Break out of the courtyard

Seeing that Zhang Bei remained silent, Director Zhao guessed that the brain-computer interface expert group had been too rash, so he introduced them from the side: "This is Professor Gan, the leader of our college's brain-computer interface expert group, and these professors next to him are all Professor Gan's group members."

Following the video conference two days ago, the conflict between Shenzhen Peace Academy and the Xishu Brain-Computer Interaction Expert Group came to the forefront.

Originally, thanks to Qian Lao's mediation, Vice Dean Deng and other experts and professors did not mention the Xishu Brain-Computer Expert Group leaving again.

But no one expected that after Hua returned to the capital yesterday, the Western Sichuan Brain-Computer Interaction Team received a notice to go home for vacation that afternoon.

The Western Sichuan brain-computer interface expert team knew Zhang Bei was coming today, so they naturally refused to go back. However, the academy's security guards directly intervened and chased them away, and even Vice Dean Qian's intervention was useless.

Zhang Bei was unaware of the intricacies of the situation and didn't care which side these brain-computer interface experts were on. Only after hearing Director Zhao's introduction did he speak up, saying, "I thought they were just patients' family members watching the show."

"It was our oversight; we forgot to introduce ourselves!" Team leader Gan of the brain-computer interface expert group smiled, hesitating whether to ask the question again.

"We've already notified the 3D printing team to produce the brain-computer interface components." Zhang Bei looked at the brain-computer interface device in the glass partition and said slowly, "You don't need to worry about the biological brain; I'll go to the biology lab to select it later."

Such blunt words left the brain-computer interface experts with mixed feelings, none of them knowing how to respond.

Director Zhao had just visited the Zhang family and knew that Zhang Bei and Zhang Long were involved in brain-computer interface research. They rarely interacted with outsiders, so it was normal that they weren't very tactful in their speech and dealings.

However, instead of smoothing things over for Zhang Bei, he approached Wang Shouren, the acting dean who was standing nearby.

Wang Shouren comes from the Capital University Affiliated Hospital. He previously served as the acting president of Hong Kong Island Peace Hospital. In December last year, he was transferred by Zhang Heping to Shenzhen Peace Hospital to address issues such as the disorderly allocation of beds.

Although Wang Shouren spent several years in Hong Kong, he was not familiar with Zhangbei.

Director Zhao spoke with Dean Wang for a few minutes and finally decided to use the brain-computer interface to examine the vegetative state patient only in the morning, leaving the afternoon for Zhang Bei and his team to work on the brain-computer interface manufacturing project, and also to let the neurology medical staff research and discuss this new treatment method.

"Back off! Have you forgotten the operating rules?" Zhang Bei suddenly shouted, drawing the attention of everyone around him.

Immediately afterwards, the people around Zhang Bei followed his gaze and looked at a young woman in the ward.

Researcher Li Tong, who originally wanted to go up and instruct an elderly doctor on how to wear a gaming helmet, quickly returned to the wall after Zhang Bei reprimanded her.

The person assisting this vegetative patient with brain-computer interface therapy is Xu Ning, who has fair skin. She was previously a lecturer at a university, just like Zhang Yi and the others.

While Zhang Bei was scolding Li Tong for trying to help, Xu Ning, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, was carefully observing whether the mental energy of the vegetative patient on the hospital bed dissipated after putting on the game helmet. She did not notice the old doctor behind her trying on the game helmet.

After Zhang Bei's reprimand, the members of the brain-computer interface research team quieted down, and the curious old doctor quickly put down his gaming helmet.

Xu Ning took off her gold-rimmed glasses, rubbed her slightly throbbing temples, and then said to the somewhat embarrassed old doctor next to her, "I'm sorry, I was a little nervous just now and forgot to explain the procedure."

Actually, it wasn't that she was nervous, but rather that the two researchers before her hadn't explained the procedure. They were just following Zhang Bei's instructions at the Peace Hospital in Hong Kong, putting gaming helmets on patients and then instructing doctors and family members to put on their helmets as well.

Of course, family members were not allowed into the ward today. Instead, members of the brain-computer interface research team and doctors wore helmets and entered the patient's dreams to explore.

As Xu Ning began explaining the precautions for wearing the brain-computer interface device and the subsequent operating procedures, the surrounding medical staff all took out notebooks, voice recorders, and mobile phones to record.

After Xu Ning finished with the patient in a vegetative state, Zhang Bei called the eight of them over and said seriously, "When treating subsequent patients, apart from the brain-computer interface operator, everyone else should stand outside the ward to check the situation, so as to prevent you from making mistakes again."

“Teacher Zhang, I promise I won’t do it again next time, could you…” Li Tong, the brain-computer interface researcher who caused the trouble, wanted to explain, but unexpectedly Zhang Bei turned his attention to Xu Ning.

"What is Article 6 of the Operating Procedures for Clinical Trials of Brain-Computer Intervention Therapy?" Zhang Bei looked coldly at the woman who had taken it upon herself to do so.

Xu Ning seemed to have thought of something, opened her mouth, but couldn't say it.

When Zhang Bei reminded Li Tong of the operating rules, Xu Ning actually removed her gold-rimmed glasses, which could save her life and prevent accidents, even though the brain was connected to the biological brain-computer interface and the patient was wearing a gaming helmet.

The crucial point is that this wasn't the end of it; she actually presumptuously started telling other doctors about precautions by her bedside.

"What is Article 13?" Zhang Bei continued to ask.

Rule 13 states that patients are not allowed to wear gaming helmets for extended periods, and the limit is no more than half an hour per day.

Xu Ning started explaining the procedures to the doctors after the patient was wearing a gaming helmet and connected to a brain-computer interface. She probably had no idea how much time she wasted during that time.

A doctor nearby tried to plead for leniency, but was glared at and shut down by Director Zhao and Dean Wang.

Zhang Bei establishing his authority here is, in a way, another form of teaching.

"I'll demonstrate it to you again in the next ward. If you still can't learn it, we won't need you for the clinical trials here!" After Zhang Bei finished speaking, he waved to two bodyguards to get the equipment and led them to the ward on the right.

As he was about to enter the ward, Zhang Heping turned his head and said, "Two doctors who have memorized the operating procedures are coming in. The rest of you wait outside!"

The operating procedures for brain-computer interface (BCI) clinical trials, as well as related operation videos, have not only been published online by Hong Kong Island Peace Hospital, but have also been shared with Shenzhen Peace Hospital, so that others can provide reminders where needed.

"Can you wear the helmet?" Zhang Bei asked casually after the two bodyguards quickly put down the biological brain server and helmet. "If you can't, try it on, but you can't connect to the brain-computer interface right now."

Although the two young doctors had watched the instructional video, they were still unsure under Zhang Bei's serious tone, even though they had understood it before. They hurriedly stepped forward to try it on and then carefully placed the gaming helmet back on the table.

"Now, prepare to connect the brain-computer interface to the biological brain server!" Zhang Bei said, then looked at the two doctors.

After seeing them retreat outside the door, he then signaled to the bodyguard to take action.

Then, the bodyguard extended a telescopic pole, and after a distance of two or three meters, used the pole to press down on a small black dial on the biological brain server.

This operation can be skipped for Zhang Bei, because his current mental strength is sufficient to activate the small switch that controls the brain-computer interface.

The reason for having the bodyguard operate it was because Xu Ning, Li Tong, and the other two had previously operated it by hand at close range.

"Biological brain server secure, disconnect!" Zhang Bei, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, said as he stood by the wall, "Prepare to put the gaming helmet on the patient."

The bodyguard with the telescopic pole flicked a small switch on the biological brain server, disconnecting the biological brain from the brain-computer interface, and then retreated to the wall.

Another bodyguard stepped forward and put the gaming helmet on the person in the vegetative state on the left bed.

After the bodyguard who had helped the patient put on the helmet quickly retreated to the wall, Zhang Bei said again, "Prepare to connect the patient's brain-computer interface!"

The bodyguard with the telescopic pole stepped forward again and, from two or three meters away, flicked the small lever on the top of the patient's helmet.

Because the miniature gold brain-computer interface is very small, only a little force is needed to move those small levers, which can connect or disconnect the brain-computer interface.

"Patient's brain-computer interface is normal, disconnect!"

As Zhang Bei finished speaking, the bodyguard with the telescopic pole quickly flicked a small lever on his helmet, disconnecting the brain-computer interface from the patient's helmet.

"Please have the doctor put on the helmet and prepare to connect to the brain-computer interface for the test!" Zhang Bei stood by the wall without moving, only moving his lips a few times.

The two doctors waiting outside quickly entered the room. One of the male doctors picked up the motorcycle helmet-shaped so-called gaming helmet, raised his right hand, and asked somewhat uncertainly, "Excuse me, Dr. Zhang, when we test brain-computer interfaces, is it just a matter of pressing down this small piece?"

"Pulling the switch downwards connects to the brain-computer interface; turning the switch upwards, or opening the mask upwards, disconnects the brain-computer interface," Zhang Bei patiently explained, adding, "Don't let your mental energy dissipate. If you can't control your mental energy, it means you're not suitable for using the brain-computer interface."

The operating guidelines stipulate that doctors who cannot control their mental state are prohibited from participating in brain-computer interface therapy.

"Okay, Dr. Zhang, we will definitely control it!" the young male doctor who had just asked the question said, then looked at his somewhat nervous female colleague next to him and nodded.

"Count to 3, then put on your helmets together." The young male doctor took a deep breath, feeling even more nervous than when he was trying on the helmet earlier.

As they finished counting to three, the two young doctors simultaneously put on their gaming helmets.

Then, the male doctor said in a deep voice, "Count to 3, and press the levers together."

"Be careful, don't use too much force. That pick is made of cast iron, it's very brittle!" Zhang Bei reminded them with a hint of helplessness.

The reason he went through all this trouble was mainly to train those eight brain-computer interface researchers so that he could become a hands-off manager and go to the lab to work on other brain-computer interface devices.

"Count to 3, press the lever lightly, don't use too much force!" the male doctor said in a deep voice.

These words might seem funny in normal circumstances.

But what was happening here and now was a standard clinical trial of brain-computer interface therapy, which Zhang Bei was guiding. People inside and outside the ward were watching and listening carefully, and no one dared to laugh!
Seeing that the two doctors had pressed down the dial and no mental energy was dissipating, Zhang Bei said, "Doctors, the brain-computer interface is normal. Disconnect!"

"Count to 3, together..." The male doctor's voice rang out again, but was rudely interrupted by Zhang Bei.

"Hurry up, don't waste everyone's time!" Zhang Bei said irritably, which startled the two doctors, who quickly reached for the levers on their helmets and carefully lifted them up.

If Zhang Yi were here, he definitely wouldn't dare to speak in the same tone as Zhang Bei, since there are too many experts and professors outside.

After the two doctors put down their helmets, Zhang Bei stepped forward, picked up a gaming helmet, and went outside. While adjusting the levers and face mask on the helmet, he said, "This small lever is made of cast iron. Its purpose is to prevent the brain-computer interface from contacting the user."

"This paddle is easy to break, so please be careful with the force you apply when using it. If you're unsure about the force, you can try plucking it now."

As Zhang Bei spoke, he handed the helmet to Director Zhao in front of him, and then continued, "It's okay if the lever breaks. You can still open the mask and move the internal metal plate to block the brain-computer interface. Afterwards, you can just take the helmet apart and replace the lever."

"But this would take up a lot of time, which is why I'm bringing it up separately."

"Next, we will conduct a brain scan of the patient's dreams, which will take about 1 to 5 minutes. If anyone can't stand the patient's dreams, they should disconnect the brain-computer interface, remove the helmet, and then let another doctor take over."

"Note that if you can't accept it, then you can't accept it. Don't force yourself to adapt to the patient's dreams, otherwise your subconscious will be affected by the patient!"

"I just can't stand the dreams of those patients, so I'm not interested in their dreams. There's nothing shameful about that, understand?"

"If you understand, just say so!" Dean Wang stood up for Zhang Bei, saying seriously, "Teacher Zhang's reminder is to protect you and prevent your mental state from being affected by the patients!"

"Understood!" a doctor echoed.

"Thank you for reminding us, Teacher Zhang. We will definitely pay attention!" One of the young female doctors wanted to show off, so she talked a bit more.

After each neurosurgeon responded, Zhang Bei nodded and said, "Today is just a preliminary exploration of the patient's dreams to understand their subconscious activities. Then you will communicate with the family to develop a relevant treatment plan."

"I don't know anything about treatments; you'll have to ask people in Hong Kong. I won't say more!"

After speaking, Zhang Bei waved for the game helmet he had just taken out, and then began the process of exploring the patient's brain dreams.

Although Zhang Bei hadn't personally taught these procedures to the researchers in the previous days, the operating guidelines for brain-computer interface therapy clinical trials contained detailed requirements. Zhang Bei simply demonstrated them today to make them more intuitive.

After examining the patient on the left, Zhang Bei continued to demonstrate with the patient in the middle.

However, Zhang Bei didn't speak this time. He simply raised his right hand and pointed with his index finger. Then, the bodyguard pulled the telescopic lever to activate the dial on the biological brain server.

When Zhang Bei retracted his index finger and made a fist, the bodyguard immediately used the telescopic lever to retract the lever and retreated to the wall.

Then two fingers, then three fingers; the two bodyguards worked together very efficiently.

The speed only slowed down when two other doctors came in to test the gaming helmet.

When the third patient arrived on the right, Zhang Bei stopped the bodyguard with the telescopic pole from moving.

After the bodyguards set up the bio-brain server, Zhang Bei had them put the gaming helmet on the patient. Just like at the Peace Hospital in Hong Kong, Zhang Bei used his mental power to quickly manipulate the switches on the bio-brain server and the patient's helmet. After a quick check, he called in two doctors.

At this point, many people wondered why Zhang Bei skipped the step of using the telescopic lever to move the lever, but some people saw the levers on the biological brain server and the patient's helmet moving, so there was a rustling sound of people discussing this outside the ward.

After handling three patients in one ward, Zhang Bei called Zhang Yi's eight researchers over and asked, "Three patients, three operating methods, did you understand them all?"

“I understand, Professor Zhang!” a male researcher said. “We’re not proficient yet, so we need one person to wear glasses as a monitor and two others to act as operators.”

"Only after becoming proficient and developing strong mental fortitude can one operate independently like you."

"Can someone give me a piece of paper!" Zhang Bei looked around and soon received a page torn from a notebook by a female doctor.

“Your eyes and brains are more fragile than this piece of paper!” Zhang Bei held up the paper, then withdrew his hand and used his mental power to suspend the paper in front of him.

"Turn off all cell phones and cameras! Delete the recordings from just now!" Old Qian had arrived at some point, and seeing Zhang Bei demonstrating his mental power, he hurriedly told everyone to stop filming.

Zhang Bei waited a moment, and only continued after everyone around him stopped what they were doing: "Today I'll demonstrate to you what kind of harm would occur if the biological brain malfunctioned, or if your and the patient's mental energy dissipated."

After he finished speaking, the page flew out of thin air to the female researcher named Xu Ning, and then many small holes appeared on the page, clearly forming the word "danger".

"Pass this around so you don't think I'm exaggerating or not taking the operating rules seriously!" Zhang Bei withdrew his mental energy and took off his gold-rimmed glasses after Xu Ning took the page away.

"Someone get me a bottle of brain tonic!" Zhang Bei rubbed his temples and gave the order, clearly indicating that destroying the paper with his mental power earlier had not been easy.

Director Zhao asked with concern, "Xiao Bei, do you want to take a rest?"

"It's nothing!" Zhang Bei put his gold-rimmed glasses back on and smiled. "Let's finish this morning's reconnaissance work first, and I'll recover after a nap at noon."

After instructing the guards on the task of checking everyone's cell phones and cameras, Professor Qian approached Zhang Bei and said with a smile, "Professor Xiao Bei, the brain-computer interface research team here has accumulated many questions. When do you have time, could you help them answer them?"

Zhang Bei had previously answered some questions for the brain-computer interface research team here, so he was mentally prepared for this.

This is why he believes his father needs him to continue the brain-computer interface research.

"Grandpa Qian, how about 2:30 to 5:30 this afternoon?" Zhang Bei said, adding, "I'm working on brain-computer interface research tonight. If we don't finish asking questions today, we can ask them tomorrow afternoon."

"Alright!" Old Qian replied with a smile, "You're the teacher, so you decide!"

...(End of chapter)