Chapter 99

Master Yuan Weihong had indeed put in the effort, even going so far as to issue a military pledge at the hospital for the sake of the group's development, securing a special research fund of up to 600,000 yuan from our own hospital.

This wasn't easy at all; asking the hospital directly for money — the hospital has always had this convenient channel, but by the same token, this money is hard to get; if you don't succeed, you might very well become a martyr.

However, it didn't have to be achieved in the short term; achieving it within three years would suffice.

For the hospital to develop, it must inevitably make long-term, broad investments, but if there is a high-quality basic research output, its boost to the hospital's comprehensive influence is undeniable.

As for whether it's useful, Fang Ziye didn't bother considering that question anymore; with anything, if you don't do it, it's completely useless, but if you do it, and among a thousand projects even one especially useful thing appears, that's leading the trend.

One appears among ten thousand projects, that's still a profit.

In today's rapidly advancing technology, no one dares underestimate the driving force of innovation capability.

But just the next day, when Fang Ziye asked Senior Brother Sun Shaoqing to eat together, he heard another layer of truth, the real festering scar peeled back from beneath Yuan Weihong's words —

This military pledge wasn't made by Yuan Weihong at all, but by Professor Deng Yong; it was the kind of military pledge to "redeem oneself through merit."

"Why?" Fang Ziye was stunned; only he and Senior Brother Sun Shaoqing were present, so Fang Ziye didn't put on any airs, pretending to be highly cultivated.

"Master is about to be removed from the Ward Director position; do you know what the consequence of that is?"

Sun Shaoqing sat directly opposite Fang Ziye, with zero appetite: "The consequence is that you fellow trainees might not get enough resources to graduate."

"Look: you, Luo Tingzhu, and Li Yuanpei. Three."

"Yan Zhiming, Xue Cao, two."

"Wang Yuanqi, Gu Yi, Dong Wenqiang — three, eight people total, eight PhDs!"

Fang Ziye clicked his tongue listening to this.

One person shouldering such a heavy burden — of course it's hard, but he's Professor Deng Yong, a professor, the person in charge of the laboratory, a doctoral supervisor; he has to hold up the main beam, fight for enough resources for his students to graduate, otherwise what kind of teacher would he be?

Fang Ziye still didn't understand: "Senior Brother, why does Master have to step down? Master has only been Director for three years, right? By a five-year term, even if Master doesn't serve a second term, there are still two years left?"

Sun Shaoqing heard this and sighed heavily again: "Why?"

"There must have been some matter handled with a flaw; speaking of it, it's still because the teacher made a phone call one evening to Song Yi, a student who was originally going to apply to our hospital's teachers this year."

"One thing to note: it was an advance call; Master hoped that with Song Yi's sufficient ability and good research level, he could go through the Operational Special Plan or the Cong Research Plan."

"But you also know, people who can reach the PhD level — whether in thinking, cognition, or sensitivity — are not comparable to ordinary people."

"Song Yi is a talent, and an extremely outstanding one at that; this point, none of us can deny, right?"

"But just one thing: he's too smart, and in the most open, most aboveboard way, expressed his dissatisfaction. Like this." Sun Shaoqing finished, flipping both hands over.

"Not that serious, is it?" Fang Ziye found it simply unbelievable.

Although Professor Deng Yong might have had selfish motives in this matter, such a severe punishment wasn't necessary.

Sun Shaoqing said: "Originally, by reason, it shouldn't have been this serious, but you know, at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, there's a thirty-something? Hand Surgery..."

Hearing Sun Shaoqing bring up this matter, how could Fang Ziye not know.

This professor's name is even very rustic, called Liu Huanglong. He's the same generation as Yuan Weihong; Yuan Weihong can call him Senior Brother to his face.

Yet this relatively rustic name, after leaving Zhongnan Hospital, in merely nine years reached the position of Hand Surgery Professor at Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Hospital.

Equivalent to him skipping over the titles of PhD, intermediate professional title, Deputy Chief Physician/Associate Professor, Chief Physician, and Professor — several major ranks — and more critically, his own original surgical techniques and research won the National Science and Technology Progress Second Prize.

You could say: if Professor Liu Huanglong had stayed at Zhongnan Hospital, the current Hand Surgery comprehensive strength might be on par with Trauma Surgery, instead of ranking at the tail end of Han City's top ten.

And this Professor Liu Huanglong was the first to truly gain a study opportunity through this Training Room; there were others before, but back then there was no such thing as a Training Room.

"Professor Liu. Teacher Liu." Fang Ziye simply compared his resume and titles with his own teacher's, who also graduated from the Training Room and stayed at the hospital.

His own teacher is still just a Junior Attending; the other is a Chief Physician, a Professor.

First person in Hand Surgery under forty, and this nickname isn't self-proclaimed by Han City; it's nationwide, such heaven-defying achievements comparable to the former absolute king of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Old Academician Wu Mengchao.

The only shortcoming: back then Old Academician Wu Mengchao graduated undergrad at twenty-seven, and ten years later reached the world's forefront; although at that time the overall modern medical development speed was at a relatively early stage, now young people wanting to reach such heights via a pure specialty path is almost impossible. (This story is purely original, not a real reference.)

But it also lets you know just how awesome this Professor Liu Huanglong is.

"So, a living example not many years past, you tell me?"

"Sigh." Senior Brother Sun Shaoqing lamented.

Sun Shaoqing's eyebrows are slightly thick, the broken-sword-brow type, nose very straight, his whole facial appearance not bad; if not for the rosacea affecting his looks, his facial charm alone probably wouldn't lose to Fang Ziye.

Naturally, Senior Brother Sun Shaoqing is still very awesome; currently the ceiling of the Trauma Surgery PhD team, just hasn't met the standard to pass the Training Room, so didn't compete past Joint Surgery's Brother Cao.

"Just that? Senior Brother, I feel there should be more inside story, right?" Fang Ziye didn't believe it; just that little bit could directly drag a professor down.

"Alright, there indeed is." Sun Shaoqing's eyebrows twitched a few times, then said: "Song Yi's teacher and Professor Du Xinzhan are old classmates; Song Yi intended to return to Han City to develop, and Song Yi's teacher privately contacted Du Xinzhan and strongly recommended him."

"Professor Du Xinzhan looked at Song Yi's resume, deemed it flawless, fundamentally not needing any backdoor route; to show fairness, before the assessment, he didn't mention it to anyone."

"Naturally, Song Yi choosing our hospital as first preference was also his teacher's recommendation; originally a very good talent seedling, just got caught in our Master's crosshairs." Sun Shaoqing spread his hands.

"Of course, Master knowing he had to step down, could only before retiring, holding his last breath, also ask the hospital for some money, pave the way for you all; the money obtained is now handed to Wei Ge to manage."

"Count it as startup research funds for you and Tingzhu; if it's not enough later, it should be enough too." Sun Shaoqing is very familiar with how much money Professor Deng Yong has left.

Fang Ziye truly hadn't expected such deep issues would be involved here.

But thinking about it, yes; Han City University Zhongnan Hospital, in Han City it's not top-tier; ahead is Provincial People's Hospital with a better platform, plus Tongji and Peking Union; what advantage does Zhongnan Hospital occupy?

Song Yi insisting on coming here to crush Li Yuanpei with Mount Tai pressure?

"Then Song Yi now?"

"Tongji Hospital, Trauma Surgery, locked down like an iron bolt, however he moves it's a dead move."

"Look: a professor more awesome than Master as supervisor, full scholarship, entering the master's school directly with 400,000 to freely burn through; if Song Yi enters the department, Associate Professor directly starts clinical teaching."

"Full scholarship abroad, and the lab abroad is the United States' top hospital Mayo Clinic."

"Even specially helped him contact the clinical team; Song Yi even during the abroad period doesn't have to stay long-term in the lab, equivalent to directly exceptional promotion to Associate Professor level going abroad as a visiting scholar. Bro!"

"How can you play another move?"

Sun Shaoqing's sword brows twitched, as if feeling this was a completely dead game.

Zhongnan Hospital's established Professional Operational Special Plan and Cong Research Plan standards are not inferior to Tongji Hospital's; they were mainly set up to select talent.

Naturally, Zhongnan Hospital couldn't give Song Yi such good treatment.

Looking at it vertically like this, Professor Deng Yong's approach does indeed seem biased.

"Seems like there's no way, we can only take it slow."

"Then Master, is there still a chance?" Fang Ziye pointed upward.

"Depends on the subsequent progress. Professor Han Yuanxiao will at least hold the Acting Director position for a year. Generally speaking, when an Acting Director's term ends, they're directly promoted to Ward Director."

"What Professor Han Yuanxiao lacks is opportunity, not strength. Which professor in our hospital didn't fight their way up?" Sun Shaoqing said.

……

Regarding this matter, everyone has their own understanding. Fang Ziye didn't intend to interject.

After confirming the thesis defense time and corresponding process arrangements with Senior Brother Sun Shaoqing, Fang Ziye went downstairs to settle the bill.

Then after parting with Senior Brother Sun Shaoqing, Fang Ziye went straight to the Training Room.

Right now, Luo Tingzhu was at the operating table in the Training Room, earnestly completing the Hemostasis Technique practice that Fang Ziye had arrived earlier to start, and had not yet begun the Debridement Technique practice.

However, on Fang Ziye's "exclusive" operating table, tofu blocks were already laid out. Unknown which Junior Brother, or perhaps Luo Tingzhu, had prepared the practice materials for him in advance.

"Senior Brother Fang." Luo Tingzhu held a Simulation Electric Knife in one hand, paused her operation, and greeted Fang Ziye. Her brows curved in a smile, exuding a youthful radiance.

Very happy.

Luo Tingzhu, actually, whether in the Laboratory or the Department, belongs to the precious tier. Basically, miscellaneous tasks and worries have nothing to do with her.

When she first entered the Laboratory, Luo Tingzhu's graduation was nowhere in sight, so naturally there was no resource bias toward her. But now, Professor Deng Yong got funding and directly allocated it to Luo Tingzhu and Fang Ziye.

Fang Ziye got 250,000, Luo Tingzhu got 350,000. It looks like she got more, but Professor Deng Yong still factored in that Yuan Weihong would give Fang Ziye more money. The research funds actually usable would be higher than Luo Tingzhu's.

With a large sum of money about to start experiments, Luo Tingzhu's mood right now is naturally beautiful.

Fang Ziye also didn't intend to relay the news heard from Senior Brother Sun Shaoqing to others, to sell anxiety. He stopped, tiptoed to glance, and said: "Junior Sister, you're operating too fast. Overdoing is as bad as underdoing."

Luo Tingzhu nodded: "Mm, I think so too. When I finished the Hemostasis Technique, I actually only used fifty-seven seconds. Could go slower, but suddenly having to increase from forty times to sixty times, I'm afraid time won't be enough."

The Hemostasis Technique operation, from ten times to twenty times to forty times to sixty times, the difficulty is indeed continuously skyrocketing.

"No rush, practice slowly." Fang Ziye walked toward his own operating table. He needs to practice too.

Today he plans to add about 5 points to the Debridement Technique progress. Naturally he must walk forward step by step.

Beside him, Jie Han was also practicing the Hemostasis Technique. His Incision Technique was only a little bit away from cutting the tofu block well. Naturally balanced development is still best.

After Fang Ziye reached the operating table, he also paused and said: "Senior Brother, when I arrived, Senior Sister had already collected materials for you."

Fang Ziye looked left and right and said: "Don't occupy operating tables in the future. Regardless of how many people there are, this isn't right."

Fang Ziye admonished. Although he's about to reach Doctorate and become a Senior Brother, and currently his comprehensive strength among Junior Doctors is at the forefront, second only to Senior Brother Sun Shaoqing, better than Second-year Doctoral Students like Gu Yi, such bureaucratism won't do.

Still need to be careful and cautious.

Jie Han explained: "Senior Brother, it's fine. Everyone has this tacitly accepted rule. It doesn't hinder anything."

"Other Senior Brothers and classmates are easy to get along with. We're still hoping you'll replace Senior Brother Sun and the others in running courses in the Training Room." Jie Han said with a grin, eyes narrowing into a slit.

Speaking of it, Jie Han's build is actually on the thin side, skin also fair. But this face of his is a bit big, making him look asymmetrical, and he still hasn't shed his childish air.

Looking at Jie Han's adorably silly appearance, Fang Ziye feinted a strike.

After finishing tidying up operations, Fang Ziye helped Luo Tingzhu and Jie Han clean their operating table surfaces, and arranged: "Jie Han, Tingzhu, you two currently both have School-level Projects. Still need to hurry and speed up."

"What Jie Han needs to learn first is Cell Culture. Start from basic operations like Cell Revival and Cell Freezing. Taking this opportunity, you can freeze more Cell Lines for convenience in subsequent operations."

"The only operation you have left now is Lactic Acid Quantitative Analysis. This operation is also simple."

"As for you, Tingzhu Senior Sister, you just recently completed this step proficiently. You can also go to the Laboratory more to help. Recently opportunities in the Operating Room are getting fewer, but we still need to arrange time well."

Luo Tingzhu right now is carefully prying open the tofu used for Hemostasis practice one by one, rinsing with water on the operating table, while saying: "Senior Brother, is Jie Han Junior Brother's project completion progress this fast?"

This sensitivity is too high.

Fang Ziye sniffed and replied: "Previously also completed some Preliminary Research. And Master's Stage project applications definitely aren't as deep as yours, Tingzhu."

This kind of "violation" operation, Fang Ziye still feels it's better to discuss less in public. Luo Tingzhu is one of the few informed people.

Luo Tingzhu hurriedly oh-ed, slightly cute.

On the way to the Laboratory, the newly joined rookie Jie Han was a bit nervous, following Fang Ziye and the other two tremulously all the way, just like Fang Ziye when he first entered the Laboratory.

And during the process of having Jie Han do Cell Revival and Cell Freezing, Jie Han was also a bit flustered. But fortunately only wasted a few pipettes, about ten yuan's worth. No contamination of cells or reagents.

During Centrifugal Separation, Jie Han's whole body shuddered: "Senior Brother Fang, you're really awesome. Such tedious operations, not to mention doing them, just looking makes me feel bored."

Jie Han feels doing experiments is even more boring than writing papers.

"Experience it slowly. There'll always be an interesting side." Fang Ziye signaled Luo Tingzhu she could go operate her own project-related experiments.

Although Luo Tingzhu also learned from Fang Ziye, borrowing reagents to do some Preliminary Experiments in advance, it's definitely not as deep and broad as Fang Ziye.

After Luo Tingzhu left, Jie Han asked again: "Hey, Senior Brother, that City-level Project of Master's, was it you who got it? Seems like it's 100,000 yuan?"

Jie Han's tone was slightly shocked. But actually, right now Luo Tingzhu had just left the Cell Room and walked back in, because when she went out she forgot to bring the Cell Culture Dishes.

Hearing Jie Han's lowered-voice question at this moment, she immediately perked up her ears.

Gaze directed toward Fang Ziye's direction.

City-level Project is a higher-tier project than School-level Project. Generally the money obtained is also more. Fang Ziye actually managed to get it?

Luo Tingzhu herself also applied once, also submitted under Professor Deng Yong's name. But seemed to get no response. Don't know what happened. Actually by rights, a Professor-level person going for a City First Hospital-level Project might only need to go through a process.

Fang Ziye is a bit embarrassed right now. This matter he hasn't had time to tell Luo Tingzhu yet. After all, at that time both Jie Han and Luo Tingzhu were busy running around for School-level Project matters.

Fang Ziye suspects Jie Han did it on purpose.

"Yeah, that's the case." Fang Ziye smiled and nodded in reply.

Jie Han right now seems to have realized something. Quick-witted as he is, he immediately sat up straight and said: "A man who can earn money is actually very charming, right? Senior Brother."

Jie Han's such implication made Fang Ziye slightly stunned. He rewarded him a slap, directly patting onto his shoulder, not caring about contamination or not.

Luo Tingzhu then walked slowly toward the Cell Room, took two Culture Dishes, said congratulations Senior Brother to Fang Ziye. Only her earlobes were slightly flushed. Then she forced her eyes to narrow, looking a bit embarrassed as she walked out of the Cell Room. At the doorway she broke into small quick steps.

Jie Han right now instantly transformed into a love expert, serious-faced: "Senior Brother, my guess is correct."

"Correct your head."

"Do the experiment properly." Fang Ziye pointed at the centrifuge.

Note: Let me explain in advance the plot details from the previous chapter. The earlier text described that those who obtained study qualifications through the Training Room at Zhongnan Hospital refers to this hospital's Graduate Students, only one person, not all Doctors, and neither are they taking the Professional Operation Special Project route.

But these people are not from this hospital. (Everyone, don't nitpick here; among the students cultivated by Zhongnan Hospital itself, only Liu Huanglong and Fang Ziye entered the Doctoral program through the Special Plan.)

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(Chapter End)