Chapter 14: Reciprocal Courtesy

Just as he arrived at the police station, Guo Penghui rushed over, drenched in sweat: "Director Tang, please listen to my explanation..."

Tang Haoran kept his eyes straight ahead, as if he hadn't seen Guo Penghui at all. He walked straight to his car and beckoned to Zeng Yi, "Brother Zeng, come, get in my car!"

Du Ruo had already prepared everything. Seeing the two men get into the car, he turned on the siren and led the way, the two cars speeding off towards the Health Department, leaving a trail of dust behind.

Guo Penghui sighed and stomped his foot, then hurriedly got into his car and chased after them.

Director Chen watched the cars disappear, still feeling a lingering fear. He had almost followed in the footsteps of his predecessors. How many people could have such influence to have the secretary of the provincial party committee and the city's public security bureau chief come to pick someone up in person? Fortunately, he had consulted the "living fossil" today; otherwise, he would have been removed for sure, and the outcome would have been dire.

Turning around, Director Chen suddenly felt a pain in his waist, remembering that it was Du Ruo who had kicked him. He had been too nervous earlier to even notice.

In the courtyard of the Health Department, Director Chen Gaofeng, who had already received the news, came downstairs to prepare for the welcome.

With the police car leading the way, the gatekeepers stayed hidden in their duty room, allowing Du Ruo's car to rush in.

"Director Tang, I am truly ashamed. You are so busy, yet you had to come here for this matter." Chen Gaofeng extended both hands to greet Tang Haoran, the first thing he did was to admit his mistake.

In his heart, Chen Gaofeng felt a bit wronged. The health care work had always been handled by Feng Yuqin. Now that Feng Yuqin was hospitalized, such a major accident occurred in the health care bureau, and Chen Gaofeng, who never interfered in the health care bureau's affairs, had to take responsibility.

Tang Haoran's hand lightly touched Chen Gaofeng's, then he put on a stern face and said, "The provincial party committee has always attached great importance to health care work. Today's incident is too serious. Tearing up official documents and beating experts is simply outrageous. The provincial party committee is already aware and demands that the relevant personnel be dealt with strictly."

Using the provincial party committee as a shield, Chen Gaofeng did not dare to take it lightly. Hearing that the provincial party committee was already aware, his heart leaped to his throat. He immediately responded, "Our department's party committee has already discussed this. We will firmly follow the instructions of the provincial party committee and strictly handle the relevant personnel involved in this incident. I will report the detailed handling to Director Tang. Please come in, please come in."

Du Ruo did not go in. He greeted Tang Haoran, "There are still matters at the bureau, so I'll go back first." Then he came to Zeng Yi's side, took out a business card, and said with a smile, "Brother Zeng, we should stay in touch. If you need any help, just let me know."

A wave of excitement rippled through the crowd of the Health Department. Du Ruo, the city's public security bureau chief, whose influence could make the entire city tremble, was now lowering himself to befriend a medical expert. This was highly significant!

Zeng Yi took the business card and said politely, "Director Du, I am very grateful for your help today. Otherwise, I would have suffered a great loss. I will definitely come to thank you in person."

"Don't be so formal!" Du Ruo waved his hand and walked towards his car. As long as the other party appreciated it, his trip today was not in vain.

Chen Gaofeng recognized Zeng Yi, the intern who had cured Feng Yuqin's illness. He didn't know how this intern had connected with Du Ruo. He said politely, "Doctor Zeng, I am very sorry for the injustice you suffered today. On behalf of the department's party committee, I offer you my sincere apologies."

"I dare not, I dare not!" Zeng Yi quickly waved his hands and smiled, "They even dared to question the official documents of the provincial party committee's office. Compared to that, my suffering is nothing. Even if I was hit with a stick, I didn't even get a scratch."

Chen Gaofeng heard the dissatisfaction in Zeng Yi's words. He was a bit angry, thinking, "You, an intern, dare to put on airs for me?" However, in front of Tang Haoran, he did not dare to show his anger and said, "It's just that Doctor Zeng has good character. If it were me, I would definitely demand an explanation."

Entering the Health Department building, Chen Gaofeng immediately arranged a meeting for all middle-level and above cadres.

"Health care work for cadres is an important part of the party's cadre work and talent work. It is a special cause that concerns the overall work of the party and the country. Doing a good job in health care for cadres is a glorious task entrusted to us by the party and the people. As a member of the health front, we must take a high sense of responsibility and mission, actively strive, and work hard to complete this glorious and arduous task..."

Facing hundreds of cadres of all levels, Chen Gaofeng spoke solemnly, elevating the importance of health care work. He secretly observed Tang Haoran, who remained expressionless, and immediately changed his tone: "However..."

As soon as these two words were spoken, the audience held their breath. After countless meetings, everyone knew that the higher the praise, the harsher the criticism would be.

Liang Jianqiang, sitting in the second row, tightly gripped his thighs, but his hands still trembled. His face was pale, his lips blue, and he was almost suffocating with tension. Seeing the setup today, he knew he couldn't escape. He regretted his decision, thinking, "I was really foolish. I knew my brother-in-law was unreliable, yet I believed him. If I hadn't been influenced by his words, I wouldn't have acted so rashly today."

This time, it was over. If he was dismissed or reassigned to a cold position, that would be a good outcome. He feared that the department would investigate and uncover the millions of yuan in kickbacks he had received from pharmaceutical companies, and the large sums he had taken for arranging jobs for unqualified people in the department.

"... After reports from the public, Liang Jianqiang was found to have repeatedly colluded with and instructed the security guards to beat and injure people who came to the department to handle affairs. The nature of this incident is extremely serious and the impact is extremely bad. After discussion by the department's party committee, all involved security guards will be dismissed, and the relevant responsibilities will be handed over to the public security department for investigation. Liang Jianqiang will be dismissed from his position, and the department's disciplinary committee will investigate his related issues..."

Hearing this decision, Liang Jianqiang could no longer remain strong. He felt his throat tighten, making it hard to breathe, and then everything went black. He fell to the ground, unconscious.

The meeting hall was in chaos. People hurriedly carried Liang Jianqiang out, laid him flat on the floor, and tried to revive him by pressing acupoints and spraying cold water. After about a minute, he slowly regained consciousness and began to cry loudly.

In the chaos, someone, in a panic, sprayed their tea on him. Now, Liang Jianqiang's face was covered with various tea leaves, and his pitiful appearance was truly heart-wrenching.

Zeng Yi didn't expect the situation to escalate so much. Initially, he felt a bit sorry, but when he heard that Liang Jianqiang had taken money from unscrupulous pharmaceutical companies and beaten and injured people who came to the Health Department to complain about problematic drugs, he felt that this outcome was too lenient for Liang Jianqiang. If he had known, he would have broken Liang Jianqiang's arm as well.

After having Liang Jianqiang dragged out, Chen Gaofeng insisted on finishing the meeting, sternly warning everyone.

As they left the meeting hall, Guo Penghui couldn't say a word. He received a party warning, which, although light, would prevent him from being promoted for a long time. In his view, today was a disaster. If he hadn't been incited by Liang Jianqiang, he wouldn't have thought the expert was a fraud.

Thinking about this, he stomped his foot in anger, "Liang Jianqiang, if you dare to hinder my progress, I'll make you pay!"

By the time the meeting and procedures were completed, it was already the end of the workday. Zeng Yi was about to leave with the procedures but was stopped by Tang Haoran, "Brother Zeng, I will set up a banquet for you tonight to calm your nerves. Please give me this honor."

Zeng Yi quickly said, "How can I let you do that? I should be the one to invite you! If you hadn't arrived in time today, I would have been in a terrible situation."

"You always are so polite. In the future, we will both serve Secretary Fang. Why should we be so formal? Besides, it's your first day on the job. It's only right for me, your senior, to treat you. If you refuse, it would be a sign of disrespect."

Zeng Yi smiled, "I can't refuse such a kind offer. I will accept it."

"That's the spirit. Tonight, we must have a good talk. Since you will be working with Secretary Fang, there are some things you need to be aware of, and I can give you some advice."

Tang Haoran was also reciprocating Zeng Yi's courtesy. Today, Zeng Yi didn't make him lose face, so he looked at Zeng Yi more favorably. Additionally, he had another purpose. In the future, Zeng Yi would be Secretary Fang's health care doctor, a trusted member of the leadership circle. Building a good relationship early would be beneficial for future cooperation.

The two men laughed and walked downstairs, where they saw Du Ruo standing in the courtyard of the Health Department. He had already changed out of his police uniform and was wearing casual clothes, smoking a cigarette.

Seeing the two men come down, Du Ruo stepped on the cigarette butt and smiled, "Can the two leaders give me the honor? I've already made arrangements for tonight at the Venus Hotel. We won't stop until we're thoroughly drunk!" It was as if he had known that Zeng Yi and Tang Haoran would definitely have dinner together.

"Old Du, I never knew you had this skill." Tang Haoran laughed, "We're not outsiders. Tonight, I will treat Brother Zeng to a welcome dinner. If you arrange it, I will pay the bill."

Du Ruo went to open the car door, "Then I'll shamelessly join the two leaders for a drink."

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