Chapter 934

Zhou Weiguo also didn't conceal it, but he didn't say what he specifically discussed with the leader; he only brought up the medical insurance matter.

Chen Secretary immediately fell into thought, and after a few minutes said: "This child has a promising future! It seems our brains are still not enough, or perhaps we've long been detached from the grassroots, distanced from the common people, out of touch, unable to feel the hardships of the common people. On this point I think we should review, and it's also necessary to mention, to have these high-ranking officials go down and take a look, to see what the real living conditions of the common people under their jurisdiction are like."

Zhou Weiguo deeply agreed.

The two chatted a while longer about other work matters, and Chen Secretary said: "I plan to return to Modu for the New Year later today, and on the sixth day I will definitely rush back to cheer for my niece and nephew."

Hearing those words, Su Yang was startled again; it seemed the leader was down-to-earth, otherwise, according to his understanding, the leader should have said some very official terminology.

Zhou Weiguo said politely: "Look, look, you've already returned to Modu, just stay with your sister-in-law and keep the elders company for the New Year, and also bring me to pay New Year's respects to the elders. There's really no need to make a special trip back to Jingcheng."

Chen Secretary laughed and said: "I haven't attended anyone's wedding in a long time; this time it's also New Year, so I'll come to share in the joy. By the way, what did the institute leadership say? Will he go in person or not?"

Zhou Weiguo said: "The leader has already sent Su Yang a red envelope and written a piece of calligraphy for him. However, there might be an event then, he could be tied up, or there might be other arrangements."

Chen Secretary's eyes flashed with surprise: "The institute leadership actually gave this kid a piece of calligraphy? The last time I asked the leadership for a piece of calligraphy, they said he's now in a semi-closed state and hardly writes anymore."

"You kid really have such a great opportunity! Since that's the case, I, as your uncle, should also give something. I won't give you a red envelope, since I plan to be there to bless you. In that case, I'll just make a fool of myself."

Saying that, he turned and walked toward the study.

Zhou Weiguo immediately said: "Hurry up and thank Uncle Chen? You should know, Uncle Chen is a calligraphy master; if not for his status restrictions, his works could be held in calligraphy exhibitions worldwide."

Chen Secretary wielded his brush, ink flowing freely, and in one go two large characters leapt onto the paper. Su Yang leaned in to see; they read "original aspiration", with the signature being his name and the date and time.

"Weiguo, you shouldn't overpraise me; my calligraphy is just passable. If I didn't have this status, nobody would want it even if I put it on the street." After saying that, the two burst out laughing.

Su Yang actually couldn't judge the quality of the calligraphy, but frankly speaking, it's enough to surpass those so-called calligraphy masters on the market.

They stayed a while longer, seeing that it was dinner time, Zhou Weiguo said: "Old leader, I won't disturb you any further; it's getting late and might delay your flight."

Secretary Chen said: "It's fine, it doesn't delay anything. I can't even make dinner for you by myself, so I won't keep you."

After leaving Secretary Chen's house, Zhou Weiguo again took Su Yang to the Department Head of the Central Propaganda Department's home to pay New Year's respects. As Su Yang had imagined, the leader was very enthusiastic, but this time most of the conversation was with Zhou Weiguo in the study, with little talk about him.

Afterwards, they visited several other department heads, especially from the Ministry of Railways, and had a brief chat. Finally, he returned home together with Zhou Weiguo.

By the time they got home, it was already past 9 p. m. According to his usual habit, the old man would have already been asleep, but today he was still awake, waiting at home for Zhou Weiguo and Su Yang.

Not only was the old man awake, but the whole family hadn't slept either; they were all waiting.

After Zhou Weiguo and Su Yang returned, the old man told the others, "You go to sleep first; Zhou Weiguo, you and Su Yang come to my study."

Su Yang followed Zhou Weiguo into the old man's study. Although the old man's qigong cultivation was excellent, he couldn't help but ask: "How did it go? What did the institute leaders say? How was Su Yang's performance? This concerns the rise and fall of the Cultivation Clan, the next step for the clan's second-generation core, and the establishment of the third-generation core."

Zhou Weiguo said: "Su Yang's performance exceeded your expectations. This time he proposed something about universal healthcare, a medical security system—that is, to let ordinary Common People also be able to afford treatment. Moreover, he clearly explained the drawbacks and the necessity of implementing this medical insurance."

For example, he said that if medical insurance were made universal, it would be a huge burden on the state finances. Therefore, this medical insurance mechanism is not wholly subsidized by the state; instead, each year localities organize the Common People to enroll, and of course their premiums are only 5 or 10 yuan.

In this way, when they fall ill, they can enjoy 70% to 80% medical expense reimbursement through the medical insurance system. This gives those Common People who couldn't afford treatment and suffered from illness a reliable support. This pleased the leader who already cared about people's livelihood, and he repeatedly praised Su Yang.

Moreover, he said that regarding this medical insurance matter, it will likely be brought up for discussion in the coming days; after the meeting, experts, scholars, and relevant leaders will conduct multiple rounds of verification, and once verified, the soonest it could begin trial implementation would be after this year's two sessions.

To be frank, I didn't even think of this myself. If it were truly implemented, it would be a basic state policy—something that countless experts and scholars in policy research institutes have pondered for ages without coming up with, yet Su Yang managed to propose it.

This is something that could be recorded in the nation's developmental history, and in a family like ours, it goes without saying. Oh, and the institute leaders also gave Su Yang a wedding gift, saying he couldn't attend the wedding in person. Moreover, they presented him with a piece of calligraphy. Having said that, they had Su Yang open the writing he kept in his pocket for the old man to see.

After looking at these four vigorous and powerful characters, the old man clapped his hands repeatedly in approval: "Good! Good! Good! 'Ride the Wind and Break the Waves'—it seems the leaders' expectations for Su Yang are even higher than ours. This trip truly turned out to be a great opportunity for Su Yang. I think it's necessary to gather all members of the Cultivation Clan for a clan meeting and establish Su Yang as our clan's third-generation core."

Before his words had even finished, Su Yang quickly waved his hands: "Grandfather, this isn't possible! To be frank, in a big clan, someone of my status would be looked down upon by the vast majority."

Moreover, I haven't made any effort or contribution to the clan's development, and announcing my status now would actually be unfair to others. Furthermore, my current rank is still low; if it were made public, I would certainly become a target of criticism. So please, old man, withdraw your order, give me some more time, and give everyone a chance as well.