Chapter 875 - 841: Bad News

Wang Jianming said, "Uncle Tong escorted my father’s ashes back to our hometown. I couldn’t bear to face this blow; he stayed with me for a week. This copper whistle was made by my father at the front line using a bullet shell; he made this whistle for me but didn’t get a chance to give it to me. Uncle Tong specially brought this whistle back, and I’ve kept it by my side ever since. Whenever I miss my father, I blow this copper whistle. Uncle Tong told me that every time I blow the whistle, my father will come to see me."

As he said this, Wang Jianming’s eyes grew somewhat moist. Though many years had passed, he still couldn’t forget his father.

Xu Chunliang was also moved by the father-son relationship in the Wang family, and softly said, "Secretary Wang, you must have gone through a lot of hardship when you were young, right?"

Wang Jianming replied, "Perhaps it’s all part of the cost of growing up." He gazed at the misty scenery outside and, after a moment, continued, "Are you satisfied with your current job?"

Xu Chunliang said, "It’s alright."

Wang Jianming said, "Have you ever considered changing environments, like coming to work by my side?"

Xu Chunliang was somewhat surprised; Wang Jianming actually extended an olive branch to him. Xu Chunliang said, "Secretary Wang, don’t you already have a secretary?"

Wang Jianming laughed, "He’s not suitable." This sentence implied that Jiang Zhiming was thoroughly out.

Xu Chunliang thought to himself that even if he’s unsuitable, I might not be suitable either. He guessed that Ye Qingya must have put in a good word for him; Wang Jianming likely appreciated him, but there was also a matter of connection involved. Otherwise, given Wang Jianming’s prudent style, he would surely observe for a while longer.

Xu Chunliang said, "Secretary Wang, actually, it shouldn’t be up to me to give an opinion on this matter. I do have a suitable person to recommend, but if you think it’s inappropriate, I won’t mention it."

Wang Jianming smiled and said, "Let me guess, you’re thinking of recommending Qin Zhengyang, aren’t you?"

Xu Chunliang said, "In front of Secretary Wang, I don’t even have the chance to play coy."

Wang Jianming said, "I’ve taken note. I’ll gather more information later; he should be much stronger than Jiang Zhiming."

Upon hearing this, Xu Chunliang knew there was potential in this matter. The position of secretary by one’s side is extremely important; Wang Jianming would definitely resolve this issue soon.

After the city’s inspection team departed, Qin Zhengyang felt relieved. Interestingly, just as Wang Jianming and his group boarded the ship, the rain stopped.

Xu Chunliang and Qin Zhengyang stood shoulder to shoulder on the dock, watching the ferry sail away. Qin Zhengyang exhaled deeply.

Xu Chunliang said, "Congratulations on smoothly passing the leaders’ review."

Qin Zhengyang patted his shoulder and said, "Thanks for the support, brother."

Xu Chunliang said, "Don’t rush to thank me yet. Secretary Wang had a good impression of you; I estimate you’ll receive transfer orders soon; be ready to return to Dongzhou."

Qin Zhengyang felt a surge of excitement; if he could become the secretary by Wang Jianming’s side, it would be a dream come true for him. But before this dream could become reality, it remains just a dream. He couldn’t be certain whether this would happen, yet now his heart was filled with anticipation.

Xu Chunliang further contacted Ye Qingya, advising her not to rush to make the call, lest they owe Wang Jianming a favor. Xu Chunliang had a hunch; Wang Jianming likely appreciated Qin Zhengyang, and even without Ye Qingya’s call, he would probably choose Qin Zhengyang to replace Jiang Zhiming.

Xu Chunliang believed there would be news soon, but he underestimated Wang Jianming’s efficiency. Three days after returning, Wang Jianming issued a transfer order for Qin Zhengyang to report to the secretary’s office.

After receiving the transfer order, Qin Zhengyang was immersed in immense joy. Although he had prepared mentally, he still didn’t expect such great news to fall on him. Qin Zhengyang was very aware that being selected by Secretary Wang was all thanks to Xu Chunliang; Xu Chunliang was essentially his benefactor in life. Yet, he was still in a probationary period, and whether he could receive Wang Jianming’s affirmation depended on his future work performance.

So, upon receiving the notice, Qin Zhengyang shared his joy with Xu Chunliang first, not his wife.

Xu Chunliang wasn’t surprised upon hearing the news. It would have been strange if Wang Jianming didn’t choose Qin Zhengyang, and he also believed that Qin Zhengyang would surely excel in this role.

The negotiations with the Lexus Group on setting up the China-Korea Industrial Park in Dongzhou had officially begun. With Qin Zhengyang as a strong insider, Xu Chunliang obtained the relevant information immediately. As expected, the Lexus Group had big ambitions, eyeing a large tract of land in the mining area, which included the land of the Infectious Disease Hospital.

Under the Lexus Group’s powerful capital, the Infectious Disease Hospital had no advantage at all. They were a fully state-funded unit, dependent on national funding for support, whereas Lexus wanted to create the China-Korea Industrial Park, investing in the old mining area, transforming the lagging mining region into the leading economic driver for Dongzhou.

According to the usual approach, the city will reassign them a piece of land and even offer them some financial subsidies to make way for the China-Korea Industrial Park.

Although the city has not made a clear statement, the leadership in charge has already called the leaders of the Health Bureau and the Disease Control Center to solicit their opinions.

Yan Huaiyi is burning with anxiety, having just managed to fence off and flatten the construction land, and now before even starting formal operations, obstacles are arising.

At the leadership meeting, everyone noticed Yan Huaiyi’s anxiety. Secretary Sun Weimin, on the contrary, seemed somewhat schadenfreude, since Xu Chunliang came to the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yan Huaiyi seemed to have a magical sword, brandishing it everywhere, appearing as if he were the invincible presence in the Infectious Disease Hospital.

Life is not smooth sailing, and now a tough challenge has appeared. If Lexus actually acquires the old mining area, then you have to make way for it. The Infectious Disease Hospital is built with national funds, whereas Lexus comes to invest. No matter how well the hospital is built, it can only enhance the area’s health and epidemic prevention levels. Lexus Group is a renowned international consortium, and the China-Korea Industrial Park they plan to build could elevate the entire mining area, potentially even boosting the economy of Dongzhou.

Neither are on the same level; the benefits each can bring to Dongzhou are obvious to anyone, even a fool knows which to choose.

Vice Dean Pan Junfeng said worriedly, "In the past, the city offered us two plots to choose from: one in the mining area and another near Liuji in the Port District. If they decide to have us compromise for the China-Korea Industrial Park, we’re likely to get the plot in Liuji."

Tan Yue immediately stood up to oppose, "No way, it’s too far, it’s adjacent to Han County, and it’s all rural around there, the largest complex nearby is the funeral home."

Several others also expressed their opinions.

Yan Huaiyi turned his gaze to Sun Weimin, "Secretary Sun, you... you also share your opinion."

Sun Weimin cursed inwardly, realizing that you could call me Secretary Sun without stuttering, showing that you were deliberately doing it in the past. He said calmly, "The city hasn’t proposed land swapping yet, why rush?"

Vice Dean Zhao Hongxia said, "The bureau has solicited our opinion. Personally, I think we should proactively explain the situation to higher-ups; the mining area is so big, it’s not lacking our piece of land."

Pan Junfeng said, "The key is the future planned S2 station is in front of our land."

Tan Yue said, "For their China-Korea Industrial Park doing production and trade, subway stations aren’t crucial, but it’s different for our Infectious Disease Hospital. If our land is swapped to Liuji, how will patients get there? It would be like marginalizing our hospital completely."

Sun Weimin said, "I understand everyone’s feelings, but I think rushing won’t help. If the city truly considers the overall development of Dongzhou and asks us to make some sacrifices and compromises, we can only comply, right?"

Even Pan Junfeng could sense Sun Weimin’s negligence on this matter. As secretary of the Infectious Disease Hospital, this attitude is clearly not considering himself part of the hospital. Pan Junfeng said, "Secretary Sun, we can’t just sit and wait for doom, can we? With everyone’s efforts, the Infectious Disease Hospital finally has this opportunity for a booming development. If we do nothing, it would be equivalent to letting the ready opportunity slip away. We should at least feedback our opinions to city leaders and make them understand that while economic growth is essential, public health and epidemic prevention work are equally important."

Sun Weimin said, "I didn’t say we’d do nothing, but you need to be clear. This land was approved to us by the city, and leaders typically consider issues from a broader perspective. One is announcing an investment of US$ 15 billion in the China-Korea Industrial Park, the other relying on government fiscal allocations and bank loans to build a specialized tertiary hospital. If you have to choose one, which would you choose?"

Sun Weimin’s statement left everyone speechless, the answer was evident.

Seeing no one speak further, Sun Weimin sighed deliberately, "I’m just reminding everyone not to focus solely on political achievements, face reality, and keep your head clear."

After the meeting, both Yan Huaiyi and Pan Junfeng chose to stay. Pan Junfeng said to Yan Huaiyi, "Dean Yan, I’m planning to go to the Disease Control Center and meet with Director Chang for a discussion." According to the architectural plans, the completed Infectious Disease Hospital would also reserve an office building for the Disease Control Center, so the two sides should share common interests.

Yan Huaiyi nodded, "I... I will go to... the Health Bureau again, communicate properly with their leaders."

Both felt heavy-hearted, sensing that the possibility of turning this matter was slim. Sun Weimin was right about one thing; they had no competitiveness against Lexus Group.

Walking towards the parking lot with a frown, Pan Junfeng didn’t even notice when he brushed past Xu Chunliang, until Xu Chunliang greeted him, Pan Junfeng woke from his thoughts.

"Dean Pan, the car is arranged for you."

Pan Junfeng nodded. The news of the China-Korea Industrial Park was first revealed by Xu Chunliang, and at first, they were skeptical, but now it seems the matter has become real.

Pan Junfeng asked, "Xiaoxu, who did you hear about the China-Korea Industrial Park from?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "Do you remember the day we went to meet Director Xing from Nanjiang Bank?"