I Am Diagnosed as a Medical Titan

Yangcheng, Provincial Health Department.

The year 2008 was destined to be an exceptionally pivotal one for the nation’s medical and public health system.

The snowstorms at the beginning of the year and the earthquake mid-year had put the public health emergency response system and trauma care capabilities, from top to bottom, through a series of grueling real-world tests.

Furthermore, with a new round of medical and healthcare system reforms set to launch in 2009, all decision-makers at the provincial level were searching for a new generation of talent capable of shouldering the banner of medical development for the next decade.

On the minister’s desk sat a stack of briefings.

Lin Zhenhua opened the topmost document:

[Final Rescue Report on the Major Pile-up on the Ring City Expressway...]

[Affiliated Hospital No. 1, Emergency Red-Tag Critical Zone: Zero Mortality.]

"A true miracle..." Lin Zhenhua closed the briefing, sighing with emotion.

His secretary, Wu Ming, standing across the desk, handed him a cup of hot tea and said softly, "Minister Lin, Affiliated Hospital No. 1’s emergency response coordination was indeed excellent this time. We just received a supplementary internal file from Dean Chen of Affiliated Hospital No. 1."

Lin Zhenhua asked, "It’s about that medical student, isn’t it?"

"Yes."

Wu Ming placed a separate manila folder in front of Lin Zhenhua, unwound the string closure, and pulled out a stack of documents.

"The student’s name is Jiang He, an ’06 undergraduate in clinical medicine at Southern Medical University. He’s currently a third-year."

Lin Zhenhua took a sip of tea, a hint of confusion in his voice. "Yang Xu made a very compelling case, but I know the man. He’s protective of his people, but he’s not one to lose his head over major issues of medical discipline. If he’s willing to vouch for Jiang He, he must have some basis for his confidence..."

"You can take a look at his prior record."

"Mm."

Lin Zhenhua lowered his gaze, his eyes sweeping over the black text on the white paper.

[University Competition: Perfect Score in Preliminaries, First Place in Semifinals...]

[LNR Paper, First Author...]

[Brand-new Posterior Approach Concept...]

He had already heard all this from Yang Xu over the phone.

But seeing it now in print felt different.

Lin Zhenhua stared at the report, silent for a long time.

In 2008, domestic surgery was still finding its way through bold, traditional approaches. The concepts of minimally invasive and precision surgery were just beginning to take root.

For a third-year student to propose a revolutionary surgical approach under pressure and then successfully execute it—this was something the word "genius" alone could no longer describe.

"Wu Ming."

Lin Zhenhua said,

"Our country has been through too much this year. With the upcoming medical reforms, we are in dire need of composite leaders who can make breakthroughs in both basic research and clinical surgery."

"You mean to say?"

"This Jiang He has demonstrated trauma care skills in the emergency room, produced work for a top-tier journal like LNR in basic theory, and even pioneered a new surgical technique like the posterior approach on stage. Doing one thing well could be a fluke. But to make breakthroughs in three different areas—emergency care, research, and clinical practice—simultaneously? That can’t be a coincidence, can it?"

Wu Ming understood the unspoken meaning behind his superior’s words.

He immediately nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Dean Chen from Affiliated Hospital No. 1 also mentioned that Jiang He is currently advancing an miRNA project for early screening of pancreatic cancer. It just passed the university’s preliminary project review. Apparently, at the review meeting, he completely outshone Professor Sun Changming’s entire team from the tumor research institute. And..."

Wu Ming paused, choosing his words carefully. "Dean Chen said there’s something very different about this kid. On the night of the car crash, he was dragging his injured leg through the red-tag zone, saving one person after another. He was practically working himself to death. In the dean’s words, the kid seems to have an obsession with saving people."

Lin Zhenhua remarked with feeling, "An obsession with saving people... That’s a good thing."

He closed the folder and asked, "Is he representing Southern Medical University in the South China Region Clinical Skills Competition next?"

"That’s right. He took first place in the semifinals. On October 30th, he’ll represent Southern Medical University in the South China Region finals."

"Where is the competition being held?"

"Right at Southern Medical University’s Skill Center."

Lin Zhenhua glanced at the calendar on the wall. "Clear my entire schedule for the afternoon of October 30th. I’m going to the competition."

Wu Ming was taken aback. "Minister Lin, it’s just a skills competition for medical students. In previous years, the most we’ve sent is someone from the Higher Education Department. Isn’t your personal attendance raising the profile a bit too much?"

"Not at all." Lin Zhenhua stood up and walked to the window.

The streets outside had been washed clean by the rain.

He said, "Medical reform is imminent. We can’t let talent like this go to waste."

Lin Zhenhua thought for a moment before adding, "If he can consistently prove his abilities, we can certainly create a separate track for him outside the existing system."

"Slots in the provincial key medical laboratories, funding from the provincial major scientific research fund—we can funnel it all directly to his miRNA project."

"Furthermore, if his project yields preliminary results, I’ll personally step in and get him onto the special approval list for the Ministry of Health’s ’Plan for Educating and Training Outstanding Doctors’."

Hearing this term, Wu Ming froze for a second.

"Minister Lin... the Plan for Educating and Training Outstanding Doctors?"

Wu Ming hesitated before speaking. "Isn’t that the proposal the Ministry drafted early this year to complement the new medical reforms, the one that was circulated internally for feedback? But... wasn’t it shelved for the time being?"

He was right.

In fact, according to the timeline of his previous life, this Plan for Educating and Training Outstanding Doctors wasn’t officially implemented until 2012.

But now, Lin Zhenhua had decided to move it up on the agenda.

He said,

"The decision to shelve it was based on the belief that after the major disasters, it would be better to use the money to train a larger batch of general practitioners for grassroots-level service rather than spending heavily on cultivating elite specialists."

Lin Zhenhua continued, "But I’ve always believed that a two-pronged approach is the right way to go."

He looked at Wu Ming. "Look at this kid. A third-year who can command a stage, publish in a top journal, and even pioneer a new surgical technique. On top of that, he’s just been through a baptism by fire in the aftermath of that car crash."

"If he can prove his capabilities at this South China Region competition, wouldn’t he be the perfect candidate?"

Lin Zhenhua picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said,

"As long as he can deliver, I’ll personally take his file to the Capital City, knock on the Ministry’s door, and reopen discussions on this recently shelved plan just for him. Go make the arrangements. It’s 2008. Times are changing, and so should we."

Wu Ming’s heart leaped, and his Adam’s apple bobbed.

He finally understood the gravity of the situation.

’This is a major affair that could directly influence the course of the nation’s medical progress...!’

Wu Ming’s expression turned serious as he nodded.

"Understood! I’ll contact the organizing committee right away!"

...

Meanwhile, at the South China Region Competition Organizing Committee.

The head, Gong Nian, was on top of the world!

Good things had been coming in pairs recently, and he couldn’t be happier.

Across from him, the other person in charge, Li Bo, was checking off the final guest list. "Old Gong, we’ve really made a splash this time. Forty-eight teams from all the medical schools in the South China Region. The scale... it’s huge."

Gong Nian chuckled. "The scale isn’t the point. The prestige is. Who would have thought that Academician Zheng Liyan from the Capital City would come?"

"I know, right? Sending the invitation was just a formality. After all, he’s the leading authority in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery in the country. He even turns down ministry-level conferences. Didn’t the academician’s office send a reply last month saying he was unavailable...?"

"Who would’ve guessed that Academician Zheng’s administrative assistant, Xiaozhang, would suddenly call and say the academician had rearranged his schedule? He’s personally flying to Yangcheng on October 30th to be a guest at our finals!"

At this, the two men burst into laughter.

Just thinking about it was endlessly satisfying.

Gong Nian leaned back in his chair. "Having Elder Zheng attend shows that our basic medical education in the South China Region has been recognized by a top-level national expert! Did you get the word out that Academician Zheng is coming?"

"I did. We sent out notices to all the major medical universities yesterday. I hear the participating teams from every school are now pulling all-nighters to practice."

"That’s exactly the effect I wanted. We have to make this competition a benchmark. Those students will also get a chance to perform well in front of Elder Zheng. It’s a win-win, a win-win..."

Before he could finish, the red landline on his desk suddenly rang.

Gong Nian casually picked up the receiver. "Hello, South China Region Clinical Skills Competition Organizing Committee, Gong Nian speaking."

"Hello, Director Gong. This is Wu Ming, secretary to Minister Lin of the Provincial Health Department."

Gong Nian: "?"

After a second of stunned silence,

He shot upright, his tone instantly deferential. "Director Wu, hello! What are your instructions?"

Hearing this, Li Bo immediately stopped writing, not even daring to breathe loudly.

Wu Ming: "Minister Lin has reviewed the competition schedule you submitted. For the finals on the afternoon of October 30th, the Minister will be attending in person to observe."

Gong Nian: "????"

He almost dropped the phone.

He quickly switched from a one-handed to a two-handed grip.

Then, he cautiously confirmed,

"Minister... Minister Lin is coming?"

"Yes. Minister Lin is very concerned about the clinical skill level of the university students this time. Please have the organizing committee make the necessary preparations. There’s no need for any grand displays. The focus should be on ensuring the professionalism and authenticity of the competition."

"Understood! We will absolutely guarantee the quality of the competition! Please assure Minister Lin!"

...

After hanging up the phone,

Gong Nian sat in his chair, motionless for a long time.

"Old Gong... I didn’t mishear that, did I?" Li Bo swallowed and asked cautiously.

Gong Nian took a deep breath, shot to his feet, and began pacing back and forth in the office.

"You heard right. Minister Lin from the Provincial Health Department is coming to watch the competition in person on the afternoon of the 30th."

Li Bo was stunned too. "Minister Lin? Why would he suddenly be interested in a student competition? In past years, we were lucky if even a deputy director showed up!"

"You’re asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?!"

Pacing back and forth,

Gong Nian suddenly had a realization.

’Wait!’

Academician Zheng Liyan suddenly changed his schedule to come, and now even Minister Lin is coming in person.

’What does this mean? It means the top brass are watching this competition to select exceptionally important talent!’

Gong Nian’s mind raced. The timing in 2008 was too sensitive.

The post-disaster reflections on the medical system, the impending new medical reforms...

’I see now.’

’This probably isn’t just an ordinary student competition anymore.’

’It’s likely evolved into a high-level examination of both political and professional qualities!’

"The pressure just shot through the roof..."

Gong Nian muttered to himself, then slammed his hand on the desk. "Old Li, we can’t stick to the original plan!"

"Then what’s the new plan?"

"First, check our equipment! Get rid of all those old suture pads and outdated puncture models we had planned. Contact our peer institutions and borrow from them! Get their high-fidelity trauma simulators and the latest laparoscopic trainers—all of it!"

"Second, change the competition questions. Tell those old professors on the question-setting team to scrap the rote memorization stuff from the textbooks. Take real critical and emergency cases encountered during this year’s snowstorms and earthquake, reformat them, and put them in! Test their on-the-spot adaptability, test their emergency decision-making!"

Li Bo quickly jotted it down in his notes.

"Third! Immediately—right now—call the presidents and team leaders of all participating medical universities. I don’t care what they’re doing. Leak this information to them. Tell them that with both Academician Zheng and Minister Lin presiding, this competition is no longer about just winning a certificate to brag about back at school."

"Whichever student shines on this stage will directly enter the sights of the national and provincial authorities. This is a ladder to the heavens! Tell them to pull out all the stops. If anyone dares to drop the ball at this critical juncture and makes our South China Region medical students a laughingstock in front of the leadership, it’s their own face they’ll be losing!"

Li Bo nodded emphatically. "I’ll get on it right away!"

He practically ran out of the office.

Gong Nian stood alone by the window, mulling things over, trying to think if there was anything else he had missed...

An autumn breeze blew in, but he didn’t feel cold. On the contrary, he felt a heat spreading through his body.

He didn’t know which event or which person had attracted the attention of these two top-tier figures.

But he knew that this competition...

...was destined to be a top-tier showdown of flashing blades, with unprecedented prestige on the line.