Chapter 604: One Night of Fish and Dragon Dance (Seeking Subscription)

"Professor Zhang, Professor Xie, sorry about that — since you arrived on short notice, we didn't have time to make name badges for you! ~"

"I'll take the two professors downstairs for a meal together." Fang Ziye said with a smile.

Guests are guests; Zhongnan Hospital can still afford a meal for two people — it had already been coordinated with the hotel beforehand.

Moreover, Professor Li Guohua had already sent someone to make temporary name badges, and the hotel rooms for Professor Zhang Limin and Xie Shulan had also been arranged separately.

"Professor Fang is too polite; we can arrange things ourselves." Zhang Limin said.

"Actually, I didn't plan to attend the conference this time, so we'll leave after lunch."

"If I were to attend, I would also reply to Professor Fang's invitation letter."

"I wonder if it's convenient for Professor Fang to dine with us — I happen to have some questions I'd like to consult Professor Fang about." Zhang Limin said.

People who truly do academia all know Fang Ziye's formidable aspects.

Zhang Limin had no professional or specialty prejudice, but he also knew that currently domestic orthopedics research is in a state of "chaos."

Because there is no bone internal medicine, research progress is actually not good; compared to other specialties, it is not deep.

However, Fang Ziye was able to rely on his own strength to create a series from nothing to something.

This kind of ability is a bit too much of a violation.

Precisely based on this, knowing Fang Ziye's growth trajectory, Professor Zhang Limin decided to visit and consult again.

After academia reaches the top tier, what's more important is thinking and ideas, theory, rather than concrete operations.

"Professor Zhang, this is my honor."

Fang Ziye agreed!

He had to agree, because Zhang Limin's invitation letter was sent by him; the other party didn't respond, but the person came, so Fang Ziye had to receive them.

Of course, Fang Ziye also had to explain: "Professor Zhang, however there's an actual situation — you can see it too — our research group is currently quite busy."

"So, even with Professor Zhang's kindness, I may not be able to squeeze out enough free time to listen to your guidance."

Fang Ziye stated his position first: I'm f*cking busy...

Both Zhang Limin and Xie Shulan's expressions turned serious.

In the afternoon, at 1:30, Zhang Limin and Xie Shulan bid farewell to Fang Ziye, and after greeting some professors from Zhongnan Hospital, they directly took their luggage and left the hotel.

Then they took a taxi straight to outside the airport.

In the waiting room, Xie Shulan bought a coffee for her teacher; she herself held a cup of lemon water.

Zhang Limin cautiously asked: "Shulan, are you sure you didn't offend Professor Fang in any way?"

"You should have seen it too — Professor Fang is truly very busy; a heavyweight project like this is advancing rapidly!"

"This is absolutely a research project that can be written into textbooks and recorded in specialty history — he absolutely wouldn't stir up trouble for you without reason."

"Unless he stole leisure from busyness and just happened to fixate on your two papers and happened to know their loopholes."

Xie Shulan, hearing this, was quite aggrieved: "Teacher, Professor Fang and I are complete strangers — where would I get the chance to offend him?"

"Before this, I've only been to Han City for tourism — that was after high school graduation; since entering university, I haven't been to Han City again."

"I've always been studying at school and abroad."

After venting her grievance, Xie Shulan cautiously added: "Based on my understanding of Professor Fang, it's completely possible to rule out the suspicion that he's deliberately targeting me."

"There's really no such necessity! ~"

"Just as Teacher said, Professor Fang's current many projects are already enough for him to challenge the position Teacher currently holds."

"Him bullying a researcher named Xie Shulan would be completely not worth the loss! ~"

"Perhaps this accident was truly too accidental."

"Teacher, we still can't ignore his attainments in basic research just because of Professor Fang's clinical application projects!"

"He was able to negate the standard research protocol for bone tumors with a single paper!!!"

If Fang Ziye's currently ongoing projects would only affect the operating mode of the orthopedic oncology specialty, then his previous paper would affect the operating mode of the entire basic research community.

Could it be that Fang Ziye is targeting all researchers, making everyone unable to complete their projects before his "project completion"?

Impossible.

Professor Zhang Limin nodded upon hearing this: "But we also can't ignore the possibility that he really is targeting you."

"If that possibility is true, then your future prospects are truly worrying."

"The academic world?" Zhang Limin wanted to speak but stopped.

The academic world is a rather chaotic zone; basically, domestically known juniors wouldn't easily rush into this place.

Why?

Because it's too disorderly!

An undergraduate can directly be exceptionally hired as a professor through a single paper.

A junior college student, if well-founded, can even pull down a top journal published by an academician team!

Once some papers appear, once some achievements are produced, they might be "treasured" and not published.

The 21st century is an era with scientific technology as core competitiveness.

The phenomenon of "sauce-flavored academic powerhouse" exists, but none can climb to the very top.

Strategic significance won't allow such a situation to exist, so Xie Shulan's family, the peak they can help her operate for, is at most a professorship.

But a professor, once targeted by a top-tier research scholar, would also get scalp numbness, okay?

"Should be? Not to that extent, right?"

Xie Shulan playfully stuck out her tongue: "I didn't offend Professor Fang."

"He wouldn't go so far as to target me and blacklist me, would he?"

After Xie Shulan finished speaking, her brows furrowed tightly.

Given Fang Ziye's academic level, if he really wanted to blacklist me??

Would I still be able to publish papers, still do research in the future?

Xie Shulan couldn't even give herself an accurate answer in her heart.

But she really couldn't figure out why she was so unlucky.

Zhang Limin clenched his hands together and said: "Just a while ago, Professor Fang's research group had some minor incidents."

"Because Professor Fang's papers also had an impact on mine, I privately inquired about it. It seems Professor Fang was almost temporarily suspended from practice by the Hubei Provincial Health Commission."

"However, Professor Fang's current workplace is the 'Military Region Yangyuan', so he is not directly under the jurisdiction of the National Health Commission, but under the Military Medical System."

"So this matter was left unresolved."

"But, on Han City University's official website, there is a red-headed document that directly names Professor Fang's doctoral graduation issue."

"Ah?" Xie Shulan was quite surprised.

"Professor Fang's doctoral graduation could still have problems? Is Han City University the one with problems?"

Xie Shulan felt it was crazy. With Fang Ziye's current academic achievements, Han City University would cling to Fang Ziye's doctoral graduation and not let go?

You'd need twenty years of cerebral thrombosis to come up with this kind of thing, right?

"Listen to me finish."

Zhang Limin said: "It's not that Professor Fang couldn't graduate with a doctorate, but that there was a problem with the doctoral graduation procedure. Professor Fang had only studied for one year as a doctoral student before applying for graduation."

"But according to Han City University's red-headed document regulations on early doctoral graduation, at most one can only apply for graduation one year early."

"So, Professor Fang's doctoral graduation certificate and degree certificate were delayed in issuance, and Professor Fang's supervisor consequently had some problems too."

"This happened recently, and it was before Professor Fang wrote the letter for our research group's paper!"

"I suggest you can carefully inquire in this direction."

"I have quite a few papers, but if you are the first author on two articles, it cannot be ruled out that there is a certain correlation with this matter."

"Also, the identity of that netizen who brought up our research group's paper during Professor Fang's live-streamed manuscript writing process can also be traced."

"It could be our competitors, idle and bored, just stirring up trouble for no reason……"

Xie Shulan slowly nodded: "Oh, okay! ~"

After nodding, Xie Shulan thought for a moment, then used an excuse to go to the toilet.

Zhang Limin knew that this time Xie Shulan was going to openly use her family connections, so he didn't call her out on it.

The reason he accepted Xie Shulan as a student: her family background was one aspect; on the other hand, Xie Shulan truly had talent, worked diligently, and got along well with people in the research group.

Coupled with the accumulation of social resources, it could be said she very naturally bore the 'halo' of a genius girl!

However, fifteen minutes later, Professor Zhang Limin received a call from a number not in his contacts.

Zhang Limin frowned and quickly chose to answer.

On the other end was an old man, identity unknown, but estimated to be someone in a high position.

"Academician Zhang, hello. I am Shulan's grandpa. Shulan just said she might be targeted by another professor……"

"What nature does this targeting belong to? Is it troublesome? Is the impact on Shulan very big?" Xie Wucai asked.

Hearing this, Zhang Limin's expression immediately turned serious.

The network of people he knew about Xie Shulan: Xie Shulan's parents. Xie Shulan's mother was currently only a Deputy Bureau level, unremarkable in Jingdu.

But Xie Shulan's father, only fifty-three, was already a Deputy Department level. Rank unclear, but the school leadership attached great importance to Xie Shulan's father……

Of course, with Zhang Limin's current academic status, he wasn't particularly afraid either.

He had previously mixed abroad. Although he respected the domestic environment, his current status was already sufficiently transcendent. Unless Xie Shulan's family went crazy, they wouldn't directly confront him head-on.

"Hmm… Hello, Shulan's Grandpa!" Zhang Limin replied politely, then said: "Shulan's expression may have some omissions. Shulan isn't being targeted and deliberately singled out."

"There's just this possibility. That scholar's academic level and achievements are extremely high, and his academic philosophy is exceptionally advanced."

"If the other party really clings to a team and won't let go, even if it were me and him sparring, I would find it extremely troublesome and thorny."

"Science must respect facts, respect data. In international research, no single person can serve as the most objective referee; only data is."

"In principle, any scholar can question my research project." Zhang Limin said.

Zhang Limin was reminding the other party that this was a different track.

And in this track, the saying 'Are kings and generals born of a special breed?' is played out to the fullest.

The reason Zhang Limin hinted so subtly was that he had already guessed something.

"Okay, thank you for your trouble, Academician Zhang! ~"

"I'll see if I can find a chance to arrange a meeting with that Professor Fang and have a good talk, discuss whether there's some misunderstanding inside." Xie Wucai replied.

Zhang Limin should have hung up, but added: "Shulan's Grandpa, the project Professor Fang is currently researching is one of the very important projects in our academic circles. Once a breakthrough is completed, being listed in the Academic Hall of Fame is only a matter of time."

"At such a critical juncture, he should be too busy to do leisurely things. I speculate there must be a cause."

Hearing this, Xie Wucai felt his old eggs hurt a bit: "Thank you for the reminder, Academician Zhang. I will understand in detail first, then visit Professor Fang."

……

After hanging up, Xie Wucai felt melancholy.

At first, he just wanted to make his granddaughter happy, secretly maneuvering, hoping that Professor Fang could specialize in research sooner, produce results sooner, so his granddaughter could smoothly complete her project.

Unfortunately, once the Matthew Effect starts, there's no way to end it.

The subsequent development has completely slipped out of his control.

He looked out the window with a face full of struggle, sighed: "If Shulan knew all this started because of me, how disappointed would she be in me?"

"Sigh……" The sigh could only be enjoyed by himself.

……

After lunch, Fang Ziye was forced to be 'escorted on business' to the train station entrance to receive leaders coming from Han City University.

No other reason. These leaders were all operated by Zhongnan Hospital for Fang Ziye's future. So, as the host and 'beneficiary', Fang Ziye had to show up to receive them.

After all, the visitor was a leader, and Fang Ziye's advancement still required the leaders' support.

However, Fang Ziye had just arrived at the train station entrance when he received a call from Professor Gu Yuandong.

There were still about twenty minutes until the train's arrival, so Fang Ziye made an excuse and left.

"Professor Du, Director Du, it's Teacher Gu's call." Fang Ziye reported to Du Yingshan and Du Xinzhan.

Li Guohua and the other old professors had already transcended the mundane; already retired, they no longer needed to curry favor with the current Han City University leadership.

They had no positional needs, nor particularly great fame, requiring them to engage in too deep cooperation with the school.

"Mm, you go ahead!" Du Xinzhan glanced at the time.

Fang Ziye moved to a spot convenient for taking the call and answered, "Hello Teacher Gu, this is Fang Ziye. Have you arrived in Enshi?"

"I'm already at the hotel!" Gu Yuandong's voice remained resonant, "But I just received a feedback call—"

"The Professional Review Panel members of the National Natural Science Foundation of China's Medical Sciences Department Special Projects, Guideline-Directed Original Exploration Plan Projects, and Major Research Plan Projects will soon rush to Enshi for a hearing!"

"The time your project was proposed has already passed the application deadline for surface-level projects, but its significance is major and its influence far-reaching, so I jointly signed with several other professors and called the Medical Sciences Department!"

"Their response was still relatively swift! They may provide you with some funding support."

"In addition, relevant personnel from the National Health Commission's Publicity Department and Department of Science and Education will also come for the hearing."

"The National Intellectual Property Administration will also send people to conduct on-site hearings and handle patent registration promptly..."

Upon hearing this, Fang Ziye's body trembled slightly: "Ah?"

Although Fang Ziye could anticipate the enormous influence this achievement would create, he hadn't expected that, given the current situation, it would attract this much attention and turbulence.

Is this the connections and gravitas of an Academician?

Directly summoning people from such institutions to come for a hearing?

No other reason—Fang Ziye's team's current upward perspective was still too narrow; the only entities they could stir were the Hubei Provincial Health Commission and Han City University's Science and Technology Development Institute.

Then layer by layer, level by level, reporting upward.

"Can't help it, someone interceded for you!" Gu Yuandong said with a laugh.

Fang Ziye froze at this, then immediately pressed: "Who?"

One who sends charcoal in the snow must be remembered in the heart.

At this time point, someone who directly gives you a push is probably not too unfamiliar a person.

"It might be an old comrade you don't know, from Tongji Hospital. As for specifically who, don't go inquiring; just knowing this place and direction is enough."

"Perhaps, the orthopedics department of such a medically advanced place as Hubei and Han City also needs a leader to step forward, to display the heroic spirit of the Jingchu land!" Gu Yuandong expressed it rather subtly.

Duan Hong's teacher?!

An old senior from Tongji Hospital?

After quickly pinpointing it, Fang Ziye didn't ask further: "Thank you, Teacher Gu, for the advance notice!"

Gu Yuandong continued, his tone tightening: "The accounts can be audited, right?"

"Yes!" Fang Ziye replied calmly.

"Good. If you don't keep records yourself?"

"Of course, I don't keep any either." Gu Yuandong joked, pressing this topic down.

The stage he had already helped build; if Fang Ziye himself got entangled in economic issues and died, Fang Ziye couldn't blame him.

Before, Gu Yuandong had found a mess of accounts, the research group's funds mixed and confused; if that scene happened now, Fang Ziye probably wouldn't die directly, but he'd shed a layer of skin!

No way around it, the fact of research corruption exists—whoever touches it and gets caught dies!

This is a bottom line. This bottom line must always be guarded like a thunder pool; otherwise it rots through completely.

"Teacher Gu, thank you for your guidance, care, instruction, and support!" Fang Ziye's words were sincere, deeply heartfelt.

If not for the events encountered later, Fang Ziye's gratitude toward the two old men might not have been this sincere; he would only have felt they were a bit sick, putting on airs in front of him.

But after experiencing all this, especially that time transferring from Zhongnan Hospital to Enshi Yangyuan, Fang Ziye truly understood how refreshing a spotless body is.

It may not bring you direct benefits, but it can give those who want to support you the most legitimate reason!

People are all double-sided; it's impossible for everyone to hate you.

But those who love you need you to give them a reason to protect you.

You're covered in festering sores, your buttocks full of shit; someone pulls down your pants, and even your relatives wanting to explain you're clean have no grounds.

Are there many people on good terms with Fang Ziye?

Many!

Those on bad terms with Fang Ziye, even those whose prospects Fang Ziye impacted after he rose, are not few; it's not excluded that someone has thought about secretly sabotaging Fang Ziye.

If you don't even leave your close friends a space to lend a hand, how can others protect you?

But!

But, Fang Ziye gave just such a reason.

Moreover, many times, Fang Ziye didn't need to use his trump card—that is, asking the two old professors Gu Yuandong and Qiu Zhenghua for help.

As long as Fang Ziye himself has no problems, even if Hubei Province unilaterally blocks him, Fang Ziye still has a good way out.

Directly drill into Huashan Hospital and Peking Union Medical College Hospital—the sea is wide for fish to leap, the sky high for birds to fly; perhaps those Hubei leaders can't withstand the pressure and will release the blockade again.

At least, Zhongnan Hospital's old professors, Fang Ziye's teachers, cannot possibly watch helplessly as Fang Ziye is slandered!!!

Han City University won't allow it either.

"Perform well, I expect you'll have time in the evening to treat me to a meal." Gu Yuandong said it not politely at all.

Fang Ziye immediately responded: "Teacher Gu, wait for my call!"

Then added: "Teacher Gu, I'm not an absolute frontline class right now."

"Hahaha, got it, Professor Fang!!!" Gu Yuandong drew out his voice.

Fang Ziye truly holds grudges, and remembers things.

This is a good thing.

Children who listen to advice and obey are generally not disliked by anyone; if they are cute, some people will even like them.

April 11th, noon, the sunlight was just right.

After Fang Ziye hung up the phone, he recalled a line of poetry.

All night fish and dragons danced.

However, Fang Ziye could not remember the full poem, so he only slowly recited a line after searching for it.

"The east wind at night sets a thousand trees ablaze with flowers. It blows down more—stars like rain. Fine horses and carved carriages fill the road with fragrance. The phoenix flute's sound stirs, the jade urn's light turns, all night fish and dragons dance!"

The meaning of the next stanza might reverse, but that has nothing to do with Fang Ziye; what he wanted to see was just the previous stanza.

Walking step by step to where he is now, there have been shortcomings, there have been loopholes, but fortunately, quite a few teachers helped him sweep away the dust behind and fill in the loopholes.

So, when he soars, he can be in a pleasant mood.

"Has Teacher Gu already arrived in Enshi? Did he mention the schedule arrangement?" Du Xinzhan asked.

"Teacher Gu has already settled in at the hotel; he said he wants to rest first, and let me treat him to a meal in the evening."

"Director Du, the teachers on this side also need someone to receive them; for the evening, I'll bring my fellow trainee to accompany Teacher Gu, I believe Teacher Gu will understand too." After Fang Ziye quickly finished speaking the arrangement.

Du Xinzhan hadn't had time to respond, immediately continued: "Teacher Gu also said some teachers were shaken over, they respectively come from……"

Upon hearing this, Du Xinzhan's right leg directly went soft.

Du Yingshan also heard Fang Ziye's words; he glanced at Du Xinzhan, then said: "Director Du, you go back first, I'll handle the reception here! ~"

Du Yingshan understood Du Xinzhan's current emotions very well.

No other reason; the current situation is no longer something Du Xinzhan can single-handedly control entirely; Du Xinzhan can't hold it down and needs to call for outside help.

If a team of this level comes to witness, at least a Vice President from Han City University would need to hold a concurrent post to possibly hold it down!

Du Xinzhan didn't even have time to say goodbye to Fang Ziye before directly "picking up the bucket and running off"!

Regarding this, Orthopedics actually had made contingency plans and reports, but the invited guests were limited, so in the end the leadership of Zhongnan Hospital did not show up.

After all, the small-scale academic conference was limited to the Bone Tumor specialty.

But now, things seem to have become a bit off, so, letting go still has to be letting go.

Put as many eggs in as big a basket as you have; don't force yourself to do things beyond your capability and cognition.

Vision you haven't contacted can't be faked!

……

When the leaders of Han City University's Science and Technology Development Institute and the Graduate School arrived at the train station, they were accompanied by Zhongnan Hospital's Vice Dean Liao Jiayuan.

Vice Dean Liao Jiayuan had met Fang Ziye before; his hoarse voice was the same as ever, but at this moment hearty: "Professor Fang, Professor Du! ~"

"These two are respectively……" Liao Jiayuan began introducing the arriving guests to Fang Ziye and Du Yingshan.

Although he didn't know where Orthopedics' Director Du had gone, he estimated he was in a meeting; after all, this academic report had relatively high gold content.

Zhongnan Hospital could understand the specialty busy "showing off," and supported this showing off, to enhance the hospital's comprehensive strength and comprehensive influence.

Neither Fang Ziye nor Professor Du Yingshan dared to be arrogant; they shook hands with each arrival one by one, only then learning that among those who came was Science and Technology Development Institute's Vice Dean Tian Qi.

Graduate School's Vice Dean Qin Hongzhou.

The two Vice Deans each led a team of three people, specially coming to witness Fang Ziye's academic report, with two main purposes.

One: Science and Technology Development Institute, to see whether to report in the school's name to the Ministry of Education for some funding support.

Two: The Graduate School, comprehensively considering that Fang Ziye's PhD supervisor team lacks manpower, wanted to appropriately give Fang Ziye an extra PhD or Master's quota.

After the two Vice Deans quickly stated their purposes, they enthusiastically said: "Professor Fang is even younger than we imagined."

"Young and promising! ~" Tian Qi was slightly plump, looking big-bellied and greasy, like a middle-aged uncle!

But those who know him know Tian Qi is a very famous professor in Han City University's Mechanics Department, has participated in classified projects, and now concurrently holds the post of Vice Dean of the Science and Technology Development Institute—a big shot with extremely strong academic strength.

Just not in the same track as Fang Ziye!

"Thank you for Teacher Tian's praise." Fang Ziye bowed slightly, then said: "Teacher Tian, Teacher Qin, it's like this; originally, our Orthopedics' Director Du Xinzhan was also personally coming to receive you, but because of some other matters needing arrangement, he temporarily went back."

"Just now, I received a call from a senior in our Orthopedics, saying there are still people coming over……"

"National Natural Science Foundation Medical Science Division Special Project Review Group, National Health Commission's Publicity Department, Department of Science and Education, National Intellectual Property Administration……" Upon hearing this, Tian Qi's brows instantly furrowed tightly.

"Is the situation true?" Tian Qi was even stunned.

This TM is attending an Associate Professor's academic report, or conducting an Academician Nomination qualification review?

"Academician Gu Yuandong shouldn't deceive a small figure like me." Fang Ziye cautiously stated Gu Yuandong's name and his Chinese Academy of Sciences position, raising the gold content.

Orthopedics is a specialty, and also a discipline.

This specialty and discipline have an Academician big shot.

With a person of this level showing up, ninety percent it's true; even if they don't come in the end, it must be treated as real.

"Director Du has already gone to phone in a report, right?" Tian Qi asked, turning around.

Tian Qi no longer wasted words: "How do we get to the hotel?"

"I and another friend both drove. The various teachers might have to squeeze a bit, or taking a taxi works too."

Tian Qi and Qin Hongzhou immediately followed Professor Du Yingshan, the two of them, and Fang Ziye walking; turning his head he said: "You follow Professor Fang's friend?"

"If you can't fit, take a taxi yourselves."

"The matter is urgent; we must handle this thing as soon as possible!"

Finished speaking, the four got in the car; Tian Qi no longer acted polite, actively proposed sitting in the passenger seat; after fastening his seatbelt he said: "Professor Fang, because we are all not Orthopedics practitioners."

"So we cannot objectively evaluate this project's importance attributes; so, yesterday our Dean decided to have me lead the team."

"But based on the current situation, we may have still underestimated the breakthrough nature and importance and applicability of your project, Professor Fang."

"I owe you an apology! ~"

Upon hearing this, Fang Ziye said while starting the car: "Teacher Tian, you flatter me; we ourselves didn't anticipate this either, otherwise we would have filed and reported long ago."

"The main thing is, the professors attending the meeting today — we feel our Orthopedics Department can handle it."

"That's true enough, but during the meeting some of the attending teachers issued new invitations, so we have to work overtime..." Fang Ziye cracked a simple joke.

Now, the trend of this research project was heading toward a future he had not foreseen, and it had begun to be taken seriously.

So, Fang Ziye actually felt some apprehension.

Was it really a case of "kill by praise," or was it that Eastern Han's current medical circle simply needed a direct slaughter abroad to highlight the weak reality of Eastern Han's medical research strength!

Fang Ziye could not directly conjecture; he could only do well by himself first!

"Professor Fang, I'll make a few calls first!"

"We'll chat in detail in a bit." Tian Qi cut off Fang Ziye's voice and dialed directly.

But hearing this, Professor Du Yingshan replied cautiously: "Dean Tian, Professor Fang still has to go to the Academic Report Hall site later to escort the team members."

"Then we'll talk later!"

"Who's free at your Zhongnan Hospital? At least send two employed people with real power to prepare in advance with us."

"If we hadn't known in advance about these review panel members arriving, we could skip preparation; since we know in advance, we should carefully prepare materials to show respect."

Tian Qi didn't struggle, handling things very efficiently!

Moreover, he didn't panic — he had seen even bigger scenes than this, so he handled it with plenty of experience.

"Dean Tian, that's definitely no problem. Several of our Orthopedics professors are in Enshi, and they all have some understanding of this project."

"It's just that the advance contingency plan wasn't made to such a high level."

"The materials we prepared for the Science and Technology Development Institute have long been ready!"

(Chapter End)