From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor-Chapter 340 - 315: Change of Plans

Zheng Peian shook his head and said, "Don’t do that useless stuff, your grandpa hates those pretentious things. If you piss him off, he might just kick me out of the school on the spot."

The two of them burst into laughter simultaneously.

Xu Chunliang asked if Su Qing had contacted him.

Zheng Peian shook his head: "No, she went to the provincial city to consult experts. Why would she come to see me, a deputy chief physician?"

Xu Chunliang said, "You’re a direct disciple of Huichun Hall, even the experts at the Provincial People’s Hospital can’t compare to us at Huichun Hall."

Zheng Peian said, "That’s right, I think your grandpa’s skills are top-notch even throughout Pinghai."

"That’s true, not just in Pinghai, but he’s also a top master in the entire country."

Zheng Peian said, "By the way, the day before yesterday when I came over, a village doctor came to see the old man, and they talked for quite a while. He knew you too."

Xu Chunliang’s heart stirred. Could it be Liu Shanmin?

Zheng Peian only knew his surname was Liu. He didn’t know the full name, but Elder Xu had high praise for him, saying his skills were not inferior to Zheng Peian’s.

Zheng Peian was a bit unconvinced: "Who did that Doctor Liu learn from?"

Xu Chunliang laughed: "Technically, he counts as Grandpa’s student too. He taught himself Traditional Chinese Medicine by reading the ’Huichun Hall Medical Case Collection’ over and over."

Zheng Peian thought no wonder Elder Xu admired him so much. Despite knowing the elder for so long and being quite familiar with his medical cases, Zheng Peian lacked the diligence in medical research. He was too distracted by other things.

Xu Changshan accepted Zheng Peian as a disciple not because of his abilities in medicine but because of his long-standing sincerity.

That night when Xu Chunliang returned home, he discussed the matter with his grandpa. Xu Changshan couldn’t help but laugh: "That Liu Shanmin is indeed remarkable. He remembers those medical cases, some of which I have to look over again to recall. He has memorized them by heart. If only Peian could be as diligent as him, his skills wouldn’t be what they are now."

Xu Chunliang asked, "Do you mean Uncle Zheng’s skills are inferior to Liu Shanmin’s?"

Xu Changshan said, "Your Uncle Zheng is formally trained, while Liu Shanmin is entirely self-taught. Your Uncle Zheng is too distracted by other interests to make significant progress in Traditional Chinese Medicine."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Then why did you take him as a disciple?"

Xu Changshan said, "I value his character more than his aptitude. I now believe a person’s character is more important than their talent."

Xu Chunliang said, "Grandpa, tell me about Renhe Hall. What kind of person is Zhou Renhe?"

Xu Changshan pressed his lips together, his graying eyebrows twitching. He didn’t really want to bring this up, but since his grandson asked, he couldn’t avoid it. In fact, he couldn’t avoid it anyway, as Renhe Hall had already expanded into Dongzhou.

Xu Changshan said, "Zhou Renhe has a lot of talent. When we learned the same things together, he definitely learned faster and did better than me." He sighed, "Now that I think about it, I had an advantage because of our family heirlooms. If it weren’t for the Xu Family’s secret techniques not being passed to outsiders, and if he stood on the same starting line as me, his achievements would far exceed mine."

Xu Chunliang nodded in acknowledgment. Since grandpa praised him so much, Zhou Renhe must not be a mere fame-seeker.

Xu Changshan said, "Back then, what he took was just a small part of the secrets for the Xu Family, but he still managed to start such a big business with it. I am not as good as him."

Xu Chunliang said, "Without stealing our Xu Family’s secrets, there wouldn’t be any Renhe Hall to speak of."

"Chunliang, I often think, if only my father hadn’t objected to their marriage back then, my sister wouldn’t have ended her life, and Zhou Renhe wouldn’t have turned out the way he did. Who’s right and who’s wrong in the end?" Xu Changshan shook his head: "Grudges and revenge have no end. Chunliang, I want you to promise me one thing."

Xu Chunliang had already guessed what he wanted to say.

Xu Changshan said, "In the future, don’t retaliate against Renhe Hall. So many years have passed. They make their money, and we practice our medicine. Everyone should mind their own business."

Xu Chunliang said, "Grandpa, as long as they don’t provoke us, I won’t bother them. But if they dare to stir things up again, I’ll settle both new and old scores with them."

Xu Changshan knew his grandson’s temperament. After failing the exam for the last time, this kid’s personality had changed drastically—from being shy and timid to brash and arrogant. Only after a major setback can a person gain a deeper understanding of life and choose the right path.

Xu Changshan reflected on his own life, being too content with whatever came his way. If he had been more proactive, Huichun Hall might have been different.

Xu Changshan talked about the ceremony on Saturday. He planned to invite a few people to witness it, including some esteemed elders from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Community in Dongzhou, as well as Gu Houyi, the former dean of Changxing, and Gao Xinhua, the current secretary.

The Traditional Chinese Medicine field places great importance on accepting disciples, especially at Huichun Hall. Zheng Peian was the first disciple Xu Changshan ever took.

Xu Chunliang told his grandpa to just give the orders, and he would handle the specifics.

Xu Changshan laughed, "No need for you. Peian will take care of everything. Just be there on time."

Xu Chunliang nodded, and just then, Tan Haiyan, the secretary of the Weishan Island Branch, called.

During Xu Chunliang’s time studying in Nanjiang, Tan Haiyan had been in charge of managing the branch. However, she had no management experience and was essentially just getting by in her role as a secretary.

Although Xu Chunliang hadn’t been away for long, a lot had happened at the branch. The Hu Shan Town side had called her in several times to discuss the hospital’s construction schedule, reminding her that if the promised project didn’t start within two years, the local government had the right to reclaim the land.

She also informed Vice Dean Yuan Peiqiang of the situation, since the branch was under his supervision, and he told her not to worry.

While Tan Haiyan tried not to worry, Hu Shan Town had made new moves. From what she understood, the town had just planned a new road that would cut right through Weishan Island Hospital. Although it was just a plan, once implemented, it would significantly impact the hospital.

Having hit roadblocks with Yuan Peiqiang multiple times, Tan Haiyan reported to Xu Chunliang instead of going directly to him.

Having left the Weishan Island Branch for a month, Xu Chunliang was unaware of the specific situation, so he decided to visit the next day to investigate further.

The following morning, Xu Chunliang went to Weishan Island. In his month-long absence, the island had undergone dramatic changes, transforming into a massive construction site.

The ferry terminal was being renovated, with the supporting facilities constructed by Xianhong Group already topped out and currently being furnished.

On both sides of the terminal road were large billboards showcasing enticing advertisements from various well-known real estate companies.

Zhang Haitao had been waiting outside the terminal early in the morning. Seeing Xu Chunliang return, he quickly greeted him with a smile and took the luggage from Xu Chunliang’s hand, saying, "Welcome back, Dean Xu."

Xu Chunliang joked, "Why didn’t you prepare a banner and a drum band to welcome me?"

Zhang Haitao replied, "I thought of doing that, but then I considered Dean Xu’s low-profile style, so I decided against it."

Xu Chunliang noticed the guy had improved a lot. Once in the car, he noticed Zhang Haitao had specifically changed the seat covers and cleaned the car inside and out, which pleased Xu Chunliang the most.

Zhang Haitao had turned on the heater in advance, making the car comfortably warm.

Xu Chunliang asked him to turn off the heater and take him to the town government first.

On the way, he inquired about the road planning, and Zhang Haitao confirmed that there was talk about it. The town was planning a scenic road that was said to pass through their hospital.

Xu Chunliang knew Mei Ru Xue was in the Capital City, assuming that Secretary Kong Xiangsheng might be behind this.

Zhang Haitao informed him that during his study period, a new deputy town mayor, Qin Zhengyang, arrived and was temporarily overseeing town government work. Previously, Qin Zhengyang worked at the county’s Development and Reform Bureau and still held an additional position as deputy director. There were rumors that Town Mayor Mei was promoted and wouldn’t return, and Qin Zhengyang would replace her, awaiting an official announcement.

During this period, Xu Chunliang had contacted Mei Ru Xue a few times but rarely inquired about her work. He only knew that something happened in Mei Ru Xue’s family. She had mentioned that she would return by the end of the year, and with the end of the year approaching, she had been away from Hu Shan Town for a month. The rumors might not be unfounded.

Zhang Haitao drove the car into the Hu Shan Town government premises. Despite his car being old, it had a government entry pass, courtesy of Xu Chunliang’s help with processing it.

Stepping out of the car, Xu Chunliang first headed to the publicity department to find Zhang Yiben, only to discover that the department had also changed staff. Half a month ago, Zhang Yiben was promoted and transferred to Ancient Spring Town as the director of the Comprehensive Law Enforcement Office.

Yellow Yong from the Comprehensive Law Enforcement Office had also been transferred to Mao Village Town.

Xu Chunliang started to feel that there were indeed significant changes in Hu Shan Town. Could it be that Mei Ru Xue really wasn’t coming back?

Xu Chunliang tried calling Mei Ru Xue, but surprisingly, her phone was turned off, making him feel even more unusual about the situation.

He knocked on the door of the secretary’s office, and at that moment, the door to the town mayor’s office diagonally opposite opened, and a medium-built, well-groomed young cadre came out.

Exchanging a glance with Xu Chunliang, he greeted proactively, "You must be Dean Xu from the hospital, right?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "And you are..."

"I’m Qin Zhengyang, just arrived to work at Hu Shan Town Government!" He extended a friendly hand towards Xu Chunliang. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Xu Chunliang shook his hand.

Qin Zhengyang told Xu Chunliang that Secretary Kong Xiangsheng went to the county for a meeting and would return in three days. Any matters could be discussed with him.

One of Xu Chunliang’s purposes for this visit was indeed to meet the new deputy town mayor. Following Qin Zhengyang, he went to his office.

Qin Zhengyang invited him to sit, made him a cup of tea using Dongzhou Old Tongchang’s jasmine.

Observing Qin Zhengyang, Xu Chunliang guessed he was under thirty, dressed modestly, and his first impression was rather amiable.

Qin Zhengyang asked, "Dean Xu, what brings you here today?"