Chapter 1362
: The Free Medical Team, the Battlefield Surgical Vehicle's Success, Li Aiguo, the
The threshing ground in Jiazhuang Commune was unusually lively today.
When Li Aiguo pushed open the rear door of the field operating vehicle and jumped down, the commune members realized that the truck was actually an operating room.
Following that, Professor Martin and several other medical experts from France also got off the bus.
Upon seeing these blond, blue-eyed, and high-bridged-nosed foreigners, the club members who had been whispering among themselves instantly fell silent, their expressions changing slightly.
You have to understand that in the countryside at that time, the appearance of foreigners often meant something extraordinary.
Everyone instinctively took a half step back, their eyes filled with vigilance.
Village Chief Wei stepped forward and asked Li Aiguo in a low voice, "Aiguo, what are these foreigners doing here? Why have they come to our village?"
Li Aiguo smiled and patted Old Wei, the village chief, on the back of his hand, and said loudly, "Village chief, folks, don't be nervous!"
These are all top medical experts from France, who have come to the countryside specifically to provide free medical consultations for our fellow villagers, in collaboration with doctors from hospitals in Beijing!
Then, he gave everyone a brief and clear introduction to the details of the free clinic.
Upon hearing that Professor Martin and his group were from France.
Village Chief Wei suddenly realized what was going on, turned around, and roared at the still-murmuring villagers:
"What are you all shouting about! The French are our good friends! Have you forgotten the news broadcast over the loudspeakers every morning?"
Every morning, the loudspeaker at the village entrance is connected to a radio to broadcast the news to the villagers.
The commune members were aware of this, and they were all delighted.
In addition to ophthalmology experts, there were also internal medicine experts who came to provide free medical consultations and examined the members on the spot.
Village Chief Wei had the villagers bring over several tables from the school and set them up on the threshing floor, along with a blood pressure monitor and a stethoscope.
Organized by the village cadres, the commune members lined up in a long queue and went forward one by one for inspection.
For those members who had minor ailments such as headaches, fevers, backaches, or leg pains, the doctors prescribed medication on the spot.
Originally a threshing ground used for threshing wheat during the autumn harvest, it has now become a temporary medical station.
Meanwhile, Li Aiguo began preparing for the next major event.
Operation.
All medical equipment was sterilized, the operating lights were turned on, and Professor Martin and Professor Chen from Beijing Hospital had already changed into their surgical gowns.
At this moment, Zhao Ganzi helped Zhao Da Niang arrive.
“Big brother, your mother is already half-buried in the earth. If she can’t see, she can’t see. There’s no need to spend money.”
"Mom, don't worry about the money. Comrade Aiguo just said that this time it's a joint free clinic by foreign experts and professors from major hospitals in Beijing. Doctors, medicine, and surgeries are all free!"
Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhao was taken aback for a moment.
After confirming that her son was not lying to her, she stopped insisting and allowed Zhao Ganzi to help her to the field operating vehicle.
Professional tasks should naturally be left to professionals.
Professor Martin was the lead surgeon for this glaucoma surgery, while Li Aiguo assisted him.
Professor Martin had initially thought the conditions here were poor.
It's important to know that although glaucoma surgery isn't considered a major operation in ophthalmology, there are many intricacies involved.
Controlling intraocular pressure, peripheral iridotomy, hemostasis... each step requires a variety of specialized instruments and specific medications, and the slightest carelessness may lead to surgical failure.
At this moment, the cabinet on the operating cart was like a treasure chest, and Li Aiguo took out one item after another from it.
They even had sterile drapes, which were rare in those days; in France, they were only available in large hospitals.
"Teacher, this..." Professor Martin held the sterile drape and found it incredible. The quality was even better than what they used in China.
While tidying up the equipment, Li Aiguo casually replied, "Oh, this is something I figured out myself. It's not ready for mass production yet, so I'll just use it for now."
Professor Martin was momentarily speechless upon hearing this, and his lips twitched slightly.
He secretly marveled to himself: his young teacher was truly a great medical inventor!
It seems there's nothing he can't make if it's needed for surgery!
But it's not over.
When he saw Li Aiguo push out a strangely shaped, huge instrument resembling a microscope from the corner of the medical vehicle, he was completely stunned.
The most challenging aspect of ophthalmic surgery is the extremely high level of precision required, as human vision is always limited.
The French also have surgical microscopes for ophthalmology, but those devices are extremely bulky and cannot be moved easily.
Not to mention it was moved onto a truck.
“Patriotism, this thing is…” Professor Martin stared wide-eyed, pointing at the instrument and stammering.
Before Professor Martin could finish speaking, Li Aiguo had already pushed the universal adjustment lever on the microscope, turning the lens directly above Aunt Zhao's eyeball on the operating table.
This microscope not only has a flexible arm span, but its height is also infinitely adjustable.
After Li Aiguo made some simple adjustments, Professor Martin sat on the operating chair and put his eyes close to the eyepiece.
He found himself sitting there in an extremely comfortable position.
In the field of vision, the iris texture of Aunt Zhao's eyeballs was magnified dozens of times, and was so clear that every detail was visible!
"My God, this is so convenient and so clear..."
The French also have ophthalmic microscopes, but they can't be moved.
Each time I try to observe clearly, it takes a lot of effort, and the results are not good.
Li Aiguo took out a specialized microscope from later ophthalmology, which naturally allowed him to achieve a dimensional reduction attack.
Seeing Li Aiguo's calm demeanor, Professor Martin felt that he might have been making a big fuss over nothing.
This guy is a great medical inventor, what can't he do!
"Alright, teacher, let's begin!" Professor Martin finished the disinfection work, took a deep breath, and picked up the scalpel.
It must be said that Professor Martin's surgical skills are truly first-rate; the surgery was completed very quickly.
"Can I open my eyes now?" Aunt Zhao asked, somewhat excited.
"Auntie, not yet. I need to bandage your eyes with sterile gauze to protect them."
Also, the first few days after surgery are crucial. You need to rest in bed for two days, mainly lying flat, and try to turn over as little as possible.
Most importantly, you must not strain during bowel movements, as this can increase intraocular pressure and affect recovery.
I'll be eating liquids for the next couple of days.
Although Aunt Zhao couldn't see it yet, she knew the surgery was successful. She was a little excited and held Li Aiguo's hand in one hand and Professor Martin's hand in the other.
There were also experts from France and medical experts from Beijing nearby, along with a surgical vehicle.
At this moment, a reporter who had been waiting nearby pressed the shutter and captured the scene.
It is foreseeable that this photograph is very likely to win this year's photography award.
Li Aiguo had Zhao Ganzi and two women help her out, and gave Zhao Ganzi several bottles of eye drops.
"Old Zhao, your mother's eyes!" At this moment, the commune members waiting for surgery outside were also very uneasy.
"Everything went smoothly! The doctor said that I'll be able to see again after the bandages are removed in a few days!"
Hearing this, the commune members who had been on tenterhooks finally felt relieved.
A burst of cheerful laughter and applause erupted from the crowd.
After completing the first case, everything went smoothly from there; three surgeries were completed in just one morning.
Meanwhile, outside, the doctors at the Beijing hospital and the experts from the Gallic family had completed physical examinations for a large number of commune members.
"Comrade Aiguo, Expert Ma, lunch has been prepared in our commune. Let's eat and rest for a while." Village Chief Wei stepped forward.
"Then we'll have to trouble you." Li Aiguo rubbed his stomach, which was indeed rumbling, and led his men to the canteen of Weizhuang Commune.
The cafeteria has been cleaned.
Most noticeably, a large red banner with white lettering was hung on the beam directly above the cafeteria.
"A warm welcome to Chinese and foreign medical experts for their free medical consultations in Weizhuang Commune!"
The writing was done with lime.
The meal was simple but hearty: braised wild boar, steamed white flour buns, a plate of green vegetables, and cornmeal porridge as the staple food.
Professor Martin and the French experts were eating Eastern food for the first time, and they praised it highly.
"The food tastes great, it's just a pity that I won't be able to eat such delicious food when I get back."
“Martin, you’re mistaken. There are actually quite a few Chinese restaurants in Paris.”
Li Aiguo took a sip of cornmeal porridge and, at the opportune moment, transformed into a Chinese food salesman.
"By the way, when I went to Paris before, I went to a restaurant in the 13th arrondissement. The food there was quite good, and the owner was an old overseas Chinese from our area."
As he spoke, he took out a pen from his pocket, wrote down the address of the Chinese restaurant on a piece of sticky note, and handed it to the experts.
Several experts said they would definitely try it when they got back.
In the afternoon, the surgery continued, and everything went smoothly. After the surgery, the commune members were helped back home.
The barefoot doctor and several female commune members in the commune were responsible for the follow-up care.
According to the original plan, the free clinic in Weizhuang Commune was supposed to end before sunset that day.
When the medical team finished packing up their equipment and was about to board the bus back to the city, Village Chief Wei came over looking somewhat uneasy.
"Patriotism: The Party secretaries of several nearby communes heard about the free clinic we were having and came looking for us, hoping these experts could help."
Old Village Chief Wei stopped mid-sentence, after all, these experts were usually very busy, and it was already a rare privilege for them to come to Weizhuang Commune to perform surgery on the villagers.
Demanding too much is going too far.
Li Aiguo laughed heartily and looked at Professor Martin, saying, "Martin, what do you think?"
"I will follow your arrangements, teacher! Our group is here in Huaxia for exchange and learning, and the total trip will last for more than a month."
To be honest, I think it would be better to stay here and help these fellow members than to sit in the meeting room every day and discuss medical theories on paper.
This is the true meaning of medicine!
Professor Martin nodded immediately.
Professor Martin's statement was entirely within Li Aiguo's expectations.
The saying "Doctors have the heart of parents" is applicable to any era.
A doctor with true faith cannot remain indifferent to the suffering of his patients.
Of course, every industry has its share of unscrupulous bastards who prioritize profit.
Professor Martin then consulted with the experts from the French, and they all unanimously decided to stay.
Doctors in hospitals in Beijing also expressed their willingness to continue.
The local health bureau had been keeping a close eye on the situation, and upon learning that the Chinese and foreign medical teams were planning to expand their medical services, they immediately reported the matter to the health department.
The health department leaders were very pleased and instructed the local health bureau to handle the logistical support, and even sent some medical students to help.
Firstly, it's to help out, and secondly, it's a chance to learn more.
At the same time, the local health bureau issued a notice overnight, instructing the surrounding communes to quickly compile statistics on the number of sick members and their basic conditions so that the medical team could coordinate and arrange the route.
That evening, the medical team rested in the granary of Weizhuang Commune. Although it was summer, there were many mosquitoes.
However, after the commune members fumigated the area with mugwort, it became passable.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Li Aiguo received a notification from his superiors that the free clinic plan had been approved and additional personnel had been assigned.
After quickly shoveling down a couple of bites of the breakfast prepared by the commune, I immediately plunged into the busyness of another day.
Considering that the commune members had poor eyesight and difficulty walking, Li Aiguo drove his field surgery vehicle to various communes.
This decision also allowed him to take advantage of the complex road conditions in the countryside to continue testing the chassis suspension and internal equipment's shock resistance performance.
Time slips away quietly amidst the billowing dust of wheels and the rise and fall of scalpels.
While Li Aiguo was busy driving his medical vehicle in the neighboring commune,
Aunt Zhao, who stayed in Weizhuang Commune, has reached the day when her stitches will be removed.
"Auntie, please close your eyes first," Chen Xi, who was in charge of removing the stitches, reminded her.
Chen Xi sensed that Aunt Zhao gripped the bedsheet tightly and closed her eyes nervously.
Chen Xi then picked up medical scissors and tweezers, cut the tape securing the gauze, and unwrapped the thick gauze wrapped around Zhao Da Niang's face layer by layer.
As the last bit of obstruction was removed, Aunt Zhao felt a sudden brightness outside her eyes. It was the long-lost feeling of light piercing through the darkness.
After a slight stinging sensation, she slowly and tentatively opened her eyes.
At first, the scenery in front of me was somewhat blurry and double-image.
But just a few seconds later, as the pupils readjusted to the light, the world suddenly became clear and bright!
She saw a wooden-handled hoe and sickle leaning against the corner of the wall, a wooden chair, and an earthen wall...
Finally, her gaze settled on the face of the man squatting beside the bed.
It was a familiar yet blurry face.
"Son...my son!" Aunt Zhao suddenly reached out and cupped the man's face in her hands.
"Mother! You can see me now? You can really see me clearly?!" Zhao Erganzi, a man in his thirties and seven feet tall, was like a child at this moment, tears welling up in his eyes.
"I see it clearly, I see it perfectly! That scar near your eye from when you were little is still there! Son, I'm not blind anymore, I don't have to be a useless person and a burden to you anymore..."
Aunt Zhao first excitedly touched Zhao Ergan's hand.
She, who was almost blind, has now regained her sight.
The ecstasy and awe were something that those who hadn't experienced it simply couldn't comprehend.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, she grabbed Chen Xi's hand and asked urgently, "Doctor, where is Comrade Aiguo?"
He gave me a second life!
Where is he? I want to go and kowtow to him in person; I want to thank him!
"Auntie, please don't get agitated. Be careful with your eyes, which just had surgery. Comrade Li Aiguo and the experts went to the neighboring commune for a free clinic early this morning."
"Auntie, you've just recovered these past few days, so you need to rest more and avoid strenuous activity."
"No, no, no, my old man always tells me that I should be grateful and repay kindness. Comrade Aiguo cured this blind old woman, so he is my great benefactor."
After saying this, Aunt Zhao asked Zhao Ergan to find a basket and fill it with the eggs she had saved up for more than half a year.
"Let's go see our benefactor."
Li Aiguo had just finished assisting with an operation and was getting off the operating car, chatting and smoking with Martin, when Aunt Zhao arrived.
"Grandma, your eyes are better now."
"It's all better now, completely healed. Patriot, thank you so much."
Aunt Zhao shoved Zhao Ergan hard: "You kowtow to our benefactor on my behalf."
Zhao Dagang was about to kowtow when Li Aiguo stopped him, saying, "No, no, this is not the way it was before liberation."
After much persuasion and exhaustion, Li Aiguo finally managed to get Aunt Zhao to give up.
Zhao Ergan bowed deeply three times at a 90-degree angle to Li Aiguo as a way of expressing his gratitude.
"Patriotism, Auntie won't interfere with your work anymore."
These eggs were laid by our own chickens. They're not worth much money, but they're a token of my aunt's affection.
"You...you absolutely must accept this, otherwise, this old lady won't be able to sleep soundly."
"Then thank you, Auntie." Li Aiguo didn't refuse.
He knew these members very well. If he insisted on pushing the things back based on the "Three Main Rules of Discipline and Eight Points for Attention" at this time, it would be tantamount to humiliating them.
Aunt Zhao fulfilled her wish and led Zhao Dagan home.
I had just been busy inside for a while when a nurse knocked on the door and came in.
"Auntie, these are some nutritional supplements. They're from the medical team."
Looking at the brown sugar, Aunt Zhao wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
Paris in the early morning is filled with the hustle and bustle unique to a modern metropolis.
However, the Rue Montmartre in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris was unusually quiet.
This is because it is Paris's traditional news district, and the old Haussmann-style buildings lining the streets house most of France's newspapers and news agencies.
Most of the drivers on the street are newspaper editors; they are rather reserved, even honking their horns with restraint.
The massive SUV roared, breaking the silence of the neighborhood, drawing surprised glances from nearby passing vehicles.
But when they looked through the car window and clearly saw the iconic bright red body and the vibrant red flag with yellow stars on the SUV's hood,
The editors who had initially intended to protest by honking their horns immediately lost their enthusiasm and were no longer surprised.
Because everyone in the Parisian press knew that this large SUV belonged to Sylvia Morgan, the chief editor of Les Bleus.
The Gallic Evening Post is not some tabloid; it is currently the largest-circulation and most influential evening newspaper in the Gallic country.
It is even widely recognized as a bellwether for French politics and the general public.
Sylvia Morgan, as the chief editor, is a legend in French journalism.
As early as 1944, when the Gallic Evening News was still a resistance newspaper that could only be printed secretly in a basement, the young Sylvia had already become its chief editor.
She braved countless artillery fire from the San Tei Occupation forces and Gestapo searches to deliver newspapers on the front lines on a dilapidated bicycle.
In the journalism world, she is a role model.
More importantly, Sylvia is known for her avant-garde ideas.
Ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the East and France, Silvia has been very welcoming, writing articles in the newspapers to express her support and even displaying the red flag on her large off-road vehicle.
Good morning, Jacques! Your dark circles are even worse than yesterday. Did the layout go wrong again last night?
As soon as I sat down, an officer came in and handed me a document.
“Ms. Sylvia, the article you submitted before leaving get off work yesterday was rejected by the deputy editor-in-chief.” The young staff member lowered his head.
"What?! He was executed?! Why?!" Sylvia stood up abruptly.
The officer was a little afraid of Sylvia. This woman was a ruthless character who dared to hide grenades under newspapers and send them to the front lines back in the day!
"The deputy editor-in-chief...the deputy editor-in-chief commented that the timing of this article's publication is inappropriate."
The clerk swallowed hard and explained, forcing a smile, "He said that, after all, we are still strategic allies with Xiaomei's family on the surface."
Your manuscript contains too much praise for the East, which could easily cause trouble.
"Bullshit! This is pure slander!" Sylvia laughed angrily.
"The content of this manuscript is based entirely on the telegrams and photographs sent back by Professor Martin from the East!"
It simply provided an objective report on the experiences of our French medical experts conducting joint medical outreach programs in the East.
Where is there even the slightest bias?
I think it's that deputy editor-in-chief, whose mind is only on dollars, deliberately causing trouble! Let's go, I'm going to find him and get to the bottom of this!
Watching Sylvia storm out of the office and head straight for the deputy editor-in-chief's office at the end of the corridor, the young staff member could only shake his head helplessly and sigh.
The Gallic Evening Post is not a monolithic entity either.
Some people think they should continue to be good friends with Xiaomei's family, while others think they should cultivate a good relationship with the East. The deputy editor-in-chief is one of the former.
As for the young officer, he was naturally biased towards Sylvia.
After all, people from the east are honest in business and genuinely treat them as equal partners and friends, unlike Xiao Mei's family who are bossy and domineering.
"boom!"
A few minutes later, a very heated argument broke out, interspersed with a few classic French curses.
Sylvia shoved the door to the deputy editor-in-chief's office open forcefully.
With a cold smile, she walked out like a victorious lioness and slapped the document in her hand back onto the young officer's chest.
"Send this manuscript to the typesetting room immediately! Notify the printing plant to check and print it right away! Tell them this manuscript must be on the front page tomorrow!"
"Understood." The young officer straightened up instinctively.
Just as she was about to turn and leave, she caught a glimpse out of the corner of her eye that Sylvia had a Browning pistol tucked into a holster under her business suit jacket!
The officer gasped, his lips twitching violently.
No wonder the deputy editor-in-chief compromised; this wasn't about reasoning, it was practically physical persuasion!
The following day, the Gallic Evening Post published an article on its front page.
Sino-French Medical Service: A Symbol of Friendship
The article is very simple; it's just a record of the free clinic activity, without any embellishment.
However, this caused quite a stir within the French family.
“Aren’t we friends with Xiaomei’s family? How did we end up in the east?”
"Does Xiaomei's family even consider you a friend? Didn't you see that Xiaomei's family has already started laying oil emplacements in Alang's country? They're trying to control our energy."
"That's true. I heard we're planning to buy oil from the Yi family now."
"It was the eastern side that took the lead, and the Yi family gave us a big discount because of the eastern side's influence."
"My God! This is a true friend who helps in times of need! Compared to this, those politicians in America who only stab you in the back are just vampires!"
"Yes! The East is our true friend! We, the Gallic people, must follow the path of independence and self-reliance!"
Thus, fueled by Sylvia's report, and combined with Xiaomei's recent domineering behavior in the energy sector,
The calls from the French family to "break free from the control of the American family and make deeper friendships with the East" grew like a snowball, rising and falling, becoming increasingly intense.
This wave of sound quickly coalesced into an undeniable force, reaching directly to the Élysée Palace.
Commander Dai had anticipated this situation, but he did not expect things to escalate so quickly and generate such a huge uproar.
"Since everyone thinks the east is better, I think the exchanges between the two sides can be deepened a bit more, and official personnel can be sent to conduct formal exchanges."
"I also feel that the time is right. In addition, Professor Martin suggested in his letter that we place a large order for field surgical vehicles."
Upon hearing the name of the field surgical vehicle, President Dai became interested and inquired about its details.
Upon learning that the battlefield surgical vehicle could perform surgery during combat, Commander-in-Chief Dai made the decision: "Order five hundred vehicles immediately!"
"Yes! Your Excellency is wise!"
The actions of the French family quickly sparked considerable controversy within the international community.
Xiao Mei's family was furious when she saw that the Gallic family was going further and further down the path of betrayal.
Inside the White House, an executive suggested, "Should we give the French a little nudge?"
“I know what Commander Dai is like. The more you try to put him on the line, the more motivated he becomes. He might even withdraw from the Northern Pact Organization directly,” the Commander said with a gloomy face.
"In my opinion, the most urgent task now is to continue to strengthen our covert communication and the transfer of benefits with Alang."
Once we take control of the strait, it's like holding the lifeline of oil for France and the whole of Europe in our hands!
"By then, no matter how many field surgical vehicles Dai has, without oil, they'll just be a pile of scrap metal! Let them be smug for a few days."
"Understood! Your Excellency is truly brilliant!" the executives echoed.
Seeing this, other families naturally harbored their own ulterior motives.
The Kangaroo family, the John Bull family, and everyone else's family, while not necessarily at odds with Little Beauty's family, were all quite interested in the battlefield surgical vehicle.
After all, this is something that even Commander Dai has his eye on.
As a result, in the following days, purchasing representatives from various companies called Hextech Corporation to inquire about prices through various channels.
When the leaders of the foreign trade department received Yang Jizong's call, they were so excited they couldn't stop smiling.
"An order for three thousand field surgical vehicles? What's Li Aiguo up to? What's going on? Is this some kind of huge salesmanship?!"
"Not only in foreign exchange, but our cooperation with the French has been very successful, causing a stir within the family. Our superiors have even specifically praised Comrade Li Aiguo."
"Li Aiguo was a good comrade," a leader remarked with a sigh.
"But we still have to shoulder the responsibility for these three thousand orders, as they are related to our cooperation with foreign partners," the senior leader of the foreign trade department made the decision.
"What? Three thousand vehicles?"
Li Aiguo had just returned to Beijing with the medical mission when he received a call from the foreign trade department.
(End of this chapter)