Chapter 308: Chapter 136: A Golden Opportunity to Soar

However, he somewhat understood Hu Meiqiao. If it were an ordinary issue, she would most likely have just called him to discuss it directly.

But Hu Meiqiao didn’t. Instead, she made a special appointment in advance, which Ma Shanjun didn’t dare to take lightly.

He still hadn’t gone through the materials Hu Meiqiao handed over; there was too much content, and it would take at least ten minutes to grasp the main points. It was better to let Hu Meiqiao explain it herself.

Hu Meiqiao seemed to have anticipated that Ma Shanjun wouldn’t check in advance. After organizing her thoughts for a bit, she began to speak slowly: “Old leader, let me get straight to the point.”

Ma Shanjun nodded, signaling her to continue.

“Some time ago, a Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor named Lu Xuan was transferred to the TCM department of our Health Center from the District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. When he first came, I didn’t think much of it. Since the TCM department had been inactive for a while, I appointed him as the head of the department.

Within a few days, patients began booking appointments for the TCM department, including one case involving a 10-month-old baby who accidentally swallowed a hexagon screw…”

Hearing this, Ma Shanjun couldn’t help but look up, frowning slightly. A 10-month-old baby swallowing a screw—shouldn’t that be sent to the City Women and Children’s Hospital?

Sending them to the Health Center seemed like a joke.

Even though he was puzzled, Ma Shanjun didn’t interrupt and continued to listen quietly.

“The old leader might be wondering why such a case wasn’t sent to the City Women and Children’s Hospital. Why bring it to our Health Center, right?”

Hu Meiqiao answered her own question: “Actually, the child’s family already took the child to the City Women and Children’s Hospital and waited there for a while. But since the screw wasn’t expelled, the hospital couldn’t guarantee a safe surgery. The child was too small, and there was a risk of not surviving the surgery, so they advised the family to go to the Provincial Women and Children’s Hospital.”

Ma Shanjun nodded. With a 10-month-old baby, it was entirely reasonable for the City Women and Children’s Hospital to avoid surgery. There’s too much liability in case of an issue; sending them to the provincial level was a safer option.

“But the child’s mother ended up bringing them to our Health Center. The staff at our registration desk knew we couldn’t handle such cases, but they thought a TCM approach might work, so they directed them to our new Dr. Lu.”

“This Dr. Lu you mentioned, was transferred from the District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, right? Why was he transferred?”

“He was ostracized. You may have heard of Liu Rong, the head of the internal medicine department there—competence-wise, not much to speak of, but very good at sycophancy. Dr. Lu probably offended him by saying something wrong, so Liu Rong had him sent to the Health Center. What he might not have realized is that Dr. Lu is very capable.”

“Oh?”

“How so?”

Ma Shanjun looked very curious.

“Unexpectedly, the condition that the City Women and Children’s Hospital couldn’t resolve was handled by Dr. Lu with just a few yuan worth of medicine. After taking the medicine prescribed by Dr. Lu, the child expelled the swallowed hexagon screw that very night, and the next day, the parents came to express their gratitude.”

Hearing this, Ma Shanjun sat up straighter, his previously calm expression turning serious.

A problem the City Women and Children’s Hospital couldn’t solve was addressed with just a few yuan worth of medicine—this wasn’t something ordinary.

“And later…”

Thinking of the patient Zhang Song, Hu Meiqiao pondered for a moment before continuing, “Later, maybe word got out that Dr. Lu had cured a case that baffled the City Women and Children’s Hospital. A more complex patient came to us, one who had received a death notice from the City First Hospital and was sent home to make final arrangements. The family, considering it a last-ditch effort, came to see Dr. Lu, and, unexpectedly, he cured it again.”

By this point, Ma Shanjun’s eyes had narrowed, a peculiar glint in his gaze. A person that even the City First Hospital couldn’t save was saved by Lu Xuan—such skill might only belong to top-tier national TCM experts. Looking across Yong City, there might only be a few such individuals.

But how could such a skilled TCM doctor be ostracized by Liu Rong?

This was a paradox!

Noticing her old leader’s furrowed brow, Hu Meiqiao showed no sign of stopping. She knew that if she didn’t clarify the situation about Dr. Lu, there was no point in discussing anything else.

Only by letting her old leader see Lu Xuan’s talents did they have a glimmer of hope.

Continuing, Hu Meiqiao talked about other patients Dr. Lu had seen. Hearing this, Ma Shanjun could no longer sit still, “With such talent, how could he leave the District Hospital? He could easily become a chief TCM doctor at the City TCM Hospital.”

“The reason is…”

At this, Hu Meiqiao sighed helplessly, “It’s simple. Dr. Lu was just an intern at the District Hospital, following a resident who didn’t value him. Offending Liu Rong, who was the internal medicine chief, meant it was easy to push an intern out.”

???

Ma Shanjun’s face froze instantly.

“The TCM doctor named Lu Xuan you mentioned, is he a recent graduate?”

“Yes.”

Feeling like he was hearing a story, Ma Shanjun remarked, “Dean Hu, aren’t you pulling my leg? A recent graduate with such skills? Or do you think I’m that gullible?”

“Old leader, how would I dare deceive you about such matters!”

“Initially, we shared your skepticism. But facts proved Dr. Lu to be genuinely skilled in TCM. Although young, he has the capability! Now in our Health Center’s TCM department, over a hundred patients daily book appointments with him, and that’s with a limit in place. Otherwise, there’d be more, and his appointment slots are now hard to get, often booked out for half a month in advance.”

Ma Shanjun squinted, seemingly assessing the truth in Hu Meiqiao’s words.

“If you don’t believe me, you can check the information system yourself. After all, the entire city’s medical system uses the same system.”

That statement dispelled the doubts within Ma Shanjun.

Nonetheless, he asked, “Anything else to say?”

“Yes, now Dr. Lu has received an invitation from the United South Chinese Medicine Association. Since last Saturday, he’s been providing consultations there. If you want confirmation, you can directly ask Shen Congli; she knows. About the primary patients I’ve mentioned, you can have someone inquire if I’ve misled you in any way.”

“Within Yong City, just how many TCM doctors receive invitations from the United South Chinese Medicine Association and what prestige that holds, the old leader surely knows better than I do.”

Hiss~

Hearing this, Ma Shanjun inhaled sharply, his gaze at Hu Meiqiao filled with astonishment.

Just recently graduated and already receiving an invitation from the United South Chinese Medicine Association. Although this involved some effort from Hu Meiqiao, who likely recommended him to Shen Congli, without real skill, passing through Shen Congli’s scrutiny would be tough.

In other words, the Lu Xuan mentioned by Hu Meiqiao indeed had the capability.

Narrowing his eyes, Ma Shanjun composed himself from the shock, exhaling slowly before saying in a solemn tone, “I never expected the District Hospital to overlook such a talent… no, not just a talent but a towering tree. You really picked up a gem, but…”

Pausing, he looked at Hu Meiqiao and continued, “Your small place probably won’t be able to keep him.”

“So, I came to seek help from the old leader!” Hu Meiqiao grinned. She had been waiting for him to say this.

Quick to react, Ma Shanjun replied in mock reproach, “Dean Hu, you sure have grown bold, daring to set me up.”

“Old leader, how could I dare!”

Not admitting anything, Hu Meiqiao smiled and said, “You’re right. I can’t keep him, so I want your help to retain him.”

“How should I help?” asked Ma Shanjun.

He knew her character well; she wanted to do something meaningful but never had the chance, and thus had been confined to the Health Center for years. Otherwise, with her abilities, she could easily be a deputy dean at any hospital in the district.

Seeing his old subordinate seeking to make a comeback, Ma Shanjun wasn’t stingy and was willing to offer help where he could.

He could see that the doctor named Lu Xuan was a real opportunity for Hu Meiqiao—perhaps a chance to soar.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep