He Xingjian heard Yan Fangming’s loud curses, and his expression became somewhat awkward. This guy really has a foul mouth. With these recordings as evidence, he deserves to be beaten.

Qin Zhengyang realized recordings were useful, but Xu Chunliang was too adept at using them. He’d have to watch out for this kid in the future, lest one day it be used against him.

Xu Chunliang said, "Are these your words?"

Yan Fangming roared, "So what if they are? Xu Chunliang, you can plot against me, hurt me, and beat me, but I can’t have an opinion?"

Xu Chunliang said, "I didn’t say you couldn’t, but those weren’t opinions. You were cursing people. It’s one thing if you just targeted me, but you also involved my uncle and insulted our entire leadership team in Hu Shan Town. Did Secretary Qin provoke you? You actually insulted our leaders too?"

Qin Zhengyang knew Xu Chunliang would definitely drag him into this, and with a serious expression, he said, "President He, your group can raise objections with us, but public insults are inappropriate."

He Xingjian silently cursed Yan Fangming for being stupid. There’s no evidence for his beating, but there’s a recording for his insults. Now, even if he was right, it turns out he wasn’t. He Xingjian said, "Secretary Qin, I will severely criticize him and ensure he pays attention to his working methods in the future."

Xu Chunliang said, "You should definitely pay attention to your working methods. Without complete documentation, you come to explore, disregarding environmental protection and the feelings of the local residents, causing a disturbance. Weishan Island was a peaceful place, but ever since you arrived, everything has been in turmoil."

He Xingjian said, "Vice Mayor Xu, do you have some prejudice against our company?"

Xu Chunliang said, "I’m neither familiar with nor interested in your company, so how could there be prejudice?"

He Xingjian said, "Our Ecological Environment Construction Investment Group is the only company in Dongzhou with the right to develop hot spring projects. I think you should understand the meaning of ’only.’"

Xu Chunliang said, "So it’s a monopoly, then. I used to only know about tobacco monopolies. I didn’t expect hot springs to have that too. Does our country have a Hot Spring Monopoly Bureau?"

He Xingjian said, "It’s mainly to prevent natural resources from being developed chaotically and excessively, and to protect the environment. Therefore, it has to be done by a professional team."

Xu Chunliang laughed and said, "President He, it seems you haven’t figured out one thing from start to finish: where is the hot spring? We have no objection that the hot spring belongs to the state, but that doesn’t mean we agree to give you the development rights."

He Xingjian said, "It seems you didn’t understand. Our group is the only one in Dongzhou qualified to develop and utilize hot springs."

Xu Chunliang said, "First, you have to understand one thing: the hot spring is on Weishan Island, in Hu Shan Town. Whether or not to develop it is up to us."

He Xingjian said, "Is that so? Doesn’t Hu Shan Town have a higher authority? Can you refuse to execute orders from the city?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Even if we agree to develop, we may not choose your group. To put it bluntly, your group’s strength seems lacking. Before even officially developing, the exploration has already caused damage to underground cultural relics. Who knows what bigger troubles would arise if we handed the project to you?"

He Xingjian said, "If you desire to add blame, there’s no need to worry about lacking excuses. Don’t try to pin undeserved responsibilities onto us. Let me make it clear today: the winery hot spring project must be done by us."

Xu Chunliang said, "I’m making it clear today too: your group doesn’t meet our investment standards, so pack up and leave Weishan Island immediately, or be responsible for all consequences."

As they spoke, both had already issued harsh words, clearly opposed to each other, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

He Xingjian said to Qin Zhengyang, "Secretary Qin, I didn’t expect this is how you conduct your work. Is this your attitude towards foreign investors?"

Qin Zhengyang said, "We’ve always worked this way and never encountered any problems. It seems President He is not accustomed to our work style. I see little prospect for cooperation, and you should think carefully."

Xu Chunliang inwardly rejoiced. Qin Zhengyang was better than Zhao Feiyang in this regard. Everyone has self-interest, but at crucial moments, Qin Zhengyang never faltered in choosing sides.

He Xingjian nodded, "Fine, since everyone’s been so frank, let’s see how it goes. I’d like to see who else dares take on this project besides us."

Xu Chunliang said, "President He, you seem to be a clear-minded person, so why are you confused now? The lease contract for the winery has long been signed. Who asked you to take on this project? Who allowed you to come over and develop? Did you build your business empire through coercive buying and selling?"

He Xingjian forced a smile. Engaging in unproductive conversations was excessive; the other party simply wasn’t buying it. It seemed Secretary Lin’s call didn’t work either. He said to Qin Zhengyang, "Secretary Qin, please reconsider carefully. I’ll take my leave now."

After He Xingjian and his group left, Xu Chunliang closed the door and said to Qin Zhengyang, "Did you hear that? He was threatening you."

Qin Zhengyang pointed at Xu Chunliang and said, "You brat, you’re just afraid the world isn’t chaotic enough—can’t you just solve things properly? You had to make the situation tense, always pushing things to the brink. Don’t you understand the principle of ’harmony brings wealth’?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "What you mean is we be harmonious and they make the profit. How can there be such an easy thing in the world? Look at that guy with the last name He; he’s cocky as hell just because he has some dirty money and connections, flaunting around Weishan Island. Screw him! I’ll fill up the hot springs just so he won’t have them for cheap."

Qin Zhengyang reminded him to watch his language.

Xu Chunliang said, "If he pisses me off, I’ll beat him up too."

Qin Zhengyang retorted, "You’re capable, all right, you were something back in the hospital, but now you’re in Hu Shan Town. Every move you make represents our entire cadre in Hu Shan Town. You feel great after hitting someone, but in the end, we all have to pay the price for you. Do you realize that He Xingjian’s father-in-law is Deputy Director Chen from Dongzhou People’s Congress? He’s very influential in Dongzhou."

Xu Chunliang replied, "He’s just a deputy director, what’s so great about it? If he dares to exploit his position, we can deal with him too."

Qin Zhengyang said, "You do your things, don’t drag me into it."

Xu Chunliang said, "Secretary Qin, in my mind, you’re someone who is not afraid of power and maintains integrity. Are you really going to back down now?"

Qin Zhengyang said, "I’ve figured it out; you came to Hu Shan Town just to cause trouble. The previous situation hasn’t even settled, and now you’re stirring the pot again. What did I ever do to you to make you give me so many headaches?"

Xu Chunliang said, "You usually have plenty of worries anyway, what’s one more from me?"

Qin Zhengyang was speechless, picked up his thermos, and took several big gulps, noticing Xu Chunliang looking at him with a grin, he snapped, "What are you staring at me for? Do I have flowers on my face?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Regarding the hot springs, are you planning to handle it yourself, or do you want me to help you with it?"

Qin Zhengyang said, "Isn’t this obvious? You caused the problem, why would I clean up your mess?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Then let me be the one to clean it up for you."

Qin Zhengyang was amused and annoyed, shooing him away, fearing that any more conversation would lead to scolding.

The Weishan Island Winery has become the focus of Hu Shan Town in just a few days. The foresighted locals have already started leveraging the hot springs element, and the two small inns nearby have renamed themselves Hot Spring Inns.

The elderly lady selling tea eggs nearby also rewrote her sign on cardboard with crooked large characters—Hot Spring Tea Eggs.

Da Heng Group’s Weishan Island Division reopened and welcomed guests. The previous manager, Liu Jiaqi, was transferred, and a new manager named Li Yuanwen took over. He used to be Zhang Hengyang’s assistant, indicating Zhang Hengyang’s attention to this area. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Da Heng Hot Spring Town had no hot spring before and still doesn’t, but with the discovery of a hot spring on Weishan Island, they can somewhat latch onto it. Their past advertising slogans have been adjusted, and promotion focuses on Weishan Island’s hot spring, asserting that they are negotiating with relevant departments to bring the hot spring facilities to homes as soon as possible.

Anyway, the hot spring concept should continue to be pushed, but a good method must be devised on how to ride this wave of benefits.

Ding Si actually always wanted to have a proper drinking session with Xu Chunliang. The building industry hasn’t been doing well these past couple of years, and his Dingli Construction has reached a development bottleneck. Due to his limited education, Ding Si couldn’t find better development directions. After meeting Xu Chunliang, Ding Si felt like he’d suddenly caught a lucky break.

Xu Chunliang not only arranged a few projects for him but also expanded his thinking. For example, getting involved with the hospital was something he’d never have considered without knowing Xu Chunliang.

Ding Si believes Xu Chunliang is his benefactor, someone with exceptional talent and courage. To develop further, he needs to closely follow in Xu Chunliang’s footsteps.

Zhang Haitao shares a similar thought. After Xu Chunliang was seconded to Hu Shan Town, Zhang Haitao lost his strong backing at Weishan Island Hospital. Although the branch hospital hasn’t acted against him yet, Zhang Haitao knows even if he stays in Changxing, he won’t have much of a future. He’s on a contract basis, and who knows when his bosses might get unhappy and terminate his contract in a heartbeat.

The place Ding Si arranged was at Yu Shuqing. Yu Shuqing Restaurant had been leveled by a gas tank explosion before. The restaurant owner, Xu Yongjian, initially wanted to rebuild on the same site but later, after hearing an unknown feng shui master’s suggestion that the location was unlucky, he bought a small building nearby and started over.

Since Yu Shuqing reopened, its business hasn’t been as good as before, which is tied to the increasingly strict curbs on government expenses for dining. Many government units have stopped dining out openly, but policies at the top are often countered with tactics at the bottom. Many units have secretly developed their own small canteens.

Xu Yongjian hasn’t had an easy time recently due to the discovery of a tunnel beneath the winery. The tunnel leads to an ancient fermentation pool under the winery, and the other entrance was at Yu Shuqing’s old site.

Xu Yongjian was questioned by the police but has mostly cleared his name. Now, all suspicion is focused on the former chef, Liu Haiyu, who has been missing since the explosion.