Chapter 614: Chapter 585: Retreat from Weishan

Fu Guomin stopped in front of the national resort planning map, looked at it for a while, and said to Fan Lidada, "Does this plan also include Jizhou?"

Fan Lidada nodded and said, "The city leadership has instructed us to coordinate with Jizhou in this project for mutual development."

Fu Guomin laughed and pointed to the Taibaiwa area of Jizhou: "Their plan has already changed. They are going to build a large water park here, claiming to be the largest in Asia, and it will open next summer."

Fan Lidada felt a chill, realizing his oversight.

Xu Chunliang said, "Jizhou’s move is not very considerate; they should have informed us. We also have a water park project on Weishan Island, isn’t this redundant construction? It’s a waste of national resources." Although the culture and tourism sector was not his responsibility, Xu Chunliang did not want Fan Lidada to be embarrassed, so he spoke up to help him out.

Fan Lidada said, "It’s my lack of communication with them. I will immediately arrange for adjustments."

Fu Guomin said, "No need. Their plan is, of course, based on their self-interest. They won’t discuss it with us, and even if they do, it’s impossible for them to give up the construction of a similar project just because we are doing the same."

Li Yushan said, "Cities, like people, are self-interested."

Fu Guomin smiled and said, "Having self-interest is not a problem; it leads to competition. As long as it’s healthy, it’s fine. We should not undermine each other, as competition can promote mutual progress and development." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

The implication was clear to everyone: Dongzhou’s strategic layout in culture and tourism needed to be readjusted. At Fu Guomin’s level, words are not said lightly, especially in such a public setting.

Fan Lidada was pondering his life. What did I come to Weishan Island for? They say people thrive when they move, trees die when they’re uprooted, but I seem to have moved myself into a dead-end. If Dongzhou and Jizhou take a competitive approach in culture and tourism, what’s the point of the command center? What’s the point of me being here? The city leadership’s policy adjustments in culture and tourism are too fast. Last time, they wanted a command center, talking about dual-city co-construction. Was that a drunken idea from a leader?

Fan Lidada glanced at Xu Chunliang, who also felt sorry for him. Now he looked like a child without a mother, inexplicably hung in the air, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

Fu Guomin said, "Director Fan, you’ve been working in Dongzhou’s culture and tourism system for many years. What suggestions do you have for the future development of Dongzhou tourism?"

Fan Lidada humbly said, "Judging from the establishment of the culture and tourism bureau by the city, my past perspective was limited."

Fu Guomin said, "Don’t be modest. I’ve also seen the suggestion report you submitted to the city leadership on Dongzhou tourism."

Fan Lidada felt a chill; that suggestion report was sent to the supervising leader before the establishment of the culture and tourism bureau. He just wanted to create a presence in front of the leader, not targeting Fu Guomin. Worried about being misunderstood, Fan Lidada hurriedly explained, "That suggestion report was just my personal opinion, not worth mentioning."

Fu Guomin said, "Some of the suggestions were good, especially your point that cuisine is an important part of tourism. Over the years, while greatly improving the city’s appearance, Dongzhou also lost much of its local flavor, with the closure of several night markets and outdoor barbecues. While the environment improved, some negative impacts were also brought."

Fan Lidada awkwardly said, "Just personal opinions, Director Fu, please point out any shortcomings."

Fu Guomin said, "Director Fan, I’ve always been stationed at the Beijing Office, so I definitely don’t know as much about the local situation as you all do. With the city’s establishment of a culture and tourism bureau, there is a need for vigorous development of cultural tourism and the creation of a whole-domain tourism city, all of you need to contribute!"

"Absolutely, absolutely!" Fan Lidada responded politely, meanwhile pondering in his heart, who am I actually under now? Am I part of the culture and tourism bureau?

Until leaving, Fu Guomin never clarified Fan Lidada’s affiliation.

Xu Chunliang guided them to the Hu Shan Town Government, where Qin Zhengyang also came to greet them.

The signing ceremony was scheduled for 10:30 in the morning, and representatives of both parties arrived successively.

The CEO of Huayuan, Tang Jinglun, stepped onto Weishan Island again, feeling a touch of nostalgia. Last time he came, he was ambitious, hoping to use the positive news of the commencement of the Healthy Elderly Care Hospital to boost Huayuan Group’s stock price. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned, as the Da Heng Group’s rights protection incident stole the spotlight. This time he was here to finish things up.

In any case, he still managed to take two billion from Weishan Island Hospital. Tang Jinglun believed these two billion were his credit; if it weren’t for him initiating the construction of the Healthy Elderly Care Hospital, Equatorial Capital wouldn’t have spent two billion to acquire their project.

Zhao Feiyang saw Tang Jinglun and no longer had the humility and respect of the past. In his eyes, Tang Jinglun was a complete failure. After the transfer contract was signed, it would mean that the most valuable part of the Huanyan Health project was sold off, making Huanyan Health even more of a shell.

Zhao Feiyang had not expected when introducing private capital that Huayuan Group would encounter issues so quickly. Even less had he expected Changxing Hospital to become Huayuan Group’s best asset. He began to realize now that Huayuan’s reliance on Changxing was much stronger than Changxing’s on Huayuan.

Although he was reluctant to admit it, reality kept reminding him that the initial public-private partnership was not fair, and it was Huayuan that took advantage of Changxing Hospital. For example, in the current transfer, the two billion paid by Equatorial Capital belonged to Changxing and had nothing to do with Huayuan Group.

Zhao Feiyang arrived early in the morning. He first toured Weishan Island Hospital and convened a meeting, announcing that arrangements had been made to disburse previously withheld performance bonuses, and explanations were given for the questionable parts. Now the most important thing is to calm the people, and there must be no unexpected incidents.

Zhao Feiyang silently made up his mind that after today’s contract signing, he would never come to Weishan Island again. It’s not just because he lost the branch, but because it confirmed his failure here.

The person who had laid the groundwork in advance on Weishan Island was Gu Houyi, not himself. He was unable to achieve the grand ambitions that Gu Houyi initially had. This 200 million was Gu Houyi’s political bonus and had nothing to do with him.

Zhao Feiyang felt a deep sense of defeat when he saw Tang Tianyi talking cheerfully and Tang Jinglun with a calm expression. He realized these people had no emotional attachment to all of this or to Changxing. What they cared about was only money.

Zhao Feiyang felt it necessary to emphasize the use of the 200 million transfer fund, subtly reminding Tang Jinglun that the second phase of the Changxing project was waiting for funds. Currently, Huayuan Group is fully supporting the construction of the joint-stock hospital, and the progress of Changxing’s second phase has also slowed down.

Tang Jinglun said, "Rest assured, now Dongzhou is the group’s top priority."

Zhao Feiyang also understood that Tang Jinglun’s power was continuously being compressed by Tang Jingwei. Although Tang Jingwei hadn’t made any big moves against him yet, it was only a matter of time, especially since Tang Jinglun’s previous act of forcing a confrontation had violated major taboos.

Tang Tianyi and Han Wensheng were laughing heartily over something amusing, and Zhao Feiyang frowned, intending to remind them. But before he could, their laughter abruptly stopped as Xu Chunliang entered the lounge.

Both of them had suffered losses because of Xu Chunliang, and seeing him prevented them from laughing.

Xu Chunliang didn’t even look at the two of them and walked straight to Tang Jinglun, saying, "President Tang, you’re here too."

Tang Jinglun replied, "Such an important matter, how could I not come?"

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Pardon my bluntness, selling such a good project for 200 million is a blunder!"

Tang Jinglun silently cursed this arrogant fellow who dared to lecture him. He replied with a cold smile, "We also wish to establish long-term development locally, but unfortunately, reality doesn’t allow it. As the saying goes, ’a mighty dragon cannot crush a local snake,’ and the situation in Hu Shan Town is too complex."

Xu Chunliang laughed heartily and said, "There’s also a saying, ’a fierce dragon doesn’t cross the river.’ President Tang, you’re pinning the blame for your defeat on Hu Shan Town, which isn’t fair. Consider your own issues more often. Failing to learn from errors means you’ll stumble over the same problem again. Such an attitude won’t take your group far."

Tang Tianyi couldn’t listen anymore and wanted to show off his fearlessness in front of his friends: "Our group doesn’t need your concern. Ever since some people arrived in Hu Shan Town, they’ve been tripping us up."

Xu Chunliang turned to Tang Tianyi, his cold gaze making Tang shudder with fear, "What are you doing here?"

Tang Jinglun said, "Tianyi is my assistant."

Xu Chunliang nodded and said, "There’s a reason Huayuan Group has come this far."

Tang Tianyi’s face turned red, "What do you mean?"

Xu Chunliang said dismissively, "Can’t understand human language?"

Tang Jinglun patted Tang Tianyi’s shoulder to calm him down. He understood his nephew very well, that he could ruin things rather than accomplish them, and was no match for Xu Chunliang. In fact, Tang Tianyi was just putting on a brave face, he didn’t dare to confront Xu Chunliang directly.

Zhao Feiyang also thought that Huayuan had made a bad move, but Xu Chunliang shouldn’t have said it openly. Everyone wants to save face, and exposing the issue is of no benefit to anyone. He smiled and said, "Chunliang, let’s part on good terms and keep the peace."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Don’t worry, Dean Zhao, I won’t stoop to their level. By the way, it’s almost time. Let’s head to the meeting room to prepare for the signing."

Zhao Feiyang stood up, and Tang Jinglun told Tang Tianyi not to follow, since it’s such an important occasion, they don’t want any unexpected disturbances.

Xu Chunliang didn’t attend the signing event either. After all, he wasn’t the main character today. He had little interest in playing second fiddle. The upcoming matters were about the negotiations between Equatorial Capital and Huayuan Group.

Mo Han wouldn’t hand over the 200 million to Huayuan willingly. According to the latest supplemental regulations, 50 million will be kept as a security fund in an account designated by the Hu Shan Town Government, to be transferred to Huayuan Group only after the project is successfully handed over with the consent of the Hu Shan Town Government.

Although Tang Jinglun thought that the 50 million security fund was quite a bit, they were currently in a passive position and didn’t have much room to bargain.