"Speak your mind, no need for formalities."
Li Tiangui's teasing remark to Wan Yunting drew hearty laughter from everyone.
Wan Yunting nodded and smiled, "I personally believe Director Kong is looking for someone capable of serving as the Chairman of the Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Association. I would like to recommend Elder Gu!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Shiren, Xiao Renliang, and others turned their gazes towards Gu Yuanbai. He waved his hands with a smile, pointing at Wan Yunting and saying, "Young Wan, but I'd rather you take on the role of Chairman!"
"Me?"
Wan Yunting's eyes widened, he pointed at his own nose, and then quickly shook his head and waved his hands, laughing, "Elder Gu, I'm not suitable. Let alone whether my qualifications are sufficient, you are already the Chairman of our Lingnan Traditional Chinese Medicine Association. In terms of experience and ability, I, a junior, cannot compare to you."
"Young Wan, your words are a bit too modest," Shen Tonghe and Zhang Fenglin chimed in with smiles.
Gu Shiren also nodded with a smile and said, "Young Wan, you are the most outstanding among the younger generation. Moreover, the future belongs to you young people. If Director Kong truly intends to select someone to succeed the Chairman of the Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, we wholeheartedly recommend you."
Seeing that Elder Gu had spoken so definitively, Wan Yunting grew flustered. He quickly waved his hands with a wry smile and said, "Elder Gu, please don't. I am truly not suitable. Elder Gu is much more appropriate."
In reality, Wan Yunting lacked the utmost confidence. Furthermore, what he said was the truth; in terms of seniority, Gu Yuanbai was the most fitting candidate.
Most importantly, Wan Yunting did not wish to stay in Beijing at this moment!
"Alright, alright."
Seeing that everyone was still eager to continue, Gu Yuanbai smiled and said, "These discussions are premature. Besides, we don't know who Director Kong will elect to succeed the Chairman of the Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Association. It's getting late, so let's head to the Health Commission for the meeting."
"Mm..."
Everyone nodded. They abandoned the idea of visiting Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and headed towards the university's main gate, setting off for the Health Commission...
In Beijing, at Building 1, Courtyard No. 5, South Road, Xizhimen Wai, between the Second and Third Ring Roads in Xicheng District, stood the Beijing Health Commission building. On the third floor, in a spacious conference room, sat Kong Jingguo and several other leaders.
On either side were seated Gu Shiren, Xiao Renliang, Gu Yuanbai, Wan Yunting, Liu Pingyi, Xue Dongshan, Li Tiangui, Xiao Yi, Shen Tonghe, and dozens of other renowned figures in China's traditional Chinese medicine circles.
Xia Xinhou, the Deputy Director, surveyed the attendees on both sides and said, "Everyone, we have invited you here today to discuss and elect a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner to take over the position of Chairman of the Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Association!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Shiren, Xiao Renliang, Wan Yunting, and Gu Yuanbai exchanged glances. They had all anticipated this before arriving.
Sima Wentang was currently under investigation at the Health Commission, but everyone understood that his tenure as Chairman of the Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Association was over.
Not only was Sima Wentang personally under investigation, but his entire Sima family's businesses, such as their chain of Chinese medicine stores and pharmaceutical groups, would also be investigated. If any illegal activities were uncovered, they would all be sealed off.
It was conceivable that the authorities' decisive action was intended to completely eradicate the Sima family from Beijing!
This was because the Sima family's actions over the past few decades had crossed national boundaries, breaching a red line, thus necessitating action against them.
"Everyone, do you have any suitable candidates in mind? We can discuss it amongst ourselves. Don't hold back, speak your minds freely." Xia Xinhou's gaze swept over Wan Yunting, Gu Yuanbai, and the others, prompting them to speak first before any decisions were made.
"Elder Brother Gu, you are the eldest among us. Please go first," Xiao Renliang said to Gu Shiren, who was seated opposite him, smiling and inviting him to begin.
The others nodded in agreement. Gu Shiren smiled and nodded, saying, "Then I shall say a few words."
Kong Jingguo and Xia Xinhou, seated at the head table, nodded, signaling him to proceed. Gu Shiren said, "I would like to ask everyone, who was it that originally founded our Huaxia Traditional Chinese Medicine Association?"
Xiao Renliang looked at him, unable to suppress his excitement, and said, "Naturally, it was Mr. Gongsun!"
Liu Pingyi, Li Tiangui, Xue Dongshan, and Gu Yuanbai all nodded in agreement. Gu Shiren nodded, a hint of tears welling up in his old eyes, and sighed, "Back then, I vaguely recall Mr. Gongsun establishing our Huaxia Traditional Chinese Medicine Association with the original intention of leading traditional Chinese medicine towards revival and prosperity."
"But after Mr. Gongsun encountered that incident, his reputation was ruined, and he was even branded as an incompetent physician!"
Gu Shiren's emotions surged as he spoke, his voice filled with righteous indignation, "This is a disgrace! Mr. Gongsun practiced medicine his entire life. I remember accompanying him in the vast Northwest. I witnessed him stay awake for three days and three nights, attending to a patient, and after ensuring the patient passed the critical stage, he collapsed to the ground."
"Yet, such a great physician, who practiced medicine for countless years without a single misdiagnosis or prescribing wrong medication, was inexplicably accused of prescribing wrong medicine, nearly killing a patient. In the end, he was branded an incompetent and useless physician. This deeply pains me."
Gu Shiren became emotional, tears of sorrow falling from his eyes. Those present looked somber, while Xiao Renliang, Liu Pingyi, and others shook their heads and sighed, remembering Gongsun Xiuliang, who was known as the "Divine Hand Physician Saint" and was undoubtedly the most dazzling figure in the traditional Chinese medicine community at that time, hailed as a great physician with boundless compassion!
There was a brief pause in the room. Xia Xinhou looked at Gu Shiren, then at Wan Yunting, and said, "Elder Gu, are you suggesting that Doctor Wan Yunting is capable of succeeding as Chairman of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association?"
Gu Shiren nodded, wiped away his tears, and said, "As everyone knows now, Young Wan is Mr. Gongsun's only direct disciple and the Vice Chairman of the Lingnan Traditional Chinese Medicine Association. In terms of his personal medical skills and abilities, I believe he is qualified!"
Gu Yuanbai and the others nodded in agreement, but Wan Yunting, sitting beside them, could only offer a helpless, wry smile.
Kong Jingguo glanced at Wan Yunting and then asked the others, "Does anyone have any dissenting opinions?"
At this point, an elderly traditional Chinese medicine practitioner stood up and said, "Elder Gu, this young man's abilities are indeed commendable, but he is still young. Appointing him as Chairman might not be sufficiently stable. I personally suggest selecting someone with rich experience and seniority for the most stable outcome."
"Indeed, I agree with Elder Chen's words..."
Several other traditional Chinese medicine practitioners from different regions nodded in agreement. They all felt that Wan Yunting was still too young to be competent for the position of Chairman of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association.
"Elder Chen, what you say is both right and wrong!"
Li Tiangui turned to address the elder named Chen and said, "We are all people with one foot in the grave. The future of traditional Chinese medicine must, after all, be handed over to the young generation. Therefore, I personally believe Wan Yunting is capable. Even if he lacks experience, we will assist him. As long as our Traditional Chinese Medicine Association remains true to its original intent, it will surely embark on a path of revival and prosperity."
"Indeed, what Old Li said is excellent."
Xue Dongshan and Liu Pingyi nodded in agreement, saying, "Our traditional Chinese medicine community needs a young person to shoulder this responsibility!"
"Because young people have their newest ideas, we old bones have fallen behind and cannot keep pace with the times."
"Elder Xue, please don't say that."
Wan Yunting waved his hands with a wry smile and said, "I am grateful for the seniors' regard, but Wan Yunting is truly not qualified for this position. I personally suggest that Elder Gu be the most suitable candidate for Chairman!"
"Young Wan, are you really not going to let me retire?"
Gu Yuanbai, sitting beside him, turned and glanced at him, smiling, "I was planning to retire once we returned to Hua Du City and let you young people take over."
"Please don't, Elder Gu. Your health is robust; you must stay for a few more years to guide us," Wan Yunting said with a wry smile.
Xiao Renliang also raised his hand and chuckled, "Then I, too, shall say a few words. Young Wan is Mr. Gongsun's sole successor, and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association was founded by Mr. Gongsun. After so many years, it would be a beautiful tale for his disciple to inherit the position of Chairman. It couldn't be more fitting."
"Agreed..."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Seeing that everyone was urging him to take on the role of Chairman of the Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, Wan Yunting could only offer a wry smile, feeling helpless. He genuinely did not wish to stay in Beijing and serve as Chairman.
Xia Xinhou turned to Kong Jingguo. After a brief whispered discussion between them, Xia Xinhou nodded, stood up, and said to Wan Yunting, "Doctor Wan, since everyone has elected you, you will therefore succeed as the Chairman of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association!"
"Good..."
Immediately, everyone present applauded Wan Yunting.
Wan Yunting stood up. Seeing that he could no longer decline, he could only nod in acceptance. The next moment, his expression turned solemn, and he declared with conviction, "I am grateful for the seniors' regard. I, Wan Yunting, hereby swear that I will do my utmost to lead our Huaxia Traditional Chinese Medicine Association on the path of revival and prosperity. If I fail to fulfill my duties, the seniors may depose me at any time, and I shall have no complaints whatsoever."
"Good..."
Everyone smiled and applauded him again.
Kong Jingguo also stood up and said to Wan Yunting, "Tomorrow, we will continue with the National Traditional Chinese Medicine Conference, where this decision will be announced. We are adjourned..."
"Wait, Director Kong."
Wan Yunting suddenly called out to him. Kong Jingguo turned to look at him, and everyone else also turned their attention to him. Wan Yunting smiled and said, "Director Kong, may I suggest that Elder Gu serve as the Vice Chairman? If I don't have him, I have no confidence in leading the association."
Everyone present was momentarily stunned. Gu Yuanbai chuckled, "Young Wan, you really don't intend to let me retire, do you."
Wan Yunting turned to him and said with a smile, "Elder Gu, please guide me for a few more years."
Kong Jingguo and Xia Xinhou exchanged a look, then turned back to Wan Yunting and Gu Yuanbai and said, "Very well, the announcement will be made at tomorrow's conference. Everyone may now disperse."
Seeing Kong Jingguo agree, Wan Yunting felt a surge of happiness, as he truly lacked the confidence to lead the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association alone. With Gu Yuanbai's presence, he felt assured.