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

Hao Rencai shuddered violently, nearly dropping the teacup from his hand, a look of undisguised horror and panic flashing in his eyes.

He clearly hadn't expected that Chen Yang not only knew about the obstacles behind the scenes, but also knew exactly who they were! He gave an awkward dry laugh, his Adam's apple bobbing, and fine beads of sweat instantly appeared on his forehead. He neither admitted nor denied it, but this reaction was tantamount to acquiescence.

"Director Chen, you...you are truly insightful."

Hao Rencai pulled out a few tissues, wiped his forehead, and said with a wry smile, "Hebei Province is very close to Beijing. In our small territory, some things are very complicated and involve a wide range of people. Your team this time is very large-scale, directly dispatched by the ministry, representing the will of higher-ups. Some people... are uneasy about it..."

"Dean Hao is overthinking it."

Chen Yang put down his teacup, his gaze clear and focused: "Our mission on this trip is clear: academic exchange and talent cultivation. We have no other involvement and no intention of interfering in local affairs."

"I understand, I understand."

Hao Rencai nodded repeatedly, like a chicken pecking at rice: "But some people are guilty of doing something wrong. To be honest, the day before you came, I received a phone call that implied that I should 'treat you properly' and make you feel that you have no way to start and give up."

A barely perceptible hint of coldness flashed in Chen Yang's eyes.

As expected, the all-powerful General Manager Wang and the official Zhang behind him extended their reach even further and acted with even greater impatience than anticipated.

In fact, Chen Yang's choice of Hebei Province as the first stop for his special training was not entirely random.

Chen Yang was not unaware of the various controversies during the Xinglin Competition, nor of the figures stirring up trouble behind the scenes; he simply hadn't yet found the right time and had temporarily shelved the issue. Now that he had arrived with great momentum, some people were naturally getting restless.

"Then what is the purpose of Dean Hao inviting me here today to have a heart-to-heart talk?"

Chen Yang looked at Hao Rencai with a calm yet penetrating gaze, as if he could see into the most hidden corner of the other's heart.

Hao Rencai rubbed his hands together, and his face once again put on that smile that was a mixture of ingratiation and determination.

"Director Chen, after these few days of getting to know you, I truly admire your medical skills and your character. You are young yet not arrogant, capable yet not haughty. I was blinded by greed before, thinking it was better to avoid trouble and protect myself. But now I understand that only by following a guiding light like you can I have a future and hope for the hospital."

As he spoke, he leaned closer, his voice extremely low, almost a whisper: "I have... some information about our hospital's Vice President Zhao, and some irregular 'accounts' between him and certain pharmaceutical and equipment suppliers... Perhaps, it will be useful for your next step... in cleaning up the environment."

Chen Yang sneered inwardly. Hao Rencai was quite adept at changing his tune with the wind and taking risks.

Seeing that they could not stop themselves, and having witnessed their own abilities and possible background, they wanted to quickly abandon the darkness and embrace the light, even going so far as to offer a "pledge of allegiance" that could put their opponents to death, in order to gain a favorable position in the new landscape.

"Dean Hao, you've misunderstood."

Chen Yang stood up, his expression serious and dignified, exuding an unquestionable righteousness: "I am a doctor, and my duty is to heal the sick and save lives, and to promote the healthy development of traditional Chinese medicine. The infighting in officialdom and the entanglements in business are not my profession, and I have no intention of getting involved in this trip."

Hao Rencai was completely stunned. His smile froze, and he stared wide-eyed, seemingly unable to understand why Chen Yang would refuse this "weapon" that was offered to him.

"but,"

Chen Yang changed the subject, staring intently at Hao Rencai: "Maintaining a clean and upright medical environment and cracking down on corruption and malpractices in the medical field are also the duties of every conscientious and responsible medical worker."

"If Dean Hao does indeed have conclusive evidence of certain illegal and disorderly conduct, the correct course of action is to truthfully report it to the discipline inspection and supervision department, rather than handing it over to me, an outside doctor on exchange. This is neither procedural nor reasonable."

Hao Rencai's face turned deathly pale, then flushed red and then pale, and he was sweating even more. He stood there, not knowing what to do with his hands and feet, looking extremely embarrassed and disheveled.

Chen Yang walked to the study door, grasped the doorknob, and spoke in a slightly gentler tone, but with a deeper sense of warning.

"Dean Hao, you've managed the Hebei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine for many years. Even if there were unavoidable circumstances, I believe you have an emotional attachment to every blade of grass and tree here. I hope that after experiencing all this, you can truly focus your attention on the hospital's management and development, on how to improve medical standards and better serve patients. As for the rest..."

Chen Yang paused slightly, turned back to look at Hao Rencai one last time, and said in a clear and powerful voice: "Evil will never prevail over good. You'd better watch yourself."

After saying this, Chen Yang said no more, opened the study door, walked straight out, politely said goodbye to Madam Hao, and left the Hao family.

Watching Chen Yang's departing figure disappear at the end of the corridor, Hao Rencai slumped into the high-end leather chair in the study, as if all his strength had been drained away. Only his heavy breathing and the indistinct sounds of traffic outside the window remained in the study.

Chen Yang's last words, "Evil cannot prevail over good, you'd better watch yourself," echoed repeatedly in his ears like a resounding bell, and struck his heart like an invisible hammer.

Hao Rencai's original plan—to play both sides and even use Chen Yang as a "quick knife" to eliminate Vice President Zhao and his backers, who had been suppressing him and taking the biggest share of the profits, so that he could reap the benefits—has now completely fallen through.

But he didn't expect that this young man was not only highly skilled in medicine, but also had a sharp mind and a firm stance. He didn't fall for his act at all, and instead easily peeled away his disguise, pointing straight to his true nature.

A complex mix of fear, shame, and a sense of relief churned within him.

"Perhaps... I really did take the wrong path before?" Hao Rencai murmured to himself, his eyes filled with unprecedented struggle and confusion.

The aroma of tea still lingered in the study, but it had cooled, leaving only a suffocating silence.

Chen Yang returned to the guesthouse. The cool night breeze dispelled the oppressive atmosphere he had carried from the Hao family. He carefully reviewed Hao Rencai's words and actions that evening and had a clear understanding of the situation.

That Vice President Zhao, along with the pharmaceutical businessman General Manager Wang and the health system official Zhang, who are closely colluding with him, must have deeply entrenched interests within the Hebei Province medical system. Hebei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine is very likely a crucial link in this chain of interests.

I led this team under the guise of academic research, but I was actually carrying the authority of the ministry. They were feeling guilty and afraid that I was there to uncover something, which is why they were so nervous and tried every means to obstruct me, even attempting to bribe or scare me away.

Hao Rencai was nothing more than a pawn pushed to the forefront, wavering between two options, but tonight, this pawn seemed to show signs of loosening its grip.

Now it's up to Hao Rencai to choose.