A Corrupt Heart in the Apricot Grove: Fighting Corruption in Grassroots Traditional Chinese Medicine

A realist novel focused on corruption in grassroots healthcare. After bribing his way to become hospital director, chief physician of traditional Chinese medicine Xing Shouren amasses wealth on a grand scale under the pretext of promoting traditional Chinese medicine: he colludes with drug suppliers to purchase substandard herbs and collect hefty kickbacks; forces patients into expensive traditional therapies and falsifies bills for medical supplies; embezzles public funds for construction projects, lining his own pockets; and uses "specially supplied Chinese medicine" as a pretext to bribe his superiors and weave a protective web.

Deputy Director Li Changhe and young doctor Su Banxia notice something is wrong and try to fight back, only to be framed and suppressed, suspended from duty, and threatened. In their darkest hour, evidence left behind by an elderly herbalist at the risk of his life proves crucial. A desperate battle between justice and corruption unfolds in thrilling fashion at a small community health center.

The novel lays bare how corrupt officials exploit professional barriers and regulatory loopholes to act with impunity. It vividly portrays the resolve and resistance of grassroots medical workers in adversity, and reveals both the difficulty and hope of rebuilding medical ethics and trust.