Chapter 279: The Shutdown Turmoil (Part 2)

Within half a month of shutting down the four amino acid factories, news spread that the four enterprises were preparing to file a collective lawsuit. Given the complicated issues involving taxes, land rights, and compensation funds, the companies had hired two prominent lawyers from Lingxi, positioning themselves for a legal battle against Yiyang County.

Hou Weidong heard about this and said to Qin Feiyue, "Director Qin, I studied law, so I understand these matters best. These enterprises are merely bluffing. The evidence of severe pollution exceeding standards is irrefutable. If they go to court, they will undoubtedly lose. I estimate they genuinely intend to relocate, but they are trying to extract the maximum benefit through negotiation."

Originally, the situation had been calm. However, Yang Senlin’s accidental inspection had stirred up the waters, causing significant dissatisfaction among those involved, particularly Qin Feiyue.

"The villagers who were arrested were the ringleaders of the unrest. Now that they are back, the villagers are becoming restless again. In the past few days, some villagers have come to the Development Zone office demanding explanations, and their emotions are intensifying." Qin Feiyue spoke with frustration. "Yang Senlin is too impatient. He is different now; before, he would just talk and use his lips, but now, as the Deputy Secretary of the County Party Committee in charge of work, his actions are too rash."

Hou Weidong held his wine glass and said, "Tonight we are discussing cooperation with the pharmaceutical factory, and tomorrow we are hosting the Shazhou Construction Association. There is so much to do that it is overwhelming. Let’s not talk about these annoying matters today. Let’s drink."

It was Qin Feiyue’s birthday. He did not want to host a large banquet, so he only invited Hou Weidong. The two found a quiet place to drink and chat.

After several rounds of toasts, Qin Feiyue, whose tolerance for alcohol was lower than Hou Weidong’s, began to feel the effects. He sighed, "In the past, in Qinglin Town, Zhao Yongsheng and I did not get along. Looking back, it was a lose-lose situation. Zhao Yongsheng is now the Deputy Director of the Science and Technology Commission, essentially just waiting for retirement. I can serve at most one more term as Deputy Director of the Development Zone, which would be a stroke of luck. In Qinglin Town, the most promising prospects are you, followed by Liu Kun."

Hou Weidong said, "Secretary Su has a good reputation in the county."

"Su Ming is at an age that is neither too old nor too young. If he performs well, he might become the head of a bureau or bank, which is the ceiling for him. Liu Kun has connections, is young, and has a degree. According to rumors, he is very likely to be appointed as the Director of the Government Office."

Qin Feiyue burped and said, "Ma Youcai has good relationships with both Liu and Liu. When Zhu Yan was in power, Ma Youcai could not make much of a splash. Now, Yang Senlin is only a Deputy Secretary and lacks the seasoned smoothness of Ma Youcai. It is unclear who will ultimately have the final say in Yiyang."

Thinking about Liu Kun potentially becoming the Director of the Government Office, Hou Weidong felt slightly uncomfortable.

He did not comment on the matter and changed the subject. "I have a friend named Zeng Xiangang, the owner of the largest pottery shop in the city. His friends have opened a ceramic factory in the coastal areas. To save on transportation costs, they want to open a factory here. Are you interested in this business?"

"Why don’t you take it?"

"The New Management Committee is building a new city. The High-Tech Park can only admit food, pharmaceutical, and other clean, high-tech enterprises. This ceramic factory requires a significant investment, but it does not meet my requirements."

Qin Feiyue said generously, "My view is different from yours. Attracting investment in Yiyang has always been difficult; we take what we can get. If we are too picky, we might end up with nothing. I welcome this ceramic factory."

After seeing Qin Feiyue off, Wang Bing drove Hou Weidong back to Shazhou College. The New Management Committee was now Hou Weidong’s domain, and in his own territory, he was the boss. Since he had been drinking, there was no need to rush back to work. He went home for a short nap, and no one would come to check on him.

When a person reaches a certain status, their behavior becomes more free, much like how financial freedom allows many ideas to become reality.

Hou Weidong did not wake up until 2:30 PM. He called Wang Bing, and after hearing the sound of the car braking, he slowly washed his face and dressed before going downstairs.

As soon as he opened the door, he saw Mrs. Guo standing at the entrance, her face filled with terror. Hou Weidong hurriedly said, "Mrs. Guo, why are you standing at the door?"

Mrs. Guo’s lips trembled continuously. It took her a long time to speak. "Professor Guo has fainted. I called the administrative office, but no one answered."

Hou Weidong followed Mrs. Guo into the room and saw Professor Guo lying under the desk, his face as white as paper, unconscious. Seeing a telephone next to the desk, he said, "Since we do not know the cause of Professor Guo’s fainting, it is best not to move him." As he spoke, he dialed 120 and then called Dean Jiang, the wife of Zhu Yan, to explain the situation.

Dean Jiang had a very good impression of Hou Weidong and said warmly, "Xiao Hou, although I have not seen the scene, Professor Guo is likely suffering from a cerebral hemorrhage or blockage. If it is a hemorrhage, it will be troublesome. I will immediately dispatch our strongest team to do everything possible to save him."

After hanging up, Hou Weidong saw Mrs. Guo looking at him with anxious eyes. He could not bear to tell her the truth directly, so he comforted her, "I just spoke with Dean Jiang of the County Hospital. They have sent people over. There should not be any major problem."

Mrs. Guo worked in the college library and was accustomed to the quiet, ivory tower life. Professor Guo’s sudden illness made her feel as if the sky had fallen. She had habitually called the school office, but when no one answered, she was at a loss.

Seeing Hou Weidong handle the situation efficiently, she finally calmed down. She knelt beside Professor Guo, and seeing her husband motionless, tears streamed down her face in continuous strings.

A few minutes later, the ambulance disregarded the peace of the college, driving aggressively through the campus, attracting the attention of countless teachers and students.

Seeing Mrs. Guo’s state, Hou Weidong also got into the ambulance and accompanied her to the hospital. After Professor Guo was pushed into the operating room, Hou Weidong and Mrs. Guo sat on the long chairs outside. Wang Bing, who had driven them, proactively went to handle the hospital procedures.

Hou Weidong reminded her, "Should we tell Guo Lan about this?"

Mrs. Guo only then remembered this matter. She looked at the operating room and said, "We must tell Guo Lan." Thinking of Guo Lan, tears flowed again.

Hou Weidong only had Guo Lan’s pager number. He called her several times, but after waiting for ten minutes, there was no reply. Mrs. Guo looked at Hou Weidong’s mobile phone anxiously and said, "Why isn’t Guo Lan answering? Why isn’t she answering?"

"She probably has something to attend to. I will call again." Hou Weidong called Su Mingjun’s mobile phone at the Organization Department of the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee.

The Organization Department of the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee was holding a political study session. Although Su Mingjun was the host, he had long been bored with it. He was thinking about various office matters and wondering which comrades to invite to accompany him at tonight’s dinner. As he was scanning the room for candidates, the mobile phone on the table vibrated. Seeing it was Hou Weidong’s call, he took the phone and walked out.

Guo Lan was called outside to answer the phone and was stunned on the spot. When Hou Weidong said on the phone, "Do not worry too much. The hospital is doing its best to save him," she finally came to her senses and said, "I will come back immediately."

Beautiful girls often have innate advantages. Guo Lan was not only beautiful but also very low-key. After being transferred to the Organization Department of the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee, she received high praise from the leaders.

Su Mingjun said with concern, "I will send a car to take you back. The medical conditions in Shazhou are much better than in Yiyang. If necessary, transfer him to Shazhou. Call me in advance, and I will help you contact the hospital."

By the time Guo Lan rushed back in a panic, the surgery had already ended. As she ran into the hospital room, Dean Jiang and several doctors were just entering.

Dean Jiang said to the attending physician, "Director Liu, Professor Guo is a renowned scholar. Use the best medicine and the best nursing care. Do not worry about the cost." Director Liu, who was fair-skinned and plump, had a scholarly demeanor. He said, "Professor Guo suffered from a cerebral blockage. After emergency rescue, he is no longer in danger. We are currently transferring injections from Shazhou. As long as this medication is administered within six hours, there will be no sequelae."

Mrs. Guo nodded repeatedly and said, "Thank you, Dean Jiang. Thank you, Director Liu."

Guo Lan then entered the hospital room. Seeing that her father was no longer in life-threatening danger, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. Mrs. Guo, seeing her daughter, felt as if she had found her backbone again and began to wipe away her tears.

The County Hospital sent a doctor who rode in a Mitsubishi driven by Wang Bing. The car sped at over 130 kilometers per hour, rushing back and forth between Shazhou and Yiyang in less than two hours.

With this injection administered, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Due to the timely rescue and the use of good medicine, Professor Guo finally opened his eyes six hours later. Upon learning about his condition and seeing his wife and daughter with red, swollen eyes, he said, "Do not cry. My toes can still move. It is not a big problem." At this time, he had little sensation in his hands, only a numb feeling, yet he comforted the two closest women in his world.

Seeing that there was no major issue, Hou Weidong arranged to meet Jiang Guangtou and Gao Wang from Xiuyun Pharmaceutical Factory that evening. He said, "Guo Lan, I am leaving now. The school office staff visited Professor Guo earlier, and several hospital leaders will come at seven o’clock tonight." Guo Lan walked Hou Weidong out to the gate and said, "I relied on you entirely today. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

Hou Weidong saw that Guo Lan’s clothes were covered in sweat and her expression was tired. She had lost some of her usual capability and showed more of a young girl’s demeanor. He said, "Do not be polite. If you need a car, call me directly."

Watching the car slowly fade from view, Guo Lan suddenly remembered the chance encounter at the dance hall behind the college gate a few years ago. She thought to herself, "I have kept short hair for several years. It is time to change my hairstyle."