On the third floor of a small building next to Huaducity TCM University, in a conference room.
Wan Yunting, Gu Yuanbai, Jiang Yichun, along with other association members, numbering over a dozen, were gathered around the conference table, holding a meeting to summarize the association's support work for rural medical care during this period.
There was also the disaster in Lingyun County. The association had donated money last time, but since Ding Huixiang, the first blade, was from Lingyun County, the disaster had severely damaged the medical care in many county hospitals and rural areas. Although the state was helping, after discussions between Gu Yuanbai and Jiang Yichun, they also sponsored some funds for Ding Huixiang to lead the support for rural medical care near Lingyun County. WAp.kanshu伍.net
As the meeting drew to a close, Gu Yuanbai announced, "According to the decision from the capital, the National TCM Association will be held on the 10th of next month!"
"Chairman Gu, have we decided to go to the capital to attend this year's National TCM Conference?" asked Ji Gu, a member of the association.
All eyes in the room turned to Gu Yuanbai. He nodded and said, "Yes, although Elder Song and Elder Ding are not here, I have already contacted them by phone, and they have agreed for us to go!"
Another association member frowned and said, "But Chairman Gu, the capital specifically invited us, surely they intend to cause trouble or even humiliate us during the National TCM Conference."
"Yes..."
The other members immediately nodded in agreement, whispering amongst themselves. Wan Yunting then stood up and pressed his hands down, signaling everyone to quieten down. He smiled and nodded, saying, "Chairman Gu and I have indeed considered this. However, since we have been invited, and this is the National TCM Conference, not a private meeting of the Sima family, with famous physicians from all over the country attending, our Lingnan TCM Association should definitely participate!"
"Furthermore,"
At this moment, Gu Yuanbai said, "My teacher, Elder Gu, called me last night. He told me that he, along with three National Masters of Medicine, Li Tiangui, Xue Dongshan, and Liu Pingyi, met with Sima Boyong today at noon and proposed to abolish Sima Wentang's position as Chairman of the Beijing TCM Association!"
"Oh, there's such a thing..."
As soon as this news broke, everyone present exclaimed in surprise. They looked at each other. Ji Gu and the others eagerly asked, "Chairman Gu, what was the outcome?"
Wan Yunting and Jiang Yichun had just learned of this as well, and they turned to look at Gu Yuanbai. However, he shook his head and chuckled, "The outcome was naturally unsatisfactory!"
"I knew it..."
Ji Gu shook his head and sighed, "The Sima family has absolute control over the TCM world in the capital. How could they let Sima Wentang step down?"
"Yes..."
Others echoed, shaking their heads and sighing.
But Gu Yuanbai chuckled, "Although it's impossible, this is still a good thing!"
"What good is there?"
Jiang Yichun smiled and said, "It shows that someone in the capital has started to voice their opposition to the Sima family!"
"Precisely," Gu Yuanbai nodded and smiled, "Although Elder Gu and the others cannot force the Sima family to step down on their own, their four National Masters of Medicine have already mobilized privately and organized people to resist the Sima family. Isn't this a good thing?"
"Chairman Gu's words are indeed good..."
Ji Gu and the others' eyes lit up again, and they said, "Elder Gu and Elder Liu are National Masters of Medicine, and they have many disciples in the capital. If they can truly muster a force, it would be very beneficial to us."
"Yes..."
Others nodded in agreement.
"Therefore, we Lingnan people must attend this National TCM Conference!" Gu Yuanbai raised a finger and scanned everyone present, speaking with determination.
Ji Gu and the others all nodded in agreement.
After the meeting, Gu Yuanbai asked Wan Yunting, Jiang Yichun, Gu Luotang, Qi Miaomiao, Song Sinan, Zhang Xiaoyu, and the younger generation like Wei Renxin to stay, while the others were dismissed.
"Little Wan, you will lead the delegation to the National TCM Conference next month!" Gu Yuanbai turned to Wan Yunting and said.
He asked, "Will Elder Gu also go?"
Gu Yuanbai nodded and said, "Yes, I will go in advance. Elder Gu asked me to make arrangements!"
"So, are Elder Gu and Elder Xue really going to oppose the Sima family?" Jiang Yichun raised an eyebrow and asked.
Gu Yuanbai nodded and said, "Sima Boyong is unethical and his reputation is rather bad. Furthermore, Sima Wentang has made mistakes repeatedly, causing damage to the reputation of the Beijing TCM Association. Elder Gu and Elder Liu, along with the other three National Masters of Medicine, are all founding members of the first echelon of the Beijing TCM Association. Naturally, they do not want to see the TCM Association ruined by the Sima family, which is why they met with Sima Boyong together at noon!"
"It's just a pity that the Sima family has extensive connections in the capital, including the Kong family, the head of the Five Great Families, and they also have a very good relationship with the Chen family, so Elder Gu and the others are helpless!"
Jiang Yichun nodded and said, "So Elder Gu asked you to go in advance to twist this rope?"
"Exactly."
Gu Yuanbai looked at Wan Yunting, Gu Luotang, and the others, and said, "I will depart for the capital tomorrow. The purpose is to stir up the waters in the capital a bit more in advance, to get more people to support us and oppose the Sima family!"
"No, I object to you going in advance!" Jiang Yichun frowned and said in a deep voice.
Wan Yunting also worriedly said, "The capital is the Sima family's territory. If Elder Gu goes there, they will definitely make things difficult for you..."
"I know."
Gu Yuanbai waved his hand, looked up with aged, determined eyes at Jiang Yichun and Wan Yunting, and said, "But I must go. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I will mobilize people in the capital with Elder Gu to oppose Sima Boyong. As for the risk, it is inevitable, but we have no choice but to do so."
Wan Yunting immediately said, "In that case, I will go with you."
Gu Yuanbai shook his head and chuckled, "Little Wan, you shouldn't go. After all, our association needs you. If both of us go, and if Sima Boyong does something, it would be a huge blow to our Lingnan TCM Association. Therefore, you must stay and manage our association well."
"But..."
"Little Wan, listen to him."
Jiang Yichun, who had understood, waved his hand to Wan Yunting and said solemnly, "It is indeed appropriate for him to go for this matter. After all, Old Gu used to be active in the capital, and Elder Gu is his teacher. Even if Sima Boyong has absolute power, he wouldn't dare to do anything outrageous, at most he will make things difficult."
Seeing this, Wan Yunting nodded and said, "Alright, Elder Gu, please be careful. Call me if anything happens."
Gu Yuanbai nodded with a smile, looked at him, Gu Luotang, and Song Sinan, and said with a smile, "I'm going to the capital tomorrow. The family will rely on you young people."
"Don't worry, Chairman Gu..."
Wei Renxin and Zhang Xiaoyu nodded in response.
"Okay, it's almost dinner time. I've had my family prepare food. Little Wan and Sinan, you should come to my house for dinner," Gu Yuanbai said with a smile as he stood up.
"Alright..."
Zhang Xiaoyu, Wei Renxin, and the others all got up. Wan Yunting, Gu Luotang, Qi Miaomiao, and Jiang Yichun left together and headed directly to Gu Yuanbai's home. The old butler, Lü Hong, greeted them at the main entrance. Gu Yuanbai smiled at him and said, "Old Hong, pack your things. You'll come with me to the capital tomorrow morning!"
"Yes, master."
The old butler nodded with a smile. Wan Yunting suddenly noticed a hidden aura emanating from Gu Yuanbai's old butler!
In the pavilion in the backyard, a round dining table was set, already filled with dishes and wine. Gu Yuanbai invited Jiang Yichun and Wan Yunting to be seated and said with a smile, "Everyone, please eat quickly."
"Chairman Gu, Elder Jiang, please go ahead," Zhang Xiaoyu called out with a smile.
"Okay..."
As elders, Gu Yuanbai and Jiang Yichun started to eat, followed by Zhang Xiaoyu, Wei Renxin, and the others. Wan Yunting, sitting to his left, saw the old butler bring a pot of wine and then withdraw. He couldn't help but ask, "Elder Gu, your butler is not simple!"
Gu Yuanbai's old face stiffened. He turned to look askance at Wan Yunting. Jiang Yichun and Song Sinan next to them also looked confused as to why Wan Yunting said that.
"You noticed?"
Gu Yuanbai smiled and said to him.
"Yes, although he hid his aura, I can still sense it!" Wan Yunting nodded and smiled.
Even Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao on the side looked at Wan Yunting and his grandfather, Gu Yuanbai, with confusion, not understanding what was special about Grandpa Hong.
Gu Yuanbai smiled and sighed, "I've known Old Hong for many years. I remember when I was practicing medicine barefoot and passed through a village in the mountains of Hebei to treat patients. One night, a person covered in blood suddenly burst in, dying. I rushed to treat him and spent a full three days and three nights to save him. That person was Old Hong!"
At this, Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao were shocked and exclaimed, "Master, why have we never heard Grandpa Hong talk about this?"
Gu Yuanbai smiled and said, "Your Grandpa Hong was indeed taciturn when he was young. Even I don't know why he burst into my room covered in blood back then, and I didn't ask him. But Old Hong, remembering my life-saving grace, followed me and protected me all the way until I returned. He was willing to be my butler, and has been for decades. I have always treated him like a younger brother..."
Gu Luotang was surprised. She couldn't believe that Grandpa Hong was actually brought back by her grandfather, not hired from outside.
"It seems your martial arts realm has improved recently, Little Wan."
Gu Yuanbai turned to look at Wan Yunting, surprised that he could tell that Lü Hong was actually a martial arts expert.
Song Sinan and Wei Renxin looked at Wan Yunting. He smiled without mentioning his martial arts realm and said to Gu Yuanbai with a smile, "So Elder Gu is taking the old butler with him to the capital this time."
"Yes, with Old Hong there, I can rest assured," Gu Yuanbai said with a smile.
He basically took Lü Hong with him whenever he went on a trip.
"Come, let's drink..."
Gu Yuanbai raised his wine glass and clinked it with Wan Yunting and Jiang Yichun. Song Sinan, Wei Renxin, and the others also raised their glasses. They ate and chatted about the association's affairs. Unknowingly, it was already 9:30 PM when Wan Yunting and the others left. They also inquired about Gu Yuanbai's flight to the capital tomorrow morning and offered to see him off.