Zhao Feiyang said, "Please help me convey to Secretary Geng that the construction of the shareholder hospital will proceed as planned. Regardless of any difficulties encountered, I will strive to overcome them."

Mei Ru Xue was quite satisfied with Zhao Feiyang’s response. She asked several detailed questions about the project, indicating she had done her homework and was well-informed about the shareholder hospital.

Zhao Feiyang indeed had no issues when it came to business matters, responding fluently without any flaws. Although he appeared calm on the surface, he was under significant internal pressure.

The debt crisis of the Huayuan Group is already widely known. If they can’t overcome this hurdle, it will definitely impact the construction of the shareholder hospital.

The High-Tech Zone likely recognized the risks, as it was Geng Wenjun who initially facilitated the shareholder hospital’s establishment there. Once successfully completed, it would certainly become a notable political achievement for him. However, if problems arise, as the leader of the High-Tech Zone, Geng Wenjun would also be affected.

Zhao Feiyang understood very well that these people excel in avoiding responsibilities and risks. Geng Wenjun is at a crucial stage in his political career, and any issues at this juncture could halt his progress.

The debt crisis of Huayuan also deeply troubled Zhao Feiyang. He realized he must personally visit Nanjiang to have a good discussion with Tang Jingwei. The debt crisis of Huayuan cannot be allowed to affect Changxing’s future.

##

Xu Chunliang had just returned to Weishan Island when someone came to visit.

The visitor was Yan Fangming, deputy general manager of the Ecological Environment Construction Investment Group. He also had another identity as the brother-in-law of Xie Zhongxin, head of the Natural Resources Administration Bureau.

After arriving at the office, Yan Fangming first introduced himself to Xu Chunliang.

At their first meeting, Xu Chunliang was relatively polite, shook his hand, and invited him to sit down.

"What brings you here, Manager Yan?"

Yan Fangming got straight to the point: "I’m here about the Weishan Island Winery."

Xu Chunliang picked up a thermos to get some hot water, initially intending to pour a cup of tea for Yan Fangming, but upon hearing the lack of respect for his title as Vice Mayor, he felt somewhat displeased. Even though he held a national position, and despite the impressive name of the visitor’s company, in essence, the visitor was still a businessman. Why was he adopting a condescending attitude?

Xu Chunliang continued to smile and said, "Then you may have come to the wrong place. We have divisions of responsibilities; Vice Mayor Li is in charge of natural resource management."

Yan Fangming said, "No, I’m here to see you."

Xu Chunliang sat back in his chair, took a sip of tea, and said, "My current responsibilities include investment promotion and culture, education, and health. Are you looking to invest or do you have other issues to discuss?"

Yan Fangming said, "Are you familiar with Mo Han, the contractor for the Weishan Island Winery?"

Xu Chunliang lied with his eyes wide open: "Not familiar."

Yan Fangming replied, "Vice Mayor Xu, that’s not fair. I’ve already inquired, and Mo Han only managed to contract the Weishan Island Winery through your introduction."

Xu Chunliang laughed: "Who spread that rumor? I didn’t introduce her."

Yan Fangming said, "Let’s not get into that. I can’t reach Mo Han now, so I need your help to contact her. Because a hot spring was discovered within the winery’s area, her previous contract must be nullified. This way, we won’t let her suffer any losses as we will cover all current damages."

Xu Chunliang asked, "What is your surname?" This guy seemed completely unaware of boundaries, coming into someone else’s office and bossing around like this, who does he think he is!

Yan Fangming was a bit confused, wasn’t he just introduced? How could someone forget so quickly? But he still replied, "The surname is Yan."

Xu Chunliang said, "You do know, right? Have you studied law? Do you know contract law? You can’t just declare a signed contract nullified. If everyone were like you, where would Hu Shan Town’s credibility stand? How would we operate in the future?"

Yan Fangming finally understood his meaning. He didn’t regard this small-time Vice Mayor seriously and said coldly, "Apparently, you are unfamiliar with our country’s laws. According to Article 3 of the National Mineral Resources Law, mineral resources belong to the state. The state exercises ownership over mineral resources, regardless of differences in land ownership or usage rights. The hot spring is a water resource, and as a mineral resource, it is subject to this law."

Xu Chunliang said, "Nobody is saying the hot spring isn’t state-owned. But if I remember correctly, your organization’s name is the Ecological Environment Construction Investment Group, which is also a profit-oriented commercial entity. You don’t represent the state, and it seems you don’t even represent the Natural Resources Administration Bureau."

Yan Fangming said: "We are the only legally designated development unit by the Natural Resources Administration Bureau, responsible for the development and management of all hot spring water resources within the administrative region of Dongzhou City. If you ask around, you’ll know that all natural hot springs in Dongzhou are managed by us, and this has been approved by the city."

Xu Chunliang said: "You yourself just said that you’re responsible for the development and management of Dongzhou’s hot spring water resources, so what right do you have to issue a cessation notice? I’m really puzzled. Do you even have administrative authority? Who gave you that power?"

Yan Fangming said: "What’s your attitude? Don’t think I don’t know about the shady dealings at the Weishan Island Winery."

Xu Chunliang said: "Explain your words clearly, what shady dealings?"

Yan Fangming said: "They just contracted the Weishan Island Winery and immediately discovered a hot spring. Isn’t that too coincidental? Vice Mayor Xu, we all understand the situation. According to regulations, quickly hand over the Weishan Island Winery to us. There’s no need to make it ugly; it won’t end well if it blows up."

Xu Chunliang laughed angrily at him: "What do you mean? Are you saying I knew there was a hot spring inside all along, so I leased it cheaply to someone I know?"

Yan Fangming said: "That’s not what I said. Some matters can be big or small. If you really want to escalate it, it might end up very ugly."

Xu Chunliang said: "Yan Fangming, if you’re going to talk like this, this issue won’t be easy to discuss. Try making it ugly for me."

Yan Fangming coldly stared at Xu Chunliang and said: "I came here today to talk to you nicely, aiming to solve the problem. You really are like a pig not afraid of boiling water, insisting on seeking ugliness?"

"Are you insulting me?" Xu Chunliang didn’t rush over to hit him this time but picked up the phone to call security. This idiot surnamed Yan was so arrogant, actually came here to insult him.

When two security guards arrived, Yan Fangming had already gotten up and walked out the door. He didn’t want to be escorted away. Xu Chunliang never intended to negotiate; he thought this guy simply didn’t understand the severity of the matter. Unauthorized development of state-owned mineral resources is illegal.

Xu Chunliang contacted Mo Han, who had already returned to Nanjiang and seemed indifferent, telling Xu Chunliang she didn’t plan to contract the winery herself; it was Xu Chunliang who pulled her into it. She was just a cover, not intending to develop the hot springs. She can’t be expected to stand out when trouble arises, can she?

Xu Chunliang told Mo Han he never intended for her to stand out, just wanted her to remember that no matter who contacts her, she should stick to the contract and give no face even if someone important shows up. He would take responsibility for resolving the issue, but she must not back out midway.

Shortly after Yan Fangming left, Pu Jian called Xu Chunliang, telling him that the people from the Natural Resources Administration Bureau have issued another notice. This time with a final ultimatum, demanding they fully withdraw within twenty-four hours, or they’ll be prosecuted for damaging national resources.

Xu Chunliang felt that he was domineering enough, but now he encountered someone even more domineering. He told Pu Jian and the workers not to be afraid, as there were twenty-four hours, they should wait until the last moment to act.

Xu Chunliang asked Ding Si about the situation. Ding Si was also aware of the winery issue and was rushing over with people, angrily cursing on the phone: "Town Mayor Xu, don’t get angry, these little bastards are targeting me."

Ding Si briefly explained the situation. The Ecological Environment Construction Investment Group is actually just a commercial development company. The boss is named He Xingjian, who started off from construction sites similarly to him. Back then, they often clashed over business and construction site disputes, and their animosity ran deep.

Ding Si went to jail for a few years due to fighting, and after he came out, he found He Xingjian had left him far behind.

He Xingjian became the son-in-law of a deputy director of the People’s Congress, leveraging this background to thrive. He’s long since moved on from doing rough construction work and is now engaged in cultural tourism and has some official ties, forming what’s called the Ecological Environment Construction Investment Group.

The name of this group is not something an average person would think of. He Xingjian is involved in cultural tourism, dining, and entertainment industries; the two largest hot spring resorts in Dongzhou were developed by him.

Xu Chunliang told Ding Si not to act rashly, coercion and toughness can’t solve the problem. If a fight breaks out, the legitimate stance could turn illegitimate, plus he’s the Vice Mayor of Hu Shan Town; Dingli Construction was arranged by him to be responsible for constructing the Wine Culture Park at Weishan Island Winery, he must bear responsibility.

Xu Chunliang instructed Ding Si to initially withdraw the workers from the hot spring discovery site, and temporarily halt work at the winery workshop. But without his orders, they shouldn’t leave the winery.

Just after calming Ding Si down, Pu Jian directly came over.

Pu Jian entered Xu Chunliang’s office, closed the door, and started cursing: "These bastards are bullying us too much, they’ve confiscated all our tools, and ordered us to evacuate the site by noon tomorrow, or they’ll prosecute us."

Xu Chunliang couldn’t help but laugh seeing Pu Jian’s indignant expression: "Brother Pu, you’ve seen all sorts of scenarios traveling far and wide, still afraid to be scared by them?"

Pu Jian handed Xu Chunliang a cessation notice; Xu Chunliang wasn’t interested in the content, just glanced at the big red stamp at the end—it was indeed from the Natural Resources Administration Bureau.

Pu Jian said: "This company is definitely colluding with them; they even accused us of shady dealings in contracting the winery. They’re the ones with those dealings, I bet my life, they are an interest community; one uses the national flag to seize others’ property, then hands it over to accomplices for development. No way, I’m reporting them."