Chapter 374: Force Majeure

Zhao Jixiang did not tell his son that Ji Xiang had already applied for the Provincial Natural Science Foundation.

Young people are high-spirited; he was afraid that if he mentioned this, Zhao Tianjiao would become rash and walk off the path he had laid out for him.

After chatting with Zhao Tianjiao for a while, seeing his son's face glowing with excitement like a little lamb that had eaten coffee beans, bleating incessantly and refusing to circle back, Zhao Jixiang felt uneasy and forcibly ended the conversation, telling his son to get some rest early.

After Zhao Tianjiao fell asleep, Zhao Jixiang sat in the living room by himself, pondering over Ji Xiang.

Originally, at the level of a Dean, one would never even notice a Standardized Training Doctor; in Zhao Jixiang's eyes, the existence of a Standardized Training Doctor was like an ant.

Yet this tiny ant always popped its head up when least expected, and now even Sun Yuanzhang knew Ji Xiang's name.

It was said that a wealthy young man infected with Tetanus had displayed strange symptoms, the Clinical team was at their wit's end, and Ji Xiang had proposed the solution.

Zhao Jixiang thought about this and shook his head helplessly.

He had considered taking action to suppress Ji Xiang, but whenever he thought of Bai Chuzhang, Zhao Jixiang felt a headache coming on.

Standing behind Ji Xiang was Bai Chuzhang.

Although he ranked higher than Bai Chuzhang within the hospital, this man was Sun Yuanzhang's right-hand enforcer; if it really came down to a fight to the death, it was not certain who would be the last one standing.

Plus, Bai Chuzhang was usually very tactful and respectful toward him, and he was set to be promoted to Vice President next year or the year after; unless necessary, Zhao Jixiang did not want to fight him to the death.

It was truly strange that Bai Chuzhang would throw away so many resources for such a little guy, a little guy who could leave at any time.

The weekend was the review for the Provincial Natural Science Foundation; Zhao Jixiang was not originally interested in this, but wanting to accumulate some resources for Zhao Tianjiao to use in the future, he prepared to go and take a look.

Moreover, Bai Chuzhang and Liu Zhuren of the Urology Department had connected Ji Xiang with the Provincial Natural Science Foundation, and Zhao Jixiang was very curious if it could pass, and if it did, what price would be paid.

I'll go take a look this weekend, Zhao Jixiang decided.

Ji Xiang did not know there were so many things going on beneath the surface; he just went about his work step-by-step every day, and occasionally the system would give him a task with a Free Attribute Point, which Ji Xiang would add to his Luck without the slightest hesitation.

Days passed quickly, and the weekend arrived in a flash.

"Xiao Ji, are you still doing surgery tomorrow?" Liu Zhuren came specifically to find Ji Xiang, and without beating around the bush, he asked directly.

"Yes, is there something, Director?"

"The Provincial Natural Science Foundation is reviewing the proposals tomorrow." Liu Zhuren looked at Ji Xiang, who was young, inexperienced, yet full of vigor, and said helplessly.

He stopped at that, leaving the rest unsaid.

For such a big matter, if Ji Xiang really wasn't planning to go, Liu Zhuren wouldn't know how to evaluate him.

It's truly a case of the emperor not being anxious while the eunuch is... This thought had just surfaced before Liu Zhuren nipped it in the bud.

"I checked the time for the proposal review; it starts at ten, and the surgery will be finished by then, so don't worry, Director. I am also very anxious and hope the proposal passes on the first try," Ji Xiang replied with a smile.

"As long as you can go, that's good." Liu Zhuren felt an inexplicable sense of relief.

"I'm definitely going; this is our first proposal," Ji Xiang said.

It's good that you know, Liu Zhuren thought to himself.

"Don't worry, Director, we will definitely be prepared," Ji Xiang smiled. "Is the review process complicated?"

"Not complicated, just going through the motions," Liu Zhuren replied.

Seeing Ji Xiang eager to try rather than feigning depth, Liu Zhuren felt very comfortable.

Having done such a huge favor, it would be disappointing if Ji Xiang were still putting on airs.

Seeing that Ji Xiang was sensible, Liu Zhuren returned to his office feeling very gratified, pondering about future matters.

The cell phone rang.

"Lao Bai." Liu Zhuren answered the phone, greeting him very casually.

In private, he would not address him as Bai Chuzhang.

"There are some problems with the Provincial Natural Science Foundation," Bai Chuzhang's voice came through.

"Problems? What happened?!" Liu Zhuren was surprised. "I've already handled the review, Lao Bai, don't scare me. Actually, I didn't even need to say anything; just laying out the surgical videos and data makes it the most awesome proposal this year.

I was just worried, so I put in a word. Who is so blind? It's hard to find fault with such a good proposal."

"No, there are other accidents, force majeure, come to my office."

Liu Zhuren hung up the phone, pondering with full of suspicion the whole way.

Accident, what kind of accident could there be?

The reviewers were all experts from the province, and he was a top-tier existence in the Urology Department, at least in the province.

The proposal was written by Ji Xiang, and he had seen it himself.

How should he put it? Originally, Liu Zhuren wanted to help, but the proposal was written without a single flaw; it had the data, the videos, and the follow-ups. At the time, it had even left Liu Zhuren stunned.

How could such an outstanding proposal have any problems!

It's impossible; Lao Bai must think I've been getting a bit cocky lately and is finding an opportunity to joke around and knock me down a peg, Liu Zhuren finally found this as the only possibility.

Arriving at Bai Chuzhang's office, Liu Zhuren knocked on the door, and upon hearing the invitation to enter, he pushed the door open and went in.

Seeing no one inside, Liu Zhuren turned around and closed the door.

"Lao Bai, what's going on?" Liu Zhuren asked. "Are you joking with me?"

"No, the review standards for the Provincial Natural Science Foundation have changed this year."

"What?!"

"I don't know what the Ministry is going crazy about, but the review standards for the Provincial Natural Science Foundation have become much stricter." Bai Chuzhang clicked the mouse, the printer hummed softly, and then a sheet of paper was "spat" out.

Liu Zhuren picked up the paper and read it word by word.

Good social credit record, this point can be ignored.

Formally employed scientific and technical personnel of the supporting unit, possessing the ability to fulfill the responsibilities of the project leader, and working at the supporting unit for no less than six months each year during the project execution period.

There was no problem with this point either; he had gone to great lengths to transfer Zhao Zhe over, for various reasons, including this requirement for applying to the Provincial Natural Science Foundation.

However, the next point felt unfamiliar to Liu Zhuren—must be familiar with the development trends and frontiers of science and technology in the relevant field, possess a broad academic vision, and strong strategic thinking; in principle, one should have undertaken provincial-level major/key projects (or published articles in national-level journals).

The last point was simply a joke!

Liu Zhuren had applied for the Provincial Natural Science Foundation before, because he himself was one of the reviewers for the Provincial Natural Science Foundation.

However, in previous years, Liu Zhuren had never seen this newly added requirement.

Steadying himself, Liu Zhuren continued to read down.

There was nothing else; the only thing modified was this point—in principle, one should have undertaken a provincial-level major/key project (or published an article in a national-level journal).

Isn't this making things difficult for people!

Moreover, Liu Zhuren felt that the only ones being troubled by this matter were the pair of Ji Xiang and Zhao Zhe.

Their technical level was sufficient, but Ji Xiang was only a Standardized Training Doctor, and his Practicing Certificate was on the verge of being issued but hadn't arrived yet. Zhao Zhe was an old Attending Physician from a local hospital who had never published an article in a national-level journal in his entire life.

What the hell!

(End of chapter)