507: Chapter 507: Mobilization Meeting 507: Chapter 507: Mobilization Meeting “They’re here!”
President Bi entered with three venerable old men, and their arrival immediately quieted the conference room; everyone’s gaze turned towards them.
All four men were over sixty years of age, with the eldest having white hair and beard, yet possessing an energetic spirit that resembled a middle-aged man.
An awe-inspiring aura emanated from them, especially their sharp gazes, which were like swords, deterring others from meeting their eyes directly.
President Bi was dressed formally, in a suit with a leather collar, exuding a dignified and authoritative presence fitting of a chairman.
Following closely behind him was an old man wearing a grey hemp robe, showing signs of frailty and a slightly hunched back.
His gaze, however, was the most aggressive and lethal, instilling fear in those who met it.
From Rao Yuanzhi, Tangyu learned that this elder was Medicine King Ye Yuan.
The third man was of a tall and powerful stature, and although of advanced years, his aura was still as sharp as a treasured sword and utterly commanding.
His expression, however, was incongruously pleasant, with a smile that made him appear to be a gentle old man.
This man was Cupping King Ma Yan.
The last person was Ouyang Mulin, whom Tangyu had noticed upon entering.
These four individuals were each a Taishan Beidou of the Traditional Chinese Medicine community, widely revered figures who held important positions within the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association.
Having surveyed the room, President Bi nodded in satisfaction and said, “Everyone is here now, and it’s about time, so please take a seat.”
Everyone took their seats.
President Bi and his group sat together, while the other twelve people faced them, but they were divided into three groups rather than sitting close together.
All these dynamics were not lost on President Bi and his companions.
President Bi spoke up, “First, I’d like to thank you all for joining the Traditional Chinese Medicine delegation.
What you’re doing will go down in history.
You’re fighting for our Huaxia Country and for Traditional Chinese Medicine, so the burden on your shoulders is extremely heavy.
You could say, you carry both the honor and the dishonor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the nation.
If you succeed, the nation and Traditional Chinese Medicine succeed.
If you fail, it is a failure for both the nation and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
So, without further ado, I trust you understand the weight of the responsibility you carry.”
The room fell silent.
After a pause, President Bi continued, “I won’t waste time on superfluous, sentimental, or mobilizing speeches.
I believe that since you are seated here, your understanding must be clear, like that of a bright mirror.
Each one of you is a genius of Huaxia’s Traditional Chinese Medicine community, the elites among elites, representing the outstanding younger generation of our Huaxia Traditional Chinese Medicine, and you are the future hope and pillars of this field.
The future of Huaxia Traditional Chinese Medicine rests on your shoulders, but that’s a topic for another time.
Among you, some are low-profile and have kept to the shadows, yet possess unmatched medical skills.
Others have gained fame early on and have already established a reputation.
Doctor Xiao, Divine Needle Rao, are prime examples.
Honestly, seeing such accomplishments in the young people of Traditional Chinese Medicine fills me with great comfort and joy.
It’s a source of happiness not only for me but for our entire Huaxia Traditional Chinese Medicine community, having such talents among us.
I also firmly believe that each of you has the potential to become a master of your generation.
This time, at the Sino-Western medical exchange, the task is all yours.” After finishing, President Bi stood and bowed deeply to everyone.
President Bi’s words were neither flamboyant nor lengthy, but they were moving, like an elder earnestly sharing his heart with a younger one.
Everyone, as if by agreement, stood up and returned the bow to President Bi.
“President Bi, you’ve made an indelible and outstanding contribution to Traditional Chinese Medicine in our Huaxia Country throughout your life.
You have always been the most respected and admired giant in Chinese medicine.
Please rest assured and leave the Sino-Western medical exchange conference to us younger folks.
We promise to demonstrate our strength and show those American experts what Huaxia Traditional Chinese Medicine is all about.
We will completely crush their schemes and have them lose face, retreating back to America with their tails between their legs,” Yu Zhaoke said.
President Bi nodded in approval, expressing his agreement: “Very good, very good.
Young people should have such confidence and boldness.
I have faith that you will fight a beautiful battle.
So, I will say no more.
These three gentlemen beside me are well-known to you all, so I need not introduce them.
The Sino-Western medical exchange conference begins in three days, and the American delegation will likely arrive tomorrow.
Use this time to ask any questions or seek advice from these three gentlemen.”
His words were polite, but in the Traditional Chinese Medicine community, with its deep-seated traditions, the true essence was rarely shared freely.
Thus, so-called advice would only ever be superficial insights.
Sectarian prejudices were also a significant barrier to the advancement of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a problem that has persisted for thousands of years and cannot be resolved through simple discussions.
Change would have to come gradually.
“We’ll discuss some specific arrangements afterwards.
But first, there’s an important issue I’d like to discuss with everyone.
Since we are forming a Traditional Chinese Medicine delegation, we need proper organization.
For a team to function, it must have a structure.
So, I propose that we discuss and elect a team leader and a deputy leader.
This will facilitate our cooperation in the upcoming Sino-Western medical exchange conference.
Oh, and before we begin the election process, there are a few candid words I’d like to share with you,” said President Bi.
The audience listened attentively.
Chairman Bi looked at everyone before speaking solemnly, “You probably didn’t know each other before, and the way you’ve divided into three camps shows that your interactions might need some time to gel.
You are not soldiers, and I don’t expect to demand that kind of discipline from you.
However, I do hope that you will have at least the fundamental spirit of teamwork and cooperation.
Now, you are a collective, a team.
And what you will face is also a team, a tightly knitted one at that.
So, if you cannot come together, I’m genuinely worried for you.
Although I understand that it will be very difficult, extremely difficult, to achieve this in a short time, I believe these problems will not overwhelm you talents.
I’m sincerely hoping that you can quickly integrate into this collective and fight for the honor of our Traditional Chinese Medicine community.”
Everyone was still silent, but they started to size each other up.
What is most important in a team is trust, complete trust, the kind that you can entrust your life to someone.
So it’s clear that it’s not very likely or realistic to expect everyone to unite and become a good team in a short time.
“We’re not going to war, what do we need team spirit for?” Tangyu thought smugly to himself.
Chairman Bi’s gaze turned to Tangyu and asked, “Tangyu, do you have something you wish to say?”
Tangyu replied, “Team spirit, such an elusive concept.
I think it’s somewhat unrealistic to talk about it right now.
I also don’t believe that we can develop team spirit in just two days—at least, he and I definitely won’t.” Tangyu’s reference to ‘he’ was naturally directed at Yu Zhaoke.
Upon realizing he was the target, Yu Zhaoke’s expression changed, and he glared at Tangyu, “What do you mean by that?” If Chairman Bi and the others were not present, he might not have been able to contain his anger.
Chairman Bi frowned slightly.
Ignoring Yu Zhaoke, Tangyu continued, “This East-West medical exchange can be considered a battle, but after all, it is not a real fight, just a competition of medical skills.
I don’t think a medical skill competition requires much teamwork; it can mostly be accomplished independently by individuals.
So, as long as each person brings their A-game and refrains from infighting and chaos, when cooperation is indeed needed, one simply needs to work with trusted friends.
I don’t think that will be a problem.
Thus, the spirit of teamwork, in my view, is optional.
Of course, I’m not saying it should be entirely discarded—there certainly should be some team spirit since, at the very least, we are a collective, a team.
To maintain as a team, just a little cooperation is needed.
This, I believe, everyone can easily do.
Of course, that doesn’t exclude the possibility of some deliberately causing trouble; that might indeed spark some flames.”
Yu Zhaoke was even more furious, as Tangyu’s words were clearly aimed at him, but he had to suppress his anger for now.
Chairman Bi nodded and said, “Tangyu, what you’ve said makes some sense, and perhaps I’ve thought too much about it.
Alright, I won’t insist on team spirit from you, as long as you can achieve the basic level of cooperation and act as a team.
You are all geniuses, each with your own pride, and to expect you to quickly integrate and trust each other fully is indeed unrealistic.
I didn’t realize this before.
Very well, Tangyu, I appreciate you pointing out some of my misconceptions.
Anyone else, if you have any questions or good suggestions, please speak up, and let’s discuss them together.”
Tangyu felt vindicated by Chairman Bi’s response and gained even more respect for him; Tangyu only respected those worthy of it.
Clearly, Chairman Bi had earned Tangyu’s respect through his personal charisma.
Yu Zhaoke could only grind his teeth in resentment; he hadn’t anticipated Tangyu seizing the spotlight this time.
How infuriating.
“If there’s nothing else, then let’s begin discussing the nomination of a team leader and deputy leader,” Chairman Bi said.
“Everyone can share their opinions.”
Seizing the opportunity, Yu Zhaoke was the first to speak up, “Chairman Bi, the nomination of a team leader and deputy leader is a grave matter.
A well-qualified leader and deputy can increase our chances of winning.
Naturally, the position should go to the most capable one.
I believe I have some ability in this area, so I would like to put myself forward.
I trust that I can lead this team well, and I am even more confident that my team can take victory in this exchange.”
Chairman Bi gave a slight smile, nodding his head and said, “Very good, young people should have such self-confidence and courage, willing to stand up and take on responsibility, daring to nominate themselves.
Indeed, self-promotion is an advanced art.
If you hide your strengths, others won’t see how capable you are.
Sometimes, opportunities are also about taking them into your own hands, and self-nomination is one way to seize an opportunity.
I appreciate this mindset; does anyone else have any good ideas?”