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

The huge lecture hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Sunlight streamed through the huge glass windows, casting dappled shadows on the floor, and the air was filled with a solemn and expectant atmosphere.

In the front row, Zhuang Qiwen stood upright, his sharp eyes carrying a hint of barely perceptible longing; Yu Shiyun clasped her hands tightly on her knees, her fingertips turning slightly white from the force, both nervous and excited; Li Haofei, Liu Xi, and others had burning eyes, like soldiers awaiting inspection.

In the back row and on both sides, the students of Kyoto University of Traditional Chinese Medicine held their breath, with countless eyes focused on the entrance to the podium.

For them, this was not just the last class of the semester, but also an opportunity to look up to a legend up close.

For the younger generation of TCM students, the name "Yang Shen" Chen Yang is no longer just a title, but a belief and a benchmark.

Chen Yang was wearing a simple dark suit today, without a tie, which made him look both approachable and dignified.

He walked calmly onto the podium, holding only a thin folder in his hand.

Without speaking immediately, Chen Yang's gaze slowly swept across the entire room.

Chen Yang's gaze was calm, yet it seemed to carry a penetrating power, sweeping past the determination of Zhuang Qiwen and others, brushing aside the unease of Yu Shiyun and others, and also sensing the fervor and aspirations of the students in the back row.

At that moment, the air in the classroom seemed to freeze.

"stand up!"

Someone shouted, and in an instant, all the students, including Zhuang Qiwen and other contestants in the front row, stood up in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized, their eyes filled with respect.

"Hello, teacher!" The voices rang out in unison.

Chen Yang nodded slightly, pressed his hands together lightly, and his voice clearly carried through the microphone to every corner of the classroom: "Students, please sit down."

After everyone was seated, Chen Yang spoke, his voice not loud, but every word clear: "Today, sitting here are outstanding individuals who have just experienced the baptism of the Apricot Grove Competition, as well as future stars of our Kyoto University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It was my suggestion to the school to put the opening ceremony of the special training class together with this final lesson."

After a pause, Chen Yang's gaze swept across the entire room again: "Why? Because I hope that whether it's those who have already shown their talent or those of you who are accumulating strength, you can all remember today, remember why we studied medicine, and where we are headed."

Without flowery language or impassioned slogans, Chen Yang's tone was as calm as if he were chatting casually, yet he instantly captured everyone's attention.

"The recently concluded competition was full of ups and downs, with both controversy and touching moments."

Chen Yang's voice carried a hint of reminiscence: "We witnessed the profoundness of the classics, and also the courage to innovate; we saw the perseverance and reflection of our predecessors..."

As he spoke, Chen Yang's gaze swept over the front row almost imperceptibly: "I also saw the vigor and responsibility of the younger generation."

"I'm sure everyone already knows about Elder Xiao Jingyun's matter," Chen Yang said frankly, causing a slight commotion in the audience, but it quickly subsided.

"Many people asked me why I insisted on that decision back then, even at the cost of being criticized."

Chen Yang smiled slightly, a smile that showed a wisdom and composure beyond his years: "Because I have always believed that medicine, especially traditional Chinese medicine, is not a science that is black and white. It is an art that seeks precision in ambiguity and grasps balance in dynamics."

Chen Yang's voice gradually rose, carrying a deafening power: "We cannot judge a doctor by simply elevating him to a pedestal because of a single success, nor can we condemn him to hell because of a single mistake!"

"What's important is that he remains humble in success, faces his true self after failure, learns from his mistakes, and maintains his reverence for life and his pursuit of medical expertise!"

Zhuang Qiwen took a deep breath, a flash of understanding appearing in his eyes.

Yu Shiyun's tightly clenched hand quietly loosened, as if some knot in her heart had been gently untied by those words. The students in the back row listened with rapt attention; they had never heard such words anywhere else.

"Today, the twenty-eight members of the special training class sitting here are fortunate, but also bear heavy responsibilities."

Chen Yang's gaze fell on Zhuang Qiwen and the others: "Over the next three months, Xiao Jingyun and I will each lead you to visit traditional Chinese medicine hospitals in various places to see, listen, learn, practice, and even... find fault!"

A low gasp rippled through the audience once again.

Leading a team to various hospitals to "nitpick"? That's unheard of!

Chen Yang seemed quite pleased with everyone's surprised reaction. With a slight smile, he continued, "That's right, it's about finding fault! We need to use the most critical eye to see how well our TCM hospitals in various places are doing. What kind of difficulties do our colleagues face every day? Are our patients truly able to enjoy the TCM services they deserve?"

As Chen Yang spoke, his tone became serious: "Now, many patients believe in traditional Chinese medicine, but they struggle to find good TCM doctors or TCM hospitals where they can entrust their health with peace of mind. This is a pain point for our entire industry, and it is also a problem that our generation of TCM practitioners must face head-on!"

"This special training is not only to improve your medical skills, but also to broaden your horizons and temper your character. You will see the most realistic situation of grassroots medical care, you may encounter difficult and complicated cases, you may meet colleagues who do not understand, and you may even be questioned and challenged."

Chen Yang's gaze sharpened: "But I hope you remember that no matter what you encounter, you must uphold a sense of justice and adhere to the duties of a doctor."

"Don't blindly follow superiors or books, only follow the facts! Use what you have learned to help those who truly need help, and use your actions to gradually change those unsatisfactory places."

"This will be a more arduous but also more meaningful journey than the competition."

Chen Yang's voice was full of infectious energy: "Do you dare to come with me on this trip?"

"dare!"

Almost in unison, led by Zhuang Qiwen, the twenty-eight members of the special training class responded in unison, their voices so loud they made the classroom buzz. Excitement and determination shone on each of their faces, and a surge of fighting spirit filled the front row of the classroom.

The students in the back rows were also deeply moved, and thunderous applause erupted and lasted for a long time.

At this moment, what they saw was not only a highly skilled "Yang Shen" (a deity associated with medicine), but also a guide who had the world in his heart and was determined to change the status quo of traditional Chinese medicine.

Looking at the young and energetic faces below the stage, Chen Yang felt a surge of pride. He knew that this path would not be smooth; it would inevitably affect the interests of many and encounter all sorts of obstacles.

But some things just have to be done by someone.

He looked at Zhuang Qiwen and saw the determination and longing in his eyes; he looked at Yu Shiyun and saw her persistence after shedding her timidity; he looked at Li Haofei and Liu Xi and saw their eagerness to try.

With these people around, and with countless expectant eyes behind him, he has the confidence to continue down this path.

"Alright!" Chen Yang nodded heavily. "Since you dare to do it, then let's use these three months to forge a path!"