From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Wang Jianming explained the relationship between the Tomb of the Seven Heroes and Elder Qiao; Wang Jiancheng also felt the matter was becoming increasingly tricky. Disturbances caused by the local peasants in the mining area could be resolved by spending money, but the fact Elder Qiao knew about this issue and specially instructed Qiao Rulong to call Wang Jianming demonstrated Elder Qiao’s significant concern about Lexus Group’s intention to establish its headquarters opposite the Tomb of the Seven Heroes.

Wang Jianming asked Wang Jiancheng a question: the initial planning of the China-Korea Industrial Park covers fifty square kilometers, while the land for the new Infectious Disease Hospital comprises a mere one hundred mu. Why does Lexus insist on wanting this piece of land?

Wang Jiancheng’s explanation was quite feeble; he merely said that Lexus Group’s President Li Bingxing, due to sentimental reasons from the past, planned to choose that piece of land for the construction of the China-Korea Industrial Park’s office headquarters, likely to commemorate his family, as it’s said they used to live on that plot, where he has childhood memories.

Wang Jianming offered a suggestion: for the successful establishment of the China-Korea Industrial Park, it would be best to avoid the range of Qingshan Mine and hope they reconsider their land acquisition demands.

After Wang Jiancheng left, Qin Zhengyang knocked and walked in. He was very efficient and already found some key materials, among which was a photo of the assailants shooting the uprising miners. Although Lee Sang-pu was not included, nobody could guarantee he did not participate in the persecution of the miners; moreover, his later execution by the occupiers was due to the Qingshan Mine disaster.

From historical resources of Qingshan Mine, it’s certain that Lee Sang-pu must bear responsibility for this mine disaster. After all, he was the safety director at the mine back then, and even now such a position bears undeniable responsibility.

Wang Jianming stared at the yellowed black-and-white photograph with a deep frown and asked, "Little Qin, what do you think?"

Qin Zhengyang said, "I believe Lexus Group should have considered possible situations before choosing this piece of land. Knowing they would encounter difficulties, yet choosing to face them, suggests they have other considerations."

Wang Jianming nodded, saying, "Maybe it’s a test, to see the old mining area’s people’s reaction."

Qin Zhengyang said, "Only looking at the surface, insisting on including this piece of land is unwise; they underestimated the patriotic sentiment among the mining area’s people and hurt their feelings."

Wang Jianming asked, "Do you think they will retreat knowing the difficulties?"

Qin Zhengyang shook his head and said, "I don’t think they will concede now; they are likely to use this matter to pressure us."

Wang Jianming’s eyes showed appreciation; Xu Chunliang’s recommendation was spot on, as Qin Zhengyang shared the same thought with him. With an investment of $150 billion, they would receive VIP treatment anywhere, hence initially he was also prepared to create every convenient condition for Lexus Group.

Initially, Wang Jianming planned to agree to Lexus Group’s request to allocate the land of the new Infectious Disease Hospital to them and let the Infectious Disease Hospital find a new location, with the city providing appropriate compensation to the Infectious Disease Hospital. After all, they sacrificed for the development of Dongzhou. But now the situation has become increasingly complex. Although economic development is important, when it involves sensitive issues of national sentiment, Wang Jianming is extremely clear-headed. Even without Qiao Rulong’s call, he would prudently handle this issue.

Wang Jianming said, "I hear that someone is instigating the collective protest of the mining area’s people."

Qin Zhengyang immediately knew Wang Jianming might be suspecting Xu Chunliang, hence deliberately mentioning it to him.

Qin Zhengyang said, "Actually, having the issue exposed now is better than later."

Wang Jianming nodded, looked at the time, "Help me arrange a meeting with the Lexus Group representative."

After receiving Wang Jianming’s invitation, Li Changhe immediately headed to Dongzhou City’s administrative center. In his view, Wang Jianming actively arranging a meeting with him was likely due to nervousness, worrying that the protest incident in the mining area would impact the negotiation of the China-Korea Industrial Park project.

On the way, Li Xuanbin angrily said, "Father, why must we invest in Dongzhou? We would be treated as guests of honor in any city we visit. We’re offering them food, so why are they protesting?"

Li Changhe’s gloomy face remained without the slightest smile: "It’s your grandfather’s decision."

Li Xuanbin immediately went silent; his grandfather represented supreme authority in the family, and no one dared challenge that.

Li Changhe said quietly, "Your performance at the donation event that day deeply disappointed me."

Li Xuanbin defended, "He harassed Bai Lan first."

Li Changhe said sinisterly, "I warned you to stay away from that woman."

"Father, why do you object?"

Li Changhe said, "Because she’s not worthy of you!" He didn’t want to continue this topic, reminding his son not to speak when they go to meet Secretary Wang, just listen.

The protest incident in the mining area affected Li Changhe’s mood, with his father thinking he was inefficient. Li Changhe knew very well that if he couldn’t handle the China-Korea Industrial Park issue well, his ranking in the family inheritance might be pushed lower, especially since he wasn’t his father’s only son.

Li Changhe also didn’t understand why his father insisted on choosing Dongzhou for investment compared to Lin City and Hai Zhou. Dongzhou wasn’t advantageous; simply the fact that Hai Zhou was coastal and possessed a large-scale dock was enough to overshadow Dongzhou, not to mention the conditions offered by Hai Zhou were more enticing.

Li Changhe initially thought the negotiations for the China-Korea Industrial Park would be very smooth, but issues emerged right at the start. Nevertheless, he was still looking forward to today’s meeting with Wang Jianming. As Dongzhou City’s top leader, Wang Jianming certainly understood the significance of a $150 billion investment. Officials in this country have an insatiable desire for political achievements; some might even make considerable concessions for political accomplishments, always placing personal interests first.

Qin Zhengyang led Li Changhe and his son to Wang Jianming’s office.

Wang Jianming shook hands with Li and his son. He had already heard about Xu Chunliang punching Li Xuanbin at the donation event a couple of days ago; Wang Jianming didn’t think these two young men were merely fighting over a woman out of anger; perhaps that day’s incident was just a prelude to a broader confrontation.

Li Changhe didn’t choose to walk away after his son was beaten, indicating that the China-Korea Industrial Park was also very important to him; he wouldn’t change his investment intention due to a minor incident.

Wang Jianming exchanged a few pleasantries and then got to the point, asking what they thought about the cooperation between the two sides and if there were any new ideas?

Li Changhe said, "Secretary Wang, to be candid, we are somewhat disappointed with Dongzhou’s investment environment."

Wang Jianming smiled, "Looks like there’s room for improvement in our work, President Li, just bring it up."

Li Changhe said, "Secretary Wang promised initially to create every convenient condition for our investment, but now we don’t see your side’s welcome. Instead, we see opposition and hear too many voices of protest. I just want to ask, why do the mining area’s people have such a big bias against us? Don’t they understand what establishing the China-Korea Industrial Park means? It means we will greatly improve the infrastructure and industrial structure of the mining area, creating countless job opportunities for the mining area."

Wang Jianming said, "President Li should know the recent events; we welcome and support your company’s investment and indeed promised to create all possible convenience for your investment."

Wang Jianming emphasized the word ’possible’; earlier, Li Changhe clearly twisted the concept. Wang Jianming would never speak so definitively.

Li Changhe said, "We come with sincerity, ready to invest $150 billion to help Dongzhou’s economic development, turning Dongzhou into Lexus’s largest overseas industrial base, but we have not received the respect we deserve and even feel insulted."

Wang Jianming said neither obsequiously nor condescendingly, "Respect is always mutual. I don’t believe we have been disrespectful, and as for the insult mentioned by President Li, there is no substance to talk about."

Li Changhe said, "Secretary Wang, haven’t you heard what those people say about us? They say we have evil intentions and call us descendants of the assailants. My grandfather was a hero; he protected many miners from persecution at Qingshan Mine back then. But now, the descendants of those miners not only fail to appreciate but maliciously attack my progenitors. What, if not an insult, is this?"

Wang Jianming said, "We have already started investigating the matters you mentioned. If personal attacks are involved, we will handle them. Evidence is needed for anything. According to historical records, there were indeed mercenaries from the Peninsula acting subserviently, killing many miners, leading their families to be shattered. History cannot be obliterated."

Li Changhe said, "What does Secretary Wang mean by this? My grandfather didn’t do those things."

Wang Jianming said, "Can you guarantee that others did not do them?" He handed a photograph to Li Changhe.

After seeing it, Li Changhe furiously exclaimed, "Secretary Wang, since you don’t welcome us, you shouldn’t have made such a statement from the beginning. This photo has nothing to do with our Li Family. My grandfather was also a victim; we are here for investment, not to talk about history."

Wang Jianming said, "We welcome foreign investments, but this doesn’t mean we offer any investment without limits, without careful consideration, nor does it mean we can discard history. Also, President Li should be aware that any investment involves risk. I believe your side conducted a risk assessment before investing. Many families of the victims from back then still live in Qingshan Mine; they won’t forget what happened back then."

Li Changhe said, "That’s why your country’s development lags behind ours, because you always hold on firmly to past events."

Wang Jianming’s smile vanished, "Mr. Li, we have a saying in our country: forgetting history means betrayal; remembering history enables us to create the future! Indeed, your country has developed rapidly over the past decades, but historically, we have never considered you as opponents! For everyone, winning together through cooperation is the correct choice."

Wang Jianming’s words can be interpreted in two ways: one is that we have never antagonized you, and the other is that we have never truly respected you.