Chapter 161: A New Regime Replaces The Old
“Director Xiang, I feel quite good in the Emergency Department,” Lu Cheng replied.
As they spoke, the waiter began serving the dishes, which were small hot pots.
Three hot pots were ordered using alcohol stoves.
One pot was a soup pot of Wucao mushroom stir-fried with preserved meat, and another was a dry pot of beef stir-fried with tofu strips.
There were also side dishes such as shredded potatoes, cabbage, and pickled green beans.
It was eighty yuan per person, and side dishes were free.
The rice was truly “cauldron” rice, cooked in an old-fashioned pot with raw water. When the lid was lifted, the aroma of the rice was intoxicating, unlike anything an electric rice cooker could produce.
The waiter scooped out the fragrant, crispy rice crust, bringing a scent that no internet-famous rice crust could match.
About two minutes later, Xiang Kuihua pushed a cup of wine to Lu Cheng. It wasn’t Maotai, but a famous wine from Xiangxi, called “Guijiu.”
“Come, let’s have a drink,” Xiang Kuihua invited first, his face full of smiles.
Not wanting to offend someone with a pleasant disposition, and since Lu Cheng and Xiang Kuihua were not enemies, Lu Cheng agreed.
Xiang Kuihua said, “Xiao Lu, I truly understand you and I get you. During your time in our Orthopedics Department, you certainly didn’t receive any preferential treatment.”
“The skills you have now, you learned from outside, and we…”
“But ultimately, it’s because our department had too few patients. When the apprentice learns everything, they starve the master.”
“But that was in the past. Now, our Orthopedics Department is a bit different.”
“If you return to our Orthopedics Department, you will have better development.”
Lu Cheng replied, “Director Xiang, regardless of whether I practice hand surgery or not, what I encounter are primarily emergency conditions.”
“I haven’t learned techniques like flap transplantation in hand surgery, so I definitely can’t perform them.”
“The only emergency cases I’d wait for in hand surgery are those related to tendons or limb replantation. If that’s the case, I might as well wait in the Emergency Department.”
Lu Cheng was earnestly explaining his situation to Xiang Kuihua, but the key information Xiang Kuihua extracted was that Lu Cheng could be the chief surgeon for limb replantation.
Xiang Kuihua’s tone became exceptionally formal: “So, you can truly be the chief surgeon for limb replantation.”
Whether a hospital can independently perform limb replantation surgery is always the most standard procedure for evaluating the maturity of a hand surgery department.
If limb replantation cannot be performed, there’s no point in claiming a hospital has a hand surgery department; this is common knowledge in orthopedics.
“I can manage some,” Lu Cheng replied.
Xiang Kuihua laughed heartily, “Then our Orthopedics Department’s only master’s degree holder will truly become a joke.”
Peng Kun had a master’s degree in sports medicine, yet he messed up meniscus suturing. He wanted to learn hand surgery, but due to his impatience, the hospital suspended his surgical permissions.
Lu Cheng was now overtaking him, cutting off Peng Kun’s future development path.
Lu Cheng shook his head slightly, disagreeing with Xiang Kuihua’s assessment, “Young Master Kun still has the talent to learn; he can learn slowly.”
“Who would he learn from? Are you willing to mentor this ticking time bomb?” Xiang Kuihua retorted.
Lu Cheng fell silent.
Originally, Lu Cheng was willing to mentor him. At first, Lu Cheng had quite a bit of trust in Peng Kun, as Peng Kun was obedient.
However, this person, while following Professor Tong Yuan’an, became too clever for his own good.
Lu Cheng, of course, disliked such people who resorted to petty cleverness.
Thinking back to the very first meniscus suturing case, it was likely that Peng Kun, confident that Tian Shan could cover for him, performed the surgery as the chief surgeon under his father’s name without even informing Tian Shan.
He must have found a justification for himself, thinking, “How can I improve without practicing?”
Seeing Lu Cheng’s silence, Xiang Kuihua decided to state his purpose directly: “Xiao Lu, we have no grudges between us, nor any insurmountable past conflicts.”
“Although there were some misunderstandings before, I’ve come to see you today specifically to resolve these misunderstandings!~”
“I actually know that you’ll be moving on to bigger things in the future.”
“You’ll be a higher-level physician in a higher-level hospital. Instead of waiting until you’re established to try and win you over, it’s better to resolve misunderstandings now.”
“More friends means more opportunities. Perhaps our department will develop hand surgery in the future, and we’ll need you, Xiao Lu, to come down and guide us.”
Xiang Kuihua was already aware that Lu Cheng would be participating in the prefecture-level medical personnel selection examination.
Given Lu Cheng’s current talent and absolute strength, Xiang Kuihua knew he couldn’t keep him locked down.
For some people, if you can’t keep them, you should befriend them.
“Director Xiang, I have never had any ill intentions towards you. My mindset has always been the same as I stated at the beginning.”
“If I don’t know a technique, I won’t lament my incompetence. But if I do know it, I prefer to trust my own skills.”
Lu Cheng placed his hands on his thighs, sitting up straight: “Manual reduction is one of the most classic and typical treatment methods for fractures and joint dislocations.”
“These have been refined through history.”
“And they are fundamental components of treating complex fractures.”
Xiang Kuihua nodded, “Yes, I know. I do it now, I’m still doing it, and I will continue to do it!”
“If I hadn’t systematically learned manual reduction, I wouldn’t have been able to overtake Director Peng.”
“My only blind spot currently is pelvic fractures.”
“I’m not here today to discuss manual reduction with you.”
“After all, we’re colleagues. Speaking of which, we don’t have any old grievances, and I haven’t targeted you…”
“What do you think, Xiao Lu?” Xiang Kuihua looked at Lu Cheng with great kindness.
Lu Cheng smiled and replied, “Director Xiang, you surely wouldn’t target a small figure like me.”
Xiang Kuihua emphasized, “Director Peng’s opinion is just his opinion, it doesn’t represent the entire Orthopedics Department’s stance.”
“But Director Peng is Director Peng. He currently has the power to influence major decisions in the department, so we cannot make any decisions that go against him.”
“However, we have conveyed our attitude to you; Director Peng is just Director Peng.”
…
As he watched Xiang Kuihua leave, Lu Cheng felt a deep sense of emotion.
China has an ancient saying: “One emperor, one court.”
Peng Haibo hasn’t even stepped down from his directorship yet, and it seems his subordinates are already pursuing their own interests.
Of course, Lu Cheng had no intention of getting involved in the mess within the Orthopedics Department; he was quite content in the Emergency Department.
After drinking, Lu Cheng couldn’t drive, so he sent a message to Mu Nanshu.
After finding out Mu Nanshu’s location, Lu Cheng took a taxi in her direction.
Mu Nanshu was dining with Mu Leng and Yan Sangyue. Although Lu Cheng had already eaten, Uncle Mu and Aunt Yan invited him, and Lu Cheng readily joined them.
“Uncle and Aunt, I apologize. A colleague invited me for a drink, and we had some misunderstandings, so I went to chat for a bit,” Lu Cheng explained after taking his seat.
Mu Leng quickly said, “It’s okay, you’ve come at the perfect time, we’ve just started serving!~”
“You’ve already had one drink, can you have some more?”
“We only had one cup, mainly for conversation. I can have another with Uncle Mu,” Lu Cheng said with a smile, taking off his jacket.
Lu Cheng’s capacity was one jin, and he had only consumed two liang so far, with plenty of room left.
Yan Sangyue advised, “Don’t drink too much. Just have one to enjoy yourself.”
After speaking, Yan Sangyue asked Lu Cheng, “Xiao Lu, Xiao Shu mentioned that you’re currently working on a clinical research project. It seems to be quite substantial?”
Mu Nanshu interjected, “Mom, you don’t really understand.”
“It’s not about the size, it’s about innovation.”
“The tendon suturing technique is an enhancement of existing methods, but the suturing technique for actual organs is a true original, something most people can’t do.”
“Of course, Lu Cheng also has a certain weakness: he has had too little exposure to scientific research and is not proficient in the basic procedures.”
Lu Cheng nodded, “Yes, that’s why I still need Xiao Shu to help a lot. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even know which way to turn.”
Mu Leng and Yan Sangyue were not unworldly and looked at Mu Nanshu, “If you don’t understand anything, how can you innovate?”
Mu Nanshu tapped her temple, “Postgraduate studies are a learning experience and to some extent represent a person’s learning aptitude, but they don’t entirely define a person’s talent.”
“Talent is something that defies reason.”
Lu Cheng poured a small cup of wine with the shared wine dispenser and chuckled, “Xiao Shu, don’t praise me so much in front of Uncle and Aunt.”
“Speaking of which, I’m not exactly talented.”
“Uncle and Aunt know me inside and out.”
“My talent is quite ordinary. Otherwise, how could I be in this position now?”
What outsiders see of a person is their position, ability, and level.
So-called aptitude and talent are quantified based on these factors, and there is no specific standard to make them immediately apparent to others.
Mu Leng smiled, “Xiao Lu does have talent, it’s just that his luck has been a bit poor.”
Yan Sangyue then called out, “Come, come, Xiao Lu, have some food, have some food. Let’s chat while we eat, don’t be shy.”
Mu Nanshu first picked up a piece of cabbage, put it in her mouth, thought carefully, and then said with her head down, “Dad, why do you think I’ve been able to stay in Long County for so long, and can even go to Jishi City to accompany you in two days?”
“Meaning I can go wherever I want?”
Mu Leng said, “Isn’t it to work on the research project? Do you only have suitable laboratories in Jishi City?”
Mu Nanshu affirmed Mu Leng’s answer but then asked, “It is to work on the project, but why couldn’t the previous project be moved back to be done here?”
Mu Leng and Yan Sangyue hadn’t thought about this question carefully. For them, they had no expectation for Mu Nanshu to bring glory to the family or achieve exceptionally high accomplishments.
If Mu Nanshu was willing, staying in Jishi City with them would be nice. Naturally, if Mu Nanshu decided to settle in Hanshi City, they might move to Hanshi City for their retirement.
Mu Leng and Yan Sangyue fell silent.
Mu Nanshu said, “It’s like this, research projects are specifically categorized, generally into basic and applied types.”
“The most important are basic types, for example, studying various cellular pathways in the lab. But the ones closest to clinical practice, that can be immediately applied to patients, are applied types.”
“Basic research projects have future potential, usable in forty to fifty years. Applied research projects are near-term, potentially usable in clinical practice after four to five years.”
“What Lu Cheng and I are doing are applied clinical research projects. Only a very, very small number of people can produce meaningful applied research projects in their lifetime.”
“Their near-term future is foreseeable, and their impact on clinical practice is significant, which is why they are highly valued.”
What Mu Nanshu was saying was a bit too abstract, and even Lu Cheng couldn’t fully understand it.
Mu Leng and Yan Sangyue, being laypeople, were even more confused.
Mu Nanshu continued, “Meaning, because this research project is important enough, Xiehe Hospital is willing to assign me here to work on it with Lu Cheng.”
“Otherwise, it’s not something I could just apply for an external transfer to work on.”
“Based on this, both Lu Cheng and I can gain significantly.”
Yan Sangyue, hearing that Mu Nanshu could also benefit, perked up and asked, “Is this research project that good? Better than the ones you’ve done before?”
Mu Nanshu shook her head, “Not necessarily, but it’s more direct. After completing it, it will influence clinical treatment decisions.”
“To put it more plainly, after completing these two research projects, I should be able to be promoted to Senior Researcher.”
“As for Lu Cheng, he can at least be promoted to Senior Researcher safely. If he’s willing to continue his studies, using these papers for his doctoral graduation would be extremely luxurious.”
“He might even gain some recognition within the entire industry.”
Mu Leng became serious, and after sharing another small drink with Lu Cheng, he asked, “What kind of recognition are you referring to?”
Mu Nanshu elaborated, “From a long-term development perspective, if Lu Cheng wants to become a professor, no one can stop him. But I’m only listed as a collaborator; I might still lack the accumulation needed to be promoted to professor based on this.”
“He will surpass me faster!~”
Mu Nanshu, being Mu Leng’s daughter, had of course explained to Mu Leng what an Associate Professor and a Professor are, and how difficult it is to become a Professor, requiring extensive accumulation.
Mu Leng looked at Lu Cheng with surprise a few times, his expression unsettled.
Yan Sangyue, on the other hand, was wondering if these words from Mu Nanshu were her daughter trying to leverage influence for Lu Cheng, or if she was stating factual information.
Lu Cheng smiled, “Nanshu, aren’t you exaggerating a bit?”
Mu Nanshu’s expression was very serious, “This is not an exaggeration, Lu Cheng!”
“If you think about it carefully, why would Chen Song from Xiangya and Associate Professor Tong Yuan’an be willing to cooperate with you?”
“Without mutual benefit, without interest, would they stay and work on this research project with you?”
“This goes beyond a teacher’s deep affection for an ordinary student.”
“Now, your relationship has surpassed that of a normal teacher and student; you have a collaborative relationship, where you can both benefit, and interests are involved… This is why they are indirectly working for you.”
“As my father said, the underlying logic for most things in society is mutual benefit. Even a good teacher-student relationship requires an exchange of interests.”
“He provides you with research funding, and you provide him with research output, while also accumulating more research and technical experience yourself.”
“Why do professors like individuals with high aptitude? Because the research feedback from such individuals is better.”
“In summary, Lu Cheng, although you don’t understand research, you’ve muddled through and almost put a vice-professor in a very difficult position.”
Lu Cheng shook his head, “It’s not that exaggerated…”
…
After the meal, Lu Cheng, Mu Leng, and Yan Sangyue returned first.
Mu Nanshu, however, walked with Lu Cheng along the riverside path beside Longcheng Bund.
Mu Nanshu was not wearing a braid or a ponytail today; her hair was loose!
As the weather cooled, she wore tight-fitting jeans, her slender legs walking along as she turned her head and said, “Tomorrow I’m going to Jishi City with my parents to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.”
“On National Day, my cousin is getting married. I’ll go to Jishi City first to find a suitable laboratory for experiments, and you can come then.”
Lu Cheng thought for a moment before asking, “Did Uncle Leng hear anything else when he was inquiring for me?”
Mu Nanshu and Mu Leng had stayed in Long County for a few days, and it was impossible they hadn’t discussed Lu Cheng’s participation in the selection examination.
The selection examination offers far more informal channels than the prefecture’s human resources and social security bureau’s public recruitment.
The selection examination is an internal test, and announcements are made internally, making it highly manipulable.
While one can achieve success through sheer force, inquiring about internal information beforehand is necessary.
Lu Cheng’s uncle, Lu Nanyong, had also been keeping an eye out for such information for Lu Cheng.
Mu Nanshu nodded, “There are no special bonus quotas for this selection examination, only quotas for internal medicine and surgery.”
“There are twelve positions in total for surgery, with only six allocated to Xiangzhou People’s Hospital, and the specializations covered are not fixed.”
“So, we need to go and inquire about it first.”
Mu Nanshu continued, “But you don’t need to worry, you should be quite stable.”
“No prefecture-level unit would refuse someone who brings their own research project.”
Lu Cheng thought about it seriously before nodding in silence, “I won’t refuse your help, but when necessary, you should also let me know.”
“Uncle Mu is outside the system, and more importantly, not in our profession. You are also not in our profession.”
“There may be things that Uncle Mu and you find difficult to handle, but it would be better for me to handle them personally.”
“There’s a huge difference between hearsay and a face-to-face conversation.”
“Besides, this is my own matter.”
Lu Cheng would not refuse Mu Leng’s offer to use his connections. Probing the situation in advance would certainly be more secure.
However, the demonstration of specific professional abilities is something that others cannot substitute for the individual.
Ultimately, as a leader, one needs subordinates with good social connections, as well as individuals who can diligently get things done.
“That’s for sure. You were able to convince Professor Zhong of Xiehe Hospital’s Hand Surgery Department. Professional matters definitely need you to handle them directly.”
“However, having an intermediary to bridge the gap would make things easier.”
“My dad has been in Jishi City for over ten years, so he knows some people,” Mu Nanshu said softly, in a good mood.
Lu Cheng remained silent for a moment before asking, “Book Bag, will these research projects truly be useful to you?”
Mu Nanshu replied, “Of course they’ll be useful. I’m highly likely to pursue a research-oriented career in the future. How can research projects and papers not be useful to pure researchers?”
“These are clinical research projects. If I gain experience participating in original clinical research projects, I will have priority in leading related clinical research projects in gastroenterology in the future.”
“I am very certain that these two research projects will be significant and influential!”
“Especially the one you are collaborating on with Professor Chen is original and will benefit many people.”
