Chapter 1079: Laying Down the Burden

Sure enough, after Xu Chunliang publicly countered Zhai Pingqing at that dinner, Zhai Pingqing quickly reported the situation to the Dongzhou Health Bureau.

A fifty billion investment is something not to be ignored, not just for the Health Bureau, but even in Dongzhou. Besides, Zhai Pingqing has deeply rooted connections in Dongzhou, with significant influence in various aspects.

The Dongzhou Health Bureau took this matter very seriously. Deputy Director Wu Zhongyi was also visiting the Capital City for a survey, so he missed the gathering arranged by Zhai Pingqing. Upon receiving Zhai Pingqing’s complaint, Wu Zhongyi immediately reported to the leader, Hu Zhengjin.

Although Wu Zhongyi did not have much overlap with Xu Chunliang, he was very aware of this young man. He first learned of his name because of his nephew Zhang Haibin. Zhang Haibin used to be the deputy dean at Weishan Island Hospital, but after offending Xu Chunliang, he ended up in ruin and even lost his job in the end.

Wu Zhongyi knew that his nephew had issues, but he didn’t have a good impression of Xu Chunliang either. Therefore, he paid extra attention to Xu Chunliang. He kept an eye on Xu Chunliang’s coming and going in the Health Bureau. He understood this kid’s energy very well. The reason he didn’t attend the gathering arranged by Zhai Pingqing in the Capital City wasn’t that he wasn’t feeling well, but because he anticipated possible awkward situations.

Wu Zhongyi wasn’t idly wandering through the system for so many years; he followed the survey not to resolve conflicts. After all, he wasn’t the top leader and didn’t want to overstep by wearing too big trousers.

Hu Zhengjin also didn’t want to take responsibility. He communicated the investors’ concerns to the leadership of the Dongzhou Infectious Disease Hospital, asking them to make internal adjustments.

Pan Junfeng hadn’t returned yet, but the Health Bureau leadership was already coming to hold them accountable. Dean Yan Huaiyi specifically discussed it with Secretary Sun Weimin.

Although the two weren’t perfectly coordinated partners, they had aligned goals regarding building and developing the hospital.

Sun Weimin knew that Xu Chunliang was Yan Huaiyi’s trusted aide, and Yan Huaiyi surely couldn’t bear to take action against Xu Chunliang. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t even have discussed it with him, which showed that Yan Huaiyi was wavering on this matter, wanting him to play the bad guy?

Yan Huaiyi said, “Old Sun, Mr.… Mr. Hu put the pressure on… on us. He… he… said Kangjian wants… wants us to make some adjustments regarding… regarding Xu Chunliang’s work. You are Xiaoxu’s direct leader, so I came to discuss it with you.”

Sun Weimin cursed in his heart, what are you discussing? Xu Chunliang’s appointment as the Youth League Secretary wasn’t your doing? The problem that Kangjian has with Xu Chunliang isn’t with the Youth League, it’s due to disagreements over hospital construction. Sun Weimin said, “Old Yan, Xiaoxu does have some resistance towards Kangjian Group investing in new hospital construction. I’ve known this for a while. There must be some communication issues for both sides, but we can’t deny Xiaoxu’s contributions to our hospital just because problems exist. We also can’t rely solely on Kangjian Group’s perspective. You must argue with reason to the bureau leaders; we can’t just handle a hero because they’ve complained.”

Yan Huaiyi was a bit dumbfounded. When did I say I was going to handle Xu Chunliang? Sun Weimin’s a sly fox. I came to discuss solutions, not to throw the ball to you, and you just kicked it right back to me.

Yan Huaiyi stammered, “I didn’t… didn’t deny Xiaoxu’s contributions. I… I… came to discuss. Kangjian said they were not… given proper respect, they want… want to withdraw their investment, so the bureau put the pressure on… on us.”

Sun Weimin said, “I think Kangjian withdrawing the investment is fake. Fifty billion is not a hasty decision; it’s impossible for them to just withdraw like that. They’re probably using this issue to force us to remove Xiaoxu from the management of the new hospital construction.”

Yan Huaiyi nodded, as Sun Weimin’s view aligned with his own.

Sun Weimin said, “The bureau wants you to deal with Xiaoxu. You believe Xiaoxu is not wrong, but you’re also worried that if no action is taken, it’ll be hard for us to get through this.”

Yan Huaiyi said, “What… do you think…”

Sun Weimin lit a cigarette and said slowly, “We all know very well that if it weren’t for Xiaoxu, we wouldn’t have gotten this construction land. His achievements can’t be erased. But Xiaoxu’s resistance towards Kangjian is also a reality. From another perspective, even if the investment contract is smoothly signed and Xiaoxu continues to be responsible for the new hospital’s construction, more conflicts in the collaboration are bound to appear.”

Yan Huaiyi said, “So you’re saying…”

Sun Weimin took a drag from his cigarette, losing patience with further stuttering, “Old Yan, I understand your thoughts. You’re concerned about the investment falling through yet don’t want to be named for discarding after using, so you’re hoping I’ll step up.”

“No… no…” Yan Huaiyi shook his head like a rattle.

Sun Weimin said, “No need to explain, we’re all here for the hospital. Now there are two choices: one is resolutely standing with Xiaoxu, but then, either fifty billion goes down the drain, or both you and I leave together. In the leaders’ eyes, our collective leadership isn’t worth fifty billion.”

Yan Huaiyi nodded in deep agreement.

Sun Weimin continued, “We also can’t bring ourselves to deal with Xiaoxu harshly. The remaining option is to adjust his work, remove him from overseeing new hospital construction, and compensate him with a higher position.”

Yan Huaiyi said, “There’s… only this option left.”

Sun Weimin said, “You should know Xiaoxu better than I do. He’s so smart, how could he not see through the maneuverings?”

Yan Huaiyi said, “So… so… what do you suggest?”

Sun Weimin thought, didn’t I just say it? You don’t have any ideas yourself? Though Yan Huaiyi stutters, his mind is full of ideas. He has considered the solution I mentioned.

Sun Weimin said, “We’ve already seen Kangjian’s reaction, but we can’t gauge Xiaoxu’s reaction. All I can do on my side is to secure his party membership.”

Xu Chunliang went to the earthquake relief and had already submitted a party membership application. Joining the party on the frontline was a sure thing, and Sun Weimin certainly wanted to make this happen as a favor.

Yan Huaiyi said, “This year’s City Labor Model Nomination… let’s recommend him.”

As the two were pondering how to compensate Xu Chunliang, Xu Chunliang arrived. In fact, he had already heard from Pan Junfeng that the Kangjian boss wanted to oust him from the management team of the new hospital construction.

Yan Huaiyi beamed broadly and invited Xu Chunliang to sit down.

Sun Weimin didn’t want to dive into this mess just now and made an excuse to leave.

Xu Chunliang said, “Secretary Sun, don’t be in such a hurry to leave. It’s just as well both leaders are here, I have something to discuss with you.”

Sun Weimin smiled and said, “What does it have to do with me? I’ve been busy with developing new party members lately. Xiaoxu, your batch has no issues at all.”

Yan Huaiyi secretly cursed Sun Weimin for being so sly, making him appear the good guy, while making him be the bad cop.

Sun Weimin considered Xu Chunliang to be Yan Huaiyi’s person. Whoever’s person had a problem should handle it. There was no need for him to offend anyone, and Xu Chunliang wasn’t someone he could afford to offend.

Yan Huaiyi asked with a smile, “Chunliang… Liang, what’s the matter?”

Xu Chunliang said, “It’s nothing major. Some situations have recently occurred, which have put me in a low mood. I feel that I can no longer perform my current job well.”

Yan Huaiyi hurriedly said, “You’ve always performed excellently at work.”

Sun Weimin nodded in agreement.

Xu Chunliang said, “Thank you both for your trust. So far, I can proudly say that I’ve lived up to expectations in my work. But now I’m a bit tired. The team secretary, office director, and preparation office director— even a tugging mule needs to rest, don’t you think?”

Both Yan Huaiyi and Sun Weimin felt relieved, realizing it was about this matter. Xu Chunliang was voluntarily resigning, but they weren’t sure which burden he wanted to set down. Or would he simply want to leave the Infectious Disease Hospital for a better position elsewhere?

Sun Weimin, quick-tongued, seized the opportunity to play the good guy, “If you’re tired, just take a rest. You could have a public holiday and also a long break with the earthquake relief compensation.”

Yan Huaiyi was somewhat frustrated; Old Sun was being unfair. At least let him be the good guy once. He might stutter and speak slowly, but he also had the same kind of consideration.

Xu Chunliang smiled and said, “I don’t want a vacation; I want the leadership to help me reduce my workload. The new hospital construction preparation is almost complete, and there are some issues in my cooperation with the investors. If I continue as the preparation office director, it might adversely affect the new hospital, so I voluntarily resign from this position.”

Xu Chunliang’s voluntary resignation was clearly the best outcome. Yan Huaiyi said, “Have you… have you thought it through?”

Xu Chunliang nodded, “I’ve thought it through.”

Yan Huaiyi said, “But… but… the new hospital, from… land acquisition to… preparation, you… you contributed the most.”

Xu Chunliang smiled, “The preparation office’s historical mission is complete, and I, as the temporary director, should now step down with honor.”

This outcome was evidently the most ideal. Yan Huaiyi nodded, glanced at Sun Weimin, who said, “Alright. The Kangjian Group wants exclusive investment and asks for the construction rights of the new hospital. If the contract ends up being signed according to their terms, our infrastructure office will barely exist in name.”

Yan Huaiyi said, “Let’s do this… make an adjustment in work. You… you’ll be responsible for the procurement office…”

Sun Weimin sighed silently; Yan Huaiyi truly cared for Xu Chunliang. The procurement office covered pharmaceuticals procurement, medical equipment procurement, medical consumables procurement, high-value consumables procurement, logistics supplies procurement, and infrastructure project procurement. It also was responsible for drafting, revising, and improving hospital tender procurement management systems. With considerable power and relative ease of work.

The key is that they can essentially participate in deciding suppliers, often interacting with businesspeople, hence having broad connections and extensive knowledge. Of course, the procurement office is also the department most prone to corruption.

Xu Chunliang politely declined Yan Huaiyi’s offer, “Dean Yan, please allow me to have some time to relax. I just laid down a burden, and you want to add another one. What’s the point of me coming to you? To be honest, the city asked me to assist the Culture and Tourism Bureau. Earlier I mentioned it to you as well; if I weren’t committed to finishing what I started, I’d have already gone back to the Culture and Tourism Bureau.”