16: Chapter 16 Overt Conflict and Covert Struggle
16 -16 Overt Conflict and Covert Struggle
Shangjing Hospital was able to become one of the best hospitals in Huaxia, not just because of its superb medical equipment and a large group of outstanding doctors, but also because of its so-called “Medical Seminar” system.
Held every three months, the seminar would summarize the quarter’s work and discuss medical issues related to that period.
Of course, as in any hospital, where there are people, there is strife, and factional struggles within Shangjing Hospital were all too common.
Thus, the quarterly medical seminars also became the perfect opportunity for factions to suppress one another.
Most doctors, influenced by the prevailing culture, were not clean; taking kickbacks, accepting red envelopes, bullying newcomers—corrupt practices were very common.
Nangong Yun, who had returned from studying abroad, detested such behaviors, but despite her desire for change, she was powerless.
She had published some well-known papers and her medical expertise was considerable, but her seniority was lacking and she didn’t have the kind of decisive influence.
If not for some power wielded by Nangong Yun’s father, she, who viewed evil as a sworn enemy, would have likely been ousted from Shangjing Hospital long ago.
So, Nangong Yun was weak; this was something Xiao Yifei only realized when he attended the Medical Seminar as an official doctor for the first time.
This seminar was not attended by Director Fang Yuan who, along with other senior hospital officials, was on an inspection trip in the United States, leaving Ning Yun and two other deputy directors seated at the leadership table.
“Next, we invite Doctor Xiao Yifei, who has been granted the title of resident by Deputy Director Nangong Yun herself, to deliver his inaugural speech,” Deputy Director Wu Shancong said with a smile from the podium.
Scattered applause rose from the floor, while most doctors looked on with indifference.
Logically speaking, someone who had just earned the change in official doctorate status should not be eligible to speak at Shangjing Hospital’s Medical Seminar.
However, for reasons unknown, Xiao Yifei had this privilege, and in Wu Shancong’s words, the phrase “especially approved by Deputy Director Nangong Yun” was emphasized with greater intonation.
Wang Changping sat below, clapping heartily.
Nangong Yun had originally intended to have Xiao Yifei introduce the seemingly miraculous effects of Chinese Medicine during his inauguration, to tell everyone that medicine needs to be inclusive.
However, when Wang Changping told Wu Shancong that Xiao Yifei’s promotion was specially approved by Nangong Yun, everything changed.
Xiao Yifei became a direct affiliate of Nangong Yun, and Nangong Yun allowing Xiao Yifei to deliver a speech on stage was tantamount to provoking the corrupt forces!
It also meant thrusting Xiao Yifei into the eye of the storm—a lethal boost!
Nangong Yun’s eyes were filled with worry; suddenly, she wondered if she had harmed Xiao Yifei.
In fact, as soon as Xiao Yifei entered the conference hall, he had sensed the unfriendly atmosphere.
But then again, what was there to fear for a doctor who had acquired the superpower of X-ray vision?
Xiao Yifei yawned, stepped onto the podium, and took out a crumpled speech that he had just found on Baidu that morning from his pocket.
He began to read listlessly from the worn paper.
“Is this the best Nangong Yun can find to hold the fort?
This is just too bad!”
Seeing Xiao Yifei’s performance on stage, listless and lacking any hint of confidence, Wu Shancong couldn’t help but sneer inside.
“Pfft,” the other deputy director sitting next to Wu Shancong, Li Entang, let out a laugh and quietly said to him, “I remember this paper; it was written by one of my disciples.
To think that Xiao Yifei didn’t bother to change it and just dared to use it as is.
He lacks talent but certainly not boldness.”
The two exchanged a smile.
The Xiao Yifei that Nangong Yun had brought in was negligible, indicating that Nangong Yun herself had become inconsequential.
Nangong Yun, watching Xiao Yifei’s lackadaisical performance on stage, let out a sigh of relief.
In her mind, Xiao Yifei was not such a person, and his performance must be due to his clear sense of the odd atmosphere on stage, a way to cope with the lethal boost—so Nangong Yun thought.
But this time, Nangong Yun was mistaken.
Xiao Yifei’s listlessness was due to his fatigue!
He had gone to bed late the night before and was extremely sleepy that morning.
The reason for using that paper was the lack of time to write his own, hastily finding something to get by.
Truth be told, Xiao Yifei was quite happy to become an official doctor.
“…So, I will become an exemplary doctor.”
Xiao Yifei read the last word listlessly, bowed to everyone, and stepped down from the stage.
“Good, good, good, Doctor Xiao Yifei’s inauguration report was really quite splendid.” ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novᴇlfire.net
Wu Shancong smiled and led the applause, prompting most of the doctors in the room to start clapping as well.
Nangong Yun’s coldly beautiful face nodded silently, thinking to herself that even though Xiao Yifei had used this tactic to deal with the flattery, “But from now on, if he’s not one of my people, he will have to be.
That’s fine because I actually quite admire Xiao Yifei.
Next up is the job assignment, and unless there’s a surprise, it should be in surgery, which is just perfect, as surgery falls under my jurisdiction, and I can take extra care of her.”
Xiao Yifei walked down from the podium, found his seat, and sat down, squinting his eyes as he began to feel drowsy.
“From Doctor Xiao Yifei’s inauguration report, it’s clear he’s an ambitious person!
Our hospital is in need of young people with dreams and aspirations!
You were originally assigned to surgery, but since Doctor Xiao Yifei is so eager, let’s make a small adjustment.
How about you go to emergency?”
Wu Shancong’s tone shifted, signaling a change in Xiao Yifei’s job placement.
The moment Xiao Yifei heard this, his eyes flew open.
Before he could speak, Nangong Yun interjected, “Vice President Wu, I have familiarized myself with Comrade Xiao Yifei.
Not only did he study surgery in college, but he has also been working in surgery since joining our hospital.
A sudden transfer might not be advisable.”
Nangong Yun, somewhat anxious and speaking hurriedly, revealed her lack of cunning.
How could Nangong Yun outwit seasoned foxes like Wu Shancong?
“Hey, Xiao Yun, you’re not quite right there.
Young people should embrace challenges; that’s how they improve.
Don’t you think so?” Wu Shancong said to Nangong Yun with a beaming smile.
Li Entang also chimed in at this point, “Right, Vice President Nangong, I think what Old Wu says makes sense.
Xiao Yifei seems very promising, and he should be given plenty of opportunities to hone his skills.”
Nangong Yun wanted to say more, considering the emergency department is the frontline facing patients directly, a place that tests a doctor’s professional qualities the most, where conflicts are most likely to erupt, accidents most likely to occur, and most crucially, not within her jurisdiction.
“It’s okay, Vice President Nangong!
Xiao Yifei, seeing the two old men bully Nangong Yun into speechlessness, felt some indignation and gave her a reassuring look before speaking up.
Xiao Yun, look, Xiao Yifei has agreed, so no need for you to say more.
Young people are really confident!
Wu Shancong, with his deep political savvy, casually set the matter in stone.