Chapter 591: Chapter 562: Digging Up Old Scores

It’s clear to the discerning that there’s something fishy here; both Jiayue Department Store and Huayuan Medical Management Co., Ltd. are essentially owned by the same boss.

Tang Jingwei is playing a game of transferring assets from one hand to the other. He controls two publicly traded companies and seems intent on gathering quality assets into the better-positioned Jiayue Department Store, while leaving the bad assets with Huayuan. If his grand scheme succeeds, as soon as the timing is right, he will abandon the mess that is Huayuan Group without hesitation.

However, just after they announced it, they received two inquiry letters from the regulatory authorities. The letters pointed out that there were issues of shareholding on behalf of others and serious related-party transactions concerning the acquisition target. There are many unresolved questions in this transaction, with doubts about interest transfers lingering, and it even involves false statements.

Tang Jingwei thought he was too clever, underestimating the regulators’ capability. The two inquiry letters served as a warning to him, and he realized that it would be difficult to get the share swap approved.

Within a week after the announcement, Jiayue Department Store issued a notice of withdrawal from the acquisition, stating that after considering various factors, the company believed the transaction conditions were not yet mature. After discussions and negotiations with the relevant parties, they had unanimously agreed to terminate the acquisition and related-party transaction.

Through this hastily ended acquisition plan, everyone could see Tang Jingwei’s real intention, causing the share prices of the two listed companies he controls to fall simultaneously. It truly turned out to be a case of trying to steal a chicken only to lose the bait used to lure it.

The initiator of this acquisition was Jiayue Department Store’s new director, Pei Lin. With the acquisition’s failure, Pei Lin naturally became the scapegoat, though she was just a figurehead and had not been involved in the actual process.

Tang Jingwei’s stance regarding Weishan Island Hospital is quite clear: follow the contract. Revitalizing this piece of land is actually quite simple—just wait for Hu Shan Town to relax its stance, allowing transfer or third-party franchise cooperation. If Hu Shan Town refuses to give way, then stick to the original contract, which prevents Hu Shan Town or anyone else from reclaiming or developing the land within three years.

Upon learning of Huayuan Group’s attitude, Qin Zhengyang was furious and cursed, "What kind of listed company is this? Simply a rogue."

Xu Chunliang said, "Huayuan Group is fully aware of the land’s value. They currently lack the ability to develop it, but still want a piece of the pie."

Qin Zhengyang said angrily, "Based on what? The land belongs to the state. They initially promised to build a Healthy Elderly Care Hospital, but now they’ve put up a demonstration area to deceive people, and they’re using the contract as an excuse. That’s just holding up the show."

Xu Chunliang said, "Based on the contract, even if they stall for three years, there’s nothing we can do. We can only waste time with them."

Qin Zhengyang said, "Shameless, will such a prime piece of land in Weishan Island be left idle for three years? If they set this bad precedent and developers imitate it, how can our projects proceed?"

After he finished, he paused to think and said, "Why don’t we both compromise, introduce a third party, and, no matter what, get this project underway."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "If we back down, won’t our future work be even harder?"

Qin Zhengyang asked, "What’s your solution?"

Xu Chunliang said, "There is a way—evil must be vanquished by evil. If they start with the new year, we can always finish with the full moon."

Qin Zhengyang said, "Then I’ll leave it up to you to handle this matter."

Xu Chunliang said, "Secretary Qin, do you mean for me to be the bad guy? Am I to forego my dignity, my image?"

Qin Zhengyang laughed, "Who do you think among us should play the bad guy—my positive image in Hu Shan Town or yours?"

Xu Chunliang said, "If I’m not in hell, who is?"

Qin Zhengyang patted him on the shoulder, "He who tied the bell must untie it. You were the one who acquired Weishan Island Hospital, so shouldn’t you also be responsible for retrieving it now that Huayuan can’t uphold their promises?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Then you have to fully support me."

Qin Zhengyang patted his chest, conveying his full support without words.

With Qin Zhengyang’s approval, Xu Chunliang found it much easier to proceed. He needed the help of the Hu Shan Town Police Station to look for a police record from three years ago, specifically about a scandal Zhang Haibin used to blackmail Changxing Hospital, but there was no record.

In light of this, Li Chengbo explained to Xu Chunliang that it typically fell under violations of public security administration, not a crime. The statute of limitations under the Public Security Administration Punishment Law is normally six months from the date of the incident. Xu Chunliang was looking into the Mountain and Lake Inn’s collective prostitution case, which is already past the time limit. Moreover, Hu Shan Town hadn’t been established back then, so it was handled by Shiliang Town Police Station, which likely didn’t think it serious enough at the time, hence no record was left.

Xu Chunliang believed it wasn’t merely an issue of violating public security administration laws; he knew many people were involved, including Zhao Yongsheng, Tan Guoliang, Chen Mingzhou, and Zhang Qingshan—all key figures at Changxing Hospital.

If it were a case of public disorder, it would be illegal and subject to a three-year statute of limitations.

Xu Chunliang decided to adopt a strategy of breaking them one by one, collaborating with Zhang Haibin, who had dealt with the case back then, to put pressure on these hypocrites.

The purpose of exerting pressure was not to punish them but to make Changxing Hospital bow down.

Almost simultaneously, Zhao Yongsheng and others received calls from the Hu Shan Town Police Station, asking them to assist in investigating a long-past incident.

When a few of them met, they guessed what it was about and panicked. There had been a prior incident where Zhang Haibin used it to threaten the hospital, and it was eventually resolved by Xu Chunliang, who calmed things down. They thought the matter was settled, but unexpectedly, the old accounts were revisited. They’ve now realized the meaning of "one misstep causing eternal regret."

After discussing among themselves, they realized they couldn’t solve this on their own and needed the hospital to step in. Tan Guoliang, who currently had the best relationship with Zhao Feiyang, was tasked with discussing it with him.

Zhao Feiyang was furious after hearing Tan Guoliang’s account. Although the incident occurred before he joined Changxing Hospital, it concerned the hospital’s reputation. If exposed, the impact on the hospital would be significant, possibly affecting Huayuan’s stock price. He quickly surmised Xu Chunliang was the one orchestrating things behind the scenes.

When Zhang Haibin initially threatened the hospital, it was Xu Chunliang who resolved it. Now Xu Chunliang was revisiting old affairs.

Zhao Feiyang knew Xu Chunliang’s goal was to reclaim Weishan Island Hospital, but such tactics were despicable, no different from what Zhang Haibin did back then.

Zhao Feiyang didn’t want to give in, but he knew if the issue went public, the hospital’s image would suffer greatly. Now faced with two choices: persuade Tang Jingwei to let go of the tasteless yet regrettable Weishan Island Hospital or persuade Xu Chunliang to abandon his schemes.

His relationship with Xu Chunliang was only superficial now. Gao Xinhua might be persuasive, but knowing Gao Xinhua, Secretary Gao would never get involved.

After consideration, the most suitable person to talk to was the former Dean of Changxing Hospital, Gu Houyi. There was a reason to ask him: when the incident occurred, Gu Houyi was the Dean at Changxing. It would affect his reputation if it went public, and Weishan Island Hospital was a valuable asset he left for Changxing; he likely wouldn’t want to see it lost like this.

Zhao Feiyang met Gu Houyi at the construction site of the Chemical Hospital renovation. The old Dean, wearing a helmet, was inspecting the work.

Seeing Zhao Feiyang, Gu Houyi smiled and said, "I’ve been here these days; let’s go sit in the office."

Gazing at the bustling construction site, Zhao Feiyang asked, "Dean Gu, are you going back to your old trade? What kind of hospital is this going to be?"

Gu Houyi laughed, "A proctology hospital; I’m helping a friend."

Zhao Feiyang nodded. Many private hospitals had been set up in Dongzhou lately, but most were small specialized ones that hadn’t caught his attention.

Following Gu Houyi to his temporary office, Gu Houyi offered Zhao Feiyang a seat and went to pour tea. Zhao Feiyang quickly interjected, saying not to bother as he had brought his own thermos.

Gu Houyi took a few sips from his glass. "Dean Zhao, you rarely visit without a reason; what guidance do you have for me today?"

Zhao Feiyang smiled, "I wouldn’t dare. I’m here to seek advice from you, my elder."

Gu Houyi said, "No need for formalities; speak your mind. I will do what I can, but let me say up front, I’m old and frail, and might be powerless; don’t force me."

Zhao Feiyang laughed, "I wouldn’t dare." He briefly explained the situation.

After listening, Gu Houyi frowned and said, "Why are you so sure it’s Xu Chunliang behind this?"

Zhao Feiyang replied, "It’s obvious. Few people know about it, and Zhang Haibin likely won’t dare bring it up again. The ones contacting the involved individuals are from the Hu Shan Town Police Station. It’s been almost three years now, and it wasn’t a major case. Would the police station find this interesting?"

Gu Houyi said, "If it’s Xu Chunliang, why don’t you approach him yourself?"

Zhao Feiyang smiled wryly, "He no longer listens to me. Ever since he went to Hu Shan Town, he’s focused on accomplishing something there."

Gu Houyi said, "That can’t be. From what I know about Xiaoxu, he’s not someone who bites the hand that feeds him. Could there be a misunderstanding between you two?"

Zhao Feiyang said, "Probably some misunderstanding. He was forced to leave Changxing this time; Huayuan Group was worried his issues might affect the company’s stock price, so they immediately relieved him of his duties, cutting ties with him. I prioritized the bigger picture and didn’t protect him as I used to, so maybe he has some thoughts about it."

Gu Houyi laughed, "Have you sat down and talked to him properly? What you mentioned might not be what he thinks. Xiaozhao, while I may not fully know what happened between you two, I understand a bit about Xiaoxu. He’s quite a broad-minded young man."