33: Chapter 33 Advantages and Disadvantages? Joining a faction doesn't seem like a bad idea after all!
President Zeng Dayang seemed to notice his hesitation and took the initiative to continue.
"You might be wondering why I want to help you."
Lu Chen did not deny it.
"A little."
President Zeng Dayang laughed.
"Very direct, I like that."
He leaned back in his chair, his tone relaxing slightly, but the words he spoke were not light.
"I'll be honest with you. In this position, I need excellent young doctors."
"It's not about using you; it's about cultivating the people I think highly of."
"A Hospital isn't just about technology; there are many other things involved."
"There is competition between departments, balance within the administrative system, and games of strategy in resource allocation."
"You might not have much contact with these things now, but sooner or later, you will have to face them."
"I put you in a good position, and when you grow, it's good for you and good for me."
Lu Chen understood.
This wasn't just empty promises; this was recruitment.
President Zeng Dayang was hinting to him: follow me, I'll give you resources, and you give me performance and support.
This kind of thing is too common within the system; it's not some grand conspiracy, just normal personnel maneuvering.
But for a twenty-four-year-old Trainee Physician, being signaled so clearly by a Vice President for the first time felt complicated.
Lu Chen quickly went over it in his mind.
The benefits were obvious: quotas, promotions, resources.
And the drawbacks?
Currently, there were no obvious drawbacks.
He wasn't doing anything illegal; he was just going to attend a technical exchange.
Returning to be promoted to Resident Physician would also be based on his own merit.
All President Zeng Dayang had to do was give him a push in the process.
As for the so-called joining of a faction, he had nothing to lose right now.
A Resident Trainee with no background and no connections.
If someone is willing to give him a hand, what reason does he have to refuse?
Lu Chen made up his mind and looked up at President Zeng Dayang.
"President Zeng, I am very grateful for this opportunity. I am willing to go."
President Zeng Dayang nodded, the curve of his mouth widening slightly.
"Good, then it's settled."
"The location for the technical exchange is Guangfu Hospital, a key tertiary Hospital in the province, and their standards are no worse than ours."
"It's the day after tomorrow. Prepare yourself tomorrow, and you'll go with our Hospital's exchange delegation."
"Once you're there, you represent Jiangcheng City Central Hospital. Show what you should show, and learn what you should learn."
"Do you understand?"
"I understand."
President Zeng Dayang stood up, walked over to Lu Chen, and patted his shoulder.
"It's a good thing for young people to have skills, but skills alone aren't enough; you also need someone willing to build a platform for you."
"I've built a platform for you today. How you perform once you're on it is up to you."
Lu Chen stood up and nodded.
"President Zeng, I won't let you down."
"Good."
President Zeng Dayang withdrew his hand, walked back behind his desk, and picked up the document again.
"Go on, go back and work hard."
...
Lu Chen turned and left the office.
Walking through the corridor of the Administrative Building, his footsteps were muffled on the carpet, almost silent.
His mind was racing.
President Zeng Dayang is not a simple man.
The way he speaks makes you feel comfortable, yet makes it perfectly clear what he wants.
And he doesn't hide it, doesn't play those convoluted mind games; he shows his cards directly to you.
People like this either truly appreciate you or have calculated that you won't refuse.
Or perhaps both.
Lu Chen walked out of the Administrative Building. The sky outside had cleared, and the torrential rain had completely passed.
The sunlight hit his face; it was warm.
A thought crossed his mind.
The water in the Hospital seems deeper than he thought.
But the fish in deep water are also bigger.
When he returned to the Emergency Department, Head Nurse Fang Ying came up to him immediately.
"How did it go?"
"Pretty good."
"What did he say?"
"Sister Fang, why are you more concerned about my affairs than my mother?"
"Do you even have a mother?" After Head Nurse Fang Ying said this, she paused, and the expression on her face changed.
"No, I didn't mean that. I was just saying..."
"It's fine."
Lu Chen smiled.
"I have Director Mother."
Head Nurse Fang Ying let out a sigh of relief and quickly changed the subject.
"So, what exactly did he say?"
"He gave me a spot for a technical exchange at Guangfu Hospital, leaving the day after tomorrow."
Head Nurse Fang Ying was stunned.
"Technical exchange?"
"Yeah."
"Aren't those spots usually for attending physicians and above?"
"Yeah."
"You got one as a Resident Trainee?"
"Yeah."
Head Nurse Fang Ying's mouth opened, closed, and opened again.
"What kind of monster are you?"
"I'm a Newcomer: Surgical Blade, I told you before."
Head Nurse Fang Ying didn't laugh this time, but looked at him with a very complex expression.
That look held shock, admiration, and a little bit of unreality.
"Fine, Comrade Newcomer: Surgical Blade, go get busy."
Lu Chen walked back to the duty station and began receiving patients.
But the string in his heart hadn't completely relaxed.
He understood President Zeng Dayang's words, but there were some things he still needed someone else to confirm for him.
That person was Director Li Sen.
...
12:30 PM.
Lu Chen had just finished eating when his phone rang; it was a message from Director Li Sen.
[Director Li Sen: Come to my office at 1:30 PM.]
Lu Chen replied with a simple "Okay."
He had actually expected that Director Li Sen would want to talk to him again.
1:30 PM, arrived on time.
This time, Director Li Sen's office door was open, and Lu Chen walked straight in.
Director Li Sen was standing by the window, holding an enamel mug with the words "Jiangcheng City Central Hospital 20th Anniversary" printed on it.
Seeing Lu Chen enter, he pointed to a chair.
"Sit."
Lu Chen sat down.
Director Li Sen didn't rush to sit back down; instead, he stood by the window and looked outside for a while.
He was silent for about ten seconds before speaking.
"President Zeng finished talking to you?"
"Yes, he did."
"What did he say?"
Lu Chen recounted the main points of what President Zeng Dayang had said, including the technical exchange spot and the fact that he could be promoted to Resident Physician upon his return.
But he didn't mention the part about the factional implication directly, instead using a different phrasing.
"He said he needs to cultivate young doctors he thinks highly of."
Upon hearing this, the corners of Director Li Sen's mouth twitched, though it was unclear if it was a smile or something else.
He walked back behind his desk, sat down, and placed the enamel mug on the table.
"Did you agree?"
"I agreed."
"Do you know what you've agreed to?"
Lu Chen thought for a moment.
"I know. He's not just giving me a spot; he's investing."
Director Li Sen looked up at him.
"The fact that you can see this layer means you're not stupid."
"President Zeng Dayang is a man of skill and capability."
"But he is not the only influential Vice President in this Hospital."
"The President, the other Vice Presidents, and the directors of each major department—everyone has their own agenda."
"You've been chosen by him now, which is a good thing for you in the short term, but in the long run, you need to learn how to navigate between these people."
Lu Chen listened intently.
"Director, do you mean I should be careful?"
Director Li Sen shook his head.
"Not careful, but clear-headed."
"You work in technology, not administration; technology is your foundation."
"No matter who builds a platform for you, once you step onto it, you have to rely on your own skills."
"As long as your skills are solid, you won't be afraid of anyone."
"But if your skills aren't up to par, any platform built for you will collapse."