook his head, "No, I just don’t like the person personally."

Pan Junfeng laughed and said, "Don’t let personal feelings interfere with work."

Xu Chunliang nodded, "Actually, in seeking investments, I aimed to solve the hospital’s difficulties. I didn’t expect Equatorial Capital to play this game."

Pan Junfeng said, "Everyone’s seen your efforts. We all know without you, not only wouldn’t the new hospital be built, but we couldn’t even hold on to the construction land."

Xu Chunliang said, "It’s everyone’s contribution, and you shouldn’t overly flatter me. I couldn’t accomplish anything alone."

Pan Junfeng said, "I’ll thoroughly study Kangjian’s investment agreement these days. You should coordinate with other investment parties. It’s not necessary that we must cooperate with Kangjian."

Xu Chunliang said, "It doesn’t matter who we cooperate with, the most critical aspect is that hospital interests mustn’t be compromised."

Pan Junfeng nodded repeatedly. Both he and Yan Huaiyi share a concern that Kangjian’s investment plan might dampen Xu Chunliang’s enthusiasm, and if Xu Chunliang walks away due to this matter, it would be a huge loss for the hospital.

Xu Chunliang can understand the leaders’ mindset. They fear losing the investment while also worrying about offending him. Fortunately, neither Yan Huaiyi nor Pan Junfeng has any intention of abandoning him after the work is done.

If Xu Chunliang wanted to leave, he could do so at any time. He insists on staying at the Infectious Disease Hospital, not just because he doesn’t want the new hospital’s construction to stall mid-way, but because the leaders here have given him adequate respect.

Xu Chunliang decided to first inquire with Qin Zhengyang. Qin Zhengyang confirmed that two days ago, Zhai Pingqing indeed visited Secretary Wang, though what they discussed was unclear. It now seems it was regarding investment in the new branch of the Infectious Disease Hospital. Qin Zhengyang believes that investment is a good thing, and Xu Chunliang, representing the Infectious Disease Hospital, should welcome it.

Xu Chunliang asked Qin Zhengyang to understand Secretary Wang’s intentions and find out Zhai Pingqing’s real investment objectives, including whether there are other individuals behind him. Xu Chunliang suspects his investment motives are not straightforward.