Chapter 197 Sir, Times Have Not Changed

My teacher became the vice president of the Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine!
Wang Mengde's face was full of surprise.

As for what Pu Lao said later, that he could not become the head of the internal medicine department in a short period of time because he had to consider the feelings of other comrades, he did not take it to heart at all.

Anyway, the position of Director of Internal Medicine is still held by my teacher.

Moreover, if nothing unexpected happens, this position will be his in two years.

Based on the achievements he has made in recent years, even if a new director is parachuted in, he will not be able to convince the public, and the Institute of Internal Medicine will fall into endless infighting.

The superiors and the leaders of the institute must have seen this clearly.

Besides, now that Mr. Pu has become the vice president, his patron has been promoted, which is not much different from his own promotion. Besides, he has already had the final say in the Department of Internal Medicine.

As for such empty things as having substance but no name, he doesn't care about them.

Thinking of this, Wang Mengde said with a smile.

"Sir, I'm still young, and there will be many opportunities for promotion in the future."

“Well, you’re right to think so.

Although I am still the head of the Internal Medicine Department, my energy is limited. My future work focus will be on the work in the Institute. You have to take on the work of the Institute of Internal Medicine."

Seeing that he was not deceived by the false reputation, Pu Lao smiled and nodded.

At the beginning, he was really worried that this outstanding disciple might be unhappy.

In recent years, Wang Mengde has been conducting continuous research for the country and the institute, and has achieved so many honors and results.

If he wasn't too young, he should have been made the head of a department long ago.

Fortunately, I am his teacher. If I were an ordinary person, having such an outstanding subordinate, I would be happy but also feel uneasy all the time.

"Yes, sir, I will do a good job in the department."

Wang Mengde agreed without hesitation.

The two chatted for a while, and then Pu Lao sighed: "This time in the institute, there are several people competing for the position of vice president.

Originally I had no advantage, but I didn't expect that because of you, Vice President Chen, who had always been neutral, actually turned around and supported me, which allowed me to win by a narrow margin."

At the end of last year, when the vice president was rumored to be retiring completely, the heads of many departments at the Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine began to get ready to make a move.

There is a huge difference between the positions of department head and vice president.

Mr. Pu didn't think about competing at the beginning. He is already in his seventies and had been unwell for a period of time last year.

It was only after Wang Mengde's strong persuasion that he decided to give it a try.

Of course, the people with the loudest support came from the heads of the other two departments, and everyone else thought he was just a runner-up.

The final result was beyond everyone's expectations.

Unexpectedly, the neutral Vice President Chen also made a rare statement in support of Mr. Pu.

With the support of Vice President Zhu, President Lu and others, as well as comprehensive consideration from superiors, Mr. Pu successfully became the vice president.

"By the way, Meng De, Vice President Chen's disciple, has taken over the research on using Artemisia annua to make Western medicine to treat malaria. How is the progress?"

"Sir, after my suggestion, they have extracted a large amount of Artemisia annua ether extract and are currently conducting animal experiments at the Experimental Animal Center of the Academy of Military Medical Sciences.

Yesterday, Vice President Chen's student happened to meet me and we chatted for a while. He told me that the toxicity test on dogs will be completed by the end of next month. Next, tests on other animals will be conducted. "

Wang Mengde replied.

Before, he accidentally mentioned to President Lu that Artemisia annua could also be made into Western medicine and had a good therapeutic effect on malaria.

I didn’t expect Dean Lu to take it so seriously.

We specifically discussed this matter at the weekly meeting.

Finally, Vice President Chen's disciple took on this responsibility.

Now, thanks to Wang Mengde's help and guidance, they have made a breakthrough.

The extract of Artemisia annua has surprisingly good results in treating malaria.

This made Vice President Chen very excited.

His disciples now lack such an opportunity so that they can legitimately participate in the work of the decision-making department.

This was also the main reason why he gave up his neutrality and turned to support Pu Lao.

"His research is the same as yours. Does it have any influence on you?"

Pu Lao asked with some concern.

The two people's research directions are the same, and both used Artemisia annua. The only difference is that one used traditional Chinese medicine methods and the other used Western medicine methods.

He was worried that other people's research would have an impact on his disciples.

If it was done in order to become the vice president, then it would be like picking up sesame seeds and losing watermelons, which is putting the cart before the horse.

"Sir, don't worry. Although we are both researching drugs to treat malaria, I am confident that it will not be affected."

Wang Mengde smiled and comforted.

The prescription for Artemisia annua powder he developed is definitely more effective than the extracted artemisinin.

He still has this confidence.

The feedback from Hainan also verified his judgment.

What's more, Vice President Chen and his disciples have already guaranteed in front of President Lu that once any results are produced, they will nominally be researched under the leadership of Wang Mengde.

"That's fine."

Pu Lao said cheerfully.

"Let's go, we've been out for a while, it's time to go back."

As he said this, he slowly walked towards the office.

Wang Mengde followed him carefully.

Since entering March, the days have been getting warmer.

This morning.

Wang Mengde did not take the bus, but rode his bicycle to Tiangezhuang.

Along the way, he discovered that in the wasteland outside the fields, there was no trace of green except for some trees.

Many old people and children, each carrying a basket or other tools, squatted on the wasteland on both sides of the road, searching carefully.

As soon as they see green shoots popping up, they will dig them out impatiently and put them carefully into the basket.

For people who have been hungry for a whole winter, there is no time to wait for the grass to grow before eating it.

Now is the time when there is a shortage of food.

The crops and wild vegetables in the fields have not yet grown, and the food in the brigade’s warehouse has long been gone.

We have even been out of food for quite some time.

There was no other choice but to rely on some substitute foods such as corn stalk powder and wheat straw powder to keep going.

After the spring, it rained and some tender sprouts of wild vegetables gradually emerged on the dry and yellow ground.

Then, every day, countless people who endure hunger engage in "fishing in a dried-up pond and hunting in a burned-down forest."

It took more than two hours for Wang Mengde to arrive not far from the entrance of Tiangezhuang village.

We saw that the strong laborers and women in the village were doing collective labor under the organization of the brigade cadres.

The old people and children, just like what he had seen along the way, were searching all over the place for anything to fill their stomachs.

All the wild vegetables and weeds were dug out, regardless of whether they were poisonous or not.

If it’s not poisonous, you can eat it directly in the pot. If it’s poisonous, blanch it in water and then cook it in the pot.

Even though some villagers suffered from food poisoning from time to time, it could not stop everyone's determination.

Along the way, everyone greeted Wang Mengde in a friendly manner. Everyone's legs and stomachs were swollen, and some even had swollen faces.

"Cousin, you are here."

Wang Mengqi's voice came from a willow tree on the roadside at the entrance of the village.

Looking up, Wang Mengde saw that his cousin and a few boys were picking willow buds from the trees.

"Meng Qi, are grandpa and grandma at home?"

"Cousin, grandpa and grandma are at home. I'll go back with you."

Wang Mengqi swiftly climbed down from the tree, holding a bag in his hand, which was half filled with willow buds.

Arrived at home.

I saw Wang Jinghui sitting in the yard, smoking his pipe.

Wang Tian was standing nearby, sewing something with needle and thread in her hands and a piece of clothing.

Looking at the size and style of the clothes, you can tell it belongs to Wang Mengqi.

"Grandpa, grandma, I'm here."

"Hey, my dear grandson is here."

When Wang Tian heard the voice, she immediately stopped what she was doing, looked up, and said happily.

Wang Jinghui also stood up, put down the pipe in his hand, and looked at him with a smile.

Seeing that the two elderly people were much thinner than before, Wang Mengde endured the discomfort and said with a smile: "Grandpa, grandma, I see you are here."

There was no way around it. Even with the nutritional supplements he sent every once in a while, it could at most prevent their bodies from becoming so deficient.

It is impossible to eat enough every day.

In fact, the two old people are in good condition. They can have some sugar water, rock sugar and other nutritional supplements to replenish their energy every day.

Like most other elderly people, many of them eventually couldn't make it in the past few years.

“It’s good that you’re here.

Meng Qi, go to the house and bring out a small wooden stool."

Wang Jinghui coughed twice and then gave instructions.

The benches at home were brought to the team’s canteen when the big canteen was set up.

Nowadays, every household uses a piece of wooden block made by themselves as a bench.

Sitting in the yard, the sun shines on my body and I feel warm.

Wang Mengde chatted with his grandparents about family matters and observed them carefully. He was relieved when he found that there was nothing serious wrong with their health.

As long as we can survive another one or two years, life in the countryside, although we will still often go hungry, will not be as hard and sad as it has been in the past two years.

With his secret help, I will definitely live a good life.

Just as he was telling Wang Tian about the naughty deeds of the children, he saw Uncle Wang Ning hurriedly walking in from outside.

"Haha, it turns out that Meng De is here. I just heard about it from the villagers, but I didn't quite believe it.

You must be thirsty, Meng Qi, go to the cafeteria and bring a bowl of hot water to your cousin."

"Uncle, I'm not thirsty. Don't let Meng Qi run any more."

Wang Mengde quickly waved his hand and said.

On his way here, when he was almost there, he had already drunk a cup of tea stored in the space.

"Haha, then wait until you are thirsty. Tell Meng Qi to go to the canteen to bring you a bowl of hot water. Don't worry, the people in charge of the canteen are all acquaintances in the village. Your sister-in-law is in charge of lighting the fire right now."

Seeing his firm attitude, Wang Ning smiled and said.

Because of Wang Mengde, although there were no members of the Wang family among the cadres in the brigade, the team still took some care of their family.

Wang Mengwei's wife was assigned to be responsible for making fire in the cafeteria.

This is a great job that everyone is eager to get started on. Not only is it easy, but you can also get a bite to eat every day when the food is ready.

After chatting for a while, Wang Mengde saw that Wang Ning was not in a hurry to leave, so he took the initiative to say, "Uncle, you should go and do your work first, but don't let your work points be deducted because of me."

He has been back for a while. If he doesn't go back, he might be recorded as absent from work or ask for leave.

Only half of the work points for the day will be left.

“Hey, it’s okay, it won’t affect my work points.

When I came, the captain specifically told me to chat with you for a while and it would not be counted as absenteeism.

By the way, Meng De, there is one more thing. Does your hospital have a lot of this stuff? If so, can you bring me some back next time you come back? "

As he spoke, Wang Ning took out a paper bag from his pocket and handed it to him.

Wang Mengde took it, opened it, and found some white, odorless powdery substance.

He asked curiously, "Master, what is this?"

"Meng De, this is caffeine. You must have heard of it." Wang Ning explained with a smile:
"This is good stuff. Several big animals in the team have not gained weight due to lack of food for the whole winter, and they have no strength to work.

Since feeding them this, not only have they been working without getting tired, but their appetites have also decreased significantly, and they need much less feed.”

PS: Giving caffeine to livestock is a real event that happened in China in the 1960s.

"what?"

After hearing this, Wang Mengde was shocked.

Caffeine can actually be used in this way.

In fact, this is also a helpless move. Due to poor harvests in recent years, food rations for people and livestock in rural areas are very tight.

In order to solve the problem of insufficient feed and livestock having no strength due to poor eating, some farmers came up with this clever idea.

Even in some more difficult areas, such as Shanxi, some farmers consume caffeine to suppress their appetite and eliminate fatigue, allowing them to eat less and work tirelessly.

This kind of stopgap measure in difficult times is really sad.

Wang Mengde didn't know what to say for a moment.

At the same time, he thought of his previous life, when some white-collar workers preferred coffee, and some companies provided large amounts of free coffee, calling it a welfare benefit.

This behavior was no different from what he was seeing and hearing now about giving caffeine to livestock.

It is just as the saying goes: Sir, times have not changed.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Wang Ning said again: "Meng De, doesn't your hospital have this kind of medicine?"

"Oh, sir, we are a traditional Chinese medicine hospital and generally don't use this thing."

Wang Mengde said vaguely.

He wanted to remind people of the dangers of taking caffeine, but he didn't know how to start.

If supplies were sufficient, he would definitely speak righteously and talk about the great principles.

But now, in an age where everything is about survival, he can't get people to give up feeding caffeine to their animals.

So, he could only pretend not to know.

And there is no plan to report it to the country.

Even if we want to ban it, we have to wait until everyone is basically full.

"Okay, I'll tell the captain later."

Wang Ning said with a hint of disappointment.

After saying that, he was just about to sit on the wooden stool that Wang Mengqi had brought out, when suddenly a look of pain appeared on his face, and he held his lower back tightly with his hands.

(End of this chapter)