When the Doctor Uses A Hack

Chen Cang quickly picked up the phone and said with a smile to Tan Zhengyang, "Chief Editor Tan, my apologies for keeping you waiting."

Tan Zhengyang let out a soft "hmm" and said, "Professor Chen, you might not be very familiar with our journal. Allow me to introduce myself."

"The *New Edition of the Chinese Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery* is a publication overseen by the National Health Commission and the Ministry of Education. Several leaders of the healthcare system hold concurrent positions at our journal.

Founded in 2015, it has now been indexed by SCI with an impact factor of 1.2."

There was a distinct tone in Tan Zhengyang's speech, characteristic of someone long entrenched in the administrative system.

This tone was different from that of healthcare professionals working clinically.

It carried an air of authority, as if he was intentionally trying to lower himself to engage with you, yet somehow still creating a sense of detachment.

However, Chen Cang was no fool. Smiling, he flattered, "Impressive, Chief Editor Tan! Achieving SCI indexing in just five years is truly remarkable!"

Although Chen Cang's words were complimentary, he had to admit it was genuinely no small feat.

The standards for indexing in the SCI database are undeniably high.

Moreover, it signified entering the global stage.

Tan Zhengyang, clearly proud, finally allowed himself a slight smile after hearing Chen's praise:

"Professor Chen, I extended the invitation to you based on Professor Sun Zhong's recommendation. Although our journal started relatively late, as long as we work together, it can develop very quickly!"

"If you have any articles to publish in the future, you can submit them to us. We'll make sure to arrange everything promptly."

This was Chen Cang's first experience with something like this, so he didn't have much reference and thought it might be akin to serving as a vice-chair of an association—just a token academic position.

Besides, being on the editorial board wasn't any high-ranking position. Didn't every journal have dozens to hundreds of editorial board members?

"Of course, of course! Thank you, Chief Editor Tan, for the opportunity."

Tan Zhengyang nodded. "Good, good. I'll have someone contact you, Professor Chen, to get the information sorted as soon as possible."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Cang didn't think much of it.

That very day, a staff member contacted Chen Cang to complete the registration, and by the next day, an honorary certificate was delivered to him.

It left Chen Cang rather surprised!

Wasn't this a bit... too fast?

But...

Chen Cang quickly realized how naive he had been.

By Wednesday, a call from Tan Zhengyang came through: "Professor Chen, any chance you'd have some time soon to write an article?"

"After all, being on our editorial board, it wouldn't make sense if you didn't contribute something. As you're aware, our journal has a decent impact, and leadership takes it seriously. Many people are watching. Adding you unexpectedly could prompt some criticisms."

Chen Cang found the explanation reasonable.

He wasn't the type to unnecessarily trouble others.

So, he replied, "Sure, Chief Editor Tan. I'll prepare an article for you in the near future."

Hearing this, Tan Zhengyang suddenly chuckled.

"Professor Chen, let me make a suggestion. You're new to the journal, young, and relatively inexperienced. I believe this journal offers an excellent platform, and this paper could be a great opportunity for you!"

"If you ask me, I think you might as well seize this chance to make a splash. For instance, why not write about your *Beating Heart Suspenders Technique* or your latest advancements with the Chen Aortic Elephant Trunk Stent procedure? We'd be happy to spotlight you. What do you think?"

Chen Cang froze upon hearing this...

He wanted my Chen Aortic Elephant Trunk Stent technique already?

Wasn't this a bit too soon?

It's not even fully developed yet, and here you are, asking me to publish a paper on it...

How could you be so hardcore?

"Professor Chen, the buzz around this is really high right now. Publishing your Chen Aortic Elephant Trunk Stent technique would undoubtedly attract a lot of attention and could help you make a big splash!"

At that moment, Chen Cang began to understand...

Why hadn't they approached him earlier, but suddenly showed up now?

And why did the honorary certificate arrive so quickly the next day? Clearly, they wanted him "on board."

Thinking about this, Chen Cang couldn't help but shake his head.

With a smile, he said, "Chief Editor Tan, it's not that I don't want to, but the technique is still incomplete and lacks sufficient data analysis. Writing a case report wouldn't offer much value at this stage. And because it's still undeveloped, I worry that rushing to spread the technique could have negative repercussions instead of positive ones."

Tan Zhengyang paused briefly, then said, "Don't worry, Professor Chen. Leave the rest to us. All you need to do is write the article. We editors exist to serve people like you, you know? Haha!"

This time, Chen Cang decidedly refused to comply!

Hearing Chen's response, Tan Zhengyang fell silent.

He sighed and said, "Professor Chen, would I ever harm you?"

"Honestly, let me be frank with you—our journal is growing, and what we need right now are outstanding submissions."

"Professor Chen, take this as doing me, Old Tan, a favor. What do you say?"

In Chen Cang's perspective, papers existed as a means of disseminating knowledge.

Did he want to publish papers?

Of course!

He still hadn't completed his 100-impact-factor target, after all.

But...

He didn't feel that papers should be churned out rapidly or used to ride fleeting trends.

Therefore, Chen Cang plainly stated, "Chief Editor Tan, I can write other articles, but it's not the right time for the Chen Aortic Elephant Trunk Stent."

Tan Zhengyang fell silent and directly hung up the phone on Chen Cang.

This left Chen Cang feeling slightly dumbfounded.

This guy!

Never mind.

Looks like this editorial board position isn't going to be easy.

But Chen Cang wasn't particularly attached to the position. If he didn't do it, so be it; it didn't matter much to him.

When it came to academic titles, Chen Cang certainly wasn't lacking.

After all, he was the president of the World Digestive Surgery Society and the editor-in-chief of the *World Digestive Surgery Journal*.

You could almost say without exaggeration: that journal hadn't even been established yet.

But when it did start publishing, achieving SCI indexing within three years?

An impact factor above 3 within three years would be no issue at all.

After all, just look at how many big shots were involved with that journal.

On Thursday, Xiao Zhehai called Chen Cang.

"Chen Cang, you joined the *New Edition of the Chinese Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery*?"

Chen Cang nodded. "Yeah."

Xiao Zhehai couldn't suppress a chuckle. "That Tan Zhengyang sure isn't simple. Has he asked you to write anything yet?"

Chen Cang blinked. "He asked me to write an article about the Chen Aortic Elephant Trunk Stent."

Xiao Zhehai couldn't help shaking his head. "That guy... such a persistent pest. You're better off staying clear of him. Honestly, you should resign from the editorial board."

"When I joined, he pressed me to write an article on intercostal artery anastomosis surgery—within 18 minutes no less."

Now Chen Cang understood how Tan Zhengyang had managed to get into SCI indexing within five years.

This guy really was... something else!

Xiao Zhehai chuckled. "That guy has some backing in the healthcare system. People generally avoid crossing him. Just write one paper and then step away from it."

...

PS: Special thanks to "Guoguo10086" and "Reader20190530040403471" for their 10,000-point rewards. Thank you!