From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Although Li Changhe detected the latent sharpness in Wang Jianming’s words, he couldn’t tear face as the other party didn’t explicitly express disdain. He chuckled and said, "The $15 billion investment from Lexus Group itself represents our utmost sincerity. There are many cities expressing interest in cooperating with us, some with conditions better than Dongzhou. Yet, we still prioritized Dongzhou because my father has special sentiments for it."

Wang Jianming replied, "I can understand your feelings and will do my best to create the best investment environment for your side, provided it’s feasible. However, I also hope that your side can consider the feelings of the local people. Can the plan for the China-Korea Industrial Park be adjusted to maintain a certain distance from the Qingshan Mine ruins, especially from the Worker Village?"

"No way!" Li Changhe rejected decisively.

Wang Jianming said, "Mr. Li, why not report back to your group for discussion? I believe we can find a solution to achieve a win-win outcome."

Li Changhe responded, "Secretary Wang, if such a simple problem can’t be resolved, how can you expect me to believe in your sincerity in cooperation? How can our group feel assured in such enormous investments?"

Wang Jianming smiled and said, "For successful cooperation, both parties must seek consensus while maintaining differences and understanding each other. It can’t be achieved by just one side compromising. President Li has been navigating the business sea for many years and should understand this not less than I do. On behalf of Dongzhou, I assure Mr. Li that our doors for cooperation are always open, and we are filled with sincerity."

Li Changhe said, "I look forward to seeing your sincerity."

After Li Changhe and his son left, it was already past working hours.

Qin Zhengyang knew the conversation was not pleasant. Li Changhe was overly aggressive, while Wang Jianming maintained his demeanor throughout, yet didn’t concede at all, demonstrating his firm principles. Few could remain so calm in the face of a $15 billion foreign investment, and Qin Zhengyang deeply admired him.

If the China-Korea Industrial Park could successfully settle in Dongzhou, this would be a promising start for the newly appointed Wang Jianming. This achievement alone would suffice as a report for his term; someone else might have chosen to compromise.

Qin Zhengyang helped Wang Jianming with a fresh cup of tea.

Wang Jianming was still pondering over the earlier matters until Qin Zhengyang placed the freshly brewed tea in front of him, bringing him back to reality. He softly said, "Make arrangements for me to personally have a look tomorrow."

Qin Zhengyang nodded, "I’ll notify the relevant parties immediately."

Wang Jianming shook his head, "No need. I want to see the most real side."

The protest by the mining district residents was still ongoing. However, after persuasion from relevant departments, they changed the location. Under Yangjianguo’s organization, hundreds of descendants of the miners who perished back then gathered at the Qingshan Mine entrance for a commemorative event, displaying relics and photos while recounting the tragic stories of the past.

Children from the mining district’s elementary school also came over that afternoon for patriotism education.

Many self-media personnel appeared on site, among them were Xu Chunliang’s friend, Three Two Three Xu Xiaoyue.

When Wang Jianming and Qin Zhengyang arrived at the entrance of Qingshan Mine Ruins Park, they were surprised by the crowd at the gate.

Qin Zhengyang suggested to take the lead in surveying. After a quick round, he returned to report to Wang Jianming that today was the 80th anniversary of the Qingshan Mine disaster, and the people spontaneously came to commemorate.

As for the students from the mining district’s elementary school, they were organized by the school for patriotism education.

Wang Jianming nodded, sat in the car watching for a while, yet in the end, he didn’t get out. Every move he made represented an official stance. Under the current circumstances, he didn’t wish to completely fall out with Lexus Group but still hoped both sides could find a win-win approach.

From Wang Jianming’s actions, Qin Zhengyang understood his intentions and had the driver head to the new site of the Infectious Disease Hospital.

Actually, Wang Jianming already had a plan. He wouldn’t agree to all of Lexus’s demands, especially the piece of land for the new Infectious Disease Hospital. Facing Qingshan Mine Ruins, he could imagine what kind of scenario would unfold if Lexus built its headquarters here. Flags of China and Korea fluttering, and perhaps Li Bingxing would even erect a memorial statue for his father in the open space.

The Peninsula People are one of the most adept at sneaky moves in our world.

Wang Jianming didn’t deny that the $15 billion investment was immensely tempting, but any economic development must adhere to the right political direction.

The road to the new Infectious Disease Hospital is almost complete. After leaving the Qingshan Mine Ruins, Qin Zhengyang called Xu Chunliang to inform him that Secretary Wang would pass by for an inspection.

Xu Chunliang, on his way, said he needed another ten minutes to arrive. Qin Zhengyang advised him not to disturb the hospital’s leaders, as Secretary Wang likely wouldn’t stay long.

Xu Chunliang quickly contacted Zhou Meng to prevent the security guards on duty from blocking Secretary Wang’s car.

Wang Jianming’s car smoothly entered the construction site, where only Zhou Meng was currently in charge. He hurriedly welcomed them.

Qin Zhengyang told him to attend to his tasks while they took a casual stroll, and Xu Chunliang would arrive shortly.

Zhou Meng handed them a few brand-new hard hats. Wang Jianming donned a hard hat just as Xu Chunliang arrived.

Xu Chunliang remarked, "Secretary Wang, you didn’t notify us before your inspection."

Wang Jianming smiled, "Informing you would have given you time to prepare. I wanted to catch you unprepared."

A few people laughed.

Xu Chunliang led the way, but actually, there wasn’t much to see at the construction site—just a large open space.

Wang Jianming walked a few steps and said leisurely, "Xiaoxu, we saw a lot of people gathered at the entrance of the Qingshan Mine Ruins Park on our way here. Do you know what they are doing?"

Xu Chunliang nodded and said, "Today is the 80th anniversary of the Qingshan Mine disaster. The descendants of the victims from the mining area spontaneously organize memorials, and there are such events every year."

Wang Jianming glanced at Qin Zhengyang, and Qin Zhengyang nodded. Xu Chunliang dared to bluff, as he specifically investigated and hadn’t heard of memorial activities of this scale in the past.

Fortunately, Wang Jianming didn’t dwell on this issue and said softly, "The Qingshan Mine disaster caused tragedies for more than fifty families. We must learn from past events as lessons for the future. Even though it’s been eighty years, we still need to heed its lessons and prioritize production safety at all times."

Qin Zhengyang continued to nod in agreement. What the leader said was right.

Xu Chunliang said, "As far as I know, the mine disaster that happened eighty years ago wasn’t that simple. The survivors who luckily escaped reported that the victims of that disaster were all anti-Japanese key figures, and they believe it was a man-made accident."

Wang Jianming said, "Xiaoxu, you are quite familiar with this history."

Xu Chunliang said, "Recently, a female writer from the Peninsula came to collect materials. She was invited by the Lexus side to write a biography for the family of the Lexus President Li Bingxing. We happened to know each other beforehand, so I helped her connect with relevant experts and accessed some historical materials."

Wang Jianming said, "A few days ago, you had a fight with Li Xuanbin from Lexus at the museum for this female writer, didn’t you?"

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Who did Secretary Wang hear it from?"

Qin Zhengyang said, "Who do you think controlled the impact for you? Xiaoxu, you really need to thank Secretary Wang for this matter."

Xu Chunliang said, "Secretary Wang has sharp insights and chose to stand on the side of justice."

Wang Jianming laughed, "Stop giving me so much credit. What kind of irreconcilable hatred do you have with Li Xuanbin that you had to have a fight in public? With your level, you wouldn’t be so impulsive over a girl, would you?"

Xu Chunliang said, "I place a heavy emphasis on honor, especially on matters concerning national pride. That little Korean insulted us in front of so many people—it was unbearable."

Wang Jianming said to Qin Zhengyang, "Did you hear that? The young people nowadays are incredible, escalating personal grievances to the height of national pride. This kid is getting us all involved."

Qin Zhengyang followed with a laugh; Wang Jianming was such a clear-headed person, seeing through the events that occurred during this period very clearly.

Xu Chunliang said, "Secretary Wang, you’re worried about too much credit, and I’m worried about too much name. I admit, I am biased against the Koreans—I find everything about them displeasing."

Wang Jianming said, "Keep your mind broad and your vision long-term. With such a large country, do we need to bicker with them? In the current international situation, we still need to seek common ground while reserving differences and jointly develop."

Xu Chunliang said, "Secretary Wang is right. We don’t need to be serious with a country whose sovereignty is incomplete, but we shouldn’t pamper them either. If you are polite to them, they don’t understand reciprocity and just take advantage of it."

Wang Jianming laughed, "Foreign relations are a discipline. I’ve consulted experts in this field, and they told me that foreign relations are not about always showing goodwill but communicating in a way the other side understands. Playing music to a cow won’t get you any results."

Xu Chunliang said, "The best way to communicate with livestock is with a whip."

Wang Jianming and Qin Zhengyang exchanged a glance and broke into a silent laugh.

At this moment, a guest arrived, and upon seeing that Genesis, Xu Chunliang guessed it was Bai Lan arriving. She really knew how to pick her timing today.

Bai Lan had specifically come to say goodbye to Xu Chunliang, as she was leaving Dongzhou this afternoon.

Wang Jianming greeted Bai Lan and mentioned he had matters to attend to in the city.

After seeing Wang Jianming to his car, Xu Chunliang returned to Bai Lan’s side, "Miss Bai, you didn’t really need to make this trip."

Bai Lan said, "I wasn’t just here for this trip. I heard about the memorial activity at the Qingshan Mine Ruins and went to the scene for a look, collecting some materials along the way."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "If you know she’s a writer, you might think she’s a female spy."

Bai Lan said helplessly, "I’ve gotten used to you seeing me with tinted glasses."

Xu Chunliang said, "I’m not that crass."