“What… do you mean by that?” Hearing Elder Wang’s words, Xu Ze’s heart couldn’t help but pound violently. If he had a practice license… then… would he still have to face so many restrictions? Would he still need to be so cautious?
If he had a physician’s practice license, then he could fully unleash his talents, no longer needing to rely on others’ names, and could truly step forward and claim the honor that belonged to him.
And he could then go all out to expand his influence, until he gained the Sun family’s recognition and acceptance, and even…
Without this physician’s practice license, then all his medical activities would be illegal… unrecognized and unacknowledged by the state…
Thinking of this, a hint of excitement shone in Xu Ze’s eyes. Seeing the attitude of that leader surnamed Li from the Health Supervision Institute towards Elder Wang earlier, he knew Elder Wang was certainly no ordinary person. Since he had hinted at something, perhaps he truly might have some way to help him obtain this qualification…
Xu Ze was very clear on how difficult it was to obtain a physician qualification certificate. It had to be obtained by passing the annual physician qualification examination. And to be eligible for that exam, one generally needed to have a bachelor’s degree and over a year of work experience.
After obtaining the eligibility to take the exam, one still had to pass two parts of the test. The physician qualification examination is divided into two parts: the first part is the practical exam in the first half of the year, and after passing that, the second part is the theoretical exam in the second half. Only by passing both exams could one truly obtain the physician qualification.
And the pass rate for this exam was extremely low. It was said that the annual pass rate didn’t exceed twenty percent…
For Xu Ze, the exams were no problem at all, but currently, he wasn’t even eligible to take them. He was only a senior, meaning it would take at least another two and a half years to obtain the physician qualification. And those two and a half years would be the biggest constraint on his development.
If he could get the practice license now, it would mean saving himself at least two years’ time.
Seeing Xu Ze’s excitement, Elder Wang couldn’t help but smile faintly, then said: “There are a few old fellows in the Chinese medicine circle who have a small privilege. Every year, they can exceptionally recommend their own disciples or promising juniors to participate in a special ‘Rising Star Exam’. And if they pass this exam, they can directly obtain a Chinese medicine physician’s practice license.”
“Ah?” Xu Ze was stunned. Regarding the issuance of physician certificates, whether for clinical medicine or Chinese medicine, the state was extremely strict. Even with connections or money, you couldn’t get one. But he never expected such a thing existed. Naturally, his eyes lit up, and he looked hopefully at Elder Wang, waiting for him to continue.
“And as it happens, I also have this qualification… So…” Elder Wang smiled as he spoke, looking warmly at Xu Ze…
Hearing Elder Wang’s words, Xu Ze’s heart truly began to pound. He took a light breath, looked at Elder Wang, and asked: “You mean…”
“I haven’t used this quota for two years… But today, if you need it, I can recommend you…” Elder Wang said with a smile.
Xu Ze looked at Elder Wang, his heart filled with excitement. At this moment, the encyclopedia in his mind, relying on a quick mental search, provided him with Elder Wang’s identity.
“Wang Yibo, Honorary Consultant of the National Academy of Chinese Medicine, Academician of the Academy of Engineering, recipient of Special Government Allowances from the State Council… A nationally top-tier physician…”
So what Elder Wang said was certainly not deceptive. Overjoyed, Xu Ze said: “Elder Wang, you would really be willing to recommend me?”
“Hmm… I think you’re very promising, not just in medical skills but also as a person. You’re worthy of the quota I’m giving you… If you have this license, I think more patients will benefit…” Elder Wang said with a smile: “If you truly need it, I can recommend you… Then whether you pass will be up to you.”
“Thank you so much, Elder Wang… You’ve really helped me a great deal…” Xu Ze said joyfully.
Although this was only a Chinese medicine practice certificate, having it meant he could legally see patients, and no one could find fault with him anymore.
And later, after he graduated, he could also take the exam for a Western clinical practice license…
Thinking of this, Xu Ze felt extremely happy. He never imagined he would have such an opportunity. He looked at Elder Wang gratefully and asked: “Elder Wang… when is this exam?”
“Well… very soon. I remember it’s usually after the Lantern Festival. Around that time, we old fellows have our annual gathering, and we take the opportunity to conduct some assessments for the younger generation.” Elder Wang thought for a moment, then smiled and said: “Dr. Xu, your techniques are very good, but I don’t know how solid your foundation in Chinese medicine theory is. So you need to work hard; the assessment won’t be very easy.”
“Okay… no problem. I’ll do my best to pass and won’t let you down!” Xu Ze said respectfully.
“That’s good. If the person I recommended didn’t pass, that would be embarrassing. Those old fellows would surely laugh at me…” Elder Wang chuckled and nodded, then instructed: “Dr. Xu, the assessment won’t just test Chinese medicine; Western medicine will also be heavily involved. Besides us old Chinese medicine practitioners, there will also be a few professors from Capital Medical University and the director of the National Medical Examination Center participating in the assessment. So you must not take it lightly!”
After giving these instructions, Elder Wang smiled and took a business card from his pocket, handing it to Xu Ze, and laughed: “Remember to call me after the tenth day of the new year. I’ll help you make arrangements then. The assessment location will be in Yanjing…”
After saying this, Elder Wang smiled and declined the Xu family’s invitation to stay for a meal, then drifted away, leaving Xu Ze behind, his face full of excitement.
“Son, do you know this Elder Wang?” Xu’s father finally couldn’t help but ask. He was extremely surprised that Elder Wang had suddenly spoken up for his son and given him such a wonderful opportunity. Curious, he asked.
Xu Ze smiled lightly and shook his head. He knew he must have caught Elder Wang’s attention by using the silver needles on that old woman earlier. Moreover, not accepting any money afterward had probably earned him some favor with Elder Wang. Otherwise, such a good thing would definitely never have come his way.
Xu Ze spent the entire day, until eight in the evening, finishing with all the patients. The vast majority left very satisfied. Most of these patients were chronic cases that hadn’t responded well to treatment before, but under Xu Ze’s special techniques, they had all achieved pretty good results.
However, relatively speaking, although Xu Ze tried his best to conserve energy, the energy he had painstakingly accumulated over two sleepless nights was once again depleted, ending up at only thirteen percent. Xiao Dao had nearly fallen into a deep sleep due to the energy deficiency.
The next morning, to prevent more patients from showing up at his door, Xu Ze set off early for Star City. Although there were still about ten days until the new year, he had promised Zhang Lide he would go to work. So he had to go and keep the old man company for a while, planning to return around the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth.
As Xu Ze drove along, he could still faintly see bloodstains at the site of the accident from a few days ago. Even the damaged guardrail hadn’t been repaired yet. Looking at the dark red stains on the guardrail, Xu Ze sighed softly. The Lianyang Daily a couple of days ago had reported it clearly: the two people in the red sports car died instantly. Fortunately, the people on the minibus were luckier; besides a few serious injuries, no one died.
Thinking of this, Xu Ze couldn’t help but feel a bit proud. He had contributed significantly to that outcome.
However, that day’s Lianyang Daily also published a few photos of Xu Ze rescuing people, with a headline about his courageous act, which had made his parents quite proud at the time.
The Maserati glided smoothly along the highway, quickly entering Star City.
When he arrived at the First Affiliated Hospital, it was only a little past seven-thirty. Xu Ze went to the Internal Medicine Department Director’s office. Seeing him arrive, Zhang Lide was very happy. Noticing the time was just right, he decided to take Xu Ze to attend the shift handover meeting in the Cardiovascular Medicine department.
Seeing Director Zhang, who rarely attended handovers, suddenly show up today surprised the doctors in Cardiovascular Medicine. But when they noticed Xu Ze following behind him, everyone understood. So… it was because of this kid that Director Zhang came to the handover today.
Aside from a few attending physicians and the department head, the other doctors looked at Xu Ze with envy, especially the rotating interns. Their eyes practically shone red with jealousy, wishing they could trade places with him.
To be personally mentored by the Director of the Internal Medicine Department, and for him to bring him to the handover just for this kid’s sake—what an honor! And they’d heard that Director Zhang trusted him immensely, letting him see any kind of patient… Boundless future… truly boundless…
Once this kid graduated, he’d definitely enter the First Affiliated Hospital, and definitely get the best department. With Director Zhang as his backing, and having been carefully trained by him from now on… in two years… two years later, when he graduated, he’d probably be better than most of the regular doctors here…
By then, he wouldn’t even need to rotate through departments; he’d just start working independently immediately. This made all the rotating doctors incredibly envious.
Seeing the entire office, with twenty or thirty doctors and nurses, all staring at him—some with fervor, some with jealousy—Xu Ze remained calm and composed. His nerves were now as strong as steel. He stood calmly behind Zhang Lide.
Looking at the crowd, a hint of curiosity was in his eyes. Although he had spent a long time at the First Affiliated Hospital, aside from the more relaxed handovers in the Emergency Department, he had never actually participated in this kind of departmental handover in the inpatient wards. So seeing the solemn atmosphere in the office was naturally intriguing.
Director Zhang nodded reservedly to Zhang Jiangyou, the director of the Cardiology Department beside him…
Zhang Jiangyou cleared his throat meaningfully, then said: “Let’s begin the handover.”
