Chapter 1226: 1191 Snatching Patients

Director Kong sat in the office, his expression still grim.

Zhao Wenhua acted bewilderedly, making Director Kong annoyed. By rights, as the chief director he shouldn't manage each group's affairs—that's the established rule. The weekly director's rounds are just for show, telling them who's really in charge here.

As for the specifics, normally there are dozens of patients, up to nearly a hundred at peak times, which I can't handle alone.

Being a leader, you must focus on the big picture and let small things slide; otherwise you'll be worked to death, no surprise.

But this time, Zhao Wenhua really went too far. They're both senior doctors; Director Kong knows what Zhao Wenhua is thinking.

Are you pretending nothing happened if you don't transfer the patient to thoracic surgery? Nonsense.

Director Kong scorned Zhao Wenhua's ostrich-like attitude, and combined with Zheng Lao Ban saying they could use interventional means to occlude the intercostal artery—only for Zhao Wenhua to refuse outright—Director Kong had strong objections.

Have I just not scolded anyone in a while? It seems these team-leading professors in the ward aren't afraid of me anymore. Director Kong gave a helpless laugh; after all, he's old—those days of pointing at noses and scolding team-leading professors to tears are long gone.

Since experiencing a suspected cardiac chest pain three years ago, I've started changing my lifestyle and daily routine.

At my age, living a few more years is what's real.

Fame and fortune are just fleeting clouds. Of course, this mindset must be built on a foundation of achievement—like Zhu Lao Wu, who still has to grapple hand‑to‑hand with Zhou Chun Yong…

For some reason, his thoughts drifted to Zhu Lao Wu, and Director Kong couldn't help but sigh.

He's very righteous, a fine brother.

But the more someone like that, the more they care about face and are extremely forceful. Without that temperament, it would be impossible to carve out a domain in the shadow of Zhou Chun Yong in Di Du's hepatobiliary department.

Success and failure both come from the same source—why is Zhu Lao Wu so stubborn? What's wrong with learning a few skills from Zheng Lao Ban?

Just because Zheng Lao Ban is young?

Director Kong muttered a couple of curses under his breath when his phone rang, interrupting his grumbling.

Caught in the middle, it's hard to be a person. But Director Kong clearly knows this has nothing to do with Zheng Lao Ban; it's just Zhu Lao Wu courting death.

He picked up the phone, saw the number, and it was Lin JiaoJiao.

She's been overly anxious lately; probably urging about the surgery.

Director Kong answered, and his expression softened a bit.

"JiaoJiao, what's up?"

"Huh? He really wants to do this surgery?"

"Zheng Lao Ban hasn't mentioned it on his end; today afternoon Dr. Mei Ha'er from Sweden is coming to do the second-stage surgery—I guess he won't have time for this."

"Fine, I'll ask."

After saying that, Director Kong hung up.

Zhu Liangchen wants to launch gastric artery embolization domestically first; Director Kong can't stop him, nor can he. Even Zhou Chun Yong couldn't stop it—the nominal chief director only handles admin work; clinically, the ward director decides.

He's got some guts, but better first ask Zheng Lao Ban.

Director Kong had a lot on his mind; he picked up his phone, thought better of it, set it down, stood up, went out, and called Zheng Ren in.

"Zheng Lao Ban, have a seat," Director Kong said with a smile.

"Director Kong, what do you need?" Zheng Ren asked familiarly, without hesitation.

The patient was sent to thoracic surgery; I don't know if it's related to my threat. Anyway, once in thoracic surgery the patient is considered saved, and the rest is none of my business.

Zheng Ren was in good mood, his words gaining a bit of liveliness.

"Zhu Liangchen's side wants to launch gastric artery embolization first—do you know?" Director Kong said.

"I know."

Director Kong blinked slightly; Zheng Lao Ban's info is truly well‑connected—how does he know things faster than this old Di Du native?

"Director Zhou just came by, mentioned a few things, including this," Zheng Ren said.

"What do you think?" Director Kong asked without dwelling on it.

"The procedure has promise, but it's not yet perfected; I expect many problems." Zheng Ren said: "Clinical stage‑II trial treatment can be carried out, but it shouldn't be treated as a mature technique."

"What kind of problems?"

"Embolization can't be too aggressive, or the gastric wall will necrose, leading to perforation and other complications; too weak and it's ineffective. Getting that balance right is difficult." Zheng Ren spoke at length about the surgery.

Director Kong fell into thought.

"Post‑op the patient needs a period of medication adjustment to adapt to this reduced gastric motility metabolism. Hmm, there's still a lot." Zheng Ren pondered, then said: "Director Kong, first settle Dr. Mei Ha'er's matter; I'll think it over for a few days, then have Sister Lin admit the patient slated for surgery."

"That patient has already gone to Du Du Hepatobiliary for surgery." Director Kong said this with some worry, looking at Zheng Ren, trying to read details from his expression.

Among doctors, snatching patients from each other isn't rare nor common.

But stealing patients means turning faces—later they'll either never speak again or become mutual enemies, waiting for a chance to settle the score.

Zhu Liangchen's doing this is a bit unscrupulous, Director Kong thought.

He just hopes Zheng Lao Ban won't take it to heart.

But Zheng Ren's expression showed no change, calm as before, neither angry nor furious—just tranquil like water.

"Zheng Lao Ban?" Director Kong asked quietly.

"Oh, one or two patients aren't a big deal; if Director Zhu wants to do it, let him. Director Kong, I still need to refine the technique; in three weeks I'll assess the situation and tell Sister Lin not to rush. You know, the new procedure has many problems—rushing it will surely cause trouble."

Director Kong saw Zheng Ren's expression wasn't feigned, slightly different. After Zheng Ren left, he pondered for a long time.

Zheng Lao Ban isn't sensitive to interpersonal relations and struggles; perhaps it's not that he's insensitive, but someone of Zhu Liangchen's stature and position simply can't arouse his fighting spirit.

All his thoughts go into medicine; such a pure person is increasingly rare. Perhaps only thus can one advance boldly, continually surpassing in technique… MD, Zheng Lao Ban's growth is too fast—thinking that way isn't reasonable.

Director Kong felt somewhat moved.

However, Zheng Lao Ban either doesn't dare or isn't willing to immediately perform that surgery—there must be a major loophole. As for Zhu Liangchen's side… forget it, I'll just make a call. That Zhu Lao Wu really drives me nuts.

As long as the patient comes to no harm, everything else is fine.