"Did I ask you to come in? Get out!" If it weren't for Mei Ruoxue's good manners, she would have directly told him to scram.

Xu Chunliang said, "You're at least a government official, you can't treat the people so rudely."

Mei Ruoxue pointed at his nose, "You're something, always dragging me into everything. What did I do to offend you? Why do you have to find ways to screw me over?"

"Town Mayor Mei, you have to speak with conscience, if I intended to harm you, I wouldn't have notified you in advance about Changxing's wage stoppage."

"And you think that's justified? What right do you have to stop paying wages? Do you think this is still the old society? Do you think you're capitalists? Exploiting others' labor, making them work without paying them? I tell you, such things are absolutely not allowed in our Hu Shan Town."

Xu Chunliang gave a thumbs up to Mei Ruoxue, "Town Mayor Mei, I admire you, but you can't just stand up for their justice; you also have to stand up for the justice of us at Changxing. Only when the balance is maintained are you a good leader."

"Why am I so annoyed by you!"

Xu Chunliang said, "People who tell the truth are often not welcome, but a good leader must accommodate different opinions. Greatness lies in tolerance." His gaze flicked to Mei Ruoxue's chest for a moment, feeling it wasn't very large.

Mei Ruoxue noticed where this scoundrel was looking, her pretty face flushed slightly.

There was another knock on the door, this time it was the Director of the Petition Office, Li Yuliang, coming to inform them that the five representatives had gone to the small meeting room and others had gradually left.

Xu Chunliang said to Li Yuliang, "Director Li, thank you for your hard work. Go chat with them first, we'll join in fifteen minutes."

"Understood!"

Li Yuliang agreed and then realized, I'm reporting to Town Mayor Mei, not you, what gives you the right to order me?

Mei Ruoxue found it both infuriating and amusing, Xu Chunliang, are you overstepping your bounds? I haven't even spoken, what gives you the right to make decisions for me? But since Xu Chunliang had said it, she could only nod, "Director Li, please understand their demands."

"Oh!" Li Yuliang retreated with a bewildered look, puzzling over whether the two knew each other beforehand.

Once Li Yuliang left, Mei Ruoxue's pretty face turned cold again.

Xu Chunliang smiled, "We need to unify our stance beforehand in order to negotiate with them; you and I must be in sync on this matter, otherwise it will be difficult to resolve."

"There's nothing difficult about it. As long as you at Changxing willingly pay the employees their overdue wages, all problems will naturally be resolved."

"If we pay the wages, the employees are happy, you're happy, but what about us at Changxing? Once the five-year lease ends, we pack up and leave, and you find another suitor for Weishan Island Hospital. Hu Shan Town Government can sell land when needed, Changxing manages for five years, only to be met with criticism. Do you think that's fair to us?"

Mei Ruoxue said, "Things should be resolved one at a time; for now, address the employees' wage issue first, and then discuss the rest."

"Why don't you first resolve the property transfer issue—that's the root of the conflict!"

Mei Ruoxue said, "It all comes down to you using this issue to blackmail our Hu Shan Town Government."

"It's not blackmail. We still have over a year left on the lease, even if we pay these two months' wages, what happens next? Who can guarantee that the same thing won't happen again? Town Mayor Mei, as long as your Hu Shan Town Government fulfills the initial promise, I assure you, Weishan Island Hospital will not face similar issues again."

"And you say it isn't blackmail."

Xu Chunliang said, "Although Changxing signed the contract with the Shiliang Town Government back then, it applies equally to the Hu Shan Town Government. Even though you're just a small town, you're still the most basic administrative level of the state. Your actions represent the state, and your policies inherently possess credibility. If your words don't hold, who will trust your Hu Shan Town Government in the future?"

Mei Ruoxue said nothing. In this matter, she had never agreed with Kong Xiangsheng's approach. If they tore up the initial agreement, then their credibility would be questioned.

However, Changxing's performance after taking over has been less than satisfactory. Although they fulfilled their promise to the Weishan County Government, Weishan Island Hospital hasn't developed at all. It can be said that in three years, they've essentially been treading water.

Xu Chunliang said, "In light of our friendship, I'll share Changxing's future plans with you. In the next five years, Changxing plans to focus on developing the Weishan Island Branch, aiming to make it the premier medical health and elder care center in Dongzhou."

Mei Ruoxue didn't acknowledge him as her friend, but the plan Xu Chunliang mentioned stirred something in her heart. While she couldn't be certain Xu Chunliang's words were true, the plan indeed struck a chord with her. Weishan Island couldn't be without a hospital; should Changxing be driven away, someone else would step in. But who can guarantee that the next tenant will surpass Changxing?

Xu Chunliang said, "Give Changxing a chance, give Hu Shan Town a chance; it's a win-win for us. The Da Heng Group's strength is undeniably strong, but this real estate company is something we've researched. Regardless of the project they promise, ultimately, it's about building houses. Is Town Mayor Mei truly envisioning a future where Weishan Island is covered with dense cement buildings?"

Mei Ruoxue raised her wrist to check the time, "We should go, let's not keep them waiting."

Among the five representatives was the driver, Zhang Haitao, who was already running out of patience, feeling that Hu Shan Town hadn't shown them enough respect and hadn't intended to resolve the issue, urging the other four to leave with him.

At this point, Xu Chunliang and Mei Ruoxue entered together.

Xu Chunliang said, "Sorry for the delay, I was just listening to Town Mayor Mei's instructions, so we arrived late."

Mei Ruoxue smiled calmly and said, "Everyone, please sit down. Today, feel free to speak your mind and put all issues on the table. Director Xu will convey these issues to Changxing's leadership, and I will also communicate with Changxing to try to help everyone resolve the issues as soon as possible."

Zhang Haitao said, "He says it doesn't count. Let the one who makes it count come here. Yan Huaiyi is the deputy dean of Changxing, why isn't he here?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Zhang Haitao."

Zhang Haitao looked up at him, his gaze full of provocation.

"Get out!"

Zhang Haitao was stunned, "Who are you telling to get out?"

Xu Chunliang said, "You're just a temporary worker and can't represent Weishan Island Hospital. You have no right to participate in this discussion. Out!"

Zhang Haitao slapped the table and stood up angrily, "Xu Chunliang, you're too arrogant! This is Weishan Island!"

Xu Chunliang said, "Town Mayor Mei, this person is not an official employee of Weishan Island Hospital. If he's present, there's no point in having today's discussion."

Mei Ruoxue truly admired him. She was not sure about his other abilities, but his ability to create conflict was top-notch. Mei Ruoxue shot a glance at Li Yuliang, who understood her meaning and escorted Zhang Haitao out. No matter Zhang Haitao's fierce temper, he dared not make trouble inside the town government.

Before leaving, he pointed fiercely at Xu Chunliang, "Just wait and see."

Xu Chunliang said, "Don't be hasty. I'll come find you after the meeting."

Zhang Haitao's heart skipped a beat. Being guilty, he wondered if Xu knew about last night. Without daring to linger, he left the conference room hurriedly.

Xu Chunliang patiently listened to the appeals of the four representatives. In fact, Changxing was indeed at fault in this matter. Medical staff at grassroots hospitals typically don't earn much and rely heavily on their salaries. Now, they haven't been paid for two consecutive months, and their insurance has also been delayed for several months.

The internal medicine director, Zhao Hongda, representing the medical staff, was rather agitated, "We don't want to cause trouble or add burdens to the government. We know we shouldn't leave patients behind, but we need to survive too. We need to take care of the elderly and raise children. We depend on that bit of salary. We healthcare workers can't work on an empty stomach, can we? Town Mayor Mei, please stand up for us."

Mei Ruoxue glanced at Xu Chunliang, "Director Xu, please state your position." Anyone can play the blame game.

Xu Chunliang took a sip of tea to moisten his throat and said, "First, on behalf of Changxing Hospital, I apologize to everyone. The delay in salary payments is a mistake on our part. The Weishan Island Branch and Changxing Hospital are one family, indistinguishable to us."

The gynecology director, Luo Chunmei, said, "Director Xu, just tell us something practical. When will the delayed salaries actually be paid? We don't consider ourselves as family. Changxing is Changxing, and we are just a branch. Our salary isn't comparable to those doctors at the main hospital."

Xu Chunliang said, "The salaries and insurance for more than two hundred employees over two months amount to a million or two. This isn't a small amount for Changxing."

"But it still needs to be paid!"

Xu Chunliang said, "It will be paid. Dean Zhao has already instructed the financial department to prepare all salary funds, but some unexpected issues have occurred."

Zhao Hongda said, "Stop fooling us. How can there be so many issues? You never planned to pay us from the start."

Xu Chunliang said, "Here's the situation. According to the initial takeover agreement between Changxing and Weishan Island Hospital, after three years of normal operation, the local government would assist Changxing in completing the ownership transfer procedures. According to the agreement, Weishan Island Hospital should have belonged to Changxing three months ago. However, until now, the Hu Shan Town Government has not assisted Changxing in completing the ownership transfer procedures. This is like a couple living together for three years without registering their marriage; it's not legitimate."

Mei Ruoxue said nothing. She knew Xu Chunliang's cunning very well and was curious to see what he was planning.

"But what does this have to do with us?"

Xu Chunliang said, "I want to ask whether Changxing has ever delayed your salaries or defaulted on your insurance in the past three years."

The four representatives looked at each other and then shook their heads. In fact, such occurrences haven't happened before.

Xu Chunliang said, "The biggest issue now is the unclear ownership of Weishan Island Hospital. If the Hu Shan Town Government refuses to cooperate with Changxing for the ownership transfer, Changxing and Weishan Island Hospital will have to be separated. This is equivalent to our marriage being invalid. In other words, Changxing wouldn't have the responsibility or obligation to be accountable to everyone here and all branch employees."

"Director Xu, don't sound so alarming. In the past, without Changxing, didn't our Weishan Island Hospital perform well too?"

"Indeed!"

Xu Chunliang smiled, "Is that really the case? If Changxing hadn't taken over Weishan Island Hospital back then, it likely would have gone bankrupt. A hospital's bankruptcy would primarily affect the employees. Currently, Weishan Island Hospital's condition is far from being prosperous. If Changxing withdraws, I'm certain you'd immediately face bankruptcy liquidation unless the Hu Shan Town Government is willing to pour in a large sum to support you."

He glanced at Mei Ruoxue, "Not to mention, Weishan Island Hospital has been running at a loss for years. The monthly salary and insurance alone amount to over a million. Is Town Mayor Mei ready?"

Mei Ruoxue had to admit that what Xu Chunliang said was reality. It's virtually impossible for the Hu Shan Town Government to come up with more than a million a month to support Weishan Island Hospital. Xu Chunliang was skillfully transferring the conflict between Changxing and the branch employees onto the Hu Shan Town Government. He's indeed very cunning.

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