During the emergency meeting that followed, the expected issues emerged.
Gao-Yuan was a staunch advocate for integrating traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with Western medicine in treatment strategies. However, others in the room showed little enthusiasm. Neither the TCM practitioners nor the Western-trained doctors seemed willing to collaborate.
The scene made Gao-Yuan’s blood pressure spike. In his previous life, the same rigid separation had delayed countless treatments. This time, he had been working tirelessly to change that dynamic. Yet, despite his efforts, the results were disappointing—Western doctors acknowledged only his expertise and were unwilling to collaborate with others.
The county hospital's stance was clear: they would only work closely with Gao-Yuan.
As for the smaller clinics, they wanted no part in cooperating with the county hospital.
The entrenched biases were palpable.
Gao-Yuan rubbed his aching temples in frustration.
Director Wang Hanzhang frowned deeply and said, “Unifying TCM and Western medicine is a national policy! Why are you all grumbling here? You’re all well aware of how serious adenovirus pneumonia can be!”
Zhou Fangda, director of the Miao Township United Clinic, voiced his complaints: “Director, it’s not that we want to gripe. It’s just that collaboration is practically impossible. For instance, whose judgment should prevail during treatment? If we encounter a patient with a damp constitution, should we proceed with intravenous fluids or not?”
“And what if the treatment succeeds? Let’s not even argue over who contributed more. But if it fails—how do we determine whether the treatment itself was ineffective or if someone made a mistake? It’ll become a blame game. Besides, the big-shot doctors from the county hospital don’t think much of us rural practitioners.”
Director Li of the county hospital shot back, “If you’ve got issues, say so plainly. Why the sarcasm?”
Before Zhou Fangda could retort, another voice chimed in: “This isn’t sarcasm. Remember what happened in recent years? Let’s not dig up everything, but even recently, haven’t our TCM practitioners been mocked when giving lectures at your hospital?”
Director Li’s brows furrowed. “Then why is it that Dr. Gao-Yuan can get along so well with our hospital staff, while you all can’t?”
Yan Qiao retorted angrily, “Oh, so now you’re blaming us?”
The two sides began bickering again.
Wang Hanzhang massaged his temples, the tension evident on his face. The conflict between TCM and Western medicine had deep roots, dating back to the Republican era. It was a dilemma that had yet to be resolved. He turned his troubled gaze to Gao-Yuan.
Slamming the table for attention, Gao-Yuan said sternly, “Enough! This meeting is about finding ways to collaborate, not digging up past grievances. Adenovirus pneumonia is a formidable adversary. Only by joining forces can we truly defeat it. Neither side can handle this monumental task alone.”
Yan Qiao scoffed, “I wouldn’t be so sure. Didn’t Dr. Gao-Yuan single-handedly save a critically ill child with adenovirus pneumonia yesterday? The county hospital couldn’t manage it in half a month, yet he did it in just two days. Cooperation? More like someone’s bound to drag us down.”
Gao-Yuan sighed, speechless.
Director Li, equally frustrated, countered, “If I remember correctly, Dr. Yan, you treated that same child before Dr. Gao-Yuan stepped in, and the condition only worsened. Based on your logic, maybe it’s you who’s dragging everyone down.”
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“You—!” Yan Qiao glared at him.
And once again, the room devolved into chaos. Gao-Yuan struggled to regain control.
Just then, a knock on the door interrupted the argument. A young staff member from the Health Bureau entered and whispered something to Wang Hanzhang, who cast a glance at Gao-Yuan before giving instructions to the staffer.
The young man exited, and shortly after, returned with Dr. Qiao Zheng from the county hospital in tow.
Director Li looked surprised. “What’s going on?”
Qiao Zheng gave a nervous chuckle. “I’m here to see Dr. Gao-Yuan.”
All eyes turned to Gao-Yuan. His rapport with the Western-trained doctors was no secret, but this level of trust was striking.
“What happened?” Gao-Yuan asked.
Qiao Zheng explained, “A patient from the city has requested your help.”
“Me?” Gao-Yuan was puzzled.
“It’s like this,” Qiao Zheng began, “Do you remember the deputy principal of our county middle school, Hu Xingyan?”
After a brief pause, Gao-Yuan nodded vaguely.
Qiao Zheng continued, “He’s the one who brought his seven-year-old son to you after exhausting treatment options elsewhere. You know, the child who was misdiagnosed with severe neurological damage. Everyone, even Dr. Li Runyu, said his case was hopeless.”
Li Runyu’s face darkened. That particular failure was not something he liked to be reminded of.
“Is something wrong with the child now?” Gao-Yuan asked.
Qiao Zheng shook his head. “No, not him. It’s a relative of theirs. When Principal Hu heard about it, he immediately sent a telegram recommending they come here to see you. I rushed over because the child’s condition is dire.”
“What’s the diagnosis?” Gao-Yuan asked.
“Adenovirus pneumonia, with severe pulmonary shadows,” Qiao Zheng replied gravely.
At this, the room fell silent.
Wang Hanzhang turned to Gao-Yuan, his expression expectant.
With a slight nod, Gao-Yuan conveyed his readiness.
Wang Hanzhang addressed the room: “You were all saying just now how hard it is to collaborate on TCM-Western integrated treatments. Well, here’s a critically ill child. Let’s have Dr. Gao-Yuan demonstrate how it’s done with the county hospital’s team. Let’s see if it’s as impossible in practice as you claim.”
The group hesitated, their expressions uneasy.
“Enough sitting around!” Wang Hanzhang ordered. “To the hospital!”
Reluctantly, the group got up, following slowly behind Gao-Yuan and Qiao Zheng, who were already striding ahead.
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At the hospital gates, the family was waiting anxiously. Upon spotting Gao-Yuan, Principal Hu quickly approached, extending his hand warmly. “Dr. Gao-Yuan, I must trouble you once more.”
Gao-Yuan nodded politely. “It’s my duty. Take me to the patient immediately.”
As they walked, Gao-Yuan noticed Principal Hu’s son, the previously bedridden child. He ruffled the boy’s hair gently. “You’re looking much better now.”
Principal Hu beamed. “Thanks to you, he’s back in school and catching up with his studies. Xiao Chuan, thank Dr. Gao-Yuan!”
“Thank you, Uncle,” the boy said shyly.
“No need to thank me. It’s what doctors do,” Gao-Yuan replied with a smile.
Principal Hu introduced his younger sister, Hu Xingke, and her husband. Hu Xingke clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture. “Doctor, please save my child.”
“We’ll do everything we can,” Gao-Yuan reassured her. He then turned to the crowd following him. “These are experts from our county, here for a joint consultation.”
Hu Xingke blinked, surprised by the impressive turnout. “Brother, since when did you have this much influence?”
Even Principal Hu was momentarily stunned.
“Enough talk,” Gao-Yuan interrupted. “Let’s see the patient. Qiao Zheng, brief me on their medical history as we walk.”
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Inside, the urgency was palpable, and collaboration between the teams was no longer a choice but a necessity.
Gao-Yuan proceeded toward the hospital room with determined steps.
“Do you have the medical records?” he asked.
Hu-Xingke quickly produced the documents and handed them over.
Qiao Zheng began to explain, "The patient is a boy, one and a half years old. He’s had a high fever for eight days and a persistent cough for six. He was admitted to the municipal hospital four days ago. His body temperature has fluctuated between 38 to 40 degrees Celsius, with a red throat, labored breathing, abdominal distension, and pronounced wet rales in both lungs. Percussion revealed dullness."
“The hospital conducted a full battery of tests and isolated Type III adenovirus from a throat swab. A chest X-ray revealed dense shadows near the right pulmonary hilum, with small patchy opacities in the inner zone of the right lung. Similar dense patchy shadows were observed in the lower left lung.”
“They tried various treatments, including penicillin, chlortetracycline, erythromycin, plasma transfusions, and other symptomatic therapies, but none were effective. Additionally, on the second day after admission, they administered Chinese medicine, which also failed to yield any results.”
Gao-Yuan interrupted him. “Wait a moment—did you just say they’ve already used Chinese medicine?”
“Yes,” Qiao Zheng confirmed with a nod.
Director Wang-Hanzhang’s expression stiffened slightly.
The other directors exchanged awkward glances. Hadn’t this been an exercise in demonstrating how Chinese and Western medicine could work together? They had assumed the collaboration hadn’t even started yet—but it seemed the efforts had already failed.