Chapter 75: Expert Committee

The proposal for the construction of the health care base by the Health Department was quickly approved by the Nanjiang Provincial Party Committee. The Provincial Party Committee agreed with the Health Department's proposal and required that the construction of the medical team and the base proceed simultaneously.

The Provincial Party Committee also required the establishment of a new Health Care Base Construction Office, to be led by Deputy Governor Shu Mingliang, who was in charge of culture, education, and health. The preparatory group of the Health Bureau was dissolved, but its members were all transferred to the new construction office, where their tasks remained similar: determining the location of the health care base, developing the construction plan, and implementing the integration plan for the new hospital.

Zeng Yi's work also received a new arrangement. His nominal position as a section chief finally had a specific role, and he was appointed as the deputy director of the Expert Committee of the Health Care Base Construction Office.

In the current national situation, everything requires scientific basis and evidence, especially large-scale projects.

Although in many places and situations, leaders still make decisions on a whim, they do not dare to openly defy public opinion. Some surface-level work must still be done. Therefore, in almost all large-scale projects and their initiation, the shadow of an expert committee can be seen, both to show respect for science and to demonstrate democratic decision-making.

On the first day of his appointment as the director of the construction office, Shu Mingliang convened a meeting of the expert committee.

In the meeting room, over a dozen experts from various fields were seated, including architectural experts, design experts, engineering experts, environmental experts, and auditing experts. All of them were over forty years old, except for Zeng Yi, who looked particularly young.

"The importance of the health care base, I will not repeat. I have only one request: I hope that the experts present can use their academic expertise to the fullest, fulfill their responsibilities, and ensure that every aspect of the health care base construction is carried out to the highest standards. We must complete the construction on time and to a high quality, making it a model project that satisfies the Provincial Party Committee, the officials of the entire province, and the 80 million people of Nanjiang Province."

Shu Mingliang's speech was concise and clear, and he always wore a kind smile. He was well aware that his role as the director of the construction office was merely nominal, intended to elevate the status of the health care base and demonstrate the province's emphasis on the project. However, the real decision-making power still rested with the director of the Health Bureau, Feng Yuqin, and other key figures in the construction office.

Therefore, Shu Mingliang was very tactful and quickly finished his speech, passing the floor to Feng Yuqin, who was also present. "Director Feng, please say a few words."

Feng Yuqin's sharp gaze swept across the room, and her expression softened slightly. "Today is an expert meeting, and the experts present are the main players. I am here to listen to your valuable insights. Any suggestions that can help the health care base are welcome."

Shu Mingliang nodded with a smile. "Then let's hear from the experts." He took out a notebook and opened it, pretending to be ready to take notes.

Shu Mingliang was known in Nanjiang Province as a "good old man." He always had a good temper, never got angry, and was always smiling. Among the deputy governors of the provincial government, Shu Mingliang had the best relationships, but no one took his words seriously. Ultimately, this was because he, as the deputy governor in charge of culture, education, and health, was a non-party leader and not highly regarded.

"I will say a few words. The expert committee will strictly follow the instructions of the Provincial Party Committee and the provincial government, fulfill our duties in planning and strategy, and actively coordinate with all parties to ensure the smooth progress of the health care base construction, completing the tasks assigned by the province."

The speaker was the chairman of the expert committee, Zhang Wentian, who was also the deputy director of the Nanjiang Provincial Construction Committee and the director of the Rongcheng City Engineering Bidding Management Office, a person with significant power and control over multiple bidding processes.

Zeng Yi shook his head slightly. Was this even a suggestion? It sounded more like a work report.

Zhang Wentian set the tone, and the other experts began to offer their opinions:

"Director Zhang's words resonate with us. I also want to express my commitment. We will use our expertise to pave the way for the health care base construction, clearing all obstacles."

"Being unable to directly participate in the construction is a regret for us experts, but we will use our knowledge to contribute to the health care base construction."

Feng Yuqin's brow furrowed slightly. These experts still did not understand her style. She was not one for empty talk and did not like such clichés.

"Zeng Yi!" Feng Yuqin suddenly interrupted the experts' flattery, looking at Zeng Yi. "What are your thoughts?"

The experts all looked at Zeng Yi, surprised that Feng Yuqin had called on this young man first. They wondered about his background and felt a bit resentful, as they, who had dedicated their lives to their fields, were now being led by this young upstart.

Zeng Yi cleared his throat. "Without investigation, there is no right to speak. The location of the health care base has not yet been determined, so it's hard to offer specific suggestions at this moment. Any suggestions I make might be detached from reality. I believe the experts present share this view."

The experts looked at Zeng Yi, unimpressed. What was this talk about investigation? Leaders make decisions, and you just need to support them. Do you really take this expert committee seriously?

Feng Yuqin nodded slightly. "Then please share some practical suggestions."

Zeng Yi thought for a moment. "First, I think we should clarify the responsibilities and authority of the expert committee and establish a coordination mechanism to ensure that any issues can be addressed promptly."

Feng Yuqin nodded. "This is a good suggestion. Let's discuss it."

Shu Mingliang's face remained kind. "Director Feng is right! Without clear responsibilities and authority, it is difficult for experts to play their roles effectively. This could lead to a situation where non-experts direct experts, making the expert committee a mere formality, which none of us want to see."

"Today, as the director of the Health Care Base Construction Office, I have convened this meeting to help resolve these potential issues!" Feng Yuqin looked at everyone. "I hope everyone can speak freely and address these issues comprehensively, forming a system to effectively support the construction of the health care base."

The experts were taken aback. This was unprecedented. In the past, leaders tried to suppress the authority of the expert committee, but today, they were actively delegating power.

Many of the experts present were not genuine experts. For example, Zhang Wentian studied animal medicine at an agricultural university and rose through the ranks of the county livestock bureau. Although he now managed construction, he lacked the necessary professional qualifications.

The others were even "official experts." When a leader wanted to revitalize a cultural industry, they became cultural experts; when a leader wanted to develop a new industry, they became high-tech experts; when a leader wanted to build a dam, they became water experts, using countless pieces of evidence to prove the leader's decisions were wise and correct.

These people were not good at academic research but were skilled in flattery and power struggles. When Feng Yuqin spoke, they immediately suggested giving the expert committee significant autonomy, requiring all major decisions of the construction office to be collectively reviewed by the expert committee, and even proposing specific decision-making processes, including who had the right to propose and who had the right to veto.

Shu Mingliang noted all their suggestions and encouraged them to continue.

"Very good, everyone's suggestions are very practical!" Shu Mingliang looked at Feng Yuqin, seeing no opposition, and said, "I have noted your suggestions and will discuss them with the other leaders of the construction office to form a written system as soon as possible, ensuring that the expert committee can play an important role."

Feng Yuqin looked at the experts. "Governor Shu's time is very valuable. If anyone has additional suggestions, please speak up. I hope we can address all issues comprehensively and thoroughly."

Zeng Yi, seeing Feng Yuqin looking at him again, spoke up. "The health care base is a key and model project of the province, with a large investment. Many profit-seeking businessmen are already trying to influence the project, and some may have already approached the experts present."

The experts' faces changed. What did this mean? Were you suggesting that they had been influenced by others? Although they thought this, they felt a bit guilty. Without strong support, they would not have been able to join the expert committee. They were here to more conveniently serve their patrons, and in this sense, they all had ulterior motives.

"I propose that to ensure the project is completed on time and to a high quality, we should exclude companies with poor records or ongoing legal issues from the project," Zeng Yi said.

He had forgotten to check the time again.

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