"I don't have many conditions, just two: first, take three-quarters of the ill-gotten gains you've made over the years to compensate the families of those sick patients. You can keep the remaining quarter. Second, from now on, Mingshan City Third People's Hospital can remain a private hospital, but you absolutely cannot make money by violating your conscience anymore."
Chen Feng said patiently.
"Just these two?"
The deputy director was stunned.
"What else?"
"I thought you were going to take all the money."
Chen Feng said softly.
"If I were the kind of person you imagine, I wouldn't have sent the head director to prison to be beheaded. I would have colluded with you and earned money lying down every year."
Chen Feng explained a bit.
"That makes sense. Your understanding of life and work is something I cannot match. By the way, Old Chen, I have a small question."
The deputy director asked tentatively.
"Ask."
"Why not shut down Mingshan City Third People's Hospital directly?"
"This is also very simple. Currently, most private hospitals in China have various problems. However, we cannot shut them all down just because problems arise. Mingshan City, or even China, is now a market economy. It's impossible to not have private hospitals; this is an economic law that no one can defy. Therefore, even though I am very angry about what Mingshan City Third People's Hospital did in the past, I still have to allow Mingshan City Third People's Hospital to exist."
Chen Feng explained with a serious expression.
"I understand, Old Chen. You've given me a second chance at life. I will definitely manage Mingshan City Third People's Hospital well from now on and make it a public welfare hospital, a non-profit hospital."
The deputy director said flatteringly to Chen Feng.
"Absolutely not."
Chen Feng directly rejected it.
"Isn't it good to not make money and serve the people, Old Chen?"
The deputy director asked with confusion.
"Of course it's good, it's what all the people hope to see. But the problem is, if you really do that, Mingshan City Third People's Hospital will go bankrupt before long. To be honest, doing good deeds for one day is easy. Doing good deeds every day is impossible. Even if you want to do good deeds every day, the employees of Mingshan City People's Hospital don't. If they can't earn money, they will leave Mingshan City Third People's Hospital. If all the employees leave, won't it go bankrupt?"
Chen Feng explained seriously.
"Old Chen, my perspective is indeed too narrow."
The deputy director chuckled at himself.
"It's not a big problem to have a narrow perspective; it can be cultivated slowly. However, there is one point I still need to emphasize..."
Chen Feng said earnestly.
"Old Chen, please say..."
"From now on, Mingshan City Third People's Hospital should try to use fewer German and American imported drugs. They are too expensive. Import fewer and only let those wealthy people buy them. For the majority of the people, you should recommend domestic drugs or Indian drugs. Especially for cancer drugs, you must follow this principle. You absolutely cannot let the common people become impoverished and empty-handed. Late-stage cancer is fatal; this is a medical law that no one can break. Just use some inexpensive medicine for final comfort and care."
Chen Feng explained with a serious expression.
"Old Chen, you truly have a compassionate heart. If you were in charge of China's high-level affairs in the future, the entire face of Chinese politics would absolutely be refreshed."
The deputy director exclaimed.
Chen Feng smiled modestly.
After chatting for a while longer, Chen Feng returned to the ward to help his cousin check out.
In ten minutes, Chen Feng had completed the discharge procedures for his cousin.
On the way back to the village, Chen Feng discussed the matter of contracting the barren mountain with his cousin in detail.
Chen Feng's cousin had not been involved in politics and naturally couldn't see the whole picture of the matter.
Chen Feng, being an old hand in politics, could naturally guess the entire story after just listening to a brief account of what happened.
The reason was simple: the village chief had never targeted the barren mountain contracted by his cousin before because there was no profit to be made.
However, recently, mineral resources were discovered on the barren mountain contracted by his cousin, so he wanted to force his cousin out to mine for profit.
"Chen Feng, the village chief wouldn't be so unscrupulous, would he? I signed a solid agreement with the village."
Chen Feng's cousin looked at Chen Feng in disbelief.
"Cousin, even though you haven't been involved in politics, there are some things you should know. Throughout history, people die for wealth and birds die for food. For the sake of profit, let alone tearing up agreements, they would even dare to kill."
Chen Feng explained.
"Chen Feng, with your explanation, I understand. Since such valuable mineral resources were discovered on the barren mountain, I won't fight for it anymore. I'll consider myself unlucky to have worked for nothing all these years. I'll just go back to working for a foreign company. I've realized that entrepreneurship without a strong background is destined to fail."
Chen Feng's cousin said dejectedly.
"Cousin, if I were an ordinary person, I would definitely support your decision. But your cousin is not an ordinary person now; I am the deputy mayor of Mingshan City. I may not have the power to deal with economically activities with mafia-like characteristics in other cities. However, I absolutely must deal with economically activities with mafia-like characteristics in the rural outskirts of Mingshan City! And I have the power to do so."
Chen Feng said with determination.
"Chen Feng, it's true that you are the deputy mayor of Mingshan City, and it's true that your influence is great. However, mineral resources involve huge profits. I suspect that the village chief's connections might extend to the provincial capital. My suggestion is, forget it..."
Chen Feng's cousin advised Chen Feng.
"Even if the village chief's connections reach the provincial capital, I will still deal with this matter. To be frank, my reason for handling this is not just for you, cousin, but also for the development of Mingshan City. If economically activities with mafia-like characteristics become rampant in Mingshan City, the economy of Mingshan City will be doomed."
Chen Feng explained earnestly.
"Chen Feng, I really didn't expect your vision to be so grand."
Chen Feng's cousin looked at Chen Feng with admiration.
"Cousin, please don't say that. It's not a matter of vision, but rather, since I've become the deputy mayor of Mingshan City, I must handle matters that affect the development of Mingshan City."
Chen Feng said modestly.
"Chen Feng, do you mean that the fruits from the Huangshan I contracted can mature and be sold this season?"
Chen Feng's cousin asked excitedly.
"I can guarantee it, absolutely!"
Chen Feng reassured his cousin.
After chatting for a while, Chen Feng went to find the village chief.
"Chen Feng, I know you are the deputy mayor of Mingshan City now, and I also know that the barren mountain was contracted by your cousin. However, I still want to take back your cousin's barren mountain contracting rights. The reason is very simple: I have the backing of connections in the provincial capital. You, a mere deputy mayor of Mingshan City, do not really have the power to manage it."
The village chief said with a cold, smug expression.
"Oh, tell me, which big shot in the provincial capital is your connection?"
Chen Feng said calmly.
"Coincidentally, that provincial big shot is coming to inspect the mineral resources. How about you meet him?"
The village chief said with a smug, lewd smile.
"That's fine too."
Chen Feng said unhurriedly.
After saying that, Chen Feng followed the village chief to the adjacent room.
Upon entering the adjacent room, Chen Feng almost burst out laughing. He thought it was some provincial big shot, but it turned out to be just a small...