Chapter 258 - I Have A Suggestion (Part 2 of 5) (1/2)

The recruitment process of Straits Hospital was much more detailed than Su Yun’s description.

Publis.h.i.+ng papers was just one of many other criteria. Even though Straits Hospital was entirely owned and funded by Americans, it was still run by the top medical manager in China.

Journals that were popular among local PhD graduates such as PLOS ONE and Scientific Reports were excluded from the list. No amount of papers published on them would earn any extra credit.

Why?

The reviewing criteria of these journals had relaxed, which made them lose their prestige. Pay-to-publish journals no longer had value.

The impact factor of PLOS ONE had fallen below 3, according to the year’s latest figures.

The New England Journal of Medicine that Su Yun had mentioned… it was first on the list with an impact factor of 72.4, outdoing The Lancet which had an impact factor of 47.83.

If these were to be taken into account when calculating an annual salary, the figure that Li Xiaochen came up with was so vast that he was left dumbfounded.

It was the same as that of an American professor… No, it exceeded that by leagues…

The balance of the ecosystem in Straits Hospital would be demolished.

Su Yun’s words put an end to Li Xiaochen’s recruitment plans.

“Congratulations, Brother Yun. I’ll be the first to read your article once it’s published,” Li Xiaochen said, laughing.

There was not an ounce of humility in Su Yun’s words. “It’ll be very soon.”

He lifted his head and looked directly at Li Xiaochen. “You’re trying to recruit Mr. Zheng, right? I’m pretty sure it’s beyond your authority to grant him the amount he deserves. Let me give you a piece of advice: if you really want him, get him as soon as possible. His net worth will only grow over time, until one day no amount of capital you have behind you will be able to afford him.”

Zhao Yunlong and w.a.n.g Lu sighed gently. w.a.n.g Lu, especially, was dealing with a storm of emotions roiling within him.

From Brother Yun’s words, recruiting Zheng Ren would need them to pull out all the stops and drop all pretenses of negotiation, or else even their American hospital would lose the opportunity forever.

Tsk tsk, if there ever was a living embodiment of confidence, it would be him.

Li Xiaochen nodded with a smile. As he made to refill his gla.s.s, his phone rang.

As he was in the middle of dinner, Li Xiaochen had his phone put on silent mode, sparing it a glance at most and rejecting the call if it was unimportant.

It was basic business etiquette and Li Xiaochen followed it to the letter.

However, after seeing the caller ID, his face turned serious and he excused himself. “It’s from an old friend. I have to take this, sorry.”

It was the upper management of a prominent international headhunting firm.

“Sure, go ahead.” Zhao Yunlong was not bothered by the interruption. He filled Su Yun’s gla.s.s before his own and they both continued drinking.

Li Xiaochen left the private room and answered the call in a remote, quiet corner.

“Li, I’ve got leads on the information you want,” the caller said..

“Oh?”

“Dr. Mehar is very interested in the surgery performed by the young man you’re following. As you know, Dr. Mehar couldn’t attend the n.o.bel Prize award ceremony because of that d.a.m.ned prostate.”

“…” In that moment, countless possibilities a.s.sailed Li Xiaochen’s mind.

“Professor Rudolf Wagner has booked a flight to Imperial Capital three days from now,” the caller continued. “This information costs a hundred thousand US dollars.”

“Okay, I’ll transfer it to your account as soon as possible.” There was a rare solemn expression on Li Xiaochen’s face.

Dr. Mehar was a G.o.dlike figure.