From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor-Chapter 345 - 320: Taking a Master

Yuan Peiqiang knew he misspoke, his old face heating up, and he coughed awkwardly as he explained, "I didn’t mean anyone here, please don’t misunderstand."

Gao Xinhua persisted, "Then who did you mean?"

Zhao Feiyang said, "Secretary Gao, don’t be upset, Old Yuan just misspoke." He looked at Yuan Peiqiang with a smile and said, "Old Yuan, you’ve been at Changxing for a while now, you should have adapted to the work pace by now. I feel like you’re a bit slow to get into the state."

Everyone understood that Zhao Feiyang was implying that Yuan Peiqiang was not competent.

Yuan Peiqiang nodded and said, "Dean Zhao is right, I’ve been busy with the new hospital’s construction lately, so I’m a bit fatigued."

Zhao Feiyang was thoroughly enraged by this. Yuan Peiqiang, what do you mean? Trying to claim credit? You busy with the new hospital’s construction? Was the new hospital built by you alone?

He decided to knock some sense into Yuan Peiqiang: "If you’re tired, take a good rest. Here’s what we’ll do, put aside your current work, and first resolve the planning issues of the Weishan Island Branch, no matter what, you must persuade the city to change this plan."

Yuan Peiqiang was stunned. He had always thought of himself as an imperial envoy, thinking even Zhao Feiyang should fear him a little and dare not easily move against him. But Zhao Feiyang went ahead and did just that.

Yuan Peiqiang said, "Dean Zhao, are you asking me to stop the new hospital’s construction?" This sentence was even less tactful, a bit like a dagger at one’s throat.

Zhao Feiyang thought to himself, do you really think you’re someone important: "Old Yuan, if your comprehension is sound, you should understand my words. The issue with the Weishan Island Branch must be solved immediately. The elderly care hospital is crucial for Changxing’s future development, and I believe you have the ability to resolve it."

Yuan Peiqiang was angry but did not dare to speak out. After the meeting ended, he immediately reported the situation to Tang Jingwei in Nanjiang. He was one of Tang Jingwei’s people, and Zhao Feiyang’s behavior at the meeting today was not just disrespecting him, it was also disregarding Tang Jingwei, the general manager.

After receiving the call, Tang Jingwei was very displeased. He was just about to confront Zhao Feiyang when his brother, Tang Jinglun, came over.

Tang Jingwei briefed him on what happened in Dongzhou, and Tang Jinglun secretly laughed in his heart. After all, both Zhao Feiyang and Yuan Peiqiang were his selections; if they had a falling out, it’s like dogs fighting dogs. Tang Jinglun thought it best to first understand the situation.

Tang Jingwei said angrily, "This Zhao Feiyang, insisting on building an elderly care hospital, does he think I’m running a bank? Changxing’s phase two needs money, the joint-stock hospital needs money, where does Hua Nian have so much money for investing in an elderly care hospital?"

Tang Jinglun had a different view on this matter. He believed that medical and elderly care is an imminent explosive growth point. Zhao Feiyang’s perseverance on this point was not wrong; on the contrary, his elder brother lacked vision.

He did not continue to voice his opinion, as this visit was not about Changxing’s affairs.

"Brother, I heard you’re planning to reduce Jiayue Department Store’s stocks next month?"

Tang Jingwei nodded. He hadn’t told his brother about this news, but it had already leaked out, proving his brother had placed spies by his side. Tang Jingwei was well aware of his brother’s machinations, ambitious and always eyeing his leadership role.

Tang Jinglun sighed, saying, "Brother, Jiayue Department Store’s situation has not been good lately. If we continue to reduce, wouldn’t it be adding insult to injury? What we should do is boost shareholders’ confidence, not..."

Tang Jingwei glared at him, causing Tang Jinglun to swallow back his words.

Tang Jingwei said, "I have my own thoughts."

Tang Jinglun sighed inwardly. The reason his brother was reducing stocks had only one reason, he was short of money. He really couldn’t understand why such a wise person was so fond of gambling. Ten bets, nine losses, can he not see through the gambits?

Tang Jinglun said, "Brother, though retail hasn’t been doing well in the past two years, looking at the long-term domestic economy, it’s definitely promising."

Tang Jingwei said, "I understand what you’re saying. Jinglun, if you really care about the company, refocus your energy. Lately, you’ve been quite busy on the secondary market."

Tang Jinglun’s smile froze on his face. His elder brother had always been wary of him.

Tang Jingwei said, "The fact that I don’t want to manage some things doesn’t mean I’m unaware. We’re brothers; no matter what you do, I can forgive you, but other shareholders may not think the same."

Tang Jinglun nodded and said, "Brother, I understand." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Tang Jingwei patted his shoulder and said, "I’m getting older, and that kid Tianyi is a wastrel. I can’t rely on him to take over. In the future, Hua Nian will still depend on you."

Tang Jinglun thought to himself, I’m only three years younger than you, who are you fooling? Once you’re retired, I’m almost there too. Plus, you’ve been saying this to me for ten years, but I’ve yet to see you step down. The only true part was that Tang Tianyi is a wastrel. Counting on this loser to take over is the same as pushing Hua Nian into a pit.

Tang Jingwei said, "I have some concerns about Changxing. You should go over immediately to assess the situation."

"Alright!"

"By the way, bring Tianyi along. This kid needs to strengthen his experience." After Tang Jingwei spoke, he added, "This time, make sure you keep a close watch on him. Don’t let him get into trouble again."

Zhao Feiyang had already anticipated that Yuan Peiqiang would file a complaint with the authorities, and sure enough, by the afternoon, he received a call from Tang Jinglun, stating that he would come to Dongzhou for an inspection tomorrow.

Zhao Feiyang started feeling down. Before he resigned from his public office, not even Tang Jinglun could intimidate him. He could be on equal footing and didn’t have to defer to him.

After resigning, even though he earned more and seemingly had more power, he had to bow down to these worldly businessmen. Whether he admitted it or not, these people had already become his employers.

Zhao Feiyang greeted Gao Xinhua, asking him not to schedule anything else tomorrow and to accompany him in receiving Tang Jinglun and his party.

In this regard, Gao Xinhua was much more resolute. He didn’t have time to host Tang Jinglun, not because he didn’t want to, but because he really had other commitments. Tomorrow is the big day when Elder Xu from Huichun Hall accepts a new apprentice, and he had already agreed to attend the ceremony.

Zhao Feiyang naturally couldn’t force it. From Gao Xinhua’s attitude, he realized that now he didn’t even dare to easily refuse. He arranged for Lin Yansheng from the hospital office to send two flower arrangements there.

Xu Changshan’s apprenticeship acceptance had caused quite a stir in the Traditional Chinese Medicine community in Dongzhou. According to the Xu Family’s tradition, they never took on disciples with different surnames, so Xu Changshan’s act was a break from convention.

On the day Xu Changshan accepted the apprentice, Huichun Hall was decorated with red banners, exuding a festive atmosphere.

Originally, Xu Changshan didn’t want such a grand ceremony, but Xu Chunliang insisted that if it was to be done, it should be done grandly. The other protagonist of this apprenticeship ceremony, Zheng Peian, shared the same opinion, so Elder Xu simply handed everything over to the two of them.

The guests attending the event included Gao Xinhua, Secretary of Changxing Hospital; Gu Houyi, Dean of Kangjian Elderly Care Hospital; Lu Huachun, President of Dongzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Association; Tong Guangsheng, General Manager of Xianhong Group, along with his family; Ding Si, General Manager of Dingli Construction; and Zhao Feiyang, Dean of Changxing Hospital, who couldn’t make it due to other engagements, but sent his office director Lin Yansheng to extend congratulations. Hua Zhuyue, Vice President of Blue Star Group, upon hearing about it, also sent a flower arrangement.

Ding Si even specially arranged for a lion dance performance. Though Xu Changshan said it wasn’t necessary to put on such a big setup, seeing the lively scene made him genuinely happy.

The TV station sent an interview team to report on Mr. Xu’s apprentice acceptance news, with Director Liu personally leading the team. The station’s popular anchorwoman, Su Qing, was in charge of hosting, and she was also the host of the apprenticeship ceremony, all arranged by Xu Chunliang.

Hearing that his apprentice acceptance would be on TV news, Xu Changshan feigned sternness, saying Xu Chunliang was being too frivolous, yet couldn’t hide the smile at the corner of his eyes.

Xu Chunliang went over and greeted Su Qing, who handed him several pre-prepared questions to give to Zheng Peian and Elder Xu for preparation.

Upon returning, Xu Chunliang hadn’t had the chance to inquire about his father’s situation, only knowing she hadn’t taken her father to consult Zheng Peian yet.

Xu Jiawen also made a special trip from Xiangjiang to attend her father’s apprenticeship ceremony. Though her resignation paperwork wasn’t completely processed yet, Xu Chunliang felt her return was out of filial piety and perhaps partly because of Zheng Peian.

For Zheng Peian, Xu Jiawen’s presence was the best gift he could receive.

Not only did Xu Jiawen come, but she also bought gifts for her father and him, a Tang suit each, befitting the formal occasion of a Traditional Chinese Medicine apprenticeship.

Director Liu organized the setting and lighting on site with some adjustments.

What surprised Xu Chunliang was that Luan Yuchuan from Equatorial Capital sent a gift too, a piece of calligraphy written by the famous calligrapher Ma Ruhai—"Miracle Hand Revives Spring!"

Zhang Hengyang from the East China Division of the Da Heng Group also heard the news and sent over a flower arrangement.

Zheng Peian felt the fanfare was overwhelming, quietly telling Xu Chunliang, "Chunliang, you’re making it quite intense for me. If I end up accomplishing nothing, I’ll never dare show my face in the world."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Just see it as a rehearsal. In the future, when you marry my cousin, we can organize an even bigger event."

Zheng Peian blushed with excitement, "Doesn’t have to be marrying her; as long as she agrees, I wouldn’t mind becoming the live-in son-in-law."

"Keep dreaming!"

"Don’t worry, your uncle won’t divide his family property with you." Many friends came by today, including Li Jia Kuan, the head of the proctology department at Gusu Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, and Liu Shanmin, a native Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner from Weishan Island. The former was invited by Zheng Peian, while the latter came uninvited after hearing the news.

Both were extremely envious, especially Liu Shanmin, who had become self-taught by studying Elder Xu’s medical cases, dreaming of becoming a disciple at Huichun Hall. However, he knew there was no prior instance of Elder Xu accepting apprentices.

Seeing Zheng Peian being accepted into the fold of Elder Xu, these two both felt restless. They understood that Zheng Peian had spent years moving Elder Xu to finally achieve this, but they believed if Zheng Peian could do it, so could they.