Gu Yuanbai, on the other side, returned to the Hua Du Chinese Medicine Association office building and immediately instructed his assistant to release a notice, summoning everyone to the conference room tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock.
At the same time, Gu Yuanbai took out his phone and called friends in several neighboring cities, inviting them to attend and discuss the establishment of the Lingnan Province Chinese Medicine Association.
Meanwhile, in the Vice President's office, Dong Yuanlang knocked on the door and called out, "Master, are you in?"
"Come in," replied Weng Dehai, who was sitting in his office chair, crossing his legs and sipping tea. Upon seeing Dong Yuanlang push the door open, he said, "Have you booked a table at Ju Ya Lou? I'm going out with Old Chen and the others tonight."
"Master, I've already booked it," Dong Yuanlang replied. He then stepped forward and said, "But Master, President Gu just sent out a notice, asking everyone to be in the conference room tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock for a meeting!"
"A meeting? What meeting?" Weng Dehai, about to stand up, looked startled. Dong Yuanlang quickly stepped up, cupped his hand over his mouth, and whispered to Weng Dehai, "I've heard from people below that President Gu wants to go independent!"
"Go independent?" Weng Dehai's aged face showed shock. He stared blankly at his disciple Dong Yuanlang and said excitedly, "Is that really true?"
Dong Yuanlang nodded solemnly, "The matter should be true, and everyone is saying that President Gu is gathering everyone for a meeting tomorrow afternoon to re-establish the Chinese Medicine Association!"
Weng Dehai was stunned. After about seven or eight seconds of silence, he slammed his hand heavily on the table and cursed, "Is this Gu Yuanbai trying to rebel? He actually wants to go independent and establish a new Chinese Medicine Association. No, I must go find him now..."
"Wait, Master," Dong Yuanlang immediately stopped him, hastily adding, "You can't go find President Gu now. Don't forget, we're on the Sima family's side!"
Weng Dehai's old eyes widened, and his expression froze. Seeing his disciple's mischievous grin, he let out a sharp breath, understanding immediately. "You mean, we should just sit back and watch? No, I need to inform Chairman Sima about this!"
"Exactly," Dong Yuanlang nodded and chuckled. "Master, think about it. Even if Gu Yuanbai goes independent and establishes a new Chinese Medicine Association, will Chairman Sima of the capital recognize it? As long as the capital doesn't approve, Gu Yuanbai's Chinese Medicine Association will be an unconventional entity and won't gain any momentum."
"On the contrary, this move will completely infuriate Chairman Sima. By then, the capital will surely send people to handle Gu Yuanbai directly. Once he's removed, won't the position of President of the Hua Du Chinese Medicine Association become yours, Master?"
"Heh heh, you're right, my boy. It seems I really shouldn't stop Gu Yuanbai." Weng Dehai pointed at Dong Yuanlang, a sly smile on his face. He then waved his hand and said, "Let's go, we're going to Ju Ya Lou now. You go inform Master Chen and the others immediately."
"Right away." Dong Yuanlang quickly took his Master's bag and helped Weng Dehai out of the office building. They drove directly to Ju Ya Lou.
In the pre-booked private room, Chen Xingwang, Li Xingfa, Zheng Hongye, and several other vice presidents and directors from the Chinese medicine departments of other hospitals had already arrived. Upon seeing Master and disciple Weng Dehai and Dong Yuanlang enter, Chen Xingwang and the others rose and cupped their fists, saying, "Elder Weng, you're here..."
"Everyone, please sit..." Weng Dehai stepped forward and unceremoniously sat down first. He then looked at Chen Xingwang, Li Xingfa, Zheng Hongye, and the others, all of whom were aligned with the Sima family and were important members of the Hua Du Chinese Medicine Association.
"Elder Weng, you must have heard that Gu Yuanbai wants to go independent and re-establish the Chinese Medicine Association, right?" Zheng Hongye asked.
"Yes, I've heard," Weng Dehai replied. He asked Dong Yuanlang to go out and order the food and drinks, then turned back to Chen Xingwang and the others, smiling and saying, "This is a good thing."
"A good thing?" This statement left Chen Xingwang, Zheng Hongye, and the others somewhat confused. Weng Dehai chuckled, "Think about it, if Chairman Sima Wentang finds out about this, what will happen?"
Li Xingfa, Zheng Hongye, Chen Xingwang, and Yang Tangsheng exchanged glances, and then excitedly said in unison, "The Sima family will act and completely eliminate Gu Yuanbai's faction!"
"That's right," Weng Dehai lightly patted the table and said with a happy smile, "When that happens, the Hua Du Chinese Medicine Association will be run by us, won't it?" Chen Xingwang and Zheng Hongye understood and nodded, grinning sinisterly.
Weng Dehai then took out an antique pocket watch with a gold rim and checked the time. "Chairman Wentang should be off work by now. I need to call him to report this matter."
"Yes, yes, yes, Elder Weng, please call him quickly..." Chen Xingwang and Zheng Hongye became excited.
Meanwhile, far away in the capital, the office of the National Chinese Medicine Association was a historic mansion. It was rumored that this mansion was the royal residence of a prince during the Qing Dynasty. Later, after the reform and opening up, it was converted into the office of the Beijing Chinese Medicine Association.
Inside the mansion, amidst an artificial lotus pond and a two-story ancient building, on the second floor, was an elegantly decorated office that exuded grandeur. This was the office of the Chairman of the National Chinese Medicine Association.
A man in his fifties sat at a simple antique desk, in a Taishi chair. After checking the time, he took off his glasses and rubbed his temples with his left index finger, appearing somewhat weary. This man was Sima Wentang, the Chairman of the National Chinese Medicine Association and the eldest son of Sima Boyong!
At this moment, there was a knock on the office door, followed by a man's voice saying, "Chairman, you have a phone call."
"Bring it in," Sima Wentang called out. A man in his thirties, named Zhuo Wenwei, then entered and respectfully handed him his mobile phone. "It's Weng Dehai from Hua Du City calling."
Sima Wentang looked up. His dignified face, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, exuded an air of authority. He then put the phone to his ear and said in a calm tone, "This is Sima Wentang."
"Chairman Wentang, this is Weng Dehai," Weng Dehai said happily from the private room at Ju Ya Lou upon hearing Sima Wentang's voice. "Chairman Wentang, have you finished dealing with the Vice President's matter?"
Mentioning his brother, Sima Hongyun, made Sima Wentang's head ache, and he replied with a hint of impatience, "Let's get to the point."
"Yes, yes..." Hearing this, Weng Dehai continued, "Chairman Wentang, I need to report something to you. Gu Yuanbai intends to go independent and re-establish the Chinese Medicine Association!"
This statement caused Sima Wentang's expression to freeze, as if he had misheard. "What did you say? Say that again..."
"Gu Yuanbai wants to re-establish his Chinese Medicine Association. He has already notified his subordinates to hold a meeting tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock. If I'm not mistaken, he should be discussing the matter of re-establishing the association!" Weng Dehai raised his voice and said seriously.
Upon understanding, Sima Wentang's dignified face immediately darkened, and his eyes became terrifyingly cold. Weng Dehai, hearing no response from Sima Wentang, thought he hadn't heard clearly and was about to speak again.
Bang!
In the next second, the sound of Sima Wentang heavily pounding the table with his fist came through the phone. "This Gu Yuanbai is trying to rebel!"