godfather of surgery

Chapter 1275 Know Yourself
In front of Jiang Jitong lay a thick stack of research materials he had retrieved from Professor Yang.

The computer screen displayed complex data charts and experimental procedure plans, with a notebook covered in dense writing spread out next to it.

However, Jiang Jitong's pen tip hovered above the paper, motionless for a long time, his brows furrowed.

He began to digest Professor Yang Ping's entrustment word by word and tried to put himself in that role of full responsibility.

He repeatedly reviewed every key milestone of the project from its inception to its breakthrough. He pondered each member of the team, their expertise, personality, and work habits. He mentally rehearsed the challenges that might be encountered: the stability of process scale-up, every detail of preclinical safety evaluation, key points of communication with regulatory authorities, and even contingency plans for unexpected technical risks in the worst-case scenario...

The more he thought about it, the more his heart sank.

Jiang Jitong admitted that he was indeed able to perform exceptionally well under Professor Yang's comprehensive guidance. He excels at breaking down grand goals into actionable steps, at mobilizing resources to overcome specific technical hurdles, and possesses sufficient patience and resilience to refine the details.

However, being in full charge is completely different from being an assistant in charge of execution. It means having a penetrating understanding of the overall scientific logic of the project, being able to quickly propose solutions when encountering new and complex problems, and having a strategic vision and control over the direction.

These were precisely the areas where Jiang Jitong was least confident. He knew all too well the significance of this project.

Its future path is far more complex than simply following the established procedures. The commercialization process will inevitably involve patent disputes, potential route controversies arising from technological iterations, and even more covert international competition and suppression that may result from significant achievements. These turbulent challenges require someone with an exceptionally clear mind, unwavering will, and a mindset of breaking down barriers to steer the ship.

He was an excellent engineer, a reliable executor, and a diligent researcher. But deep down, he felt he wasn't the most suitable leader. Could he truly shoulder the responsibility of such an important project?

Once the thought took hold, it wouldn't leave him. He loved the project, cherished Professor Yang Ping's trust, and longed to take responsibility. But precisely because of this, he couldn't allow his own shortcomings to cause the project to take a wrong turn or even suffer losses at some crucial moment in the future.

A name flashed through his mind: Chen Xiao.

He hadn't been with the team for very long, but Jiang Jitong knew him very well.

Chen Xiao possesses qualities that Jiang Jitong himself felt he lacked: intuition based on a solid theoretical foundation and interdisciplinary knowledge, and the courage to step outside established frameworks and examine issues from unconventional perspectives. His educational background is far superior to Jiang Jitong's; he holds a PhD from MIT, worked for several years at the World Whitehead Laboratory, and has now returned to China to settle down here at Professor Xiang's strong recommendation.

A clear and bold idea gradually took shape in Jiang Jitong's mind and became increasingly firm. This was not a retreat, but the most responsible choice he could make for the project.

He spent another full day meticulously outlining the project's trajectory, listing potential key decision points, and objectively comparing his own and Chen Xiao's capabilities in relevant areas. He even privately consulted with Chen Xiao on several subsequent technical challenges, ostensibly for advice and discussion, further validating his judgment.

On the afternoon of the third day, Jiang Jitong, carrying the stack of documents that had been read so many times that the edges were curled, stood in front of Professor Yang Ping's office again.

"Come in," Yang Ping said, his voice still calm.

Jiang Jitong pushed open the door and entered, seeing Yang Ping reviewing a clinical surgical plan. Upon seeing him enter, Yang Ping put down his pen.

"Professor Yang, I have some new ideas regarding the successor of the X-2 project, and I would like to report them to you," Jiang Jitong said, getting straight to the point in a clear voice.

Yang Ping raised an eyebrow slightly, gesturing for him to sit down and speak. Jiang Jitong did not sit down immediately, but instead gently placed the documents in his arms on the corner of the desk, then straightened his back and began his presentation.

"Professor Yang, first of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your trust in me. This trust is more important than anything else to me. I have been working almost non-stop for the past few days, carefully studying all the materials and trying my best to simulate the future of the project. The more I think about it, the more I feel the weight of the responsibility, and at the same time, I am more clearly aware of my own limitations."

Yang Ping didn't interrupt, but listened quietly, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table.

“I excel at execution, at optimizing processes, solving specific problems, and coordinating teams to tackle challenges within a given direction and framework. If the project proceeds smoothly as planned, I am confident I can complete it successfully,” Jiang Jitong said calmly and logically. “However, Professor Yang, I have carefully analyzed the current state of our project and its environment. X-2’s successful breakthrough has only opened the door. Beyond the door lies a vast unknown territory, which will inevitably be accompanied by more complex challenges.”

He paused, then continued, “On the technical level, process scale-up and optimization, thorough verification of long-term stability, and exploration of potential new applications all require people who not only understand the technology but also have a deep understanding of core scientific principles and creative thinking to guide the direction. On the management level, the project is about to enter a stage where it is more closely integrated with clinical practice, production, and even commercial expansion. This involves in-depth communication and collaboration with people from different fields and with different ways of thinking, requiring a detached perspective and strategic focus on the overall value of the project. There is also the external environment; our success will inevitably attract wider attention, and technological competition, patent strategies, and even interference from non-technical factors may arise. This requires the person in charge to have extremely strong resilience, keen insight, and a certain wisdom in handling complex situations.”

Jiang Jitong raised his head and looked at Yang Ping with candid eyes: "Professor, in these areas, especially in dealing with complex non-technical challenges, conducting forward-looking strategic thinking, and making disruptive innovations based on profound academic knowledge, I think I still have shortcomings. My thinking pattern may be more inclined to optimization rather than reconstruction, and I am more accustomed to solving problems rather than defining them. Entrusting such an important project entirely to me, I am worried that my prudence may turn into conservatism at some critical moments, and may even cause me to miss some important opportunities or fail to avoid potential risks in time."

Yang Ping's gaze deepened as he listened intently. Jiang Jitong's self-analysis was calm, objective, and even somewhat harsh, but this precisely demonstrated that he was truly thinking from the perspective of project development, rather than personal gain or loss.

Being pragmatic and realistic is the most important quality for researchers, and Jiang Jitong possesses it. "So, what's your suggestion?" Yang Ping asked slowly.

Jiang Jitong took a deep breath and said the name that had been lingering in his mind for a long time: "Professor Yang, I highly recommend Dr. Chen Xiaoyan to serve as the main person in charge of the X-2 project. I think he is more suitable than me."

"Reason?" Yang Ping asked succinctly.

“He is far superior to me in many aspects, such as academic foundation and innovative vision.” Jiang Jitong was clearly well-prepared. “Chen Xiao has profound attainments in genomics, bioinformatics, and especially in the structure-function relationship. This is not just about knowledge reserves, but also a way of thinking. He can always quickly grasp the essential biological problems from complex appearances and dares to propose unconventional solutions. For example, his achievements in the Ruixing Breaking-the-Wall Lab demonstrate this. The subsequent in-depth optimization and derivative development of the project require this kind of penetrating insight.”

“Cross-disciplinary understanding and communication skills.” Jiang Jitong continued, “Chen Xiao has a dual background in basic research and early translational research. He can understand the pain points of clinical needs and can also have effective dialogues with engineering and technical personnel. In the future, the advancement of the project will inevitably require frequent communication with clinical experts, engineers, production quality control personnel and other parties. His knowledge structure is more suitable for this pivotal role.”

“Psychological resilience and a broad perspective.” Jiang Jitong’s voice lowered slightly, but became more earnest. “Chen Xiao’s experience has exposed him to the complexities of the international academic community earlier than most of us. His ability to return and quickly immerse himself in his work demonstrates his unwavering resolve and pure goals. With him leading the effort, he may be more composed and strategic in dealing with potential distractions or pressures outside of projects. Moreover, he has experience working at MIT’s Whitehead Lab, which is crucial for the future internationalization of our technology.”

Jiang Jitong concluded with utmost sincerity, “If Chen Xiao were to lead the project, I would be willing to fully support him. I am familiar with all the details, processes, and team members' characteristics, and can provide seamless coordination, support, and backup at the execution level to ensure a smooth transition and efficient operation of the project. Partnering with him would create a better synergy; he would be responsible for looking ahead, grasping the direction, and breaking through key bottlenecks, while I would be responsible for laying a solid foundation, managing the process, and ensuring logistical support. This would likely result in a more stable and dynamic structure for the project.”

After finishing his long speech, Jiang Jitong breathed a sigh of relief, but more than that, he felt relieved. He had presented his most genuine thoughts to Professor Yang without reservation.

A hush fell over the office. Yang Ping remained silent for a long time. He stood up, walked to the window, turned his back to Jiang Jitong, and gazed outside. His thoughts were racing.

Jiang Jitong's recommendation was a great surprise to him, but upon reflection, it made perfect sense. This young man was more clear-headed and more selfless than he had imagined. His loyalty to the project was not shown by clinging to power and responsibility, but by striving to find the most suitable leader for the project.

This quality is extremely precious.

His analysis of Chen Xiao was extremely accurate and insightful. Yang Ping himself had also observed Chen Xiao's unique qualities. That young man truly possessed a rare combination of top-tier intelligence, unwavering resilience, and a certain innovative potential. Elder Xiang's strong recommendation indirectly confirmed Chen Xiao's extraordinary abilities. Placing him in a more important position for training was perfectly reasonable.

Jiang Jitong's proposed partnership model is also quite ingenious. It leverages Chen Xiao's strategic and innovative abilities while utilizing Jiang Jitong's solid execution and coordination skills, achieving complementary strengths and minimizing risks during the handover and future operations.

However, Yang Ping thought to himself that Jiang Jitong clearly lacked self-awareness and had not yet seen his own strengths.

A few minutes later, Yang Ping turned around and his gaze returned to Jiang Jitong's face.

“Dr. Jiang,” Yang Ping’s voice was steady and firm, “I am very pleased that you think and act this way. This proves that I did not misjudge you. Your sense of responsibility for the project transcends your attachment to your personal position, and your analysis of Chen Xiao is also very insightful.”

He walked back to his desk, but instead of sitting down, he placed his hands on the table, leaned forward slightly, and stared intently.

I agree with your suggestion in principle. Chen Xiao is indeed a candidate worth considering. However,” Yang Ping changed the subject, “this matter cannot be decided solely by the two of us. I need to speak with Chen Xiao personally to understand his own thoughts, wishes, and preparations. At the same time, the stability and acceptance of the project team also need to be considered. Are you truly psychologically prepared for the role change from the designated person in charge to a key assistant? Can you properly position yourself and fully cooperate during the transition period and in future work?”

Jiang Jitong answered without hesitation: "Professor, I am fully prepared. As long as it is in the best interest of the project, I will absolutely obey the arrangements and do my best to assist Dr. Chen Xiao to ensure the smooth progress of the project. My starting point is always the success of the project."

Yang Ping nodded: "Okay! Next week's project team meeting will be postponed. I'll talk to Chen Xiao in the next couple of days. Until then, don't reveal what you told me today to anyone. The project team's work will continue as usual, and you will be in charge of the overall coordination for the time being."

“Understood, Professor Yang,” Jiang Jitong replied solemnly.

As Jiang Jitong left Yang Ping's office, his steps were lighter than when he arrived. He felt an unprecedented sense of peace and strength. He felt he had made the most correct and responsible contribution to this project to which he had poured his heart and soul.

Inside the office, Yang Ping fell into deep thought, a smile appearing on his face.

Jiang Jitong's understanding of Chen Xiao was very objective, but his understanding of himself was inadequate.

He has been working at the Sanbo Institute since graduating with his doctorate. The skills he gained from his experience on the X-2 project are world-class. He has basically mastered top-notch scientific research thinking and methods. However, unfortunately, he has hardly ever participated in international exchanges, so he has never compared himself with his peers in top foreign laboratories. He has no idea how capable he is now.

It seems that he needs to have an in-depth exchange with some other PhDs who have top-notch overseas study backgrounds, so that he can have an objective and comprehensive understanding of his own abilities.