For Yang Jiongming, an eighteen-year-old girl could not possibly be all-powerful. She believed her claims were false, though she kept her thoughts to herself, merely considering whether to find an opportunity to challenge Zhu Yanyi.
Zhu Yanyi was unaware of Yang Jiongming’s thoughts. If she had known, she would have scoffed. What is there to be arrogant about for just a pharmacist? Because she did not know, her attitude remained gentle. "Hello, Mr. Yang."
"I heard the Little Divine Doctor has very strong abilities in pharmaceutical preparation?" Yang Jiongming asked casually.
Zhu Yanyi’s five senses detected the hostility leaking from Yang Jiongming as she spoke.
Hostility? Zhu Yanyi raised an eyebrow slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips. It was interesting that someone wanted to compete in this matter. However, competition required capability.
"It’s okay. At least the drugs I have developed have not shown any side effects or sequelae in clinical use so far. This shows I have some talent in this area." Facing an opponent, even if they only showed a hint of hostility, Zhu Yanyi felt it was better to strike back when necessary, to prevent others from following suit.
Yang Jiongming did not expect Zhu Yanyi to so generously admit her talent in pharmaceutical preparation. She assumed Chinese people were traditionally modest and would humble themselves even if they possessed such ability.
Gu Jingtian seemed to ignore the exchange between them. "Alright, the judges and examiners are all here. Let’s go in. The students will be arriving soon."
The advanced assessment was no longer theoretical. It focused on practical skills like drug preparation and diagnosis. The large number of judges highlighted the importance of this examination.
Under Zhu Yanyi’s leadership, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) had finally recovered and gained international status. In fact, a foreign student had participated in this year’s junior TCM doctor exam. Although she failed after only two years of study, it demonstrated that TCM’s reputation was growing louder globally.
Consequently, the TCM community was even more rigorous regarding mid-to-high-level exams, especially the advanced ones.
In the past ten years, fewer than ten people had passed the advanced assessment, including special cases like Zhu Yanyi. This showed how difficult it was to find advanced talent.
Therefore, this year’s advanced TCM medical license assessment was extremely strict. The judges were specially selected experts.
Zhu Yanyi did not recognize many of the judges present, but she had heard of several. They were all renowned figures in the medical field, particularly within TCM.
"Little Junior Sister, let me introduce you?" Gu Jingtian led Zhu Yanyi to the group. "This is President Zhong, the president of our TCM Association."
"Hello, Little Divine Doctor. I have long admired your name. I am Zhong Cheng," Zhong Cheng said with a smile, introducing himself.
"Hello, President Zhong. I am Zhu Yanyi." Zhu Yanyi extended her hand and shook Zhong Cheng’s hand.
Zhong Cheng smiled. "I am much more at ease having the Little Divine Doctor as a judge this time. It is increasingly difficult to find advanced TCM doctors. I hope this cohort does not disappoint us."
Zhu Yanyi understood Zhong Cheng’s meaning. Although TCM was recovering, it was indeed difficult for newcomers to reach the advanced level. Medical exams could not be lenient; leniency was irresponsible to patients. Therefore, it was better to have no one pass than to force someone through. This was the hardest aspect of medical exams.
"Our TCM is slowly improving. Even if there are no outstanding candidates this year, there might be some next year. President Zhong, please do not worry," Zhu Yanyi said.
President Zhong chuckled. "I rely on the Little Divine Doctor’s auspicious words." Zhong Cheng held great hope for this exam, mainly because more people were now studying TCM.
Gu Jingtian added, "President Zhong, the time is approaching. Should we hold a pre-exam meeting?"
"There is still half an hour before the start. Let’s enter the conference room, get to know each other, and hold a brief pre-exam meeting. It would be good," President Zhong said seriously.
Zhong Cheng displayed a highly responsible attitude in this regard.
Everyone entered the conference room and introduced themselves. Then Zhong Cheng spoke. "There are eleven candidates registered for the advanced exam this time, which is better than last year’s seven."
"Last year, seven candidates applied, and none passed," Lian Gaoying, a fellow examiner, stated seriously. Lian Gaoying was a TCM doctor specializing in internal medicine, and his name appeared on the advanced assessment examiner list almost every time.
Zhong Cheng sighed. "There is no other way. In TCM, we prefer to have fewer rather than inferior candidates. Last year, one candidate was barely passable, but TCM is not like other industries. We cannot pass someone just because they are barely adequate. Therefore, I would rather have no one pass than force someone to become an advanced TCM doctor."
Zhong Cheng looked at everyone. "The medical profession is sacred. Precisely because it is sacred, we must understand this point even more deeply. Doctors are responsible for their patients. Especially for advanced TCM doctors, once someone reaches this level, they are practically close to being a famous doctor. If we negligently let someone pass due to leniency, and their skills are insufficient, they might harm patients. That would be bad."
Gu Jingtian also spoke from the side. "I agree with President Zhong’s approach. I was present last year. The candidate was named Zhou Hui. I noticed he applied again this year. Zhou Hui is only forty this year. If he passes, he will be considered a young famous doctor. So, even though he did not pass last year, I do not think it is a big deal."
Zhong Cheng nodded. "I considered her youth, so I wanted to pressure her. Medical skills are not something to be taken lightly. Take the Little Divine Doctor, for example. She has diagnosed countless people and treated numerous difficult and complicated diseases. However, due to age considerations, she has not participated in the mid-to-high-level medical license exams."
As she spoke, not only Zhong Cheng but also the others looked at Zhu Yanyi. "Her license is still issued through higher-level approval. Moreover, she has proven her medical skills with facts. Whether it is the body-scanning machine she created, the various affordable medicines she developed, or the difficult and complicated diseases she cured, she has given us a perfect answer."
Zhu Yanyi had never imagined that her non-participation in the mid-to-high-level exams would be misunderstood in this way. She glanced at Gu Jingtian beside her. Gu Jingtian winked. Well, no need to investigate further. President Zhong’s explanation was definitely a reason Gu Jingtian made up for her.