From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Qin Zhengyang shook hands with Zhou Guangda. It was also his first meeting with Zhou Guangda, and he felt that Zhou Guangda had a natural presence. It is said that this person was originally from a governmental background, later abandoning politics for business, and his unique experience has given him extensive connections in political circles.

Qin Zhengyang introduced Xu Chunliang, who was beside him, to Zhou Guangda.

Zhou Guangda smiled warmly and extended his hand to Xu Chunliang: "Mayor Xu, I’ve heard a lot about you!"

Xu Chunliang smiled and shook hands with him: "President Zhou, this isn’t our first meeting. Last time you visited Weishan Island, I was working at the Changxing Branch."

Zhou Guangda tried hard to recall but still couldn’t remember meeting Xu Chunliang last time. After all, during his previous visit, he was accompanied by Dongzhou’s principal leaders, and Xu Chunliang was just a minor character then. Even if they met, he would hardly notice him, let alone shake hands and exchange pleasantries.

The world changes too fast. In such a short time, even such a small character can now be on equal footing with him. In his heart, he couldn’t help but lament that Da Heng was going through turbulent times, and even he, as the vice president, had to personally step onto the front lines.

Zhou Guangda turned to Zhang Hengyang and said: "Hengyang has more dealings with Mayor Xu."

Zhang Hengyang laughed: "We’ve dealt with each other quite a bit, which is why we’ve become friends." Zhou Guangda had treated him well in the past; otherwise, Zhang Hengyang wouldn’t have come to get involved in this mess. He was no longer with Da Heng, and Zhou Guangda had asked him to come to help coordinate. However, Zhang Hengyang knew Xu Chunliang’s temperament very well, and it was challenging to make this person compromise, especially since this time the initiative was in his hands.

Zhang Hengyang didn’t want to come, but due to face, he had no choice. He decided to eat more and talk less today, treating it as a free lunch.

Besides Zhou Guangda, all the other people had met before, and some had even dealt with each other and had conflicts, such as Li Changyou and Xu Chunliang.

When everyone sat down, Xu Chunliang sat together with Li Changyou, and Xu Chunliang deliberately said: "President Li, why haven’t we seen Zhou Yiwen?"

Li Changyou replied: "President Zhou is unwell and couldn’t attend."

Qin Zhengyang and Zhou Guangda exchanged pleasantries for a while, but eventually, they invited Qin Zhengyang to sit in the so-called center seat.

Qin Zhengyang said: "President Zhou, you’re too polite. Since you’re in Dongzhou, we should be treating you with local hospitality."

Zhou Guangda said: "Today is a day off. I’ve invited everyone here mainly to foster relationships, with no other intention."

Qin Zhengyang thought to himself, you must be joking; if it weren’t for a supervising leader appearing, I wouldn’t have come to the banquet. Strangely, the leader didn’t show up.

Xu Chunliang said: "President Zhou, you speak candidly. Within the system, we emphasize distinguishing between public and private, discussing business during work hours, and handling personal matters during breaks. Before coming here, I was talking to Secretary Qin about this. If we were discussing work, we wouldn’t dare drink."

Zhou Guangda laughed: "You folks in the system emphasize separating public from private, and our company also adheres to this. Come on, let’s drink."

Zhang Hengyang quietly chuckled to himself, realizing that Xu Chunliang had set the tone for this meal right from the start. In reality, there’s no feeling to be discussed among these people sitting together.

However, Zhang Hengyang never expected to become the focal point today. After three drinks, Xu Chunliang proactively approached him: "President Zhang, thank you for your contribution to Dongzhou Culture and Tourism."

Everyone’s gaze turned to Zhang Hengyang. What was going on? What contribution did he make?

Zhang Hengyang smiled and explained that Dongzhou Barbecue Festival was to be held on May 1st, sponsored and named by Han Yuan Hot Spring Resort. In reality, he also stumbled upon this opportunity. When he initially decided to spend three million to name the barbecue festival, Dongzhou Barbecue was far less popular than it is now. Who could have anticipated that the popularity of Dongzhou Barbecue would visibly skyrocket? Now, more than half of the tourists visiting Dongzhou come for the barbecue.

Zhang Hengyang said: "Mayor Xu, I should be thanking you for this."

Xu Chunliang said: "Let’s not be so polite, it’s all about mutual achievements. Shall we have two drinks?"

Zhang Hengyang had two drinks with him in a row. The more he tried to stay low-key, the less he could. Xu Chunliang obviously intended to push him into the spotlight.

Zhou Guangda said: "Mayor Xu’s statement is spot on. The relationship between local government and investors is about mutual achievements. We invest with hopes of gaining returns, and local governments wish to boost local economies with our investments. It is through mutual achievements that things can improve. Secretary Qin, don’t you agree?"

Qin Zhengyang said: "Absolutely, our local government is committed to supporting investors every step of the way."

Zhou Guangda said: "With Secretary Qin’s reassurance, we feel at ease. Our biggest concern with investment is whether the interests of the enterprise will be protected. When we initially invested in the Weishan Island project, there was significant internal disagreement due to the long investment period and low return on investment. However, I strongly insisted on proceeding because, besides economic benefits, a company must also consider social benefits."

Xu Chunliang said: "Secretary Qin often tells us that we should learn to view things from the perspective of investors. I’ve been trying to do just that, but after all, I’m not a businessman. I would like to ask all of you, what is your ultimate goal in making money?"

When Xu Chunliang said this, he deliberately looked at Zhou Guangda.

Zhou Guangda said: "The ultimate goal of making money is to give back to society, which is the consistent principle of Da Heng. We have done this in the past, are doing this now, and will continue to do so in the future."

Even Qin Zhengyang couldn’t listen any longer. Who doesn’t know each other’s nature around here? Giving back to society? Since Da Heng settled on Weishan Island, there’s been no end to their rights protection incidents, and during the Spring Festival, there was even a fatal incident. At that time, Zhou Guangda didn’t come over to solve the problem.

Li Changyou raised his glass to Qin Zhengyang and said, "Secretary Qin said the local government fully supports protecting investors, but that’s not what I’ve seen."

Qin Zhengyang smiled and said, "Oh, Mr. Li, if you have any opinions, feel free to lay them out on the table." Not long ago, when Li Changyou went to Hu Shan Town, he filed a complaint against Xu Chunliang’s attitude with the Foreign Enterprise Complaint Center. Xu Chunliang made a special trip, but the matter came to nothing.

Qin Zhengyang was also very displeased with this behavior. What he meant by his words was, if you have something to say, why can’t you say it openly instead of stabbing someone in the back?

Li Changyou said, "In our country, government officials are supervised by inspection departments. When it comes to matters of economic interest, they choose to dodge. I don’t quite understand. As the trademark owner of Renhe Hall, why is Mr. Xu still in charge of the Hot Spring Town project? Aren’t you afraid of outsiders gossiping?"

Xu Chunliang smiled as he looked at Li Changyou; how bold of him, daring to openly challenge him in front of so many people. Was this a move to kick him out?

Xu Chunliang said, "Sorry, I forgot, Mr. Li, which country are you from?"

Li Changyou said proudly, "Da Han..."

Xu Chunliang interrupted him, "I remembered, we have a place in Dongzhou with the same name as your country." He turned to Qin Zhengyang and said, "Secretary Qin, didn’t you work in Da Han Town in the past?"

Everyone realized this guy was publicly mocking him. There indeed was a Da Han Town in Dongzhou, but Qin Zhengyang thought Xu Chunliang shouldn’t be too high-profile. No matter how small Li Changyou’s country was, it was still a country. Speaking like that seemed to disdain them, and it wouldn’t be good if a diplomatic incident arose from just having a meal.

Qin Zhengyang laughed to ease the situation, "Didn’t we say we were just talking friendship today, not work?"

Li Changyou was familiar with China, so he understood Xu Chunliang’s meaning: "Mr. Xu, you’re very unfriendly. I think you’re insulting our country."

Xu Chunliang said, "Mr. Li, you’re quite skilled at putting labels on me. I didn’t insult your country. I make my grudges clear. You disparaged me first, and if I were to insult anyone, it would be you."

Li Changyou said, "Secretary Qin, you heard it all."

Qin Zhengyang signaled to Xu Chunliang to say less.

Xu Chunliang wasn’t having any of it: "What do you mean by saying that your country’s government officials are supervised by inspection departments, as if we don’t have supervisory mechanisms? When you speak, it’s not just representing yourself. Be cautious. As far as I know, too many politicians in your country have been arrested."

"You..."

Zhou Guangda said, "We agreed not to talk about work, so how did we end up discussing politics?"

Li Changyou said, "President Zhou, it’s not that I’m not giving you face, but I can’t eat this meal."

Xu Chunliang said, "President Zhou, with such an esteemed guest here, didn’t you arrange for some pickles?"

Qin Zhengyang began to regret it. Xu Chunliang was totally uncontrollable. In all fairness, Li Changyou also had issues. Why provoke him for no reason?

Li Changyou stood up intending to leave, but Xu Chunliang grabbed his shoulder and pushed him back into his seat, smiling, "I find the people on your side lack a sense of humor and can’t take a joke. I really didn’t mean to look down on you. Don’t be upset, let’s have a drink together."

Xu Chunliang raised his glass, and Li Changyou angrily looked at him, wanting to get up again, but his shoulder was held down by Xu Chunliang, as if a small mountain was pressing on him, making it impossible to get up.

Zhou Guangda quickly tried to mediate, "Right, Town Mayor Xu was just joking. Come on, come on! Let’s drink, I’ll join you for a glass."

Qin Zhengyang said, "Everyone together! We’re all friends, just a joke, don’t take it seriously."

Everyone agreed in unison. Li Changyou didn’t want to stay, but he simply couldn’t leave, glaring angrily, he could only drink with everyone.

They drank small glasses, while Xu Chunliang picked up a decanter in front of him and drank a whole pot.

Zhou Guangda beamed and said, "President Li, see how sincere Town Mayor Xu is?"

Xu Chunliang stood up and said, "I’m not drinking this to apologize, I’m showing my stance. President Li was right just now, I indeed should avoid suspicion. You can continue negotiating cooperation, but don’t use the Renhe Hall trademark. Even if you want to, it’s useless. I’ll never agree. Enjoy your drinks, I’m leaving first."

Qin Zhengyang was taken aback by this youngster. Initially, it was Li Changyou who wanted to leave, but now Li Changyou wasn’t leaving, and instead, it was Xu Chunliang who left. Qin Zhengyang tried to stop him but was too late; Xu Chunliang was already swiftly out of the room.

Qin Zhengyang considered chasing after him but decided not to. Xu Chunliang had left everyone hanging there; it was not just his face that was at stake, but everyone’s.