Chapter 12: Ascending Realms, The Arrival of a Newcomer

Early the next morning, Zhang Fan was awakened by the urgent need to urinate, accompanied by a hangover headache. Breakfast consisted of butter tea and hand-pulled mutton, but Zhang Fan had no appetite, taking only a few sips of the tea before preparing to return early to the county town with Shi Lei and the others. However, as soon as they stepped out of the restaurant, they were stunned to see the yard of the rural hospital crowded with people—elderly, children, some on horseback, others on motorcycles.

“The doctors from the county town came to the countryside. The herders have all come to see the doctors, some traveling dozens of kilometers. I didn’t dare promise them treatment, so I told them to wait in the yard,” said Bu Yindala, the director of the rural health clinic, pointing to the crowd. Though he had refused, the fact that people were blocking the entrance made it clear they wouldn’t be allowed to leave easily.

“What should we do?” Chen Qifa asked.

“What else can we do? The villagers have come—let’s get to work since we’re here,” Shi Lei replied.

“Elder, your leg pain and cramps are clearly caused by calcium deficiency. I’ll prescribe some calcium supplements,” said Ma Lihua, who had taken on the role of an internal medicine doctor amid the influx. The director had arranged for several ethnic nurses to act as translators since many of the older herders did not speak Mandarin.

“Your bone didn’t heal properly. The dislocated radius and ulna joints have caused dysfunction in your hand. You’ll need surgery to reopen and reset it,” Zhang Fan told a middle-aged man.

“Will I still be able to work afterward?”

“Once the surgery is done and you recover, yes. Here, I’ll write a medical report for you. When the snow melts, come to the county hospital to see me, and I’ll perform the surgery.”

The more patients Zhang Fan saw, the heavier his heart grew. Many suffered severe consequences due to delayed or improper treatment. He did his best to help those who could be saved. That day, they performed two appendectomies, one of which was already perforated. Shi Lei and the others had experience in general surgery, so such small operations were manageable. There was no time for lunch. Many patients had traveled from afar, and since winter nights came early, they wanted to finish quickly so people could return home sooner.

The next day, with no patients left, they coordinated with the county hospital’s emergency ambulance to meet them on the road and then departed. Just outside the hospital gate, many herders came to see them off, riding horses and bringing freshly slaughtered beef and mutton, yogurt, and butter. They accompanied Zhang Fan and the team all the way toward the county town, only stopping when they spotted the ambulance.

“These are all homemade gifts. You must take them. Come visit when you have time, especially in summer—the scenery on our grasslands is beautiful. Dr. Zhang, you still need to work on your drinking!” Holding the gifts from the herders, Zhang Fan felt a lump in his throat. For the first time, he felt the sacredness of being a doctor—not for money or any selfish reason, but something far more profound.

“We will come often,” they promised. Whether that promise would be kept was uncertain; without government support, what could ordinary doctors really achieve? On the way back, no one spoke. Gazing out the window, Zhang Fan reflected deeply, recalling the oath he had taken upon entering medical school:

The fate of health entrusted to my care.

At the solemn moment of entering this sacred institution of medicine, I solemnly swear:

I dedicate myself to medicine, love my country, serve the people faithfully, uphold medical ethics, respect my teachers and discipline, study diligently and tirelessly, seek excellence, and strive for comprehensive development.

I vow to do my utmost to eliminate human suffering, promote perfect health, safeguard the sanctity and honor of medical science, save lives and heal the wounded without hesitation, endure hardships, and pursue this path throughout my life for the advancement of my country’s medical and health cause and the well-being of humanity.

When he recited this oath back then, it had felt like empty words, grandiose yet hollow. But this journey to the grasslands made Zhang Fan deeply understand the sanctity of the medical profession. The herders’ long escort left a profound impact on his future path. True understanding comes from practice, not just from books.

Back at the hospital, Shi Lei went to report to the director, while the others returned home. Zhang Fan went to the dormitory.

“What’s going on? Why are you moving? Did Director Wang help you? You’re not moving into her place, are you? She’s almost forty—think carefully!” a voice teased.

“Oh my god, what nonsense are you thinking? The hospital is bringing in a few new university graduates who passed the civil service exam. There isn’t enough room here, so the county government rented a place, and I’m moving there too. If you want in, before anyone knows, go talk to the director.”

“Good brother, dorm life is convenient, but the shower is a big problem. I’ll pass. If Wang Sha can move in, that’s enough. I’m going to find the director now. Afterwards, dinner’s on me.”

“Alright, hurry up and go.”

Just as Zhang Fan was about to ask Director Wang where the house was, the director called.

“How’s it going? Tired? Can you still fight?”

“No problem. I’m heading to the department now,” Zhang Fan replied, thinking there was another emergency.

“Haha, good to hear you can still fight. Don’t go to the department—come to the outpatient building.”

Confused, Zhang Fan arrived at the outpatient building to find the director standing beside Batou by the Yilante phone, finishing a call. After hanging up, Batou said, “Not bad. You did well in the countryside. The county committee leaders called to praise the county hospital. Now get in the car to eat. The newcomers are here, and today’s a welcome and celebration for you.”

“Drinking? Director, I think I’ll skip it. You know I get drunk easily. Let Shi Director go instead.”

“Shi Lei’s already there. You’re not afraid of surgery, but afraid of drinking? You must come. The county leaders will be attending mainly to recognize you and to welcome the newcomers.”

Five new civil servants had joined the hospital: two clinical students, one public health, one pharmacy, and one lab technician. The clinical newcomers were both male; the others were female. The county leaders attending included Kang Hua, the deputy county magistrate in charge of culture, education, and health, and a female county magistrate.

“The doctors of the county hospital, despite heavy snow blocking roads and making vehicles impassable, braved hardship by riding horses into the pastoral areas. Using superb medical skills, they saved the lives of critically ill children. The county committee and government are very pleased. Our doctors are models of the times, the Bethunes of the new century. On behalf of the county committee and government, I celebrate your achievement. Raise your glasses to continued efforts and even greater success.”

Batou grinned widely—this was the first time they had received official recognition from higher authorities. Previously, attending meetings at the county government had only given him headaches. Aside from the health model award, the county hospital had never been praised like this. The pressure had been immense. Now, finally, they had earned recognition not only from the county government but also the county committee. How could he not be delighted?

Chen Qifa was also excited. Such praise meant a big raise in this month’s bonus. His child was in high school in the city, and money was tight.

The newcomers looked bewildered.

“Didn’t they say this was a welcome party? How did it turn into a celebration banquet?”