After being separated from my family, I became a darling of the military region thanks to my medical

Chapter 477 Face and Survival

The mornings at 10 Downing Street don't smell of disinfectant from the hospital; instead, there's the dampness of the stone steps after the rain and the aroma of coffee.

In the Prime Minister's office, Mrs. Thatcher sat behind her desk, with Williams' handwritten letter in front of her.

The letter paper was thick, the ink was deep, and there were more appendices than the main text.

The secretary stood to one side.

"Madam, the Royal Hospital has confirmed that this letter was personally delivered to the Ministry of Health by Sir Williams and then forwarded here."

Mrs. Thatcher turned to the second page.

What was his past attitude towards the China proposal?

The secretary glanced at the memo.

"I strongly object, and I publicly questioned Dr. Ye in Berlin."

Chief of Staff Harrison sat opposite him, holding a newspaper clipping.

"Madam, that's precisely why this letter is so troublesome."

Mrs. Thatcher did not look up.

"explain."

Harrison pushed the clipping over.

"The news of the shipping magnate's granddaughter's recovery has spread, and several newspapers are asking why the British medical community gave up on the child while Chinese doctors were able to take her in."

Health consultant Allen cleared his throat.

"From a medical perspective, the data needs further review. A single successful case does not mean it can be replicated."

Mrs. Thatcher turned to the appendix, her gaze lingering on the blood oxygen curve.

"Williams said in the letter that the Royal Hospital registered dozens of children last night."

Allen nodded.

"Yes, the number has increased to fifty-nine this morning."

Harrison's face darkened further.

"That's the problem. If the government takes the initiative to contact China, it will make the public think that we acknowledge that British children have to go to Beijing for medical treatment."

Mrs. Thatcher looked up.

"You're worried about saving face."

Harrison sat up straight.

"Madam, I am concerned about the national image. Britain has the Royal Hospitals and a top-notch surgical tradition. If we turn to China for help at this time, the opposition will seize on this."

Allen added.

"There is also resistance within the medical association. Professor Patrick believes that it is necessary to organize domestic experts to conduct repeated verification first."

Mrs. Thatcher turned to the third page of the letter.

"How long will it take?"

Allen hesitated.

"Conservatively speaking, it will take six months to a year."

Mrs. Thatcher looked at him.

"Can those children wait?"

The office fell silent.

Harrison said.

"We can first issue a statement expressing our concern about the new technology, while emphasizing that the UK will conduct an independent assessment."

Mrs. Thatcher closed the letter, then opened it again.

"This is political terminology."

Harrison said.

"Political language can buy time."

Mrs. Thatcher asked.

"Whose time are we trying to save? The government's time, the hospital's time, or the child's time?"

Allen said in a low voice.

"Madam, sending British children directly to China for treatment involves visas, medical liability, public opinion, insurance, and technical recognition at the diplomatic level."

Harrison took over the conversation.

"More importantly, the China Heart Center has just been established, and the other party will use this to build international prestige."

Mrs. Thatcher looked at him.

"Is it hard to accept that the other party saved the child and gained prestige?"

Harrison's face tightened.

"Madam, the international order has never been based solely on goodwill."

Mrs. Thatcher handed him Williams' letter.

"Read the last paragraph."

Harrison took the letter, his gaze falling on the end.

He read very slowly.

"If this is the humiliation that British medicine must face, then please allow us to replace the humiliation with the breathing of children."

Allen lowered his eyes.

Mrs. Thatcher leaned back.

Williams is not one to give in easily.

Harrison said.

"Because of his special status, his change of heart will cause even greater turmoil."

Mrs. Thatcher asked.

"Why did he change his mind? Isn't there the example of Alice?"

Harrison still refused to back down.

"Impressive data may lead to more dangerous public opinion. If British children go to China and develop complications, who will be held responsible?"

Mrs. Thatcher looked at Allen.

"In medicine, are there any children with congenital heart disease who can be treated without open-heart surgery after initial evaluation?"

Allen answered cautiously.

"Yes. Some cases of congenital heart disease may be suitable for interventional treatment, without the need for open-heart surgery. The problem is that there are currently no operators like Ye Zhen in the UK."

Harrison said immediately.

"Therefore, we must not rush."

Mrs. Thatcher placed the pen on the letter paper.

"Your suggestion?"

Harrison said.

"A Royal Assessment Committee has been established, requesting the Chinese side to provide more information, and the referral of the child will not be initiated for the time being."

Allen also said.

"We could invite Dr. Ye to give lectures in the UK and conduct exchanges in a controlled environment."

Mrs. Thatcher asked.

Will she come?

Allen remained silent.

Harrison said.

"We can exert pressure through diplomatic channels."

Mrs. Thatcher flipped to the clippings, where a photo showed Alice holding a card, with Schroeder standing next to her.

"The Schroeder family will be on her side."

Harrison frowned.

"The shipping magnate has publicly endorsed the Chinese medical shipping route."

Mrs. Thatcher put down the clipping.

"Therefore, applying pressure may not be effective."

"Allen said in a low voice."

"And Siemens, they publicly admitted that the parameters in the instruction manual were incorrect and invited Ye Zhen to serve as a global technical consultant."

Harrison couldn't help but say.

"This is capital chasing new standards."

Mrs. Thatcher looked out the window.

The rain stopped, and water droplets clung to the black iron railings.

She suddenly asked.

"Harrison, do you have children?"

Harrison was taken aback.

"Yes, madam, I have a daughter, twelve years old."

Mrs. Thatcher then looked at Allen.

"And you?"

Allen adjusted his glasses.

"Two sons."

Mrs. Thatcher closed Williams' letter and pressed her palm on the cover.

"If this were your child, would you choose to save face or live?"

Harrison opened his mouth, but did not answer immediately.

Allen's fingertips touched the edge of the document, and the pages rustled softly.

Mrs. Thatcher stood up.

I need answers.

Harrison said in a low voice.

"To survive."

Allen also spoke up.

"To survive."

Mrs. Thatcher nodded.

"Then the government should give these parents the same opportunity."

Harrison looked up.

"Madam, have you decided to contact China?"

"Contact."

"Under what pretext?"

"Medical collaboration".

Allen immediately picked up a pen.

"Should the Ministry of Health intervene?"

Mrs. Thatcher said.

"The Ministry of Health is taking the lead, the Royal Infirmary is providing case screening, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for communication. Let's start with medical record evaluation and not use children as propaganda tools."

Harrison was still uneasy.

"What about the media's wording?"

Mrs. Thatcher looked at her secretary.

The statement clearly states that the UK will collaborate with international medical professionals to evaluate new interventional treatment pathways for congenital heart disease, prioritizing the protection of children's lives.

The secretary quickly took notes.

"Will China be mentioned?"

Mrs. Thatcher said.

"carry."

Harrison's expression changed.

"lady."

Mrs. Thatcher turned to him.

"Trying to cover it up will only make the media smell blood."

Allen asked.

Should we directly name the Huaxia Heart Center?

Mrs. Thatcher answered.

"Take a roll call. Since the patient is going there, the government can't pretend it doesn't know."