Chapter 916 - 882: Inertia of Thought

The hospital specially arranged for Vice Dean Qin Guoliang to hold meetings in each department, firstly to implement the upper-level directives on anti-corruption, and secondly to interpret specific policies on anti-corruption.

Qin Guoliang specifically emphasized that staff with issues should preferably not directly contact the relevant upper-level departments and suggested they turn over illegal gains through the hospital. Everyone must take this anti-corruption and integrity promotion action seriously, but there is no need to panic too much. As long as they face the issues honestly and submit illegal gains truthfully, the relevant departments will not pursue further liability.

Actually, Qin Guoliang was also feeling very anxious, having just turned over 2.7 million. Zhao Feiyang handed over the policy interpretation task to him with obviously ulterior motives.

After the meeting, Qin Guoliang privately said to Shu Yuanhang, "Dr. Shu, you don’t have to worry, please don’t let this affect regular work."

Originally, Qin Guoliang meant well, following his logic that even someone as cautious as himself has problems, it’s impossible for you Shu Yuanhang, as the head of cardiothoracic surgery, to have none.

But Shu Yuanhang was not pleased to hear this, and thought that Qin Guoliang’s words were an insult to him.

"Dean Qin, what do you mean by that? What do I have to worry about?"

Qin Guoliang smiled: "Dr. Shu, I’m just kindly reminding you, correct the mistakes if any, and use it as a lesson if there aren’t any."

Shu Yuanhang got angry: "Dean Qin, I don’t think you’re showing goodwill to me; I also don’t have any issues in this aspect."

Inertia in thinking harms people, Qin Guoliang thought Shu Yuanhang might be ashamed and angry, he sighed and said, "Dr. Shu, I have no intention to target you personally; otherwise, I wouldn’t have come to you privately." He thought he had already given Shu Yuanhang enough face, do you really have no issue at all, Shu Yuanhang? It’s just lip service; everyone knows deep down, don’t pretend to be noble.

Shu Yuanhang said, "Dean Qin, there’s nothing that can’t be discussed openly, I stand upright, unafraid of shadows."

Qin Guoliang was also a bit angry, why are you, Shu Yuanhang, contending with me? I was kindly reminding you, I didn’t even specify your name, stepped on your tail evidently? As the saying goes, don’t do guilty things, don’t fear ghosts knocking at your door; if you’re not guilty, why so agitated with me?

Qin Guoliang said, "Dr. Shu, I am reiterating, I am not targeting you personally, I am only responsible for interpreting the hospital’s policy. Maybe you have no issues, that doesn’t mean others don’t. As the head of cardiothoracic surgery, if anyone in your team has issues, you must be responsible."

Shu Yuanhang said, "Who has issues? Please, Dean Qin, clarify, if you have no substantiated proof, don’t tarnish my team."

Shu Yuanhang, having worked abroad for a long time, though having spent some time at Changxing, had smoothly passed the integration period with the cardiothoracic surgery team, he focused on medical practice itself, seldom paid attention to things beyond medical matters, and held his reputation in high regard, which also included his team’s honor.

Qin Guoliang was angered by Shu Yuanhang’s relentless pursuit, his own mood wasn’t good, not having the patience to continue explaining, impatiently said, "Things fear scrutiny, Dr. Shu, really investigate, or more or less, issues will be found."

Shu Yuanhang flared up, "Dean Qin, I think this matter must be made clear, what issues does my team have, who privately received perks or gray income of sorts? If there’s one, I’ll fire one, I trust their professionalism, I trust their medical ethics."

Qin Guoliang thought maybe it’s true you haven’t received any, but you can’t ensure others haven’t. Looking at the naive Shu Yuanhang, Qin Guoliang couldn’t help but say, "If that really is the case, you’d end up a solitary commander."

Shu Yuanhang felt insulted, he roared, "If that’s really the case, I’ll resign!"

The conflict between Qin Guoliang and Shu Yuanhang caught Zhao Feiyang’s attention, now it’s a critical moment for Changxing’s reform, he doesn’t want internal issues, and the two people involved in the dispute are two major authorities in Changxing, one is a vice dean and cardiology department director, and the other is a cardiothoracic surgery director, both top experts in Asia.

Zhao Feiyang deliberated, decided to have separate discussions with them, Qin Guoliang he’ll personally meet, while Shu Yuanhang he left to Secretary Gao Xinhua, after all, Gao Xinhua and Shu Yuanhang’s father, Tong Guangsheng, were comrades who shared life and death, having him step in was more fitting.

After understanding the ins and outs of this issue, Gao Xinhua also felt somewhat helpless, Shu Yuanhang was too pure, he didn’t understand the complexity within the industry.

Shu Yuanhang remained indignant, "Uncle Gao, why is he saying this? I trust my team."

Gao Xinhua sighed, "Yuanhang, actually Qin Guoliang is really not targeting you, he is not wrong either."

Shu Yuanhang stared blankly at Gao Xinhua, why even he said that?

Gao Xinhua said earnestly, "Besides yourself, you can’t guarantee anyone else."

Shu Yuanhang frowned deeply, Gao Xinhua’s words were like a heavy blow to his heart, he couldn’t understand, colleagues and subordinates he has always trusted, why are they all getting involved in this turmoil, what is the vocation of a doctor? What is the mission? What is conscience? He always thought everyone held the same persistence as him; he trusted his team, but they let him down.

Only then did Shu Yuanhang realize how ridiculous his argument with Qin Guoliang was, he was too simplistic, as naïve as a youth unaware of worldly affairs.

Gao Xinhua patted his shoulder, "These bad tendencies couldn’t form in just a day or two, no one should expect to change it quickly, this system is sick."

Shu Yuanhang shouted, "If there’s an illness, then it needs to be treated!"

Gao Xinhua said, "Isn’t this a treatment? But no one should expect to remove the root cause in one go. If the medication is too aggressive, our medical system will collapse. Do you know why a special integrity account was set up? Why special handling is needed rather than following the established rules?"

Shu Yuanhang understood and recalled Qin Guoliang’s words. He would become a loner and powerlessly said, "Too many people are breaking the rules."

Gao Xinhua nodded, "Actually, Changxing is relatively good in this regard. As far as I know, other hospitals are worse. There are too many loopholes in pharmaceuticals, equipment, and consumables. Fortunately, higher authorities have already noticed this phenomenon."

Shu Yuanhang said angrily, "Shameless, patients entrust their lives to us, and some people are still trying to profit from it. Do they have no conscience, do they have no faith?"

Gao Xinhua said, "In today’s society, most people’s faith is in money. Yuanhang, don’t overestimate their integrity."

That evening, Shu Yuanhang invited Xu Chunliang for dinner. He didn’t have many friends in Dongzhou, and Xu Chunliang was considered one.

Xu Chunliang walked into a fly-infested diner called Sister Li’s Hand-Torn Chicken, and Shu Yuanhang waved at him from a corner.

Xu Chunliang walked over cheerfully and sat on a small stool opposite Shu Yuanhang. "I say, you’re a prominent big director at Changxing Hospital, and you bring me to a place like this for a meal? Doesn’t it seem a bit beneath your status?"

Shu Yuanhang took out a bottle of ten-year-old Flying Moutai from his handbag. "I knew you’d be picky. Don’t be fooled by the modest appearance of this place. At least there are no pre-made dishes."

Xu Chunliang nodded, "That’s true!"

Shu Yuanhang ordered half a chicken, a plate of peanuts, a serving of egg sausage, and stir-fried chicken blood. No need to order too much for a drink.

Xu Chunliang noticed his low spirits and thought of the ongoing medical anti-corruption. He wondered if Shu Yuanhang was also affected. From what he knew of Shu Yuanhang, he surely wouldn’t do such things. Firstly, he wasn’t short of money; secondly, Shu Yuanhang was a person with professional ethics and wouldn’t take what he shouldn’t. But the same couldn’t be said for those around Shu Yuanhang.

After a few cups of silent drinking with Shu Yuanhang, Shu Yuanhang asked him with a bit of surprise, "Why aren’t you asking why I invited you for a drink?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Do friends need a reason to drink together?"

Shu Yuanhang said, "True."

Xu Chunliang clinked glasses with him, "Encountered some work troubles?"

Shu Yuanhang said, "Not too bad, Chunliang, have you heard about the recent medical anti-corruption?"

Xu Chunliang laughed, "The current top priority in our medical system, of course I’ve heard about it. You invited me to this small joint, and I thought you were being discreet because of it."

Shu Yuanhang said, "What do I have to be discreet about? I don’t take dirty money."

Xu Chunliang said, "Then what are you worried about?"

Shu Yuanhang sighed and recounted what happened today.

Xu Chunliang said, "I thought it was something big."

"How is it not a big deal? My team, I personally selected them. If there’s a problem, I have to take responsibility."

Xu Chunliang said, "You don’t need to be responsible for anyone. Everyone should be accountable for their own actions. Uncle Gao is right; except for yourself, you can’t guarantee anyone. No need to feel disappointed. Many problems have long existed. Do you think the higher-ups don’t know? They see it clearly. We’re responsible for treating patients, not for worrying about the system’s illness nor treating it."

Shu Yuanhang said, "I’m really disappointed."

Xu Chunliang said, "At least it’s not despair. Don’t be disheartened. The domestic medical system indeed has unsatisfactory aspects, but it’s not necessarily better abroad. Take where you used to work, isn’t their medical system’s corruption even more serious? Just more concentrated."

Shu Yuanhang let out a long sigh; he was unable to refute.

Xu Chunliang said, "I think the country’s approach to handling this is good. Aren’t these people in the medical system greedy for money? Let them spit out however much they take. Although by the amount, many could end up in prison, if everyone went to prison, wouldn’t the medical system collapse?"

Shu Yuanhang said, "Who can guarantee they won’t continue accepting gray income? Will the money they spit out end up back with the patients?"

Xu Chunliang said, "This isn’t something we need to worry about. Trust the country, trust the government. In the end, this money will be used for the people."