"Learning a few techniques quickly and improving one of them on your own are entirely different matters."

"This Lu Cheng, how did he manage to gain something just by attending an advanced training program at Union Hospital?"

"Is it the advanced training program at Union Hospital that's unbelievable, or did we just misjudge him?"

Lu Cheng learning the Modified Tang Method or mastering the 'Tong' Method or the Tajima Suturing Technique is not enough to attract the attention of Tan Zhongyuan.

But if Lu Cheng can develop his own 'Lu' Method based on these suturing techniques and achieve treatment results that surpass them, that's significantly beyond expectations.

A new tendon suturing technique might not be particularly innovative, but every new, effective suturing method can spawn many new developments.

For example, by applying this suturing technique to tendon transfer surgery, can we restore more function for patients?

Will the overall treatment level of hand surgery for functional reconstruction significantly improve with the introduction of a new tendon suturing technique?

These are realistic and tangible issues in clinical practice that can be explored slowly and experimented with.

Thinking of a suturing technique isn't hard; anyone can wildly fantasize. But creating a suturing technique that surpasses others is nearly impossible.

Tong Yuan'an said, "Director Tan, as I mentioned to you before, when I first came to Long County, Professor Xie Xiao from the hand surgery department at Union Hospital called me to look after Lu Cheng."

"Do you think it's possible that Lu Cheng knew Professor Xie Xiao before... but Professor Xie Xiao couldn't conveniently come to Long County to mentor Lu Cheng across the province?"

"Did Professor Xie ever contact you?"

After speaking, Tong Yuan'an glanced at Tan Zhongyuan, implying he was asking if Professor Xie Xiao had reached out to him privately.

Tan Zhongyuan said, "Our hospital's decision to replace our counterpart assistance unit is an internal matter, unrelated to peers from other hospitals."

"Professor Xie from Union Hospital hasn't contacted me either."

"You volunteered for the counterpart assistance in Long County; I didn't require you to go."

Tan Zhongyuan then redirected the topic: "Tong Yuan'an, can you confirm that Lu Cheng has secured a position in a unit?"

Tong Yuan'an nodded, explaining, "While I don't know what promises Elder Professor Zhong from Union Hospital made to Lu Cheng, hearing them, I might not be able to resist the temptation either."

"I think it's okay. The main issue now is Chen Song, who's feeling very uncomfortable."

"Why mention Chen Song? What does Chen Song have to do with this? There's no relevance," Director Tan Zhongyuan, unfamiliar with Chen Song, responded impatiently with a raised eyebrow.

Tong Yuan'an quickly covered his mouth with his plump hand.

Zhou Yunhui said, "Director Tan, let's leave it at that. Union Hospital has already sent someone to supervise the entire project."

"We're just a collaborating unit now; let's not think too far ahead."

"At least now it proves that the time we've invested early on is worthwhile."

Zhou Yunhui was very open-minded, as the circumstances had already been set, it was pointless to regret now.

Tan Zhongyuan said, "Director Zhou, it's all about human effort!~"

"At this point, talent is most important. It takes competition for talent to enter good units, and units rely on competition to attract talent."

"Waiting idly for opportunities is not advisable."

Zhou Yunhui sighed softly and waved his hand, "I'm getting older, can't engage in arguments anymore."

Professor Zhou Yunhui clearly didn't want to get involved in these matters.

Tan Zhongyuan said, "No worries, Director Zhou, I learned about seventy to eighty percent of your debating skills back in the day, so I think I can handle most situations."

"I'll see if there's a chance to poach Xiao Lu."

Zhou Yunhui's expression remained unchanged, clearly neither supporting nor opposing such actions.

Tan Zhongyuan continued to search for a breach: "Tong Yuan'an, do you know who from Union Hospital, the main person in charge of the project, accompanied Lu Cheng?"

Tong Yuan'an snuck a glance at Tan Zhongyuan and said, "It's rumored that it's Lu Cheng's girlfriend, and she seems to be from the gastroenterology lab at Union Hospital or something."

Tan Zhongyuan: "..."

Some things are clear to both Tong Yuan'an and the others. Naturally, someone like Director Tan Zhongyuan, who had once been in charge of personnel, and Elder Professor Zhou, understood this as well.

This isn't possible now.

"Then you should focus on the project… don't think too much about other things… it's impossible to figure it all out." Tan Zhongyuan unilaterally ended the topic, saying politely,

"Teacher Zhou, please rest as well. Sorry for bothering you for so long."

After Zhou Yunhui nodded lightly, he took the initiative to hang up the call. He had already retired from his position as director and could choose not to participate in such video conferences.

Today, the reason Zhou Yunhui participated in the video conference was primarily due to the suturing technique developed by Xiangya Hospital, in which Elder Professor Zhou was also involved...

"Director Tan, Xiao Han, I'll end the call as well!~" responded Tong Yuan'an.

After Tong Yuan'an's video went dark, Tan Zhongyuan's thick eyebrows deepened: "Han Yunshen, luck is not on your side?"

"This Fatty Tong is incredibly lucky!"

Tong Yuan'an is currently the strongest associate professor in the ward, but honestly, Han Yunshen isn't bad either, with only a few years' age difference.

A difference of just a few years isn't impossible to overcome, as Han Yunshen does have considerable research accumulated.

If he can produce some projects with significant clinical relevance, he may overtake and succeed Tong Yuan'an as the ward director.

As things stand, Han Yunshen can only wait patiently, likely until the end of Tong Yuan'an's tenure before transferring the position to him.

This isn't a matter of a few years, but at least eight to ten years.

Han Yunshen said, "Master, opportunities are part of capability. Often, opportunities surpass personal effort and the accumulation of capabilities."

"If the materials sent by Tong Yuan'an aren't fake, then he really struck it lucky this time."

"With Tong Yuan'an standing at the opportunity's forefront, how can I compare with him?" Han Yunshen's tone was bitter.

He thought if it were him who went to Long County for rural work, maybe the opportunity would have been his.

Tan Zhongyuan touched his eyebrows: "Union Hospital sent people; do you think it's real?"

"Would Professor Zhong Junyun also accompany Lu Cheng in a charade? Don't be ridiculous."

"According to the materials, this suturing technique is not only suitable for flexor tendon suturing but also for most extensor tendon suturings."

"This makes it promotable. Who would say that in the coming years, many will learn this technique to save learning time."

"This is something many desire... but can't achieve..."

"Back in the day, Professor Tang Jinbo became famous in hand surgery because of the Tang Method. If the technique modification this time can improve the success rate of Zone II flexor tendon surgeries, the 'No Man's Land' flexor tendon name could even be entirely dispelled," Tan Zhongyuan explained the potential significance of the technique.

In reality, any professional in the field knows many of the clinical constraints.

Knowing the constraints and breaking through them are two different things.

Speaking of tendon suturing, the current sticking point is unclear efficacy in many zones, and there are too many techniques, making learning complex.

If you're not careful, you'll fall into pitfalls.

"Standardizing the technique, setting a standard treatment plan for a type of disease is highly clinically significant, Master!~"

"What should I do to continue contending with Professor Tong?" Addressing issues as they arise is necessary.

Han Yunshen can't fight for the director's position for the sake of contention but should think of solving issues and embracing healthy competition as a promise.

"That's quite a bit. If you can perfect reconstructive surgery, independently develop a procedure, it's of greater practical significance than improving tendon suturing techniques," Tan Zhongyuan said with a half-smile.

Han Yunshen's lips trembled, his muscles twitched, and his voice was odd: "Master… should I wait for you to become an academician to lend me a hand?"

"Get lost... you're joking with this old man now," Tan Zhongyuan scolded, furrowing his thick brows.