Chapter 349: Surprise

Zhao Jiefang kept his words brief and to the point.

He glanced at the stunned Zhao Xiao'an, then at the calm Wang Chenning, before going over to greet Pu Zhengyang and Tian Zhongxin.

Pu Zhengyang and Tian Zhongxin were well aware of Zhao Jiefang's identity. The influence of this titan, the man who had driven the first tank into Seoul back in the day, was far beyond their own. When they greeted Zhao Jiefang, their expressions were full of reverence, and they even bowed slightly at the waist.

The two foreign elders now regarded Wang Chenning with even greater esteem.

With the backing of a major figure like Zhao Jiefang, Wang Chenning's prospects in Huaxia were bound to be excellent.

After a round of pleasantries, Lu Yuanshan, serving as the temporary host, announced the start of the apprenticeship ceremony.

When Wang Chongjiu arrived at the venue, Lu Yuanshan went over to greet him, but Wang Chongjiu told him to tend to his duties, so Lu Yuanshan obediently returned to his work.

However, he would still rush forward to greet any distinguished guests the moment they arrived.

This was a point of etiquette that Lu Yuanshan and the other establishment figures present naturally understood.

For today's ceremony, Lu Yuanshan was determined to perform well to win more opportunities for himself.

When Lu Yuanshan volunteered to host today's ceremony, Wang Chenning didn't refuse.

'There's probably no one more suited to host this than Lu Yuanshan!'

Holding the microphone, Lu Yuanshan gazed at the distinguished figures in the guests' seats, then at the hundred-odd supporters behind them, and a sense of pride swelled within him. He felt that ever since Wang Chenning had come into his life, his own path had become smooth sailing.

"Standing here today, I am actually quite humbled!" Lu Yuanshan began by thanking the guests for attending the apprenticeship ceremony before making some self-deprecating remarks. "Although Wang Chenning is my junior, his medical skills are leagues above my own. And I regret to tell you all that even if he were to stop learning this very moment, and I were to dedicate all my energy to my studies, I still wouldn't be his equal in twenty or thirty years."

The guests roared with laughter. Amid the laughter, Lu Yuanshan continued to poke fun at himself. "My esteemed teacher, Wang Chongjiu, held nothing back in his instruction, and I truly studied with all my heart. But my own aptitude is simply too poor. I could pour my entire life's effort into it and still never achieve true mastery.

"But this junior of mine is a true case of the student surpassing the master. Just moments ago, my own venerated teacher, Mr. Wang Chongjiu, said that Wang Chenning's medical skills have long since surpassed his own—and not just by a small margin. I can only say that my junior, Wang Chenning, is a medical genius. He has grasped the very essence of Huaxia's traditional medicine and, building upon that legacy, has elevated it to a new level. His work is an innovation worthy of founding a new school of thought.

"I am confident that he and his team will carry Huaxia's traditional medicine to new heights. It won't be long before everyone envies the disciples accepted under his tutelage! And congratulations to Pu Zhiyun from South Korea and Tian Zhiheng from Japan. From this day forward, you will be Wang Chenning's direct disciples. I hope you will study diligently so that when you complete your training and return home, you can lead and promote the development of traditional medicine in South Korea and Japan, becoming bellwethers in your fields!"

The entire hall erupted in thunderous applause.

Afterward, Pu Zhengyang and Tian Zhongxin—two elders who arguably represented the pinnacle of traditional medicine in South Korea and Japan, respectively—took the stage to share their thoughts.

They told the assembled guests and reporters that after witnessing Wang Chenning's masterly medical skills, they realized the gap between them was immense. Wang Chenning's abilities were far, far superior to their own, especially his Acupuncture Skill, which was so advanced they couldn't even hope to ever reach his level.

They hoped their grandsons could learn medicine at a higher level, which was why they sought to have them study under Wang Chenning.

They thanked Wang Chenning for making an exception to take them as his disciples and expressed their hope that this would create more opportunities for exchange and cooperation among the traditional medical communities of their three nations!

Next was the formal apprenticeship ceremony.

Dressed in traditional attire, Pu Zhiyun and Tian Zhiheng respectfully prostrated themselves before Wang Chenning. After three kowtows, they offered him ceremonial tea.

Wang Chenning took the tea they offered, took a sip, and then set it down, signifying his acceptance of them as his disciples.

After completing the apprenticeship rite, Pu Zhiyun and Tian Zhiheng began to address Wang Chenning as "Master."

They pledged that as Wang Chenning's disciples, they would study hard and strive to improve their medical skills. They also promised to live in harmony with their fellow disciples, helping one another improve, and to act as envoys for cultural exchange between the three nations.

Next, Lu Yuanshan invited Wang Chongjiu to the stage to speak.

Wang Chongjiu expressed his great pride and satisfaction that his grandson had accomplished so much at such a young age. He hoped Wang Chenning would continue his diligent research and play his part in the advancement of traditional medicine and the revival of traditional culture.

Wang Chongjiu's words were few. He ended with this sentence: "I am proud to have such an outstanding grandson!"

After Wang Chongjiu finished his speech to thunderous applause, Zhao Jiefang gestured for a staff member to give him the microphone.

Lu Yuanshan quickly hurried over and handed his own microphone to Zhao Jiefang.

After taking the microphone, Zhao Jiefang first lavished praise on Wang Chenning's excellence.

He expressed his pride that Huaxia had produced such an outstanding young prodigy. He hoped Wang Chenning would bravely shoulder his responsibilities, become a leader for the younger generation, play his part in the advancement of traditional medicine and the revival of traditional culture, and use his knowledge to serve his country.

He hoped the national-level laboratory headed by Wang Chenning would be established soon, and that his team would achieve one success after another, improving the well-being of patients worldwide.

During his speech, Zhao Jiefang specifically mentioned the upcoming traditional medicine laboratory at the University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He hoped this laboratory, with Wang Chenning as its team leader, could soon win the highest honor in the medical world.

Wang Chenning was both surprised and overjoyed by Zhao Jiefang's words.

'After a speech like that from Zhao Jiefang, I doubt anyone will dare create obstacles to stop me from building the national-level laboratory.'

After Zhao Jiefang's remarks, the head of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine immediately stated their position: the Administration would do its utmost to assist Wang Chenning in building the laboratory.

They made it clear: whatever Wang Chenning needed—personnel, funding, or resources—would be provided. It would be a special case, fast-tracked!

In short, they would offer their utmost support!

Wang Chenning was very pleased with this.

After all the speeches were over, Wang Chenning also shared some of his own thoughts.

He first thanked all the guests for attending the ceremony, then offered special thanks to Zhao Jiefang for his tremendous support. He promised that he and his team would not fail to meet everyone's expectations, striving to complete the laboratory's construction and produce results as soon as possible, bringing hope to countless more patients.

He concluded with an audacious declaration: "We will strive to win the Nobel Prize in Medicine within five years!"

Although everyone thought Wang Chenning was being a bit arrogant, they all gave him a thunderous round of applause nonetheless.

In the past month alone, Wang Chenning had already worked several miracles. No one knew how many more he might create in the future.

After all, Wang Chenning was only twenty-six years old!

As Wang Chenning finished his speech, he unexpectedly caught sight of Lin Anning.

The woman wore a hat and a pair of large-framed glasses. A long, form-fitting dress accentuated her tall, slender figure, making her stand out gracefully. Even though she was standing in the distance, Wang Chenning spotted her in a single glance.

'What is she doing here?'

'She isn't here to cause trouble, is she?'

To be honest, Wang Chenning didn't feel he had Lin Anning completely under control. He knew all too well how recklessly she could act.

If she really was here to cause a scene, the consequences would be severe.