Chapter 1076: The Issue of Stance

Xu Chunliang’s words put Zhai Pingqing in an embarrassing position. He had to maintain his composure in front of so many guests, so he chuckled, “The younger generation is indeed impressive. Young people nowadays are truly remarkable.” His words subtly implied Xu Chunliang was young and reckless.

Li Chunyan said, “Having enthusiasm and ambition is a good thing, but one should consider the reality of the situation. I think President Zhai’s idea is quite reasonable: bringing in and reaching out.”

Xu Chunliang looked at her, thinking this woman has long hair and short knowledge, aligning with Zhai Pingqing at a crucial moment. Was it that I didn’t explain clearly enough, or did you receive benefits from Zhai Pingqing?

Pan Junfeng was wiser, believing that silence is golden. Although he feared Xu Chunliang might ruin the investment, he agreed that Xu Chunliang’s words were valid. The origin of traditional Chinese medicine has always been domestic; Korean medicine and Hanfang only skimmed the surface, for the real core secrets aren’t easily stolen.

Xu Chunliang said, “Vice Director Li, have you considered what would happen if President Zhai brought in people with ulterior motives?”

Li Chunyan displayed a look of embarrassment.

Zhai Pingqing said, “Director Xu, you’re mistaken. Our Kangjian Group plans to invest fifty billion, aligning our interests. Would I lift a stone only to drop it on my own foot?”

Xu Chunliang said, “I’m not doubting President Zhai’s sincerity. I’m saying there’s a flaw in your reasoning. Even if you don’t plan to invite them, others are eager to worm their way in here. They’re not aiming for mutual benefit and development; these people take stealing the secrets of Chinese medicine as their duty. Now, all the nonsense about Korean medicine, the so-called improved Hanfang, isn’t any of it stolen?”

Zhai Pingqing said, “The stagnation of Chinese medicine is due to so many holding outdated ideas. Director Xu, I thought you young people would keep up with the times and have an international perspective. We live in a rapidly developing era requiring exchange and complementing each other. The old family-style inheritance of passing down from father to son blocks the development of Chinese medicine.”

Xu Chunliang said, “Chinese medicine is an independent system. Its progress hasn’t stagnated, but regressed. To improve the situation, one must find the root causes and dig into traditional secret formulas, rather than combining Chinese and Western medicine or following the idea of bringing in and going out. The systems differ, so why forcefully mix the two medical methods? Often, they don’t result in one plus one equaling two.”

The attendees, many prominent figures in the medical field, were lost in thought. They had pondered such issues before. The combination of Chinese and Western medicine is not problematic; perhaps the method of integration has gone astray.

Xu Chunliang smiled at Zhang Boxu and said, “I’m not targeting Mr. Zhang here. Master Zhang trained under Master Huang San, and people say you’re even more skilled, a master in your own right.”

Zhang Boxu felt uneasy, “You’re too kind. I would never dare to compare myself to my teacher, let alone say I’ve surpassed him.”

Xu Chunliang smiled at everyone and said, “President Zhai says family heritage has shortcomings, but I disagree. It’s precisely this family-style heritage that protects the roots of Chinese medicine. There’s an old saying: ‘Teaching apprentices starves the master,’ especially those apprentices with hidden agendas. If we were to divulge our secrets unreservedly, they might be claimed for cultural heritage or patented by others. Haven’t enough lessons been learned in this area?”

Zhang Boxu felt his face burn, as Xu Chunliang’s words seemed to carry a hidden meaning towards him.

Li Chunyan said, “We can’t speak like that. President Zhai is at a different level of thinking…”

Xu Chunliang no longer wished to tolerate this clueless woman, coldly interrupting, “A different level isn’t the same as a different stance. The only thing I know is that we must always speak from the hospital’s viewpoint, from the perspective of our country and nation. We’re open to President Zhai investing in our hospital, but we must speak plainly. First, this money must be earned legally, and it must align with the hospital’s interests and the nation’s.”

Xu Chunliang’s words, although blunt, were unassailable from his standpoint. Li Chunyan moved her lips as if to say something. This time, Pan Junfeng gently nudged her leg with his knee, not to take advantage but because he didn’t want her to speak up. Otherwise, outsiders would see disunity among them. More importantly, Xu Chunliang was showing signs of impatience. If Li Chunyan persisted in being tactless, Xu Chunliang might not remain courteous.

Zhai Pingqing chuckled, “From Director Xu’s tone, it sounds like I’m not welcome to invest in your hospital.”

Xu Chunliang said, “As long as the investment is proper, we’re welcoming. There are countless projects in the country waiting for funding. President Zhai doesn’t lack options just like our project isn’t lacking interested investors. If President Zhai chooses not to invest, we’ll still get the new hospital built.”

He picked up the pitcher of wine before him, “I apologize if I’ve put a damper on your festivities today. But since President Zhai invited me, I can’t let him lose face. With this drink, I express my apology.” He drank the pitcher of wine in one go.

Then he turned to Pan Junfeng, “Dean Pan, I have matters at home to attend to, so I must bid farewell.” His attitude was clear; apart from Pan Junfeng, he didn’t show face to anyone else.

Zhai Pingqing felt extremely frustrated, not expecting Xu Chunliang to blatantly disregard him in front of so many medical experts, embarrassing him thoroughly. Zhai Pingqing said, “Director Xu, wait.”

Xu Chunliang turned back to him, “What else would President Zhai like to teach me?”

Zhai Pingqing said, “I know Director Xu has been chasing investments for the new hospital and has attracted some investors. Is my demand for exclusive investment harming your interests?”

Xu Chunliang smiled at Zhai Pingqing, “I just mentioned that there are many projects in the country waiting for funding. Our new hospital is not the best one. I’m seeking investments for the benefit of the hospital, not my own. So it’s not about harming my interests. President Zhai demands exclusive investment and construction rights for the new hospital. The reason behind this is unclear to me.”

Zhai Pingqing said, “Exclusive investment prevents multi-investor disputes, and demanding construction rights is because I already have a strong professional construction team to ensure quality and minimize costs.”

Xu Chunliang said, “It sounds reasonable, but on closer inspection, it seems filled with a desire for control and mistrust of partners. From the standpoint of Dongzhou Infectious Disease Hospital, I personally believe granting too much power to investors does not align with our interests.”

Zhai Pingqing coldly snorted, “Every investment carries risks. If I invest this much, shouldn’t I demand rights for security?”

Xu Chunliang said, “We all know investments are risky, but the receiving party also faces risks. If anything goes wrong with the investor, our leadership team bears responsibility. There’s an existing example in Dongzhou.”

Zhai Pingqing said, “You mean Changxing Hospital? The backing capital behind Changxing is Huayuan Group. Huayuan itself is insolvent, entering the medical industry for the first time, unlike our Kangjian Group.”

Xu Chunliang said, “I certainly hope for successful cooperation. I’m simply highlighting potential risks. It may not sound pleasant, but if the new hospital fails, President Zhai only loses time and money, while we burden the nation with property loss. Although not a significant figure, I dare not forget my duty to the country. I will never engage in actions harming national and public interests.”

After finishing, he left without looking back, leaving everyone staring at one another.

Zhai Pingqing was fuming, thinking this young man uses the nation and people to elevate himself. His patriotism and concern for the people are misplaced.

Li Chunyan felt anxious, realizing that Xu Chunliang was on the verge of ruining the investment. As vice director, she couldn’t remain indifferent, first glancing at Pan Junfeng.

Pan Junfeng said nothing, unsure of what to say. While wanting Kangjian Group’s investment to succeed, he acknowledged that Xu Chunliang’s concerns were valid, as they were his own. However, he dared not express them so candidly.

Li Chunyan, seeing the stalemate, decided to step in to ease the tension. She proactively raised her wine glass to Zhai Pingqing and said, “President Zhai, please don’t mind. Xiaoxu is young and impulsive, not thinking things through. You shouldn’t concern yourself with him.”

Despite Li Chunyan’s toast, Zhai Pingqing didn’t even glance at her. He turned to Zhang Boxu, “Master Zhang, I toast to you.”

Li Chunyan froze in mid-air, her hand holding the wine glass. Pan Junfeng glanced at her, showing no sympathy. Seeking presence in such a situation was simply self-humiliation. Nonetheless, Zhai Pingqing’s attitude made Pan Junfeng realize that investment isn’t a one-sided affair; they shouldn’t act overly humble, as such posturing might not earn respect.

Pan Junfeng checked the time on his wristwatch, “President Zhai, sorry, we have other matters to attend to and must be leaving.”

Zhai Pingqing didn’t try to stop them, knowing he needed to put pressure on the small leadership team of Dongzhou Infectious Disease Hospital. Without his investment, they might not succeed in building the hospital.

Pan Junfeng and Li Chunyan alighted at the hotel entrance. Li Chunyan, feeling stifled, grumbled, “What’s Xiaoxu up to? Clearly sabotaging things. If Kangjian’s fifty billion investment fails, who will take responsibility?”

Pan Junfeng said, “When out, we are a team. One should not undermine their teammates, lest outsiders make a mockery of us.”