"Is that so? Elder Li, this is quite normal. After all, this concerns the honor and reputation of our Republic's traditional medicine. Medical professionals across the nation are paying attention, and the higher-ups are taking it seriously too. I know about Zhengping. He's quite good, but perhaps they have other considerations. These things can't be forced, so you shouldn't be too anxious," Director Ma Yingtian said over the phone, though he still furrowed his brows slightly.

Ma Yingtian knew all about Zhou Zhengping, Elder Li Dongshen's direct disciple. He was an exceptionally talented young man with formidable medical expertise. Ma Yingtian had even known about the proposal for Zhou Zhengping to participate in the final match of the Huaxia-South Korea medical skills exchange. He'd even hinted at his support during a call with Dean Song Bing of Jingdong University. But now... he couldn't believe Song Bing had actually vetoed it. Does he think I have poor judgment? This naturally left him feeling rather displeased.

However, he was a man of status and position, and the final decision on this matter rested with another important figure in the ministry—one with whom he had little involvement. Therefore, despite his internal displeasure, it wouldn't be appropriate to show it in front of Li Dongshen.

"Director Ma, I understand your point. Zhengping is still young, and I admit that I, Li Dongshen, am not one of the top traditional medicine doctors in the country. Therefore, the disciples I teach can't compare to those taught by the true titans of our field, the veritable Mount Tai Beidou. I accept that. But Director Ma, do you know what's happening now?" Noticing the hint of dissatisfaction in Director Ma's tone, the shrewd and experienced Li Dongshen quickly continued.

"Oh? What's happening? Tell me," Ma Yingtian said, frowning slightly.

A flicker of joy crossed Elder Li Dongshen's face. He knew that if the director was willing to listen, he was prepared to intervene. He immediately composed himself and said slowly, "Director Ma, it's like this. Just a moment ago, Dean Song Bing proposed that a young traditional medicine doctor named Chen Fei represent the Traditional Medicine Community of Huaxia in the final match. However, this Chen Fei is a complete unknown. Not a single one of the many renowned domestic doctors in attendance even recognizes him, let alone has heard of him! Director Ma, do you think someone like that is qualified to represent the Traditional Medicine Community of Huaxia in this competition? This is no laughing matter!"

"A complete nobody? Not a single one of the renowned doctors and experts present has even heard of him?" Ma Yingtian was stunned. His tone became reproachful as he said, "What on earth is Song Bing thinking? Is this Chen... his student? Why else would he do something so improper? He doesn't seem like that kind of person." He suspected Song Bing had a hidden agenda.

"No, in all fairness, this wasn't entirely Dean Song's doing. It's just... Director Ma, it seems the order came from Deputy Minister Xuu of the Ministry of Health," Li Dongshen said, hesitating for a moment before finally biting the bullet.

"What? Deputy Minister Xuu? You mean Deputy Minister Xuu Peiyi? But isn't she..." Even for Ma Yingtian—the current Director at the Ministry of Health and a representative of a second-tier family in the Forty-Nine City who regularly dealt with major figures—the name was enough to make him stiffen. He couldn't control his shock and exclaimed aloud. After he spoke, his expression turned solemn.

He finally understood why Li Dongshen had called him. Just who was Deputy Minister Xuu Peiyi? Setting aside her astonishingly powerful background, her current position alone—a deputy minister—was enough to make countless people shrink back. After all, even he, Ma Yingtian, the representative of the Ma Family of the Forty-Nine City, was only a director at the Ministry of Health. He was a full rank below her, having lost out in a previous power struggle.

At this thought, Ma Yingtian already began to have second thoughts. He said solemnly, "You're saying this was Deputy Minister Xuu's idea?"

"Yes, but Director Ma, please listen to me..." Hearing the change in Ma Yingtian's tone, Li Dongshen's heart sank. He sensed things were going south and quickly said, "Director Ma, I know that Deputy Minister Xuu is formidable in both status and background, but this matter is equally serious and not something to be treated casually! It concerns the honor and reputation of the millions of traditional medicine doctors and related practitioners in our country. We can't afford to be careless."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "Furthermore, I don't believe Deputy Minister Xuu is an unreasonable person. Rather, she must be acting this way due to a lack of understanding, misled by the rumors of some scheming, self-serving individuals. That's why I think if you, Director Ma, could clearly explain the truth and the stakes to her, she would surely make the correct judgment and rescind the order." He spoke with righteous sincerity.

Misled by rumors? Ma Yingtian was momentarily lost in thought. Li Dongshen's words seemed to make sense. The Deputy Minister's familiarity with the traditional medicine community wasn't particularly deep, so it was plausible she could be swayed by the rumors of self-serving people. If that were truly the case... then it might be worth making that call.

Having made his decision, Ma Yingtian maintained a placid tone, not revealing any of his thoughts. "Alright," he said into the phone, "I'm aware of the situation."

"Director Ma..." Hearing Ma Yingtian's noncommittal, placid tone, Li Dongshen couldn't help but grow anxious.

"Rest easy, Elder Li. I'm aware of the situation. Let's leave it at that. I have something to attend to, so I'm hanging up now." Director Ma Yingtian then promptly ended the call, leaving Li Dongshen with an extremely ugly expression.

"Elder Li, how did it go? What did Director Ma say?" the person who had suggested the call asked.

"I have no idea what he meant. We'll wait and see," Li Dongshen said, his face gloomy. With that, he pushed through the crowd and left. He felt that staying any longer would just be a further embarrassment.

「On the other side」

After hanging up, Director Ma Yingtian immediately dialed another number. This call wasn't for just anyone; it was for Deputy Minister Xuu Peiyi herself. It was clear that Li Dongshen's talk of being "misled by rumors" had prompted him to call and get to the bottom of the matter. After all, other things aside, this issue was truly significant. It concerned the honor and reputation of the entire Traditional Medicine Community of the Republic and couldn't be treated lightly.

The call connected quickly. Xuu Peiyi's confused voice came through the receiver, "Director Ma? Is something the matter?" We're in different departments at the Ministry of Health, and we were even rivals for a promotion before. She was genuinely surprised that he would call her.

"Minister Xuu, I've just learned something a bit puzzling, and I was hoping to get some clarification from you. I hope you don't mind me asking," Ma Yingtian said, getting straight to the point.

"Oh? What is it? Please, speak freely, Director Ma," Xuu Peiyi replied, a hint of curiosity in her voice.

"It's about this: Elder Li Dongshen, the Vice President of the Traditional Medicine Association, just called me. He said you gave an order for a young doctor named Chen Fei to represent Huaxia's traditional medicine in the final match against the practitioners of Korean Medicine from South Korea?" Ma Yingtian continued, just as directly.

"Ah, so it's about that. I'm surprised this reached you, Director Ma," Xuu Peiyi said indifferently, her eyes flashing. "But yes, that's correct. I gave the order personally. Is there a problem?" She hadn't expected Ma Yingtian to be calling about Chen Fei, Mr. Chen.

"Please don't be offended, Minister Xuu. I'm not questioning your decision, I simply wanted to inquire about the situation," Ma Yingtian said quickly, sensing the faint displeasure in her voice. His own tone became earnest. "You must be aware that in this three-round medical exchange, our side has already lost twice. If something goes wrong in this final round and we can't turn the tide... I'm worried about how we'll answer to the higher-ups, not to mention the millions of people in the Republic."

Ma Yingtian's sincere tone did manage to quell some of the irritation Xuu Peiyi felt over his questioning of Mr. Chen. She pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "Director Ma, I understand your concern. But I can tell you with absolute certainty that your worries are completely unnecessary. Mr. Chen's medical skills are peerless! As long as he agrees to compete, those South Koreans don't stand a chance."

"Really?" Ma Yingtian was stunned. It took him a long moment before he stammered, "No, I mean... Minister Xuu, are you saying Mr. Chen's medical skills are truly that incredible?"

"Weren't there rumors spreading all over? Have you forgotten, Director Ma?" Xuu Peiyi countered.

"Rumors we were all spreading?" Xuu Peiyi's words made Ma Yingtian pause, a thoughtful, confused look on his face. As he mulled it over, the name "Chen Fei" suddenly connected with a young man who had been the subject of intense gossip in the Forty-Nine City recently. Could it be...?

His expression suddenly lit up with astonishment. "Are you saying that this Chen Fei is the same young man who cured Old Master Xuu? Is that story actually true?!"

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