Chapter 205: Where Did Lu Cheng Go?!
Prefectural People’s Hospital, Emergency Department, Senior Professional Title Office.
Xiao Zhaoxi took the cigarettes handed to him by Tian Zhiliang, lit one casually with a ‘pa,’ and said, “Zhiliang, what are your thoughts on this Xiao Lu? He’s been following you for two days.”
Tian Zhiliang rubbed his bald head and tapped it with his index finger, his face showing a hint of bitterness, “Director Xiao, you’ve really given me trouble.”
“What do you mean? Is he not useful?” Xiao Zhaoxi held his cigarette in his mouth, the tip bobbing as he spoke, his other hand holding a mobile phone, scrolling up and down.
“It’s not that he’s not useful, it’s that he’s even more impressive than the rumors say.”
Tian Zhiliang thought for a moment, his tone serious, “Director Xiao, a few days ago, that surgery in General Surgery, even though it wasn’t widely publicized, there were quite a few rumors within the hospital.”
“We’ve also discussed it privately and felt that this Lu Cheng must be a protégé of some big shot, and this incident is one of his perfectly timed opportunities to emerge.”
“After all, you know, everyone says Lu Cheng has no background and no academic qualifications.”
“Later, I reviewed Lu Cheng’s resume. The techniques he used to achieve good results in the skills competition must have been learned from somewhere.”
Xiao Zhaoxi nodded lightly, pinched the cigarette in his right hand, and put his phone in his pocket, “So what’s your conclusion?”
“Lu Cheng has no one behind him at all, or rather, he is exactly who we thought he was behind.”
“It’s a bit terrifying to think about!”
“A young man in his thirties, with a Bachelor’s Degree, experience in a county hospital, who originated suturing techniques – only online jokes would dare to describe it like this.”
Xiao Zhaoxi “took notice” of Lu Cheng not because he had conducted extensive background checks on him, but simply because of Mu Leng’s recommendation, along with what Xiao Zhaoxi had heard through hearsay.
When it comes to selection examinations, connections are welcome, relatives are welcome. As long as they can perform the most basic tasks, everything else is inconsequential. As long as they don’t make fundamental mistakes, everyone from top to bottom turns a blind eye.
No one expects to truly recruit any “experts” through the selection examination!
Because most such experts are brought in through talent acquisition.
Although Lu Cheng claims he’s working on a research project, who knows if he’s clung to some connections and been forcefully supported?
Xiao Zhaoxi has seen this kind of thing many times.
It’s no longer rare in China for elementary school students to write SCI papers.
As it was a matter of favors, Xiao Zhaoxi didn’t think too much about it. As long as Lu Cheng was passable, the Emergency Department was a tough assignment, and he didn’t expect anyone with real connections to apply, so he intended to turn a blind eye.
However, after seeing Lu Cheng’s written examination score, Xiao Zhaoxi was in a state of confusion. But after investigating Lu Cheng privately, he discovered something different.
How could Xiao Zhaoxi focus on “Lu Cheng,” who was recommended by his own relative, and treat Lu Cheng as the focus of his work and life with seriousness?
“He’s capable? Can you be more specific?” Xiao Zhaoxi’s tone became a little more serious.
A new colleague and a talented individual who can get things done entering a department have completely different treatment and planning.
Tian Zhiliang said, “When we were on shifts together in the Emergency Department, both the Hand Surgery and General Surgery staff at our hospital were very polite to Lu Cheng.”
“That definitely wasn’t faked.”
“Later, I privately inquired with them, and it turns out that last month, our province held a Microsurgery Skills Competition.”
“Lu Cheng, by himself, made it onto four lists, and he even refused to meet with a professor from General Surgery at Xiangya Second Hospital.”
“That’s a full professor, someone I don’t have the qualifications to queue up and meet.”
Tian Zhiliang said this, flicked the ash off his cigarette, and cleared his throat, “Anyway, I don’t think my brain can figure out what Lu Cheng is trying to do.”
“According to our hospital colleagues, Lu Cheng would have a great opportunity to go to a place like Xiangya Second Hospital, and a big shot would specifically mentor him.”
“But he didn’t agree and instead chose to participate in our hospital’s selection examination.”
“Director Xiao, can you figure it out?”
Everyone has their own world and circle. Strictly speaking, Xiao Zhaoxi and Tian Zhiliang’s circle is defined by a radius centered on their homes and workplaces; most of their activities and the people they interact with are within this circle.
Lu Cheng is an outsider, someone they haven’t interacted with much before, or even known.
But when it comes to putting himself in another’s shoes, Tian Zhiliang couldn’t understand Lu Cheng.
“I don’t understand either,” Xiao Zhaoxi thought to himself, “Actually, I understand even less than you do.”
On the surface, the gap between Lu Cheng and Mu Nanshu, Mu Leng’s daughter, is so large. If Lu Cheng had an opportunity to enter a comparable tertiary hospital, why wouldn’t he?
Unless, as Mu Nanshu said, working on a research project in Jishi City is a major project, even a major project that would be extremely useful to Mu Nanshu.
But how could such a project fall into Lu Cheng’s lap?
Tian Zhiliang suddenly said, “Director Xiao, setting aside these incomprehensible aspects, overall, Lu Cheng’s professional ability is absolutely not an issue.”
“If he can join our department, he could even cover your shifts and practice independently.”
Xiao Zhaoxi glanced at Tian Zhiliang and said, “This time, we had no choice. The other two didn’t come for the follow-up second round of examination, so he’s the one we’re getting, whether he’s good or not.”
Tian Zhiliang quickly said, “Director Xiao, I didn’t mean that.”
Xiao Zhaoxi also felt he was being too sensitive, as if he were confessing something inadvertently, “Did Lu Cheng say anything else to you?”
Tian Zhiliang replied, “He actually did. Lu Cheng asked me about how our hospital’s Emergency Department carries out specialized surgeries and what basic conditions are needed.”
“Of course, this is understandable. When Lu Cheng was at Long County People’s Hospital, he was performing surgeries normally, so he would be a little unaccustomed to our Emergency Surgery here.”
“Then how did he reply?” Xiao Zhaoxi continued to press.
Tian Zhiliang frowned, recalling carefully, “Lu Cheng’s reply was quite extensive and fragmented.”
“To summarize, Lu Cheng’s meaning is that if the specialty department cannot handle a certain disease type, or finds it difficult to handle, he can take the time to step in.”
Xiao Zhaoxi’s expression darkened, and after a moment of contemplation, he sighed, “Then he’s truly a restless fellow.”
“Looking at it this way, Lu Cheng choosing to come to our hospital does indeed have something he’s planned.”
Tian Zhiliang said jokingly, “Director Xiao, do you think Lu Cheng feels that top hospitals are too hard to navigate, so he wants to be a director in a prefectural city hospital?”
Tian Zhiliang wanted to be a director, but his imagined competitors had never been Lu Cheng.
But that was before. Now, Tian Zhiliang is certain that if they were to compete in a relatively fair manner, his only advantages would be his length of service and seniority.
Xiao Zhaoxi glanced at Tian Zhiliang and pressed out his cigarette butt, “Are you afraid he’ll take your position?”
Tian Zhiliang quickly shook his head, “Director Xiao, your words are too serious. No position belongs solely to me.”
Tian Zhiliang wouldn’t dare to say that the director’s position was his own; that would be disrespectful to everyone else in the department.
Becoming the Director of the Emergency Department, either through internal promotion or by being appointed from General Surgery, requires consideration of many factors.
“Let’s not talk about these things. If Lu Cheng comes and can truly change the situation in our hospital’s Emergency Department, then that’s something I’d like to see.”
“Our Emergency Surgery department hasn’t performed its own surgeries independently for too long!” Xiao Zhaoxi said with a sigh.
Xiao Zhaoxi’s words made Tian Zhiliang pause, looking at the Director with surprise, thinking to himself.
Director Xiao doesn’t seem as passive and complacent as he appears. Xiao Zhaoxi is just helpless, so he has to be worldly and go with the flow.
…
On the highway, Lu Cheng was driving and asked Mu Nanshu, “How is Teacher Xie learning the techniques? Will she be able to participate in the provincial competition?”
Mu Nanshu replied, “The progress is okay, not very proficient yet, but the measurement data is already better than her own improved Tang method.”
“What she needs to do first is to get a ticket for the tendon suturing track. The suturing techniques for parenchymal organs can be learned later.”
“Sister Xie is also very dedicated.”
“Didn’t you say this technique is very advantageous, and you don’t need to be very proficient to achieve better suturing quality than other techniques?”
Lu Cheng replied comfortably, “You were the one who told me that Xie Yuan’an’s talent is average, and I was afraid she wouldn’t be able to learn it all.”
In front of Mu Nanshu, Lu Cheng didn’t need to reply cautiously; he said whatever came to mind.
“Average is also relative. Compared to the people in your department, Xie Yuan’an might not be that far behind.” Mu Nanshu said.
Lu Cheng chuckled, “Overall, that’s true, but if we go back a few years, it might not be the case!”
“Brother Zhang is getting older, otherwise his learning efficiency wouldn’t be too bad.”
Zhang Tiesheng is almost forty, so his learning ability will definitely not compare to when he was in his twenties. However, Zhang Tiesheng at that age was only concerned with romance.
“Currently, I’m still stalling Brother Zhang Tiesheng. It’s not that I’m afraid he’ll leak secrets, but I’m afraid he might inadvertently reveal something, which could lead to other complications.”
Mu Nanshu was also very relaxed at this moment and asked, “So, for this year’s Microsurgery Skills Competition, you must dictate who wins based on your plan?”
“Yes, I am that kind of villain.”
Lu Cheng nodded, “Based on my current understanding, Xie Yuan’an must win first place in the parenchymal organ suturing and tendon suturing tracks, and the six first-place prizes for the nerve and vascular suturing tracks must be swept by Xiangya Hospital.”
“Of course, there might be unexpected situations, for example, if the nerve suturing techniques at Xiehe Hospital are stronger than mine.”
“If not for this reason, I would be the mastermind behind the scenes, hahaha.”
Lu Cheng said the words of a true villain with a hearty laugh.
“Actually, it doesn’t seem to have much significance, does it?” Mu Nanshu thought carefully and replied.
Lu Cheng shook his head, “That’s just your opinion. Top institutions like Huashan Hospital and Xiehe Hospital are focused on the most cutting-edge surgical research and development in their specialties, such as functional reconstruction.”
“These two hospitals have been preparing for decades, each wanting to take the lead.”
“However, Xiangya Hospital is not slacking off, it’s just that its accumulation and foundation are relatively less sufficient.”
“But if they master new suturing techniques, then it’s uncertain who will lead in the future.”
Mu Nanshu said, “Then you didn’t go to claim the awards either.”
Lu Cheng said with great magnanimity, “My people will emerge from the Emergency Department, but my techniques can flourish in various specialized departments.”
Mu Nanshu smiled, “Then, in this way, you’re not a true villain anymore, are you?”
“Do you feel very vindicated?”
Lu Cheng said, “I don’t know, and I haven’t thought that much about it.”
“I understand what you mean. You think that I am currently in great need of fame, and I should have participated in the competition myself.”
Mu Nanshu nodded without reservation, “These empty honors are very useful in the industry!”
“Many people can’t even get them no matter how hard they try.”
Lu Cheng said, “I used to think the same way as you, but something that happened a while ago has made me even more convinced of my reasons for not participating.”
“When the water is shallow, there are too many turtles. I don’t want to be locked down by morality one day.”
“When you become famous, that’s when all the trouble starts.”
“But before you gain fame, everything you do that is beneficial to your personal development is in line with the rules, and no one will try to coerce you on moral grounds.”
“Who?” Mu Nanshu didn’t disbelieve Lu Cheng’s words.
Lu Cheng replied, “Director Du Qiang in our department now. The reason he can’t leave is that he’s not allowed to!”
Mu Nanshu rubbed her eyes, she was also a bit sleepy, “No wonder you told me before that prefectural city hospitals are hard to navigate and you don’t recommend I go to them.”
Lu Cheng gave a wry smile, “What I understood before was just the tip of the iceberg of the tip of the iceberg.”
“The operating rules of the big circles and the small circles in this world are completely different.”
“We can only slowly make our way!”
“Once the selection examination is settled, I will finally be free. After that, I will calmly settle down for a while.”
“I’ll focus on my research projects and my specialization. I won’t concern myself with anything else.”
Mu Nanshu said, “Professor Chen and Professor Tong both messaged me, saying that our preliminary preparations are complete.”
“I’ve also revised your two proposals, and we can submit them then, striving for you to earn some money in your own name.”
“Although it’s just a provincial-level research project, having experience leading a provincial-level project will make it easier for you to obtain higher-level projects in the future.”
“Your academic qualifications are not good, and you don’t have much accumulation yet, so you lack the general equivalent in the academic and research project fields.”
“Are the number of papers and research projects the money in the scientific research field?” Lu Cheng asked.
“Yes! To be realistic, that’s how it is.”
“The operating rules of the scientific research field are also like this. Although it’s also a larger makeshift structure, it currently follows these basic rules. If you have something to present, at least people will be polite to you on the surface.”
“But if you have nothing to present, even politeness will be absent.”
“So everyone is trying their best to publish articles, write papers, and apply for research projects,” Mu Nanshu said.
“Of course, in essence, it’s about innovation. Do you now understand how much power scientific research and originality have?”
“Because you are already a direct beneficiary,” Mu Nanshu felt there was no need to explain too much.
The Lu Cheng of the past obviously couldn’t understand.
But now, Lu Cheng deeply empathizes.
Professor Tong Yuan’an’s breakdown and ‘withdrawal,’ and Professor Chen Song’s ‘compromise’ in the face of Lu Cheng’s unconventional actions!
Why? Isn’t it a dimensional strike?
Scientific research is one of the few legitimate paths to achieve dimensional strikes and overtakes on a curve.
Other paths are not feasible for Lu Cheng, such as being the descendant of a super big shot, or a super rich second generation, etc.
Lu Cheng looked at his Skill Point Balance: 【72.3 points】
Matters outside of one’s specialization, regardless of the circumstances, will affect an individual’s learning speed and efficiency.
…
After returning to Long County, Lu Cheng immediately returned to his post and continued his usual rhythm.
However, unlike before, there were some surgeries that Lu Cheng could no longer perform.
A few days later, Lu Cheng saw the announced results and list for the prefectural selection examination.
The public announcement period lasted for one week, during which candidates could question the publicized content.
However, after the selection examination, there was no official document specifying when the archives would be transferred or when one would take up a position at the selected unit.
But it was definitely not something that could happen this year.
For a long time afterward, Lu Cheng was very busy.
Being busy with shifts was one aspect; when he had free time, he taught suturing techniques to Xie Yuan’an, Hu Yi, Han Yun Shen, and Xie Ziyuan.
When he had even more free time, Lu Cheng would run to the laboratory in Jishi City to work on animal experiment research projects with Tong Yuan’an, Chen Song, and others.
Meanwhile, at Long County People’s Hospital, Du Qiang continued to “cause trouble,” emphasizing in the department almost every day the importance of medical safety and that surgeries not meant for the Emergency Department should not be performed.
Anyone who dared to perform a “rule-breaking surgery” would be solely responsible!
Moreover, Du Qiang had repeatedly reported Lu Cheng, this “unconventional” element, to the hospital administration.
While reducing Lu Cheng’s clinical involvement at Long County People’s Hospital, he also amplified Lu Cheng’s presence in surgical work!
Initially, no one took it seriously.
But as ten days or half a month passed, many people gradually began to feel that perhaps Lu Cheng wasn’t that important.
After all, Long County People’s Hospital is just a county-level hospital. For someone like Du Qiang, doing his own job well is the responsibility of the Emergency Surgery department in a county hospital, not like Lu Cheng, who brings business that Orthopedics and General Surgery cannot handle into the Emergency Department.
This is, after all, a high-stakes gamble, and a single wrong bet could lead to endless trouble.
And even if the Emergency Department returns to its original state, even if splenectomies become routine, it will not cause any trouble!
County hospitals are supposed to be like this, aren’t they? Everyone else is like this, so what’s wrong with it?
If you complain, other hospitals are also like this. What Long County People’s Hospital is doing is considered good.
County hospitals allow for a lack of skill and permit referrals.
Some emergency conditions may result in death during the referral process. Not only spleen injuries and liver injuries, but also conditions like aortic dissection and intracranial injuries have a mortality rate, whether Lu Cheng is present or not…
Therefore, Lu Cheng is not that important.
However, while some people thought this way, others did not.
For instance, in late November, after Xie Yuan’an won first prize in the tendon suturing track, Professor Xie Xiao personally visited Long County to invite Lu Cheng for a meal to express her gratitude.
For another example, to accelerate the progress of the preliminary experiments, professors from Xiangya Second Hospital and Xiangya Hospital frequently visited Jishi City.
One reason was to gather experimental data, and the other was to collect evidence and ensure that the peer review, risk assessment, and Ethics Committee approval forms for the two suturing techniques were all thoroughly processed.
Once the formal Phase III clinical trials are approved, they can be officially implemented in clinical practice…
