From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Qin Zhengyang called over Li Chengbo, who was temporarily transferred to take charge of security work, and whispered a few words, which also shocked Li Chengbo. This incident was truly too sudden, almost impossible to guard against.

If they had been notified earlier, they could have set up a control station at the dock ahead of time to appease these protesting elders. It wasn’t that they weren’t allowed to protest, but the timing they chose was inappropriate.

Qiao Yuanjiang’s itinerary had always been confidential, and his decision to change plans only happened this morning. The reason why those protesters could find out his whereabouts first-hand must be because someone internally leaked the information.

Qin Zhengyang recalled Xu Chunliang’s reminder to him not long ago. Ultimately, he had still been careless. Da Heng is like a landmine buried nearby—if it doesn’t explode, then fine, but once it does, the consequences are unimaginable.

Li Chengbo shouted loudly, "This is not the place to cause trouble, everyone please go back first..."

"We’re not looking for you, nor will we cause trouble. We want to reflect our situation to the leadership!"

Qin Zhengyang quickly walked up, "Hello everyone, I am Mayor Qin Zhengyang. If you have any demands, you can convey them to me at the town office!" Right now, he just wanted to persuade these protesters to leave; it would be more troublesome if the leadership came out and saw the commotion.

"We’re not looking for you; it doesn’t matter what you say!"

"Don’t believe him; Da Heng Group was brought into Weishan Island by him. They are colluding, acting in cahoots!"

Qin Zhengyang’s face turned green. Da Heng Group’s settling on Weishan Island had nothing to do with him; it was facilitated by the former secretary, Kong Xiangsheng. The frustrating part is, now Kong Xiangsheng has gone to the county to retire, Mei Ru Xue has been promoted to Dongzhou High-Tech Zone, and he is the indisputable leader of Hu Shan Town.

With power comes heavy responsibility. Qin Zhengyang initially thought that his experience within the system was enough to handle any sudden changes, but the current situation left him flustered.

In the eyes of the common people of Hu Shan Town, he is the high-ranking leader, but in front of the leaders who came today, he is just an insignificant character. Those who are offering wreaths almost do not know his name.

Qin Zhengyang did not intend to climb the ranks by associating with leaders; after all, the rank gap was too large. He just wanted today’s process to proceed quietly, with no merit, just hoping for no faults.

However, things in this world often do not go as desired.

What’s giving him more of a headache is the arrival of reporting teams from Dongzhou TV Station and Nanjiang TV Station, along with many other media journalists.

These media were likely invited by Huayuan Group, originally intended to report on the groundbreaking ceremony of the Healthy Elderly Care Hospital. But before things even started there, a major news event broke out here. For these journalists, wherever there is news, they are present.

Qiao Yuanjiang had already heard the noise outside, but did not react immediately. After solemnly offering a flower basket, he told Secretary Xiaofeng to go see what was happening.

Dongzhou’s leader in charge of cultural and health affairs, Zhang Jingwu, made a low suggestion that there was a backdoor here through which they could leave.

Qiao Yuanjiang showed displeasure, calmly stating, "We and the people are never in opposition. We are the servants of the people; no matter when, we must not forget our service to the people."

Qiao Yuanjiang said this while standing in front of the monument, and although his tone was calm, every word resonated. These were the words his father often said to him, and Qiao Yuanjiang had always acted that way.

Secretary Xiaofeng had already arrived at the scene, and seeing the scene before him, he erupted with anger, walking over to Qin Zhengyang and scolded, "What are you doing?"

Qin Zhengyang drooped his head; although he did not think the situation before him was related to him, he could only bow his head before authority, while also realizing a fact—that nine times out of ten, he would have to bear the responsibility for this matter.

Li Yuliang, the head of the town’s petition office, also arrived with his team. Now, it was already impossible to persuade the protesters to go to the petition office for a talk.

The scene was filled with excitement, a tumultuous uproar. Qin Zhengyang, bracing himself, discussed with Secretary Feng to please ask the leaders to leave through the backdoor. He would stay behind to deal with the situation.

Although Secretary Feng agreed with his suggestion, he did not dare to make a decision on his own and went to first consult with Qiao Yuanjiang.

The call was not answered, as Qiao Yuanjiang had already led the people to the scene. The various levels of leadership surrounded Qiao Yuanjiang in the center, demonstrating their willingness to shield the leader, inadvertently revealing that Qiao Yuanjiang was the central figure today.

After all, Qiao Yuanjiang had weathered many storms and had experienced such scenes before. He shouted loudly, "Everyone, please quiet down. I am Qiao Yuanjiang! If you have any demands, you can speak one by one! I promise everyone here that the matters of the common people are our matters, and anyone who violates the people’s interests is challenging the bottom line of us public servants!"

Among the people nearby, someone first started to clap, and Qiao Yuanjiang glanced sidelong with his eyes, causing the Weishan secretary to recognize the authority and menace in his gaze, frightened enough to lower his head, with his restless hands freezing halfway.

"You talk nicely, but Da Heng Group’s false propaganda has harmed our pensions. Why don’t you control it?"

"Yes! Why don’t you control it?"

...

The sentiment of the protesters became agitated again.

Qin Zhengyang’s heart had tightened to the extreme; if the scene got out of control, he was facing far more than just internal criticism.

Qiao Yuanjiang stated, "Who says we don’t control it? I, Qiao Yuanjiang, guarantee here that as long as the situation you report is true, we will strictly investigate the relevant enterprises and severely punish the officials involved without leniency! Please always remember that our country belongs to the people, and the people’s interests are inviolable!"

His words were forceful, speaking directly to the hearts of the masses. The surrounding leaders sighed inwardly, recognizing that the stature of a leader is indeed different, daring to say whatever needs to be said, demonstrating audacity.

Qin Zhengyang mulled over it for a moment; he couldn’t utter Qiao Yuanjiang’s words. It’s not that he didn’t dare, but because even if he did, he couldn’t accomplish it. He was just the leader of Hu Shan Town, unable to shake a company of Da Heng Group’s level.

Zhang Hengyang first judged this as a purposeful, premeditated protest action. Those elderly individuals couldn’t have such strategic planning, and even if they did, they couldn’t receive information so promptly. Someone must be pushing from behind the scenes.

Zhang Hengyang realized that they had encountered an unprecedented crisis, and he needed to respond quickly, decisively heading to the place of disturbance to handle the matter personally, appease the protesters, and quickly calm the storm to prevent larger public sentiment.

The carefully planned groundbreaking ceremony by Huayuan Group started at 11:18, with host Dong Changhao announcing the official commencement of the ceremony.

The cannons fired and music played. Guided by the etiquette ladies, the leaders and guests went on stage to take their seats.

Dong Changhao was responsible for introducing the leaders and guests and thanking them for coming. Obviously, this segment was lacking in prestige. What frustrated Huayuan Group CEO Tang Jinglun was that the highest-ranking leader in attendance that day was Changxing Hospital’s Secretary Gao Xinhua.

Wu Zhongyi from the Health Bureau also realized this, so when asking the leader to give a speech, he even exchanged pleasantries with Gao Xinhua.

Before coming here, Gao Xinhua had already decided not to give a speech on stage, but of course, he couldn’t refuse too harshly, so he used the excuse of having a sore throat.

After the leader’s speech, the ribbon-cutting ceremony began. Dong Changhao invited the leaders and guests to cut the ribbon. Originally, Xu Chunliang’s name was not on the ribbon-cutting list, but because too many leaders and guests didn’t come at the last minute today, Xu Chunliang was temporarily asked to fill in and stood next to Zhao Feiyang.

Xu Chunliang specifically observed Zhao Feiyang’s expression, finding him beaming, his eyes full of smiles. It could be concluded that he was delighted, absolutely gleeful over others’ misfortune.

Although Tang Jinglun’s face also wore a smile, he felt extremely disappointed inside. He had put a lot of effort into today’s celebration. Qiao Yuanjiang also agreed with him. The reason the celebration was so lackluster was entirely because Qiao Yuanjiang changed plans at the last minute.

The officials of various ranks in Dongzhou undoubtedly followed his lead. If he didn’t come, others would certainly find excuses to miss it.

After the ribbon-cutting, the host invited the leaders and guests to step off the stage to the pit area for the groundbreaking foundation ceremony.

Tang Jinglun, Wu Zhongyi, Zhao Feiyang, and Gao Xinhua together lifted the shovels wrapped in red silk, symbolically adding two shovels of soil beside the monument.

Yet at this moment, Zhao Feiyang wasn’t thinking of the word "foundation," but of "burial." It was as if he saw Tang Jinglun’s faction being buried bit by bit by himself.

The brief groundbreaking ceremony had concluded. The ceremonial band played, the salvos sounded, seemingly lively, but everyone knew that this celebration was extremely unsuccessful.