Chapter 6

Changxing Hospital is one of the five largest and most influential comprehensive hospitals in Dongzhou City, but it ranks last among the five.

After the reform and opening up, the medical system underwent several reforms, and each of the five hospitals that have stood the test of time in Dongzhou has its own strengths.

In the past, Changxing was known for its oncology and urology departments. It was the first hospital in Dongzhou to introduce a linear accelerator and the first to perform kidney transplants. In the early 1990s, it enjoyed a period of glory. However, after entering the 21st century, Changxing suffered from severe talent outflow and did not receive much policy support from the city, leading to slow development and gradually falling behind the other four hospitals.

Although the hospital director, Gu Houyi, has been dedicated to the hospital's development, his age is a significant factor, and his management skills have inevitably become outdated. Many of the hospital's mid-level officials are his fellow townspeople. Gu Houyi often says that he promotes the capable without avoiding relatives, but the hospital staff believe he favors his relatives.

This is likely to be Gu Houyi's last year at Changxing. As a director at the department level, Gu Houyi could choose to coast, but he is not content. Other hospitals are expanding, and Changxing's Phase II expansion plan was proposed six years ago. Despite numerous setbacks, the city finally approved it, but then encountered obstacles in the demolition process.

Gu Houyi originally wanted to complete the Phase II project before he retired, which would be a satisfactory conclusion for both the hospital and himself. Unfortunately, time does not allow for such ambitions. His goal now is to start the Phase II expansion project and lay the foundation before he leaves, with no ulterior motives, just a desire to do something for Changxing.

At the Monday morning meeting, Gu Houyi passionately described the blueprint for the Phase II expansion. The mid-level officials had heard it countless times and were no longer impressed, but this time it was for real. The demolition project is about to begin, and before long, the shantytowns around Changxing will be leveled. In a few years, a modern ward building will rise from the ground.

Deputy Director Geng Wenxiu sat in the small meeting room, taking notes while contemplating Gu Houyi's retirement next year. Who is most likely to succeed him?

Looking at Gao Xinhu beside her, she immediately ruled him out. Gao Xinhu is a former military officer with a low educational level and no significant age advantage. Deputy director is likely the highest position he can achieve.

Yan Huiyi, the first deputy director, is part of the third tier, with a master's degree, but his first degree is only a college diploma. His master's degree was obtained while working, and he does not have a master's degree. At 51, he has missed the prime period for promotion. He is not a good speaker and stammers when giving speeches, making him unsuitable for a leadership role.

Qin Guoliang, the head of the cardiology department, is a medical doctor and a highly paid elite. His position as deputy director is more of an honorary title. He is too busy with cardiology to manage the hospital, and he is seen as a medical migrant, making it difficult for him to gain the trust of the staff.

Geng Wenxiu mentally eliminated each of her opponents, and the more she thought about it, the more she believed she was the most likely to succeed Gu Houyi. The World Women's Conference in Beijing in October could provide an opportunity for her to advance further.

Geng Wenxiu was so engrossed in her thoughts that she did not even hear Gu Houyi announce the end of the meeting. It was Gao Xinhu who reminded her.

The two naturally left together. Geng Wenxiu, standing at 1.72 meters tall, looked even taller in high heels. She habitually tossed her hair and asked, "Old Gao, have all the stubborn households moved out?"

Gao Xinhu smiled and said, "Yes, they have."

Geng Wenxiu knew he was responsible for this and glanced at him. "Impressive, you even managed to convince the stubborn old man from Huichun Hall?" She had tried to persuade him before but was rudely turned away. Born into a cadre family, Geng Wenxiu is proud and still remembers this incident.

Gao Xinhu nodded and briefly explained the situation, as it was not a secret.

Geng Wenxiu frowned. "I didn't expect Director Gu to make concessions. This sets a bad precedent, and people will talk."

Gao Xinhu actually despises this woman. She relies on her family background, is arrogant, and has a poor reputation in the hospital. He believes that no matter how beautiful a woman is, if she is power-hungry, she loses her femininity. Moreover, Geng Wenxiu is neither beautiful nor fair.

Gao Xinhu pretended to forget something and turned back to the meeting room. "Different paths, different people," he thought, preferring to walk a few extra steps rather than accompany her.

After a few steps, his phone rang. It was Xu Changshan calling. He was still worried about his grandson, Xu Chunliang, who was reporting to the hospital for the first time. After much consideration, he decided to call Gao Xinhu for reassurance.

If not for the old man's reminder, Gao Xinhu would have forgotten about Xu Chunliang's reporting. Although he is a deputy director, he has many responsibilities and would not have paid attention to such a minor matter.

Gao Xinhu reassured Xu Changshan, promising to take good care of Xu Chunliang and ensuring that he would not be bullied while at the hospital.

Today was the day for new employees to report. They first went to the personnel department, followed by a medical examination and centralized training. The education department would then arrange for them to rotate through different departments.

Xu Chunliang was an exception. He only has a high school diploma, but among the new hires, he is the only one with a formal position. Fortunately, few people know about this.

The hospital had to think carefully about Xu Chunliang's placement. Assigning him to a worker position would not satisfy Xu Changshan, but without a bachelor's degree or a physician's license, they had to find a way to justify his special status.

Huichun Hall is a well-known old brand in Jiangzhou, and Xu Changshan is a cultural heritage inheritor. Following this line, they gave Xu Chunliang the title of cultural heritage inheritor, intending to place him in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) department. However, the TCM department head, Zhu Mingyuan, explicitly refused. If the hospital forced a high school graduate into his department, he would resign.

In the comprehensive Changxing Hospital, the TCM department may not have much presence, but Zhu Mingyuan, as the department head, has considerable prestige. His strong reaction is partly because he believes the TCM department's decline is related to Huichun Hall.

Many of his patients later went to Huichun Hall, and he heard many rumors that his skills were inferior to Xu Changshan. In Zhu Mingyuan's eyes, Xu Changshan is a quack without systematic training, relying on a few so-called secret family formulas.

Zhu Mingyuan considers himself the true heir of traditional Chinese medicine, having graduated from the Capital University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, serving as a department head, vice president of the city TCM association, and a standing council member. He has published numerous papers both domestically and internationally. How could he be inferior to Xu Changshan?

He has no bias against Xu Chunliang. If Xu Chunliang had a proper university degree, he would not have a problem. However, a high school graduate, especially one who failed the college entrance exam three times, would lower the department's standards. As the TCM department head, he cannot afford to lose face.

The personnel department head, Ma Hongmei, was also very troubled by this. Xu Chunliang's position is in the TCM department, but the department refuses to accept him. Administrative departments are either full or overstaffed. Knowing that Xu Chunliang is a special talent introduced by Deputy Director Gao, she had to seek his opinion.

When Gao Xinhu called to inquire about Xu Chunliang's reporting, Ma Hongmei immediately complained over the phone.

Gao Xinhu understood Ma Hongmei's difficulties. Xu Chunliang cannot rotate like other new employees since he knows nothing about medicine. Assigning a medical novice to a clinical department could lead to problems.

Ma Hongmei said, "Director Gao, Dr. Zhu is very firm. If we force Xu Chunliang into his department, he will resign immediately."

Gao Xinhu silently cursed. Zhu Mingyuan is arrogant and has little skill. He thought for a moment and said, "Then let's find him a position in administrative or logistics for now, to familiarize him with the hospital environment and assess his abilities."

Ma Hongmei replied, "We are clear about the situation in the administrative departments. There are no extra positions, and the logistics positions are for workers, not for someone with a formal position."

Gao Xinhu said, "A position is a position, and work is work. It's good for a young person to try different roles."

If Xu Chunliang were assigned to a popular department now, it could cause a stir. Everyone thinks he is Gao Xinhu's connection, and Gao Xinhu does not want to be in the spotlight.

First, he needs to lower the heat and find a suitable opportunity to give him a better position. He needs to explain this to Xu Changshan in person.

Thus, Xu Chunliang, under the guise of a rotation, was assigned to the electrician team. The electrician team is a minor department in the hospital, with eight staff members divided into four shifts. They usually work 24 hours and rest for 72 hours, and the hospital is lenient with their behavior.

The only electrician by training is the team leader, Jia Xuegong. The other seven are internal transfers and cannot perform high-tech tasks. Their main duties include changing light bulbs and flipping switches, and they often seek external help for complex tasks.

Today, Jia Xuegong and Xiao Feng were on duty. When Pan Mingming brought Xu Chunliang over, they were studying stocks. In Changxing, they are at the bottom, earning much less than medical staff, but they have ample free time and often take part-time jobs during their off days.

Xiao Feng usually delivers food, while Jia Xuegong runs a braised food shop.

Even when on duty, they often have no tasks and spend their time trading stocks or chatting.

After Pan Mingming left, Jia Xuegong introduced Xu Chunliang to the electrician team. Xu Chunliang's arrival disrupted the balance, and it was difficult to arrange his schedule. They decided to have him work regular day shifts with weekends off.

Before leaving, Pan Mingming pulled Jia Xuegong aside and subtly mentioned that Xu Chunliang is connected to Director Gao, to prevent the team from bullying the new hire.

With this information, Jia Xuegong understood and did not assign Xu Chunliang any tasks, not even simple ones like serving tea or water.

The electrician team's shifts are like a revolving door, and no one focuses on work because they know Xu Chunliang has connections and will leave soon. No one wants to make trouble.

Xu Chunliang's main task is to answer the phone. Most calls are about broken lights or power outages, and he usually spends the day sitting by the phone with a cup of tea.

With nothing to do, Xu Chunliang offered to help with tasks. Usually, one person carries the tools, and another carries the ladder. With Xu Chunliang, Jia Xuegong had to carry the light bulbs, setting an example as the team leader.