Physician’s Odyssey

Chapter 737 - The Missing Su Tao

A disaster had swept throughout China. In places with serious cases of infection, schools, factories, and even Central Business Districts have closed down. The normally bustling streets were now empty.

Hospitals have been cordoned with ambulances coming from everywhere daily to send patients. Many places with serious infections have also been quarantined, and only food was sent to them.

Sitting on the couch, Ying Xiong casually drank a glass of wine. He rarely watched television, but he would watch it every single day for the past few days.

Within the television, a certain leader walked into a hospital in Yundian Province. This hospital made a huge contribution when it comes to disease prevention. Walking beside the leader was the celebrity of this hospital, the pulmonologist, Zhong Beihai.

Zhong Beihai made an outstanding performance decades ago, obtaining the highest honour. This time, the disease prevention team led by him was given great expectations.

“Tony, Zhong Beihai is the best doctor in our country. How long do you think it will take for him to create the cure?” Ying Xiong glanced at Tony, who was sitting nearby playing with his phone.

Raising his head, Tony smiled. “Even the best virology specialist in the globe will take more than two weeks to resolve this virus. This doctor might be the best in China, but he’s only ranked after the top ten in the globe. Please believe in my team.”

“I naturally have no suspicion for the ability of your Tosca Pharmaceutical Conglomerate’s research team. But we still need to let the epidemic ferment a little more. If we take our trump card out right now, we won’t get the result we want.”

“But you can let the news out first,” Tony casually replied. He knew that Ying Xiong was smart enough to direct and act himself.

“So I will need you to attend an important conference with me tomorrow to let them know that we’re joining in the research.” Ying Xiong revealed a confident smile as if everything was under his control.

“It’s my honour!” Tony raised his glass and continued, “I’m getting fonder of cooperating with you even more. But from the news that I’ve received, someone seems to be watching you.”

Shrugging his shoulders, Ying Xiong replied, “Evidence and strength is required in this society. I’m not a pushover, and if anyone wants to make trouble for me, they will have to bring out evidence. I have been careful without any evidence left behind.”

Nodding his head, Tony looked at Ying Xiong and felt admiration in his heart for this person.

Ying Xiong might be talking casually, but he’s actually using the lives of others to gain more profits. Many people were being tormented by the disease, and many people died as well. As the overall planner of this disaster, Ying Xiong was a butcher.

Being together with someone like Ying Xiong was dangerous, but Tony felt excited.

At this moment, his phone rang out on the table and Ying Xiong picked up the call. When he heard the voice coming from the other side, he knitted his brows a little and unhappily replied, “Dad, let me emphasise it once more. This has nothing to do with me, and you don’t have to worry about it. I have already talked to the Tosca Pharmaceutical Conglomerate, and they will assist us in resolving this disaster. The Tosca Pharmaceutical Conglomerate has the best research team in the world, and we will definitely have a development with their participation.”

As a roar continued to come from the other side, Ying Xiong knitted his brows as he distanced his phone from himself and replied, “Dad, I’m sorry, but the signal isn’t good. I will be hanging up first.”

Looking at Ying Xiong’s performance with interest, Tony sighed, “It looks like your father is enduring a great pressure.”

“He’s too inflexible, and this is the reason why he has been oppressed for his entire lifetime. Now that it’s my generation, things naturally have to change. We have the most outstanding bloodline flowing in our bodies for this reason.” Ying Xiong was a Mongolian, and he had always felt that he’s the descendant of Genghis Khan, who conquered Eurasia.

“You’re a good opponent, and at the same time, you’re a terrifying enemy. I never expected that even the prestigious Dragon Group would suffer in your hands.” Tony evaluated with a smile.

Shrugging his shoulders, Ying Xiong replied, “The Dragon Group might be powerful, but they’re limited in numbers. It’s impossible for them to suffer constant damages. The mercenaries in my hands might not be comparable to the Dragon Group, but there’s bound to be bravery amongst them with the temptation of money, and they can gamble their lives for it.”

“Once the cure reaches China, I still need you to send sufficient personnel to protect it.” Tony shrugged.

“Don’t worry about it, I already have an arrangement for it.” Ying Xiong smiled.

The Vice Premier, Mr. Xiao had been busy daily, but even so, he still took the time out to visit several famous hospitals in the nation. As one of the leaders in the country who’s responsible for health and hygiene, he had to stand out at this moment to appease the hearts of the citizens.

Since ancient times, many waves of panic came from famine and epidemics. When the citizens’ lives could no longer be guaranteed, they would be enticed by those with ambitions to take a risk out of desperation.

Then again, the current era was no longer the same. With the robust wealth and economy in China, the foundation of China wasn’t damaged albeit to the serious epidemic.

When Mr. Xiao reviewed the reports on the epidemic, his expression became even darker.

The situation was more complicated than he had imagined since he never expected that the virus would spread so quickly. There were practically cases in every single province.

“Many herbal merchants in the country are hoarding the goods, increasing the price of herbs for the Four Energy Tonic. What should we do now?” Mr. Xue asked.

Slamming his palm on the desk, Mr. Xiao roared, “Those merchants without any morals are truly scumbags! Draft up a document immediately and distribute it to control those vile actions. Get the Commodity Prices Bureau to interfere as well, and if any merchants are found doing it, arrest them immediately.”

Mr. Xue knew that the situation was urgent, so he immediately made a call to issue instructions.

Herbal merchants weren’t the same as physicians. They only had profits in their eyes, so they would grab at this opportunity the moment they found an opportunity to make a great profit. It was so much so that they even alarmed others to instigate others.

The rumors throughout the country were mostly the doing of these herbal merchants.

“Oh, right. Is the Four Energy Tonic really effective in treating the virus?” Mr. Xiao asked. It’s because he had also drank two bowls of it before he went for his inspection.

“It was the result of Qihuang Charity Funds’ rescue team’s research.” Mr. Xue smiled as he continued, “You know the Chairman of the Qihuang Charity Funds as well - Su Tao.”

“Oh? He was the one who created it?” Mr. Xiao was surprised. Judging from his tone, he seemed to have certain confidence for the Four Energy Tonic now.

He had personally experienced Su Tao’s magical skills, and even pointed out that Su Tao would be responsible for his future healthcare. Thus, he had a vague feeling that Su Tao was the key to this crisis.

He had even heard of how Su Tao suppressed the Imperial Physicians of the Seto Clan in his trip to Japan.

So when he heard Su Tao’s name during this crisis, he felt somewhat relieved for some reason.

As a politician, there’s a limit to his ability, and he could only help out with the overall planning. But the ones who could affect the situation were the medical staff.

“A week ago before the epidemic went on a full outbreak, Su Tao had already received the news of it and personally led a team into Seven Mountain Village for a rescue mission.” Mr. Xue explained before he added, “Under their efforts, the epidemic in Seven Mountain Village has been put to control all thanks to the Four Energy Tonic. Furthermore, Su Tao even created a miracle to pull two patients, who were on the verge of death, back.”

“I see!” Mr. Xiao nodded his head before he went on, “But putting the epidemic under control is only the first objective. Most importantly, we still have to find a cure for the virus.”

“This is the weakness of TCM. I’m afraid that we have to pin our hopes on western medicine specialists like Zhong Beihai. Furthermore, International SOS has also sent Andrewson’s team to the frontlines. Everyone’s fighting for time to find the cure as soon as possible.” Mr. Xue knitted his brows.

Letting out a sigh, Mr. Xiao replied, “This is a national crisis, and I hope that everyone can bear the pressure.

As Song Sichen impatiently paced back and forth in his room, his wife came with a bowl of soup and asked, “What’s the matter for you to be so anxious?”

“It has been a few days since there was any news of Su Tao, and I’m worried that something might have happened to him.” Song Sichen sighed after drinking the soup.

Wearing a smile, his wife replied, “Although I have never seen that disciple of yours, judging from how you’ve been praising him, he will definitely not lose his way. So you don’t have to be so worried.”

“It’s easy for you to say!” Song Sichen sighed before he went on, “He's the future of TCM, and I can’t allow anything to happen to him, even if I die!”

“You’ve never shown such concern even for our son.” His wife bitterly smiled.

Waving his hand, Song Sichen responded, “Now’s not the time for you to be jealous. If there’s no news of him tomorrow, then I can only head for Seven Mountain Village personally to look for him.”

“Old man, are you insane? Seven Mountain Village is the frontline of the epidemic.” His wife had seen the news, so she understood how serious the virus was. The reason why it was called the Seven Mountain Virus was because it came from Seven Mountain Village.

“How can I sit here and allow young people sacrifice their lives?” Song Sichen waved his hand in annoyance and added, “I’m not only your husband, but I’m also a physician. If I don’t even have the courage to face the virus at this moment, how can I call myself a physician?”

“But even so, you can’t go there. If you do, I’ll die before you!” His wife sobbed after seeing Song Sichen’s determination.

Unhappily glaring at his wife, Song Sichen replied, “Shortsightedness! I can’t be bothered about you now. I’ll go pack my stuff to leave tomorrow.”