Rebirth 1977 Great Era

Chapter 1288 is in the news again, "Lighthouse" dialect (two-part chapter)
For the rest of the time, the Japanese side became completely obedient and dared not say a word. After lunch, Kobayashi Kazuya quickly led his people away.

Now it feels like every word you say could become a trap that Fang Yan and his ilk dig for themselves later. Today they came here to prepare to give the Chinese side a strong response, but now, instead of giving the strong response, they not only obediently signed the document, but they were also tricked by Fang Yan during the interview.

Kobayashi Ichiya felt that she had come all this way for nothing.

If I had known it would turn out this way, I would have just sent someone over to talk and that would have been the end of it.

After Kobayashi Kazuya left, the tense atmosphere in the research institute's meeting room instantly relaxed, replaced by an irrepressible excitement and ease.

Dean Zhao Xiwu slapped the table with a smile first: "Great! This kid finally didn't try anything funny and signed it cleanly!"

Professor Yue Meizhong pushed up his glasses, picked up the cooperation agreement on the table and looked at it repeatedly, unable to suppress the corners of his mouth from turning up: "The terms are all in accordance with our requirements, and they didn't even dare to bargain about the evaluation standards for mortgaging the factory. Fang Yan's open move really hit his weak spot."

"With the media watching and various departments present, he wouldn't dare to try anything funny!"

Section Chief Wang from the Foreign Trade Department leaned over, pointed to the clauses in the agreement, and laughed, "I was worried this morning that Xiao Lin would cause trouble with the customs procedures, but I didn't expect him not to even mention it. Now it's great. The first batch of goods will be shipped out this afternoon, and the evaluation team will go to Japan next week. In less than a month, our medicine will be available in pharmacies in Tokyo. This is the first time our Chinese medicine products have entered Japan!"

At this moment, Cheng Xinong, the old man, said to Fang Yan:

"You're really something! When you mentioned ancient books during the interview, I could tell that Kobayashi was clearly flustered. That gesture was brilliant. It gave him a difficult problem and also let the media report that many of our ancient Chinese medicine books are still in Japan. It's killing two birds with one stone!"

“Actually, all that we did before was for the sake of ancient books. Now that the political climate in their country has changed, we should take advantage of it, especially in this situation.” Fang Yan told Old Cheng his thoughts.

At this moment, someone asked in dialect:

"Which organization does the reporter who just asked the question belong to?"

“They’re from our People’s Medical Publishing House,” Dean Zhao Xiwu responded from the side.

These were all plans he and Fang Yan devised.

From all perspectives, they have achieved their expected goals.

The former counselor in Japan previously said to Zhao Xiwu:
"Today's plan is meticulously crafted, and even with preparations, it's impossible to prevent. It's exceptionally well-planned; you must have a capable person behind you!"

Zhao Xiwu said:
"It was all done in one day, and the dialect was also conceived by Professor Tamagawa from the neighboring university."

"Especially the dialects, he came up with most of the specific details."

Old Li looked at Fang Yan and gave him a thumbs up.

Dialectal wave:
"It's not all just us; everyone's opinions are also very valuable."

"President Zhao grasped the general direction, and everyone helped to smooth things over with policies and diplomacy. I was just there to set the stage; it was through everyone's cooperation that this negotiation was completed."

Secretary Huang from the Ministry of Health said:

"Don't be modest! You deserve the most credit for this!"

As soon as Secretary Huang said this, everyone else chimed in.

That settled the matter, and of course, no one objected. The intelligence and strategy displayed by the young man in front of them, who was in his early twenties, were truly astonishing.

After everyone had praised Fang Yan, Dean Zhao Xiwu said:

"Alright, it's about time. Let's get started now and make sure the Japanese side doesn't find anything wrong with us."

Everyone agreed and prepared to return to their respective jobs to begin preparing the products for entry into the Japanese market.

As long as you do your job well and ensure product quality, no one will be able to find fault with you.

Fang Yan will also be going back to let Lao Hu know.

Lao Hu didn't come to this event today, mainly because he's not an official and it's not appropriate for him to be there. Fang Yan essentially represents the company.

Chu Qiaonan was also waiting for news. He had nothing to do all day and after contacting his father, he was now waiting for a reply. There was still a lot of preparation work to be done to enter the Taiwan market through them.

Of course, Chu Qiaonan definitely hoped that this matter could be accomplished, so that his status as a major shareholder of B shares would be directly upgraded.

Back home, they are currently in the main hall discussing the possibility of further expanding the factory area.

With increasing demand in major markets, the production capacity of the newly upgraded production lines is already lagging behind. Even with the existing production line in Guangzhou, production capacity is still insufficient.

For example, Lao Hu's two factories currently have an annual processing capacity of about 100-150 tons of Chinese medicinal materials per factory.

The dialect research institute is smaller, and has less processing capacity.

Next, it's not just the Japanese market, but also the Taiwanese market, and other markets that are continuing to expand. Expanding the scale is now a must.

Fortunately, Fang Yan and his team had already secured medicinal herb supplies from several provinces; otherwise, they would be competing with foreign Chinese medicine merchants for authentic herbs, which would have been truly embarrassing.

In some places, the production of local medicinal herbs is limited. Once they are bought up, they are gone. Now that Fangyan and his team have signed a cooperation agreement, they will be supplied with herbs in advance.

There's no need to worry about foreigners taking away our raw materials.

Of course, they can't lower the purchase price like foreigners do. The price stipulated in the contract will be purchased according to the agreed standard.

Seeing Fang Yan return, Lao Hu and Chu Qiaonan quickly asked him:
"How did it go? Did you reach an agreement?"

The two approached almost simultaneously, their eyes filled with eagerness.

"All done!" Fang Yan smiled and slammed the copy of the cooperation agreement on the table. The red official seal was particularly eye-catching under the light. "Kobayashi Ichiya signed it decisively, and all the terms were in accordance with our requirements. She didn't even dare to say anything about the valuation standards for the factory mortgage. The first batch of goods will be shipped from Tianjin Port this afternoon, and in less than a month, our products will be available in pharmacies in Tokyo."

"Great! That's wonderful!" Old Hu slapped his thigh hard, his voice trembling with excitement.

He spoke in dialect:

"I knew your method would work."

He picked up the copy of the agreement, flipped through a couple of pages, and turned to Chu Qiaonan, saying:
"Alright, now it's just a matter of your family's business left."

"Don't just sit idle. Take these few days to double-check the entry standards for the Taiwanese market, especially the testing requirements for medicinal ingredients. Don't let everything else be in order, only to get stuck on details. We have to go all the way with this charade—the Hong Kong company, the Hong Kong inspection report..."

"Don't worry! I can handle this." Chu Qiaonan said, then paused and added:

"The main issue is the expansion of the factory area. We need to speed things up. Brother Fang works too fast; we can't keep up."

Upon hearing the dialect, one might think, "How could I be blamed for being quick to get things done?"

At this moment, Lao Hu said to Fang Yan:

"My preliminary calculations show that we'll need to add two new production lines to each of our main factory areas, and we'll also need to expand our warehouse in Guangzhou..."

"Four production lines may not be enough. I think we should add one more. We also need to add a transit processing line, which should be built near Tianjin Port to be responsible for the repackaging and labeling of export products. This will avoid mixing production lines for domestic sales and exports in the main factory area and reduce standard conflicts."

"In addition, the raw material warehouse needs to be built with a constant temperature. The supply agreements we signed with Yunnan and Guangxi for angelica and astragalus will take effect next month. Those medicinal materials are susceptible to moisture, so we need to ensure proper storage. There is also a sewage treatment plant, which must be built according to the latest industrial standards."

"We are surrounded by farmland, and we have to consider the needs of the people."

"You've thought this through very well!" Old Hu nodded repeatedly, picked up a pencil and added a few strokes to the planning map. "After the production capacity is increased, we'll need to recruit more people, right? I estimate at least 100 more. Technical positions might be a bit hard to come by. Why don't you ask the schools if any fifth-year students are interested in coming to our factory?"

"Okay." Fang Yan nodded, then added:

“We can recruit unemployed young people from our city who have returned to work in the production sector. This is in line with the policy and can also solve the manpower problem.”

Old Hu nodded; that was his original plan.

The three of them then took turns refining the follow-up plan, chatting until dinner time.

Basically, all the subsequent business operations have been finalized.

Chu Qiaonan wasn't in a hurry to go back today, so she had dinner at Fang Yan's house.

People who were supposed to be at work are back now.

After my father and father-in-law got a car, they now drive home after get off work.

Although the two of them could have shared a car to return, they chose to drive back separately.

My older sister also drove back, along with my younger sister. Only my younger brother didn't come back today; he stayed at school instead.

My dad and father-in-law can now commute by car, and they always have smiles on their faces when they come back. They must have made their colleagues proud.

To be honest, it's actually quite easy for these professors to get their hands on cars.

Just like with my father-in-law, borrowing a Jeep was a piece of cake.

However, none of their daughters-in-law or sons-in-law are capable of buying them cars.

This isn't about showing off the car he drives, but rather the abilities and filial piety of his children.

And it's all legal and compliant! No one can find any problems with it.

During dinner, they first asked Fang Yan about the progress of their negotiations. Before they could even exchange a few words, CCTV started broadcasting today's news.

"The State Planning Commission convened a national planning conference, emphasizing the need to strengthen technological innovation in enterprises and requiring all provinces and municipalities to implement annual production targets to ensure steady growth of the national economy... Today is the start of the new semester for universities in the capital. Peking University, Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China, and Capital University of Chinese Medicine, among others, welcomed their 1978 freshmen. The Ministry of Education stated that the number of applicants for medical majors has increased significantly this year..."

Upon hearing the news, everyone immediately turned to the television and saw the screen showing welcome banners hanging at the university gates, with freshmen lining up to register. The footage of the Capital University of Chinese Medicine gate lingered for several seconds, clearly showing the banners at the school gate.

Then came the next news item:
"Breakthrough has been achieved in Sino-Japanese cooperation on traditional Chinese medicine."

The camera focuses on a close-up of Fang Yan and Kobayashi Kazuya shaking hands as they sign the agreement, with the cooperation agreement and the national flags of both countries in the background. Then, during the Q&A session, there is a side profile of Fang Yan holding a microphone and speaking.

The anchor's voice-over reads:
"my country has taken a crucial step forward in its international cooperation on traditional Chinese medicine! Today, the Capital Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Group of Japan signed a strategic agreement, and the first batch of traditional Chinese medicine products will enter the Japanese market. This marks the first time that my country has achieved large-scale export of traditional Chinese medicine to a developed country, signifying a major breakthrough in the modernization of traditional medicine. Fang Yan, the Chinese representative, stated that this cooperation will contribute to the internationalization of traditional Chinese medicine..."

The footage then cuts to an interview with Kazumasa Kobayashi, in which he states, "Kobayashi Pharmaceutical will do its utmost to promote fair competition in the Kampo medicine market..." The news continues, with the nationwide autumn grain harvest now in full swing.
Farmers beam with smiles as combine harvesters work in the golden wheat fields.

Anchor's voiceover: "This year's summer grain output has reached a new high, and the autumn harvest is progressing smoothly across the country. The agricultural department is calling for ensuring that every grain is safely stored..."

At this moment, Dad pointed at the television and said:
"Look! The third brother is on TV."

The father-in-law also said:

"It's on the news! Now the whole of China knows you've accomplished something amazing!"

Zhu Lin quietly clenched Fang Yan's hand under the table, her eyes filled with pride.

Old Hu slapped the table and laughed, "It's worth it! This free advertising is more effective than publishing in ten newspapers!"

Then, while eating, everyone discussed what had happened that day.

Just as the news was about to end, a video of him speaking in dialect appeared on the screen; it was his speech today while discussing ancient books.

Voice-over narration:
"The Chinese representative, Fang Yan, specifically pointed out that Japan possesses a large number of ancient Chinese medical texts. Experts stated that these precious documents, dating back a thousand years, may contain undiscovered medical wisdom..."

"Why wasn't this released together?" Everyone could clearly see that this news was from the same occasion as the previous news, but they were released separately.

The younger sister-in-law explained to them:
"Bundling the pursuit of ancient books with commercial contracts in the broadcast might be interpreted as using trade pressure. Separating them leaves room for maneuver. The first part of the news mainly talks about the international recognition of the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine. The cultural appeals removed in the second half are just academic initiatives. Journalism is still very rigorous."

Hearing university students who specialize in journalism explain the dialect was like a revelation, broadening my knowledge considerably.

……

After the news finished airing, Fang Yan and his family finished their dinner. Then, Fang Yan and Lao Hu saw Chu Qiaonan off and went to the hospital to visit Aunt Wang Huiyuan.

Her condition is now stabilizing and improving; many of her physical problems have decreased, and she is gradually adapting to Lao Tao's treatment rhythm.

Of course, the prescription in the dialect also helped a lot, performing quite well in both offense and defense.

After visiting Wang Huiyuan, Fang Yan returned home. Now that Lao Tao's tasks were no longer so troublesome, he could begin his research institute's work.

Next, some top talents from the Southwest and Northwest will be in place, and the research institute's team will be basically fully equipped. As for the graduating fifth-year students, Fang Yan also wants some of them, especially Professor Yu Chuan's students. Fang Yan wants to take them all in. First, everyone is familiar with them, and second, with Professor Yu Chuan's connection, many things will be easier to handle.

When the school needs cooperation, they don't even need to ask; they can just have them go to Professor Tamagawa and things will be settled.

So the next task before the start of the semester is to ask the school for people, to allocate to Lao Hu's factory, and also to his own research institute.

When September 2nd arrived, Fang Yan finished checking the rooms and came to the school.

They went directly to Professor Wang Yuchuan's office.

Upon seeing Fang Yan arrive, Professor Yu Chuan said to him:
"The negotiations were over yesterday, shouldn't we be getting back to production? Why are you here with me?"

"Is Kobayashi Ichiga dig another hole for you?"

Fang Yan closed the door behind him without saying a word:

"The pit has been filled in. We're here today to ask you for people."

"You need someone?" Professor Tamagawa asked, somewhat surprised.

"The research institute team is almost complete. Experts from the southwest and northwest will arrive by the end of the month. Now we just need a group of capable 'our own people'," Fang Yan said.

Professor Tamagawa quickly understood, and he said:

You mean fifth-year students?

Fang Yan nodded and said:

"That's right, your student would be best."

“I knew you were going to try and get my students.” Wang Yuchuan opened a drawer and took out a stack of papers clipped together with paper clips. On them were “Graduation Internship Application Forms” for fifth-year students—in 1978, university graduates were assigned jobs through the university, but they could find internships independently.

"Look for yourself, I've marked all these students' preferences. Some want to work in hospitals, some want to stay in school, and some want to go to grassroots levels. It's all clearly distinguished."

Fang Yan leaned over to look through the papers and quickly saw the three lucky treasures that Professor Yu Chuan favored the most. All three of them filled in their names as applying to the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. They could also have written that they would apply to the Research Institute, but the Research Institute decides who gets assigned to whom. However, applying to the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Peking Union Medical College Hospital meant joining Fang Yan's team.

Fang Yan simply pulled out the files of the three people and put them aside. Then, he discovered several other people who were going to enter the research institute, and Fang Yan pulled those out as well.

However, these people were clearly not enough, so Fang Yan started screening according to the information again, especially those who had studied traditional Chinese medicine. Fang Yan specifically asked Lao Hu to keep an eye out for them.

A total of twenty-odd people were selected, representing various dialects.

Then it was handed directly to Professor Wang Yuchuan.

Wang Yuchuan took it, looked at it, and said:

“You have a good eye for talent. Many of these are my top picks. But I have to make it clear to you, they are here for internships, not to be your workers. They need to learn real skills, not just do menial tasks.”

He said speechlessly in dialect:
"What are you saying... When did I ever ask your students to do chores?"

"Whether these people go to my research institute or Lao Hu's factory, they are all core members, all our own people, and we will train them well!"

"The salary and benefits will definitely be much higher than in other companies."

"I can assure them of that."

Professor Tamagawa said:

"You just acquired a factory in Tokyo Bay, Japan. I know you're not short of money!"

He said in dialect:

"Hey, the collateral they filled in was all for the research institute, not for me."

Professor Wang Yuchuan said:
"I'll talk to the department tomorrow and tell them to report for duty next Monday. But there's one condition..."

Fang Yan said after hearing this:
"What conditions?"

Professor Tamagawa said:

"My students can intern at your research institute and factory, but you can't just use the school's resources for free!"

Fang Yan nodded:

"Of course..."

Yu Chuan slammed the application form back on the table: "So you come to the school every two weeks to give a lecture specifically to graduate students on how to turn ancient prescriptions into actual products."

He tapped the table: "From the laboratory to the production line, from patent registration to establishing overseas channels, you can't learn this kind of practical experience in school!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Yan suddenly realized that giving a lecture every two weeks was no big deal; he hadn't said anything when he used to give lectures every day.

So Fang Yan immediately agreed:

“Okay, no problem! We’ll not only explain the theory, but also show them the production line operation process.”

Professor Wang Yuchuan nodded and said:
"Alright, don't worry about the students. I'll explain things to them and make sure they follow you closely."

Fang Yan quickly expressed his gratitude:
"Thank you so much. Without your support, I really wouldn't have been able to start this research institute."

"What are you thanking me for?" Wang Yuchuan patted his shoulder, his eyes full of expectation. "We who practice traditional Chinese medicine are hoping that young people can take over and carry on the legacy of our ancestors. What you are doing now is much better than what we old men are doing—do a good job and don't let us down."

Fang Yan nodded vigorously. His appearance has indeed greatly elevated the status of traditional Chinese medicine in its original history.

When Fang Yan came out of Professor Yu Chuan's office, he happened to run into the students leaving get out of class.

He had been planning to go to the international class to see if Hossué and the others had returned, but as soon as he stepped out of the office, someone called him.

"dialect?"

Fang Yan turned around and saw a young woman, and he realized that he didn't know her at all.

"Wow, it's a dialect!" the other person exclaimed with delight.

Then call out to the others:
"Look, it's a dialect!"

As soon as he finished speaking, many eyes turned to look at Fang Yan.

Then men and women alike turned to look in their direction.

"We are from the Class of '78, majoring in Traditional Chinese Medicine. When we were choosing our majors, it was because we read your report that we decided to study Traditional Chinese Medicine!"

Fang Yan paused for a moment, about to speak, when a bespectacled boy next to her handed her a notebook and a pen:

"Professor Fang, could you please sign your autograph? Many of our classmates idolize you! Your efforts in treating the severe flu epidemic in the Soviet Far East inspired us to become practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine!"

"Teacher Fang, I used to be a medic in the army. I originally wanted to become a nurse in a hospital after I was discharged. But after seeing the news about you promoting the use of traditional Chinese medicine in the army, I studied again and took the exam for our school. I want to learn from you and contribute to the development of traditional Chinese medicine in our army!"

Fang Yan looked at the young faces surrounding her and suddenly felt a little touched.

In 1978, shortly after the resumption of the college entrance examination, many students were still confused about their major choices. His small efforts were able to become a "lighthouse" for them to choose traditional Chinese medicine, which made him happier than any honor.

He took the pen from the boy, wrote the eight characters "Inherit Traditional Chinese Medicine, Benefit Humanity" in his notebook, and said with a smile, "Thank you for your recognition, thank you..."

PS: The basic chapter of 6000 words has been updated.

(End of this chapter)