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Chapter 619 Special Meeting! (Please Subscribe)
"Professor Zhou, I have a question, and I wonder if you could tell me?" Fang Ziye's tone was very respectful, as he believed that if someone treated him with courtesy, he would treat them with courtesy in return.

“Professor Fang, please speak.” Zhou Gongbo raised his hand slightly.

"Professor Zhou, I firmly believe that your team has the ability to develop new diseases, but after reviewing some literature related to you, I don't seem to have seen any similar research topics?"

"I wonder what you think, Professor Zhou?" Fang Ziye asked politely.

Zhou Gongbo humbly replied, "Professor Fang, perhaps you are overestimating me. Our team is just doing some fairly ordinary research."

Fang Ziye didn't believe it and changed his tune: "Teacher Zhou, I hope you can enlighten me."

Zhou Gongbo looked around, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Professor Fang, this is actually related to my teacher's personal philosophy."

“My mentor once… well, he went through a rather unpleasant period, but it was during this time that he went down to the countryside.”

"So what we see more often are relatively common diseases, such as fractures and trauma."

"After my teacher returned, he focused on the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases, and then added his own ideas on the existing basis."

The treatment of fractures has been widely promoted, and there is basically not much room for further development.

Fang Ziye observed that Professor Zhou Gongbo and Professor Tian Lin had dedicated their entire lives to this field, and sometimes he felt that the return on investment was not very high.

“Professor Zhou, I have seen other professors in your institution who are researching popular areas such as osteotomy and bone defect treatment.”

"Haven't you thought about that?" Fang Ziye pressed again.

This is genuinely a request for advice.

“Sometimes I’ve thought about it, but my teacher said that whether it’s doing research or clinical work, those who seek novelty and difference are for fame, while those who seek detail and excellence are for the benefit of the people.”

"For diseases with more patients and more mature surgical techniques, the fame and benefits are not as great. There are not many people willing to delve into this direction, and many people chase after popular directions."

"That's right, exploring new treatment options is also the significance of our medical research."

"However, we must also consider that, at least in our country, there are still some people who may give up treatment because of various problems and are unable to undergo surgery."

"Professor Fang, my teacher and I encountered similar situations even several years ago. Therefore, my teacher and I have shifted our research focus from new topics to medical economics."

"Let's see if we can reduce medical expenses through some research, for example, by using simpler materials and simpler treatments, while still achieving relatively good results."

"If I can achieve this, then my life will not have been in vain," Zhou Gongbo said.

Fang Ziye was taken aback: "Professor Zhou, shouldn't medical expenses be subject to macro-control by them? We're just doctors, how could we possibly influence that?"

The prices of medical devices, research and development costs, and surgical fees are all set by hospitals and the government. Individuals do not have the ability or authority to do so.
"We certainly can't have a direct impact, but we still have a chance by simplifying surgical and treatment procedures."

“It might be a thankless task, since there’s no investment without profit…” Zhou Gongbo shook his head, his tone becoming quite complicated.

……

After watching Professor Zhou Gongbo leave, Fang Ziye stood there for a while before thoughtfully walking towards the experimental area.

At the same time, Professor Du Donglin called to report on the situation at the end of the surgery.

After hanging up the phone, Fang Ziye found the term "medical economics" coined by Professor Zhou Gongbo to be very interesting.

Fang Ziye even searched online and found very little description of this term.

Healthcare economics is a science that involves governments, medical professionals, patients, and insurance companies working together to uphold the universal value of "people-centeredness" in the treatment of diseases. It studies and solves problems such as saving medical resources (including shortening treatment time and reducing labor intensity), reducing the price of medical drugs, and improving the efficiency of medical work, all while effectively reducing patients' physical and mental suffering, ensuring the quality of medical care (including medical safety), and striving for the greatest possible recovery.

For Professors Zhou Gongbo and Tian Lin to conduct research on these things as medical workers is in itself a somewhat "foolish" act.

To some extent, it's a thankless task.

After all, many hospitals still implement a 'performance-based system' rather than an annual salary system.

Secondly, the return on investment for pharmaceutical companies, as well as the human resource costs at each stage, are all fixed expenses.

Unless you're someone with a guaranteed income regardless of circumstances, you can shout this slogan. If someone with a performance-based income tries to do this, people will think you're a little crazy.

Moreover, in well-established disease treatment fields, even if some new breakthroughs are made, it is difficult to cause a stir or resonate with peers.

For example, how much did you spend by plane from Wuhan to Shanghai? How much would it cost for someone else to take the train? Or how much would it cost to take the bus?

What is more scientifically significant is how to get to Shanghai in the shortest time, rather than how to get to Shanghai with the least amount of money.

Of course, while Fang Ziye does not agree with Professor Zhou Gongbo's ideas to some extent, he does agree with them from another perspective.

Medical research needs to consider certain social benefits.

Breakthroughs will benefit a wider range of people with more common and widespread diseases.

For example, Professor Li Yongjun wanted to delve deeper into the study of ALS, which Fang Ziye felt was a bit of a 'waste'!
Since there are already few patients with ALS, if this money could be invested in other diseases, more patients would benefit.

However, this idea is also very cruel. What about the patients who have already been diagnosed with ALS? Is there no one to take care of them?

If someone is in charge, then who will pay for this part of the research expenses?
If patients rely on themselves, can ordinary people afford the treatment costs?

If medical costs were forcibly reduced to treat patients, which pharmaceutical company would go through the trouble of spending money to gain publicity?
This is a very contradictory issue...

"Professor Fang, where are you now?" At 11:40 p.m. on April 29, Fang Ziye was still in the laboratory explaining miRNA-related issues to several of his students when he received a call from Professor Li Yongjun.

"I'm in the lab, Professor Li. Are you back yet?" Fang Ziye answered the phone in front of his students and asked in return.

Hu Qingyuan and the others began to loosen their hand joints and relax.

"I was planning to go back to Enshi tonight, but I received a last-minute notice telling me not to come back yet."

"And I reckon Professor Fang, you'll receive this notification soon, so I'm calling you in advance. Send me your ID number, and I'll book a good hotel for you," Li Yongjun said.

Li Yongjun's explanation was somewhat unclear; he mentioned something about ID numbers and hotels...

Fang Ziye went out first, listening as Professor Li Yongjun slowly explained the situation.

Upon hearing this, Fang Ziye was taken aback for a moment: "Professor Li, am I also going to Kyoto to attend this meeting of the Academy of Medical Sciences?"

“Yes, this conference was jointly organized by the Academy of Medical Sciences and the Medical Division of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and Professor Fang, you are among the invited experts,” Li Yongjun said.

“I just saw the list. You are attending as an expert in oncology.”

Fang Ziye was very surprised!
Yourself?

A national conference, and a nationally selected "conference" at that, not an academic conference, where I can go right now?

Why did they come to me?

"Professor Li, could you tell me the reason for this meeting? This is something you shouldn't see in the news," Fang Ziye said, choosing to be more direct.

"We can't agree on the purchase price!" Professor Li Yongjun said simply.

Fang Ziye then understood most of the key points.

No matter how good China's medical technology is, you can't deny that China's drug research and development is very, very weak!
Having no medicine available is no less devastating than having no rice to cook.

But we must find a way to solve this problem; we cannot ignore it.

In the short term, we need to negotiate prices; in the medium to long term, we need to find alternatives; and in the very long term, we need to take a shortcut and independently develop new drugs and medical devices.

One thing that must be acknowledged is that the purchase price of some drugs varies from country to country, and their selling price also differs.

For example, domestically produced cars are generally priced lower in China than abroad...

"Professor Li, will accommodation be arranged for this kind of conference?" Fang Ziye asked.

"Arrangements will be made, but the accommodations are usually not very comfortable. It's more comfortable to stay outside."

"These kinds of meetings usually have long schedules, and we'll probably spend our entire holiday there."

“Hotels might charge extra during holidays, so Professor Fang, please send me your ID number. I’ll find you a cheap and affordable hotel with decent accommodations,” Professor Li Yongjun said.

Fang Ziye sent his ID number in a daze, then received a meeting invitation call in a daze, and hung up the phone in a daze, hesitating in place.

This happened so suddenly that Fang Ziye had no time to react or prepare, and he had no prior experience in similar situations.

This level of conference is different from ordinary academic conferences. The entry threshold is extremely high. Ordinary people have no idea when or where the conference will be held, and it is not public.

It's even possible that the news won't record or report it!
The identities of the invited attendees are also kept confidential...

It came suddenly, but you can't simply refuse your own decision!
So Fang Ziye had no choice but to go back into the meeting room and said, "Let's call it a day. I have some business to attend to during the May Day holiday. We can contact each other via WeChat if needed."

"Master, didn't you say you had no plans for the May Day holiday?" Tian Yao asked.

“There’s another arrangement at the last minute!” Fang Ziye said.

Tian Yao didn't say anything more. Fang Ziye was the boss and the mentor. He couldn't control Fang Ziye's schedule and plans, let alone dare to question them.

……

It was late, so Fang Ziye didn't have time to ask Dean Chen Song for leave.

The next day, Fang Ziye arrived at the sanatorium's office area early and then made a phone call to Director Chen Song.

"Ziye, come over here first!" Dean Chen Song didn't say much at first.

"Okay, Dean Chen, I'll come over after I finish my rounds," Fang Ziye replied.

Clinical work remains important, and patients should not be taken lightly.

However, because Fang Ziye was preoccupied with the matter of the mysterious meeting, even the fact that Old Master Zhang was leaving the sanatorium today did not make Fang Ziye particularly happy. Instead, he just smiled obsequiously like a tool...

After the inspection, everyone noticed that Fang Ziye seemed a little distracted, so Wu Xuanqi asked, "Team Leader Fang, what are you thinking about?"

"You seem a little out of it?"

"Ah? Oh, me? I was thinking about some things," Fang Ziye replied calmly.

Upon hearing Fang Ziye's words, Fang Zhikuan said directly, "Professor Wu, let's go prepare for the surgery first. Since Team Leader Fang is thinking about the problem, let's not disturb his thoughts."

Fang Zhikuan’s tone was very decisive.

You'd better not interrupt Fang Ziye's train of thought easily, otherwise he'll get angry and even your teacher won't be able to save you.

You'd better not interrupt some people's train of thought!
Upon hearing this, Wu Xuanqi's lips twitched for a while, and he really dared not joke or grin anymore.

Watching Fang Zhikuan and the others return to the surgical office area, Fang Ziye followed after them: "Professor Fang, you guys start the procedure first, I'll go to Dean Chen's place first..."

"Oh, okay, Team Leader Fang, no rush."

"Today's surgery is simple." Professor Yan Huanan turned around and gave him a very sincere smile.

Fang Ziye's output in the clinical and research areas of the sanatorium was fruitful, and most people could only admire him.

Especially as time goes by, such admiration will only deepen and become more genuine.

Therefore, it wasn't that Yan Huanan and others were willing to become 'lapdogs' or 'lackeys,' but rather that they genuinely dared not disturb Fang Ziye's thinking, lest it affect Fang Ziye's exploration of new research directions.

Fang Ziye can handle so many directions all by himself. If it's not because of his own thinking, is it because he's been fed by others?
Who will feed him?
"Thank you for your hard work. By the way, Professor Fang, Professor Yan, I'll be leaving early this afternoon. My flight is at four o'clock. I hope you can work overtime for me." Fang Ziye continued to make excessive demands in a 'provocative' manner.

The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow in a conference hall in Kyoto, but I must complete my task today!
Therefore, Fang Ziye will still go to the operating room later, because the surgery in the operating room is immediate, cannot be replicated, and there is no room for trial and error.

Even if a small experiment in the lab fails, you can try it again!
……

Sanatorium, administration building, conference room.

Chen Song, Professor Pang Longshan (head of the research group), Professor Dou Kaigong (molecular oncology), and Professor Hu Yiqiang (drug and metabolite analysis research center) all gathered together.

The experimental area has multiple directions, each with its own group leader, similar to the setup of the clinical group.

Fang Ziye knew all the group leaders. Pang Longshan was the head of the research group, in charge of basic research on difficult and critical illnesses and rare diseases. Professor Zhao Jing, who was in charge of cardiovascular diseases, was responsible for the research and development of basic research on the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Dou Kaigong, a molecular oncologist, is responsible for eight aspects of basic research on tumor treatment, while Professor Xue Dongfang, a medical molecular biologist, is responsible for the basic research phase of basic scientific research.

Professor Liang Yue of the Laboratory of Active Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines is responsible for the reclassification and qualitative research of traditional Chinese medicine, and has the most in-depth communication with Dean Chen Song.

Dean Chen Song has always been committed to redefining existing wild and cultivated medicinal herbs, reclassifying their functions, and striving to create new prescriptions to revitalize traditional Chinese medicine.

Professor Song Ding of the Human Disease Animal Model Resource Bank works in a similar field to Liao Jia, but it is currently difficult to determine the difference in their abilities.

Professor Hu Yiqiang of the Drug and Metabolite Analysis Research Center is responsible for drug re-dosing analysis, repurposing of old drugs, and monitoring and analyzing the different therapeutic principles of drugs at different doses.

Professor Tian Huaqiang of the Clinical Medical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases is responsible for leading in-depth clinical and basic research on hematologic diseases...

Surgery is just one branch, one specialty, within the sanatorium; it's not the whole.

Currently, Fang Ziye is the head of the surgical research group, which is a newly established research group from these basic research fields, namely the Surgical Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center, which currently has only a few people... However, not everyone is qualified to attend the "meeting" that Fang Ziye mentioned. Chen Song guessed that he had invited a few professors who had received invitations.

"Dean Chen, Professor Pang, Professor Dou, Professor Hu!" Fang Ziye bowed as he entered.

It was only this time that Fang Ziye gained a more objective understanding of the 'status' of these people in the research field!
Although they came to the sanatorium, not all of them were ordinary professors; they had their own 'backing,' otherwise how could they dare to shout slogans!

However, Fang Ziye had no access to this kind of confidence before.

Facing the questioning gazes of the other three, Chen Song said, "I have just received definite information that Professor Fang is indeed an invited participant in the meeting."

"However, I was quite surprised that they called me this time!"

"I think the difficulties we've encountered this time are even greater than before."

"I definitely won't go. But this is Professor Fang's first time attending this conference, so I hope Professor Pang and the others will take good care of him and not let him be easily forced to sign a pledge!" Chen Song said cautiously.

Professor Pang Longshan smiled and said, "Dean Chen, you're overthinking it. These kinds of meetings usually don't involve making any promises or pledges."

Chen Songze glanced at Pang Longshan: "Professor Pang, what you're saying is the general case, not all cases."

The implication is that I attended countless meetings like this when I was in Kyoto. I've seen far more than you have.

“If I were targeted at a meeting like this, it would be very difficult for even me to handle.”

Chen Song then looked at Fang Ziye and said, "Ziye, you are young, so you can always keep this in mind."

"I can't do it, I'm broke, I have no connections, I have nothing! ~ Do you understand?"

Chen Song was essentially passing on his experience to Fang Ziye.

These kinds of meetings are usually held when there are significant time constraints, and people are temporarily called in to attend!

Some people can't wait to solve a problem, but since they can't do it themselves, they can only blame the professionals.

He couldn't agree easily, fearing that Fang Ziye, being young and naive, might get carried away after being given the opportunity to speak at the meeting and being respected and valued.

Hearing Chen Song speak so cautiously, Fang Ziye quickly nodded: "Okay, Dean Chen, I will definitely remember!"

"I can't do it, I'm broke, I have no connections, I have nothing!"

"I can't do it, I'm broke, I have no connections, I have nothing!"

To show he really remembered, Fang Ziye repeated it twice! Both times, his voice was quite loud!
If Chen Song didn't care about you, what would it matter to him whether you lived or died? He wasn't your father.

"The medical field is a relatively special industry, and under normal circumstances, it does not involve military-related competition."

"But the medical field is also a relatively special industry. If something goes wrong in it, it's no less serious than not having food to eat. So, I estimate that the problems this time may have a relatively wide-ranging impact!"

"Professor Pang, you and Professor Dou also need to be careful. One of you is in charge of rare diseases, and the other is a practitioner in molecular oncology."

“At every meeting like this, high demands are usually made in this regard, and some tasks are assigned. Although they may eventually come to nothing, it’s best not to come back with something to show for it.”

"but!!"

Chen Song further stated: "Within my capabilities, if after listening to opinions I feel I can take even a small step forward, I will not back down!"

"Because if none of us do it, then no one will do it, and we'll just be waiting to be slaughtered or to die."

"However, even if you agree, you should have a backup plan."

"A way out in the face of failure!!!"

Opportunities and challenges coexist!

Pang Longshan and the others stared at Chen Song in a daze for a moment before Pang Longshan lowered his voice and cautiously asked, "Dean Chen, have you ever been defeated by someone before?"

Chen Song is so familiar with the tricks of the trade, he must not be an ordinary participant, right?

"That's not important, it's all in the past. Just remember what I told you."

"Opportunities and challenges coexist."

After Chen Song finished speaking, he looked at Fang Ziye and said, "Fang Ziye, you don't need to think about it. Unless you're lucky enough to kick a piece of gold into your pocket, even if it's right in front of you and you think you can take it, don't take it."

"It's not that easy to get!"

"You are young and have this opportunity to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the current predicament of our country and to understand the current state of our country's medical industry from a higher perspective. This is to gain experience and improve your understanding."

"But you?"

"It shouldn't have been here originally, it was just a coincidence, you know?"

"In the world of martial arts, the most important thing is to be cautious!"

"The international and overall healthcare situation is far worse than the domestic environment!!!"

"The most, most, most important thing is not to speak too intimately with someone you don't know well."

"Otherwise, every word you say could become the reason you get beaten up later."

"I can tell you with certainty that the ideas you share might appear in research institutions abroad the very next day."

Chen and Song's statement was rather exaggerated and serious.

But no one ever doubted him!
For an ordinary researcher, no matter how much you talk, no one will care about your brilliant words.

But for a researcher in a high position, any casual remark you make will be recorded by someone.

No era in this world has ever been particularly peaceful.

Before you enter that circle, no one will bother with you! But once you're in that circle, you have to be careful with your words and actions.

After Chen Song finished speaking, Pang Longshan and the others took their leave one after another.

However, Fang Ziye was not in a hurry to leave. After the three left, he asked somewhat nervously, "Dean Chen, could you please say a few more words to me?"

“Generally speaking, someone your age would only be seen as someone going to broaden their horizons. Professor Li Yongjun also rewarded me by having you attend as his assistant.”

"So, you won't be targeted."

"However, you must understand that your thoughts and ideas are very valuable, so don't speak lightly."

"If you ask a question, don't answer it; if you must answer it, just don't go into detail."

"Or you could just pin it on Li Yongjun; there are many things you don't know."

"These kinds of meetings are usually divided into several sections."

"These are some of the directions I mentioned to you before: new treatments, new drugs, tumors, and intractable diseases."

"There aren't many participants from each district, usually just a few to a dozen or so, and then there's a general meeting..."

Fang Ziye nodded and then asked, "Dean Chen, what would happen if we declined such an invitation?"

Chen Song glanced at Fang Ziye from head to toe, then immediately forgot that he was an old man and said, "Are you fucking crazy!"

Fang Ziye silently added to himself, "So Dean Chen, you don't have to go. You're awesome!"
This question doesn't need an answer at all.

After leaving the meeting room, Fang Ziye went to the operating room to watch the surgery!

In clinical practice, you can never be too cautious. You can't be careless at all. No matter what your rank or how capable you are, you must be humble and cautious.

……

"Senior brother, what kind of meeting are you going to attend this time?" Luo Tingzhu asked Fang Ziye with some reluctance as he saw him off at the entrance of the villa area.

This time, Fang Ziye went to a meeting during his vacation, without taking her along or explaining the situation. She was a little worried that Fang Ziye might be having an affair in Beijing!
I just went to Kyoto last week, and I'm going again for May Day, but I haven't spent any time with her.

Of course, such thoughts were fleeting.

"I have to go, but it's not important!" Fang Ziye could only give a vague answer.

Because he himself didn't know what the meeting would be about, what the theme would be, or what he would hear.

The domestic public opinion environment is relatively conservative and not very outward-looking, so some information is relatively delayed.

At least ordinary people like Fang Ziye are relatively behind.

Unless you constantly use a VPN, you might hear some rumors, but you certainly won't know as much as professionals do.

"Can I spend the Dragon Boat Festival with you again? I really have to go this time." Fang Ziye took Luo Tingzhu's hand.

Although the two of them did not have any travel plans for this holiday.

However, the two are about to take their wedding photos, and they have decided to take a two-day "rest" during the May Day holiday, spending time together in Enshi, eating, shopping, and enjoying their own private world.

Fang Ziye's decision meant that Luo Tingzhu had to stay in the lab every day to conduct experiments.

There will definitely be a gap.

Luo Tingzhu can be independent, but that doesn't mean she doesn't need companionship and comfort. She can find her own hobbies and interests, but that doesn't mean she doesn't need to be pampered.

"Okay, sure!"

"It's alright, senior brother. We have so much to do that we can't finish it all. I'll invite you and the other senior brothers to my house for a meal in a couple of days," Luo Tingzhu replied.

She can manage her own life well, whether it's research, work, or her own entertainment and leisure...

“We video chat every day.”

"My car is here. I'll let you know as soon as I have any updates."

“Goodness!” Fang Ziye said.

……

Among the people Fang Ziye knew, there was no one he could discuss the invitation with, except for Professor Li Yongjun, Nie Mingxian's teacher.

Wu Xuanqi's teacher, Professor Duan Hong, and other professors he knew had no idea what meeting Fang Ziye was attending.

Therefore, Fang Ziye did not dare to ask his mentor or some of the leaders he was familiar with at his hospital.

Upon arriving in Kyoto, Li Yongjun didn't have time to pick him up at the airport; he went directly to the hotel location that Professor Li Yongjun had sent him.

Contrary to Fang Ziye's expectations, Professor Li Yongjun said, "I'm sorry, Professor Fang, I can't stay outside this time either."

"We all stay here together. This is a guesthouse in an administrative building and it's not open to the public."

"Your current position is my assistant, and I have already reported and applied for this position with other people."

"So you'll live next door to me, and follow my every move."

As Professor Li Yongjun spoke, other people arrived one after another, pushing boxes, but they were mostly strangers to each other.

After Fang Ziye nodded, he suddenly saw someone open the door to the room!
He appeared upright in the corridor, glanced in this direction, recognized Fang Ziye, first widened his eyes in surprise, then quickly suppressed his emotions, coughed, and closed the door.

This person is Professor Zhang Limin, who is an academician.

He probably heard his own voice and found it incredible, which is why he came out to take a look.

"Professor Fang, don't go out unnecessarily tonight. The meeting officially starts at 9:30 tomorrow morning. If you're having lunch, you can come with me," Li Yongjun said.

"Okay, Professor Li!"

"Just call me Ziye, or else?" Fang Ziye sensibly settled into the assistant's seat.

"Okay!" Li Yongjun also felt that this form of address was more appropriate.

Fang Ziye video-chatted with Luo Tingzhu that evening. Luo Tingzhu looked a little resentful. She was at home, not in the lab. She rested her chin on her hand, her gaze distant, as if she had unspeakable grievances.

I feel pity for you.

She's thinking of a solution.

After all, in the previous work, we basically only met once in the evening and didn't have much communication. The rest of the time was devoted to experiments.

but?
"Don't worry, I'll be back soon. I'll be back on the evening of the 4th," Fang Ziye said.

Fang Ziye received the conference schedule; the conference would last for four days!
"Okay, senior brother! Luckily, there's still one day of holiday left." Luo Tingzhu wasn't greedy; knowing that Fang Ziye could spend another day with her on the 5th, she smiled brightly and generously...

(End of this chapter)