Chapter 255 231: Escalation

The delivery worker turned pale, even though he wasn't very knowledgeable, he knew he had hit a luxury car. The car was driving perfectly fine, and he was riding in the fast lane illegally. A deep scratch appeared on the car door, likely requiring the entire right rear door panel to be replaced.The delivery worker, almost in tears, said, "I... I didn't do it on purpose... I was rushing to deliver... wasn't paying attention..."

Xiaowu said, "Even if you are in a hurry to deliver, you can't break the rules!" He was preparing to call the police; there was no dispute that the delivery worker was entirely at fault.

Xu Chunliang found it inconvenient to speak, as after all, this incident occurred because the delivery worker was giving him and his father a ride. The streets were full of delivery workers, and violations happened frequently. While one could understand their difficult livelihood, safety couldn't just be ignored.

Elder Qiao and Xu Changshan also got out of the car to check the damage. Xu Changshan blamed himself, saying, "It's all my fault. If we hadn't needed the ride, this wouldn't have happened."

Elder Qiao chuckled, "Mr. Xu, what are you talking about? It's nothing to do with you. Xiaowu, just forget it."

Xiaowu was taken aback, but since Elder Qiao had spoken, he didn't dare to object.

Elder Qiao gave a few words of advice to the delivery worker, telling him to be more careful when riding in the future. It was fortunate that no one got hurt this time, as no amount of money is worth a life.

Xu Changshan watched, silently praising Elder Qiao for his kind heart; he thought he would have handled the situation in the same way.

Xu Chunliang believed it wasn't just a matter of kindness but also of perspective, given Elder Qiao's status, it wasn't worth quibbling with someone from the bottom rung of society.

Elder Qiao then had Xiaowu take the father and son to Huichun Hall. Xu Changshan felt somewhat guilty and wanted to invite Elder Qiao to come inside, but Elder Qiao said that he had plans for the evening. He said goodbye to Xu Chunliang before leaving in his car.

Standing at the door, Xu Changshan watched the car drive off. Xu Chunliang nudged his arm and said, "Stop looking, they're rich people."

Xu Changshan said, "This Elder Qiao has a kind heart."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "You two seem to get along well, one with a kind heart, the other with a healing hand."

Xu Changshan sighed, "I'm getting old." He suddenly remembered his bag of Chinese medicine, "My medicine!"

Xu Chunliang had forgotten about it due to the earlier interruption.

Just as Zhao Feiyang was full of ambition, an unexpected protest action broke out. At ten on a Monday morning, which was the busiest time for the hospital, dozens of banners suddenly dropped from the clinic building under renovation.

They read:

Strongly demand severe punishment for corruption!

Firmly resist Huayuan Group's vile asset-stripping of state-owned enterprises!

Firmly safeguard the interests of the masses!

Return our bright and clear sky to Changxing!

...

The protest happened so suddenly; although he had known the public hospital reforms would cause dissatisfaction among some employees, he hadn't anticipated the protest to be so intense.

Nearly three hundred employees quickly gathered in the plaza in front of the clinic building, dressed in hospital uniforms. They stood in neat rows, silently expressing their discontent with the reform without chanting slogans or making noise.

The medical staff had their concerns; after Changxing's reform, could they still keep their public hospital jobs?

Although Zhao Feiyang made repeated promises, he hadn't gained the trust of everyone. The reality of elite talent staying or leaving post-reform was something they had to face, as once there was no more credentialing system, why would these hospital elites stay in Changxing when they could seek higher salaries in other private hospitals?

This was the largest collective protest since Changxing was founded.

When the incident occurred, Zhao Feiyang was at a meeting in the health bureau. Upon hearing the news, his first thought was that someone was orchestrating this, purposefully choosing this timing to create a scene. The goal was to stop Changxing's signing with the Huayuan Group and halt the public hospital reform.

He hadn't yet returned to Changxing when someone sent him pictures from the scene. Zhao Feiyang saw the rows of medical staff in front of the clinic building, and suddenly felt dizzy. The banners hanging from the clinic building seemed like whips striking at his heart.

To affix blame, there is no need for evidence!

Zhao Feiyang didn't believe he engaged in any corrupt behavior; he disclosed his properties to prove it to all employees. How many public hospital leaders dared to do what he did?

Zhao Feiyang understood that he had threatened these people's interests, most of whom were thinking of themselves, not considering Changxing. These shortsighted folks!

Zhao Feiyang first called Gao Xinhua, asking him to contact the network regulation department to control public opinion. He remembered very clearly, during a meal at Min Nan Seafood City last time, Gao Xinhua was just next door dining with Lu Ming, the head of the network regulation department.

Gao Xinhua said he would do his best, implying that he could help but couldn't guarantee results. In fact, it was through Xu Chunliang that he knew Lu Ming; it would be more appropriate to let Xu Chunliang handle it, but Gao Xinhua decided not to involve Xu Chunliang.

Zhao Feiyang, although knowing Gao Xinhua was unlikely to dismiss him, still felt uneasy. Recently, he and Gao Xinhua had been superficially friendly yet secretly at odds. He even had a peculiar thought: Did Gao Xinhua have any part in the protesting medical staff?

After hanging up, he then tried contacting Secretary Chen Xing'an. In times like these, it was best for Chen Xing'an to come forward and stabilize the situation. To his frustration, Chen Xing'an didn't answer his calls, which was unprecedented.

Chen Xing'an sat in the office, staring at the phone on his desk. Only after it stopped ringing did he let out a contemptuous snort.

Whether in Gu Houyi's era or Zhao Feiyang's, he always adhered to his duties, minimizing his own presence—not out of a lack of ambition, but due to the nature of the health system rules. Power distribution in this system was just so.

In every hospital, the secretary was a symbolic presence. Although symbolic and not power-hungry, he couldn't be ignored; no hospital could operate independently of the Party's leadership.

Chen Xing'an stood up, stretched his arms, feeling particularly cheerful today. The sun was shining brightly outside, and from his angle, he could see the bright red banners hanging down from the outpatient building. Some wanted to use black and white, but Chen Xing'an thought it inappropriate—they were protesting against foreign capital, not against Changxing itself.

Chen Xing'an understood that without the city's support, Zhao Feiyang wouldn't have dared to make such bold reforms. However, this step was too large.

Although medical resources were in short supply and calls for social capital to participate in public hospital reform were increasing, nationwide, there was virtually no successful precedent for reformed hospitals.

Take the neighboring Zhongwu City, which took substantial actions in public hospital reform a few years back, only to end in failure, resulting in a series of officials stepping down due to ensuing issues.

The previous lesson was right in front of them. Did Zhao Feiyang not fear capsizing?

Chen Xing'an thought of the phrase "driven by greed." Although Zhao Feiyang had disclosed his assets, Chen Xing'an still thought it a mere façade. Perhaps Zhao had few assets now, but that didn't mean he wouldn't in the future.

After Changxing and Huayuan Group merged to form Dongzhou Huanyan Medical Management Co., Ltd., Zhao Feiyang was in charge. His salary was unimaginable—just one year could equal all his previous combined earnings.

Chen Xing'an repeatedly pondered a question: Was it really that Zhao Feiyang was worth that much, or was it because he was standing on Changxing's shoulders? Without Changxing, would Huayuan Group offer him such a high salary?

Chen Xing'an frequently posed a question: How would people perceive private capital entering hospitals?

In today's society, the perception of private hospitals remains at a low-end hospital level. Capital seeks profit, so for-profit hospitals might charge exorbitantly for treatments—how could they guarantee healthcare services for public health? However, his plea didn't attract the attention of relevant leaders.

The phone on the desk rang again. Chen Xing'an turned back. This time it wasn't Zhao Feiyang calling; it was Vice President Gao Xinhua.

Chen Xing'an thought for a moment and answered the call.

Gao Xinhua called Chen Xing'an to try persuading the protesting medical staff to return to work quickly. This incident had caused an extremely adverse social impact on Changxing and now spread across major social media platforms.

Gao Xinhua had consulted the network regulation department. The impact might spread nationwide, and the city was taking this matter very seriously.

Chen Xing'an claimed he was tending to plants in the office and was unaware of the situation outside—partly feigning ignorance. However, he agreed to go to the scene with Gao Xinhua.

When Chen Xing'an reached the administrative building downstairs, he met Gao Xinhua, already waiting. Gao Xinhua sighed, "Over three hundred medical staff, in white coats, protesting in front of the outpatient building—our Changxing has now made national headlines."

Chen Xing'an coolly replied, "At least it saved us a publicity fund."

Gao Xinhua said, "If the reputation is tainted, everyone suffers."

Gao Xinhua had a sense of collective honor due to his military experience. However, he noticed that in places crowded with high academics, the sense of collective honor was weaker—they prioritized personal interests.

Chen Xing'an sighed, "Does Changxing even have a reputation anymore?"

When they arrived in front of the outpatient building, the protesting medical staff had already dispersed. The whole thing lasted less than fifteen minutes, not out of fear, but because everyone had jobs to tend to. Their collective silent protest reflected dissatisfaction with public hospital reform, unwilling to vent such grievances onto patients.

If everyone went on strike, what would happen to the patients? Medical personnel must prioritize saving lives and aiding the wounded at all times, which was their unspoken agreement beforehand.

The banners on the outpatient building were also taken down, leaving only a crowd of ordinary people watching.

Chen Xing'an remarked meaningfully, "See, it's all over now."

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