15th of August.
Mid-Autumn Festival.
8:45 a.m.
When Ye Qiu arrived at Jinling University, he was startled to see the athletics field, capable of holding tens of thousands, completely packed.
The crowd was buzzing with voices.
“Why are there so many people?” Ye Qiu asked.
Zhang Jiuling replied, “When the president of Jinling University heard that this competition was of a high calibre, with even the Ministry of Health and CCTV attending, he required the students to come and watch.”
Ye Qiu glanced around.
Indeed, most of the faces in the crowd were young.
“It’s the Mid-Autumn Festival today, and the students are on holiday. Forcing them to watch a medical competition, won’t they get upset?” Ye Qiu said.
Zhang Jiuling smiled, “I think this is quite good.”
“Nowadays, university students on holiday mostly play games, date, or sleep. Organising them to watch a pinnacle showdown between Chinese medicine and Korean medicine, I think it’s a very meaningful thing.”
“It’s like giving them a lesson in ideological education, and who knows, it might even reshape their outlook on life and values.”
Ye Qiu nodded slightly.
Zhang Jiuling’s words made sense.
University students are the future of the nation, bearing the trust of the people and the responsibility of history. Establishing correct values and improving moral cultivation are crucial for them.
Zhang Jiuling continued, “As per your request, Old Li, Old Nie, and I contacted more media over the past two days.”
“Today, there are 300 media outlets here, with over 700 journalists.”
“There are also 4,000 guests, 800 of whom are our peers, and the rest are elites from various sectors and ordinary citizens.”
“In total, 30,000 people are present today.”
“Little Ye, that’s quite a spectacle, isn’t it?”
Ye Qiu smiled, “Old Zhang, thank you for your hard work.”
“No big deal, it’s all thanks to you. If you hadn’t invited Minister Qin and CCTV, I wouldn’t have pulled in this many people,” Zhang Jiuling laughed. “Little Ye, the competition’s about to start. Let me take you to greet Minister Qin!”
“Alright.”
Ye Qiu followed Zhang Jiuling to the front of the athletics field.
As they walked…
Suddenly, Ye Qiu overheard a few students nearby complaining.
“What’s the school up to? Why are they making us watch some medical competition during the holiday?”
“I had a date with my girlfriend to go hiking today, and now it’s ruined.”
“I think the school leaders are nuts. What’s so great about a medical competition? They should’ve organised a movie instead.”
“Bro, this boring competition isn’t worth watching. Let’s head back to the dorm and sleep!”
“No way! The counsellor said leaving without permission will get us a major demerit.”
“Damn, then what do we do?”
“Let’s play a game on WeChat!”
Ye Qiu paused.
He glanced at the students and smiled, “This medical competition is a bit different from what you’re imagining.”
“Classmates, watch closely!”
“I guarantee it’ll be a hundred times more exciting than a movie!”
With that, Ye Qiu walked off with Zhang Jiuling.
As soon as he left, the students started whispering.
“Who was that guy?”
“He said a medical competition is better than a movie, what a joke. Has he lost his mind?”
“Looks like a nutcase, and a serious one too. Why else would he wear a long robe to an event like this?”
“Probably from the animation department. Damn, cosplaying at a formal occasion like this, isn’t he asking for trouble?”
“…”
Though Ye Qiu had walked away, with his level of skill, he could clearly hear the students badmouthing him.
He didn’t mind.
Because he was confident that once the competition started, it would definitely capture their interest.
Soon.
Ye Qiu followed Zhang Jiuling to the front row.
Numerous guests were seated there.
In the centre of the first row sat a middle-aged man with thick eyebrows and big eyes, around fifty years old, with greying hair.
Ye Qiu recognised him at once—
The head of the Ministry of Health, Qin Gang!
Zhang Jiuling brought Ye Qiu to Qin Gang and respectfully introduced, “Minister Qin, this is Ye Qiu.”
Ye Qiu immediately greeted, “Hello, Minister Qin, I’m Ye Qiu.”
Seeing Ye Qiu in a white long robe, with a handsome face and an extraordinary aura, Qin Gang took an instant liking to him. He stood up to shake Ye Qiu’s hand, saying, “Ye Qiu, I’ve heard your name before. You’re even younger and more dashing than I imagined.”
Ye Qiu replied humbly, “Minister Qin, you’re too kind. I’m deeply honoured that you’re here in person.”
Qin Gang’s expression turned serious, “Little Ye, this competition is of great significance. You must give it your all and not let Chinese medicine lose face.”
“Chinese medicine is declining more and more, it really can’t afford to lose.”
“Moreover, this is a clash between Chinese medicine and Korean traditional medicine. If we lose, the nation will lose face too.”
“So, we must win.”
Ye Qiu nodded solemnly, “Minister Qin, rest assured, I won’t let you down.”
“Keep it up!” Qin Gang encouraged him.
Then, Zhang Jiuling introduced Ye Qiu to the Jinling city leaders and several vice-presidents of the Chinese Medicine Association seated beside Qin Gang.
After that, Ye Qiu took a seat at the far end of the first row.
He glanced over and noticed Li Zhengxi and Li Minghan also in the first row, just a few metres away.
Li Minghan caught Ye Qiu’s gaze and made a throat-slashing gesture, as if to say, “Kid, your time’s up!”
Ye Qiu’s lips moved, mouthing two words: “Trash!”
Instantly, Li Minghan’s face turned livid with anger.
8:55 a.m.
CCTV’s renowned host, Dong Si, took the stage, microphone in hand, and began the opening remarks:
“Esteemed leaders, distinguished guests, and friends, good morning!”
“Today is a special day, not only our nation’s annual Mid-Autumn Festival but also the day Korean traditional medicine challenges Chinese medicine.”
“China and Korea are friendly nations. In the spirit of mutual exchange and progress, top doctors from both countries have organised this medical event.”
“Among today’s guests are Minister Qin, Secretary Han, Mayor Wang, President Qian…”
After introducing dozens of guests, Dong Si shifted gears, “Now, please welcome Mr. Li Zhengxi, the Korean medical sage, to speak!”
Li Zhengxi stepped onto the stage, took the microphone from Dong Si, and said, “The host got a few things wrong, and I need to correct them.”
“First, this competition isn’t about mutual exchange or progress. It’s about proving that Korean traditional medicine is superior to Chinese medicine.”
“Second, this isn’t a friendly match but a life-or-death battle.”
“Victory means survival, defeat means public suicide!”
