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

On the morning of the third day, the sky was just beginning to lighten.

At the entrance of Kyoto International Medical Center, two medium-sized buses are ready to depart.

The 28 members participating in the special training have all arrived and are divided into two groups, orderly putting their luggage into the carriage.

The atmosphere was serious and tense, tinged with a touch of sadness at parting and excitement for the unknown journey ahead.

Chen Yang and Xiao Jingyun stood at the front of the line.

After the turmoil of the competition and the adjustments of the past few days, Xiao Jingyun's complexion has recovered considerably, but his eyes, compared to before, have lost some of their arrogance and gained more calmness and clarity.

He was wearing a dark gray Chinese-style jacket, his hair was neatly combed, and although he was over seventy years old, he was still very energetic.

"Director Chen, the personnel count is complete, we can depart now," Gao Anliang reported as he approached.

Chen Yang nodded and looked at Xiao Jingyun: "Old Xiao, I'm afraid you'll have to work hard this time. You lead the team north, and I'll lead the team south. We'll keep in touch."

Xiao Jingyun nodded solemnly: "Director Chen, rest assured, since I have agreed to this matter, I will do my best. This trip is also an opportunity for me to relearn and reflect on myself."

Xiao Jingyun's words were sincere and without any pretense.

The events of the past few days dealt a huge blow to Xiao Jingyun, but they also allowed him to truly calm down and let go of the burdens of the past. He was also eager to see what he could do and what he could learn by going deep into the grassroots after shedding the halo of being a "famous expert."

Chen Yang reached out and shook hands firmly with Xiao Jingyun: "Take care!"

"Take care of yourself!"

The two exchanged a smile, seemingly sharing a mutual appreciation.

The group assignments were decided upon by Chen Yang, Xiao Jingyun, Gao Anliang, and others.

Xiao Jingyun's Northern Team, mainly composed of contestants with relatively stable styles and solid theoretical foundations, such as Li Haofei and Liu Xi, will travel to some long-established traditional Chinese medicine hospitals in North and Northeast China.

This time, Chen Yang entrusted several of his apprentices to Xiao Jingyun.

Li Haofei, Liu Xi, Xun Jiahong, and Wu Mengmeng all followed Xiao Jingyun this time.

Chen Yang's apprentices are all incredibly talented, so Chen Yang isn't too worried about their growth. Meanwhile, Xun Jiahong and Li Haofei might be able to offer Xiao Jingyun some advice or inspiration on certain ideas, and they can also learn some of Xiao Jingyun's thought processes.

The Southern Group, led by Chen Yang, consists of contestants such as Yu Shiyun and Zhuang Qiwen, and they will travel to Jiangnan and South China.

The area has a strong atmosphere of traditional Chinese medicine and many folk schools of thought, but it may also be a mixed bag, requiring a greater ability to distinguish between genuine and fake practices.

In terms of skill level, Chen Yang is stronger than Xiao Jingyun. Moreover, he is young and has ideas. He hopes to mentor these people, even if they cannot stay at the Kyoto International Medical Center, he can still influence them.

This arrangement allows both instructors to leverage their strengths while ensuring that students with different styles receive the most suitable training.

"Get in the car, let's go!"

At Chen Yang's command, the members of the North and South teams boarded the vehicles respectively.

Before boarding the bus, Zhuang Qiwen glanced back at Chen Yang, his eyes filled with unwavering determination. Yu Shiyun took a deep breath and followed closely behind Zhuang Qiwen, boarding the bus carrying Chen Yang.

"Director Gao, Elder An, I'm leaving the hospital to you." Chen Yang said with a smile to Gao Anliang and An Yunfan.

Many of the top 30 in this competition came from the Kyoto International Medical Center, including Xia Hongliang, Li Chengjie, Gu Yingyin, Qu Wenxuan, and Zeng Yunhui.

The group from Kyoto International Medical Center skipped the preliminary and semi-final rounds and went straight to the final. However, some people did not register, such as Lin Yi, Wen Haoxue, and Gao Anliang.

Therefore, after Chen Yang and Xiao Jingyun left with their men this time, the medical center will be much less staffed.

"Don't worry, Director Chen," Gao Anliang and An Yunfan said with smiles.

After saying goodbye, Chen Yang and Xiao Jingyun got into their respective cars, which slowly started and drove away from the medical center, merging into the morning traffic.

Chen Yang sat by the window, watching the familiar street scenes rushing past outside, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

This time, he and Xiao Jingyun took away not only the expectations of the twenty-eight elite students, but also the deep hopes of Elder Wen, Elder Chu, and others for the future of traditional Chinese medicine.

Chen Yang knew that what awaited them ahead would not be a smooth road.

The complex interpersonal relationships within local hospitals, potential medical barriers, unpredictable and complex critical illnesses, and even obstruction from certain vested interests... these are all thorns in the way.

Inside the car, Yu Shiyun was quietly discussing something with Gu Yingyin next to her, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and anticipation.

Xia Hongliang was wearing headphones and resting with his eyes closed, Zhuang Qiwen and Li Chengjie were chatting, and most of the other trainees were looking out the window, some excited and some deep in thought.

These young people are the future spark of traditional Chinese medicine.

Chen Yang withdrew his gaze, slowly closed his eyes, and began to mentally organize the information from his first stop—Hebei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

That will be the first stop on their journey.

The bus sped along the highway, carrying ideals and hopes, heading towards the distance.

Meanwhile, in a secluded club in Kyoto.

"What? Chen Yang and Xiao Jingyun are leading teams down for 'medical rounds'? And they're bringing along those greenhorns selected from the competition?" Upon receiving the news, President Wang sat up abruptly from the sofa, his face turning extremely grim.

Official Zhang frowned, tapping his fingers on the armrest: "It seems we underestimated this kid's determination and drive. He's going to take this fire down to the lower levels!"

Professor Li said with concern, "Their first stop is the Hebei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine... I'm afraid there will be trouble with Lao Zhao."

General Manager Wang snorted coldly, a sinister glint in his eyes: "Trouble? Hmph, I'd like to see if they can even get this first fire going! Call Old Zhao and tell him to 'treat' our young 'Yang God' well!"

Hebei Province, located in the Central Plains, has a long history and a profound cultural heritage of traditional Chinese medicine.

The Hebei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine is the largest and oldest TCM hospital in the province, and is known as the "Number One TCM Hospital in Central China".

When Chen Yang and his Southern team arrived in the capital of Hebei Province, it was already afternoon.

The Hebei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine sent a vice president and the director of the medical affairs department to receive them. They were polite but distant, and the accommodation they arranged was just an ordinary guesthouse near the hospital.

"Director Chen, you must be tired from your journey."

Vice President Zhao, who is in charge of medical affairs, smiled amiably, but there was a hint of scrutiny and subtle meaning in his eyes: "Our Dean Hao has an important meeting today and is really unable to get away. He specifically asked me to express his apologies to you. I will host a welcome dinner for everyone tonight."

"Dean Zhao, you're too kind. We've been the ones bothering you." Chen Yang said calmly, seemingly unaware of the subtle nuances in the other party's attitude.

When they set off, Chen Yang had already anticipated that the local hospitals would not genuinely welcome such a "royal envoy" team.