After reviewing their profiles, the surprise in Director Xiao only grew.
One was a department chief from the nation's top Class Three Grade A Hospital.
Visiting Imperial Capital alone was one thing, being able to even meet someone of that stature was another.
On the other hand, Professor Rudolph Wagner was a world-class professor in interventional radiology-assisted surgery. Director Xiao would have never met the man were it not for Zheng Ren.
He struggled to comprehend the arrival of two distinguished surgeons in his small hospital.
The bill for today was going to be sky-high. Director Xiao forced a pained smile.
There was a similar expression on Zheng Ren's face as well.
In one day, he had performed an emergency rescue surgery, a minor surgical procedure and assisted in another surgery. He was not terribly tired but wanted nothing more than to just rest and read some books in the emergency department.
The fatigue truly hit him when he realized that he had to stay seated at the dinner table and listen to the director's small talk.
He knew there was no way to excuse himself as Department Chief Kong and Professor Rudolph Wagner were here for him in particular.
When they had arrived at the Small Stove Canteen, Department Chief Kong turned down Director Xiao's offer to sit with him and stuck close to Zheng Ren. Professor Rudolph Wagner pretended to not understand Director Xiao's words and did the same.
Needless to say, Director Xiao's pride was crushed.
Was the hospital's director incomparable to a mere chief resident?
He knew the answer to that was yes.
However, this was a small matter. The office director had arranged for others to fill in the seats and the awkwardness was soon resolved.
"Boss Zheng…"
"Chief Kong, please stop embarrassing me. Little Zheng, just call me Little Zheng," Zheng Ren objected.
Department Chief Kong laughed and continued, "Can we formalize the arrangements for the research? I will need you in Imperial Capital once a month. Each visit will involve 10 to 20 surgeries which can be split between two days. What do you say?"
"That suits me well, but earlier notice would be appreciated as I will need to apply for leave," Zheng Ren replied.
Department Chief Kong glanced at Professor Rudolph Wagner. The German was listening in on their conversation. "Professor Rudolph, Zheng Ren is fairly busy these days. If there's anything you need from him, just be forthright."
Professor Rudolph Wagner gladly took over. "Zheng, I watched your surgery. It was perfect."
"Professor, you exaggerate," Zheng Ren said with a smile.
"Not at all. By my eyes, yours are the hands of God!" the professor said, eyes wide.
The smile on Zheng Ren's face remained as he waited for the Professor's follow-up.
"I wish to invite you to Germany for a collaboration. If all goes well, I am ready to start a lab in both our names with the aim of furthering research into prostate interventional embolization surgery. What do you say?"
Director Xiao's ears perked up like a rabbit's, trying to catch what the two mighty surgeons were discussing with the chief resident.
Flying to Imperial Capital to perform surgery…
A collaboration in Germany…
Director Xiao's eyes were red.
His experience with fly-in surgeons from Imperial Capital and Sorcery Capital were not the best. Some surgeons were temperamental and hard to please.
Yet now, Zheng Ren was going to Imperial Capital as a fly-in surgeon for research purposes… Were he not witnessing the discussion with his own eyes and ears, Director Xiao would never have believed it.
The invite from the foreign professor, Rudolph Wagner, was even more ludicrous.
Director Xiao had also been overseas for intellectual exchange and career development, but the trips were in truth sponsored by equipment manufacturers with their own agendas.
Learning and networking? Others discussed their technical skill while he could only talk politics.
It was not just him; even the department chiefs in Sea City General Hospital were of the same ilk.
Director Xiao could see the hunger in Professor Rudolph Wagner's eyes. The invitation was a lifelong dream for many professors and department chiefs.
The director truly resembled a rabbit with bloodshot eyes and raised ears.
Chapter 285 - Answers (Part 1 of 4)
Professor Rudolph Wagner's words fell on deaf ears with Zheng Ren, whose frozen smile did not change one bit.
Nothing happened.
The professor was at a loss. This was not going as he had planned.
Professor Rudolph Wagner readily conceded that Heidelberg University ranked lower in research output compared to Stanford and Cambridge, but all three universities were in the same tier.
What more did this chief resident want?
Did he think he was actually God just because he had miraculous hands?
Zheng Ren started discussing the patient selection process with Department Chief Kong.
Patients never stopped coming to Imperial Capital Hospital. It was an inexhaustible resource.
It was possible to get 20 liver cancer patients within a day, what more in a month.
The limiting factor would be the 64-slice CT scan 3D reconstructions as Zheng Ren would only visit Imperial Capital once a month.
Most of his time would be spent on reconstruction, not the surgery.
This was the problem Zheng Ren and Department Chief Kong were discussing.
They would have to consider speaking to Department Chief Chu about training several technicians to help out with the 3D reconstruction.
If Zheng Ren… Department Chief Kong refrained from asking him to stay in Imperial Capital again.
Every man had his own ambition.
To be so skilled, Zheng Ren likely had an IQ of at least 150. Although he seemed to lack EQ, Department Chief Kong believed it was because the young doctor was wholly focused on his work.
The chief could only see all the good in Zheng Ren and did not bother questioning the young doctor's decision.
Zheng Ren had not responded, so Professor Rudolph Wagner decided to cut to the chase. "My dear Zheng, will you consider my offer?"
"No, not for now," Zheng Ren answered truthfully. He liked the professor's straightforwardness.
Professor Rudolph Wagner shrugged, his long, blond hair bobbing with the motion. He could not understand why Zheng Ren would turn down such an invitation.
"Zheng, forgive my candor, but your current employment setting lacks the facilities for someone of your caliber," Professor Rudolph Wagner remarked.
Zheng Ren nodded in agreement.
"If all goes as planned, we will get 3.5 million euros every year for the research. If that is insufficient, I can find private donors. Every year, there are foundations who wish to donate to my research. I just need to make the call and it will be settled."
Department Chief Kong was speechless.
Internally, he cursed at the German professor.
He had given his all to get Zheng Ren on his side, but the things he could offer were miniscule compared to that of a world-class professor.
Were he in Zheng Ren's position… He would have chosen to talk to Professor Rudolph Wagner about their proposed collaboration.
Zheng Ren just smiled and said, "My esteemed Professor Rudolph, I take kindly to your offer."
"Eh?" The professor was confused.
Professor Rudolph could speak Mandarin but was not attuned to the intricacies of the language, how a shift in inflection could change the meaning of a word.
"This is my homeland and I have no wish to part with it for now," Zheng Ren said firmly, his refusal final.
Wine glass in hand, Director Xiao had wanted to make a toast. As he stood, he had overheard Professor Rudolph Wagner speaking about research funding and donations.
The numbers put in his mind mountains of gold
and silver.
Although the offer had nothing to do with him, it had momentarily distracted him from the task at hand.
He stood there absentmindedly with a glass in hand. It was an awkward sight to behold.
The office director gently tapped Director Xiao with his foot.
"Eh…" Director Xiao immediately woke from his stupor and put on a gracious smile. "Our friends from afar…"
"With all due respect, director, please allow me a few minutes to convince Zheng." Professor Rudolph Wagner was annoyed at the interruption.
Director Xiao was already lower than a speck of dust in Professor Rudolph Wagner's eyes, and with this incident, his impression of the director only deteriorated.
Being rejected by Zheng Ren had been a blow to the professor's pride. The Nobel Prize was slipping from his grasp and now he had to be interrupted by this insignificant fool!
How awkward…
The mood at the table was tense.
Fortunately, Director Xiao was a seasoned veteran in managing social interactions. He had not gotten to where he was without some people skills.
He did not sit down, as that would thoroughly soil his image.
His mind grasped for the right words and inspiration struck him.
"My respected professor, allow me to show you something that will assuage your doubts," Director Xiao said dramatically, then signaled to the office director, who quickly left the room.
"Truly?" Professor Rudolph Wagner said in disbelief.
"In this new era, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese people will be unstoppable." Director Xiao managed to wrestle the conversation back on track.
Department Chief Kong was confused. Why was Director Xiao delivering the opening lines of a meeting report?
"I have here a doc.u.mentary made by the local news network and print company. It's about Sea City General Hospital. Perhaps you will get your answers after watching it."
Director Xiao delivered his lines with austerity.
The office director set up a projector and started playing the doc.u.mentary on the canteen's large screen. It was the one that Zheng Ren had briefly seen upon returning from Imperial Capital.
It was immersive and captivating, lended to by the quality projector and sound system.
Professor Rudolph Wagner turned to watch, wondering why this young doctor with the hands of God had refused his offer.
After a short prologue, the scene opened with blaring ambulance sirens.
The video showcased the mass poisoning ordeal of Sea City General Hospital.
Chief Kong was surprised—nitrite poisoning? And Zheng Ren had had to deal with such a rare event?
At this point, Professor Rudolph Wagner had fully turned his chair around to have a better view.
Director Xiao let out a sigh of relief and gave the office director an approving nod.
Were he honest with himself, Director Xiao had no idea what the doc.u.mentary depicted. He had only brought it up as he could not think of any other way to resolve the situation.
However, he ended up being stunned by it himself.
Chapter 286 - True Heroism (Part 2 of 4)
The doc.u.mentary alternated between intense, fast-paced scenes and content that were daily life reflections. It was not very detailed, but had been made with the utmost sincerity.
When it reached the emergency rescue during the assault in Imperial Capital, the entire atmosphere in the Small Stove Canteen turned cold.
Professor Rudolf Wagner's eyes flashed with shock and confusion, but he finally understood when Tang Xiu brought up the term, true heroism.
It was a concise doc.u.mentary, which also meant that a lot of content was cut.
Department Chief Kong had witnessed firsthand all the things Zheng Ren had done during the rest of his stay at Imperial Capital, things that had little to no airtime in the doc.u.mentary.
However, the nitrite mass poisoning and emergency rescue were self-explanatory.
Initially, Director Xiao had intended to give himself an out, but had not expected to watch something that would turn his world upside down.
Back in the day, Director Xiao would have been furious.
How could he not have known about the doc.u.mentary?!
However, the video stirred even his numbed heart.
The doc.u.mentary ended around fifteen minutes later.
Professor Rudolf Wagner fell into silence.
"Professor, I believed you'd found your answer." Director Xiao stood up once more, without holding the wine glass this time.
"For the cultural awakening of our people, we all have to play our part to move towards the next success!" he said passionately. "Medical professionals are the strong shield of the people, the dependable foundation of society. I believe that Zheng Ren feels the same, which is why he won't leave his beloved nation."
Zheng Ren was stunned by Director Xiao's speech.
That conclusion was excellent. Why hadn't he thought of such a practical reason?
Department Chief Kong was unmoved by the speech, turning around solemnly.
Professor Rudolf Wagner was still in a daze. He did not continue to persuade Zheng Ren, instead falling into deep thought.
The atmosphere at the table died down. Although Director Xiao and the office director did their best to lighten up the mood, everyone was still reeling from the 15-minute long doc.u.mentary.
"Right, Little Zheng, where's Su Yun?" Department Chief Kong asked, trying to defuse the tension.
"He's in ICU monitoring the postoperative patients," Zheng Ren answered immediately.
"Oh? The cardiothoracic rising star has become an ICU doctor under your supervision?" Department Chief Kong laughed.
"Not all the patients require post-surgery care. There's a patient with adenomyosis who attempted suicide today by jumping off a building. Her condition after surgery was not promising, and I need his professional knowledge during this critical period."
"You're right. He did manage to raise the mouse into Godzilla after its heart transplant. Little Zheng, you have a great assistant," Department Chief Kong said sincerely.
Zheng Ren chuckled as he thought of Su Yun chatting away happily with the nurses in ICU while taking care of the patient.
Great indeed, he thought.
His phone ringing interrupted Zheng Ren's thoughts. Glancing at it, he frowned when he saw that it was from the emergency department.
"Sorry." Zheng Ren excused himself and received the call.
"Yes… Yes.
"Okay, I'll be there right away."
Zheng Ren hung up after a few curt words. He stood and said, "There's a knife attack victim in the emergency department. I need to help with their emergency rescue. Director, Chief, I apologize but I have to leave now."
After bidding his farewells, Zheng Ren exchanged looks with Old Chief Physician Pan and apologized to Department Chief Kong personally before turning to leave.
Director Xiao felt a little frustrated.
This meal had been so awkward.
Even though he had managed to iron out the situation, he still felt something gnawing at his heart at a spot so deeply repressed that he had almost forgotten its presence. It was Zheng Ren's attitude!
He was way out of order!
Without any hesitation, Professor Rudolf Wagner instantly stood and said, "Zheng, I want to follow you to understand your ambitions and determination."
Zheng Ren had no time to bother with him. What did he mean by ambition and determination? The responsibility of a doctor was to save lives and treat illnesses. All that bl.u.s.ter was meaningless.
Zheng Ren pulled out his phone to call Su Yun as he rushed to the emergency department.
The condition of the suicide victim had stabilized. She was no longer suffering hemorrhagic shock symptoms after receiving 20 units of red blood cells and 1500 mL of plasma.
Subsequently, they had to prevent disseminated intravenous coagulation and acute hypoperfusion injuries. They
were preparing to administer platelets and had requested fibrinogen.
After recruiting Su Yun to the emergency rescue, Zheng Ren jogged towards the emergency rescue room.
Professor Rudolf Wagner quietly followed Zheng Ren, staring at the man's back, puzzled.
Zheng Ren's skill was on par with that of specialists and professors. He ought to be doing theoretical research, which had easier career advancements and a more relaxed lifestyle.
He was still so young, with a bright future ahead.
However, he was willingly staying in this ordinary hospital and working his fingers to the bone in the emergency department.
How peculiar. Was this a cultural difference between the East and West?
Zheng Ren soon arrived at the emergency department.
A young man was lying on an emergency stretcher trolley with a knife in his stomach to an approximate depth of seven to eight cm.
The ECG monitor indicated sinus tachycardia, but his blood pressure was still in the acceptable range of 95/60 mm Hg.
Zheng Ren calmed down after seeing that the victim's injuries were not that severe.
There was a group of young men in front of the trolley that looked up to no good, their eyes flickering about, whispering occasionally.
Zheng Ren checked the System's monitor on the upper right corner of his vision. The diagnosis was straightforward: other than the self-evident stab wound, there was only one real diagnosis—a gastrointestinal perforation.
It was just a ruptured bowel. How fortunate.
Even though it was not life-threatening, the patient still required emergency surgery.
A gastrointestinal perforation would result in the leakage of the contents of and fluid from the intestine into the abdominal cavity. This would lead to infection and even toxic shock syndrome if left untreated.
Zheng Ren was pleased to see that the emergency department nurses had finished preparing for surgery.
"Are there any family members of the patient? We need to proceed with admission, payment and signing of the consent form," Zheng Ren asked, looking at each of the young men in turn.
They all lowered their heads and avoided his question. No one looked him in the eye.
The Surgeon's Studio c1-799 Page 137