Chapter 32: Treading on Thin Ice
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Half an hour later, Ma Hongqi’s convoy arrived at the Third Hospital.
Unlike the unannounced inspection the day before, this time he was accompanied not only by Zhou Kang, Deputy Secretary-General of the General Office, the provincial director of health, and several others, but also by reporters from the television station.
An unannounced inspection was acceptable once, but not twice.
If a senior official was always conducting undercover visits, the people below him would come to fear him like mice feared a cat.
What a leader needed was authority, not fear.
The group entered the outpatient hall of the Third Hospital.
Provincial hospitals were always busy, and there were lines at every service window.
The difference was that the queues here were orderly, and no one was cutting in line.
The information desk stood to the left of the entrance, clearly visible as soon as one stepped inside.
The two young nurses on duty wore neat, spotless white uniforms and nurse’s caps. Both had pretty faces, tall, graceful figures, and gentle smiles.
When they saw Ma Hongqi and the others enter, the smiles on their faces grew even warmer.
Zhang Jun thought to himself, What a capable fellow Jiang Changxing is. He has arranged everything rather well in such a short time.
Ma Hongqi stood at the entrance, swept his eyes across the hall, and looked toward the information desk.
The nurses bowed slightly.
“Good morning. How may we help you?”
Ma Hongqi asked several questions in succession.
How many patients did the hospital receive each day?
Could everyone who registered be seen by a doctor that same day?
Was it possible to make an appointment for the following day or the day after?
How much did it cost to see a department director? How much for a specialist?
How much were the various examinations? How long did patients have to wait in line?
The two nurses spoke clearly and answered fluently.
Ma Hongqi nodded, plainly satisfied.
He went among the patients and spoke with them in a warm, kindly manner, asking whether it was difficult to see a doctor and whether it was difficult to get admitted.
An old grandmother said, “Difficult! How could it not be? Everything in the hospital is expensive. All the little savings I scraped together over a lifetime of work have gone into this hospital! Health insurance reimbursement? Plenty of medicines aren’t covered at all. They just say there’s no policy for them.”
Another middle-aged man who had come from the countryside to seek treatment gave a bitter laugh. “It’s terribly difficult. We’ve been staying here for a week just to see a doctor. Even the cheapest inn costs fifty yuan a day! I spent two days trying to get a registration slot. When I finally managed to see a doctor, they had me undergo a whole battery of tests first. Every examination requires another wait in line. If all the test results aren’t there, the doctor won’t examine you or prescribe any medicine.”
Ma Hongqi committed every complaint to memory and continued chatting with other patients.
Zhang Jun stood nearby with pen and paper, recording everything.
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The boss might not remember so many conversations later; a good memory was no match for a poor one. If the boss asked about any of it afterward, Zhang Jun would have something to show him.
The accompanying reporters quietly filmed everything.
Shen Xue occasionally directed the cameraman, telling him to capture the surroundings of the hall, then take several close-ups of Ma Hongqi and Zhang Jun.
After visiting several departments, Ma Hongqi had gained a clear understanding of the situation. Only then did he call over the hospital’s leaders for a conversation.
Zhang Jun thought to himself, Jiang Changxing really knows how to conduct himself. He didn’t deliberately come running out to welcome us; that would have looked too contrived.
Even if it was a performance, they had to perform the whole act. They could not let the boss see through it.
Before long, several hospital presidents and vice presidents came hurrying over.
“Oh, Governor Ma! Welcome, Governor Ma, and Deputy Secretary-General Zhou and the rest of your delegation to our hospital for your inspection and guidance. We apologize for failing to welcome you in person!”
The hospital leaders lined up to shake hands with Ma Hongqi, Zhou Kang, Zhang Jun, and the others.
When Jiang Changxing shook Zhang Jun’s hand, he gave a slight nod, his eyes filled with gratitude.
Clearly, the message Zhang Jun had sent him had been of enormous help.
At the scene, Ma Hongqi delivered important instructions. He stressed that safeguarding the people’s health must be placed in a position of strategic priority, that efforts to build a strong medical and pharmaceutical province should be accelerated, that high-quality medical resources should be directed toward the grassroots, and that the quality and standard of medical services should be greatly improved in order to continuously satisfy the people’s demand for high-quality healthcare.
At noon, the hospital repeatedly invited Ma Hongqi to stay for a meal before leaving.
Ma Hongqi waved his hand and said earnestly, “I’ll pass on the meal. As for the problems I pointed out, correct them if they exist, and use them as encouragement if they do not. I’ll come back for another inspection in a month. I don’t want to hear anyone complaining again that it’s difficult to see a doctor or get admitted!”
Everyone answered in unison and respectfully saw Ma Hongqi and the others out, watching as their cars disappeared into the distance.
The reporters’ vehicle followed them to the Guesthouse.
After getting out of the car, Ma Hongqi noticed the television station’s interview vehicle. After a brief pause, he said to Zhang Jun, “Take the television station people out for a meal. I won’t accompany you. I have an important meeting this afternoon. You don’t need to follow me; stay at the office and handle your official duties.”
“All right, Boss,” Zhang Jun replied deferentially.
After escorting Ma Hongqi to his villa, Zhang Jun came out and said to Shen Xue, “The boss asked me to treat you all to lunch. You’ve worked hard today.”
Shen Xue smiled radiantly. “It’s our honor to accompany a leader on an inspection of the grassroots.”
She was not merely being polite. There were only a handful of provincial leaders, while the television station had many reporters. Not everyone had the opportunity to accompany a leader on such a trip.
Shen Xue said graciously, “Secretary Zhang, thank you for giving us this valuable opportunity. I should be the one treating you. Shall we go to the West Warm Pavilion?”
People in provincial government circles rarely dined anywhere but the West Warm Pavilion.
Zhang Jun had not worked at the provincial government for long and had yet to discover who the mysterious owner behind the West Warm Pavilion really was.
During the meal, Shen Xue raised a glass to Zhang Jun. With a slight smile at the corners of her lips, she said, “Secretary Zhang, you’re truly gifted with words. Thanks to your guidance, the script that aired last night earned praise from the station leaders!”
Zhang Jun chuckled. “You were the one who delivered it well. Governor Ma praised you today.”
Shen Xue’s face blossomed with a smile, making her appear even more charming and beautiful.
After the meal, Shen Xue tried to pay the bill, but Zhang Jun pressed down on her hand.
“I’ll claim it as a work expense.”
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With Zhang Jun holding her hand, Shen Xue did not pull away. She answered softly and sweetly, “All right, then.”
That afternoon, Zhang Jun remained on duty in the provincial government office.
Pan Jun from Section Four came in, beaming.
“Good afternoon, Secretary Zhang.”
“Is something wrong?” Zhang Jun asked.
Pan Jun gave an embarrassed chuckle. “Well, every other section has its own private fund, but ours is the only one that doesn’t. Everyone would like to ask Secretary Zhang to help us think of a way.”
Every section in a government office had its own private fund. It was no secret.
Anyone with even a little power could find a way to raise money.
Even someone in charge of a tiny organization could generate tens of thousands of yuan in extra revenue each year.
The money was used for dinners, gifts, various reimbursements, and presents distributed during the New Year and other holidays.
Section Four had no businesses under its jurisdiction and no way to attract sponsorship, so its private fund had always been completely empty.
Now that Zhang Jun was the section chief, it was only natural that he should take on this responsibility.
But where was he supposed to get the money?
Pan Jun was an honest man, and he gazed at Zhang Jun anxiously.
Zhang Jun thought for a moment before saying, “There’s no need to rush. I’ll keep it in mind.”
Pan Jun agreed and promptly took his leave.
Wu Li happened to pass by the doorway.
Zhang Jun called out, “Brother Wu!”
Wu Li smiled and walked in. “How are things?”
Zhang Jun offered him a cigarette. “I’m walking on thin ice. I’d like to ask you about something, Brother Wu. Section Four wants to secure a little funding. Do you know where we might find an opening?”
Wu Li burst out laughing. “Are you trying to embarrass me? You’re worried about not being able to raise money? There are so many hospitals, research institutes, schools, and scientific organizations under your administration. If they make a small gesture of respect, won’t that solve everything?”
Zhang Jun shook his head. “We can’t exactly hold out our hands and ask them for money.”
Wu Li lowered his voice, covering his mouth with one hand as he whispered, “That’s easy. Just look for an organization that’s well-off and drop a hint. They’ll understand immediately. Besides, the money isn’t going into your own pocket. It stays in the organization for official use, and every transaction is recorded and traceable. What’s there to fear?”
This was Zhang Jun’s first time doing anything like this. He wondered whether it could really be so easy. If he did not offer them any help, would they truly come rushing to give him money of their own accord?
A message arrived from Jiang Changxing:
“Secretary Zhang, are you free? May I come see you?”
Zhang Jun thought to himself, Well, since you’ve arrived at just the right moment, I’ll be counting on you to add a little money to the private fund.
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