Physician's Odyssey

Chapter 743 - The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

Translator: Thyaeria

Rui Lei had been greatly nurtured by his family from a young age and he had been doing his best to study so that he could contribute to the country. Relying on his own effort, he managed to obtain an exceptional result and became the scholar of his county at that time. When he was picking his university major, he had hesitated and ultimately chose Mechanical CNC, a branch of medical studies. Ultimately, he chose the medical path because his parents told him that it’s a stable rice bowl.

After learning medicine for years, he smoothly became a research fellow and was dispatched to the best hospital in the city upon his graduation. Due to the fact that he had often participated in social activities during his university years, he wasn’t the best doctor around. However, he caught the eye of a Vice-President. Not only did that Vice-President guide him to the path of politics and administration, he even introduced his daughter to him, who became his girlfriend.

In the end, Rui Lei displayed outstanding abilities in social interactions and EQ, showing a remarkable display in administration. Ultimately, he was recommended by the hospital and got into the Health Bureau. Although he’s still working in the healthcare system, he knew that it’s impossible for him to treat patients anymore.

As years passed, Rui Lei had long forgotten the medical knowledge that he learned from the university.

He has been satisfied with his current lifestyle. With a stable job and a lovely wife, he wasn’t ambitious and was only aiming to be promoted once more. He did not hope to be wealthy, but he just hoped to have a clear conscience.

However, he never expected that he would have such huge courage to enter the center of an epidemic region, interacting with many villagers who were on the verge of death for days.

During his time in Seven Mountain Village, he placed down his status and started helping out like the other physicians of the rescue team from Qihuang Charity Funds. In the end, he never expected that TCM would be so magical. Ever since the rescue team from the Qihuang Charity Funds entered Seven Mountain Village, there haven't been any more deaths. Furthermore, the rate of infection had also decreased in number.

During his interaction with the rescue team, he had been infected by their passion and was touched by TCM.

When the first patient had completely recovered, Rui Lei immediately reported it to his superior, welcoming the excitement of his superior, Han Yi, “Little Rui, you’ve done a good job this time. When you return, I will definitely reward you handsomely.”

Ashamed to receive the premises, Rui Lei modestly sighed, “I’m only doing my job. It’s all thanks to President Su Tao and Qihuang Charity Funds’ rescue team that this epidemic could be resolved. They’ve done inextinguishable contributions in this crisis.”

“Oh? Wasn’t Andrewson the one who found the cure?” Han Yi was perplexed.

“Andrewson was only responsible for extracting a composition in a herb that could treat the virus. The herb was personally brought back by President Su, who went into the mountain and spent seven days looking for it.” Rui Lei immediately explained the situation to Han Yi.

“I see!” Han Yi also felt somewhat ashamed as he continued, “We weren’t considerate back then. We will host a celebration party when you guys return, and I will personally apologise to President Su.”

Rui Lei smiled upon hearing that. It’s natural for them to apologise for their negligence back then since this crisis was so smoothly resolved.

After ending the call with Han Yi, Rui Lei returned to the tent. When he entered the tent, he saw Su Tao and Andrewson fighting over something with their faces reddened. He was instantly shocked and was afraid that they might start a conflict once more.

In Rui Lei’s view, the two of them had contributed greatly, and they were the benefactors of countless patients who were affected by this virus.

But when he walked over, he realised that he was wrong. Andrewson looked tipsy from vodka. He was sincerely inviting Su Tao for a medical lecture since he felt that Su Tao would definitely be able to win the hearts of those participants with TCM.

“Su! I’m shocked by your medical skills, and those medical specialists should view the great TCM with importance.” Andrewson continued after a burp.

Sitting to the side, Qiao Xue acted as the translator and added, “The professor is too happy today, so please forgive him for his current state.”

Shrugging his shoulders, Su Tao smiled. “Mr. Andrewson is someone worth respecting, and I will definitely consider his suggestion. If there’s an opportunity, I will definitely pay him a visit. But it’s impossible for me to spread the name of TCM alone. If I’m going for an overseas visit, I will definitely bring a team with me.”

After that, Qiao Xue translated Su Tao’s words to Andrewson.

“Great idea!” Andrewson clapped and continued, “I will start arranging it when I return to the country. I hope that you will not refuse my offer at that time.”

“It’s a promise!” Su Tao smiled. He never expected that Andrewson would treat his casual words so seriously.

“Oh, right!” Andrewson suddenly wore an ashamed expression and continued, “We still have a bet between us!”

“Do we? I have already forgotten about it!” Su Tao laughed. Andrewson might be stubborn, but he's a good person. After all, he travelled from far away to help, so it’s inappropriate for Su Tao to take his money.

“That won’t do! A bet is a bet, and it has to be executed. I can’t be someone who fails to keep my promise.” Andrewson replied with a serious expression and continued, “I will transfer the money to the Qihuang Charity Funds’ account to contribute for the development of China’s TCM.”

Listening to those words, Su Tao was briefly stunned before he smiled. “Then, we will go according to that.”

By handling their private bet in an official matter, it could resolve the conflict between the two of them so they wouldn’t be so awkward.

To Andrewson, he felt better to give the money to a public charitable organisation than into someone’s pocket, and it could be considered a good compromise.

Su Tao knew that Andrewson was someone who placed great importance on his face.

However, judging from Andrewson’s tone and attitude, he had already treated him as a friend he could rely on.

He had used his own ability to change Andrewson’s view for TCM.

Although Andrewson had doubts in the beginning with the Four Energy Tonic, he changed his mind when he saw the effects it had on the patients.

As an outstanding virologist, he had the mentality of doubting everything, and at the same time, accepting anything.

Furthermore, the two bottles that Su Tao brought back had something to do with the Seven Mountain Virus. Based on his analysis, Andrewson had a conclusion that this was a mutated hepatitis virus that’s extremely infectious. Furthermore, it would rapidly multiply after entering a person’s body.

Thereafter, Andrewson found the composition to counter the virus from the Balanophora Simaoensis through chemistry and managed to reproduce it in great numbers to resolve the shortage of Balanophora Simaoensis.

So strictly speaking, Su Tao and Andrewson had joined together to resolve this crisis.

Then again, Su Tao played the dominant role.

“Su, I have already made my decision to nominate you as a Nobel prize candidate, with this virus as the incident.” Andrewson said with excitement.

“Isn’t it a little too abrupt?” Su Tao bitterly smiled after hearing Qiao Xue’s translation and continued, “It will affect your chance in obtaining the Nobel prize this year!”

Generally speaking, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was given to those who had committed years of research and made an outstanding contribution for medical studies.

For Andrewson and Su Tao to resolve this epidemic in just a few days, it would definitely affect the judgment of the judges.

“No! If the judges aren’t blind, they can definitely see our contributions.” Andrewson replied in a soft voice before he went on, “Not only can the composition that we extracted from the Balanophora Simaoensis help in treating the new hepatitis virus, it can also be used to combat liver cancer.”

Liver cancer was one of the terminal illnesses in humanity. Although Andrewson still had not done any research on it, he had already found an inspiration.

“It’s your work, so why are you pulling me into this?” Su Tao smiled.

“No, no, no. I’m not someone who lusts for contributions.” Andrewson smiled as he went on, “Furthermore, I still require you to provide me with inspirations on the details.”

Su Tao wasn’t too bothered with those words since Andrewson had spoken them while he was drunk and smiled. “It’s my honour if I can receive the Nobel prize with you.”

Due to the fact that Andrewson had resolved this crisis, he would be able to return to his country soon, so he was in a good mood. He did not eat any bread, cheese, nor canned food today but ate local specialties together with Su Tao. But when golden fried grasshoppers were served on the table, his face instantly turned green.

But when he took a bite of the grasshopper, he suddenly realised that it was delicious.

Su Tao also found out that Andrewson had an innocent side to him, and it’s partly related to foreign cultures. With alcohol and food, he had instantly turned into a joyful person.

After staying in Seven Mountain Village for two more days, Andrewson and Qihuang Charity Funds’ team left after determining that everything was fine, allowing the medical teams from the city and counties to deal with the follow-up.

When the fleet of vehicles arrived at Yundian Province’s Health Bureau building, there were already people waiting for them. When Su Tao stepped out, a decently-built middle-aged man came up and shook Su Tao’s hands. “Mr. Su, I’m the Vice-Governor of Yundian Province, Tang Yongzheng. I would like to represent everyone in Yundian Province to thank you for your selfless contributions.”

Su Tao never imagined that this matter would cause such a huge commotion in Yundian Province since they actually got the Vice-Governor to receive him and smiled. “President Tang, you’re too courteous. This is a natural duty of us as medical workers.”

When Tang Yongzheng received Su Tao’s news earlier, he was also surprised that Su Tao turned out to be a National Healer. It was so much so that the Vice-Chief of the National Health Bureau, Wei Qun, had personally sorted out the relations for Su Tao.

He never expected that someone so young like Su Tao, who looked to be a freshman, could behave in neither servile nor overbearing manner. That meant that Su Tao must have experienced this sort of situation in the past and he felt admiration for Su Tao. As the saying goes, heroes are forged from young.

Soon after, the Provincial Health Bureau hosted an honour assembly to commend on the rescue team along with a decent award money.

Rui Lei was undoubtedly the person who had benefitted the most in this mission, adding a glorious mark in his résumé, granting him unprecedented prospects.

Hence, Rui Lei looked for Su Tao several times during the celebration party to express the gratitude in his heart.