This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

At this moment, Du Heng had anticipated Li Jianwei’s call. When Du Heng himself was worried and afraid, Li Jianwei, being an old fox, surely wouldn’t be unaware. Du Heng had already planned what he would say when they met.

However, Li Jianwei asked about something else. ”Xiao Heng, our Dean just spoke with me and mentioned something about you.”

Du Heng was stunned for a moment. Could the dean of a comprehensive hospital also care about the internal conflicts within Traditional Chinese Medicine? After pondering for a good while, he finally remembered to answer Li Jianwei’s question. ”Something about me? What is it?”

Li Jianwei’s expression was somewhat flat. ”Our Dean wanted me to ask if you’d be willing to come to our hospital. I already refused on your behalf.”

Du Heng was even more bewildered and asked dazedly, ”Why?”

Li Jianwei looked at Du Heng, who seemed a bit slow on the uptake, and said softly, ”What do you mean, why? What would you do if you came to our hospital? I only became the Director of the Chinese Medicine Department last year. I can’t just give you my position as soon as you arrive, can I?”

Du Heng quickly replied, ”Teacher, you’ve misunderstood. That’s not what I meant. I was asking why your Dean would want me to come to the Provincial First Hospital.”

”What else could it be? Of course, it’s because he recognizes your capabilities,” Li Jianwei chuckled lightly. ”You’re not the same as before. You have the skills, and most importantly, you have research abilities. That kind of ability is what all large hospitals dream of. If they could bring you into the hospital, your current provincial-level subject alone would be enough for certain people to reap significant benefits, and a large group would profit alongside them.”

”That doesn’t really matter; someone is bound to benefit. Since I can help, it’s only right that they gain something from it.”

Li Jianwei shot Du Heng a look. ”That’s true, but whether they are involved or not, whether you come to the Provincial First Hospital or not, you can still accomplish these things. However, if you did come to the Provincial First Hospital, given your current position, what do you think would be an appropriate arrangement for you?”

Du Heng touched his nose, considering his circumstances, and didn’t know how to answer Li Jianwei.

Li Jianwei shook his head and said, ”You were just promoted in April, and your rank just went up. If you were to come to the Provincial First Hospital, what kind of position do you think would be suitable for you?

”To join the hospital leadership? We’re a unit directly managed by the Provincial Department; your rank isn’t high enough.

”Even if you could get in, you’d at most be a low-ranking deputy. Tell me, what’s the point of giving up being a top leader to come here as a deputy?

”Besides, once you’re in a large unit, do you think you could still focus on research and developing your skills? Do you think you’d have the final say?”

Du Heng quickly shook his head. ”I have no such intentions. Right now, I just want to stay at the Municipal Maternal and Child Health Hospital.”

”A lot of people will probably approach you in the next few days. It’s good that you have this mindset. Remember, don’t let the promises some people make dazzle you.”

Li Jianwei spoke these words very earnestly. ”Always remember: it’s better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix. You must keep the initiative in your own hands.”

”I understand, Teacher.”

”It’s good that you have a clear head about it.” With that, Li Jianwei stood up. ”Don’t just sit there. Come out with me; I’m taking you to meet someone.”

Du Heng quickly got up and followed. ”Who is it?”

”You’ll know when we get there. It’s something good.”

Since Li Jianwei didn’t elaborate, Du Heng didn’t press further. The meeting place was a teahouse, and the small private room was filled with the rich aroma of tea. A middle-aged man was leisurely holding a small teapot, pouring himself a cup.

Du Heng had been about to mutter something like, Talk about running into a wall! but just as the thought surfaced, he recognized the middle-aged man. He had seen him beside the top leader from the Provincial Department the other day; they had even exchanged a few words. Du Heng knew this man was a leader in the Provincial Department, though he wasn’t sure of his exact responsibilities. But even without knowing the specifics, he certainly couldn’t voice that initial thought now.

”Ah, you’re here! Come, sit down!” the man brewing tea greeted them warmly as they entered. ”This pot has just been brewed. You’re in for a treat.”

Li Jianwei seemed quite familiar with the man. He casually tossed his bag aside. ”You’re quite early.” With that, he sat down opposite the man and then pulled out another chair. ”Xiao Heng, come sit.”

After pouring the tea, the man smiled at Du Heng, then busied himself refilling the teapot. ”Don’t just stand there, find a seat.”

Du Heng acknowledged and sat down beside Li Jianwei.

Li Jianwei noticed Du Heng’s slight reserve and chuckled. He took one of the freshly poured teacups, handed it to Du Heng, and took the other for himself.

”This is Director Zhuo Mingde,” Li Jianwei finally made the introduction after setting down the teacups. ”He’s the Director of the Provincial Department’s Traditional Chinese Medicine Administration Office—which is also commonly known as the Traditional Chinese Medicine Administration Bureau.”

Hearing Li Jianwei’s introduction, Du Heng couldn’t help but reassess Director Zhuo Mingde.

For Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners like Du Heng, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Administration Bureau was an entity they deeply respected, almost like a parental authority.

To put it simply, anyone involved with Traditional Chinese Medicine—be it a public hospital or a private clinic, a Chinese herbal medicine wholesaler or a pharmacy retailer—could not escape their supervision and management. As long as your work touched upon Traditional Chinese Medicine in any way, you had to follow their directives.

Furthermore, they held another crucial responsibility: overseeing all research work related to Traditional Chinese Medicine, ethnic medicine, and the integration of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine throughout the province. Yes, even the integration of Chinese and Western medicine fell under their purview.