"HanTang Hospital boasts leading technology, while Chinese Traditional Medicine remains profoundly mysterious." "HanTang Hospital develops an HIV cure, sending waves of elation across the world's AIDS sufferers!" "The head of the World AIDS Research Center boasts extravagantly, declaring his center will develop an HIV cure within a month, refusing to let Traditional Chinese Medicine monopolize the glory." "A miracle is born; witness the story of how a small hospital rose to prominence!" "HanTang Hospital steals our ancient texts! The Great Korean Nation could treat AIDS 5,000 years ago!" "Good news for AIDS patients: pay HanTang Hospital one million US dollars, and your trouble will vanish." "HanTang Hospital is driven mad by money, with prices far exceeding what our citizens can afford."

The next morning, news about HanTang Hospital flooded the internet, television, and newspapers. International media outlets covered HanTang Hospital in detail from every angle, instantly making it the most eye-catching hospital globally. Liu Hui observed these reports with satisfaction. This was how the media operated—feed them sensational news, and they would scramble to spread it for you.

Meanwhile, the unfortunate domestic Chinese media missed the exclusive scoop. They only learned the target of the international reports was right in their own country after the foreign reports broke, resulting in a major blunder that drew ridicule from their international peers. Upon investigation, they discovered HanTang Hospital had sent them an invitation, which had been arrogantly rejected by their office staff. Enraged, countless personnel became scapegoats and were swiftly dismissed. Learning their lesson, domestic media dispatched reporters to stake out the entrance of HanTang Hospital, hoping to uncover valuable information.

In Liu Hui's office at HanTang Hospital, Liang Jingyue, Mei Peng, and Liu Lin sat opposite him as he delegated the day’s tasks.

“To express my gratitude for Mr. Johnson’s assistance, I have agreed to refund his one million dollar consultation fee. We currently have five million dollars in the hospital accounts. Jingyue, please contact Johnson immediately to process the transfer. Regarding the treatment fee I previously accepted from Johnson, after deducting the refund, the net amount is one million dollars. Jingyue, ensure this is processed correctly in the hospital’s income and expenditure ledger, completing all necessary procedures to avoid any future scrutiny of old accounts.”

“I will handle it right away. I know exactly how to manage the accounts; there will absolutely be no issues,” Liang Jingyue guaranteed.

“Mei Peng, how is the ward renovation plan you were designing coming along?”

“I brought in professional hotel design experts, and the designs are finalized. If you have no objections, we can proceed with construction immediately,” Mei Peng said, handing over several blueprints.

Liu Hui took the blueprints and examined them closely. They featured rendering images that looked quite good, accompanied by specific technical parameters that Liu Hui, however, couldn't fully decipher.

“Hmm, the renderings look excellent. You all take a look and tell me what you think,” Liu Hui passed the plans to Liang Jingyue and Liu Lin. They studied them intently, exchanged a glance, and stated in unison, “We think they are excellent.”

“Since everyone agrees, let’s proceed with this renovation! Second Brother, contact the construction unit immediately and emphasize the utmost need for hospital confidentiality throughout the process.”

“Understood, I’ll make the call now.”

“Liu Lin, your nurses require skills training, particularly in massage techniques. Acupuncture skills are also essential, as well as various other health and wellness techniques—if they can learn it, we must teach it. Our patients have paid a significant amount of money, so we must make them feel their investment was worthwhile. Although the medication is what’s truly effective, the patients don’t know that. Therefore, we can promote these specialized services as supplementary therapies. Since these services benefit human health anyway, this approach will also mitigate external questioning about our high fees.”

“I will arrange that immediately downstairs.” Liu Lin grasped the underlying strategy.

“During this period, we must strengthen the hospital’s security protocols. I ask everyone to fully cooperate with security personnel during inspections.” Liu Hui concluded with an emphasis. He had tightened security measures, subjecting all staff to checks, worried that his key team members might feel their dignity was slighted during the process. Fortunately, Mei Peng and the others understood Liu Hui’s deep concern and readily agreed to abide by the hospital’s rules.

Suddenly, the guard at the entrance called, reporting that someone from the Health Bureau was here to see the boss. Hearing this, Liu Hui asked Liang Jingyue and Liu Lin to step aside while he accompanied Mei Peng downstairs to greet them.

A car pulled up at the hospital entrance, and two men stood beside it. Upon seeing Liu Hui and Mei Peng emerge, they immediately approached, greeting them enthusiastically. “Boss Liu, Director Mei. I am Luo Tianping, Director of the Municipal Health Bureau Office. This is my colleague, Cao Rui. Here is my identification.”

Liu Hui extended his hand, shaking Director Luo’s hand warmly. “We appreciate the leadership from the Municipal Health Bureau coming to our hospital to guide our work!”

Mei Peng took the ID badge while standing behind the two Health Bureau officials, quietly instructing the guard to call and verify their identities. HanTang Hospital was currently under intense scrutiny; every step required extreme caution.

“Boss Liu, I am here today under the commission of our Bureau Chief, Su Yuanshan, specifically to invite you to the Health Bureau as our guest,” Director Luo stated the purpose of his visit.

“Oh, Chief Su invites me over for a visit?” Liu Hui glanced at the guard, who nodded subtly in response.

“Haha, what a coincidence. I was just preparing to visit the leadership at the Health Bureau to report on our work. Please wait a moment, gentlemen; I will gather my things and depart immediately.”

“Very well, we will wait for Boss Liu downstairs.”

Mei Peng led Director Luo and his colleague to the reception lounge, arranging for attendants to serve tea and keep them company.

Liu Hui summoned the head of security upstairs. The guard captain was Wu Yuanjia, a retired soldier currently overseeing all hospital security. Wu Yuanjia was highly capable, and Liu Hui held him in high regard.

“Captain Wu, I have to step out for a moment; please accompany me.” Times were different now; it was safer to have company when leaving. Bringing Wu Yuanjia along provided an extra layer of protection, as Liu Hui valued his life highly.

“Yes, Boss,” Wu Yuanjia replied concisely.

Due to the overwhelming workload, the hospital had not yet managed to purchase new vehicles. The old ‘Santana’ left over from the previous administration was clearly incompatible with the hospital’s new image. Therefore, Liu Hui and Wu Yuanjia decided to ride with Luo Tianping.

The car slowly drove into the Health Bureau compound. Luo Tianping led Liu Hui to the Bureau Chief’s office, while Cao Rui naturally received Wu Yuanjia, escorting him to a meeting room. Chief Su, in his fifties, appeared quite amiable. Another young man was present in his office.

“Chief Su, this is Boss Liu from HanTang Hospital. Boss Liu, this is our Health Bureau Chief Su.” Luo Tianping made the introductions but omitted mentioning the younger man.

“Little Luo, thank you for your efforts; you may step out now,” Chief Su said with a smile, nodding toward Luo Tianping.

Luo Tianping turned and quietly closed the door to the Chief’s office before attending to Wu Yuanjia in the conference room.

“Boss Liu, please have a seat,” Chief Su offered Liu Hui a seat. The young man beside him immediately poured a cup of hot tea and placed it on the table in front of Liu Hui.

“Chief Su is too kind. May I ask why you wished to see me?”

“Boss Liu, allow me to introduce the gentleman next to me first. This is Qin Guohua, Secretary to the Municipal Party Committee’s Health Secretary. I called you here because Secretary Wei wishes to meet you. Little Qin was specifically sent to my office to escort you.”

“Party Secretary Wei wants to see me?” Liu Hui asked, looking confused.

“More accurately, he wishes to understand the current situation at HanTang Hospital from you, Boss Liu,” Secretary Qin added from the side.

“Boss Liu, your HanTang Hospital is famous now; it has even alerted the Municipal Party Secretary. If HanTang Hospital faces any difficulties, this is the perfect opportunity to present them to Secretary Wei. However, I must admit, I am quite curious—how did world-leading technology suddenly appear within our local hospitals?” Chief Su exclaimed, mingled with significant regret. His state-owned hospitals and research institutions fought fiercely for research funding, yet when results were needed, they proved utterly incapable, shrinking back the fastest.

“The success HanTang Hospital has achieved is inseparable from the care and support of the leadership at the Municipal Health Bureau,” Liu Hui replied humbly. He understood the principle that flattery works both ways.

“It seems Little Liu is a straightforward person,” Chief Su remarked, equally pleased. The achievements of HanTang Hospital reflected positively on him as the head of the supervising department, allowing him to share in the glory. In his good spirits, his address shifted from "Boss Liu" to "Little Liu."

“Chief Su, perhaps we should head over right away? Secretary Wei has been waiting,” Secretary Qin reminded him gently.

“Oh, right, look at me rambling. We will leave immediately. Little Liu, are you ready?”

“I am ready; let’s go!” Liu Hui nodded.

Liu Hui, Chief Su, and Secretary Qin rode in the car dispatched by the Municipal Party Committee, while Wu Yuanjia and Chief Su’s secretary rode in the Health Bureau car behind them. The Health Bureau and the Municipal Party Committee were not far apart, and the vehicles soon entered the Party Committee building complex.

Secretary Qin escorted Liu Hui and Chief Su to Secretary Wei’s office. Secretary Wei appeared to be under fifty, of medium build, wearing glasses, exuding an air of refined scholarly charm, and looking very energetic.

Seeing Secretary Qin bring in Liu Hui and Chief Su, he smiled warmly. “This must be Mr. Liu Hui, the rising star of Bashan? Indeed, you are young and accomplished. Chief Su, your work has been lacking. Such an outstanding talent under your purview, and we only learned about it after foreign media reported it.”

Chief Su looked somewhat embarrassed and immediately offered a self-criticism: “We have been a bit lax in our duties lately, paying insufficient attention to the medical units under our charge. We will correct this immediately and plan to dispatch personnel to various medical service units to understand their situations, resolve their practical difficulties, and provide logistical support and professional encouragement.”

Secretary Wei glanced at Chief Su, then turned to Liu Hui. “Mr. Liu Hui has made a tremendous contribution to our Bashan. I hope you don’t mind if I call you Little Liu?”

“It is my honor; of course, I do not mind!” Liu Hui answered cautiously.

“Please sit, let’s talk seated. I’m a terrible host. Little Qin, please bring out the Pre-Qingming Longjing tea that Old Secretary Ma gave me previously, so our Little Liu can have a taste.” Secretary Wei gestured for Liu Hui and Chief Su to sit down.

Secretary Qin poured two cups of hot tea and placed them on the table in front of Liu Hui and Chief Su, then quietly exited, gently closing the office door.

“Little Liu, I never expected you to conquer the scientific puzzle of AIDS, nor did I expect you to be so young. I have a daughter about your age, but she spends her days drifting listlessly, lacking ambition. Compared to your achievements, hers is worlds apart,” Secretary Wei mused sentimentally.

“Most of my success is due to luck. Under your guidance, his daughter’s future accomplishments will certainly not disappoint you,” Liu Hui replied modestly.

“Little Liu, one shouldn't be overly modest. The main reason I summoned you here is to understand the situation at HanTang Hospital.” Having concluded the pleasantries, Secretary Wei moved directly to the main topic.

“I once discovered a secret formula in an ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine text. Out of curiosity, I conducted some research and found it had therapeutic effects against AIDS. Later, I met Mr. Johnson from the United States and cured his AIDS. I then leveraged his fame in America to hold a press conference announcing my hospital. HanTang Hospital was only established less than a month ago; its predecessor was Bashan Liren Hospital.” Liu Hui narrated this story with increasing smoothness.

“I see, so that is how it happened. Chief Su from the Health Bureau is also here. Does your hospital have any difficulties? Tell Chief Su about them so he can help resolve them,” Secretary Wei pondered for a moment.

“During the press conference, we mentioned our plan to select 200 impoverished AIDS patients within the country each year for free treatment. We hope the government can support this effort by helping us jointly screen this list.”

“It is commendable that you have this spirit of serving society; this is a good deed. The treatment costs for 200 patients amount to nearly 200 million RMB, so of course, we support it. I will instruct the relevant departments to contact you and ensure this beneficial endeavor is carried out well,” Secretary Wei said with a smile.

“Furthermore, our hospital charges differently for domestic and international patients. Therefore, some people from other countries might falsely claim Chinese nationality. I hope municipal government departments can assist us in verifying patient identities to prevent opportunists from exploiting loopholes.”

“That is not a problem. We will hold a meeting to discuss how to proceed to provide you with the necessary convenience. Your approach reflects a matter of national treatment standards, which we must support. After so many years, something good has finally happened in China where domestic treatment standards surpass international ones—it is the first time people might fraudulently claim Chinese nationality. Anything else?”

“I can’t think of anything else for now,” Liu Hui said, scratching his head.

“Chief Su, take note of everything Little Liu just mentioned. After we return, I will arrange for relevant departments to meet and discuss this, so we can reach a resolution as quickly as possible,” Secretary Wei instructed Chief Su.

“Understood, Secretary Wei; I have already taken notes,” Chief Su replied, already recording details in a notebook.

“Little Liu, your HanTang Hospital is a star enterprise of Bashan, making tremendous contributions to our city. Therefore, the Municipal Party Committee and Government have decided to offer you preferential policies to help you grow bigger and stronger, becoming an internationally renowned large-scale medical institution.”

“I thank the Municipal Party Committee and Government for their concern. May I ask what preferential policies are available for the hospital?” Liu Hui asked, intrigued.

“Since HanTang Hospital can treat AIDS, we will treat it as a high-tech enterprise. According to policy, we will grant a full three-year exemption from all taxes, followed by a 50% reduction in taxes for the next five years. Additionally, we will allocate 200 acres of land near HanTang Hospital free of charge for future expansion. If your hospital requires it, we are prepared to offer substantial loans. To guarantee your commercial secrets, we will grant you maximum autonomy in hospital oversight; no government department may enter your hospital under the pretext of inspection without your consent. Regarding infrastructure, we will improve the roads connecting the hospital to the city center and ensure an absolute, uninterrupted supply of water, electricity, and gas. We will also bolster security forces in the hospital vicinity to create a safe working environment for you. Moreover, any matter concerning the hospital can bypass bureaucracy via a green channel, coming directly to me. Little Liu, how do these policies sound to you?”

Liu Hui was stunned by the preferential terms. It wasn't the tax breaks for three to five years that impressed him—his hospital certainly wasn't short of cash—but rather the autonomy granted over the hospital. With this authority, no government department could enter for inspection, which would eliminate significant hassle and prevent the leakage of hospital secrets. However, Liu Hui had social experience; he didn't believe such a good deal existed without strings attached—there was no such thing as a free lunch. He thus asked, “Then what price must our hospital pay?”

“Aside from the 200 impoverished AIDS patients annually, your hospital must provide an additional 500 treatment slots for AIDS patients each year to the nation, regardless of whether they are domestic or international. Also, as an enterprise of Bashan, HanTang Hospital’s headquarters must remain located in Bashan City. This agreement is tentatively set for five years, after which we will discuss renegotiation based on the actual situation. This is the consensus reached by the higher-ups,” Secretary Wei stated calmly.

Liu Hui silently calculated. If he charged all 500 slots at the international rate, the annual value would reach 500 million US dollars. Even at the domestic rate, the value would be 500 million RMB. If he could secure a large supply of the drug, he could trade it for more treatment medication, significantly increasing the annual number of treated patients, making the tax exemptions more worthwhile. Moreover, his treatment liquid had virtually no cost; overall, he wasn't losing out, as securing the hospital’s independent autonomy was the best possible outcome. He realized he needed to seriously consider how to obtain the narcotics upon his return. Since this was a decision from the higher authorities, the policy should remain stable for a long time, benefiting his long-term development.

“Secretary Wei, HanTang Hospital plans to develop new medications in the future, covering treatments for other ailments. What policy would apply to our other drugs?” Liu Hui asked, hoping to probe the policy regarding developing cures for other currently intractable human diseases.

“Oh? You have the capability to research new drugs? How about this: once new drugs are successfully developed, we can discuss the matter then!” Without instruction from above, Secretary Wei was unwilling to commit easily.

“Very well, we can discuss it when the new drugs are ready for production then!” Liu Hui agreed. HanTang Hospital curing AIDS had already attracted worldwide attention; if another incurable disease were suddenly conquered by him, suspicion would inevitably arise. It was better to postpone the development of other drugs for now.

After finalizing the specifics of the cooperation with Secretary Wei, Liu Hui and Chief Su left the Municipal Party Committee building.

“Little Liu, I felt a kinship with you the moment we met. You must visit the Health Bureau frequently in the future,” Chief Su said. Having witnessed firsthand the importance Secretary Wei placed on Liu Hui, and knowing that Liu Hui had caught the attention of higher levels, he understood Liu Hui’s future was boundless and began consciously cultivating a good relationship.

“Thank you very much, Chief Su. I will certainly bother you often in the future.”

“Haha, it’s no trouble. Providing you with good logistical support is precisely our guiding principle.”

Liu Hui chatted with Chief Su for a few moments before parting ways. He was anxious to rush back and discuss with Mei Peng and the others to see if there were any hidden flaws in the policy and to plan future work arrangements.