Chapter 1240 - 1240: 792 I'll be the 'Liver Emperor' again_2

One group, those answering questions alongside Sun Jiaxiang, were all strenuously explaining the plan Du Heng had just proposed.

The other group, much like the representatives from the various departments, were complete bystanders, merely observing from the sidelines.

They didn't ask questions, nor did they assist Sun Jiaxiang with answers; they simply watched.

How could Du Heng distinguish them from the people from the relevant departments?

For one, they occupied two distinct seating areas. For another, their temperaments differed. One group exuded a scholar-like demeanor, gentle and refined. In contrast, the people from the relevant departments were different: the older ones possessed a commanding presence, somewhat haughty yet also affable, while the younger ones brimmed with vigor.

So, it wasn't difficult to discern their identities.

Observing the current scene, Du Heng didn't feel as though he were in a hospital consultation. Instead, it reminded him of attending city-level meetings back when he was a Dean in Jinzhou.

Dammit, this situation is really complicated.

A wave of regret washed over Du Heng. He felt he shouldn't have waded into such a complex affair.

But the thought vanished as quickly as it came; after all, he wasn't a fool.

The lively scene eventually quieted.

Once no new questions were raised, the few individuals with decision-making power agreed to implement Du Heng's treatment plan.

Nearly three hours had passed since the meeting began.

The lengthy duration was due to the intensity of the debate. Sun Jiaxiang's side fully endorsed and supported Du Heng's treatment plan.

However, the doctors practicing Western medicine aimed to minimize risks as much as possible, even striving to eliminate all potential hazards, to avoid pushing these emergency doctors to the brink later on.

Thus, the entire discussion involved not only verbal and intellectual sparring but also on-the-spot research to find supporting evidence.

The entire process was meticulously detailed and rigorous, almost to an absurd degree.

Through today's discussion, Du Heng profoundly recognized the gap between himself and the experts present.

He even realized that in the current environment, dominated by modern medicine, if he wished to remain a pure practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, simply being a doctor treating patients in a hospital might not pose significant issues. However, if he wanted to advance further, to express his own views and exert some influence, the constraints he would face would be incredibly severe.

Looks like I'll have to start a new round of studying.

I just don't know if the external application, which I've been treating as an ATM, will offer a corresponding change when it next upgrades.

If I keep going in circles within the realm of pure traditional Chinese medicine, I'll really have to become a 'Liver Emperor.'

"Xiao Du, let's go," Sun Jiaxiang's voice pulled Du Heng, who had been lost in thought, back to reality.

Du Heng responded and quickly stood up to help Sun Jiaxiang.

At this moment, Sun Jiaxiang's face was wreathed in smiles; he had achieved a victory.

But this smile couldn't conceal the exhaustion in his eyes.

For a man in his nineties to endure such a high-intensity discussion for nearly three hours was already a miracle.

"Xiao Du, your skills are quite impressive, very good," the old man who had been fighting alongside Sun Jiaxiang suddenly said, praising Du Heng with a smile.

Du Heng smiled shyly; he didn't recognize this old man.

Sun Jiaxiang slowly straightened his back. "Xiao Du, this is our School's other academician, Professor Zheng Yuancheng. He's also the Clinic Director of the Acupuncture Research Institute. He'll be your superior from now on."

Sir Zheng? A flicker of doubt sparked in Du Heng's mind.

He could recognize Sun Jiaxiang from the photos in the school's promotional brochure. By all accounts, he should have also recognized Zheng Yuancheng, who was often featured with him.

However, the Zheng Yuancheng in the photos was very lean, with sharp, piercing eyes. The man standing before him now, though, was a portly, fair-skinned little old man, so different from the photos that it was hard to see any resemblance at all.

This...

Perhaps noticing Du Heng's confusion, Sun Jiaxiang asked, "Feeling very surprised?"

This time, however, Du Heng wasn't distracted. He quickly greeted him, "Hello, Sir Zheng. You look so different from your photos; I almost didn't recognize you."

Sun Jiaxiang chuckled. "I knew that was the reason."

"This Professor Zheng of yours," Sun Jiaxiang continued, "was as skinny as a monkey just two years ago. But ever since catching a nasty cold, his physical condition has steadily deteriorated. Now, he's not even as robust as this ninety-year-old fellow here!"

Zheng Yuancheng sighed. "When you get old, your physical constitution declines rapidly. Now, I overheat easily and catch colds just as easily."

"The moment I catch a cold, I break out in sweats and feel chills, and even my bowel and bladder functions become sluggish."

"Alas, I was reckless with my health when I was young. Now that I'm old, the decline is precipitous."

Sun Jiaxiang laughed again. "Now you see why Little Wang is so anxious."

"The two of us can't withstand much hardship anymore. It's right for him to plan ahead."

Du Heng didn't ask if Zheng Yuancheng had undergone a check-up, knowing that for individuals of their stature, regular check-ups were mandatory.

Since the old man didn't mention anything, it truly had to be an issue of declining physical health.

"Xiao Du, work hard. While the two of us are still breathing, charge ahead boldly. We've got your back," Zheng Yuancheng said. Then, supported by his assistant, he slowly walked towards the exit.

At this time, every older person walking past Du Heng had an attendant; none were walking alone. All were being assisted as they departed.

For these elderly gentlemen, a three-hour discussion was incredibly taxing.

Du Heng couldn't help a dark thought: if this had dragged on for another hour, before the patient in the hospital room was even treated, a few of these old gentlemen in the conference room might have had to be carried out first.

Perhaps the discussion ended when it did because the decision-makers from those departments couldn't bear to watch any longer. They were genuinely afraid that a few of these 'precious treasures' might collapse, so they cut it short.

Du Heng and Sun Jiaxiang's assistant supported the old man as they walked out. Du Heng asked softly, "Sir Sun, can we head back now?"

Sun Jiaxiang chuckled softly. "Wishful thinking. From now on, until the patient inside is completely out of danger, we cannot leave this floor."

"We must be prepared to handle any sudden developments; we can't afford the slightest negligence."

Du Heng suddenly understood. So this isn't just a regular hospital consultation, he thought. "Then where are we going now?"

"There's a rest room up ahead. We'll go there to lie down for a bit. You should come too."

The people accompanying Sun Jiaxiang and the others served not only as assistants but also as their personal medical teams.

Upon reaching the rest room Sun Jiaxiang mentioned, these assistants immediately transformed into healthcare providers.

Measuring blood pressure, fetching water, dispensing medicine, performing massages... they instantly busied themselves around the elderly men.

With nowhere else to go, Du Heng stayed by Sun Jiaxiang's side, watching them work.

He wanted to help, but seeing how each person had their designated role and worked with such organized efficiency, he dismissed the thought.

Once Sun Jiaxiang had recovered slightly, Du Heng asked in a low voice, "Sir Sun, who is the patient in there?"

Sun Jiaxiang glanced at Du Heng with a hint of surprise. "You've seen the name and the person, and you still don't recognize him?"

Du Heng simply shook his head.

To be honest, even among the current top leadership, I only recognize the paramount leader and the second-in-command, plus a few news spokespersons. So, it's no wonder I wouldn't recognize a leader from a previous generation, someone nearly ninety, whose specific era or position I wouldn't even know.

Aside from the paramount leader and the second-in-command, I probably wouldn't recognize others by name, let alone by face.

"He's a former head of personnel, but don't spread that around."

"I understand, Sir Sun," Du Heng replied obediently.

Sun Jiaxiang lay back down and said slowly, "Once we're finished here and can leave, go find Sir Zheng immediately. Have him process your onboarding procedures."

Then, Sun Jiaxiang's expression darkened, and he sighed softly. "Zheng Yuancheng's situation is rather unique. His constitution is deteriorating too quickly; he can catch a cold at any time."

"Especially the state he's in when he has a cold—for someone approaching eighty, it's an enormous drain. He might not pull through the next one."

Du Heng was shocked. "Is it really that serious?"