Chapter 128: A Unique ‘crematorium’!
Chen Linliang was an attending physician in Professor Liang Guocheng’s group, with a thin face, distinct features, sharp eyes, and a clear jawline.
He replied cautiously, “An original and effective clinical suturing technique is certainly sufficient to support it; this kind of paper has little to do with impact factors.”
Generally speaking, the quality of a paper is related to the impact factor of the journal in which it is published.
Papers on suturing techniques generally cannot be published in high-impact journals, and the actual clinical significance of such papers cannot be measured by impact factors.
Lu Cheng was indeed not young; by the time he finished his doctorate, he might be thirty-five or thirty-six, but if he had original suturing techniques on his resume, it would be quite impressive.
After all, there are not many well-known suturing techniques in hand surgery worldwide.
Of course, Chen Linliang did not dwell on this and instead signaled to Lu Cheng, “Xiao Lu, have you finished adding each other on WeChat?”
“I’ve finished, Brother Liang,” Lu Cheng replied, looking up and putting away his mobile phone.
Chen Linliang hinted, “Finish adding them quickly and go after the boss; Professor Zhong is in a good mood today.”
“Yeah, right, Brother Lu, you should go find Teacher Zhong,” another doctoral student named Suo Bo also quickly made way, leaving a path for Lu Cheng.
Lu Cheng then said, “Brother Liang, everyone, I’ll head over now, and we’ll get together again next time…”
Lu Cheng did indeed have some things to discuss with Professor Zhong.
…
It was ten forty in the evening; the sky was dark, the lights were brilliant, and the streetlights were intermittently even dazzling.
Near a residential area close to Xiehe Hospital, branches swayed, and occasionally insects bothered Lu Cheng’s arms. Lu Cheng let his hands hang down and then gently shook the mosquitoes away.
Professor Zhong Junyun, with his hands behind his back, walked a few more steps before nodding: “A person without integrity cannot stand; without filial piety, there is no virtue. Your idea is correct.”
“Since the inspiration for this suturing technique comes from Xiangya Hospital, and Xiangya Hospital has invested a lot of time and effort, then as you said, take the research project back and work on it.”
“If you hadn’t brought this up, it would have been fine for you to stay,” Zhong Junyun sighed softly.
In Zhong Junyun’s view, it didn’t matter whether it was Xiangya or not. What Xiangya Hospital could do, Xiehe Hospital could also do. Whoever achieved it first was superior, and he didn’t care who failed.
However, Lu Cheng’s perspective was different. Lu Cheng recounted that Professor Tong Yuan’an at Xiangya Hospital had taught him a great deal, not only teaching him the Tajima Suturing Technique but also new techniques created at Xiangya Hospital.
Without these two techniques, Lu Cheng’s current ‘suturing technique’ would not be possible.
No one dislikes someone who knows how to repay kindness. Instead, Lu Cheng was taking this opportunity to make a clean break from his past experiences.
Zhong Junyun couldn’t force Lu Cheng either, especially since the crematorium period was still ongoing, and Lu Cheng hadn’t explicitly changed his mind.
Zhong Junyun found himself in a difficult position.
Of course, after Professor Zhong Junyun finished speaking, he added, “Lu Cheng, you said you still want to be promoted to Deputy Senior before improving your academic qualifications.”
“Are you sure you can achieve this through self-study?”
Lu Cheng lowered his chin, his expression respectful. After a long polite conversation with Zhong Junyun, he finally stopped being excessively modest: “Teacher, it’s not entirely self-study; careful guidance from teachers is also needed.”
“Combining teaching with private practice and clinical operations is the path I took.”
Lu Cheng did not exaggerate but simply stated that this was how he had come.
This was more convincing. Zhong Junyun pondered for another moment before slowly nodding: “Perhaps your approach is correct; the surgical starting point we encounter at our hospital is too high!”
“Without the Deputy Senior title, one cannot perform any truly serious surgeries. We might really need to adjust the quantity and types of teaching surgeries.”
“However, if we adjust the quantity and types for teaching, it becomes troublesome for patients who genuinely need it and have special circumstances to be admitted for treatment sooner.”
“It’s also difficult to balance.”
The diseases handled by Xiehe Hospital Hand Surgery were those that prefectural city hospitals or other ordinary provincial level tertiary hospitals could not manage.
It wasn’t that Zhong Junyun deliberately inflated the surgical starting point to highlight his department’s capabilities; it was a passive choice based on the patients who sought treatment.
If they could perform complex procedures and patients came to them, Zhong Junyun and his colleagues couldn’t just ignore it. It would be worse to admit patients that ordinary hospitals could handle…
Lu Cheng quickly said, “Teacher, this is just my personal learning experience; it doesn’t need to be applied to others.”
“The hospital’s teaching model has been summarized by many seniors; we definitely cannot change it because of my individual case.”
Lu Cheng had to explain that others didn’t have a ‘panel’ that could strengthen them by treating illnesses. If Zhong Junyun were to apply his model to others, it would harm them.
Zhong Junyun raised his chin and looked at Lu Cheng: “But you have no research foundation. I’m afraid you won’t be able to complete this research project alone. And if you have to rely on others for everything, I’m afraid you’ll suffer.”
“This is a bit difficult. If I were to assign a doctoral student to assist you, it wouldn’t be proper…”
“Do you have anyone in mind?”
After hearing this, Lu Cheng’s eyebrows shot up, and he looked at Zhong Junyun: “Teacher, do you know something?”
Zhong Junyun wasn’t just hinting; he was almost directly naming Mu Nanshu.
“Why don’t you tell me?” Zhong Junyun said.
Fine, fine, I’ll give you everything you want!
Lu Cheng didn’t hesitate then. He had actually considered asking Mu Nanshu to help him with the research project, and she would likely be willing.
With her backing him up, he wouldn’t have to rely too much on Tong Yuan’an’s “influence,” which would give him a significant advantage in terms of author order on papers.
A gentleman helps others achieve their goals. Lu Cheng didn’t understand how Professor Zhong Junyun knew about his relationship with Mu Nanshu and made this suggestion.
Lu Cheng still pleaded, “Teacher, I know a suitable candidate, Associate Researcher Mu Nanshu, who works in the Gastroenterology Department Laboratory. She is my classmate…”
“I can persuade her privately to help out. If she agrees, I hope you can speak well to Professor Dong Chang of the Gastroenterology Department to help me…”
Many hands make light work. If Lu Cheng wanted to move forward, he couldn’t go it alone.
It was unrealistic for one person to complete a research project independently.
“Alas, if only you had received formal education earlier…” Zhong Junyun looked at Lu Cheng with emotion and some pity.
Firstly, it could be confirmed that Lu Cheng’s attitude towards learning and his aptitude were not problematic. Talent aside, his understanding and perceptiveness alone made Zhong Junyun feel that Lu Cheng had been held back.
Lu Cheng smiled and replied, “Teacher, everyone has their own karma. I am still young.”
“Actually, my current path is also quite good. I’ve been promoted to Deputy Senior early, and I can earn some money… When I look for a job later after further studies, it will be a great advantage…”
“As you know, it’s very difficult and competitive to be promoted to Deputy Senior at Xiehe Hospital!”
Lu Cheng’s smile was sincere, without any self-pity.
The traditional academic path was certainly legitimate, but his unconventional path also gave him a significant advantage.
It was common knowledge that promotions were easier in rural areas. Once a professional title was obtained, it was nationally recognized and not demoted.
Lu Cheng’s work experience at the county hospital was rich in ‘grassroots’ experience. He would no longer have to go to the countryside for support, which was a blessing in disguise.
“Then what Xie Xiao mentioned about Huashan Hospital?” Professor Zhong Junyun, as if with some fixation, brought up the topic again.
Zhong Junyun cleverly avoided mentioning yesterday’s phone call. Since he had emerged from the crematorium period, he needed to pursue opportunities, not explain things.
