money player

Flushing.

Huangfu Huafeng stood in front of a construction site, watching the construction workers hang a plaque and install it on two supports.

The sign was painted white with a string of red English words that read "New York First People's Hospital." It is the first branch of Elizabeth Hospital in the United States, a community hospital-level branch that mainly provides treatment for headaches and fevers to residents within a 10-mile radius, and also warmly welcomes patients with sexually transmitted diseases from all over the United States.

According to the latest report released by the Public Health Service, about 3 new cases of syphilis and 4 new cases of gonorrhea are reported per 1000 Americans. New York City has about 2 to 3 cases of syphilis and 3 to 4 cases of gonorrhea, making it a key area for prevention and control nationwide and placing an extremely heavy burden on public health.

The main reasons for the high incidence of sexually transmitted diseases at present are post-war population migration, open sexual attitudes, increased premarital sex, and a large sex worker population.

In particular, the prevalence of drugs has made drug users a significant source of infection. The syphilis infection rate among male drug users is 30%-50% and gonorrhea rate is 40%-60%, which is much higher than that of ordinary men. Female drug users and sex workers are at double high risk, with syphilis/gonorrhea infection rates of 50%-70%, making them an important source of family and mother-to-child transmission.

After watching the plaque being placed in place, Huangfu Huafeng lit a cigarette and walked westward.

After walking about 100 meters, he came to a tent, threw away his cigarette, picked up a surgical gown from the rack and put it on, put on a hat, protective goggles and a mask, and then opened the tent and went inside.

Inside the tent was a makeshift dissection table, on which lay a woman's corpse. Her chest cavity had been opened, and someone was using a scalpel to cut slices from various parts and examine them under a microscope.

The woman, codenamed Athena, was selected as a research subject from her first time working as a prostitute. She became a formal research subject after her first drug use. The researchers signed a contract with her, providing her with monthly compensation. All she had to do was cooperate with regular physical examinations and contribute the right to dispose of corpses.

Huangfu Huafeng studied Athena's face for a while, mourned briefly, and then walked up to Howard Lasker, the director of the People's Hospital, and began to discuss things with him in a low voice.

As more sections were examined, the scalpel finally set its sights on the head. The plastic surgeon made the first move, and Linhaf's Technika-III large-format camera clearly captured Athena's face. Then, the scalpel deftly peeled away the skin with the skill of a butcher.

Hengyang Road.

In the office of Dingyuan Dental Clinic, Hong Yuqing and Chen Dingyuan of Elizabeth Dental Clinic sat facing each other.

“Mr. Chen, in the next three years, Elizabeth Dental plans to acquire or establish no fewer than twenty dental clinics in Taipei, equipped with the most advanced equipment, adopt the most advanced international technologies, and conduct centralized procurement to reduce costs.”

Hong Yuqing stared intently at Chen Dingyuan's face. "Three years from now, the demand for dentures in Taipei will be controlled by Elizabeth Dental Clinic. I can use whomever I want."

Chen Dingyuan smiled faintly, "Mr. Hong, are you trying to force me to give up most of my shares in Dingyuan Pottery by using something that hasn't even happened yet?"

Hong Yuqing grinned, revealing a set of bright white teeth. "Mr. Chen, the term 'coercion' is too strong. I'm just stating a fact. My boss is Mr. Xian Yaowen, and his instructions to me are that Elizabeth Dental Clinic can't expect to make a profit for five years. I believe no other dental clinic can survive for five years without making money."

Chen Dingyuan's expression changed. "Mr. Hong, do you intend to use your own resources to harm someone?"

“If necessary, it’s not that we can’t do it,” Hong Yuqing said calmly.

Hotaru Bridge Tea House.

The teahouse, designed in the style of a traditional storytelling venue, has two floors. The main hall on the first floor is furnished with octagonal tables and benches, and tea servers dressed in short blue cotton jackets move around refilling water. The stage is located on the east side, covered with a red cloth, and equipped with a drum stand, a sanxian (a three-stringed plucked instrument) stand, and a microphone. There are stalls selling melon seeds, peanuts, and almond tea in the corner. The lighting is dim, relying on kerosene lamps and low-voltage electric lights.

The second floor is divided into small private rooms, with tickets costing three times more. The guests are mostly political workers, military officers' families, and businessmen. There are screens, and tea, snacks, and fruit can be ordered.

Sin Yiu-man sat by the window of a small private room, writing an investment proposal for Elizabeth Dental Clinic under the light of a kerosene lamp.

Elizabeth was short of funds, and he couldn't keep throwing money into a bottomless pit. Fundraising was necessary, and Jin Fugui Holdings had a strong backer, so he wanted to get in touch with them.

Although Jin Fugui Holdings can be considered his, Elizabeth Dental's fundraising from it is essentially a transfer of funds between two parties. However, the rules and procedures that must be followed cannot be omitted. This is not only about emphasizing the rules, but also a test for himself.

He knew the dental clinic had a bright future, but he only grasped the general direction and wasn't clear on every detail. He was investing money in a daze, without a clear understanding of the situation.

Writing an investment book is different. He must first clarify every detail in every aspect in order to put together compelling words that can persuade investors.

He had several thick books on dentistry beside him. He would write a paragraph and then stop for a while to open the books and look up relevant information.

Sitting opposite him was Long Xuemei, wearing glasses, holding an English version of "The Beehive" in her right hand, still smelling of ink, and twirling sunflower seeds in her left hand, enjoying the quiet moment.

After finishing a chapter, she took off her glasses, rubbed the bridge of her nose, and looked down at the stage.

At this moment, Zhang Cuifeng, a famous Jingyun Dagu (a type of storytelling with drum accompaniment), was playing the drum and singing "The Western Chamber." A dozen or so veterans from the mainland sat sparsely in the audience, silently shedding tears.

After watching for a while, Long Xuemei said, "It seems that Beijing-style drum singing is not very popular in Taipei."

Xian Yaowen looked up and glanced downstairs. “That’s normal. Jingyun Dagu is only really influential in Beijing and Tianjin. It doesn’t have much influence in the north, especially since most people here are from the south.”

“I heard ‘Dong Cunrui’ on the radio last time. It seems that there is a lot of promotion of Beijing-style drum singing in Beiping.”

"Okay, be careful next time you listen to mainland radio broadcasts."

“I can’t listen even if I want to, the signal is hard to get.” Long Xuemei paused, glancing at the pen in Xian Yaowen’s hand. “The master told me to relax, why aren’t you relaxing yourself?”

Xian Yaowen chuckled lightly, "I've already relaxed all day, so I'm taking advantage of this free time to get some things done. You don't need to worry about me, just relax."

Long Xuemei waved the book in her hand, "Reading this book made me feel a little depressed. I should have chosen a different one."

"Why not buy a copy of 'Eggs, Beans and Crumpets'? It's lighthearted, nonsensical, and makes you happy."

Long Xuemei said with a smile, "I've already finished reading it. It's still on my bedside table. I occasionally flip through it to read a chapter or two, but I don't dare to read too much, for fear of laughing and not being able to sleep."

Thank you for your support.

"Is this book a bestseller?" Long Xuemei smiled knowingly and asked the question.

"Fortunately, I've made about £11 so far."

“£12.4,” Long Xuemei corrected. “I just looked at the accounts sent from London this morning.”

“Hmm.” Sin Yiu-man nodded. “84 Charing Cross Road has published several best-selling books and is in good financial shape.”

"Sir, are you really going to acquire The Lancet?"

"The Lancet's intangible assets are very valuable, and it will not be easy to acquire them. We need to be prepared for a long battle."

“What about tangible assets?” Long Xuemei frowned slightly. “The Lancet doesn’t seem to bring much economic value.”

Xian Yaowen put down his pen, picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and said unhurriedly, "Your understanding of value is still too superficial. The Lancet's subscribers are doctors, hospitals, medical schools, and government agencies. This is a professional, affluent group with a rigid demand for information. They are willing to pay high subscription fees for authoritative content, which is a stable and predictable cash flow."

The Lancet is the most direct and effective channel to reach top doctors and healthcare decision-makers worldwide. Any company that wants to promote a new drug or device must advertise here.

Three years ago, the UK's National Health Service (NHS) had just been established, creating a massive, nationwide healthcare job market. The Lancet served as the official bulletin board for posting vacancies for senior doctors, consultants, and specialists; this advertising revenue was enormous, stable, and continuously growing, almost monopolistic.

Sin Yiu-man put down his teacup. “From a value perspective, The Lancet is an instant financial generator.”

To date, The Lancet has built up a reputation over 128 years. It is an impossible task for any competitor to build a brand that can compete with it from scratch. This moat is bottomless.

Because of its irreplaceable position, a publisher can confidently raise subscription and advertising prices without worrying about losing customers. It defines market prices, rather than being priced by the market.

Regardless of its previous size, once it owned The Lancet, it immediately became a leader in the global medical publishing field.

Acquiring The Lancet would give the publisher a market position that is virtually unchallenged.

From a value perspective, *The Lancet* is a strategic market moat.

Sin Yiu-man paused for a moment, then continued, "The title of publisher of The Lancet is itself a golden brand, which can greatly enhance the publisher's credibility and value in the eyes of banks, investors and partners."

Publishers can leverage The Lancet brand to cross-sell or create new products, such as launching a new cardiology textbook that can be advertised as 'authoritatively produced by The Lancet's publisher'.

It is also possible to establish a series of new specialty journals, such as The Lancet Neurology, which have enjoyed unparalleled credibility since their inception.

In addition, the world's best medical editors, authors, and managers are drawn to work for this publishing house that owns The Lancet.

The brand value of The Lancet will extend to the publisher's entire business portfolio.

From a value perspective, The Lancet has a huge brand halo effect.

Acquiring The Lancet is not just about buying a magazine; it's about acquiring a network connecting the world's leading minds. The publisher gains easy access to Nobel laureates, top surgeons, public health policymakers, and deans of major medical schools.

Through its editorial and peer reviewer network, the publisher can stay abreast of the latest developments, future trends, and industry pulse in medical research. This is crucial for developing business strategies and identifying new publishing opportunities.

The Lancet's editorials can directly influence government health policies, and this influence makes the publisher not just a commercial entity, but a significant player in society.

From a value perspective, The Lancet is an invaluable gateway to the elite online world.

The Lancet already has a wide readership in Commonwealth countries and the United States, and the publisher can leverage its existing international distribution channels to promote its other books and journals.

Based on The Lancet's brand, it can expand into multiple fields such as conferences, education, and data services in the future.

From a value perspective, *The Lancet* serves as a growth platform for future development.

Sin Yiu-man shrugged and spread his hands. "That's the value of The Lancet. 84 Charing Cross Road will be entering the field of professional journals in the future, and The Lancet will be a good stepping stone."

Long Xuemei smiled shyly, "Master, I still have much to learn."

Xian Yaowen gently patted Long Xuemei's hand and whispered comfortingly, "Amei, you've done very well. Don't rush, take your time." (End of Chapter)