426: Chapter 4 Biting the hand that feeds you is ungrateful, being indebted makes one compliant 426: Chapter 4 Biting the hand that feeds you is ungrateful, being indebted makes one compliant “You don’t have to worry about the expenses; I’ll have the finance departnt go over the numbers again and waive everything they can for you,”
Wang Yunxiao heard soone speaking like this when he arrived at the door of Qin Xiangdong’s hospital room.
He waited for a mont before he heard Qin Xiangdong’s weary and puzzled voice, “Why is it so expensive?”
Wang Yunxiao curled his lips.
He had originally thought that, given Qin Xiangdong’s character, he would definitely not take this kind of advantage.
Even if the police station didn’t have a budget subsidy, he could still sign an IOU and then pay it back slowly.
For a man of steel like Qin Xiangdong, the thing he could not stand the most was, first, owing others favors, and second, owing others money.
Without thinking about it, one could tell that this ti the police station’s hospital expenses must be astronomical, a figure so large that even Qin Xiangdong couldn’t speak with his usual firmness.
“Western dicine is inherently expensive.
If you don’t let the foreigners make money, then what motivation do they have to develop new drugs?
As for the dicine, I can charge you the cost price, but the doctors’ labor fees are unavoidable,”
The person inside laughed, “They are all top talents returned from studying abroad; I have to treat them like ancestors, coaxing them.
Otherwise, where couldn’t they eat with those degrees?
Especially with Capital trying to poach them left and right, what else can we offer besides a salary?”
Wang Yunxiao pushed the door and entered, seeing a portly middle-aged man in a suit and leather shoes sitting beside Qin Xiangdong’s bed.
Cao ngchang, a local tycoon of Tiann, a renowned philanthropist who had donated to the construction of nurous schools and hospitals in Tiann City over the years.
This New Asia Hospital was built with his investnt eight years ago.
Indeed, it was a private hospital that he owned and operated for profit, and there was no issue calling it a donation.
In this era, there was simply no such thing as a public hospital.
Even in the Forr Dynasty, very few people would be willing to spend the money to build a hospital.
Whatever anyone did had to be considered within the specific historical and cultural context to be fairly assessed for good or bad.
Back in the Shang Dynasty, consuming more alcohol or at could lead to condemnation and punishnt.
Had Cao ngchang’s behavior of making donations been posted on the future internet, he would probably be cyberbullied to death by keyboard warriors, “You dare make money while doing good deeds?
You must be dragged out and shot!”
However, in this era, his actions were unquestionably charitable.
Even the President had praised him, and it was said that he had written Cao a piece of calligraphy, frad and hung in his living room.
After the new governnt was established, the market value of that calligraphy skyrocketed by a hundredfold, yet the man was not short of money and never thought of selling it.
Seeing Wang Yunxiao co in, Cao ngchang gave a hearty laugh, stood up, and said to Qin Xiangdong, “Let’s leave it at this.
You don’t have to worry about this matter; I’ll donate so money to your station later to ensure you won’t be put in a difficult position.”
Qin Xiangdong frowned, “Mr.
Cao, I appreciate your sentint, but…”
“No, no, don’t be in a hurry to refuse.
Think it over first,”
Cao ngchang shook his finger and spoke seriously, “I know what you want to say, but I wonder if you’ve ever heard the saying, ‘He who gathers firewood for the masses should not be allowed to freeze in the storm.'”
“Doing good should be rewarded, and those who are willing to act should receive sothing in return—this has always been the President’s promoted philosophy.
The police force risks life and limb to protect the safety of the citizens of Tiann City.
If they don’t see benefits, how can you encourage others to follow in your footsteps?
Do you think your own ideological awareness and personal integrity are more important than this?”
Qin Xiangdong had no answer.
Cao ngchang walked past Wang Yunxiao, examined him closely, and, satisfied, patted Wang Yunxiao’s shoulder, nodding, “Young man, you’re recovering well—promising and capable!”
Wang Yunxiao smiled and said nothing.
After he left, Qin Xiangdong asked, “Now, besides , how many others are hospitalized?”
“It’s just you and one advisor from my team; she won’t be able to get out of bed any ti soon.”
“Jiang Xiaotang, right?
I’m aware, tell her to rest easy and recover.”
Qin Xiangdong coughed and said, “Go and arrange my discharge procedures for , I’m going ho today.”
Wang Yunxiao thought to himself that Qin didn’t look like he could get out of bed either, and couldn’t help asking, “How much have we altogether spent?”
“Twelve thousand.”
“That little?”
Qin Xiangdong sighed and said, “No more.
Mr.
Cao just did the math for ; with so many of us staying here, occupying the special care ward is costly by the day on its own.
And it affects their normal business inco as well.”
Wang Yunxiao thought to himself that it was an exaggeration.
He seed to rember soone saying that a small St.
Deponk brand car also cost only twelve thousand dollars.
And we haven’t taken any dicine, just stayed in the hospital for a few days, hooked up to IVs—enough to cost a car?
No wonder Qin Xiangdong couldn’t talk tough.
“Mr.
Cao gave us a partial discount, and the Bureau also has financial budgeting that we can apply for subsidies from.
I’ll ask the Special Service Bureau for so more…
In any case, as long as we can avoid soliciting his donations, we will, because if we take his money, a lot of things will beco unclear later on,” Qin Xiangdong said with a deeply tired look on his face.
The tornt of illness over the past few days hadn’t pressured him as much as that bill had.
Wang Yunxiao hesitated for a mont and then asked in a low voice, “Doctors in the hospital not prescribing dicine to patients…
is that sothing within our jurisdiction to deal with?”
Upon hearing this, Qin Xiangdong imdiately frowned, “What do you an?
What have you discovered?”
“So doctors are hiding dicine.”
Wang Yunxiao said, “I had my people check, and several doctors have already stopped prescribing antibacterial drugs to patients.
Officially, they say it’s due to a shortage in the pharmacy’s stock, which may well be the case.
But they keep the dicine they’re supposed to prescribe to themselves instead of giving it to patients.
I suspect they’re thinking the outbreak might worsen, and then they could sell the drugs at a high price privately.”
Qin Xiangdong frowned deeply, remained silent for a long while, then slowly shook his head, “Indeed, we really can’t handle that…
Collect more evidence, and then give it to Mr.
Cao later; I believe he’ll know how to deal with it.”
“This is probably not an isolated case—with so many hospitals across the city…”
Qin Xiangdong took a deep breath and looked out the window.
“Who knows when this rain will stop; it’s only the beginning of July.”
After a long silence, he turned back and said solemnly, “We can’t influence the doctors’ professional judgnt, but if they’re selling dicine at high prices privately, then it’s definitely a criminal act.
Go make a call and ask Gao Shan to co over, and we’ll think of a solution together.”
“We’re not afraid of the foreigners who sacrifice to the Evil God.
What’s there to fear from a few conscienceless black-hearted doctors trying to make a dirty profit?
No matter how much we owe the hospital, I’ll go broke if I have to, but I’ll make up for it.
There’s no room for compromise with them on such matters of principle!”
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