Chapter 24: Then Let’s Rely on Connections

Upon returning to Kuake County, Zhang Fan adhered to the principle of sharing the spoils. Setting aside the mobile phone, he divided the gifts he had received in half, intending to present them to Batu. "I'm just borrowing these flowers to offer to the Buddha, and I’d like to wish you an early Happy New Year," Zhang Fan said as he arrived at Batu's doorstep, gifts in hand, ready to enter.

"Forget it, I don't need your things. Leave them in the car and come inside for dinner." Batu wouldn't let him bring them in, so Zhang Fan had no choice but to enter empty-handed.

Batu’s wife was a graceful woman, possessing a slim figure rarely seen among the local Mongolian population. The pilaf and mutton were delicious, and Zhang Fan thoroughly enjoyed a large plateful. "Youth is a wonderful thing. When it's just the two of us, I don't even feel like cooking," Batu's wife remarked. "It's mainly because your cooking is so good," Zhang Fan replied, blushing slightly as he realized he might have eaten a bit too much.

"Are you still heading to the city this afternoon?" Batu asked after Zhang Fan finished eating.

"Yes. I’ve practically become a shuttle bus driver. I’m on the road every day and haven't had a chance to perform any proper surgeries."

"Don't worry, your time will come. After the New Year, the Frontier Province will be sending several study groups for advanced training. You are going for surgery."

"Really! How long will it be for?"

"The County Committee has already issued the directive. It will be about half a year."

After dinner and a brief chat, Zhang Fan prepared to head back to the city. Before he left, Batu handed him a bag. "You don't drink, so take these cartons of cigarettes for the New Year."

"Director Batu, this isn't right. I was supposed to be the one wishing you a Happy New Year."

"Enough, it’s the thought that counts. Get going now." Batu stood at the door, watching until Zhang Fan’s car had vanished from sight. "Are you not cold? You didn't even put on a coat, and you’ve been seeing someone off for nearly half an hour. Come inside," his wife called out from behind him.

"I suspect this kid has made connections with high-ranking officials in the City Committee. Who knows, I might have to rely on him in the future."

"Is that so? Then let's invite him over for New Year's Eve. He doesn't have anywhere else to go anyway."

"Forget it, whether a relationship is good or not doesn't depend on a single day like New Year's Eve. Come inside, it's freezing."

Taking advantage of the gift-giving season before the New Year, Zhang Fan sold all the premium cigarettes he had collected over the past few months. The income was substantial. He kept the phone for himself and mailed it to his younger sister, then sent some money to his parents. Zhang Fan spent New Year's Eve at his hotel, feeling a bit lonely. Wang Qian had invited him to her family's house, but Zhang Fan adamantly refused; it was a time for family reunions, and he didn't want to intrude.

Once the Spring Festival concluded and work resumed, Batu submitted the list of candidates for the county hospital's advanced training. There were four spots, one each for internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, and pediatrics. For the other departments, the department heads were going, but the surgery spot went to Zhang Fan. While the situation in the first surgery department was unclear, in the second, aside from Yang Chengming feeling disgruntled, everyone else was indifferent; Batu had already promised Shi Lei he could go in the second batch. Old Chen had failed to pass his certification exams for years and had no interest in further study, while Tuxun believed his skills were already so high that no training was necessary.

The county health system had six spots in total, with two given to the County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, an offshoot of the county hospital. Last year, the TCM hospital had hired two new staff members, one of whom was the son of the deputy director of the Health Bureau. A college graduate, his father had placed him in the orthopedics department of the TCM hospital. He also wanted to go for training, but he couldn't compete with the two department heads at his hospital. However, after the list was submitted, his father managed to strike Zhang Fan’s name and replace it with his son’s.

The Frontier Province attached great importance to this training, and the official in charge was held strictly accountable. Consequently, the list was forwarded to Dong Hua. Usually, Dong Hua would just sign off on such things, but ever since Zhang Fan had treated her back, she had paid closer attention to the county hospital. When she reviewed the list, she noticed Zhang Fan was missing. "Director Batu, how many people did your hospital report? Isn't Zhang Fan going?"

"He is. We reported Zhang Fan for the surgery spot," Batu said, puzzled.

"Alright, I understand." It was clear someone had intervened; Zhang Fan, a college graduate from out of town, had been squeezed out. "Xiao Tang, call the Director of the Health Bureau here."

The Health Bureau director emerged from Dong Hua’s office wiping sweat from his forehead. He knew exactly what had happened; the deputy director's son was on the list. No wonder Dong Hua had scolded him for backroom dealings and a lack of integrity! He felt incredibly wronged for taking the blame.

"You idiot, look at the trouble you've caused me! Who told you to change the county hospital's list? Who told you to put your son’s name down? Is the Health Bureau your family business? The County Mayor just tore me a new one, so change it back immediately. Once it's done, you will deliver it to Mayor Dong Hua yourself." The director scolded his deputy as if he were a child. The deputy was nearly stunned senseless; a mere newcomer had actually stirred the County Mayor!

"Director Batu, I have a question. This Zhang Fan from your surgery department must have quite a background to be eligible for advanced training in his first year of work," the deputy director said, though he didn't dare put his son back on the list, he still wasn't happy about Zhang Fan going.

Batu realized what was happening and, being a sharp man, replied, "Zhang Fan? Oh, he’s incredible. Word is he’s the son of a high official from the province with deep connections and influence stronger than steel. His training was personally directed by Mayor Dong Hua. Why? Is our list not passing through the Health Bureau? Perhaps I should give Mayor Dong Hua a call right now." He didn't miss the chance to act important, as he was competing for the same position as the deputy director.

"Son of a high official, my foot. Damn it. 'From the province,' why didn't you say he was from the Central Government?" After hanging up, the deputy director was seething. There was nothing he could do; even the bureau director was pressing him, and with the Executive Deputy County Mayor involved, his career was effectively over. "How has the world become like this?" he lamented, conveniently forgetting his own corruption.

Once the list was finalized, the government issued the documents quickly. The trainees departed together on January 17th, headed for Qingniao City. Dong Hua led the team, and Batu managed to secure a position as deputy team leader. The principal of the H County High School also accompanied the group by train, while Dong Hua would fly out to meet the Qingniao City officials once they arrived.

The central government, aiming to rapidly improve the educational and medical sectors in the frontier, was heavily invested in Western support programs. However, talent was difficult to retain; after a year or two, most people would resign and leave, making the impact minimal. This time, the central government changed its strategy, focusing on cultivating local talent, and placed great importance on this first round of specialized training. They ordered Qingniao City to ensure the training of a highly qualified medical team for the frontier.

Qingniao City, a large coastal city in the north, possessed a high standard of medical care. Zhang Fan was to train at the city's largest hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingniao University. In early 2009, before the trains had been upgraded for high speed, it took over fifty hours for Zhang Fan and his group to arrive. Compared to the Frontier Province, the weather was much warmer, though the wind was just as fierce—the sea breeze of Qingniao City blew with quite some force.