Chapter 153: Letting Out Some Suffocation
Dr. Zhang laughed out loud at her joke and tapped Ning Tang's forehead: "You silly girl, you always know how to tease me."
After exchanging a few more jokes, Ning Tang, supporting her back, slowly walked towards the Traditional Chinese Medicine department.
Even though it's already early winter, don't be fooled by the fact that it's already early winter.
The sun outside was still warm.
She walked slowly, stepping on the dappled sunlight. The little one in her belly seemed to sense her comfort and gave her a gentle kick.
Ning Tang lowered her head and gently touched her belly, unable to hide the smile on her lips.
Xu Qiaofeng's mission was supposed to last a maximum of ten days, but she couldn't help but worry about it.
The mountain roads are treacherous, and he's the kind of person who always rushes ahead in everything. Can people really trust him?
Just then, the prescription for medicine that I had put in the pocket of my white coat slowly fell out of the pocket.
Finally, it floated gently down to the ground.
Ning Tang bent down to pick it up, but her stomach felt heavy, so she slowed down.
Someone quickly walked up behind her, picked up the prescription for the medicine, and handed it to her.
"Director Ning, please be careful."
It's Dr. Li.
He had just come from the pharmacy, still holding a prescription in his hand. Seeing that Ning Tang was having difficulty bending over, he helped her out.
Ning Tang thanked him, took the order, and then remembered that Doctor Li had just mentioned the matter of storing astragalus.
"Dr. Li," she called to the person who was about to leave, "did you check the quality of that batch of astragalus just now?"
"It's been tested." Dr. Li nodded, looking very serious.
"They are all top-quality Astragalus membranaceus, with thick and long roots, yellowish-white cross-sections, and none of them are hollow. The only difference is that the quantity is two jin less. I thought you would know better, so I didn't ask any further questions."
Ning Tang smiled and said, "You did the right thing. In autumn and winter, the dosage of qi-tonifying prescriptions is large. I'll have the purchasing department order another batch later. Keep an eye on things and make sure the pharmacy doesn't run out of stock."
"Okay, sure."
Dr. Li readily agreed, then remembered something and added, "By the way, Director Ning, an elderly lady came to the outpatient clinic just now. She said she had severe chest pain. Her children are all out of town, so she came alone. Her symptoms looked like qi stagnation and blood stasis, so I prescribed Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction. I would like to ask you to come and take a look and give me your opinion."
Ning Tang nodded: "I'll be right there."
Dr. Li smiled kindly and added, "Take your time, there's no rush."
Watching Dr. Li's retreating figure, Ning Tang nodded inwardly.
This person is reliable, meticulous in his work, and gentle in his dealings with others. He is indeed the most suitable candidate to be the deputy head of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department.
Doctor Wang's medical skills aren't bad, but he's too cunning and always looking for shortcuts. He tries to climb the ladder by using Ning Tang's name. Ultimately, such a person can't be relied upon.
Ning Tang slowly moved to the clinic, pushed the door open, and saw an elderly woman with white hair, clutching her chest and sitting in a chair, breathing softly.
Hearing the noise, the old lady looked up, her eyes filled with pain, but she still forced a smile: "Doctor, you've come."
Ning Tang went over, supported the old lady's arm to make her more comfortable, and then picked up the pulse pillow and asked her to reach out her hand.
When the fingertips touched the wrist, the pulse was weak and sluggish, which was indeed a symptom of qi stagnation and blood stasis.
"Grandpa, does your chest pain feel like it's being pricked with needles, and do you often sigh?"
The old lady was stunned for a moment, then nodded vigorously: "That's right! Doctor, you're amazing, you can tell just by feeling my pulse."
“I’ve had this illness for several years. My children aren’t around, so I can only endure the pain when it comes. Today, I couldn’t bear it any longer, so I came to the hospital to try my luck.”
Ning Tang then inquired about his diet and daily life.
Knowing that the old lady was usually quiet and reserved, and often stayed at home alone, she had accumulated this problem due to pent-up frustration.
She picked up the prescription written by Dr. Li, looked at it, and found that the dosage was very appropriate, except that it was missing a herb called Bupleurum, which is used to soothe the liver and regulate qi.
Ning Tang picked up a pen, added a few more ingredients to the medicine, and changed the dosage. She handed it to the old lady and said, "Grandma, for your illness, you not only need to take medicine, but you also need to relax. Go out for walks more often, talk to your old neighbors, and don't stay cooped up at home all the time. Once your depression dissipates, you'll recover faster."
The old lady took the prescription, her eyes a little red: "Thank you, Dr. Ning, you are such a good person. This old woman of mine has caused the hospital so much trouble, and only you are willing to listen to me patiently."
Ning Tang smiled, gave a few more instructions on the precautions for decocting the medicine, and only breathed a sigh of relief after watching the old lady walk away shakily.
No sooner had I sat down than Dr. Wang burst in, holding an invitation card and beaming with joy.
"Director Ning! Director Ning! The provincial TCM exchange conference sent an invitation to our department, please take a look!"
He handed the invitation to Ning Tang, his eyes shining brightly. "This is a great opportunity! Being able to exchange ideas with senior experts from the province will definitely enhance the reputation of our TCM department!"
Ning Tang glanced at the invitation and said indifferently, "I understand."
Seeing her lukewarm reaction, Dr. Wang became a little anxious and leaned forward again: "Director Ning, you have to take me to this exchange meeting! I have to tell you, I recently researched a formula that specifically treats rheumatic pain, and I'd like to consult with the experts about it!"
Ning Tang looked up at him, her gaze calm: "Dr. Wang, this exchange meeting is for learning, not for making a name for yourself. I've seen your prescription; the foundation is good, but the combination is too hasty. You need to think about it some more."
Dr. Wang's smile froze for a moment, but his tone still carried a hint of urgency.
"I know, I know, but isn't this all about learning from the experts? Director Ning, please take me with you. I promise I'll learn well and not let our department down!"
Ning Tang put down her pen and tapped the table lightly with her fingertips: "There is only one spot available for this exchange meeting. Doctor Li recently studied ancient books and came up with an improved version of Buzhong Yiqi Tang, which is very insightful. This spot is more suitable for him."
Dr. Wang's face immediately darkened, and his tone became somewhat displeased.
"Director Ning! How can you be biased! Dr. Li is such a quiet person, he won't say much even if he goes to the exchange meeting! I'm different, I'm eloquent and I can definitely bring honor to our department!"
"Saving face isn't something you can achieve by talking." Ning Tang's voice turned cold.
"It's based on real skills. Dr. Li is down-to-earth, hardworking, and dedicated to his studies. He can learn something there and apply it clinically to benefit patients. As for you? You went there just to use the exchange meeting as an excuse to get something for yourself, right?"
Dr. Wang's face flushed red and then turned pale when his secret was exposed, and he stammered, unable to speak.
Ning Tang was too lazy to argue with him anymore, and waved her hand: "Alright, it's settled then. Go back and work on your prescription. Don't always try to take shortcuts."
Doctor Wang gritted his teeth, glared at Ning Tang, and walked away dejectedly.
Watching his retreating figure, Ning Tang sighed softly.
People are restless and always want to achieve quick success, but they forget that the path of medicine is most vulnerable to being impatient for quick results.
She's been through it all and doesn't want to see a promising talent stooped here.
——
An afternoon passed.
Just when Ning Tang thought the matter with Dr. Wang was over, Dean Gou suddenly came to the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Following behind him was Doctor Wang, whose face was full of indignation.
As soon as Dean Gou entered the room, his brows furrowed. His gaze swept over the busy people in the consultation room, and he said in a deep voice, "Ning Tang, come out for a moment."
Ning Tang's heart skipped a beat. She slowly stood up, supporting her waist, already having a vague idea of what was going on.
She followed Dean Gou to a quiet spot at the end of the corridor.
Doctor Wang followed closely behind, a smug look on his face.
"Dean, did you need something from me?" Ning Tang spoke first, her tone calm.
Dean Gou turned around, looked at her protruding belly, his expression softened slightly, but he still got straight to the point.
“Dr. Wang just contacted me and said that you were unfair in the allocation of places at this provincial TCM exchange meeting. He also said that you accepted a bribe from Dr. Li, which is why you gave him the place.”
Upon hearing this, Ning Tang's expression immediately turned cold.
She looked up at Doctor Wang, her gaze icy: "Doctor Wang, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. What benefits did I receive from Doctor Li? Tell me then."
Dr. Wang felt uneasy under her gaze, but he still stubbornly replied.
"I saw it with my own eyes! A few days ago, Dr. Li came to your house carrying a bulging cloth bag. Who knows what good stuff it contained! Otherwise, why would you favor him and give away such a good opportunity?"
"I thought it was some kind of evidence."
Ning Tang was so angry that she laughed instead.
"That's a prescription that Dr. Li asked me to show to his elderly mother, along with some notes he compiled from ancient Chinese medicine books. He wanted me to give him some pointers."
"Dr. Wang, if you had nothing to hide at the time, why didn't you ask openly and honestly, instead of hiding in the corner and peeping?"
Upon hearing this, Dean Gou frowned even more deeply, and his gaze toward Doctor Wang became more scrutinizing.
Doctor Wang's face turned pale, and he hurriedly explained, "I...I was just passing by!"
"Who knows what you're up to! Director Ning, you just don't like me and you're always targeting me! I'm clearly a better fit for this exchange meeting spot than Dr. Li, but you're just being biased!"
"suitable?"
Ning Tang gave a cold laugh, her voice clear and bright.
"Dr. Wang, put your hand on your heart and tell me, where have you been focusing your mind these past few days in the department? Have you been busy researching prescriptions, or busy pulling strings and trying to use the exchange meeting as an excuse to gild your reputation?"
"These days, Dr. Li has been studying an ancient prescription until late at night, repeatedly verifying the medicinal properties, all in order to better treat the symptoms."
"And you? All you care about is how to get noticed by experts, how to get your name in the newspapers. Is this what you call appropriate?"
"A doctor should prioritize the patient and focus on medical skills. You've forgotten even this most basic principle. What can you learn at the conference? It's just a formality, a way to gain a reputation!"
Ning Tang's words were powerful and resounding.
The medical staff passing by in the corridor couldn't help but slow down when they heard the noise.
After all, in their eyes, Ning Tang was someone who didn't get angry easily.
Something really serious must have happened to anger such a nice person.
Dr. Wang's face flushed red and then turned pale. He was rendered speechless by her words and could only stubbornly say, "Anyway, you're being unfair! I'm going to report you to the health bureau!"
"Go ahead."
Ning Tang said frankly, “A clear conscience fears no accusation. I, Ning Tang, have always acted with integrity and honesty, always true to my conscience and to my patients. As for you, Dr. Wang, you should really reflect on whether you are worthy of being a doctor.”
Dean Gou stood aside, looking at Doctor Wang with a somber expression, and after a long while spoke: "Doctor Wang, I will investigate this matter thoroughly. Until then, you should suspend your current work and reflect on your actions."
Dr. Wang looked at Dean Gou in disbelief: "Dean! How could you believe her!"
"Whether it's her or not, I can judge for myself."
Dean Gou's voice was devoid of any warmth. "I know exactly what kind of person Ning Tang is. Since she took over the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, everyone has witnessed how much the department's atmosphere has improved and how much patient satisfaction has increased. And you? Besides complaining and scheming, what have you done?"
Dr. Wang was so scolded that he couldn't lift his head, his whole body trembling, but he couldn't say a word.
Dean Gou then looked at Ning Tang, his tone softening considerably: "Ning Tang, don't take it to heart. I came to you rashly without investigating this matter properly. As for the meeting slots, we'll do as you wish and give them to Dr. Li."
"Thank you, Dean." Ning Tang nodded slightly, but her heart remained calm.
She knew that Heaven was watching what people did.
The path of practicing medicine is inherently arduous and long, and one is bound to encounter all sorts of unpleasant things.
All she can do is stay true to herself and have a clear conscience.
Dean Gou sighed and then instructed, "You're pregnant, so don't overwork yourself. Delegate as much of the department's work as possible to Dr. Li. I'll take care of Dr. Wang's situation."
Ning Tang nodded: "I understand, Dean."
After saying these important things, Dean Gou had another meeting to attend, so he didn't stay any longer.
Before leaving, he gave a meaningful look to Doctor Wang, who was still defiant behind him.
At this moment, Dr. Li came out of the consultation room, a hint of guilt on his face: "Director Ning, I'm sorry, it's all because of me..."
“It has nothing to do with you.” Ning Tang interrupted him and smiled. “It’s his own fault for having ulterior motives. You don’t need to take it to heart. Just focus on preparing for the exchange meeting and don’t waste this opportunity.”
Dr. Li nodded emphatically, his eyes filled with gratitude: "Director Ning, don't worry, I will definitely study hard and apply what I've learned to my clinical practice when I get back!"
She raised her hand and gently patted Dr. Li's arm, saying softly, "It's good that you have this intention. The senior experts in the province have a lot of real skills. Go there, listen more, observe more, and ask more questions. Even if you only learn the basics, you can help the patients in the department have more hope when you come back."
Dr. Li nodded vigorously, keeping Ning Tang's words firmly in mind.
Then, remembering that there were still some medicinal herb accounts to check at the pharmacy, she hurriedly said, "I'm going to take care of this," and turned around and headed towards the pharmacy, her steps light and quick.
Once the commotion subsided, the medical staff in the corridor dispersed.
However, there was more admiration in his eyes when he looked at Ning Tang.
Everyone knows that Doctor Wang is usually scheming, but Ning Tang's impartial handling of the matter this time helped everyone vent their frustrations!
This kind of shameless person deserves to be treated like this!
Next time, they won't hold back either!
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