Chapter 609: Chapter 580: Billion-Dollar Blunder

Bai Mushan had gone through several academic works, but the translations of the oracle bone script were full of errors, likely just guesses and vague conjectures. He wasn’t much better than that Guo expert who had caused significant damage to many relics during his tomb excavation.

Xu Chunliang even believed that with Bai Mushan’s level, he couldn’t possibly decrypt the first part of the "Heavenly Nourishment Chapter." But then how do you explain the mysterious recovery of Luan Yuchuan and Bai Mushan’s illness? Could it be that Bai Mushan’s expert status was merely a facade to conceal the truth, and someone else actually decrypted the oracle bone scripts? Or was Bai Mushan intentionally hiding his abilities, lowering translation accuracy to avoid suspicion?

Bai Mushan claimed that his liver cancer was cured through surgery in North America, but Xue Anliang exposed the truth. Although Bai Mushan indeed went to North America for treatment, he never underwent surgery.

In front of him, Luan Yuchuan’s coronary artery blockage had already cleared up, without medication or intervention, he had miraculously recovered. Only by practicing the "Heavenly Nourishment Chapter" to the extent of achieving thorough circulation could this be possible.

Xu Chunliang could almost conclude that these two had been practicing the "Inner Canon of Huangdi’s Heavenly Nourishment Chapter," though only the first half.

Xu Chunliang said, "What price is President Luan willing to pay for dragon bones?"

Luan Yuchuan said, "Ten million for a piece."

As in ancient times when gold was used to buy horse bones, now millions are spent to buy dragon bones. Xu Chunliang did not doubt Luan Yuchuan’s sincerity; he was extremely wealthy, rumored to be worth several billion, with countless available funds.

Being willing to spend so much on dragon bones proves one thing: Luan Yuchuan probably knows what’s recorded on the dragon bones, and it’s not impossible that he’s testing Xu Chunliang, attempting to confirm that the dragon bones missing from the Ghost Market are indeed in Xu Chunliang’s possession.

After all, Mo Han had previously produced footage from the scene, identifying Xu Chunliang as the one besieged by the Ghost Market people, which Luan Yuchuan should also be aware of.

Xu Chunliang said, "I’ll look carefully at home to see if I can find any missing pieces. If I can find a few, I’ll be financially independent."

"With Mr. Xu’s capabilities, achieving financial independence wouldn’t be difficult." Luan Yuchuan wasn’t just flattery; compared to dragon bones, life is priceless. If Xu Chunliang dedicated his medical skills to earn high rewards, he could become a millionaire in no time.

Xu Chunliang inquired about his negotiation progress with Da Heng, and Luan Yuchuan told him that negotiations were still ongoing and that he would inform Xu Chunliang immediately once there was a result.

After the visitors left, Xu Changshan found the rubbings of those dragon bones and stared at them for a while before sighing deeply, "I’m truly ashamed. Our ancestors left us such good things, yet I didn’t cherish them and let these precious documents be destroyed."

Xu Chunliang didn’t tell him about Luan Yuchuan offering ten million for a piece of dragon bone. If he did, his grandfather would regret it because, in the past, he once possessed over a thousand pieces. According to Luan Yuchuan’s price, that’s well over a hundred billion, and he missed the chance to become the richest man in Dongzhou.

Of course, Xu Changshan wasn’t a greedy person, but failing to protect the Xu family’s wealth would inevitably bring regret.

Xu Chunliang said, "Were these dragon bones left to you by Great-grandfather?"

Xu Changshan said, "I’m not clear which generation left them. When Huichun Hall was confiscated back then, most of it was emptied."

"Was it Zhou Renhe and his people?"

Xu Changshan nodded and said, "It was him. In hindsight, it’s fortunate he led the people. He knew these were good things, so he found a way to preserve them. If it were someone else, they’d probably have been burned long ago."

Xu Chunliang said, "In that case, he did us a favor."

Xu Changshan said, "How could he be a good person? He simply wanted to keep the Xu family’s things for himself."

Xu Chunliang secretly thought, If Grandpa knew that Zhou Renhe was his half-brother, he probably wouldn’t say that.

Xu Chunliang said, "Grandpa, between you and my great-grandfather, who was more skilled in medicine?"

Xu Changshan fell silent for a while before saying, "I can’t compare with your great-grandfather. He passed too early, so he didn’t have time to pass all his medical skills to me before he died in sorrow..."

Xu Chunliang gently placed his hand on his grandfather’s shoulder in comfort. Xu Changshan patted his hand and said, "I often think I’ve failed the ancestors of the Xu family. Firstly, my skills are inadequate. Secondly, I haven’t been able to pass the Xu family’s medical skills to future generations."

Xu Chunliang smiled and said, "You’re too modest. If your skills are inadequate, then who in Dongzhou would dare claim to be a good doctor?"

Xu Changshan said, "I’m not being modest. When your great-grandfather passed away, I had only learned half of his skills, relying on self-study afterward. When he was alive, he often said that my talent in medical arts was limited, not even comparable to..."

Xu Chunliang knew he was referring to Zhou Renhe and softly asked, "How does Zhou Renhe’s medical skill compare to yours?"

Xu Changshan said, "I initially thought he had learned a lot, but later discovered that he didn’t know much about the Xu Family’s medical arts. After all, our Old Xu Family has rules: pass to sons, not daughters. Although your great-grandfather liked him back then, he couldn’t break the ancestral rules."

Xu Chunliang sighed inwardly. Zhou Renhe didn’t lack understanding of the Xu Family’s medical skills, but rather, he kept his promises. He never used his medical skills to compete with Huichun Hall for business. Upon understanding the real situation, it became clear that Zhou Renhe truly endured great hardships.

"How exactly did my great-grandfather die?"

Xu Changshan said, "It’s a long story. At that time, we had a neighbor with the surname Huang, and our two families were on good terms. Suddenly one day, their whole family was poisoned to death. It was said someone poisoned their food. Your great-grandfather was also called in for questioning by the police. He was fine when he left but secretly poisoned himself after going."

Xu Chunliang nodded, thinking that his grandfather’s account matched what Zhou Renhe had said, and feigned surprise, "Could it be that Great-grandfather was involved with the Huang Family..."

Xu Changshan shook his head and said, "He was a kindhearted man, certainly not one to poison others. It was later found out that Huang Qijiang was a spy. The case was quickly solved. He committed suicide out of guilt, worried about his family being settled, so he poisoned himself too. Your great-grandfather was a cautious man, scared by this event, and in a moment of despair, took his own life."

Xu Chunliang asked, "Did all the Huang Family die?"

Xu Changshan said, "A child survived, named Xiaolong. I used to hold him when he was little."

"What is that child doing now?"

Xu Changshan said, "I don’t know. He was taken away shortly after the incident. I have no idea where he is or whether he’s alive or dead now."

Xu Chunliang decided not to disclose this matter to his grandfather, wanting the old man to enjoy his twilight years without added mental burden.

According to Zhou Renhe, Huang Youlong regarded the Xu Family as a mortal enemy. His foray into China was for revenge against the Xu Family, and the recent frame-up of his grandfather was orchestrated by him.

To keep his grandfather away from danger, the best approach was to nip the danger in the bud. Xu Chunliang wouldn’t wait for Huang Youlong to strike a second time.

Xu Chunliang originally planned to stay a few more days in Dongzhou, but Qin Zhengyang called, urging him to return soon. Equatorial Capital and Changxing had reached a transfer agreement and would sign the formal contract the next day. Although their earlier contracts with Changxing had clauses prohibiting transfers, this time, the city intervened, urging the Hu Shan Town Government to cooperate fully to ensure this matter was accomplished.

The city’s intentions were clear: the local authorities shouldn’t create obstacles. Xu Chunliang initially thought Equatorial Capital would take over the Da Heng Health Care Town project too, but the negotiations weren’t smooth, and the two sides didn’t reach an agreement.

Da Heng Group insisted on retaining the project. During the negotiations, a significant personnel change occurred; Zhang Hengyang, the former president of the Da Heng Group’s East China Region, resigned taking responsibility.

Although Zhang Hengyang and Xu Chunliang weren’t particularly close, they had no substantial conflicts either. Understanding to compromise in crucial moments, Zhang Hengyang overall was gentle and flexible in his dealings.

Qin Zhengyang knew well the sensitivity of the Changxing Healthy Elderly Care Hospital project. Any gust of wind could lead to a storm, so having Xu Chunliang return early was to ensure a smooth transition. With constant unrest on Weishan Island recently, he didn’t want to become the center of attention again.

The city placed great importance on this signing ceremony, with Fu Guomin, the newly appointed director of the Cultural Tourism Bureau, personally attending. From the Hua Nian Group, Zhao Feiyang and Pei Lin were present, representing Equatorial Capital was Mo Han, alongside Mu Tian Group’s General Manager Wang Hongfeng.

When Xu Chunliang heard this lineup, he understood that Equatorial Capital was only providing the funds; the actual construction and management were handled by Mu Tian Group. According to Tong Guangsheng, Mu Tian Group is essentially a Japanese-owned company. If they rooted on Weishan Island, to many locals, it would be like the invaders entering the village again.

Qin Zhengyang repeatedly stressed the need for confidentiality regarding this matter. Before the formal contract signing, they mustn’t create too much impact to avoid inciting public backlash.

After receiving Qin Zhengyang’s call, Xu Chunliang immediately returned to Weishan Island, beginning preparations for the reception en route.

Events proved Qin Zhengyang’s concerns were not excessive. Before Xu Chunliang could even return to Weishan Island, the entire staff of Weishan Island Hospital went to the town government to petition. They didn’t want to be bought and sold repeatedly; they hoped the town would reclaim management of the hospital and return to the state it was in four years ago.

Upon hearing this, Xu Chunliang immediately called Jin Yonghao, instructing him to find any means necessary to control the employees’ emotions. The contract hadn’t been formally signed yet, so how did the news leak? Someone was certainly causing trouble internally.

Jin Yonghao was quite helpless. The old staff at Weishan Island Hospital were not so easily controlled. If his words carried weight, they wouldn’t have gone to the town government to petition repeatedly. Ultimately, these people never embraced Changxing as their own.