Rebirth 1977 Great Era

Chapter 1232 Do you still remember Director Lu from Jilin? The more medicinal herb bases the better! (Bonus chapter for monthly votes)
Seeing Fang Yan's brows furrow slightly, Wang Song's heart skipped a beat. He quickly took half a step forward and lowered his voice even further:

"Director Fang, don't overthink it! This old Zhou is not the same as that kid Helian Zhang!"

He fiddled with the zipper of his briefcase, and said somewhat nervously:
"Old Zhou has worked at the institute for thirty years and is extremely meticulous. When Helian Zhang first joined the institute, Old Zhou mentioned to me that the kid was too eager for quick success and that I should keep him in check. But after Helian Zhang got his promotion, he didn't listen to him as much anymore..."

“You wouldn’t believe it,” Wang Song leaned closer, his tone earnest, “Old Zhou himself wrote ‘A Study on the Processing of Authentic Medicinal Herbs in Northeast China,’ and the manuscript alone filled three large boxes. It contains a lot of insights on compatibility, which are exactly what your research topic is about. He has said before that he wants to find a place where he can do serious research without getting involved in those annoying things like professional title evaluations.”

Seeing that Fang Yan didn't speak, he quickly added:

“I guarantee Old Zhou, he’ll absolutely follow your orders here! If he dares to act like he’s above everyone else, just send me a telegram, and I’ll rush over from Shenyang tonight and drag him back! Besides…” Wang Song rubbed his hands together, “I heard his youngest son is taking the college entrance exam next year and is determined to get into the Capital University of Chinese Medicine. How could he not listen to you here?”

That's true, and Fang Yan's brows gradually relaxed.

Seeing this, Wang Song quickly smiled and said:

"Director Fang, our unit will absolutely cooperate with the work, you can rest assured about that!"

Fang Yan smiled and said:

"Director Wang is indeed highly aware of his responsibilities."

Fang Yan felt that Wang Song definitely had two sets of excuses prepared. If he was easy to talk to and there was nothing he could do about it, then the other person would definitely not be given to him, or he would drag out the time and send someone unimportant over.

However, when he said he would inform his superiors, his attitude suddenly changed.

Everything was a test.

If Fang Yan had been even slightly more agreeable just now, Wang Song would have shown a completely different face.

The dialect was puzzled; did they really have to do it this way?
But on second thought, he could understand. Talented people are rare, let alone top talents. Each one of them has been trained for a long time. Even if they haven't been trained much, someone like Helian Zhang still has his uses in the institute and will eventually achieve something.

Once the person is transferred, the achievement is lost.

Just like how the dialect was changed to He Puren here, many things need to be adjusted.

However, while I understand, there's nothing I can do about it. Fang Yan's research institute needs to expand, so they need to transfer people over. They can't just refuse to give it to others because they don't want to. It's like back in 1955, when many people didn't want to come to Beijing, but a single document brought in a large group of doctors from all over the country.

Just like Professor Yu Chuan, Fang Yaozhong, Wang Boyue, and Old Cheng, they were all transferred in at that time.

These are all necessary processes for the development of traditional Chinese medicine.

People all over the country need it.

It's not just people from one place, it's everyone.

At this moment, Li Jianguo, who was walking in front, turned around and said to Fang Yan:

"Director Fang, our people are almost here. They'll arrive around the same time as me. All three of them are traveling by train with their families."

Fang Yan was taken aback. Li Jianguo was from the Changchun Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He had sent three people with him this time, which showed a high level of support!
"Director Lu has already given instructions, saying that we should fully support Director Fang's work. The medicinal herb base over there is the counterpart unit of this research institute."

Director Lu?
Upon hearing the words "Director Lu," Fang Yan instinctively paused for a moment, his mind immediately flashing back to the ruddy-faced man in the Xiyuan Hospital cafeteria who had insisted on stuffing braised beef into his bowl. (See Chapter 1064)
"Is it Comrade Lu from Jilin?" He looked at Li Jianguo, his eyes filled with a questioning look of confirmation.

Li Jianguo nodded and smiled:
“Exactly! Director Lu brought his niece to Beijing for medical treatment a while ago, and when he returned these past few days, he sent a document to our provincial health department, saying that Director Fang’s research here is a ‘major event that benefits the country and the people,’ and that we should provide him with personnel and medicinal materials.”

Fang Yan suddenly realized why Li Jianguo had been smiling so obsequiously and even said he had sent three people over. It turned out there was a reason behind it.

"Comrade Lu is a very honest person," Fang Yan nodded and said.

Fang Yan already knew that Comrade Lu must be someone of extraordinary status, capable of governing the medicinal herb base, but he never expected that he would actually be the director.

Fang Yan had only told him about the medicinal herb base, and this Comrade Lu hadn't contacted them since, so Fang Yan thought the matter hadn't been resolved.

Now we've found a new lease on life!

Next, Fang Yan explained the matter of Comrade Lu to Zhao Xiwu.

Fang Yan had mentioned it to him before, but Zhao Xiwu's memory wasn't as good as his. Fang Yan mentioned several keywords before he remembered.

Then he became enthusiastic towards Li Jianguo, since Li Jianguo was practically one of his own.

The other two are another matter.

The visit was still ongoing. After they finished visiting this area, they were going to visit other research institutes. When they left, Zhao Xiwu suggested that they have lunch together.

Fang Yan agreed.

After seeing the others off, Fang Yan continued writing his report.

At the same time, he instructed Su Yue to copy down the flowchart on the wall and give it to Li Jianguo later. Li Jianguo had been very envious earlier, and he had promised to give it to him, so he couldn't forget that.

Su Yue immediately agreed and then went to take care of the matter.

She was originally assigned to be He Puren's secretary, but now that He Puren isn't here, she's just a general helper. Anyone can ask her for a favor if they need anything.

Of course, there are advantages to doing this; at least she figured out all the procedures here.

Wherever she's needed, she can step in.

Around 11:40, Fang Yan finished writing his revised speech report. After checking it, Fang Yan prepared to go find Zhao Xiwu and the others.

Su Yue quickly brought over the flowchart that Fang Yan had requested.

Fang Yan looked at it and was fairly satisfied.

Then he picked up his things and headed toward Zhao Xiwu's office.

When he arrived, Zhao Xiwu was already calling the Fangyan Research Institute. He had just dialed when he saw Fangyan was already at his door. He immediately said into the phone, "It's nothing," and then greeted Fangyan.

"I was just about to call you for lunch, let's go!"

Fang Yan nodded and said to the few visitors in the room:

"Together."

The others nodded in agreement, stood up, and went out with Fang Yan and the others, heading downstairs.

On the way, Zhao Xiwu also visited several offices and invited several research institute directors to have dinner together.

The oldest are Zhao Xiwu and Old Cheng, who are the two leaders.

The youngest was Fang Yan, who was in his early twenties and looked somewhat out of place among the group.

Apart from him, the youngest are all in their forties.

Today, this group of researchers from Northeast China visited the research institute here and basically learned about all aspects of the research conducted here.

They felt that the research institute that spoke the local dialect was the most mysterious.

Inside, it turned out, it was just the production area; the research area wasn't open to them for visits. After all, they were part of the same system and couldn't be considered outsiders. But they could see everything else except for the area where Fangyan was located, where no one could see any research projects or researchers.

Only the production line is active, like a department that only knows how to earn foreign exchange.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with thinking that way.

Currently, the primary goal of dialect-related businesses is indeed to earn foreign exchange.

The main reason is that the country is in great need of foreign exchange at this time.

Dialects evolve according to policy needs.

He held a different view from others. He believed that only by becoming a department that was "useful to the country" could one have value. In particular, for traditional Chinese medicine to develop, it had to be able to make money for the country.

As they arrived at the canteen, Zhao Xiwu specially asked the head chef to add two hearty dishes: a pot of braised pork knuckle and a bowl of stir-fried pork intestines, both of which are favorites of Northeasterners.

When Li Jianguo saw the glistening, oily skin on the pork knuckle, his eyes lit up. He rubbed his hands together and said with a smile, "Dean Zhao, you're too kind! Our Changchun canteen hasn't had such a hearty dish in a long time."

After everyone sat down, Zhao Xiwu told them to start eating and then talk about other things.

Wang Song didn't stand on ceremony. He picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of fatty intestine, tasted it, and said, "The chefs in Beijing really know how to cook. The heat control is so good, it's even more authentic than the old brands in Shenyang!"

The other people were also quite satisfied with the food.

Seeing this, Zhao Xiwu urged them to eat more.

After everyone had eaten for a while, Zhang Lan started talking to Fang Yan about the cooperation.

She put down her chopsticks, wiped her mouth, and looked at Fang Yan with a serious expression:

"Director Fang, you have cooperation with Jilin. Do you have any interest in the authentic medicinal herbs from Heilongjiang?"

Judging from the dialect, this means it's not just about finding a partner and distribution channels, but also about providing raw materials.

But this is a good thing. The more medicinal herb bases, the better. Heilongjiang is located in the cold temperate zone of Northeast China. Its fertile black soil and unique climate have nurtured many high-quality local medicinal herbs.

However, he didn't rush to agree, but instead asked:
"What are Comrade Zhang's thoughts? Are you going to replicate the cooperation model from Jilin? Or do you already have your own specific ideas?"

Zhang Lan said:

"If Director Fang doesn't mind, we'd like to explore a 'differentiated cooperation' approach..."

Nodding in dialect:

"Appreciate further details."

Zhang Lan glanced at the others present, her gaze sweeping over Li Jianguo, who was staring at her, before she said:

"Director Li and his team have Jilin's ginseng and deer antler as their trump cards, so we in Heilongjiang won't join in. But when it comes to the 'wild flavor' of cold-region medicinal herbs, we have three treasures that Jilin may not be able to match."

She started counting on her fingers, her voice becoming a few decibels clearer:
"First is snow frog oil. The Chinese forest frogs from the Greater and Lesser Khingan Mountains have a hibernation period that is 40 days longer than those from Jilin. The gelatinous substance in their oviducts is thicker. Last year, we tested it, and the amino acid content was 17% higher than the national standard. Since you are researching cachexia and need to replenish your essence and blood, this stuff is gentler and milder than deer placenta, and it is suitable for long-term use."

“Second is Acanthopanax senticosus,” she said, her eyes filled with pride. “The Acanthopanax senticosus from Heilongjiang grows in mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests at altitudes above 800 meters. Its roots can penetrate below the permafrost layer, making it more resistant to cold and more potent in its medicinal properties. We have conducted animal experiments and found that the glycosides extracted from it can help restore white blood cell counts in cancer patients after chemotherapy. This is something that cultivated varieties from Jilin cannot match.”

Finally, she paused, emphasizing her words, "The most crucial one is the third one, 'Manshanhong' (a type of herb). The leaves from the Xingan Mountains in Heilongjiang, picked after the first frost, have twice the total flavonoid content of the pharmacopoeia standard, and their cough-relieving and asthma-suppressing effects are immediate. Aren't there many patients with chronic bronchitis abroad? Using it in combination with expectorant formulas, it might be made into a traditional Chinese medicine for export, opening up another avenue for earning foreign exchange."

Speaking of the cooperation model, Zhang Lan leaned forward, her attitude earnest: "We want to follow the same path as Jilin, taking the 'research institute medicinal herb base' approach, but we'll add the unique feature of 'wild cultivation'. Heilongjiang has a large forest area, and the medicinal herb farmers understand the mountain rules. When harvesting, they will leave seedlings for propagation, unlike some places that only care about making money by digging up the roots."

“We can source according to your standards, and you can send technicians to teach us how to process the herbs. The harvested herbs will be supplied to you first, and the premium will be used to establish a quality fund to support farmers in breeding. How does that sound?”

She pulled a leather notebook from her canvas bag, which was filled with dense notes: "This is a comparison table of the efficacy of Acanthopanax senticosus at different harvesting periods that we made last year, as well as an improvement plan for the processing technology of Rhododendron molle. If you think it's feasible, I'll go back and submit a report to the department to designate the three forest farms in the Greater Khingan Mountains as 'exclusive supply bases,' ensuring that every batch of medicinal materials comes with the harvest date and plot number. Just like the people of Northeast China, it's all about being straightforward and honest."

Zhao Xiwu, listening nearby, nodded in agreement and interjected:
“The cold-region medicinal herbs in Heilongjiang are indeed unique. Last year, the Ministry organized a general survey, and your region had the most complete archives of wild medicinal herb resources.”

Zhang Lan's eyes lit up even more upon hearing this:

"Dean Zhao is right! Our veteran pharmacists often say that medicinal herbs, like people, only thrive when they grow in their own territories. Jilin ginseng prefers warmth, while our Heilongjiang herbs are resistant to freezing. Each has its own way of growing, and together they form the complete picture of Northeast medicinal herbs, don't they?"

Fang Yan, upon hearing Zhao Xiwu's words, immediately said:
"Let's have dinner and then discuss this properly."

PS: I'll pay off all my debts after finishing this chapter.

(End of this chapter)