From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Chapter 691 - 661: Each Answers to Their Own Master

Qin Zhengyang actually understood very well that the National Resort Command had become more of a showpiece in reality. Initially, the vision for setting up this department was positive. It was hoped that this command center would enhance the efficiency of national-level resorts. The original functions of the command were focused on two aspects: development approval and project management of the resort, and coordinating with related departments in Jizhou to avoid building duplicate projects and wasting national resources.When this command was newly established, it made Qin Zhengyang quite frustrated for a while. After all, having his power divided was not a pleasant experience. He felt the city had put a straitjacket on Hu Shan Town. However, it wasn’t long before the city realized this issue. Even before the command officially started operating, they tightened its power and adjusted its main functions to focus on coordinating the development work of national-level resorts with related departments in Jizhou. Another important task was supervising the quality and progress of local projects.

This way, the functions and powers of Hu Shan Town were basically unaffected. Instead, the command found itself in an awkward position. Although set in Hu Shan Town, it wasn’t responsible for the specific project command and served mainly a supervisory role. It could suggest improvements in unreasonable places and, at most, report to the city.

As for coordinating work with the related departments in Jizhou, it turned out to be much ado about nothing. Despite frequent news reports about the joint construction of Weishan Island Tourism Resort by the two cities, because the cities belong to two different provinces, they rarely communicate, and each governs independently, leading to competition rather than cooperation.

Although Dongzhou’s GDP was more than twice that of Jizhou, in terms of tourism development, Jizhou was far ahead. Weishan Lake, which both shared, had been developed effectively by Jizhou, while Dongzhou lagged behind. Even before the national-level resort was approved, the Taibai Scenic Area of Weishan Lake applied by Jizhou had already been approved as a 5A-level area. In the hearts of Jizhou folks, Weishan Lake was theirs, and Dongzhou was trying to get a piece of the pie.

They had been developing the Weishan Lake Scenic Area for years, while Dongzhou had only taken action on tourism in the past five years. Even the application for the national-level tourist resort was initially made by Jizhou, but when it got approved, the nation also included Dongzhou in it, which allowed Dongzhou to benefit quite a bit from it.

Although Jizhou had an advantage in tourism resources, Dongzhou had Weishan Island, the core scenic zone of Weishan Lake.

The state wanted the two cities to cooperate in developing and building the national-level tourist resort. Yet, in reality, the two cities ended up competing against each other, with the Da Heng theme park on Weishan Island still under construction, while the Jizhou Taibai Water Park was also being launched.

After the command was established, the primary problem it faced was exactly this. Fan Lidada had gone to negotiate with people from Jizhou, mainly questioning whether establishing two water parks within the same national-level resort was appropriate.

The stance from Jizhou was very firm. They emphasized that they were building a water park, while Da Heng on Weishan Island was building a theme park. In truth, everyone understood that a water park was an integral part of a theme park.

Fan Lidada felt that the two sides should mainly focus on complementing each other in tourism development and try to avoid redundant projects. Even if both developed water parks, he hoped they would differentiate in distinctive projects. After a couple of discussions, nothing came of it because both parties realized it was ineffective. In the end, each side proceeded as they wished, thinking, "I’m not spending your city’s money, why should I listen to you?"

So recently, Hu Shan Town has kept a close watch on the Da Heng theme park project. The current situation is whoever finishes first will seize the initiative. From the planning perspective, Da Heng’s theme park is larger and more comprehensive, so the construction period is also relatively longer.

The Jizhou Water Park project was catching up, as it was an upgrade and transformation of the existing amusement park. It had already entered the equipment debugging stage and was expected to trial this June. Judging by this, Dongzhou was already seriously lagging.

Mentioning this matter made Qin Zhengyang a bit frustrated: "Chunliang, the entire Jizhou pays more attention to tourism development than Dongzhou does."

Xu Chunliang had visited the Taibaiwa Scenic Area, which was just a part of the Jizhou Weishan Lake Scenery Belt. He had to admit Jizhou’s achievements in tourism development, as he said: "There’s no help for it. Dongzhou has many pillar industries, and tourism isn’t the most crucial part. Even within tourism, Weishan Lake isn’t the most outstanding representative. Jizhou puts the Weishan Lake Scenic Area as its top priority, crafting it into a city’s name card."

Qin Zhengyang said almost helplessly: "The most infuriating thing is that after hearing about the hot springs on Weishan Island, they also want to build a hot spring resort in Jizhou. Isn’t that nonsense? Do they even have hot springs?"

Xu Chunliang replied: "There are many hot spring resorts nationwide; I haven’t heard that a hot spring resort must have hot springs."

Qin Zhengyang understood that what he said was indeed a fact, and sighed: "But Jizhou’s creation of this hot spring resort clearly targets us?"

Xu Chunliang said: "A difference in mindset leads to different outcomes. They don’t want to cooperate with us, so there’s no need for us to flatter them. We should see who can make a name for themselves."

Qin Zhengyang said: "Unity, unity! We are neighboring cities, sharing Weishan Lake; neither can claim it wholly for themselves."

Xu Chunliang smiled and said: "You have quite the vision."

Qin Zhengyang said: "We certainly have to save face as well."

They exchanged a glance, instantly understanding each other’s thoughts, and laughed together.

After finishing his meal, Qin Zhengyang helped himself to another bowl of soup, slowly waiting for Xu Chunliang, actually wanting to chat a bit more.

"Did the Cultural and Tourism Bureau hand over the command to you because they are planning something big?"

Xu Chunliang shook his head: "Not really, at least I haven’t heard anything. Director Fu just joined the Cultural and Tourism Bureau, which is a merger of three organizations, making the internal situation quite complex. He brought Fan Lidada back just to relieve some pressure."

Qin Zhengyang nodded and said: "The Cultural and Tourism Bureau was just organized, indeed difficult for one person to handle everything. Old Fan was previously the deputy director of the Tourism Bureau, with rich work experience." This was also why Fu Guomin transferred Xu Chunliang to the Cultural and Tourism Bureau.

Qin Zhengyang noticed that Xu Chunliang always seemed to have mentors who could assist him along his growth journey, which was something he envied but couldn’t have. For now, he intended to maintain a good relationship with Xu Chunliang and firmly grasp this influential person before him. Through observations over the period, he had fully recognized Xu Chunliang’s capability.

Wu Fajun personally went to Hu Shan Town for the sake of the fifty million supervised by the town government, which Pei Lin assigned to him. Knowing Xu Chunliang wouldn’t be easy to deal with, he still had to bite the bullet and make this trip.

Basing on past impressions, Wu Fajun directly went to the Deputy Mayor’s office, only to find it empty. After inquiring, he learned Xu Chunliang hadn’t gone far and was supervising work in the small building at the northeast corner of the town government.

When Wu Fajun got there, he saw Zhang Haitao leading a few workers in putting up a sign on the building, which read "Dongzhou City Weishan Lake National Resort Project Command."

Wu Fajun knew this command was previously under Fan Lidada’s charge, but it seemed quite ineffective since its inception. Now, apparently, it had been moved here. What business did Xu Chunliang have here? Could it be that his job had changed again?

In fact, upon seeing Zhang Haitao, Wu Fajun had some realizations. During his time at Weishan Island Hospital, Zhang Haitao was just a sidekick to Xu Chunliang. Now that Weishan Island Hospital had been transferred, contract workers like Zhang Haitao, without formal positions, typically chose to take compensation and leave. It was likely that Zhang Haitao’s presence here was arranged by Xu Chunliang.

Wu Fajun smiled at Zhang Haitao, who had never really interacted with him before, nodded, and asked, "Is there something you need?"

Wu Fajun asked, "Is Town Mayor Xu in?"

Zhang Haitao said, "He’s inside."

Wu Fajun started to walk in, but Zhang Haitao wasn’t pleased: "Hey, who said you could go in?"

Wu Fajun said: "Xiaozhang, I’m looking for Town Mayor Xu."

Zhang Haitao pointed at the newly hung sign and said, "Did you see it clearly?"

Wu Fajun nodded, smiled, and said: "What, can’t I enter the command?"

Zhang Haitao replied: "It’s not that you can’t enter. There’s renovation going on inside, so if you just barge in and some safety issue arises, what then?"

Wu Fajun thought to himself, just a little lapdog, not even a formal worker, yet acting so high and mighty. He didn’t force his way inside but took out his phone to call Xu Chunliang. At that moment, Xu Chunliang came out.

Wu Fajun said: "Town Mayor Xu."

Xu Chunliang said: "Isn’t this President Wu? What brings you here?"

Wu Fajun said: "I just went to your office."

Xu Chunliang asked: "What do you need from me?"

Wu Fajun, annoyed in his heart, thought, why are you pretending? Didn’t I just call you a couple of days ago? However, no matter how dissatisfied, he didn’t dare show it in front of Xu Chunliang and continued smiling: "Town Mayor Xu, you really are forgetful. Didn’t I call you the day before yesterday?"

Xu Chunliang nodded: "Old Wu, you know I am just a deputy mayor on loan in Hu Shan Town, mainly here as a formality without real power."

Before coming here, Wu Fajun expected a possible response from Xu Chunliang, but he still underestimated his shamelessness. You say you have no power, yet you were the one who raised the issue of withholding the fifty million supervision funds. You don’t look like a bad person, so why do you always do things that harm others without benefiting yourself?

A person’s moral judgement is determined by their standpoint, and at least for now, as far as Wu Fajun was concerned, Xu Chunliang was not a good person. He was always at odds with Huanyan and Changxing.

Wu Fajun smiled: "You attended the meeting, and you personally raised the issue of the fifty million supervision funds. I asked Secretary Qin, who clearly stated that you have the final say in this matter. Once you agree, the money can immediately be transferred to our account."

"Specifically, will it be transferred to Huanyan’s account, or Changxing Hospital’s account, or Huanyan Health’s account?"

Wu Fajun said: "The group agreed with Changxing, and the fifty million will be used for the second-phase construction of Changxing Hospital."