Urban Super Medical Saint

"Alright, I'll go back and discuss this further with Secretary Li and County Chief Liu," Xue Liang said respectfully, seeing that Sun Yuncheng was insistent on passing the buck to the provincial authorities. Although he felt somewhat resentful that Sun had forgotten his roots, he maintained a courteous demeanor.

"Sure, I have a lot of other matters to attend to, so I won't keep you any longer," said Sun Yuncheng as he stood up to see Xue Liang out of his office.

After leaving the municipal government building, Xue Liang took a car back to Golden Mountain County, where he reported the situation to the leading county officials.

"Director Fang still cares a lot about his hometown. I think it's not a bad idea to ask for his help in the province. Maybe the problem can be solved in one go. Lu Ming, our comrade, happens to be studying at the Provincial Party Committee School right now, and he has a pretty good relationship with Director Fang. Call him over," Secretary Li Haibin suggested thoughtfully after stroking his chin upon hearing Xue Liang's report.

"What about Secretary-General Sun?" Xue Liang asked, his eyes flashing with a hint of contempt.

Previously, when he had asked Sun Yuncheng to invite the city's Director of Education to a dinner, Sun had been unwilling. But as soon as the suggestion of inviting Director Fang came up, Sun was enthusiastic, saying he would definitely attend if needed.

Xue Liang, having worked his way up from the grassroots to become a deputy county chief, surely understood Sun Yuncheng's thoughts. Sun was using Golden Mountain County's issue to strengthen his relationship with Director Fang, laying the foundation for his future career advancement.

As for the Director of the City Education Bureau, he was merely at the same level as the Secretary-General, and in some ways, as the housekeeper of the city government and a close aide to the mayor, the Director would normally be the one flattering Sun; naturally, Sun had no interest in indebting himself to the Director over a trifling matter from Golden Mountain County.

"Since Secretary-General Sun has already brought it up, if you do manage to schedule a meeting with Director Fang, you must still give him a heads-up in advance. Whether he can attend or not is his business. Besides, Secretary-General Sun does have a good relationship with Director Fang, and his attendance would also symbolize the city's support, which could benefit our application for educational funding," Li Haibin, the secretary, understood this well and so did Xue Liang, but Sun Yuncheng was still one of the city's leaders. Golden Mountain County was under the city's jurisdiction, so it wouldn't be wise to offend him, which is why Secretary Li gave a definitive instruction.

County Chief Liu of Golden Mountain agreed with Secretary Li.

Therefore, the next day, Xue Liang set out again for the Provincial Capital.

Upon arriving in the Provincial Capital, Xue Liang first visited Lu Ming, who was undergoing training at the Party School, and together they went to visit Director Fang at the provincial government.

Director Fang Ting was quite easy-going and familial, warmly receiving the two of them in his office.

First, Fang Ting inquired about Lu Ming's study at the Party School and encouraged him. Then, he asked Xue Liang about the purpose of his trip to the Provincial Capital.

Xue Liang naturally didn't spare any details in explaining the difficulties faced by the county's education system to Fang Ting.

Fang Ting had left Golden Mountain County a long time ago and only returned during the holidays. Occasionally, he would meet with county leaders, who usually only shared good news and not the bad, so he had no idea the education situation in Golden Mountain County had become so dire. Upon hearing this, his brows immediately furrowed, and he said angrily, "Children are the future of our country; education is the foundation of state governance and a cornerstone of the nation. Although our Golden Mountain County is a mountainous region and economically less developed, we must not let our children suffer or neglect education! I should have been approached about this sooner, regardless of reason, I'm also from Golden Mountain County. I can't be of much help with major issues—after all, the province has to consider all aspects and can't just look after our county alone, I'm not that capable. But when it comes to a modest investment in hometown education, I must contribute with all my heart, no matter what."

It's often hard to see the gap without comparison. Both men hail from Golden Mountain County, and although Fang Ting held a position even closer to the governor and ranked higher than Sun Yuncheng, their attitudes towards their fellow townspeople and home affairs made Xue Liang deeply reflective.

One would put on airs at the drop of a hat, while the other was warm and cordial. One was indifferent to the educational plight of the children in his hometown, and yet another was upset and anxious about it.

"Director Fang is right, we were also worried that you were too busy, Director Fang, so..." Xue Liang nodded repeatedly.

"No matter how busy I am, I can always make time for this. So, please sit here for a while, I will ask Governor Sang for instructions to see if there is anything tonight. If not, I will invite Deputy Director Yu of the education department, who is in charge of planning and finance, to have dinner together," Fang Ting interrupted.

"Thank you, Director Fang, thank you," said Xue Liang, moved by the fact that Fang Ting was not just talking but was ready to take immediate action. He stood up and expressed his gratitude repeatedly.

"No need to thank me, this is what I should do," Fang Ting gestured dismissively and then got up to go to Sang Yunlong's office.

As Secretary to Sang Yunlong, Fang Ting naturally knew Sang Yunlong's schedule and was aware that Sang Yunlong had arranged to have dinner with a group of Standing Committee members and Ge Dongxu that night.

For a dinner of this level, he, Fang Ting, was not qualified to participate. In principle, there should be nothing for him tonight, but he still needed to ask for permission just in case.

Sure enough, Sang Yunlong said there was nothing concerning Fang Ting tonight and told him to go ahead and arrange his own affairs.

So Fang Ting returned to his office and phoned Deputy Director Yu, who oversees planning and finance at the education department.

Fang Ting himself was the Deputy Director of the Office of the Provincial Government of Jiangnan Province and a deputy director-level official. Coupled with the identity of the Governor's secretary, he carried considerable weight.

When he called Deputy Director Yu, who oversees planning and finance at the education department, to ask if he had time to have dinner together, Deputy Director Yu immediately said he did.

Therefore, Fang Ting made arrangements to have dinner with Deputy Director Yu at the Kunting Grand Hotel that evening.

It seemed that Fang Ting casually mentioned the Kunting Grand Hotel and did not choose the upscale hotels by the picturesque Mingyue Lake, but in reality, he had thought it through carefully.

The Kunting Grand Hotel had just opened recently. Its furnishings and equipment were all brand new and luxurious, giving it an appearance of high class, yet because it was newly opened, the prices were relatively cheap.

After all, having dinner with Deputy Director Yu required an appropriate level of prestige; too low would not be suitable. However, a high status with an exorbitant price would also be inappropriate, given that Golden Mountain County was there to plead poverty and ask for funding. Dining at the lakeside Wanghu Hotel or the Friendly Hotel would cost at least a thousand yuan for a meal, which would seem sarcastically extravagant.

By coincidence, Fang Ting knew that a group of the most influential members of the Provincial Party Committee had invited Ge Dongxu to the Kunting Grand Hotel for dinner. Although Fang Ting was not yet aware that the hidden owner behind the Kunting Grand Hotel was Ge Dongxu himself, the fact that a newly opened hotel could attract such a distinguished group from Jiangnan Province made it clear to Fang Ting, even without much thought, that the hotel had very powerful backing.

Knowing that the hotel had powerful backing and that it offered good value for money, Fang Ting naturally had no objections to pushing the boat along with the current and supporting the venue.