Chapter 87 The Bet Pays Off
The sunlight outside the courtyard gate, with its unique intensity characteristic of the island, cast a long, slender shadow of the old man in his worn military uniform.
Gu Baobao stood inside the threshold, her fingers curling almost imperceptibly before slowly relaxing.
She made the right bet.
The effectiveness of the hemostatic powder not only alarmed the hospital but also directly attracted the attention of the island's highest military commander, Commander Feng Guozheng.
My heart beat steadily in my chest, one beat after another, with a certain certainty of having settled down, mixed with a hint of instinctive caution when facing a true giant.
But in her clear eyes, there was no timidity, no fawning, only a calm and composed demeanor, and a deep, unmistakable light that belonged to Gu Baobao.
Commander Feng's gaze, sharp and profound like that of an eagle tempered by countless storms, fell upon her with a power that could see into people's hearts.
From her slender and graceful figure, to her face that was almost transparently white in the sunlight, yet showed no trace of timidity, and to her eyes that were as clean as if washed by a spiritual spring, yet filled with a calmness and wisdom beyond her years.
He nodded slightly in his heart.
This little girl... just by looking at her overall demeanor, her composure in the face of a collapsing mountain, and her medical skills that amazed even Elder Qian and Zhou Mingren, she is definitely no ordinary person!
These are definitely not breeds that can be raised in ordinary rural areas!
"Greetings, Commander."
Gu Baobao stepped forward, bowed slightly, and spoke in a clear, melodious voice, neither humble nor arrogant.
Commander Feng nodded, the serious lines on his face softening slightly, and got straight to the point, his voice loud and direct:
"Comrade Bao, let's skip the formalities. Old Zhou and Professor Qian have both reported to me about the hemostatic powder. I'm here today to hear your thoughts in person!"
He didn't use "little comrade," but instead used the more formal "baby comrade."
This subtle change made Zhang Yunxiang's heart skip a beat, and he looked at Gu Baobao with even more fervent eyes.
Gu Baobao gently placed the medicine box on the stone steps beside her feet, straightened up, and calmly met Commander Feng's gaze.
The sea breeze ruffled the soft, wispy hairs on her forehead, and she gently tucked them behind her ear with her hand, the movement natural and fluid.
"Commander,"
She spoke, her voice still soft and sweet, yet each word clear and distinct, carrying a do-or-die courage.
"My idea is simple, but it has two layers."
She paused, as if trying to find the most precise words.
"The first layer is about the use of the medicine. The ordinary version of the hemostatic powder uses common Chinese herbal medicines that are available on the market and that our country can grow or collect in large quantities, so the cost is controllable."
My idea is to bring it down from its pedestal and into the commune's health clinic, into the factory's medical room, and even... into the medicine cabinet of every ordinary family.
"So that our people, if they get injured in the fields or bump into things at home, can have access to affordable and effective medicine, instead of having to resort to grabbing a handful of incense ash or just toughing it out."
Her voice was soft, yet it was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples in the hearts of everyone present.
Gu Dongguo gripped the armrests of the wheelchair tightly, while Lu Zhanming's hands behind his back tightened slightly.
Zhang Yunxiang's gaze was even more intense.
"As for the high-efficiency version,"
Gu Baobao's gaze swept over the disguised bandages on Lu Zhanming and Gu Dongguo, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes, but her tone remained firm.
"That was specially developed for our most beloved soldiers. They defend our country, shedding blood and sweat, and every mission they take is a life-or-death situation."
I hope this packet of medicine can, in critical moments, give them a better chance of survival and lessen their suffering. Because they deserve the best!
"Good! Well said!"
Commander Feng couldn't help but let out a low shout, his weathered eyes gleaming with admiration.
"Comrade Bao Bao, your ideological awareness is very high! You have the people and the soldiers in your heart! Good!"
Gu Baobao did not show any pride at the leader's praise. She simply pursed her lips slightly and continued:
"The second point concerns the future of medicine. Chief, I have absolute confidence in my medicine. You have already seen the data on its effectiveness. I believe it should not only be used on our own people."
She raised her eyes, her gaze clear and bright, like a pearl cleansed of dust, astonishingly radiant.
"It should be brought to the international stage! Using the wisdom passed down from our ancestors, combined with modern technology... and my improvements, we can exchange it for the foreign exchange that our country urgently needs, and for the advanced equipment and technology that we need for construction and scientific research!"
The courtyard quieted down, with only the faint sound of distant waves and the rustling of palm leaves in the wind.
The courage and vision behind these words even slightly moved Commander Feng, who was used to seeing all sorts of storms.
This is not just the benevolence of a doctor, but also the vision of a strategist!
"certainly,"
Gu Baobao changed the subject, her tone still calm, but now carrying the clear boundaries typically found at the negotiating table.
"I am an ordinary person, and I have my own selfish motives. If this medicine can really generate foreign exchange for the country, I hope that I can get a small, reasonable share of it."
Part of this money will be used to support my research and improvement of more prescriptions. I believe that the hemostatic powder is just the beginning. The other part…”
She paused for a moment.
"I want my family, my grandparents, my parents, to live a relatively comfortable and stable life. They are my most important concern. Besides, I have another request—"
Gu Baobao took a deep breath and looked at Commander Feng with a firm gaze:
"I earnestly request the organization to provide certain protections for my immediate family members, in accordance with national laws and policies."
I don't seek special privileges, only a fair and safe environment where they won't suffer any unwarranted suspicion, suppression, or persecution because of my work or achievements.
She laid out her demands clearly and explicitly.
The money is for continued research and to improve my family's life; it is earned ethically.
The need for protection is based on real concerns and is entirely reasonable.
They are open and honest, which makes people like them.
Commander Feng gazed at the excessively young yet calm, wise, and courageous girl before him for a long time.
She not only possesses extraordinary talent, but also a clear mind and an inviolable bottom line.
She knows her own worth and how to use that worth to fight for the respect and protection she deserves.
Such courage and clarity are truly rare at this age!
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