There had been many changes to the residency program in recent years, and it had caused both headaches and relief.

Headaches were caused because all the senior doctors were complaining. They were already used to a set of policies, and introducing new policies forced them to undergo additional training. Senior doctors hated the idea of training because of their ego. It wasn't just doctors, but people who have been in high positions for so long, feel like they already know everything about their job.

When the standardized residency training began in 2013, many training hospitals scrambled to train and find qualified teachers. The unfortunate part of the new residency program was that most senior doctors were unqualified to teach. Being a good doctor didn't always translate into being a good teacher. Not to mention doctors who were simply incompetent.

"As the Deputy Chief, I would like to add my input in this policy's change," Dr. Chun's email was addressed to every single department head. "It is great that we will finally have a set guideline for the residents. However, it seems like some people have nothing better to do than create work for other people. Training? I have already trained for thirty years and have saved countless lives. This new training program is clearly targeting loyal doctors who have been diligent in serving the public..."

Chief Zhang's nose twitched after reading the long passive-aggressive email from Dr. Chun. Out of all the doctors who should be retrained, Dr. Chun was one of them.

"Thirties years of what? Self-promotion and doing nothing but easy surgery?" Chief Zhang thought.

He wouldn't be surprised if the rumor about Dr. Chun weaseling his way into the Deputy Chief of General Surgery position under the old director turned out to be true.

The relief came from the effort that the country was making to improve the medical care for billions of people. Basing the residency program on the existing residency in the US and UK, the government passed a national guideline for all future residents. Prior to the guideline, hospitals were in charge of their own guidelines, causing discrepancies and inconsistency throughout the country.

Chief Zhang Du Xuan, a former military surgeon, was one of the people on the board to propose the change. After leaving Imperial City, he was invited by Director Hong to lead Qinbei Hospital's new acute care surgery unit.

Qinbei wasn't a major urban city, so they were a bit behind on setting a new program. However, after the first three years, the first batch of residents completed their training under the new residency program. Chief Zhang hired two of the best residents as attending.

Unfortunately, there was not enough funding to hire the remaining six residents. Although there was a shortage of doctors, it was mainly in the rural areas, where conditions were poor and the pay was low. Everyone competed for jobs in the bigger hospitals, but there were too many competitions. As a result, many residents were unable to get an attending position.

Chief Zhang sighed.

There was nothing else he could do for the unemployed residents. His focus was to train well-qualified surgeons. With more qualified surgeons, Qinbei Hospital's reputation and ranking will improve, as well as more funding. That was Director Hong's main purpose for recruiting Chief Zhang, a military man who could fulfill missions.

Looking through the applications of the sixty-two applicants, Chief Zhang selected twenty-four to proceed with the interview process. As he was about to give Nurse Yuen the paperwork, an unexpected phone call from Chairman Dan Chung increased the number to twenty-five.

The conversation was cordial and casual. Chairman Dan Chung didn't say much over the phone, but said the young man had potential and it would not hurt to interview him.

"Chief Zhang, I have heard you're a military man from Director Hong, so I don't expect you to go out of your way to hire him," said the chairman. "Just an interview will be enough."

The chairman especially noted that he didn't want to pressure or interfere with Chief Zhang's decision.

After the conversation, Chief Zhang sighed again. He wasn't a fan of nepotism, but this was how most hospitals work. Children of doctors often became doctors themselves and were naturally more knowledgeable about certain terms they hear from their parents. Chief Zhang gave Nurse Yuen the last applicant, and the middle aged nurse raised her brow curiously.

"Chairman Dan Chung's son?" asked Nurse Yuen. "I am not aware he has another one."

Chief Zhang shook his head. "Probably just a family friend. If it was a relative, he would have said something more. It seems like someone did him a favor and he's returning it in the process."

Nurse Yuen looked at applicant Li Yun's CV and reports. It was a bit all over the place.

"Did you read some of the comments from his professors?" asked Nurse Yuen. "Lazy, uncouth, delinquent, behavior problems, brilliant…."

"Just add an extra chair at the end," Chief Zhang remarked. "Chairman Dan never said we have to admit him."

"All right Chief."

"Oh, by the way, when is Chief Gao scheduled for the interview?"

"Day two."

Chief Zhang smiled evilly. "Schedule applicant Li Yun for day two."

Nurse Yuen raised her brow and then rolled her eyes. "All right Chief."

****

Li Yun was surprised when he received a notice for an interview. Qinbei Hospital was the highest-ranked hospital in the area that he had applied for. He didn't have much hope for an interview.

On the day of the interview, he grabbed the only suit in the closet. The same one his parents had forced him to buy prior to his college interview. Luckily, he hadn't changed much since high school and regularly exercised. He thought he didn't need to during his 2nd year, and his muscles mellowed out by the end of the year.

He didn't need muscle to work as a doctor, but his jing qi shen recovered faster when he was in better shape. So starting his 3rd year, he regularly exercised every morning.

Once he finished his exercise routine and suited up, he left the room

"Good luck Little Yun," Wu Bin said as he saw Li Yun leaving.

"Thanks," Li Yun replied.

"You sure you don't want to borrow my suit?" Asked Wu Bin. As a guidance counselor, he had a lot of suits.

"Nah, I don't like grey," Li Yun left the apartment and took the train to the hospital.

When Li Yun arrived for the interview, he saw three other interviewees, Chief Zhang, Deputy Chief Gao, and Deputy Director Ma. Li Yun checked his watch after noticing their unusual stare.

"I might be the last to arrive, but I'm not late," he thought.

All four interviewees were dressed in basic black suits from the second-hand store. Medical doctors were considered a reputable and noble profession, but they did not achieve the same prestige and salary that doctors from other countries enjoy. With low pay and long hours, it was expected that only applicants from poor-income families would enter the medical field.

"Ah, I should have worn a grey suit," Li Yun thought.