From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Chapter 677 - 647: Capital Introduction and Regulation

Qiao Yuanlan said, "Our little Xue is the beautiful one. I’ve always been puzzled, with Xiaoxue’s high standards and me having introduced her to so many outstanding young men, she didn’t fancy any of them. How did she end up choosing you? Now I understand a bit more."Xu Chunliang replied, "Aunt, I haven’t offended you, have I?"

Qiao Yuanlan said, "We just met, didn’t we?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Better tear down ten temples than ruin a single marriage. You’re so kind-hearted, you wouldn’t break us up, right?"

Qiao Yuanlan laughed, "You’ve blocked all my escape routes. Elder sister, come on over, this Xiaoxu is quite interesting."

Qiao Yuanhong was helping in the kitchen. Hearing her call, she came out. Compared to Qiao Yuanlan’s sophistication, Qiao Yuanhong was much more plain. She smiled, "You’re a grown-up, don’t joke around with young people."

Xu Chunliang called her "Elder Aunt." He could call her aunt, but not casually call someone uncle.

Elder Qiao said, "Stop crowding around Xiaoxu like he’s a live monkey. Our family isn’t a zoo." He started arranging the dishes.

On the other side, the younger son-in-law, Qin Wanfeng, had already tied an apron and was bringing out dishes. Although there was a chef at home, Qin Wanfeng insisted on cooking himself. Since he and his wife were overseas most of the time, they wanted to make a good impression now that they’re back. Moreover, Qin Wanfeng was genuinely good at cooking.

In this aspect, Wang Zhenjiang wasn’t doing well. He had spent most of his life in research, neglecting other matters.

Elder Qiao arranged for Xu Chunliang to sit next to him, saying it was to have him pour wine, but everyone could see that the old man was very pleased with his future grandson-in-law.

In the Qiao Family, Elder Qiao represents supreme authority. No one dares oppose what he decides, and no one dares support what he opposes.

Xu Chunliang noticed that Qiao Yuanhong and her husband spoke very little, probably related to their line of work and their lack of skill in social interactions. Qin Wanfeng was good at reading people, but it was clear Elder Qiao wasn’t particularly fond of him.

Ye Qingya was also someone living in her own world and, being a junior, she wouldn’t initiate any topics.

Xu Chunliang, being there for the first time and an outsider, behaved humbly and modestly everywhere.

So, tonight’s atmosphere was enlivened by Qiao Yuanlan. After drinking a toast from Xu Chunliang, she said, "Xiaoxu, I heard you work at the Dongzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "I was just transferred not long ago, still adapting to the job."

Qin Wanfeng said, "So accomplished at such a young age, responsible for Dongzhou City’s cultural and tourism work."

"Uncle Qin misunderstood, I’m just a grassroots worker, not responsible for anything."

Qin Wanfeng found it strange. If this kid was just an ordinary officer, why would Mei Ru Xue be interested in him? And how did Elder Qiao, who always cared about family marriages being well-matched, agree to his relationship with Mei Ru Xue?

Ye Qingya helped to explain for Xu Chunliang, "Xiaoxu is currently at the division level."

Qin Wanfeng said, "Division level? Oh, so accomplished!" That "so accomplished" was a bit insincere. There were plenty of people in their twenties at the division level across the vast land of China; it wasn’t that remarkable. Could it be that Xu Chunliang had connections?

Qin Wanfeng then asked, "What’s your parents’ occupation?"

Elder Qiao said, "Are you conducting a census?"

Qin Wanfeng laughed, "I’m just showing some concern for Xiaoxue."

Elder Qiao said, "Alright, don’t dig into Xiaoxu’s life tonight. If you want to know his situation, ask Xiaoxue directly later. I invited him over for dinner, not to be interrogated."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Grandpa Qiao, you’re really humorous. I actually considered withdrawing today, worried that with all the elders concerned about Xiaoxue, I’d let everyone down."

Elder Qiao said, "How we feel doesn’t matter. You may not meet my ideal standards, but Xiaoxue likes you."

Everyone laughed, realizing that as the old man aged, his views on children’s relationships were changing, beginning to respect their wishes.

Qiao Yuanlan said, "Xiaoxu, I heard you bought the ’Tear of the Star’ I designed at Bao Li?"

Xu Chunliang nodded, "That’s true."

The Qiao Family was very aware of the current market value of Qiao Yuanlan’s jewelry designs, especially those auctioned publicly at Bao Li.

Qiao Yuanhong couldn’t help but ask, "How much?"

Qiao Yuanlan smiled, "Thirty million."

Ye Qingya knew about this matter, but she didn’t think it was an appropriate topic. The aunt must have had a reason for bringing it up, and indeed, Ye Qingya was also curious about where Xu Chunliang got so much money to bid three million for a necklace.

His calligraphy was excellent, but he wasn’t famous in the calligraphy world, and in today’s market, without fame, no matter how outstanding the work, it wouldn’t fetch a high price.

His medical skills were exceptional, but he didn’t leave his name when treating people and didn’t seek payment.

Elder Qiao looked at Xu Chunliang, "You’re well off?"

Xu Chunliang’s next answer surprised everyone, "I borrowed it!"

Qin Wanfeng said, "Not many are willing to lend others three million."

Xu Chunliang smiled, "I have a few friends. They have money, I have character, and a bit of ability. They’re willing to lend me money and trust I can repay."

Qiao Yuanhong said, "Young people’s views on money are already much different from our generation."

Elder Qiao said, "There’s no difference; whether rich or poor, money is still like dung." After he said this, he couldn’t help but laugh, "I’m getting senile, speaking nonsense, I’ll drink a penalty cup."

The overall atmosphere of the dinner was harmonious; apart from Qiao Yuanlan’s interruption about the auctioned necklace, there were no further questions directed at Xu Chunliang, also because of Elder Qiao’s prior words.

After the dinner, Xu Chunliang chatted with Elder Qiao for a while before raising the topic of foreign groups massively acquiring domestic pharmaceutical companies.

Elder Qiao said, "I’ve been paying attention to those news stories. The economic situation has been severe in recent years. Some representatives have proposed easing investment access, promoting orderly opening up in sectors like finance, education, culture, and healthcare, and relaxing foreign investment entry restrictions in fields such as childcare, elderly care, architectural design, accounting audits, commercial logistics, and e-commerce. Measures like establishing financial, tax, and forex support policies for service trade development will provide more substantial support in gradually opening these sectors. Of course, while delegating approval and management authority, how to ensure effective interim and post oversight to avoid chaos upon liberalization poses a significant challenge for every department."

Xu Chunliang said, "Exactly, the policies are good, but during execution, deviations easily occur. Just fear what you mentioned: chaos upon liberalization. I don’t know about other fields, so I can’t comment much, but let’s talk about the medical sector where I used to work."

Though Xu Chunliang had temporarily left the medical field, this didn’t prevent him from expressing his opinions.

Elder Qiao sipped his tea, encouraging him to continue.

Xu Chunliang shared some of the chaos he’d seen recently. Using the Mingde Group as an example, they used capital to massively acquire traditional pharmaceutical companies and medical establishments domestically. Their real aim was to acquire traditional secret recipes through acquisitions, which Xu Chunliang considered blatant theft under the guise of purchasing.

Elder Qiao agreed that there was truth in this. While foreign investment in the mainland’s pharmaceutical market wasn’t inherently negative, regulation must be strict. The world hustles for profit, and no foreign business comes to do charity; their investment aim is profit return.

The ongoing challenge is balancing attracting foreign investment and leveraging it for mutual benefits while protecting our national enterprises and cultural heritage from losses. Policymakers have been grappling with this issue, and it requires maintaining a balance between unfettered openness and blanket restrictions.

After his conversation with Elder Qiao, Xu Chunliang realized that his initial ideas were overly simplistic. If everything went according to his plans to drive out companies like Mingde Group without hesitation, it might trigger a series of reactions, ultimately leaving us bearing the losses.

Elder Qiao sighed, "Post-liberalization, introducing isn’t just about clear streams but also includes sand and rocks. Steering development in the most advantageous direction for us tests the political wisdom of cadres at all levels. Xiaoxu, protecting national culture is easy to say, but hard to do. I’m glad you have this awareness."

Xu Chunliang said, "Grandpa Qiao, I believe policies need to be implemented soon; otherwise, traditional Chinese medicine will eventually be owned by Korea. They might even apply for heritage status."

Elder Qiao nodded and said, "In 2009, they successfully listed the ’Dongui Bogam’ into the Memory of the World Register. This ’Dongui Bogam’ was fully written in Chinese characters, containing sections like Inner Landscape, External Form, Miscellaneous Diseases, Decoctions, Acupuncture, documenting causes, treatments, medicines, meridians, acupuncture, and more. The ’Dongui Bogam’ isn’t entirely an original; it’s a compilation, with over ninety percent of its content from our Chinese medicine classics like ’Inner Canon of Huangdi,’ ’Compendium of Materia Medica,’ and the ’Complete Record of Sacred Benevolence.’"

Xu Chunliang was indignant, "How low do they have to stoop to do such things?"

Elder Qiao calmly said, "What is yours will always be yours; others can’t take it from you."

Xu Chunliang replied, "But hasn’t it already been taken away?"

Elder Qiao said, "The heritage application process inherently has many loopholes, which gives little countries with ulterior motives an opportunity to exploit. The leadership has long noticed these issues and is currently formulating countermeasures."

Xu Chunliang said, "The UNESCO organization seems really muddle-headed. Don’t they investigate when approving applications? Anyone with a little historical knowledge wouldn’t make such clueless conclusions."

Elder Qiao smiled, "Sometimes, it’s not that they don’t know but that they knowingly offend, simply to spite you. To change this situation, we need to strengthen our discourse power."