Chinese medicine: from rural hospitals to top three hospitals in Kyoto

Zhuang Qiwen and Luo Junchao found the preliminary competition organizing committee office located in the Hanping City Traditional Chinese Medicine Association building, based on the address provided on the official website.

In the outer office, several staff members were busy organizing documents and answering phones, creating a somewhat noisy atmosphere.

Luo Jun stepped forward and politely asked a middle-aged woman who looked like the person in charge: "Hello, we are participants in this medical competition and would like to inquire about the preliminary results."

The woman didn't even look up, and said impatiently, "The results and the list of those who advanced have already been published on the official website. What's there to ask? If you've advanced, prepare for the semi-finals. If you haven't, try again next time."

Luo Junchao smiled ingratiatingly: "It's like this, my friend Zhuang Qiwen, we think he's very skilled and performed well this time, but we don't know why he didn't advance. We'd like to see if there's a mistake, or if you could check his specific score?"

At this moment, a young staff member next to them looked up and glanced at Zhuang Qiwen and Luo Junchao. In particular, when he saw Zhuang Qiwen's simple clothes and slightly weathered face, a hint of contempt flashed in his eyes.

"Every day, so many people come to ask, and they all say they're highly skilled. If they haven't advanced, it's just because they're not good enough. What other reason could there be?"

Zhuang Qiwen frowned slightly, but still patiently said, "Comrade, we don't mean anything by it. We just want to verify the situation. This competition is a national event, and we believe that the organizing committee is fair and just."

The middle-aged woman then raised her head, looked at Zhuang Qiwen, and said in a slightly gentler tone: "The exam papers are graded by an expert group. The process is very strict, and the possibility of errors is very small."

“Your exam papers are all sealed now, and it’s very troublesome to check them. Moreover, the preliminary selection is based on a comprehensive evaluation, not just the written test score, but also factors such as education and professional experience.”

"Comprehensive considerations?"

Luo Junchao was taken aback: "This wasn't mentioned when we registered, was it? Didn't they say that the selection would mainly be based on the written test scores?"

"Do I need to explain the internal review details to you one by one?" A slightly authoritative voice came from the doorway of the inner office.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a middle-aged man in his fifties and a young man in his forties walk out of another office, looking at them with serious expressions.

They had obviously heard what was being said outside.

Liu Qiming walked closer and his gaze fell on Zhuang Qiwen: "You're Zhuang Qiwen from Heshan County?"

"It's me, Chairman Liu."

Zhuang Qiwen answered neither humbly nor arrogantly that he recognized Liu Qiming.

Liu Qiming is the vice president of the Yunzhou Provincial Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine and also the vice president of the Yunzhou Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

"I vaguely remember your exam paper."

Liu Qiming pushed up his glasses, his tone carrying a condescending judgment: "Your basic knowledge is solid in some areas, but your answering approach is too unconventional and doesn't follow the rules."

"In particular, the use of some prescriptions was too reckless and did not comply with clinical safety standards. Giving you a low score is to be responsible to you and to the patients. The competition aims to select outstanding talents with solid theoretical foundations and standardized treatment ideas, not 'unorthodox doctors' who only know how to use folk remedies and risky methods."

The label of "quack doctor" instantly turned Zhuang Qiwen's face ugly. He could accept failure, but he could not accept such a stigmatizing evaluation.

Luo Junchao couldn't help but defend himself, saying, "Chairman Liu, Qiwen has an excellent reputation in our county and has cured many difficult and complicated diseases..."

"His reputation in the county?"

Zhao Chen scoffed, interrupting Luo Junchao: "What do patients from small places know? They might have just happened to cure a few, and they're already praising them to the skies. What we judges value is systematic theoretical knowledge and standardized treatment pathways; that's the right path for the development of traditional Chinese medicine!"

"Yes, young people should be down-to-earth and not aim too high. If it doesn't work out this time, go back and study hard, solidify your foundation, and there will be other opportunities in the future," Liu Qiming said in an official tone.

Looking at the sanctimonious faces before him, Zhuang Qiwen felt a surge of immense humiliation and powerlessness.

He realized that it wasn't a matter of his skill level at all, but rather that in some people's eyes, a "village doctor" like him, without any background or status, simply didn't deserve an opportunity.

And he had already recognized Zhao Chen...

Zhuang Qiwen took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and said in a deep voice, "I understand. Sorry to bother you."

After saying that, Zhuang Qiwen pulled Luo Junchao, who still wanted to argue, and turned to leave.

Watching the two figures leave, Liu Qiming snorted coldly, "They don't know what's good for them."

Zhao Chen smiled and said, "President Liu, there's no need to get angry. This kind of person isn't worth it. I've made a reservation at 'Royal Cuisine' tonight to calm you and Dean Qian down."

……

As Luo Junchao walked out of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association building, his face turned ashen with anger: "Outrageous! This is simply outrageous! What kind of unorthodox methods are these? What kind of reckless behavior are these! Qiwen, don't I know that the prescriptions you wrote are all based on sound reasoning and have remarkable effects? They are clearly trying to suppress us on purpose!"

Zhuang Qiwen remained silent, gazing at the gray sky over Hanping City, his heart filled with a chill.

He had high hopes for this competition, hoping to use this platform to prove himself and even gain access to a higher level of the world of traditional Chinese medicine. But now, before that door has even truly opened, it has been slammed shut in such a despicable way.

"Never mind, Junchao."

Zhuang Qiwen shook his head bitterly: "Let's go back. This is reality."

"no!"

Luo Junchao retorted, "I can't let you be buried like this. I'm going to file a complaint!"

"The organizing committee for the competition is Kyoto International Medical Center and the Chinese Medicine Association. I refuse to believe that no one is in charge!"

"it's useless."

Zhuang Qiwen sighed: "We have no evidence, what can we complain about? They have a million reasons to explain why they eliminated me. If we make a big fuss, it will only make us look like sore losers."

As he spoke, Zhuang Qiwen patted Luo Junchao on the shoulder: "I'm happy for you that you've advanced. Prepare well for the semi-finals and try to make it to the finals so you can see the sights of Kyoto. Don't worry about my affairs."

"Qiwen, do you know the person next to Liu Qiming just now?" Luo Junchao asked.

Luo Junchao clearly noticed the change in Zhuang Qiwen's expression just now.

"Looks a little familiar."

Zhuang Qiwen said, "He was a patient who came to my clinic at the end of last year. He wanted me to see him first, but there were several other patients ahead of him, so I patiently told him to register and wait in line..."

"That's it?" Luo Junchao was a little incredulous.

“Now it seems he must be someone of great importance,” Zhuang Qiwen said.

"That makes no sense."

Luo Jun said angrily, "Is he really lawless? Is he going to ruin your future over such a small matter?"

"How can we ordinary people afford to offend the powerful and wealthy?"

Zhuang Qiwen said softly, "Let it go. If this gets out of hand, my clinic won't be able to stay open, and that would be really serious."