This doctor is already middle-aged, and he's only just started practicing medicine.

Chapter 194 The Attending Physician Turns the Tide!

November 1st, Sunday, 8:00 AM.

In the emergency room, Lin Qianlong felt relieved upon seeing Du Qiang and stood up to introduce him: "Director Du has arrived! Let's all give him a round of applause!"

Lu Cheng and the others also clapped enthusiastically.

Du Qiang glanced at everyone and said in a friendly manner, "Director Lin, you're too kind. Actually, we can tell that everyone is reluctant to see you leave."

"I was actually assigned by the hospital to pick fruit."

The emergency room shouldn't be too crowded on Sundays, but Zhang Tiesheng and Zeng Huanqi were there. After all, it was the new director's turn to report for duty, so they had to be given the respect they deserved.

Lin Qianlong smiled and said, "Director Du, you're too kind. I don't have any fruit for you to pick. The emergency department can't compare to the general surgery department where you used to work."

"Let me introduce you to the colleagues in this department. Our internal medicine department is headed by Director Huang Haibo."

"But now a patient with gastrointestinal bleeding has come to the intensive care unit and is being treated, so Director Huang and his team can't come over."

"This is Associate Chief Physician Zhang Tiesheng, and also Attending Physician Zeng Huanqi, Lu Cheng, Tian Zhuang..."

After Lin Qianlong finished introducing everything, he said, "Director Du, I have packed up my personal belongings in the director's office. The rest are all departmental property. If you need anything, just let the head nurse know."

Head Nurse Peng Ping immediately added, "Director Du, I hope we can work together happily in the future."

Peng Ping didn't want Lin Qianlong to leave either, but Lin Qianlong had his own ideas, and she couldn't force him to stay.

Lin Qianlong said, "Treatment accounts for 30% and nursing care accounts for 70%. The emergency department definitely cannot do without the nursing team led by you, the head nurse."

"Director Lin, you shouldn't be in a hurry to leave. I plan to have a farewell party for you with my colleagues at noon today."

Lin Qianlong waved his hand: "No need, no need. I'm not far from Feng County. I'll have to go over there to take care of things. I have a lot of things to do there too."

"There will be plenty of opportunities in the future... Well, the work will be handed over to you as usual, Director Du. Deputy Director Zhang Tiesheng and the others will give you a detailed report on other matters under their charge in the department."

"I won't disturb your work any longer; everyone else has their own schedules."

"Director Du, brothers, if there's a chance in the future, we can still have drinks together. I'll stay at the same old place."

"..."

After Lin Qianlong left, Vice President Zeng Long'an formally walked into the emergency department from outside and announced on behalf of the hospital that Du Qiang would soon take over as the director of the emergency department.

After exchanging pleasantries, Du Qiang and his entourage saw Vice President Zeng Long'an off.

"Du Daihua, you're on duty in the emergency room. Go and start your shift!"

"The emergency room can't be empty, lest someone report us and cause trouble," Du Qiang said.

Du Daihua got up and left: "Okay, Director Du."

Du Qiang then said, "Everyone else, please sit down. I'll announce the surgical shift schedule for this month first."

“In our department, some people are arrogant because of their talent and are unwilling to participate in regular shifts. Although Director Lin has given instructions on this, I cannot interfere.”

"But I must emphasize, since you want to be the main on-call emergency surgery team member, you'd better do it properly and avoid causing any problems!"

"We're all adults. Whoever causes a problem while on duty will be responsible for it."

"They're all veteran doctors now, don't give me irrelevant excuses like being young and naive." Du Qiang didn't say Lu Cheng's name directly, but everyone knew he was referring to Lu Cheng.

Hearing Du Qiang so directly making things difficult for Lu Cheng, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.

Not everyone knew about the shady deal between Lu Cheng and Du Qiang. Even Zhang Tiesheng might not have been able to see through Du Qiang's cunning schemes!
For example, Du Daihua and his group could only see that Lu Cheng had offended Du Qiang, and now Du Qiang had even come to the emergency room. So, the new broom sweeps clean, and he's targeting Lu Cheng.

Since Du Qiang had slipped up the list, Lu Cheng couldn't ignore it: "Director Du, I will do my job well!"

"However, I must say this first: I am only an attending physician. Even though I am on emergency duty, I will still consult my superiors if I cannot handle a case."

"Whether you want to come or not is your business, but I have to invite you."

Du Qiang said, "That depends on how you ask. If you're going to ask for all the low-level cases, why don't you participate in regular shifts?"

"Even Zhang Tiesheng, an associate chief physician, has to be on duty. What makes you think you can be exempted from this?"

"Enjoying privileges while doing the same things as him, what makes you so special? Does being handsome cure patients? Does being handsome prevent patients from complaining about you?"

How many heads do you have?

At this point, Du Qiang slammed his hand on the table: "Regardless of Director Lin's previous attitude, my point is that everyone should do their job and find their place."

"Don't try to get special treatment from me. What makes you think you can get special treatment at the county hospital?"

"You don't have to do this! Just leave, apply for a transfer to another department, and don't try to put on airs in front of me."

"Since you've decided to stand out, you'd better show your true abilities!"

"If you're just waiting for others to clean up your mess, how much influence do you have in your family?"

After Du Qiang made some sarcastic remarks, Lu Cheng was about to speak when Du Qiang interrupted him, saying, "Lu Cheng, you don't need to say anything more. The matter has been settled, so it's settled."

"Just do your shift and everything will be fine. But if you mess up, you'll be the first one I make an example of!"

“Zhang Tiesheng, you are the deputy director of our emergency department and also the deputy director of surgery. So, starting today, when I am not on duty, you will have the responsibilities of acting director.”

"You are not only responsible for your own shift, but also for monitoring and managing the shift status of other people in our department."

"In particular, those who like to be unconventional are the ones you need to focus on monitoring."

"Let me say this first: I don't want him to appear in the operating room when he's not on duty, and I especially don't want him to have to ask for leave when he is on duty!"

"What a big shot!"

"Can't the department function properly without you?" Du Qiang stated his position.

After listening, Zhang Tiesheng hesitated several times before finally saying, "Director Du, Lu Cheng's skills are very good. Many of the surgeries in our department before were performed by Lu Cheng alone."

Du Qiang immediately retorted, "Can we not do it?"

"Can you refer me to another hospital?"

"Who says our department has to perform these surgeries? Will we starve if we don't?"

"Haven't I made myself clear?"

Zhang Tiesheng also lost his temper: "Director Du, if you're going to talk like that, then I have nothing to say."

"You are the director, and you are in charge of the overall work of our surgical team. We will cooperate with you."

Du Qiang softened a bit: "I want to emphasize one point: I've just arrived at the emergency department, and what I need is stability. I don't care about performance or achievements; I just want to settle down first."

"That's my attitude."

"We shouldn't do things that aren't our responsibility, and we should follow the proper referral channels for cases that require referral. We should find our own niche and not act like we're all that."

Zhang Tiesheng said, "What if the patient strongly insists on having the surgery done here?"

Du Qiang countered, "Would you do it if the family of a heart transplant patient strongly demanded it?"

Are you going to have surgery for aortic dissection?

Zhang Tiesheng fell silent; he couldn't answer Du Qiang's question.

Du Qiang then said, "Director Zhang, I'm not trying to put you down, but we really need to figure out our own roles."

"It's better to let it go than to make a mistake. Do you understand what I mean?"

"We don't need to risk our future and career to pretend to be good people."

"The basic principles and laws of healthcare not only protect patients, but also protect us medical staff."

“You recently performed surgeries that our department can routinely perform and that have already been authorized,” Du Qiang said, then suddenly noticed a large, fat man.

He immediately stopped talking, stood up, and greeted her with a smile: "Professor Tong, aren't you off today? What brings you here?"

Tong Yuan'an scratched his head and chuckled sheepishly, "I'm sorry, Director Du, I overslept. I should have come here to wait for you right away."

Du Qiang glanced at Lu Cheng and said, "Professor Tong, weekends are your normal rest time, you don't have to come."

"If word gets out that we're exploiting the teachers who teach our classes, wouldn't we lose all face?"

"How are you going to survive in this industry after this?" Du Qiang's voice was quite obsequious.

Tong Yuan'an waved his hand: "It's nothing, I just came to sit in for a while. Director Du, you can make your arrangements. I mainly just want to cooperate with your work."

Immediately afterwards, Tong Yuan'an plopped down next to Lu Cheng, making his meaning very clear.

Zhang Tiesheng then said, "Director Du, our emergency department currently only has authorization for some general surgery procedures, as well as authorization for tendon suturing procedures in hand surgery."

"However, Professor Tong can perform limb replantation surgery normally when he is on duty."

Du Qiang immediately said, "When Professor Tong is on duty, his work will take precedence. At other times, as I mentioned, the surgical authorization approved by our hospital's medical affairs department will take precedence."

"Apart from authorized surgeries, all other surgeries will not be performed."

"Aren't you going to do spleen-preserving surgery and gallbladder-preserving surgery either?" Zhang Tiesheng asked, glancing at Tong Yuan'an at the same time.

Tong Yuan'an sat down and stopped talking, keeping his eyes down and his mind at ease.

What kind of spleen-preserving and gallbladder-preserving surgery are you referring to?

“Would you, Zhang Tiesheng, do it? I certainly wouldn’t.” Du Qiang’s tone was very sarcastic.

Zhang Tiesheng shook his head and wrote down the sentence directly: "Okay, Director Du, I understand."

Du Qiang slammed his hand on the table: "I said, according to the hospital's regulations, spleen-preserving and gallbladder-preserving surgeries are now the services of the general surgery department!"

"This is not under our emergency department's jurisdiction. Let's not cause any unnecessary trouble."

Zhang Tiesheng was somewhat unconvinced: "Director Du, these spleen-preserving and gallbladder-preserving surgeries were things you taught when you were in general surgery."

"You're already in the emergency room, can't you?"

Du Qiang retorted, "Is there a problem? I'm the head of the emergency department now, not the head of general surgery!"

Du Qiang's plan was brilliant. He transferred the authorization for surgeries he couldn't perform to the general surgery department and the authorization for surgeries he was capable of to the emergency department.

Now, Lu Cheng is no longer able to perform spleen-preserving and gallbladder-preserving surgeries.

Isn't Du Qiang deliberately suppressing Lu Cheng just to secure his own position as director?

From then on, most of the surgeries in the emergency department were simply Du Qiang's "performance," leaving Lu Cheng with no room to maneuver.

For example, in cases of intestinal perforation or hernia surgery, is Lu Cheng better than Du Qiang?
Du Qiang took away all the surgeries that Lu Cheng was good at and wouldn't let him perform them!
"Director Du, our emergency department doesn't actually have a high number of surgeries or patients, right?"

"These surgeries can still be done to some extent." This would affect Zhang Tiesheng's income, so Zhang Tiesheng mentioned it again.

"We treat as many patients as there are; doctors don't knock on doors."

"We're here to solve patients' illnesses, not to increase our performance by having more patients come to our clinic!" Du Qiang said with a righteous smile, "Director Zhang, there's something wrong with your thinking. I have to criticize you."

Zhang Tiesheng remained silent.
Okay, okay, so this is how you, Du Qiang, play the game?

Lu Cheng barely managed to hold back his laughter. His way of keeping himself from bursting out laughing was by constantly muttering serious phrases like "reading, reading, reading..."

The handover and task allocation are actually quite simple, and Du Qiang's arrival will not have a significant impact on the department's operations.

It's simply that Lin Qianlong's previous mission was transferred to Du Qiang.

Du Qiang can also perform the surgeries that Lin Qianlong performed; all you need to do is call him.

So, after making the arrangements, Du Qiang left the department directly. Of course, before leaving, he also took Tong Yuan'an with him.

Seeing Du Qiang fawning over Tong Yuan'an like a dog, Zhang Tiesheng was furious and said to Lu Cheng, "This Du Qiang, is he really...?"

"That's so despicable."

Zhang Tiesheng was on the night shift in the ward today. He could have left, but he was still angry.

Zeng Huanqi also said, "Director Du has always been like this. When he was in the general surgery department, some people said that he made the department a mess."

"That's why he was squeezed out and couldn't stay any longer."

“Sigh!~” Zeng Huanqi shook his head: “I don’t know why Director Lin insisted on leaving.”

"The days ahead are going to be tough."

Lu Cheng could tell that Zhang Tiesheng and Zeng Huanqi truly loathed Du Qiang.

The main point is that if Du Qiang hadn't given Lu Cheng a heads-up beforehand, then everything Du Qiang did was truly despicable.

But Du Qiang had given Lu Cheng a heads-up beforehand, and Lu Cheng felt that Du Qiang deserved the 'Best Supporting Actor Award'!
"Just accept it, there's no other good way."

"It's Zhang Ge. The things we agreed on before might not be able to be arranged anymore. Since this kind of surgery isn't allowed to be performed, there's no point in talking about teaching anymore," Lu Cheng said.

Zhang Tiesheng rolled his eyes a few times and said, "This isn't your fault, it's the bastards who're causing trouble."

“I actually contacted him, but he insisted on acting like he was some big shot.”

Lu Cheng then added fuel to the fire: "Director Du told me privately before that if I want to have spleen-preserving and gallbladder-preserving surgery, I can only have it done with him."

"I didn't agree."

"What the hell?" Zhang Tiesheng clenched his fists.

Lu Cheng can't do it alone, nor can he do it with Zhang Tiesheng; he can only do it with Du Qiang!

Are there really people this despicable?
"Lu Cheng, what should we do? Professor Tong hasn't said anything yet." Zeng Huanqi rubbed his dark face.

"Professor Tong is a hand surgeon, and he doesn't perform general surgery, so he can't say much about it."

"Let's take it one step at a time," Lu Cheng said.

"Everyone can have an easier time."

Zhang Tiesheng said, "I'll go find the dean and the others again to see what's going on with Du Qiang."

"Hey, Brother Zhang." Lu Cheng reached out his hand.

Zeng Huanqi said, "Xiao Lu, even if you don't care, Du Qiang can't possibly control the entire emergency department."

Lu Cheng remained silent, only able to secretly pray that Du Qiang had a way to deal with it and that Zhang Tiesheng wouldn't secretly sabotage him.

……

Around noon, a patient with spleen damage arrived.

Normally, according to past practice, he would directly talk to Lu Cheng and sign the papers, and then Lu Cheng would take him to the operating room to perform the surgery.

But since Director Du Qiang had just mentioned this matter this morning, Zeng Huanqi still didn't dare to make a decision rashly, so he called Du Qiang: "Director Du, a patient with a ruptured spleen has arrived."

"What do you want to do? Should we just cut it off?"

Du Qiang replied, "Whether it's cut or not, you should ask about today's operating room. Isn't Lu Cheng on duty today?"

“I asked Lu Cheng, and he said it could be guaranteed.”

"But Director Du, didn't you say this morning that spleen-preserving surgery couldn't be performed in the department?" Zeng Huanqi asked.

Du Qiang's tone was sarcastic: "Listen to Lu Cheng. Lu Cheng is so powerful. Even the deputy director personally called me and told me not to worry about him."

"Huh? Director Du, what did you say?" Zeng Huanqi never expected to hear such words from Du Qiang.

"It's nothing!"

"Let Lu Cheng do whatever he wants. Anyway, let me make this clear: if anything happens to the patient, I won't be responsible."

“He’s not a child either; he’s a seasoned doctor.” Du Qiang spoke with the air of an outsider.

With Lu Cheng right beside him, Zeng Huanqi glanced at Lu Cheng in surprise. Lu Cheng then turned his hand and said, "Brother Zeng, don't look at me. I've been with you the whole time."

"I don't know any deputy director."

Zeng Huanqi suddenly realized that Zhang Tiesheng might have made the call.

Lu Chengshao has been taking care of some diseases, which will directly affect his and Zhang Tiesheng's income. Even if Zhang Tiesheng doesn't speak up, he can't hold back anymore!

Currently, I'm far from being a chief surgeon, so all I can think about is doing more surgeries.

"Then let's do it. Anyway, Director Du said we can take responsibility for it ourselves."

"Damn it, that bitch is just being pretentious."

Zeng Huanqi continued, "But this kind of surgery requires an associate professor to be present. Director Du probably won't come. Why don't you call Zhang Tiesheng over?"

"Okay! I'll call Brother Zhang right now." Lu Cheng felt a bit pathetic; he knew everything, but he couldn't say anything.

On the contrary, after Du Qiang's performance, Zhang Tiesheng and Zeng Huanqi, the two bystanders, were forced to leave the scene.

Originally, Du Qiang wasn't against Lu Cheng having the surgery; he just needed to target Lu Cheng until he was forced out of the hospital.

However, for the sake of the patient, the spleen-preserving surgery that Lu Cheng could perform could not be removed. Therefore, Du Qiang had mentioned in advance that he would say that the vice president had taken the lead for Lu Cheng.

Of course, Zhang Tiesheng had summoned the deputy director of the Health and Wellness Bureau, who was now his direct superior. How could Du Qiang refuse?
I'm going to put on an act, but bigger and more realistic than I originally planned.

Lu Cheng believed that he wasn't the only one involved in these things; many people in the hospital, Long County, and society in general were actively or passively playing certain roles.

This is society...

"Brother Zhang, Director Du is the director after all. Let's just do our own thing and avoid any direct conflict."

In the operating room, after Lu Cheng and Zhang Tiesheng started the procedure, they disinfected and draped the equipment while offering words of comfort.

Zhang Tiesheng wielded considerable influence; he could easily make a phone call to the deputy director of the Health Bureau after only a few hours away. Lu Cheng was worried that Zhang Tiesheng would ruin Du Qiang's career.

“If he doesn’t act like a jerk, I’ll keep to myself and not interfere with him. But if he’s going to mess with us, I won’t just sit here and wait to die.”

"Who does he think he is, coming to the emergency room so soon and already pointing fingers at people?"

Zhang Tiesheng said bluntly: "Xiao Lu, as you know, I've been studying the spleen-preserving technique for so long, and now he says he won't let me learn it anymore."

"Wouldn't all the time and effort I put in have been wasted?"

"Xiao Lu, don't be afraid. You should still have the surgery done and teach what you need to teach."

“This is a county hospital, not a top-tier hospital in the prefecture, where the department heads have an aura of prestige,” Zhang Tiesheng hinted to Lu Cheng.

Anyone can become the director of a county-level department; it's just that a department needs a director.

However, the director of a prefecture-level city hospital may be irreplaceable, and may be the most capable person in the city.

A department that can support itself may see its strength decline significantly if the head of the department changes.

Similarly, department heads in prefecture-level city hospitals also bring their own power, connections, and real authority.

"Okay, thank you, Brother Zhang," Lu Cheng said with a smile.

"No need to thank me. You're both a teacher and a top salesperson. If I just abandon you, how can we still be brothers?"

Zhang Tiesheng then winked at Lu Cheng and said, "Besides, Teacher Lu, your suturing skills are amazing. If I were to learn even a fraction of them, I would jump straight to the state hospital, and who would dare to say anything against me?"

Lu Cheng had already told Zhang Tiesheng that he had won an award, so Zhang Tiesheng was naturally curious about why Lu Cheng was able to win the first prize.

Zhang Tiesheng had connections, so of course he could find out about Lu Cheng's suturing techniques.

Being in a good position, Lu Cheng's suturing skills were so advanced that he could rival, and even outdo, the associate professors at Xiangya Hospital.

If you don't learn something this good, when will you?
Let alone Du Qiang, even if the vice dean came forward to prevent Zhang Tiesheng from studying with Lu Cheng, Zhang Tiesheng would have to stand up and confront him head-on.

Once you learn this technique, you'll be in a league of your own in terms of spleen preservation techniques within the state.

It won't work for anyone.

Technique is technique!
Originality is truly amazing.

Not only can Lu Chengniu be successful, but the first people to try something new can also follow suit!
Zhang Tiesheng doesn't care about research topics or articles; he only cares about the technology.

“Brother Zhang, you know? I was planning to find an opportunity to have a proper talk with you,” Lu Cheng replied.

"Actually, when Professor Chen was around, he made some bold guesses, but he didn't dare to be as bold as he actually was."

"Teacher Lu, you're amazing!"

"I'll be bold and say that we're both teacher and friend. Anyway, you've taken off, and I'm determined to get rid of you. It'll be too late for you to shake it off now."

After Zhang Tiesheng finished speaking, he immediately asked carefully, "Lu Cheng, after you finish your demonstration, remember to make a tutorial for me!"

“Money is no object,” Zhang Tiesheng said.

Xiang Kuihua, an orthopedic surgeon, went to attend a training course at his own expense in order to compete with Lu Cheng.

Zhang Tiesheng was also very sensible; he would not seek anything outside of what was readily available.

This thing could affect him for the rest of his life, so he couldn't possibly miss this opportunity. Even if he couldn't get the fattest part, he had to get some soup too.

“No need,” Lu Cheng said.

Zhang Tiesheng laughed and said, "Of course, just a little something will put our minds at ease."

“Even if it’s a transaction, it doesn’t affect relationships. This kind of early learning opportunity can’t be bought with money.” Zhang Tiesheng was very sensible.

Du Qiang has his acting skills, and Zhang Tiesheng has his understanding; they are not in conflict.

(End of this chapter)