Chapter 224 202: The Desire to Break the Deadlock

Xu Chunliang said, "Everyone is equal before the law, and no one can receive special treatment. If we favor Huayuan Group because they are investors, then there is no fairness to speak of. I carefully listened to Director Li's presentation of the case; both parties committed mutual assault after drinking. Am I right?" He looked towards Li Chengbo.Li Chengbo nodded.

Xu Chunliang said, "Since it's mutual assault, both parties are responsible. Even though Huayuan Group might be collaborating with Changxing, I cannot speak in their favor. Personally, I believe the matter should be handled as it needs to be handled—impartially and according to the law, so no one can gossip about it."

Many present nodded in agreement. Is Xu Chunliang really favoring reason over relations?

Li Chengbo thought to himself, no wonder Xu Chunliang is the first suspect after the inspection team was beaten. This guy must have conflicts with the inspection team, using fairness as a banner to serve justice over kin.

Xu Chunliang said, "I'm not a member of the town government; what I said might overstep my boundaries. I think the current job should focus on eliminating negative effects, and the truth should be disclosed to the public, not letting this mutual assault incident affect the image of Hu Shan Town. Clearly, it has nothing to do with Weishan Island, so why should Weishan Island take the blame, don't you agree?"

Huang Yong, who previously chose the wrong side, would not miss the chance to switch sides this time. He was the first to stand up and agree: "I endorse Director Xu's idea, handle matters as they need to be handled. Law enforcement agencies must be fair and just. We shouldn't be emotionally biased towards Huayuan Group because they invested more for fear of offending them. If it were a developer like Da Heng instead of a bunch of seafood vendors they clashed with, what then?"

Kong Xiangsheng secretly gritted his teeth, Huang Yong, you dare to team up with this guy against me.

Mei Ru Xue smiled and said, "Let's listen to Director Li's opinion."

Li Chengbo said, "I have no particular opinion. Everyone has said what needed to be said. This dispute must be handled according to the principles of fairness and justice; otherwise, we cannot bear the responsibility."

Mei Ru Xue said, "In that case, let's handle it quickly and disclose the truth to the public after closing the case. The people of Weishan Island won't take the blame for others' mistakes." She then sought the opinion of Kong Xiangsheng: "Secretary Kong, do you agree with this handling?"

Kong Xiangsheng thought to himself, you've already dealt with it, so why ask me? He also realized the current trend was increasingly against him, fewer people respected him as Secretary, and Mei Ru Xue must have backing. It's not even a battle against her; he still hasn't figured out who her backing is.

Kong Xiangsheng intentionally said, "Comrade Chunliang, aren't you afraid this resolution might offend the investors?"

Xu Chunliang smiled, "I've heard a saying: love that can be taken away was never true love. Investment is the same. If Huayuan Group abandons their investment in Changxing over this, it shows they lacked sincerity from the start. What is there to miss with an insincere partner?"

Everyone present lit up inside; Xu Chunliang may seem like a rebel, but his thoughts were clear.

Kong Xiangsheng said meaningfully, "I hope your Dean Zhao shares the same view as you."

The atmosphere between Zhao Feiyang and Duan Yuanhong became tense for the first time. Duan Yuanhong already knew the final handling result by Hu Shan Town Police Station, with the incident ultimately defined as a mutual assault.

According to relevant regulations, it doesn't constitute a crime if it doesn't reach minor injury, but violating public security administration regulations can result in police imposing a reprimand, fine, or even detention for up to fifteen days.

Although things seemed severe on Dong Changhao's side, they were all superficial injuries. Among those involved in the assault, one person's nose was fractured, and he insisted it was Dong Changhao who did it. Dong Changhao wouldn't admit it, nor could he find evidence to clear himself, although his side testified for him, the other side also could testify it was him.

If both sides truly argued, Dong Changhao would be in more trouble. The police suggested mutual understanding.

Through coordination, the seafood vendors covered the inspection team's medical examination fees, and both parties signed an understanding agreement.

Duan Yuanhong felt there was something behind this matter, immediately recalling the evaluation group, today seeing Zhao Feiyang specially to bid farewell.

Zhao Feiyang, upon hearing of the interruption of the evaluation, returning to Nanjiang, immediately understood Weishan Island's matter had enraged Duan Yuanhong.

Duan Yuanhong chose to leave before completing the asset evaluation, signaling his stance.

Zhao Feiyang did not attempt to detain, only symbolically inquiring about the health of the inspection team members.

Duan Yuanhong sighed, "I didn't originally intend to go back so early, but President Tang is very angry and wants me to return immediately to explain."

Zhao Feiyang did not believe him; what Tang Jingwei's true attitude was is still uncertain. When his son was hospitalized after being stabbed by Xu Chunliang, he didn't express a stance, let alone ordinary employees. Moreover, it's now proven the inspection group's beating was unrelated to Changxing; do they also intend to lay this account at their doorstep?

Zhao Feiyang believes Tang Jingwei wouldn't be so daft, nor Duan Yuanhong, probably just using this as pressure.

Zhao Feiyang said, "None of us want things like this to happen; we were too negligent."

Duan Yuanhong said, "Dongzhou's folk customs are truly robust; previously, when Young Master Tang was stabbed in Dongzhou, I thought it was incidental. I didn't expect another violent incident so soon; Dongzhou's investment environment is worrying."

Duan Yuanhong secretly observed Zhao Feiyang, doubting he wasn't nervous at all. If Changxing lost Huayuan Group's investment, Zhao Feiyang's grand plan could only become a pipe dream.

Zhao Feiyang said, "President Duan, you can't view the issue too one-sidedly. Although both incidents relate to Huayuan Group, they don't reflect poorly on Dongzhou's security. According to surveys, Dongzhou ranks fifth among the country's safest cities, and this ranking is quite authoritative."

Duan Yuanhong said, "So, the violent incidents involving Huayuan Group aren't coincidences. Upon reflection, it's really quite strange—both incidents are related to Xu Chunliang."

Zhao Feiyang laughed, "Didn't the police already disclose the case details of Weishan Island? It was a mutual assault after drinking between seafood vendors and the inspection group, unrelated to Xu Chunliang."

Duan Yuanhong said, "Dean Zhao might not know about the threats Xu Chunliang made after the evaluation group went over there."

Zhao Feiyang said, "I haven't heard about it. In principle, Xu Chunliang wouldn't act that way."

Duan Yuanhong said, "I hope so; I'll head back first. Hopefully, President Tang won't change his stance over this."

Zhao Feiyang said, "I'm here in Dongzhou, waiting for good news!"

Duan Yuanhong noticed Zhao Feiyang's enthusiasm for collaboration wasn't as high as before; there was something unusual. Has Zhao Feiyang found new investment?

Rumors began to spread, many already speculating on the collapse of negotiations between Changxing and Huayuan Group.

Just then, Changxing announced news about investing in a Healthy Elderly Care Hospital on Weishan Island. The partner currently in talks was not Huayuan Group but Xianhong Group.

Although Xianhong Group cannot compare with Huayuan's strength, it is a well-known local star enterprise in Weishan County.

A week after Duan Yuanhong left, the connection between Changxing and Huayuan Group suddenly stalled.

Zhao Feiyang rarely mentioned public hospital reform plans nowadays, frequently talking about his meetings with Tong Guangsheng and his cooperation interest with Xianhong Farm.

This was a quiet contest—Huayuan Group gambled that Changxing could not secure large investments, while Changxing gambled that Huayuan Group had reached a development bottleneck and if they did not achieve in big health, they would fall into a trap.

Both sides desired a breakthrough and showed enough patience. At a critical stage of the contest, whoever showed weakness first would become passive in future cooperation. Although Huayuan Group temporarily halted contact with Changxing, they continued their dialogues with Dongzhou City's leaders.

Dongzhou's top figure visited Huayuan Group headquarters during a meeting in Nanjiang, an event published on the front page of Dongzhou Daily.

New developments also occurred on Changxing's side. Zhang Hengyang, Da Heng Group's East China Region Head, visited Zhao Feiyang.

Zhao Feiyang received Zhang Hengyang in his office. Although he had never met Zhang Hengyang before, Da Heng Group previously aimed for the Weishan Island Hospital's land, causing considerable trouble for Changxing, but ultimately, their attempt failed, with Changxing emerging victorious.

Zhang Hengyang came to discuss cooperation. He was the same age as Zhao Feiyang. After exchanging pleasantries, Zhang Hengyang went straight to the point, "Dean Zhao, I've come to Changxing today to discuss the land at Weishan Island Hospital."

Zhao Feiyang smiled, "President Zhang still has intentions for our branch."

Both laughed. Zhang Hengyang nodded, "Dean Zhao has great foresight; securing the best land on Weishan Island."

Zhao Feiyang felt somewhat ashamed. This land wasn't secured by him but decided during Gu Houyi's era; strictly speaking, he just inherited Gu Houyi's political legacy.

Zhang Hengyang said, "We can explore possible cooperation."

Zhao Feiyang smiled, "As far as I know, Da Heng Group seems to be in real estate projects. How come you're also interested in the health industry?"

Zhang Hengyang said, "Da Heng Group has always been committed to comprehensive development, involving various fields. For the company's long-term sustainable growth, our commercial layout includes real estate, finance, automobiles, mobile phones..." He paused and then said, "Including elderly care real estate."

Zhao Feiyang reminded him that health care for the elderly and elderly care real estate are two different concepts.

Zhang Hengyang laughed heartily, "The ultimate purpose of business is still to profit."