Chinese Medicine: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 561: Chapter 561: A Visit to Recruit

Li Xu called Gao Guanghui.

After exchanging pleasantries, Li Xu got straight to the point. He told him about the counterfeit medicine and his idea to hire an expert to oversee the quality control of their medicinal herbs.

Professor Gao was very supportive after hearing the proposal. "Li Xu, that’s an excellent idea. ’Traditional Chinese medicine will be the death of traditional Chinese medicine’—that’s no exaggeration. It would be a blessing for TCM if a company could step up and produce medicine with integrity."

He thought for a moment, then said, "You’re looking for someone... I actually have a candidate in mind."

Li Xu was thrilled. "Really? Professor, please tell me who it is! As long as we can get them, we’ll pay any price. Even if it takes a monumental effort, we have to recruit this expert."

Professor Gao chuckled. "Well, this person’s medical skills are rather ordinary, just about average for a doctor. But when it comes to the authentication and processing of Chinese herbs, his expertise is second to none. He’s truly one of the top experts in the country."

"What’s more, he’s retired and just sitting at home with nothing to do."

Hearing that such a specialized master actually existed,

Li Xu’s interest was piqued. "Who might that be?"

Professor Gao explained, "His name is Zhang Yarong. He was the former Dean of the School of Chinese Materia Medica at the Provincial University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and a committee member for the National Materia Medica. He has an incredibly deep understanding of Chinese herbs; he’s spent his entire life working with them."

"During a gathering of old colleagues over the New Year, I heard him mention that he’s restless in retirement. He feels like all his skills are going to waste and wants to find something meaningful to do again. That’s why I think you should try reaching out to him."

Li Xu nodded. "Professor Zhang Yarong... I know of him. I’ve read *The Study of Chinese Herbal Authentication*, which he edited. It’s an authoritative textbook. If we can get him to oversee our operations, we’ll truly have nothing to worry about when procuring herbs."

But his expression quickly turned worried. "But Professor... he’s such an eminent figure, with such a high standing. I’m afraid it’ll be incredibly difficult to persuade him. Feng City is just a third-tier city, and a remote one at that. Our humble company might not be enough to attract such a great talent."

Professor Gao chuckled on the other end of the line and said meaningfully, "That will depend on your own skills. Professor Zhang can be a bit stubborn, but he’s also quite fond of money. As long as you show him enough ’sincerity’ to move him, you just might have a chance."

Li Xu grew thoughtful.

’Sincerity?’

’For an expert who loves money, what’s the greatest form of sincerity?’

’A high salary, of course.’

Li Xu thanked his professor, hung up, and began to mull it over.

Although the clinic was constantly flooded with patients and he felt like he couldn’t be in two places at once, the business of running a legitimate herbal medicine company was a matter concerning the very foundation of TCM. It was also about his own confidence in being able to treat patients and save lives in the future.

This was too important to delay.

He decided to go to the provincial capital in person as a show of respect for the venerable expert.

The next day, Li Xu told Ding Kaifang about his plan.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Ding Kaifang immediately canceled several meetings and insisted on going with him.

As the man at the helm of Ding’s Pharmaceutical, he knew he had to show the utmost sincerity to recruit a technical heavyweight of this caliber.

Ding Kaifang’s driver took the wheel, and the two of them headed straight for the provincial capital.

As the scenery blurred past on the highway, the two of them briefly discussed their strategy in the car.

"Doctor Li, we’re going to have to put some serious money on the table this time," Ding Kaifang said. "Experts who are motivated by money are the easiest to handle. If we make the compensation package generous enough, this will be a sure thing."

Li Xu nodded. "As long as we can recruit him, the terms are negotiable."

A few hours later, the car entered the provincial capital.

The two first found a restaurant with a pleasant atmosphere for a simple meal, then headed straight for the residential complex where Professor Zhang Yarong lived.

It was a somewhat dated residential complex for old cadres, but the environment was pleasant, with lush, shady trees.

Ding Kaifang opened the trunk and took out two exquisitely packaged boxes of top-grade bird’s nest and two bottles of aged Maotai liquor.

They were standard gifts for a business visit—not too shabby, but not too ostentatious either.

They had already gotten in touch through Professor Gao Guanghui before their visit, so they found the apartment number easily enough.

DING DONG—

The door opened.

An elderly woman appeared at the door.

"Hello, hello... You must be Professor Zhang’s wife, correct?"

Ding Kaifang asked politely, his face wreathed in a smile.

The woman sized them up, her gaze lingering for a second on the items in Ding Kaifang’s hands. "And you are...?"

"I’m Ding Kaifang, from Ding’s Pharmaceutical in Feng City, and this is Dr. Li Xu."

Ding Kaifang introduced. "We’ve come specifically to visit Professor Zhang. We spoke with him on the phone earlier—Professor Gao Guanghui made the introduction."

Upon hearing Professor Gao’s name, the woman’s expression softened. "Oh, Professor Gao sent you. Of course, of course. Please, come in. My husband is waiting inside."

Ding Kaifang quickly held up the gifts. "It’s our first time visiting, so we brought a little something. It’s just a small token of our respect."

The woman demurred politely. "You’re too kind. You really shouldn’t have. Just coming yourselves would have been enough."

Ding Kaifang smiled. "It’s just a small gesture from us juniors."

"Ah..." the woman grunted, pointing to a corner by the door. "Just put them over there, then."

Ding Kaifang keenly sensed a subtle shift in her attitude. ’She seems accustomed to this, perhaps even... unfazed?’

Still, he remained polite and enthusiastic. "Of course, of course. I’ll get it."

The woman brought out two pairs of disposable shoe covers.

Li Xu and Ding Kaifang put on the shoe covers. As Ding Kaifang went to place the gifts by the door, he couldn’t help the slight twitch in his eye.

’Whoa...’

Several other gift boxes were already piled up in the corner by the door.

Judging by the packaging, they included high-end sea cucumbers, cordyceps, and even two rosewood boxes that looked incredibly valuable.

’Looks like we’re not the only ones after the old professor.’

Seeing they had their shoe covers on, the woman gestured toward the living room. "This way, please."

The two followed her through the entryway and into a spacious living room.

Two men were sitting on the sofa.

One was a spirited-looking elderly man with gold-rimmed glasses—Professor Zhang Yarong himself.

Across from him sat a middle-aged man in a sharp suit, smiling as he spoke with Professor Zhang.

Li Xu and Ding Kaifang exchanged a look. They both understood the situation immediately.

A competitor was right in front of them.

They didn’t interrupt, but simply stood quietly to one side.

After hearing just a sentence or two, they understood. The man was the vice president of another major pharmaceutical company in the province, and he was also here to ask Professor Zhang to serve as a technical consultant.

The man was clearly wrapping up his conversation. Seeing that other guests had arrived, he tactfully stood up to take his leave. "Elder Zhang, shall we consider it settled, then? I can bring the contract by another day?"

Professor Zhang gave a noncommittal smile and rose to see him off. "Take care. I won’t see you out."

A moment later, Professor Zhang Yarong returned to the living room, sat back down, and gestured to his new guests. "Come, President Ding, Dr. Li, have a seat. Sorry to keep you waiting."

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