《Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor Gao-Yuan》


 Episode 1: I Am a Doctor

    ¡°Gao-Yuan.¡±


    ¡°Here.¡±


    ¡°Go on in. Have a good talk with your family. Strive for a positive reform.¡±


    The door creaked open.


    A gaunt figure shuffled in. The hands and ankles that peeked through the frayed fabric were little more than skin stretched over bone, and his cheeks were hollow, sunken deep into his face. His eyes had long lost their luster, devoid of any life, moving only occasionally, as if out of habit.


    Gao-Yuan moved slowly toward the table, settling into the chair without a sound.


    The guard secured his hands to the iron ring bolted to the table, and Gao-Yuan sat there, his gaze fixed and vacant, staring ahead at the iron bars before him.


    Not long after, another man entered. He leaned heavily on a wooden cane, his belly protruding, his face swollen and tinged with an unnatural flush. Every few steps, he would gasp for air, as if each breath took more effort than the last. This short walk of barely a dozen meters seemed like a torturous journey for him.


    Gao-Yuan¡¯s lifeless eyes twitched. He looked his visitor up and down, his parched, skeletal face tightening imperceptibly.


    The man, however, kept his head bowed, refusing to meet Gao-Yuan¡¯s gaze.


    Frowning, Gao-Yuan turned to the guard. ¡°Can I examine my brother¡¯s condition?¡±


    The guard took a long look at the visitor, clearly ill, and nodded. ¡°As before, any diagnosis and prescription need to be filed.¡±


    Gao-Yuan turned his eyes back to his brother.


    Gao Jun finally made his way to the seat opposite, collapsing into it with laboring breaths.


    ¡°How did your rheumatic heart disease get this bad?¡± Gao-Yuan asked, his voice flat but tinged with worry.


    But Gao Jun ignored him. With no expression, he lifted his head. and waited until his breath evened out before speaking coldly, ¡°I¡¯m here to inform you of something.¡±


    A knot tightened in Gao-Yuan''s chest.


    ¡°Mother¡¯s gone.¡±


    Three simple words, and the world seemed to fall silent, frozen for what felt like an eternity.


    In that moment, Gao-Yuan¡¯s mind went blank. Everything around him became hazy and indistinct, as if he couldn¡¯t comprehend why he was here, in this place, at this time.


    ¡°What?¡± Gao-Yuan muttered, his voice barely audible.


    Gao Jun had already lost interest. He pushed himself up from the chair, gripped his wooden cane, and began his unsteady journey toward the door.


    Gao-Yuan watched him leave, his lips trembling, words caught in his throat. He wanted to call out, but all he could muster were incoherent. desperate sounds. ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Gao Jun paused at the doorway, never turning around. He simply said, with cold detachment, ¡°If only you never existed...¡±


    Gao-Yuan¡¯s body frozen, as if time itself had halted. And then everything went black, as if the last sliver of light had been extinguished.


    ¡°Gao-Yuan! Gao-Yuan! Someone, help!¡±


    ¡­


    On a train.


    Zhang Yuancai sat smoking, though this particular cigarette seemed to burn awkwardly in his hand. There was something strange about the young man next to him.


    This young man knew his name and called him with such familiarity, but Zhang Yuancai couldn¡¯t recall ever meeting him. What was more unsettling was the boy¡¯s odd behavior. He¡¯d stand up, sit down, and gaze out the window, then back at the carriage. He pinched his thigh, slapped his face, and borrowed newspapers from other passengers only to glance at the date and then return them, seemingly disinterested in the actual news.


    Returning to his seat, the young man started muttering to himself, words incomprehensible but often featuring the word ¡°Mother.¡± If he hadn''t called him by his name, Zhang Yuan might have called the traffic police.


    After a long while, as the train neared its destination, Zhang Yuancai licked a piece of paper, sprinkled a bit of tobacco, and deftly rolled himself another cigarette. The young man seemed to have calmed down, at least no longer muttering nonsense.


    ¡°Hey, kid,¡± Zhang Yuancai finally decided to break the silence. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    The young man kept his head down, fingers entwined tightly. ¡°Gao-Yuan.¡±


    ¡°Gao-Yuan¡­¡± The name stirred something in Zhang Yuancai¡¯s memory. ¡°How do you know my name?¡±


    Slowly, Gao-Yuan turned to look at him, studying the face that seemed far younger than he remembered. ¡°You¡¯re in charge of purchasing and distributing medicinal herbs for our county. I know you.¡±


    ¡°Oh, a fellow townsman!¡± Zhang Yuancai laughed, suddenly understanding. ¡°No wonder your name sounded familiar. But why were you acting? so strange? Talking about coming back, calling out for your mom... What¡¯s going on with you?¡±


    Gao-Yuan stared blankly at him, forcing a weak smile. ¡°I¡­ miss home.¡±


    ¡°Ah, so you¡¯re just back from somewhere? You got your introduction letter?¡± Zhang Yuancai asked.


    Gao-Yuan reached into his bag, pulling out the letter, his hands trembling slightly as he stared at it.


    Seeing the letter, Zhang Yuancai¡¯s wariness faded, and curiosity took its place. ¡°Which village are you from, anyway?¡±


    ¡°Zhang-Zhuang,¡± Gao-Yuan replied.


    ¡°Which team? Who¡¯s your dad?¡± Zhang Yuancai''s eyes widened. ¡°I¡¯m from Zhang-Zhuang too!¡±


    Gao-Yuan lowered his gaze; his eyes clouded with thought. ¡°Of course I know. You¡¯re famous in our village.¡±


    Embarrassed but pleased, Zhang Yuancai waved his hand dismissively and took a puff of his cigarette.


    After a pause, Gao-Yuan asked, ¡°Uncle Yuancai, how¡¯s your family? Is the old lady still well?¡±


    The smile vanished from Zhang Yuancai¡¯s face. ¡°It¡¯s kind of you to ask, but my mother¡¯s been ill for a while. We even took her to a big hospital in the city, but she didn¡¯t improve. When we brought her back to the county, she got worse. Just got a telegram urging me to return... I have no idea what¡¯s happened.¡±


    Gao-Yuan bowed his head. Yes, the timeline matched.


    In the previous timeline, he had taken this exact train. Upon returning, he joined the village clinic but soon encountered Zhang Yuancai, who stormed in and accused the doctors of prescribing the wrong treatment and hastening his mother¡¯s death. The fallout was severe, nearly destroying Gao-Yuan¡¯s livelihood.


    Gao-Yuan remained silent, his head bowed. Inside, his heart churned, wrestling with disbelief. How had he returned? Why is this impossible? unscientific journey back a decade, back to this train, back to the beginning? And yet every detail confirmed it¡ªhe was truly here, ten years younger, with a chance to rewrite his fate.


    Gazing out at his reflection in the window, he stared into his own eyes. Younger, but with a weight far beyond his years.


    ¡°Uncle Yuancai,¡± he said suddenly, ¡°I¡¯ll go back with you. I want to examine your mother.¡±


    ¡°You? Examine?¡± Zhang Yuancai squinted, confused. ¡°What do you mean? What do you do?¡±


    Gao-Yuan met his gaze, unflinching. ¡°I am a doctor.¡±

 Episode 2: Suspended Fluid Retention

    Following the departure from the train...


    Gao-Yuan and Zhang-Yuancai carried sacks of medicinal herbs back. Zhang-Yuancai finally found a helper to carry the load.


    Gao-Yuan had some recollection that Zhang-Yuancai¡¯s house was not far from the town''s united clinic.


    "Indoor!" Zhang-Yuancai shouted loudly at the entrance, "How''s mom?"


    An anxious voice came from inside the house: "Come in quickly; mom is not doing well. Doctor Liu Sanquan has already arrived."


    Zhang-Yuancai quickly threw down the large bags on the ground and rushed inside.


    Gao-Yuan also placed the sack in his hands on the ground and followed behind.


    Before they even reached the inner room, they heard violent coughing.


    "Mom." Zhang-Yuancai rushed in.


    Gao-Yuan looked at Doctor Liu Sanquan, who was pondering on the side; his eyes dazed.


    Liu Sanquan also looked back, puzzled as to why this young man kept staring at him. "Is something wrong?" Liu Sanquan asked Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan shook his head and turned his attention to the elderly lady leaning on the bed.


    Zhang-Yuancai anxiously asked his wife, "How did it get this serious?"


    Zhang-Yuancai¡¯s wife replied, "Just these past three days since you went out, it suddenly worsened. Mom said it felt like a slab of stone was pressing on her chest, making it hard to breathe. Every breath feels like needles pricking her; the pain is unbearable."


    Zhang-Yuancai looked increasingly worried.


    Gao-Yuan observed the old lady¡¯s condition: her face was haggard, eyes sunken, sweating profusely, and coughing violently. Speaking and breathing had become extremely difficult, as if an invisible hand was gripping her throat.


    Gao-Yuan wasn¡¯t sure what illness she had. In his past life, when he had just returned, he was an utter novice in traditional Chinese medicine. When he worked as an assistant at the United Clinic, the old lady had already passed away.


    He only remembered that after the old lady passed away, the clinic''s director, Zhao Huanzhang, returned from out of town. He privately lamented that if he had returned earlier, the patient might have had a chance.


    Zhao Huanzhang dared to say this because he was exceptionally skilled in medicine, ranking among the top in the county as a traditional Chinese doctor.


    Recalling this past event, Gao-Yuan felt assured that Zhao Huanzhang had the capability to help.


    Gao-Yuan asked, "Uncle Yuancai, what illness does the old lady have?"


    Zhang-Yuancai anxiously replied, "Severe bilateral tuberculous exudative pleurisy, with pleural effusion. Experts from the city hospital said that except for the first to third ribs on both sides, all others were filled with fluid."


    "They initially suggested draining the fluid, but my mom refused, so we could only bring her back. How did it suddenly worsen?" Zhang-Yuancai anxiously asked his wife, "Did you give mom her medicine?"


    Zhang-Yuancai¡¯s wife responded, "Yes, the streptomycin that the city hospital had prescribed. It hasn¡¯t been stopped for the past ten days. I had Xiao Cai from the public pharmacy come over to administer it while you were away."


    Zhang-Yuancai scratched his head in frustration.


    Gao-Yuan observed that the old lady¡¯s lips had turned blue. She could no longer speak and was struggling to breathe.


    Wanting to ask Zhang-Yuancai for more information, Gao-Yuan saw that he had gone to consult Doctor Liu Sanquan.


    Gao-Yuan could only ask Zhang Yuancai¡¯s wife. He learned that the old lady initially had fever and chills like a cold but continued working without paying much attention. Later, she experienced chest tightness, night sweats, and severe coughing.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    She was sent to the county hospital, but since they didn¡¯t have an X-ray machine, she was transferred to the city hospital. The diagnosis was severe bilateral tuberculous exudative pleurisy with pleural effusion. After returning home, her condition suddenly worsened, making it hard to breathe. Each breath felt like needles stabbing her, and she could barely eat more than three ounces of food daily.


    Gao-Yuan stepped forward to observe the old lady¡¯s tongue. Her tongue¡¯s edges and tip were covered in blood spots, and her lips and tongue were blue.


    Gao-Yuan pondered, noting that the color of her tongue resembled visible blue veins on the skin, lacking red color, indicating cold condensation, Yang depression, and blood stasis. The tongue was also covered in blood spots, indicating more stagnation.


    Zhang-Yuancai urgently asked Liu Sanquan, "Doctor Liu, when will Doctor Zhao Huanzhang return?"


    Liu Sanquan rubbed his wrinkled forehead and said, "It¡¯ll probably be another four or five days."


    Zhang-Yuancai, growing increasingly anxious, exclaimed, "We can¡¯t wait that long! Please prescribe something immediately to provide urgent relief! We can¡¯t let my mom suffocate to death!"


    Liu Sanquan nodded cautiously and glanced over at the old lady, only to be taken aback: "Who¡¯s that person you brought back?"


    "What¡¯s the matter?" Zhang-Yuancai turned to see the young man he had brought back, taking his mother¡¯s pulse. He was stunned, realizing that the young man was indeed a doctor, though he had initially thought of him as merely a helping hand.


    Soon, Gao-Yuan finished taking her pulse and made his judgment: it was a critical case of suspended fluid retention, soon to become terminal.


    He walked over to Liu Sanquan and looked at him.


    Puzzled, Liu Sanquan looked back at Gao-Yuan. Why was this young man staring again? Gao-Yuan leaned in and whispered, "What formula are you planning to use?"


    "Hmm?" Liu Sanquan was taken aback. He glanced at Zhang-Yuancai and then asked Gao-Yuan, "Do you know how to do it?"


    Gao-Yuan was at a loss for words.


    At this, Zhang-Yuancai''s expression changed, and he said irritably, "Young man, don¡¯t disturb Doctor Liu. Doctor Liu, please prescribe something quickly; my mom¡¯s life is on the line!"


    Given the urgency, Liu Sanquan didn¡¯t dare delay and said, "Let''s start with the Shizao Tang (Ten Jujube Decoction). I¡¯ll prepare the medicine and bring it over."


    With that, Liu Sanquan turned to leave.


    But Gao-Yuan reached out and grabbed him.


    Startled, Liu Sanquan shook off Gao-Yuan¡¯s hand, displeased, "What are you doing?"


    Gao-Yuan finally understood the prescription Liu Sanquan was going to use. No wonder Zhang-Yuancai had sought trouble later. With things as they were, he couldn¡¯t worry about saving face for Liu Sanquan; saving a life was more important.


    Gao-Yuan shook his head and said directly, "No, it¡¯s too late to use Shizao Tang now."


    Liu Sanquan laughed and said, "Synopsis of the Golden Chamber, saying, ¡®For suspended fluid retention, use Shizao Tang.¡¯ Pleural effusion is suspended fluid retention, understand? You¡¯d better read more books, young man."


    After saying this, Liu Sanquan was about to leave again.


    Seeing Gao-Yuan about to stop him, Zhang-Yuancai became displeased, "Hey! Young man, why are you being unreasonable? How could you know more than an experienced doctor?"


    Gao-Yuan quickly explained, "But the ''Treatise on Febrile Diseases Caused by Cold'' clearly states that Shizao Tang requires the precondition of ''relieving the exterior syndrome first'' before it can be used, and there must be symptoms of fullness, hardness, and stuffiness in the epigastrium and abdomen. Therefore, Shizao Tang is used for suspended fluid retention with both exterior relief and unresolved internal symptoms, not for every case of suspended fluid retention!"


    Hearing this, Liu Sanquan paused, stunned, and turned to look at Gao-Yuan.


    Zhang-Yuancai also froze, unable to understand.


    Seeing Liu Sanquan stop, Gao-Yuan continued, "If this had been more than a month ago when the suspended fluid retention had just started, using Shizao Tang after relieving the exterior syndrome would have been effective. But now, it¡¯s dragged on for so long and has worsened. She can no longer eat and can barely breathe. Her body is so weak; she can''t withstand the drastic effect of Shizao Tang."


    Liu Sanquan became skeptical. Was this mentioned in the Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases? Gao-Yuan said frankly, "The patient¡¯s pulse is thin, rapid, and inconsistent. A thin pulse indicates dampness or Yang deficiency, matching her suspended fluid retention condition. The rapid pulse suggests heat, yet a thin and rapid pulse often appears in Yin deficiency, which doesn¡¯t match the patient¡¯s condition. When pulse and symptoms match, it¡¯s auspicious; if they don¡¯t, it¡¯s ominous. The pulse is erratic, and the patient is already at the brink of danger. If you use Shizao Tang, can you take responsibility?"


    Upon hearing this, Liu Sanquan felt nervous, instinctively clenching his muscles. He knew the aggressive nature of Shizao Tang.


    Zhang-Yuancai¡¯s eyes shifted between Gao-Yuan and Doctor Liu, uncertain of whom to believe.


    Liu Sanquan felt nervous and immediately said to Zhang-Yuancai, "The treatment of suspended fluid retention with Shizao Tang is written in medical books; I didn¡¯t make it up. Your mother¡¯s illness couldn¡¯t even be handled by the big hospital in the city. I''m just an ordinary rural doctor. If you want to find someone else, go ahead, but I¡¯m not confident and can¡¯t bear the consequences. Don¡¯t blame me!"


    "I¡­" Zhang-Yuancai was at a loss for what to do. In a panic, he said, "Then what should I do? Where can I find another doctor? Zhao Huanzhang hasn¡¯t returned yet."


    Liu Sanquan spread his hands and said, "To be honest, even if Zhao Huanzhang were back, it would be the same. Though it may not be pleasant to hear, you know this deep down. Even the experts at the big hospital couldn¡¯t do anything, and her condition only worsened. Around here, who could have a solution? Who could be sure?"


    Gao-Yuan calmly said, "I can."

 Episode 3: You Are Gao-Yuan!

    Zhang Yuancai and Liu Sanquan both looked at Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan calmly met their gaze. He wasn''t bluffing. Although the situation seemed urgent, Gao-Yuan had experienced many critical moments in his past life, and this one wasn¡¯t that severe in comparison. Moreover, the patient was still running a fever, which meant the situation hadn''t reached the worst stage yet.


    Zhang Yuancai glanced at Liu Sanquan, then at Gao-Yuan.


    Liu Sanquan had already admitted that he couldn''t handle it. Although this young fellow claimed he could, Zhang Yuancai couldn''t fully trust him; he seemed way too young.


    But there were no other doctors around here, and his mother was already in such a critical state. She couldn''t be taken to a hospital anymore; it was simply too much trouble.


    Liu Sanquan clicked his tongue at Gao-Yuan and said, "Young man, you talk even bigger than Zhao Huanzhang."


    After thinking for a moment, Zhang Yuancai decided to ask, "So, what medicine do you plan to use?"


    Gao-Yuan replied, "Gualou Xiebai Baijiu Tang..."


    Before he could finish, Liu Sanquan frowned and interrupted, "Isn''t that for treating chest bi syndrome?"


    Zhang Yuancai asked, "What is chest bi syndrome?"


    Liu Sanquan explained, "It''s pain in the chest and back area, mainly because of heart problems¡ªheart disease, similar to coronary heart disease in Western medicine."


    Zhang Yuancai turned to Gao-Yuan and asked, "But my mother doesn''t have heart disease."


    Hearing this, Gao-Yuan frowned slightly. He was quite familiar with Liu Sanquan, who was just an ordinary doctor capable of treating common ailments. When it came to difficult and critical cases, he was out of his depth. Moreover, his thinking was quite rigid; he was someone who only read books by rote.


    Gao-Yuan looked at Liu Sanquan and asked, "Then what¡¯s the pathological mechanism of chest bi syndrome?"


    After some thought, Liu Sanquan answered, "The mechanism... it should be that chest Yang is weak, and Yin-cold is congealed."


    After saying this, he regretted it¡ªwhy was he even responding to this young man?


    Gao-Yuan nodded. "That''s correct. In the chest area, because the Yang energy is weak, Yin-cold gathers. At this point, Gualou Xiebai Baijiu Tang is needed. Once the chest Yang is unblocked, the Yin-cold dissipates, right?"


    This time, Liu Sanquan ignored Gao-Yuan.


    Zhang Yuancai anxiously asked, "But what does this have to do with my mother''s condition?"


    Gao-Yuan pointed to the old lady, then touched his own chest. "The old lady''s illness is pleural effusion; there''s fluid accumulating in her chest cavity. Fluid belongs to Yin, so isn¡¯t this Yin-cold gathering in the chest? And why is it gathering there? Because the chest Yang is weak. So, do you think this medicine should be used or not?"


    "Oh!" This time, even Zhang Yuancai understood.


    Liu Sanquan''s eyes suddenly widened. He might have had rigid thinking, but he wasn''t stupid. Hearing Gao-Yuan''s explanation, he felt as if a light bulb had gone off in his head. He muttered, "It can be understood this way?"


    It was like a thin layer of paper had been pierced, and Liu Sanquan¡¯s eyes brightened.


    Seeing Liu Sanquan¡¯s expression, Zhang Yuancai had a sense of clarity.


    He asked specifically, "Dr. Liu, do you think this prescription is suitable?"


    Liu Sanquan was momentarily stuck. Although he understood, he still looked a bit resentful. He replied, "Since you specially invited a skilled doctor from afar, why ask me?"


    Zhang Yuancai was also at a loss for words¡ªwho could have predicted this?


    "I still have to make rounds in the village, so I''ll be going now." With that, Liu Sanquan quickly left. The old lady''s illness was so severe that he was somewhat frightened. Now that someone else was willing to take over, he preferred to avoid unnecessary trouble.


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Zhang Yuancai finally understood that this young man he had met by chance on the train had medical skills far superior to Liu Sanquan''s. He said to Gao-Yuan, "Young man¡ªno, Doctor, please quickly prescribe medicine for my mother."


    "Okay." Gao-Yuan glanced at Liu Sanquan''s departing figure and let out a slow breath.


    Gao-Yuan wrote the prescription: Gualou Xiebai Baijiu Tang to invigorate chest Yang, treating the root cause. He combined it with Danshen Yin to eliminate stasis and then added Qianjin Weijing Tang. This was Gao-Yuan''s personal experience; Qianjin Weijing Tang is usually used to treat lung abscesses, but he borrowed its properties to expel the water from the pleural effusion, with excellent results.


    On this basis, he adjusted a few ingredients and then handed the prescription to Zhang Yuancai.


    Soon, Zhang Yuancai went to the nearby pharmacy and bought the medicinal herbs, and his wife hurriedly started boiling them.


    Gao-Yuan didn''t leave. The patient was in critical condition, and he had to stay by the bedside until she was out of danger. It was his habit and a principle he always followed.


    Once the medicine was ready, they fed it to the old lady.


    After a while, Gao-Yuan said, "Bring a chamber pot."


    Zhang Yuancai was stunned. "What?"


    Gao-Yuan said, "The water will soon be expelled."


    Just as he finished speaking, Zhang Yuancai¡¯s wife called out from inside, "Yuancai, hurry up and bring a chamber pot; Mom can¡¯t hold it anymore!"


    "Oh!" Zhang Yuancai quickly sprang into action, grabbing the chamber pot as he ran, exclaiming, "Is this medicine really that effective?"


    Gao-Yuan knew this was thanks to the Qianjin Weijing Tang. It treats the symptoms quickly.


    Within two hours after taking the medicine, the old lady urinated four times, and each time it wasn¡¯t a small amount. Although they didn''t have a measuring cup, they could see that the old lady¡¯s discomfort had eased considerably.


    Earlier, it was as if an invisible hand was gripping her throat, making it extremely difficult to breathe.


    Now, she could breathe a little, although still rapidly, but it wasn¡¯t as terrifying as before, and her improvement was evident.


    Zhang Yuancai¡¯s wife excitedly came out to report the situation.


    Hearing this, Zhang Yuancai was overjoyed.


    Gao-Yuan nodded slightly. "Two hours have passed; continue administering the medicine. Follow my instructions; don¡¯t stop. Take it every two hours, and keep taking all three doses in one go. By tomorrow, she should be completely out of danger."


    "Okay, okay, I¡¯ll get the medicine!" Zhang Yuancai¡¯s wife was now thoroughly convinced by Gao-Yuan.


    Zhang Yuancai looked at Gao-Yuan in amazement. Even the city''s big hospital couldn¡¯t help, and after using streptomycin at home for over half a month, his mother¡¯s condition worsened. But with one treatment from this young man, the improvement was immediate, and she would be fine by the next day.


    That was incredible!


    Zhang Yuancai was overjoyed, hardly daring to believe it.


    Gao-Yuan, however, remained calm. Although the old lady''s illness seemed severe, it wasn¡¯t much to him.


    He was relieved that he had finally helped the joint clinic through this tough time. Otherwise, in the coming months, the people in the clinic would either have to rely on their parents or their wives.


    Eager to express his gratitude, Zhang Yuancai hurriedly urged his wife to prepare wine and meat, intending to thank and entertain Gao-Yuan properly.


    Gao-Yuan replied, "No need for that. Since the old lady¡¯s condition is stable now, I¡¯ll head home."


    "No, no, no!" Zhang Yuancai quickly pulled on Gao-Yuan. "No way, today you must stay and eat. You¡¯re a great benefactor to our family, and if you just leave like this, people will gossip about me! Today, you must drink and eat your fill."


    Gao-Yuan said, "Next time, I promise."


    But Zhang Yuancai held on even tighter, fearing Gao-Yuan would leave. "No, Dr. Gao, you''re an educated person, and you should be reasonable. You might go to university one day and become an intellectual, but you shouldn¡¯t alienate us working folks so soon."


    Gao-Yuan replied, "I''ve already attended university."


    Zhang Yuancai laughed, "Dr. Gao, you can fool me about other things, but not about this. You''re from our township, right? In our township, there''s only been one university graduate so far. His name is... Gao... Gao-Yuan."


    Zhang Yuancai slowly turned his head toward Gao-Yuan, his pupils shrinking. He released Gao-Yuan''s hand as if shocked, took several steps back, and stared at him in disbelief, "You... Gao-Yuan? Weren¡¯t you arrested as a spy?"


    Gao-Yuan looked at him calmly and said nothing. In his past life, he had explained himself for over a decade, but what good did it do?


    Instinctively, Zhang Yuancai glanced in the direction of the militia and then looked at Gao-Yuan warily, "You... you escaped?"


    "Or were you released?" he cautiously asked.


    Gao-Yuan didn¡¯t say much. He just replied, "Finish taking the medicine, and I¡¯ll come back to the township tomorrow."


    After that, Gao-Yuan turned around and left.


    "Hey!" Zhang Yuancai called out to Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan turned around to look at him.


    Suddenly, Zhang Yuancai didn¡¯t know what to say. His face reddened a bit. The young man in front of him was his mother''s savior, but now he didn¡¯t dare say anything about inviting him to stay for a meal. He said, "Wait a moment."


    After saying this, he quickly ran back into the house.


    Soon, he came running out again, sneaking something into Gao-Yuan''s hand. He didn''t dare look at Gao-Yuan and awkwardly said, "Thank you."


    Zhang Yuancai ran back into the house.


    Gao-Yuan looked down and saw a box of cigarettes and a crumpled three-yuan banknote in his hand. The corner of his mouth twitched. Without hesitation, he placed both items behind the threshold of the Zhang family¡¯s door.


    Looking into the house, he said, "How can I accept money for serving the people?"


    Zhang Yuancai quickly rushed out again, but Gao-Yuan was already out of sight. His expression was complicated as he stared at the untouched cigarettes and money.

 Episode 4 The Symptoms Must Be Treated First

    Gao Yuan walked alone on the mountain road back home, his thoughts unsettled as he gazed at the overlapping mountains.


    He stopped and looked back at the path he had just taken, which was covered in yellow mud and full of bumps and obstacles.


    Gao Yuan recalled the terrified expression on Zhang Yuancai¡¯s face earlier, as well as his attitude of avoiding him as if he were a snake or scorpion. This kind of expression and attitude was something Gao Yuan had experienced for more than ten years in his previous life. Even when he was imprisoned for the second time, it hadn''t changed.


    His gaze became desolate. Since heaven had allowed him to return to ten years ago, why not let him go back a few more years? Back to that torrential rainy night, back to that moment that had changed his entire life.


    But there were no "what ifs" in this world.


    Gao Yuan turned around, lowering his head, and walked forward with heavy steps.


    He thought about what his younger brother Gao Jun had said to him during his prison visit. His mother had passed away early because of him; otherwise, his brother wouldn¡¯t have said, "If only you didn¡¯t exist, things would be so much better."


    Those words felt like a knife carving into Gao Yuan''s heart.


    Gao Yuan sighed softly, and the image of Gao Jun¡¯s unsteady, panting figure flashed before him. Instantly, his expression tightened. "Oh no!"


    ...


    In the village.


    Doctor Liu Sanquan, who had signed a contract for regular visits to the village¡¯s clinic, first went to the village''s assembly hall and found the patient list on the lower right corner of the blackboard. He took out his notebook and copied down the names, some of which were marked with a star.


    The stars indicated bedridden patients, while those without were out earning work points.


    Carrying his medicine box, Liu Sanquan first went to treat the severely ill at home.


    After seeing the bedridden patients, Liu Sanquan headed to the fields to continue his rounds. It was a busy farming season, so even those with mild illnesses were out earning work points. "Zhang Huanghe from the third team, where is Zhang Huanghe? Come quickly for your check-up. As for the other teams, anyone feeling unwell, come over for treatment."


    Soon, a few people walked over from the fields to seek medical attention.


    Liu Sanquan found a shaded spot under a tree and began treating the patients.


    There weren''t any major illnesses; most of the recent cases were common colds. After diagnosing them, Liu Sanquan handed out prescription slips and instructed them on how to obtain the medicine. The last patient was a mother and son.


    "Hmm? Caught a cold too?" Liu Sanquan asked, looking at the still-coughing Gao Jun.


    Gao Jun''s mother accompanied him, saying, "Just a bit of a cough, and his body aches slightly, nothing serious. The main issue is that this boy is too frail. Look at how skinny he is¡ªjust skin and bones, with no strength. That¡¯s why he¡¯s prone to catching colds. Could you prescribe something to strengthen him and help him gain some weight?"


    "Oh," Liu Sanquan nodded and looked at Gao Jun again, seeing that the boy was indeed emaciated to the point where his bones were visible. His complexion was pale, and his energy was weak. He said, "Alright, I¡¯ll prescribe something to strengthen his spleen. Fortunately, I still have some pills in my medicine box, so you don¡¯t need to travel to the town for them."


    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    "Oh, that¡¯s great," Gao Jun''s mother beamed. Getting medicine in the countryside wasn''t easy, as traveling to the town from their village meant a walk of several dozen miles along mountain roads. A round trip took most of the day and would delay earning work points.


    Liu Sanquan took a bottle from his medicine box and handed it to Gao Jun''s mother, saying, "Go home and pour the medicine into a container; I¡¯ll need the bottle back. Also, bring your treatment booklet and five jiao (0.5 yuan)."


    Gao Jun''s mother was surprised. "This medicine costs five jiao?"


    "Yes," Liu Sanquan nodded. "It contains ginseng, so it''s more expensive. Fortunately, your cooperative covered 80% of the cost. Otherwise, it would be even more expensive if you had to pay for it all yourself. Remember to seal it well at home; store it in a cool, dry place."


    Gao Jun''s mother nodded. "Alright."


    Gao Jun took the medicine, pressing the aching parts of his body. "Cough, cough¡­ I¡¯ll take some now. I still need to go back and earn work points."


    Liu Sanquan nodded, "Alright."


    Gao Jun''s mother said, "I¡¯ll get you some water."


    Just as Gao Jun''s mother brought the water and Gao Jun was about to take the medicine, a voice came from not far away: "Wait, don¡¯t take it."


    Everyone looked towards the voice and saw someone approaching quickly.


    Gao Jun''s mother and Gao Jun froze.


    As soon as Liu Sanquan saw who it was, he became furious. Why had this person followed him all this way? Could it be that he wouldn''t let him be?


    "Jun¡­" Gao Jun''s mother looked at the approaching person, her hand constantly waving to the side. Her legs went weak, and she almost collapsed to the ground. The hand she extended was meant for Gao Jun to grab hold of her.


    "Mom!" Gao Jun cried out in panic, dropping the cup he held. He quickly supported his mother.


    But despite this, Gao Jun''s mother still ended up sitting weakly on the ground. Fortunately, she wasn¡¯t hurt.


    Gao Jun''s mother¡¯s breathing suddenly quickened. She clutched her chest, her eyes never leaving the approaching figure. "Am I... am I dreaming? Jun¡­ Jun, do you see? Is your brother... has your brother really come back? Has he?"


    Though Gao Jun was holding his mother¡¯s hand, he was utterly dumbfounded.


    Seeing Gao Yuan approaching, Liu Sanquan felt deeply troubled and yelled, "What on earth do you want? Why are you following me? Are you not finished?"


    Gao Yuan reached them, panting, and looked at his mother and brother.


    Liu Sanquan saw that Gao Yuan wasn¡¯t responding to him, so he became anxious. He stood up, shouting, "Hey! I¡¯m talking to you!"


    "Mom."


    "Yuan, is that you?" Tears welled up in Gao Jun''s mother''s eyes, and her voice carried a sobbing tone, full of disbelief.


    "Huh?" Liu Sanquan looked between the two, dumbfounded.


    Gao Yuan stepped forward and took his mother''s hand. Finally seeing her, Gao Yuan''s heart pounded uncontrollably, but he forced himself to remain calm. He said softly, "Mom, I¡¯m back."


    Gao Jun''s mother, with eyes full of tears, said, "Is it true? Am I not dreaming?"


    Gao Yuan tightly held his mother''s hand, nodding vigorously with tears in his eyes. "It¡¯s not a dream. I¡¯m really back!"


    The commotion quickly drew a crowd, who began whispering in confusion.


    Gao Yuan then turned to his younger brother, Gao Jun. Looking at his brother''s thin but otherwise healthy face, he reached out and pressed down on the medicine in Gao Jun¡¯s hand. He said, "Jun, you can¡¯t take this medicine."


    "Huh?" Gao Jun hadn¡¯t snapped out of his shock since earlier.


    Hearing this, Liu Sanquan was displeased. Why was this young man always against him? Earlier was one thing, but now he had chased him this far and was still opposing him. He couldn''t take it anymore. "Why can''t he take it? Are you suggesting I¡¯ve adulterated the medicine or poisoned it?"


    Gao Yuan turned to look at Liu Sanquan and said, "The medicine is good."


    Before Gao Yuan could finish, Liu Sanquan interrupted, "Then why can¡¯t he take it?"


    Gao Yuan became angry and asked, "Are you not familiar with the medical teaching that says ''all symptoms must be treated first''?"


    Liu Sanquan looked puzzled.


    Gao Yuan was both exasperated and helpless. His brother, Gao Jun, had always been frail and skinny with a poor immune system. While suffering from a cold, he still showed symptoms. Yet, Liu Sanquan had prescribed medicine to strengthen his spleen, thereby trapping the illness inside. Eventually, this led to Gao Jun developing rheumatic heart disease.


    Before his rebirth, Gao Yuan had witnessed his brother in the throes of that illness. And it had all started from this moment.


    Unable to recall the medical teaching, Liu Sanquan frowned and said, "How could I not know that? What¡¯s wrong with strengthening the spleen in someone with weak energy and blood?"


    "The spleen and stomach are the source of energy and blood production. This boy is so thin, his immune system is poor. Of course, he needs to strengthen his spleen and boost his energy to protect against further illness. Why can¡¯t he take it? Do you think this medicine would harm him?"


    "By the way, who are you? Why are you always opposing me? Which clinic do you work for? I¡¯ve never seen you before!" Liu Sanquan looked from Gao Yuan''s mother to Gao Yuan. He had never heard of a doctor coming from this village.

 Episode 5 An Untreated Cold Turns into Tuberculosis

    The crowd around them had already erupted in chaos.


    "How is Gao-Yuan back? Didn''t he defect? Wasn''t he executed?"


    "No, he wasn¡¯t executed; he was imprisoned. Did they release him?"


    The people nearby weren¡¯t speaking quietly, and their words quickly spread.


    Gao-Yuan¡¯s younger brother, Gao Jun, hung his head in shame. his face turning red as he avoided looking at the villagers.


    Gao¡¯s mother looked embarrassed. She tightly grasped Gao-Yuan''s hand and said, "Yuan, let''s go home first. We''ll talk at home."


    Liu Sanquan, listening to the murmurs of the crowd, finally remembered. "Are you Gao-Yuan? The college student Gao-Yuan?"


    Gao-Yuan looked at the wary expressions around him, then at Liu Sanquan. He patted his mother''s hand, who was trying to pull him away. Some things he knew had to be confronted.


    Standing tall, Gao-Yuan addressed the crowd calmly, "Hello, everyone. It''s been a while. I am Gao-Yuan, and I¡¯ve returned."


    The place fell silent, as if the people were unaccustomed to Gao-Yuan¡¯s calm demeanour.


    "Has he been rehabilitated?" Someone whispered, clearly taken aback by Gao-Yuan''s confident stance.


    Even Gao''s mother and brother looked at him in astonishment.


    "My son..." Gao''s mother''s voice trembled.


    Gao-Yuan patted her hand again and said, "We¡¯ll talk at home."


    With tears in her eyes, Gao¡¯s mother nodded heavily.


    Liu Sanquan glanced around, then asked in confusion, "I remember, you weren''t a doctor before. Weren''t you working as an official?"


    "I¡¯ve read some medical books and understand a bit about medicine," Gao-Yuan replied.


    "But you¡¯ve never actually practiced medicine?" Liu Sanquan clapped his hands together, realizing he¡¯d been duped earlier. This guy hadn¡¯t actually worked as a doctor. He¡¯d only read a few books, just theory without practice.


    Liu Sanquan almost rolled his eyes. "Then this afternoon..."


    Gao-Yuan interrupted, "That elderly woman is already out of danger."


    Shocked, Liu Sanquan swallowed his words and blurted out, "How is that possible? It¡¯s only been a few hours! The city hospital couldn¡¯t treat her, and you managed it in just a few hours?"


    Liu Sanquan was utterly sceptical.


    "Is it that hard?" Gao-Yuan was questioned in return.


    Liu Sanquan nearly bit his tongue.


    But there was no way to fake this; he¡¯d find out once went back.


    But still, how could this be? Even Zhao Huanzhang couldn¡¯t have done that!


    Liu Sanquan was suddenly filled with doubt and confusion.


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Seeing this, Gao-Yuan didn¡¯t argue further and said, "Let¡¯s discuss the issue of treating the exterior first. According to the symptoms, if an exterior syndrome exists, you must address it first. External pathogens invade our body from the surface inward."


    Frightened by Gao-Yuan¡¯s impressive achievement, Liu Sanquan didn¡¯t dare try.


    Gao-Yuan continued, "The Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor says, ¡®The superior physician prevents disease at the budding stage,¡¯ and ¡®The skilled physician treats the skin and hair.¡¯ When an external pathogen is still on the skin¡¯s surface, sweating to expel it causes no serious harm. But if you ignore the exterior syndrome and let the pathogen penetrate deeper, it can evolve into a half-dead, half-alive condition. Have you forgotten the old saying, ¡®If a cold isn¡¯t treated, it turns into tuberculosis¡¯."


    Liu Sanquan froze for a moment. He knew this saying.


    This phrase originated from Xu Lingtai, a famous Qing Dynasty physician, and later became a common saying. It means that if a cold or If the flu isn¡¯t properly treated, it could worsen and even turn into a serious illness. life-threatening condition like tuberculosis.


    Gao-Yuan went on, "This highlights the danger of neglecting the exterior syndrome. If you let a cold linger, it can develop into a severe, potentially fatal condition. If we use the wrong medicine while the exterior syndrome is still present, it can cause even more serious consequences."


    "But¡­" Liu Sanquan was anxious. Why did Gao-Yuan say he had used the wrong medicine?


    Gao-Yuan pointed to himself, "When the external pathogen is constricting the surface, if we mistakenly use purgative therapy, the external pathogen that was only on the skin''s surface will be pushed directly into the internal organs, leading to unforeseen dangers."


    "If we use tonics by mistake, it¡¯s like closing the door and keeping a thief inside, trapping the pathogen in the body. This becomes a hidden danger. When your vital energy weakens, the latent pathogen will attack the body, causing various complications."


    "You¡¯ve been a doctor for many years. Think about those stubborn ailments that never seem to heal, those that relapse after seeming to improve, or the seasonal illnesses that keep coming back. What causes them? Is it really repeated exposure to external pathogens?"


    "No, it¡¯s the latent pathogens that have been hidden in the body, waiting for the right moment to strike when your body is weak. If they¡¯re never cleared out... Gao-Yuan glanced at his younger brother, Gao Jun. "the consequences can be very severe."


    Liu Sanquan was stunned.


    At that moment, he recalled some cases he¡¯d handled before¡ªthose chronic illnesses that never got better and kept recurring. He hadn¡¯t thought much of it at the time, but now it didn¡¯t seem right. Even if the body''s vital energy was weak, could it really keep catching external pathogens over and over?


    "Latent pathogens..." Liu Sanquan muttered, feeling like he¡¯d been struck on the head¡ªshocked and bewildered.


    Seeing Liu Sanquan lost in thought, Gao-Yuan sighed. This principle of addressing the exterior syndrome first was often overlooked. In his previous life, he¡¯d stumbled over this issue several times.


    It wasn¡¯t until he was studying his brother''s rheumatic heart disease that he began to understand this concept. But before he could cure his brother¡¯s illness, he was imprisoned again. When he saw his brother next, he was already in his current state.


    "The superior physician prevents disease at the budding stage."


    In this lifetime, Gao-Yuan finally had the chance to intervene early and stop everything at its inception.


    The surrounding villagers were speechless when they heard Gao Yuan''s words.


    "Why do I feel like Gao-Yuan is more skilled than Liu? Sanquan?"


    "That¡¯s impossible. Liu Sanquan is an experienced doctor. I¡¯ve never heard that Gao-Yuan studied medicine. Wasn¡¯t he an official? before? How did he become a doctor?"


    "They said he¡¯s read medical books. He¡¯s an intellectual, a university student. He can learn from books, and he¡¯s the only college student in our entire village!"


    ¡­


    Gao-Yuan''s actions had shifted the topic from being labelled a traitor to his medical skills.


    "You¡­ I¡­" Liu Sanquan was suddenly at a loss for words.


    Gao-Yuan stepped forward, patted Liu Sanquan¡¯s shoulder, and handed back the medicine for Gao Jun.


    This was also a drawback of apprentice-style education¡ªthe teacher''s level could heavily influence the student¡¯s abilities. If the teacher didn¡¯t understand the principle of treating the exterior syndrome first, it would be difficult for the student to grasp it independently.


    After all, it wasn¡¯t an obvious concept, but something hidden within the body, lying dormant and waiting for the right moment. Years later, when illness struck, who would link it back to a seemingly insignificant cold from years before?


    Gao-Yuan took his mother''s hand and said, "Mom, let¡¯s go home."


    After the Gao family left, one of the villagers who had received a prescription came over to Liu Sanquan with it, saying, "Doctor Liu, could you take another look?"


    Hearing this, Liu Sanquan¡¯s nostrils flared in anger.

 Episode 6 The Past and the Path Forward

    Father Gao quickly learned about Gao Yuan''s return. He didn''t bother with his work points anymore and rushed home, stumbling as he ran, losing one of his shoes in his haste. But when he reached the doorway, he slowed down.


    Seeing Gao Yuan waiting at the entrance, Father Gao merely glanced at him before walking over slowly.


    Gao Yuan looked at his father and called out, "Dad."


    "Yeah," Father Gao responded gruffly. Perhaps sensing the heavy atmosphere, he added, "You''re back, huh?"


    "Yes," Gao Yuan nodded.


    Father Gao walked to the side of the house, fetched a stool made from a tree stump, and sat down. He reached for his waist to get his pipe but realized he had left it in the fields in his rush to come home.


    He took off his remaining shoe, banged it on the ground to shake out the dirt, and called to Gao Jun, "Jun, go to the fields and bring back the stuff, including my pipe. My shoe fell into the ditch; grab it when you head over."


    Gao Jun coughed a few times, rubbed his sore shoulders and neck, and silently left the house.


    As dusk fell, Mother Gao prepared dinner, trying to eat while there was still some daylight left. Otherwise, they''d have to light the oil lamp, which would waste precious oil.


    Gao Yuan made a bowl of scallion and fermented soybean soup for his brother Gao Jun to help him sweat out his cold.


    "Drink this," Gao Yuan said as he handed the soup to Gao Jun.


    Gao Jun silently took the bowl.


    Dinner was simple: sweet potatoes and a porridge made from mung beans and mixed grains.


    After the meal, Gao Yuan stood in the courtyard. The chilly mountain breeze at night stirred his thoughts.


    "Yuan, it''s windy in the mountains. Put on a coat," Mother Gao said, bringing out a jacket.


    "Okay," Gao Yuan took it and draped it over himself.


    Mother Gao gazed at her son, as if she could never look enough. After hesitating for a while, she asked cautiously, "Yuan, what really happened with that incident? How could you have betrayed anyone?"


    Gao Yuan¡¯s grip on the jacket tightened slightly, and the memory of that rainy night and the face of someone he once knew well flashed before him.


    "Gao Yuan, Gao Yuan, are you there? Open the door quickly!"


    "What¡¯s wrong?"


    "Someone from my family came; they said my dad fell and is in critical condition. I have to rush him to the hospital."


    "Huh?"


    "Is the car key still with you?"


    "Yes, I haven¡¯t handed it over yet."


    "Let me borrow it."


    "But¡­ that requires approval."


    "I¡¯m begging you."


    "Hey, don¡¯t kneel! Get up. Fine, I¡¯ll give it to you. Saving a life is more important. I¡¯ll handle the paperwork tomorrow."


    Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Thank you, thank you."


    "Why are you still standing here? Hurry back!"


    "Goodbye... goodbye."


    ...


    "Yuan¡­ Yuan¡­" Mother Gao nudged him, snapping him out of his thoughts.


    Gao Yuan turned to look at her.


    "Are you alright?" she asked with concern.


    Gao Yuan shook his head and avoided his mother''s gaze. "I''m fine. Mom, you should rest."


    Mother Gao looked at her son, her voice trembling. "Yuan, this past year, I was scared to death. I haven''t had a single good night''s sleep. How could this happen to a good person like you?"


    Seeing his mother so worn and frail, Gao Yuan didn''t know how to respond.


    Mother Gao wiped her tears, took a deep breath, and said, "Forget it. As long as you''re safe. You''ve always been stubborn, even as a child. At 16, you went off to join the army without a word, saying you wanted to liberate the whole country."


    "War is dangerous, but no matter how much we tried to persuade you, you wouldn''t listen. After Beijing was liberated, you went to university, and later you became a cadre. We finally felt some relief."


    "Then this happened... You... You¡­" Her tears fell again as she cried, "I don''t need you to be rich or bring glory to the family. I just want you to live a good life. If something happened again, what would I do?"


    Gao Yuan felt a sharp pain in his heart, as if it were clamped by an iron clamp. He turned away from her and said, "Mom, I won¡¯t let anything happen to me again."


    Mother Gao looked up at her son, now a head taller than her.


    "I promise," Gao Yuan said earnestly.


    As he watched his mother return indoors, Gao Yuan thought back to when he was 16, still in school. It was just because of a sentence: "The Chinese people are suffering; we have a responsibility to save them." And another, "To die for the benefit of the people is as heavy as Mount Tai..."


    Without finishing his studies, he resolutely enlisted in the army.


    After the liberation of Beijing, his superiors noticed his higher education and recommended him for university. Passing the entrance exam, he joined the Literature Department, becoming an enviable intellectual. Yet fate had another twist in store.


    After that man fled, everyone, especially Gao Yuan, who had provided him with the car, was investigated.


    A year later, they finally found him, but it was a corpse, leaving no one to prove Gao Yuan¡¯s innocence.


    He was eventually released from investigation, tainted and disgraced, and returned home.


    Thinking he would spend the rest of his life this way, he hadn''t expected to encounter another upheaval years later.


    With such a record, there was no good outcome.


    Reflecting on that turbulent period, Gao Yuan felt a deep sense of powerlessness.


    He exhaled heavily, looking into the vast darkness, remembering his past life.


    During that period of his life, he was not accepted back into the community and could only take odd jobs at a cooperative clinic. It was this path that steered him toward traditional Chinese medicine. After ten years of hard work, he became the top physician in the county. Even after being imprisoned again, he was often brought out to treat patients.


    He knew that in the early years of the People''s Republic, healthcare was in a dire state. Life expectancy was only 35 years, with a mortality rate over three percent.


    Plagues such as plague, cholera, measles, smallpox, typhoid, dysentery, typhus, dengue fever, and diphtheria continuously threatened public health. Yet medical resources were extremely scarce.


    Most hospitals and doctors were concentrated in big cities, and even then, only within city centers.


    In their county, there was just one hospital and two cooperative clinics.


    In their rural township, there was only one cooperative clinic with four doctors.


    For a population of over 10,000 people in their township, with two neighboring towns having no clinics at all, that meant three townships¡ªmore than 40,000 people¡ªshared four doctors.


    In some even more remote townships, there wasn''t a single doctor.


    Such was the state of healthcare in this era.


    Before the 626 directive, rural healthcare was woefully inadequate. Now, it was still nine years away from being implemented.


    "Maybe I''m meant to do something," Gao Yuan thought as he looked at the night sky. He had thought he would waste away in prison, but unexpectedly, life had given him another chance¡ªa miraculous opportunity.


    "The Chinese people are suffering; we have a responsibility to save them." Gao Yuan softly recited the words that had once changed his fate. The ambition and pride of his 16-year-old self seemed to reappear.


    "The people."


    Saying those two words, Gao Yuan felt a stir deep in his soul.


    It was these two words that had transformed his once mundane life.


    And in the future, only these two words could rewrite his tragic fate.


    He knew to survive the coming turmoil, he had to rely on the people.


    In that era, no connections, no leaders could be trusted.


    Only the people remained constant.


    Gazing at the star-filled sky, he felt his heart surge.


    "The people!" Gao Yuan murmured again.


    He knew that only a spirit of wholehearted service to the people could shine forever in this sky!


    It was the people who would testify to his loyalty and cleanse his stained name.


    In this life, he vowed to become the people''s doctor!

 Episode 7 Yang Family Grandpas Edema

    Just as Gao-Yuan was about to enter his house, he heard a voice not far away: "Hey, is Gao-Yuan at home?"


    "Who is it?" Gao-Yuan turned to see.


    "It''s me." A young man with a scowl emerged from the shadows.


    "Yang Degui?" Gao-Yuan was a bit surprised and asked, "What''s up? Anything wrong?"


    Yang Degui sized up Gao-Yuan with an annoyed expression and said, "My dad asked me to find you. I heard you can treat illnesses now."


    Gao-Yuan asked, "Is your dad not feeling well?"


    Yang Degui immediately retorted, "Your dad¡¯s the one who''s not feeling well! It''s my grandpa."


    "Your grandpa..." Gao-Yuan''s eyes momentarily became blank, but once he regained his senses, he quickly said, "Let''s go. hurry!"


    With that, Gao-Yuan rushed toward the Yang family''s house.


    "Hey?" Yang Degui was stunned. How come he''s more anxious than me? "Wait for me!"


    He hurriedly followed after him.


    Gao-Yuan remembered that the Yang family grandpa currently suffered from severe edema and urinary retention. The two doctors from the joint clinic had treated him for several days, but his condition kept worsening.


    By the time Zhao Huan-Zhang took over, the grandpa was already critically ill. Despite his best efforts, Zhao Huan-Zhang couldn¡¯t save him in the end. The passing of Yang family grandpa had always been a deep regret for Gao-Yuan.


    In his past life, Gao-Yuan hadn¡¯t been able to save him. In this life, he absolutely wouldn''t let anything happen!


    With this thought, Gao-Yuan picked up his pace.


    Soon, he reached the Yang family¡¯s house.


    Before entering, he noticed a girl standing at the entrance. anxiously looking out.


    Seeing Gao-Yuan approach, the girl stiffened slightly, then turned and ran towards a corner of the courtyard, seemingly avoiding him altogether.


    Gao-Yuan glanced at her but continued towards the house.


    "You''re here." Father Yang puffed on his pipe. His full name was Yang Ping, and he used to be a squad leader during the war; now, he served as the village party secretary.


    "Uncle." Gao-Yuan greeted him.


    Father Yang looked Gao-Yuan up and down, slowly exhaled smoke, and said, "Go on."


    Without wasting time, Gao-Yuan entered the house.


    At that moment, Yang Degui finally stumbled into the courtyard, panting, "My god, this guy runs faster than a rabbit; he couldn''t even catch up! Hey? Sis, why are you standing here? Did that brat go in?"


    Yang Xiu-Ying stepped out of the shadows and scolded him. "You brat, who are you calling a brat?"


    Yang Degui wasn¡¯t happy and shouted, "Sis, whose side are you on? I''m helping you!"


    "Get lost; go play somewhere else." Yang Xiu-Ying said irritably, pushing him aside.


    ...


    Inside, Gao-Yuan found that Liu Sanquan was still there and asked in surprise, "Doctor Liu, you haven''t left yet?"


    Liu Sanquan rubbed his nose, a bit embarrassed, muttering a vague response.


    Taking two steps forward, Gao-Yuan approached the grandfather''s bed and saw that the elderly man was severely swollen, his abdomen bloated like a pregnant woman¡¯s. His exposed legs were extremely swollen, and his face was also badly swollen, making him almost unrecognizable.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    When he gently poked the skin with his finger, it left an indentation.


    The old man lay there, groaning in pain.


    Father Yang brought in a kerosene lamp and extinguished the sesame oil lamp in the room. "I heard you can treat illnesses now. Please take a look."


    Gao-Yuan nodded and squatted down, patting the old man¡¯s shoulder, "Grandpa."


    The grandpa struggled to open his swollen eyelids. Unable to see clearly, he asked, "Who is it?"


    Gao-Yuan raised his voice, "It¡¯s me, Gao-Yuan."


    The grandpa closed his eyes, muttering, "Oh, Xiao Yuan is back, huh? Are you here to marry my Xiu-Ying? When are you two getting married? Grandpa has already prepared a big red envelope."


    Yang Xiu-Ying and her younger brother entered the house just in time to hear this. Yang Xiu-Ying''s face flushed red, and she quickly turned to leave.


    Yang Degui stomped his feet in frustration and muttered, "My dad''s lost his mind. This brat doesn''t know how to treat anything! Why''d they bring him here?"


    Yang''s father''s expression also grew sombre. "Dad, why are you talking nonsense? What are you saying?"


    "Huh? Haven''t set the date yet? Hasn¡¯t Xiao Yuan finished university yet? Hurry up." The grandpa muttered, clearly delirious.


    The room fell into silence.


    Gao-Yuan looked at the grandpa¡¯s swollen face, feeling pangs of sorrow. The old man had always been fond of him, treating him well and always sharing food with him.


    When Gao-Yuan was little, he loved searching through the grandpa''s pockets. There was always a small blue handkerchief in there. wrapping two dates or two peanuts.


    As he grew older, he realized the grandpa brought them just for him.


    Even from a young age, the grandpa had joked about marrying Xiu-Ying to him. Before his accident, their families were still discussing the marriage.


    Suppressing these chaotic emotions, Gao-Yuan said, "Grandpa, let me treat you first."


    "Okay." The grandpa, his mind clouded, nodded in confusion.


    Gao-Yuan glanced at Liu San-Quan, "Tell me about the previous treatments."


    As he spoke, he began examining the old man.


    Liu Sanquan didn¡¯t expect such directness but didn¡¯t dare argue, having been scared into submission by Gao-Yuan earlier.


    He took a deep breath and explained, "At first, the swelling started on his face. The old man didn''t pay much attention to it, but later, he couldn¡¯t urinate, and his belly swelled, so he called a doctor."


    "They initially used a diuretic formula, Ba-Zheng Powder, but instead of urinating, his belly began to hurt. Later, they switched to Hu-Po Powder, but it turned into complete urinary retention, and the swelling worsened."


    Gao-Yuan frowned.


    Seeing this, Liu Sanquan instinctively shrank back. He now dreaded that expression from Gao-Yuan and hurriedly explained, "The first doctor wasn''t me; it was another doctor from our clinic."


    Gao-Yuan asked, "Li Shengli?"


    "How did you know?" Liu Sanquan was stunned.


    Gao-Yuan pursed his lips. Other than this ¡®young phoenix,¡¯ who else could make Liu San-Quan, the''sleeping dragon,'' so eager to distance himself?


    Gao-Yuan continued, "What medication did you use?"


    "I used Wu-Pi-Yin. I thought the problem was his spleen and stomach. There''s a saying that when the central energy is insufficient, urination and defecation can be affected, so I used a formula to strengthen the spleen and promote urination," Liu Sanquan explained.


    After speaking, he glanced nervously at Gao-Yuan.


    "Did it work?" Gao-Yuan asked.


    "Uh..." Liu Sanquan grew awkward. If it had worked, they wouldn''t have called for Gao-Yuan.


    Father Yang took a deep drag of his pipe, looking serious. and asked, "Gao-Yuan, do you have any ideas? Look, he''s swollen beyond recognition, and his mind is foggy. Can you at least get him to urinate a bit? It''s torturing him."


    Gao-Yuan nodded. "Yes, I suggest treating the lungs first, starting with the lungs."


    "What?" Yang Degui, who had been watching, immediately shouted. He had disliked Gao-Yuan all along. "What nonsense are you talking about? Even a three-year-old knows urination issues are related to the bladder."


    "Dad, I told you, just have grandpa eat a couple of pig bladders, and he''ll be fine. Why listen to this guy''s nonsense about treating the lungs? Grandpa can¡¯t pee; he¡¯s not coughing. What does the lung have to do? with urination?"


    Father Yang also looked at Gao-Yuan.


    Liu Sanquan was puzzled, cautiously asking, "Yes, what¡¯s the connection between the lungs and urination?"


    Gao-Yuan looked at the two and said, "In the ''Suwen: Distinctive Theory on Meridians and Diseased Pulses,'' it¡¯s mentioned: ''The lungs regulate the water pathways, directing water to the bladder. Water essence distributes, and all channels operate.''"


    Yang Degui was bewildered. He wanted to argue but didn¡¯t understand, so he had no way to rebut.


    Father Yang looked from Gao-Yuan to his own son, anger rising. Other people''s sons spoke eloquently and articulately, but his own son couldn¡¯t even understand!


    Father Yang snapped at him, "Get out of here; you¡¯re just embarrassing us!"


    Yang Degui protested, "Dad, whose side are you on? You believe everything he says, but not me? Pig bladder really works. Just let Grandpa eat a couple of pig bladders, and he¡¯ll be fine!"


    Father Yang scolded, "You look like a pig bladder yourself, you little brat."


    Yang Degui shot back, "If I''m a brat, who laid this brat egg?"


    Father Yang took off his flat shoes and started chasing Yang Degui.

 Episode 8 As Brave as Usual

    The room suddenly erupted into chaos.


    Liu Sanquan still had doubts in his heart but didn''t dare challenge Gao-Yuan. Instead, he politely asked, "Are you saying that treating the lungs can also make one urinate?"


    Gao-Yuan replied, "Zhang Jingyue once said, ''To treat water retention, one must first treat the qi. To treat the kidneys, one must first treat the lungs.'' The lungs are the source of water. If the upper source is not clear, the lower flow won''t be smooth. Moreover, the lungs are located in the upper jiao, responsible for descending qi. If the clearing order of the lungs is obstructed, the three burners will be blocked, and naturally, you won''t be able to urinate."


    Liu Sanquan was stunned for a few seconds.


    Gao-Yuan continued, "In ''Jingyue Quanshu'' it¡¯s stated, ''When dealing with diseases like water swelling, it''s a disease that involves the spleen, lungs, and kidneys. Water is extreme yin, so its root lies in the kidneys; water transformation relies on Qi, so its manifestation is in the lungs; water fears earth, so it is controlled by the spleen.''"


    "The ''Inner Canon'' has long talked about the three major methods of ''opening the ghost gate,'' ''cleaning the mansion,'' and ''removing stagnant residues.'' Zhang Zhongjing also mentioned, ''For any water-related illness, if the swelling is below the waist, induce urination; if above the waist, induce sweating for recovery.'' When you first visited, upon noticing the swelling on the patient''s head and face, you should have paid attention to this problem."


    Liu Sanquan mumbled softly, "It wasn''t me who treated him the first time."


    Gao-Yuan frowned and said, "Look at your prescription again; what kind of messy things did you prescribe? Bazheng powder, which treats damp heat and bitter cold to purge fire¡ªhow could this old man have any fire for you to purge? Such strong bitter-cold can harm an already weak spleen and stomach. With the middle jiao losing its function, how could water swelling not worsen?"


    "Then you switched to Hupo powder, which is for treating hematuria. That''s simply nonsense! Hupo powder forces water excretion and further damages the innate source of the kidneys. The disease of water swelling involves the lungs, spleen, and kidneys. You ended up damaging all three organs. How could it not turn into a severe condition?"


    Liu Sanquan¡¯s voice grew even softer as he timidly said, "That wasn¡¯t my prescription. I prescribed Wupi decoction."


    Gao-Yuan asked, "Did it work? Did it successfully strengthen the spleen and excrete water?"


    Liu Sanquan dared not speak anymore.


    Father Yang finished disciplining his son and came over, panting. "So, how is it?"


    Liu Sanquan glanced at Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan turned to Father Yang and said, "Uncle, we discussed it and decided to use the method of promoting lung function to induce sweating."


    Father Yang looked at Liu Sanquan again.


    Liu Sanquan lowered his head, nervously picking at a hole in his clothes.


    Father Yang turned back to Gao-Yuan, still not understanding the reasoning behind this.


    Knowing that it would be futile to explain ancient medical theories to someone semiliterate like Father Yang, Gao-Yuan glanced around and noticed a teapot on the table. He walked over and picked it up.


    Father Yang said, "Are you thirsty? Xiuying, get him a bowl."


    "No need; I¡¯m not thirsty," replied Gao-Yuan.


    With that, Gao-Yuan tilted the teapot, and water began to pour out.


    Father Yang and Liu Sanquan were baffled.


    Gao-Yuan then placed his finger over a small hole on the teapot lid.


    Instantly, the flow of water diminished.


    Then he released his finger, and the water flow increased again.


    "What¡¯s the point?" Father Yang still didn''t understand.


    Gao-Yuan pointed at the small hole on the lid and asked, "Uncle, I remember you used to work as a coppersmith. Why do coppersmiths drill a small hole in the lid of a kettle?"


    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    Father Yang answered confidently, "It''s to let air in. If the hole is blocked, the water inside the kettle won''t flow out."


    Gao-Yuan explained, "It¡¯s the same with people. The lungs are like the lid of the kettle. If this small hole is blocked, how can the water come out?"


    "Oh!" This time, Father Yang understood.


    Liu Sanquan also exclaimed, "Oh!" Compared to the obscure medical texts, he found this everyday analogy much easier to grasp.


    Gao-Yuan added, "Therefore, our treatment plan is to open the lid of this kettle. Once we lift the lid, the water can flow out completely."


    Saying this, Gao-Yuan lifted the lid.


    Father Yang quickly stopped him, "I get it, I get it. No need to pour it out; that''s the only cold water we have left at home."


    "Okay," Gao-Yuan replaced the lid and put the teapot back.


    Father Yang finally understood, "So, this is the principle behind medicine."


    Gao-Yuan shook his head. "This is the wisdom of the working people."


    Father Yang looked at Gao-Yuan in surprise.


    Gao-Yuan pointed at the teapot, "It¡¯s the crystallization of the wisdom of the masses."


    Father Yang was momentarily taken aback. Wow, Gao-Yuan¡¯s consciousness was even higher than his, the village secretary.


    Seeing his son Yang Degui standing awkwardly at the door, Father Yang''s anger flared up again.


    Liu Sanquan suggested, "Why don¡¯t you write a prescription, and we can get the medicine tomorrow?"


    Gao-Yuan glanced at the elderly man lying in pain and said, "There''s no time for that. When urgency arises, you treat the symptoms first. We must quickly expel the water. Do you have any fangfeng (siler)?"


    Liu Sanquan checked his medicine box and said, "Recently, many people have had colds, so there should be some left."


    "Give me three qian (about 9 grams)," Gao-Yuan instructed.


    Liu Sanquan quickly measured the dosage.


    Gao-Yuan asked Father Yang, "Uncle, do you have any perilla leaves (zisu)?"


    Father Yang replied, "There are some in the field."


    "I¡¯ll need some perilla leaves," Gao-Yuan said.


    Father Yang shouted at Yang Degui, who was still standing awkwardly, "Didn¡¯t you hear him? Go pick some perilla leaves!"


    Yang Degui grumbled, "Dad, won¡¯t you reconsider using a pig bladder?"


    Father Yang snapped, "If it''s your bladder, I¡¯ll consider it!"


    Yang Degui choked and left unwillingly.


    Gao-Yuan then asked, "Do you have apricot kernels (xingren)?"


    "Apricot kernels..." Father Yang called out to the outside, "Xiuying, do we have any apricot kernels left?"


    "A handful," came the reply from outside.


    Gao-Yuan turned to Liu Sanquan, "We need three qian (about 9 grams)."


    Liu Sanquan complied without further comment.


    Soon, the three ingredients were ready.


    The medicine was boiled, and Xiuying fed it to her grandfather, keeping her head lowered without glancing at Gao-Yuan.


    Everyone stayed in the room, anxiously watching.


    After the medicine was administered, Xiuying quietly took the bowl and left.


    Gao-Yuan covered the elderly man with a blanket and waited until he began to sweat slightly. Then he said, "Prepare a chamber pot."


    Father Yang, puffing on his cigarette, barked at Yang Degui, "Did you hear that?"


    Yang Degui folded his arms, pouting, "Who knows if it¡¯ll work? And why rush? If Grandpa can urinate by the count of one, two, three, I¡¯ll drink it all!"


    Father Yang was about to take off his shoes when suddenly, the elderly man clutched his stomach in pain, crying out, "Oh, it hurts!"


    "Grandpa!" Yang Degui rushed over in panic.


    "Father!" Father Yang forgot about disciplining his son and turned around quickly.


    Yang Degui grabbed Gao-Yuan, shouting, "What kind of medicine did you use?"


    Liu Sanquan looked bewilderedly at Gao Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan lifted the blanket and saw that the elderly man¡¯s pants were already wet. "Quick, get the chamber pot!"


    Father Yang was overjoyed, "Hurry!"


    "Huh?" Yang Degui hesitated. By the time he reacted, it was already too late.


    "Whoosh..." A torrent poured forth.


    Yang Degui was dumbfounded and instinctively swallowed hard.


    Gao-Yuan asked, "Tempted?"


    "You¡ª!" Yang Degui was so choked with anger that his heart almost skipped a beat.


    Father Yang let out a sigh of relief and scolded his son, "I told you to get it earlier, but you didn¡¯t listen. You¡¯re washing Grandpa¡¯s bedding tomorrow!"


    Yang Degui¡¯s mind buzzed with frustration.


    Liu Sanquan was stunned, feeling the elderly man¡¯s head and neck. "It worked even before he started sweating. This is faster than counting one, two, and three! They say some treatments work like a drumbeat, producing instant results. Today, I witnessed it firsthand."


    ¡­


    At the door, Liu Sanquan bid farewell to Gao-Yuan.


    Liu Sanquan said, "Doctor Gao-Yuan, I¡¯m convinced. Today, I¡¯ve truly learned something."


    Gao-Yuan smiled faintly and said, "You''re being polite. In the future, you must be more cautious when practicing medicine and using prescriptions. Read more medical books and study medical theories in depth. This way, we can reduce misdiagnosis and mistreatment. After all, we are the true guardians of the people''s health."


    "Yes, yes, I''ve learned my lesson," Liu Sanquan nodded repeatedly. "I''ll be heading out now."


    Gao-Yuan replied, "Alright, be careful on the road at night."


    "Goodbye." Liu Sanquan walked away, but after a few steps, he suddenly paused, thinking, "Wait a minute, how did this troublemaker end up lecturing me about serving the people?"


    ¡­


    After sending off Liu Sanquan, Gao-Yuan was preparing to head home when he heard someone calling from behind.


    "Gao-Yuan!"


    Turning around, he saw that it was Yang Degui chasing after him. Gao-Yuan asked, "What''s up?"


    Yang Degui approached him with a serious expression and said, "One thing is for another. You saved my grandfather, and that''s a kindness that must be repaid."


    Saying this, Yang Degui earnestly bowed.


    "But you bullied my sister, and that''s a grudge that must be avenged."


    Gao-Yuan frowned, "It''s not what you think."


    Yang Degui cut him off, "Enough talking! I''ve been wanting to teach you a lesson for a long time. I''ve waited so long, and now you''re finally back. Get ready!"


    With that, Yang Degui charged at him, swinging his fists wildly and shouting.


    Gao-Yuan''s eyes narrowed. As Yang Degui closed in, Gao-Yuan swiftly pulled him, braced himself, and then flung him aside, sending Yang Degui sprawling on the ground.


    Yang Degui lay there, sprawled out, completely stunned.


    Gao-Yuan said with exasperation, "Didn''t you know I can fight quite well? Are you always this brave?"

 Episode 9 Why Be So Polite

    Back home, Gao-Yuan couldn''t sleep. He leaned on his bed, thinking for half the night.


    Suddenly, he got up, lit the sesame oil lamp on the table, and the tiny flame dispelled the darkness around him.


    Holding the lamp, Gao-Yuan searched around his room until he found the backpack he had brought with him. He took out a blank notebook and a fountain pen from inside.


    On the cover, he wrote "Medical Practice Journal."


    Then he opened the notebook and started writing.


    "Today, I returned home and unexpectedly met Zhang Yuancai from the Supply and Marketing Cooperative¡¯s Herb Company on the train. I learned that his mother was gravely ill."


    Gao-Yuan wrote down everything he encountered today, the illnesses he treated, and his rejection of any form of gratitude, emphasizing his belief in serving the people.


    After finishing, Gao-Yuan put away his pen and carefully hid the diary.


    He let out a light sigh, his eyes deep with thought.


    There were many things that he couldn¡¯t openly say. Even if he did, no one would believe him.


    All he could do was record his pure heart and life''s hard work on paper.


    Hopefully, there would never be a day when it would be needed.


    ¡­


    The next morning.


    Gao-Yuan woke up early to find that his family had already gone to work. He made some sweet potato soup, added a few handfuls of coarse cornmeal, and a few scoops of salt, cooking it into a thick porridge¡ªthis was their family''s breakfast.


    After breakfast, Gao-Yuan headed to the Yang family''s house.


    As soon as he arrived, he saw Yang Degui washing blankets, while Yang''s father squatted at the doorway smoking a pipe.


    "Good morning, Uncle Yang," Gao-Yuan greeted him.


    Yang''s father looked up at Gao-Yuan and, for a moment, seemed to see the energetic young man from years ago. He instinctively replied, "Morning."


    Gao-Yuan glanced inside and asked, "How''s Grandpa?"


    Yang''s father quickly stood up. "After you left last night, he urinated several more times, and the amount was particularly large. Early this morning, he felt the urge to go again, but he couldn¡¯t make it to the bedpan and wet the blanket again. We¡¯ve run out of blankets, and he''s using Degui''s."


    Gao-Yuan nodded slightly. The old man¡¯s edema was quite severe, but it stemmed from damage to both his spleen and kidneys, making it hard to retain water. He said, "I''ll go in and take a look."


    "Alright," Yang''s father nodded.


    Gao-Yuan walked into the yard and saw Yang Degui, who was busy washing blankets. He greeted him, "Morning, Degui."


    Yang Degui, with his back to Gao-Yuan, stiffened at the greeting but didn¡¯t dare turn around.


    After a night, the swelling that had made Grandpa Yang look so frightening had mostly subsided. After examining him, Gao-Yuan found the crisis had passed. The treatment last night had only addressed the immediate danger; now it was time to treat the underlying spleen and kidney issues.


    Feeling a bit relieved, Gao-Yuan tucked in the blanket and asked, "Grandpa, are you feeling better?"


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    The old man opened his eyes and squinted at Gao-Yuan, smiling warmly. "Is it little Yuan? Quickly, someone, get a bun for my little Yuan. Grandpa even saved some dates for you; they''re in the cabinet. Don¡¯t tell anyone; take them quietly."


    Hearing this, Gao-Yuan felt a pang in his chest. In an era where everyone avoided him like the plague, Grandpa Yang still cared for him. In his previous life, Grandpa Yang had passed away too early. Thankfully, in this life, Gao-Yuan didn¡¯t let that happen again.


    Seeing this scene, Yang''s father took a deep drag of his cigarette and exhaled heavily.


    Gao-Yuan said to Grandpa Yang, "Grandpa, get some more rest. I¡¯ll come back to check on you later."


    The old man nodded and replied, "Alright."


    Standing up, Gao-Yuan turned to Yang''s father, "Uncle, Grandpa still needs some medication for his recovery. How about this: give me his medical booklet, and I¡¯ll go to the clinic to get the medicine?"


    Yang''s father said, "Let Degui go."


    Gao-Yuan shook his head. "It¡¯s fine; let Degui go earn some work points. I just got back and have nothing else to do. Besides, it¡¯s not just Grandpa; there are others in the village who need medicine. I¡¯d like to help everyone out."


    After taking a drag of his cigarette and observing Gao-Yuan for a moment, Yang''s father finally nodded, "Alright."


    Gao-Yuan took the medical booklet and left.


    Yang''s father watched him leave, looking at the man who almost became his son-in-law but had ruined his daughter¡¯s prospects while also saving his elderly father. His feelings were mixed.


    After a few sighs, he turned to his son, Yang Degui, who was still drying the blankets, and his temper flared. He walked over and gave his son a hard smack on the back of his head.


    ¡­


    Yesterday, Liu Sanquan had written several prescriptions that were now waiting to be filled. Gao-Yuan called out a few times, and people gradually started to come out.


    Aunt Zhang, their neighbor, was about to leave when her husband, Uncle Zhang, pulled her back.


    "Where are you going?" he asked.


    "I''m going out," Aunt Zhang replied hurriedly. "Didn¡¯t you hear Gao-Yuan¡¯s going to the clinic and offered to bring back our medicine? Oh, where''s my prescription? Is it in the cabinet?"


    Seeing his wife about to go back inside, Uncle Zhang quickly stopped her. "Are you crazy? Gao-Yuan is a traitor; he''s been labeled a bad element! Are you really going to associate with him?"


    Aunt Zhang waved her prescription in front of him. "Then you go get the medicine for me."


    Uncle Zhang was at a loss for words. Going to the clinic meant trekking dozens of miles through mountain roads, taking half a day just to get there, and he¡¯d have to give up his work points.


    Seeing her husband fall silent, Aunt Zhang rolled her eyes at him. "The Yang family¡¯s letting him get their medicine, and the village secretary isn¡¯t afraid. What are you scared of? Let go!"


    Aunt Zhang shook off her husband''s grip and went to give her prescription to Gao-Yuan.


    When Gao-Yuan arrived at their door, he greeted them warmly, "Good morning, Uncle Zhang."


    "Uh..." Uncle Zhang was caught off guard, unsure how to respond.


    "I remember Auntie also had a prescription yesterday, right? I¡¯ll go get it along with the others so you don¡¯t have to make the trip," said Gao-Yuan.


    Uncle Zhang looked around, unsure of himself.


    Aunt Zhang came rushing out, "Here it is; here¡¯s my prescription and the money for the medicine."


    "Okay," Gao-Yuan took it.


    As he left, Uncle Zhang sneaked to the door, watching Gao-Yuan¡¯s retreating figure. Scratching his head, he mumbled, "Shouldn¡¯t people like him be walking with their heads down? Why does he seem so confident? Could it be he¡¯s about to be rehabilitated, or was there a mistake?"


    Uncle Zhang began to doubt things.


    As Gao-Yuan made his rounds through the village, many people shared the same suspicions.


    In his past life, after returning, Gao-Yuan walked with his head down for years, always feeling inferior, even speaking in a hushed tone. But his situation never improved.


    This time Gao-Yuan understood.


    If you consider yourself inferior, you¡¯ll always be treated as such.


    If you did something wrong, then accepting the punishment is fair.


    But if you didn¡¯t do it, then you didn¡¯t. Why should you lower yourself?


    ¡­


    At the county clinic,


    Zhao Huanzhang''s Joint Medical Clinic,


    Liu Sanquan arrived early for work. He was scheduled to see patients in the morning and visit rural areas in the afternoon.


    After a busy morning, he finally had some free time around noon.


    Opening his lunchbox, Liu Sanquan suddenly thought of Zhang Yuancai''s critically ill mother.


    He couldn¡¯t help but frown. Although Gao-Yuan had claimed she was out of danger yesterday, he had personally seen how gravely ill she was.


    "Could it really be so quick?" he murmured, deciding to see for himself, believing that seeing is believing.


    The Zhang household was just around the corner from the clinic.


    As soon as Liu Sanquan arrived, he saw Granny Zhang sitting outside, chatting with someone.


    ¡°Huh?¡± He quickly stepped closer, rubbing his eyes hard, thinking he must be seeing things.


    Completely stunned, he realized that this wasn''t just a recovery from a critical state; she was practically back to normal, sitting outside and chatting!


    Was she really that ill yesterday?


    "Doctor Liu¡¯s here!" Granny Zhang called out cheerfully.


    Liu Sanquan stood there, bewildered. Wasn''t she gasping for breath just yesterday?


    Granny Zhang noticed his lunchbox and said, "Oh, you didn¡¯t have to bring anything. Why are you being so polite?"

 Episode 10 The Visit

    Liu Sanquan emerged with a tearful face, and now he was absolutely certain¡ªthere was no doubt at all. The old lady had even snatched his lunchbox; what else could there be to confirm?


    This was his lunch!


    His wife had specially made him a jujube-flower mixed-grain bun to improve his meal for once. Normally, he either ate potatoes and sweet potatoes or had cornbread made from coarse grains. It was rare to have jujube in his meal, but the old lady had taken it.


    Liu Sanquan hugged the lunchbox to his chest, lowering his head in grief, his mouth hanging open, with drool dripping out.


    "What happened to you?"


    A voice rang out suddenly, and Liu Sanquan looked up to see it was Gao-Yuan.


    Immediately Liu Sanquan was furious. If it weren''t for Gao-Yuan, he wouldn''t have gone to check on that old lady in the first place, and if he hadn''t gone to check on her, his jujube-patterned bun wouldn''t have been confiscated.


    But then his anger deflated. He shook his head and said, "Nothing."


    He stood up, and his stomach growled loudly.


    Gao-Yuan glanced at his empty lunchbox and asked, "Did you eat enough or not?"


    Liu Sanquan complained, "It''s all your fault! I went to check on Old Lady Zhang''s recovery, and she thought I brought food for her and took all the buns in my lunchbox!"


    Gao-Yuan asked, "So, is the old lady fine now?"


    Liu Sanquan exclaimed, "Is that the point?"


    Gao-Yuan countered, "What else would it be?"


    Liu Sanquan sighed, "I have no lunch left!"


    Gao-Yuan asked, "Did you tell her it was your lunch?"


    Liu Sanquan''s face flashed with embarrassment. "How could I say that?"


    Gao-Yuan shook his head. This guy never changed¡ªalways so concerned about saving face.


    "Let''s go," Gao-Yuan beckoned.


    "Where to?" Liu Sanquan asked.


    "To the Zhangs'' house," Gao-Yuan said.


    "Are you going to ask for the food back? I¡¯d rather go hungry than face that humiliation," Liu Sanquan said despondently.


    Gao-Yuan explained, "No, I promised I''d do a follow-up visit today."


    "But what''s the point? The old lady is full of energy now; just look at me," Liu Sanquan protested, shaking his empty lunchbox.


    "Enough talking. Let''s go." Gao-Yuan pushed him forward.


    Liu Sanquan, somehow persuaded, followed Gao-Yuan to the Zhang family''s house.


    Upon arrival, they found the old lady sunbathing.


    Gao-Yuan greeted her, "Old lady, how''s your health now?"


    Old Lady Zhang looked at Gao-Yuan, stunned for a few seconds, then quickly stood up and grabbed his hand, saying, "Oh, it¡¯s the miracle doctor from yesterday! Doctor, please come in, come in!"


    She pulled Gao-Yuan inside, calling out, "Yan¡¯er, the miracle doctor is here! Quickly, make him some tea, cut some meat, get some wine, and prepare a meal with some dishes!"


    Liu Sanquan, following behind, looked at his empty lunchbox and then at Gao-Yuan¡¯s back, feeling a profound sense of unfairness. The difference in treatment was just too great!


    "No need to bother," Gao-Yuan said.


    "It''s necessary! Without you, I would have been done for! You''re my Savior, and you even came back to check on me," the old lady insisted.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    Gao-Yuan explained, "Actually, it was Doctor Liu Sanquan who brought me here today to check on your recovery."


    Liu Sanquan looked up in surprise.


    The old lady turned to him, visibly moving. "Sanquan, I don¡¯t even know what to say to you. First, you brought jujube-patterned buns for me, and now you brought the miracle doctor as well. You really are..."


    Forcing a smile that looked more like crying, Liu Sanquan could only manage a weak expression.


    The old lady instructed her daughter-in-law, "Yan''er, make some dumplings. I remember Sanquan loves dumplings."


    "No, no, no," Liu Sanquan quickly waved his hands, feeling embarrassed.


    The old lady asked, "You¡¯ve eaten already, right?"


    Liu Sanquan¡¯s stomach rumbled, but he didn¡¯t know how to respond.


    Gao-Yuan interjected, "No need to fuss over food. Let¡¯s check your health first."


    Nodding eagerly, the old lady led Gao-Yuan inside.


    Following behind, Liu Sanquan asked, "By the way, I¡¯ve been meaning to ask¡ªhow did the old lady recover so quickly?"


    "Why is that? surprising?" Gao-Yuan asked.


    Liu Sanquan''s eyes widened. "Isn''t it obvious?"


    Gao-Yuan shook his head.


    Liu Sanquan grabbed Gao-Yuan¡¯s arm and pressed, "Is the Gualou Xiebai Baijiu decree really that effective?"


    "I used three formulas yesterday: Gualou Xiebai Baijiu Decoction, Danshen Decoction, and Qianjin Reed stem Decoction," Gao-Yuan replied.


    "But Qianjin Reed stem Decoction is usually for lung abscesses, isn¡¯t it?" Liu Sanquan asked in confusion.


    "Yes, but lung abscesses often result from external pathogens invading through the mouth and nose, with the lungs being the first to be affected," Gao-Yuan explained. "This is also the reason why the old lady has pleural effusion. The effusion is retained in the chest. Since Qianjin Reed Stem Decoction can expel phlegm, it can also expel the fluid."


    Liu Sanquan was amazed by this unconventional application. "Amazing, it works like that?"


    Gao-Yuan nodded.


    "But isn¡¯t Qianjin Reed Stem Decoction rather cooling? Wouldn''t it have an adverse effect on pleural effusion patient?" Liu Sanquan questioned.


    "I added cassia twig to it," Gao-Yuan answered.


    "To activate the yang..." Liu Sanquan murmured as if he¡¯d just seen the light.


    He still wasn¡¯t done with his questions. "But still, how did she get better so fast?"


    "There are two reasons," Gao-Yuan said, raising two fingers. "First, I used fairly large dosages. Second, I had her take three doses every two hours. We attacked the problem aggressively to expel the fluid all at once."


    "But most importantly, the patient¡¯s overall condition was quite good. Although she¡¯s been ill for over a month, she could still run a fever yesterday, which means she still had the strength to fight the illness. If she couldn''t even manage a fever, that would have been much more concerning."


    After a moment''s silence, Liu Sanquan suddenly asked, "You¡¯re not actually more skilled than Zhao Huanzhang, are you?"


    Gao-Yuan gave a polite smile and turned to enter the house.


    Liu Sanquan thought back to the confident way Gao-Yuan had said he was sure of his approach yesterday. He had assumed the young man was just boasting.


    But now¡­


    Liu Sanquan smacked his lips in disbelief and quickly followed him inside.


    The old lady¡¯s condition was stable. After taking the three prescribed doses, her fever had subsided, and the chest pain, rib pain, frequent coughing, and shortness of breath had all eased. Her appetite had improved, and she could walk around. However, she still experienced night sweats, and the cough hadn¡¯t completely disappeared. Her tongue was red and smooth without a coating.


    Recognizing this as a sign of qi and yin deficiency, Gao-Yuan added one teaspoon of Prince Ginseng and five maces of Chi Shao to the original prescription and prepared another three doses.


    The old lady eagerly invited Gao-Yuan and Liu Sanquan to stay for a meal. Just then, her son, Zhang Yuancai, rushed back home after hearing the news.


    Seeing Zhang Yuancai¡¯s anxious look, Gao-Yuan said to the old lady, "I¡¯ve already had lunch. I won¡¯t impose any longer; I have other matters to attend to."


    The old lady pleaded, "So soon? At least stay for a drink."


    "No, thank you," Gao-Yuan declined, turning to leave.


    As he passed by, Zhang Yuancai said, "I left the prescription for the second round on the table. Just follow it. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out."


    "Hey!" Zhang Yuancai suddenly called out.


    Gao-Yuan turned around.


    Looking moved, Zhang Yuancai forced a smile and said, "Doctor Gao, please stay and have a meal."


    Gao-Yuan shook his head. "I don¡¯t want to impose."


    "You saved my mother¡¯s life, and you¡¯ve come twice now without asking for any payment. It would be wrong not to offer you a meal," Zhang Yuancai insisted.


    Gao-Yuan glanced at Zhang Yuancai, then at the old lady nodding vigorously, and finally at Liu Sanquan, who was licking his lips eagerly.


    With a smile, Gao-Yuan nodded.


    ¡­


    After the meal, Gao Yuan didn¡¯t linger. He stood up and said, "The meal was excellent. Thank you for your hospitality, but I must be going."


    Without waiting for them to try and stop him, Gao-Yuan left the house.


    Still chewing on his dumplings, Liu Sanquan quickly stuffed a couple more into his mouth and ran out after him.


    Watching them leave, the old lady said, "Doctor Gao is so young yet so skilled, polite, and kind. I wonder if he¡¯s married."


    Zhang Yuancai replied impatiently, "Mother, you''d better not get involved with him anymore."


    "Why?" she asked, puzzled.


    "His name is Gao Yuan. Don''t you remember? He''s the only university graduate from our village¡ªthe one who became a government official but then''rebelled''!" Zhang Yuancai said.


    "Huh?" Old Lady Zhang looked at her daughter-in-law in shock.


    Her daughter-in-law nodded helplessly.


    "No way," the old lady said anxiously. "He doesn''t seem like a bad person. Such a promising young man, how could he possibly be a bad person? Maybe there''s some mistake? Yuancai, are you sure it¡¯s not a misunderstanding?"


    Zhang Yuancai became irritated with her persistent questions and said, "Why are you asking me? How could I find out?"


    Stunned for a moment, Old Lady Zhang then retorted angrily, "Why are you yelling so loudly?"

 Episode 11 Let Me Help

    The United Clinic.


    Liu Sanquan wiped the grease from his mouth. Usually, even during festivals, it has been rare for him to eat meat. Thanks to the good conditions of Zhang Yuancai¡¯s family today, he had the chance to enjoy it, all because of Gao-Yuan.


    He quickly invited Gao-Yuan in, his tone also changing: ¡°Come on, Doctor Gao, this is your first time at our United Clinic, right? Let me get you some water.¡±


    Gao-Yuan looked around, feeling nostalgic. After so many years, he was back at this starting point.


    Liu Sanquan rinsed his own enamel cup and then poured a cup of water, handing it to Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan took out his small bag and said, ¡°I''m here today to collect herbs for the villagers.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± Liu Sanquan called out to the back, ¡°Hey Yu, come out and record; gather the herbs according to the prescription.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± A voice answered from inside, and out ran a young girl with a braid.


    Her name was He Yu, the only helper at the United Clinic. Eighteen years old and unmarried, she was responsible for various tasks like gathering herbs, recording, collecting payments, cleaning, and drying medicinal materials.


    He Yu came over and nodded at Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan handed her his small bag, recalling how in his previous life, he had worked alongside He Yu at the clinic. He did the heavy work, while the female staff took care of the lighter tasks.


    He Yu took out the treatment book and registered everything, charging an additional 20% of the prescription cost.


    Since the founding of New China, the people, who had been at the bottom for thousands of years, had become masters of their own destiny, and their enthusiasm was exceptionally high.


    This enthusiasm led to creativity. Starting in Gaoping Mishan Township in Shanxi Province, the masses spontaneously came up with a cooperative healthcare initiative, which was later promoted nationwide.


    Each senior cooperative contributed different amounts. For Gao-Yuan''s cooperative, each person paid one yuan per year, with another yuan coming from the cooperative¡¯s public fund, making it two yuan per person.


    These funds were pooled together to sign a contract with the United Clinic. From then on, for every medical treatment or prescription, the public funds would cover eighty percent, while the individual would pay the remaining twenty percent.


    This was the cooperative healthcare system.


    This model greatly solved the problem of not being able to afford medical treatment. For the first time in thousands of years, the common people no longer had to worry about not having money for healthcare.


    It was a testament to the wisdom of the people and the power of the masses!


    Gao-Yuan asked He Yu for some paper and a pen. He needed to write down the second prescription for Grandpa Yang, as he was responsible for that. Grandpa Yang¡¯s edema had mostly subsided, but his spleen and kidney still needed treatment.


    Gao-Yuan prescribed the Six Gentlemen Decoction, minus licorice, adding Atractylodes, Magnolia bark, dried ginger, and prepared aconite. After writing it down, he handed the prescription and Grandpa Yang''s treatment book to Comrade He Yu.


    At this moment, Liu Sanquan came out with his medicine box and said to Gao-Yuan, ¡°Doctor Gao, I have to go on my village rounds this afternoon, so I can¡¯t keep you company.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Gao-Yuan nodded. The senior cooperative had an agreement with the doctors of the United Clinic to conduct regular village rounds. Usually, it was once every five days, and during the busy farming season, once every three days.


    As Liu Sanquan packed his things, a man entered from outside, looking about twenty-five or twenty-six years old.


    ¡°Oh, Shengli, you¡¯re here?¡± Liu Sanquan welcomed him.


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    The man replied with a stern face, ¡°You should address me as Comrade when working.¡±


    Liu Sanquan sighed, ¡°Alright, Comrade Shengli.¡±


    Li Shengli nodded, ¡°Hello, Comrade Sanquan.¡±


    Introducing him, Liu Sanquan said, ¡°This is our clinic¡¯s doctor, Li Shengli. He¡¯ll be on duty this afternoon.¡±


    Gao-Yuan extended his hand, ¡°Hello.¡±


    Li Shengli extended his hand and asked, ¡°You are...¡±


    ¡°Gao-Yuan,¡± he replied.


    Li Shengli¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, and he suddenly gripped Gao-Yuan¡¯s hand tightly, as if afraid he might escape: ¡°So, you¡¯re Gao-Yuan? I¡¯ve heard a lot about you.¡±


    Feeling the pressure from Li Shengli¡¯s grip, Gao-Yuan¡¯s expression remained unchanged. He said, ¡°Likewise.¡±


    Li Shengli asked, puzzled, ¡°You¡¯ve heard a lot about me too?¡±


    Gao-Yuan answered, ¡°I just came back from Fucun and heard Grandpa Yang mention you.¡±


    At this, Li Shengli¡¯s expression stiffened a bit, and he released his grip. Gao-Yuan took the opportunity to pull his hand away.


    Li Shengli turned to Liu Sanquan and asked, ¡°How is the patient?¡±


    ¡°You should ask Doctor Gao; he took over afterward,¡± replied Liu Sanquan.


    ¡°Doctor Gao?¡± Li Shengli seemed surprised by the title.


    Gao-Yuan explained, ¡°Since last night, Grandpa Yang has urinated several times. His edema has mostly subsided now.¡±


    ¡°Did my medicine work?¡± Li Shengli asked immediately.


    Liu Sanquan looked at him speechlessly. ¡°What do you think?¡±


    Li Shengli¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment.


    Liu Sanquan said, ¡°You should really thank Doctor Gao. Yesterday, you didn¡¯t see how swollen Grandpa Yang was; he was hardly human anymore. He couldn¡¯t pass a drop of urine, and his mind wasn¡¯t clear. It would have been really dangerous if we¡¯d waited any longer.¡±


    Li Shengli frowned and said, ¡°Why should I thank a traitor?¡±


    Liu Sanquan glanced at Gao-Yuan, but he didn¡¯t see any reaction on his face.


    At that moment, an elderly man came through the door.


    ¡°Is there a doctor here?¡± The old man groaned as he entered.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s your patient.¡± Liu Sanquan quickly turned and went inside.


    Li Shengli stepped forward to help the old man, saying, ¡°Uncle Zhou, is your stomach still bothering you?¡±


    Uncle Zhou looked up at Li Shengli and glanced inside, asking, ¡°Is it you on duty today again?¡±


    Li Shengli nodded.


    Uncle Zhou couldn¡¯t hide his disappointment. ¡°Is there no one else?¡±


    Li Shengli gestured inside with his lips. ¡°Doctor Liu Sanquan is also here.¡±


    Uncle Zhou held his stomach and asked in pain, ¡°Isn''t Doctor Shen on duty? When will Zhao Huanzhang be back?¡±


    Li Shengli shook his head.


    Uncle Zhou, clutching his stomach, sighed heavily and sat down.


    ¡°Uncle Zhou, why don¡¯t I take another look?¡± Li Shengli offered.


    ¡°No, no,¡± Uncle Zhou waved his hands. ¡°I¡¯m afraid of your treatment of me again.¡±


    It was an awkward moment, and Li Shengli let out an embarrassed chuckle. He then called inside, ¡°Comrade Sanquan, could you come out and take a look?¡±


    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t make any difference,¡± Uncle Zhou shook his head.


    With a look of embarrassment, Liu Sanquan emerged. ¡°Uncle Zhou, is your constipation still not resolved?¡±


    ¡°What do you think?¡± Uncle Zhou¡¯s face twisted in pain. ¡°I¡¯m so constipated that I feel like dying.¡±


    Both Liu Sanquan and Li Shengli rubbed their hands in embarrassment.


    Liu Sanquan glanced at Gao-Yuan and asked, ¡°Doctor Gao, could you help out?¡±


    Before Gao-Yuan could respond, Li Shengli interjected, ¡°Are you crazy? Do you want to entrust our people to this man?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s your alternative? Wait for Doctor Shen Congyun to return.¡± Liu Sanquan asked.


    Li Shengli shook his head. ¡°You can¡¯t expect anything from an old fox who spends his days slacking off.¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll have to wait for Zhao Huanzhang,¡± Liu Sanquan suggested.


    ¡°Can you trust a landlord?¡± Li Shengli retorted.


    ¡°Well, then you do it,¡± Liu Sanquan shrugged.


    Li Shengli was left speechless.


    Gao-Yuan couldn¡¯t help but sigh inwardly. Despite having only four doctors, the clinic was rife with conflicts and intricate relationships, lacking any sense of unity.


    Gao-Yuan knew that his first real challenge would come in just half a month.


    That challenge was the upcoming influenza outbreak.


    Why did this incident leave such a deep impression on Gao-Yuan? Because many people would be affected, and rural medical resources were severely lacking. Many remote villages wouldn¡¯t even have a chance to see a doctor, leading to the occurrence of superstitious practices, such as burning talismans and drinking ash water.


    Not only would these methods fail to cure the illness, but they also claimed many lives.


    In this lifetime, Gao-Yuan would never allow such things to happen again!


    To prevent such superstitious practices, he had to ensure that people received medical care.


    And to ensure medical care, the first issue to address was the unity within the United Clinic!


    Uncle Zhou groaned, ¡°Stop arguing, both of you. Whoever can help me pass my stool, I¡¯ll even acknowledge him as my ancestor!¡±


    ¡°Hey, you shouldn¡¯t speak like that. We¡¯re all comrades, equals,¡± Li Shengli corrected.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want equality!¡± Uncle Zhou nearly broke into tears. ¡°I just want to defecate. Every day, I have to use my hands. My wife won¡¯t even help me anymore, and no one else will do it for me. I... I¡­¡±


    Tears welled up in Uncle Zhou''s eyes as he spoke.


    Gao-Yuan massaged his temples and said, ¡°How about this? Let me take a look for you.¡±


    ¡°No way!¡± Li Shengli immediately rejected.


    Uncle Zhou fumed, ¡°This isn¡¯t allowed; that isn¡¯t allowed. Then what am I supposed to do? Are you going to help dig out my stool?¡±


    To everyone''s astonishment, Li Shengli nodded, rolled up his sleeves, and said, ¡°Sure, no problem. Come on, Uncle Zhou, let''s head to the outhouse. From now on, if you can''t do it yourself, feel free to come find me. If your wife won¡¯t do it, I will!¡±


    Gao-Yuan and Liu Sanquan were both in shock.


    Even Uncle Zhou himself was stunned.

 Episode 12 Modified Cinnamon Twig Decoction

    Uncle Zhou was utterly stunned. His own wife wasn¡¯t willing to help him, but this young man, who had no familial connection to him, was. The sheer willingness of this stranger left him speechless.


    Gao-Yuan, however, knew that Li Shengli was truly capable of doing such a thing.


    Li Shengli''s medical skills weren¡¯t great¡ªat best, he was only at the apprentice level. But in the entire joint clinic, he was the most enthusiastic person. His background was also the best among the clinic members: he came from a family of poor peasants and had served in the military, making him ideologically very dedicated.


    He treated the masses with the warmth of spring. He wasn¡¯t afraid of hardship, exhaustion, or even filth when treating patients, and he was genuinely willing to get his hands dirty.


    However, he did have his shortcomings.


    Firstly, his educational level was very low. His full name was even selected by the political commissar in his military unit. He learned how to read in the military¡¯s literacy classes, which was barely enough for daily life, but when When it came to complex medical texts, he struggled.


    Secondly, he was quite proud and carried a sense of arrogance, looking down on the wealthy class in the clinic. As a result, he chose to follow Liu Sanquan, who himself wasn¡¯t very knowledgeable. In essence, the least capable person was learning from someone only marginally better¡ªwhat could come of that?


    Uncle Zhou quickly waved his hand and said, "No, no, it''s okay."


    But Li Shengli rolled up his sleeves high and said, "It''s alright; I truly don''t mind."


    Uncle Zhou, clearly nervous, covered his rear, "But I do mind!"


    Gao-Yuan listened with a sense of exhaustion and remarked, "You can''t keep doing this forever. Are you really going to help him every day?"


    Li Shengli nodded earnestly, "Yes, I can."


    Gao-Yuan asked, "And how much can you do?"


    Li Shengli replied, "As much as needed, I''ll handle it."


    Gao-Yuan was left speechless.


    This unexpected chat scared Uncle Zhou so much that he clutched his bottom tightly and made a sound like a frightened sheep. "Baa..."


    Li Shengli grabbed Uncle Zhou¡¯s hand with enthusiasm: "Don''t worry, I don''t fear filth."


    Uncle Zhou clung to the table, his eyes filled with desperation, looking toward Gao-Yuan for help.


    Gao-Yuan quickly intervened, "He''s ill. No matter how much you help him, the problem won''t be solved, and he still won''t feel well."


    "Really?" Li Shengli turned to look at Uncle Zhou.


    Uncle Zhou nodded vigorously, like a pecking chick.


    Gao-Yuan asked, "Are you truly planning to let him stay sick?"


    "I¡­" Li Shengli was momentarily speechless.


    Uncle Zhou quickly turned to Gao-Yuan, "Young man, can you cure this?"


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Liu Sanquan chimed in, "Oh dear, how can you ask that? You know Zhang Yuancai''s elderly mother, right? She was in a terrible state, barely clinging to life. Even the top specialists in the city had no solutions, but after Doctor Gao came over, she was fine just after one dose of his medicine!"


    Uncle Zhou was stunned. "He''s that amazing!"


    Even Li Shengli appeared surprised.


    Liu Sanquan pointed outside, "If you don¡¯t believe me, go see for yourself. That old lady is probably sunbathing at the door right now."


    Uncle Zhou quickly turned to Gao-Yuan, "Doctor, please take a look at me. I can''t go on like this."


    "Alright," Gao-Yuan agreed and first turned his attention to Li Shengli.


    Li Shengli with a sour expression turned his back.


    Gao-Yuan observed Uncle Zhou¡¯s complexion. His dark face was tinged with an unnatural redness. Gao-Yuan asked Liu Sanquan, "Doctor Liu, can you tell me about the patient''s previous treatment?"


    "Sure," Liu Sanquan responded. "Initially, the patient reported dizziness and constipation, so Dr. Li Shengli prescribed him some medicine. He started with ''Ji Bei Pills,'' which worked once but made the dizziness worse, and he also felt numbness in his body."


    "Then he took ''Cheng Qi Tang.'' After three doses, he passed a large amount, but then he felt chills, cold sweats, and couldn¡¯t lie down comfortably. Afterward, he became constipated again. I took over and prescribed ''Dihuang Tang,'' but the dizziness worsened, and he still couldn¡¯t pass anything."


    Uncle Zhou sighed deeply at the recounting of his unfortunate journey.


    Li Shangli rubbed his hands together anxiously.


    Gao-Yuan shook his head slightly and asked Li Shengli, "The ''Three Ingredient Ji Bei Pills'' consist of croton seed, dried ginger, and rhubarb¡ªhighly potent purgatives for severe cold stagnation. Then you used ''Cheng Qi Tang,'' a cold purgative. Was the patient suffering from cold or heat, or was it neither?"


    Liu Sanquan discreetly took a deep breath and even tightened his lower abdomen, startled by how directly Gao-Yuan spoke to Li Shengli.


    Li Shengli¡¯s lips tightened, but he said nothing in the end.


    Gao-Yuan continued, "Constipation often results from irregular diet, emotional disturbances, old age, or even surgical intervention. This patient clearly shows signs of being elderly and frail, suffering from malnutrition and lacking the strength to evacuate. The initial treatment didn¡¯t consider this and instead used harsh purgatives."


    Both Li Shengli and Liu Sanquan frozen. Was he lecturing them?


    Gao-Yuan went on: "Li Dongyuan wrote in ''Lan Shi Mi Cang¡ªConstipation'' that ''treating illness must trace its origin; one cannot indiscriminately use strong purgatives like croton or morning glory. It damages body fluids, intensifying dryness and constipation, making it harder to evacuate until the person becomes beyond saving.''"


    "Huh?" Uncle Zhou couldn¡¯t understand a word.


    Liu Sanquan also looked puzzled.


    Gao-Yuan explained, "It means that for such constipation, you cannot use potent purgatives recklessly. Doing so will damage body fluids, worsening constipation to the point that no method will work, and the person won¡¯t survive."


    "What?" Uncle Zhou jumped up, "Am I going to die?"


    Li Shengli hastily said, "Don''t say such things!"


    Gao-Yuan replied, "Not right now, but if you continue using the wrong treatment, who knows?"


    Uncle Zhou looked increasingly panicked, glaring at Li Shengli.


    Li Shengli¡¯s face turned bright red.


    Gao-Yuan pressed on Uncle Zhou¡¯s upper abdomen, then turned to the others and asked, "Do you feel this hardness in the upper abdomen?"


    Liu Sanquan pressed down and nodded, but Li Shengli didn¡¯t move.


    "This is due to the damage done to the already weak spleen and stomach from the excessive purgatives. According to the 163rd clause of ''Treatize on Cold Damage,'' ''persistent purging results in hardness below the heart.'' What does this mean?" Gao-Yuan asked.


    Liu Sanquan responded bluntly, "If you keep purging, there''ll be hardness below the heart."


    Gao-Yuan nodded, "The area below the heart refers to the stomach. Hardness here indicates a weak stomach. The treatment outlined in the 163rd clause is Cinnamon Twig Decoction with Ginseng, which targets this stomach deficiency."


    "Oh, so that''s what it means!" Liu Sanquan finally understood.


    Gao-Yuan continued, "This patient now shows signs of imbalance between the protective and nutritive energy, with reversed qi in the Penetrating Vessel¡ªa case needing Cinnamon Twig Decoction."


    "But the patient''s pulse isn''t floating; it''s deep and slow." Liu Sanquan interjected.


    Gao-Yuan explained, "In clause 62 of the ''Treatise on Cold Damage,'' ''post-sweating, if pain persists with a deep and slow pulse, Cinnamon Twig Decoction with Peony, Ginger and Ginseng are indicated.''"


    Eventually, Gao-Yuan prescribed the medicine, and Li Shengli grumbled, "What¡¯s with that traitor acting so high and mighty?"


    Comrade He Yu, who was dispensing medicine nearby, reminded him, "Don''t forget, he''s covering your mess."


    Li Shengli fell silent, his expression stiffening.


    Liu Sanquan quickly shrank back, avoiding eye contact.

 Episode 13 Could He Really Be a Bad Person?

    Gao-Yuan prescribed three doses of medicine, but Uncle Zhou only took one. He was worried that if it didn''t work again, he wouldn''t waste more money.


    Throughout the process, Uncle Zhou didn''t glance at Li Shengli even once. With his head down, he left, leaving Li Shengli feeling somewhat dejected.


    The entire afternoon, Li Shengli was distracted and restless.


    Several patients who arrived turned away the moment they saw Li Shengli was on duty.


    This left Li Shengli feeling utterly discouraged.


    The few who stayed were either from remote villages who couldn¡¯t afford to leave or were just there to pick up medication without needing his diagnosis.


    Every time he thought about what Gao-Yuan had said at noon, Li Shengli became even more agitated. The clinic had many medical books, including the much-discussed "Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders" ("Shang Han Lun"). However, when he opened it, he realized the book seemed to know him, but he didn''t know the book.


    Feeling increasingly frustrated, Li Shengli slammed it shut.


    <hr>


    By evening.


    ¡°Hey, Xiao He, haven¡¯t finished work yet?¡±


    ¡°Oh, Uncle Zhou, you''re back?¡± He Yu greeted him.


    Hearing the voice, Li Shengli darted out of the consultation room. Seeing Uncle Zhou, he felt a bit anxious. ¡°Why...why are you back?¡±


    Uncle Zhou replied, ¡°I¡¯m here for the medicine, of course! I have to say that remedy really works. After taking it, I felt a lot less pain, and my head was clearer. I even managed to pass stool just now.¡±


    ¡°Previously, even when your medicine helped me move my bowels, it felt unbearable! It was more torturous than medicinal. But this time, I felt so much better afterward. Hey, Xiao He, help me prepare three more doses.¡±


    He Yu was surprised; she didn¡¯t expect such an effective result. ¡°There are only three doses in total, Uncle Zhou. You¡¯ve already taken one, so there are only two left.¡±


    Uncle Zhou patted his chest confidently. ¡°If the medicine is effective, I don''t mind taking more!¡±


    Hearing this, Li Shengli numbly turned back towards the consultation room.


    Watching his retreating figure, Uncle Zhou intentionally raised his voice. ¡°If this doctor had taken care of me from the start, I wouldn¡¯t have wasted so much money and suffered so much.¡±


    Li Shengli paused, his hand gripping the door frame so tightly that his knuckles turned white.


    Ultimately, he said nothing and walked back inside.


    <hr>


    Later that evening, Gao-Yuan returned with the medicinal herbs and the treatment records for the entire village. He distributed them one by one to the villagers, and to his surprise, they all nodded and thanked him.


    He vividly recalled the disdain and guarded looks he had received when he first returned to the village. Why was the attitude so different this time?


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Puzzled, Gao-Yuan headed home.


    His mother was preparing dinner. Seeing him return, she quickly wiped her hands and approached him with concern. ¡°Are you tired from collecting the medicine today? Want to rest for a bit?¡±


    ¡°No, Mom, I¡¯m fine,¡± Gao-Yuan replied.


    ¡°Did you check on Grandpa Yang?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Yes, I did. Grandpa Yang is recovering well and can walk around now. I also gave him his new medicine.¡±


    ¡°Do you know what Grandpa Yang did when he got out of bed?¡± she asked with a mysterious smile.


    Gao-Yuan shook his head.


    ¡°You should really thank him,¡± his mother continued.


    ¡°Why?¡± he asked, puzzled.


    ¡°He went around the village today, leaning on his cane, and told everyone, especially those you helped with medicine, not to call you a traitor anymore and not to be ungrateful.¡±


    Warmth spread through Gao-Yuan¡¯s heart. Grandpa Yang had just recovered but went to such lengths for him. No wonder people weren¡¯t as hostile when he returned today.


    ¡°Mom, I understand,¡± Gao-Yuan nodded earnestly.


    ¡°Ah...¡± his mother sighed deeply. ¡°It¡¯s just about you and Yang Xiuying.¡±


    Before she could finish, a voice called out from the doorway. ¡°Is Gao-Yuan home?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m here,¡± Gao-Yuan answered, quickly walking outside.


    His mother was left hanging mid-sentence. She sighed again and hurried to catch up.


    Standing outside was Uncle Wei from their village. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Uncle Wei?¡± asked Gao-Yuan.


    Uncle Wei rubbed his hands together nervously. ¡°I heard you learned to treat illnesses? Grandpa Yang said it was you who cured him. I saw him before, all swollen beyond recognition.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I treated him. What happened? Is someone unwell?¡± Gao-Yuan asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s my wife. She suddenly has a fever and is confused,¡± Uncle Wei replied anxiously.


    ¡°All right, I¡¯ll come with you to take a look,¡± Gao-Yuan agreed without hesitation.


    ¡°Great!¡± Uncle Wei responded, relieved.


    As Gao-Yuan followed him, his mother quickly extinguished the cooking fire and hurried after them.


    Earlier that day, Grandpa Yang had scolded half the village, telling everyone how Gao-Yuan had saved his life. It was quite a sensation. Now that they heard Gao-Yuan was going to treat another patient, even those idle men loitering around after dinner couldn¡¯t resist following them to watch.


    <hr>


    Arriving at Uncle Wei¡¯s house, Gao-Yuan entered with him while a crowd gathered in the courtyard, whispering amongst themselves.


    Inside, he found Aunt Wei lying in bed, delirious.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Gao-Yuan asked.


    Uncle Wei answered, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because she ate something cold last night. She had a bowl of chilled sweet potatoes before bed. This morning she complained of weakness, thirst, and shaky legs. After drinking hot water, she felt hot, dizzy, and chills. She developed a fever this afternoon, and it hasn¡¯t improved since. She refuses to eat and feels nauseous. She¡¯s been drinking water all day but seems anxious and is now completely out of it.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± Gao-Yuan nodded. He checked her forehead and was startled. ¡°She¡¯s burning up!¡±


    ¡°I know!¡± Uncle Wei exclaimed anxiously. ¡°It¡¯s scalding! That¡¯s why I came to find you.¡±


    The bystanders in the doorway exchanged nervous glances, whispering in concern.


    Gao-Yuan carefully examined Aunt Wei¡¯s tongue and noticed a thick white coating with little moisture. Her pulse was rapid.


    ¡°Is it serious?¡± Uncle Wei asked, worry etched across his face.


    ¡°It¡¯s quite severe,¡± Gao Yuan confirmed.


    ¡°What should we do?¡± Uncle Wei wrung his hands in distress.


    ¡°We can¡¯t wait until tomorrow for the medicine. By the time we go to the town in the morning, get back in the afternoon, and have her take the medicine, it¡¯ll be evening. I¡¯ll head to the town now to get it,¡± Gao-Yuan said decisively.


    ¡°What?!¡± Uncle Wei was taken aback. He hadn¡¯t expected such an offer.


    The entire courtyard fell silent.


    ¡°N-no¡­ I¡¯ll go instead,¡± Uncle Wei stammered.


    ¡°You¡¯re not used to walking the mountain paths at night. Besides, Aunt Wei needs someone here. You don¡¯t even know where the town doctor lives. Give me her treatment record; I¡¯ll head out now,¡± Gao-Yuan insisted.


    Taking the record, he immediately set off.


    ¡°Wait! You haven¡¯t eaten dinner yet!¡± His mother called after him.


    But Gao-Yuan had already disappeared into the night.


    It was only then that everyone realized he wasn¡¯t joking. He truly intended to travel dozens of miles in the dark for someone unrelated to him.


    Everyone stood there, stunned.


    ¡°Open your eyes, open your eyes, and see!¡± A voice rang out behind them.


    The crowd turned to find Grandpa Yang leaning on his cane, his eyes blazing with emotion. ¡°Look at him! A fine young man like this, could he possibly be a traitor? Could he possibly be a bad person? Who among you could do what he¡¯s doing? Are you all blind?¡±

 Episode 14 Following Along

    Gao-Yuan walked briskly along the mountain path.


    He wasn¡¯t exaggerating when he said that people in the village weren¡¯t as adept at walking in the dark as he was. For rural doctors of his era, this was a basic professional skill.


    At this time, there was a severe shortage of doctors, so it was common for him to be woken up in the middle of the night to climb mountains and cross ridges to treat someone in an emergency.


    In his previous life, after Gao-Yuan had matured in his medical skills, many people came knocking on the door of the commune health center in the middle of the night seeking his help. As a result, he often traveled these mountain paths at night, and by now, he could walk them with his eyes closed.


    Today¡¯s weather was good, so Gao-Yuan quickened his pace and arrived at the door of the joint clinic just before complete darkness fell.


    He Yu was just closing the door.


    "Xiao He," Gao-Yuan called out.


    "It''s you?" He Yu''s eyes lit up, then she glanced inside.


    Li Shengli happened to come out at that moment. When he saw Gao-Yuan, he was momentarily stunned.


    Gao-Yuan said, "Don''t close the door yet. I''ve come to fetch some medicine."


    He Yu paused and put the door panel back, asking, "Didn''t you go home? Why are you here again?"


    "I came across someone with an acute illness in the village¡ªquite a serious case, so I rushed over to get some medicine," Gao-Yuan replied.


    He Yu clapped her hands in surprise. "Your village is dozens of miles away from here on mountain roads. That¡¯s a long way to travel back and forth. Is the patient a relative of yours?"


    Gao-Yuan walked inside. "No, just someone from the village."


    The inside of the clinic was already quite dark. He Yu went to light an oil lamp and asked in confusion, "Someone from the village? You''ve already made one trip today. Now you''re running back again for a second time at night. Aren''t you tired?"


    Gao-Yuan said, "An urgent illness is more important than anything else. Running one more trip doesn¡¯t matter."


    Hearing this, He Yu''s expression towards Gao-Yuan changed.


    Li Shengli, standing nearby, was also taken aback as he looked at Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan handed his medical booklet to He Yu and said, "Give me a pen and paper so I can write out the prescription."


    He had already thought it through on the way here.


    Aunt Wei from the Wei family had become ill due to irregular eating habits. The thick white coating on her tongue indicated food stagnation in her body.


    Her irritability and thirst showed signs of internal heat.


    Dizziness and chills pointed to Taiyang surface syndrome.


    Her rapid pulse and burning body indicated intense pathogenic heat.


    Her lack of appetite and the urge to vomit were due to internal heat disrupting her stomach''s harmony.


    It was a typical case of a combination of Taiyang and Yangming syndromes, showing both the surface symptoms of Taiyang and the internal heat of Yangming.


    According to the 33rd clause of the Treatise on Cold Damage, "In cases of combined Taiyang and Yangming without diarrhea but with vomiting, the Ge Gen Jia Ban Xia Tang (Kudzu Decoction with Pinellia) is the main prescription."


    Considering her high body temperature, Gao-Yuan added one tael of raw gypsum to the original prescription to clear the internal heat.


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    After handing over the prescription to He Yu and collecting the medicine, Gao-Yuan was ready to leave.


    ¡°Hey!¡± Li Shengli suddenly called out to Gao-Yuan.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Gao-Yuan looked at him.


    Li Shengli stared at him. ¡°I¡­ I want to go back with you.¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡± Gao-Yuan looked puzzled.


    ¡°I want to check on Grandfather Yang,¡± Li Shengli explained.


    Gao-Yuan had no objections. "Alright, but you¡¯ll have to sleep in the village meeting hall tonight."


    "No problem," Li Shengli replied. "When we¡¯re out on night patrols, we often sleep in the meeting halls of different villages."


    ¡°Then let¡¯s go.¡± Gao-Yuan waved.


    As the two started walking, He Yu watched the strange duo leave, scratching her head in confusion.


    ...


    The two walked quickly along the dark mountain path, neither saying a word, creating an eerie silence.


    Halfway through the journey, Li Shengli suddenly asked, "Which year did you enlist?"


    Gao-Yuan glanced at him. "1946."


    "And when did you attend university?"


    "After the liberation of Beiping."


    Li Shengli abruptly stopped and stared at Gao-Yuan, demanding, "You came from a hard life, served in the military, and became a cadre! The organization nurtured and trusted you, so why did you betray them?"


    Gao-Yuan also stopped, turned to face Li Shengli, and said, "In Chinese medicine, there are four diagnostic methods: observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation. Listening to the patient is only a small part. To uncover the true cause of an illness, the doctor must observe, listen, and feel it themselves."


    With that, Gao-Yuan turned and continued walking.


    Breathing heavily, Li Shengli stood there for a moment before catching up.


    Back in the village, Gao-Yuan went to Uncle Wei''s house and handed over the medicine.


    Uncle Wei, blushing, asked, "Do you want to come in and eat?"


    ¡°No need,¡± Gao-Yuan replied. ¡°I ate at the commune.¡±


    Li Shengli, who had been following behind, stared blankly at him, realizing that Gao-Yuan hadn¡¯t eaten yet.


    Uncle Wei nervously fumbled for something in his pocket and pulled out two eggs, quickly stuffing them into Gao-Yuan¡¯s hand as if he were doing something illegal, then hurried back inside.


    Gao-Yuan looked at the eggs in his hand and smiled.


    He turned around and handed one to the still-dazed Li Shengli.


    Li Shengli was bewildered by this gesture.


    Gao-Yuan pressed the egg into his hand and walked away.


    Li Shengli stood there, feeling as if the egg in his hand was burning hot.


    ...


    After returning home, Gao-Yuan found that his mother had left some dinner for him. After eating, he returned to his room, lit an oil lamp, and began writing his medical diary again.


    "This morning, I traveled to the commune for medicine on behalf of the villagers. Lately, many have been suffering from colds, and I''m worried about the spread of disease. I believe prevention is necessary. In the afternoon, I returned to the village and encountered Aunt Wei''s sudden illness. In a critical situation, I traveled dozens of miles again to fetch medicine for her."


    "Two round trips, and my body feels as though it¡¯s falling apart. The difficulty of obtaining medicine in rural areas is evident. If the locations for dispensing and storing medicine could be improved, treatment would be much easier. Facing severe illnesses, we could promptly administer the right medicines and save lives."


    After finishing his writing, Gao-Yuan closed the notebook, a worried expression on his face.


    It wasn''t until the 626 directive that this issue of medicine supply in rural areas significantly improved. At that time, the three-tier healthcare system was fully established, with each village having its own barefoot doctor and medicine storage.


    But for now, that wasn''t possible.


    The joint clinic¡¯s medicine stock couldn¡¯t cover every village, and the tangled accounting issues between the pharmaceutical company, the joint clinic, and the senior commune still hadn¡¯t been sorted out.


    Gao-Yuan rubbed his aching head.


    It was indeed a troublesome matter, but it was one that had to be resolved. Otherwise, it would be difficult to win the upcoming battle against the flu. In Chinese medicine, herbs are like weapons in the doctor''s hands; if the weapons can''t be delivered to the frontline, how could they fight this war?


    ...


    The next morning.


    Li Shengli, with bloodshot eyes, approached Gao-Yuan and said, "I went to check on Grandfather Yang."


    Gao-Yuan glanced at his red eyes. "Did he scold you?"


    Li Shengli shook his head. "No, he told me not to take it to heart. He said sometimes medicine doesn¡¯t work, and you just need to try another one."


    ¡°Then why¡­¡±


    ¡°Did my treatment make Grandfather Yang¡¯s condition worse?¡± Li Shengli asked, his expression gloomy.


    Gao-Yuan hesitated for a moment and then slowly nodded.


    Li Shengli¡¯s face turned sorrowful. "Even Uncle Zhou said the same thing yesterday. Maybe I¡¯m just not cut out to be a doctor."


    For a moment, Gao-Yuan didn''t know how to respond.


    At that moment, an elderly man hurried over, shouting, "Li Shengli! Li Shengli, you¡¯re here!"


    Li Shengli looked at the old man, puzzled.


    The man grabbed him by the collar and demanded, "What kind of medicine did you prescribe for my grandson? He¡¯s struggling to breathe now, worse than before!"


    "Huh?" Li Shengli was stunned.


    Seeing him not respond, the old man grew even angry. "Say something! Are you mute?"


    Gao-Yuan quickly intervened. "Grandpa Zhang, what¡¯s going on?"


    The old man, spitting in anger, replied, "My Xiao Gou¡¯er took his medicine and now can¡¯t breathe. He hasn¡¯t urinated all day¡ªit''s terrifying!"


    Gao-Yuan quickly separated the two and stood between them. "Grandpa Zhang, treatment comes first. Let me help."

 Episode 15 Scored twice

    The group hurried toward Grandpa Zhang¡¯s house.


    Upon entering, they saw the young grandson lying weakly on the bed, his voice hoarse.


    The grandmother was so worried that she kept shedding tears.


    The child, agitated, tugged at his clothes with a painful expression. He wouldn¡¯t let his grandmother hold him and kept pushing her away, flailing his arms, tugging at his clothes, and looking utterly miserable.


    Gao-Yuan observed carefully and noticed the boy¡¯s nostrils flaring rapidly, his shoulders rising and falling, and his chest heaving as he struggled to breathe.


    "Chest raised, shoulder breathing," Gao-Yuan muttered softly.


    Seeing Li Shengli arrive, the boy¡¯s grandmother pointed at him angrily: "It¡¯s him! My grandson only had a slight cough, but after taking his medicine, he suddenly got like this."


    Li Shengli was at a loss, unsure of what to do.


    The grandmother continued crying while scolding, "Everyone says that among the doctors at the clinic, you¡¯re the least experienced. No one wants to see you. But I thought, How could you not be able to treat a simple cough? Who knew you¡¯d make things worse?"


    "Oh, my poor boy, he¡¯s the only one we have left!" She beat her thigh and wailed in anguish.


    Li Shengli¡¯s face turned pale with embarrassment.


    Gao-Yuan approached the child, intending to check his tongue, but before he could, the boy suddenly turned over and vomited a large amount of phlegm.


    The grandmother wiped her grandson tenderly, "It¡¯s been a whole day, and all he¡¯s done is spit up phlegm. He¡¯ll waste away at this rate! He¡¯s so young, how can he endure this?"


    Grandpa Zhang pointed at Li Shengli, demanding angrily, "What medicine did you give him? Why did he end up like this?"


    Gao-Yuan also looked at Li Shengli.


    "I..." Li Shengli swallowed nervously and said, "I saw he was coughing, so I prescribed Xuanfu Daizhe Decoction."


    The boy¡¯s grandparents, unfamiliar with medical terms, asked, "Is there something wrong with that medicine?"


    Gao-Yuan frowned slightly and asked, "Why was your grandson coughing in the first place?"


    The grandmother, wiping her tears, snapped at her husband, "It¡¯s all this old fool¡¯s fault! Can¡¯t you just stay home? After work, instead of resting, he insisted on taking the boy to catch fish."


    "The river water was freezing, and the sun had set. The cold wind and icy water made him cough and develop some phlegm. But it wasn¡¯t this bad! Now it¡¯s been a whole day, and he hasn¡¯t urinated even once. It¡¯s terrifying."


    Grandpa Zhang, looking guilty like a scolded child, fidgeted with his dirty clothes, "The boy was craving something good. We don¡¯t have any meat at home, so I had to catch some fish."


    Upon hearing this, Gao-Yuan had most of the picture. He asked, "Did you give him any medicine before?"


    The grandmother replied, "No, as soon as he started coughing, we took him to the clinic right away. If there had been another doctor, we wouldn¡¯t have gone to him!"


    Li Shengli looked mortified.


    Gao-Yuan nodded and stepped forward to check the boy¡¯s pulse.


    Grandpa Zhang asked anxiously, "Gao-Yuan, I heard you¡¯ve learned how to treat illnesses now? They say you cured Grandpa Yang?"


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "Yes," Gao-Yuan replied simply.


    "Then... please take a good look at our boy."


    Gao-Yuan nodded and carefully took the pulse.


    The pulse on the right side was deep, indicating internal cold blocking the body. The left pulse was thin and wiry, showing phlegm accumulation.


    Gao-Yuan stood up.


    "What is it?" Grandpa Zhang asked nervously.


    "He has asthma," Gao-Yuan said.


    "What¡¯s asthma?" Grandpa Zhang asked.


    Gao-Yuan explained in simple terms, "His lungs have accumulated a lot of phlegm, blocking them, which makes it hard for him to breathe, and that¡¯s why he¡¯s coughing up so much phlegm."


    In his mind, Gao-Yuan compared it to a severe case of pneumonia in Western medicine.


    "Why hasn¡¯t he urinated all day? We¡¯re so worried," Grandpa Zhang asked.


    "The lungs control the water pathways. When the lungs are blocked, he can¡¯t urinate. Just like with Grandpa Yang, once his lungs are treated, his urination will return to normal."


    Hearing this, Grandpa Zhang¡¯s eyes lit up with hope. "You cured Grandpa Yang, so can you cure my grandson too? What medicine did you give Grandpa Yang?"


    "The conditions are different, so I can¡¯t use the same medicine. But the boy¡¯s situation is urgent and needs immediate treatment."


    "I... I..." Grandpa Zhang stammered nervously.


    Gao-Yuan pointed to Li Shengli and said, "You¡¯ll need to go to town to get the medicine, and quickly."


    "I¡¯ll run there!" Li Shengli, feeling guilty, immediately agreed.


    The grandparents exchanged glances, finally easing up on their scolding of Li Shengli.


    Relieved, Li Shengli glanced at Gao-Yuan, his feelings complicated.


    Gao-Yuan took out pen and paper but then paused, looking at Li Shengli as if hesitating.


    "What... what¡¯s wrong?" Li Shengli asked nervously.


    Gao-Yuan wrote down the prescription for Minor Blue Dragon Decoction and said, "We¡¯ll talk when you return."


    Just as the two were about to leave, they were stopped at the corner.


    It was Uncle Wei.


    "Gao-Yuan, Gao-Yuan!" Uncle Wei called out urgently, grabbing his arm. "What kind of medicine did you give my wife? After taking it, she suddenly got worse."


    Li Shengli looked at Gao-Yuan in shock¡ªwas he facing the same situation?


    Uncle Wei gripped Gao-Yuan¡¯s wrist tightly. "You¡¯re not going anywhere until you explain!"


    But Gao-Yuan remained calm, saying, "Shengli, come along. You might need to fetch more medicine."


    Uncle Wei was taken aback by his composure.


    "Why are you standing there? Let¡¯s go!" Gao-Yuan urged.


    They headed to Uncle Wei¡¯s house, followed by curious villagers eager to witness the commotion, as Gao-Yuan had become a topic of much debate in the village.


    Soon, they reached Uncle Wei¡¯s home.


    The villagers crowded around.


    Gao-Yuan looked at Aunt Wei, who lay unconscious on the bed, and asked, "How did she react to the medicine?"


    Uncle Wei anxiously replied, "After taking it, she suddenly passed out and couldn¡¯t be woken. I thought she¡¯d get better after some sleep, but later she started vomiting water."


    "Then she passed out again. I was going to sleep myself, but in the middle of the night, she suddenly had diarrhea. And not just regular diarrhea¡ªit was red like blood! It was terrifying. That¡¯s why I came to find you first thing this morning. What medicine did you give her?"


    Li Shengli also looked at Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan approached Aunt Wei and began examining her.


    Meanwhile, the villagers outside were abuzz with gossip.


    "Blood in the diarrhea? That¡¯s scary."


    "Could it be poison?"


    "I don¡¯t think so. I haven¡¯t heard of any grudges between the families."


    "Who knows? Maybe Gao-Yuan¡¯s been sent here to cause trouble."


    ...


    Hearing the villagers¡¯ chatter, Uncle Wei¡¯s face turned pale. He pointed at Gao-Yuan, trembling, "You, you, you..."


    "No way," Li Shengli muttered instinctively, but then quickly covered his mouth.


    Gao-Yuan turned to him and said, "Didn¡¯t you notice her fever has gone down?"


    "Huh?" Uncle Wei quickly checked his wife¡¯s forehead and found that it wasn¡¯t hot anymore. "But why did she have such bad vomiting and diarrhea?"


    "She ate something bad, which worsened her illness. The vomiting and diarrhea are helping to get rid of the bad stuff in her body¡ªit¡¯s actually a good sign."


    "But why was her stool red like blood?" Uncle Wei asked, still confused.


    "That¡¯s from heat in the intestines. The medicine worked, but only partially. Were you expecting one dose to cure her completely?"


    Uncle Wei was speechless.


    The villagers also fell silent.


    Uncle Wei, still worried, asked, "Why won¡¯t she wake up, though? It¡¯s terrifying to see her like this. Are you sure you¡¯re not tricking me?"


    Gao-Yuan glanced at Aunt Wei and said, "Her fever is gone, and her condition has stabilized. She should wake up soon."


    As he finished speaking, Aunt Wei groaned, opened her eyes, and sat up.


    "You¡¯re awake?" Uncle Wei rushed over to help her sit up. "How do you feel? Any better?"


    Aunt Wei exhaled deeply, "After that sleep, I feel much better than yesterday, though I still feel like vomiting, and my stomach is uncomfortable. Why is the house so crowded?"


    The villagers stared at Gao-Yuan in astonishment.


    "I..." Uncle Wei¡¯s face flushed red.


    "You ungrateful fools!" Grandpa Yang, who had hurried over, arrived just in time to see Uncle Wei, and he angrily whacked him with his cane.


    Uncle Wei, his face red with shame, didn¡¯t dare dodge.


    The villagers rushed to intervene.


    Grandpa Yang waved his cane wildly, causing chaos.


    Li Shengli stood frozen in shock.


    Gao-Yuan calmly wrote down the prescription amid the chaos: "Treat with Bai Tou Weng Decoction combined with Huangqin plus Banxia and Ginger Decoction."

 Episode 16 Treating Illness Like Fighting a Battle

    Li Shengli was indeed quick on his feet.


    By around noon, he had already returned with the medicine.


    Gao Yuan immediately delivered the medicine to the two families in need.


    Aunt Wei''s condition had stabilized considerably. She even managed to get out of bed and cook lunch, though she didn¡¯t go to the fields to work. She still had a little diarrhea and felt slightly nauseous, but it was nothing like before.


    Clearly, the medicine Gao Yuan had given her the day before was showing significant results.


    Uncle Wei was deeply embarrassed. Throughout the morning, during the rush to complete tasks for work points, he kept his head down and avoided talking to anyone. He couldn¡¯t have been more ashamed.


    Old Man Yang, after waving his cane around, didn¡¯t go home to rest either. Instead, he stayed in the fields, supervising the villagers.


    The villagers were too intimidated by Old Man Yang¡¯s gaze to look up, and the awkward atmosphere spread across the fields.


    Even though Yang¡¯s father was the village party secretary, he didn¡¯t dare cross his own father. He tried persuading Old Man Yang a few times to leave, but the old man refused. Eventually, Yang¡¯s father gave up.


    At noon, after the medicine was brewed, both families took it.


    After lunch and the midnight break, the villagers, out of sheer boredom, fled to watch the commotion again.


    Uncle Wei had locked his courtyard gate early, determined not to let anyone in. He had never been this embarrassed in his entire life.


    So the crowd, in a frenzy, rushed off to see Zhang¡¯s little grandson instead.


    Li Shengli and Gao Yuan stayed there, keeping watch.


    After the child took the medicine, Gao Yuan told them to cover him with a blanket. Soon, the child began tugging at his clothes, complaining about feeling hot.


    Gao Yuan stepped forward and felt the boy¡¯s forehead¡ªhe was sweating.


    "How is he?" the child¡¯s grandfather asked anxiously.


    At the entrance, a crowd of people craned their necks to watch.


    Li Shengli swallowed nervously, his eyes fixed on Gao Yuan.


    Gao Yuan said, "He¡¯s sweating now. He should start feeling better soon."


    The child¡¯s grandparents exchanged looks, their tension slowly easing.


    As Gao Yuan had predicted, the boy¡¯s labored, shallow breathing gradually improved. He no longer seemed like he was being suffocated.


    "Hey, look! The kid can breathe again," someone at the doorway shouted.


    Suddenly, the crowd erupted in excited chatter.


    "Xiaogou¡¯er!" the child¡¯s grandmother called, her voice trembling with emotion.


    "Grandma, I need to pee," the boy, though still hoarse, managed to call out.


    "My dear grandson!" The child¡¯s grandfather moved forward, wanting to pick him up.


    But the grandmother, still furious, grabbed a cloth from the table and threw it at the old man. If it weren¡¯t for his insistence on fishing, how could things have come to this?


    The old man didn¡¯t dare say a word after being hit.


    The grandmother then picked up the child and took him to relieve himself.


    The crowd outside burst into hearty laughter.


    Gao Yuan glanced at Li Shengli and said, "Let¡¯s go."


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    But before they could leave, the child¡¯s grandfather rushed over and grabbed Gao Yuan¡¯s hand, shaking it vigorously. "Oh, Gao Yuan, I don¡¯t even know how to thank you! Our Zhang family only has this one heir. If anything had happened to him, how could we go on?"


    Gao Yuan reassured him, "It¡¯s fine now. Don¡¯t scare yourself anymore."


    The old man quickly added, "It¡¯s all thanks to you. Without you, we two old folks wouldn¡¯t have known what to do."


    "Hmph, just don¡¯t become someone as heartless as Wei Laosan," Old Man Yang chimed in, as he always did at the most critical moments.


    The crowd at the door shrank back, uncomfortable.


    The child¡¯s grandfather¡¯s face stiffened for a moment. He quickly waved his hands, saying, "No, no, I wouldn¡¯t."


    Gao Yuan looked around and said, "Grandpa Zhang, there¡¯s still one more dose of medicine. Brew it tomorrow and give it to Xiaogou¡¯er. If he still feels unwell, come find me."


    "Yes, yes, yes," Grandpa Zhang nodded repeatedly. He then glanced at Li Shengli, who remained silent despite opening his mouth as if to speak.


    Li Shengli didn¡¯t dare to look up.


    Grandpa Zhang turned back to Gao Yuan, "Stay for a meal."


    Gao Yuan politely declined, "I¡¯ve already eaten at home. Maybe next time. We have other things to do, so we¡¯ll be going now. Take good care of Xiaogou¡¯er."


    With that, Gao Yuan and Li Shengli left.


    Old Man Yang, leaning on his cane, took a final look at the crowd before snorting and walking away.


    The villagers were left marveling, not expecting Gao Yuan¡¯s medical skills to be this impressive. He really lived up to being a college student!


    ¡­


    Outside.


    Gao Yuan said to Li Shengli, "You haven¡¯t eaten yet, right? Come to my place."


    But Li Shengli was in no mood for food. He furrowed his brow and asked, "What exactly was wrong with Xiaogou¡¯er? Wasn¡¯t he just coughing? I even gave him medicine for the cough. After he took it, he stopped coughing¡ªdoesn¡¯t that mean my medicine worked? But¡­ why did it turn out like this?"


    Li Shengli was completely puzzled.


    Gao Yuan thought for a moment and said, "You¡¯ve been on the battlefield before, right? You¡¯ve seen soldiers with external injuries. Do you know how those wounds are treated?"


    Li Shengli replied, "First, you clean the wound, remove any dirt, then disinfect, stitch it up, and bandage it. You also have to be careful about infections."


    Gao Yuan then asked, "What if you didn¡¯t clean the wound or disinfect it and just stitched it up right away?"


    "Hmm?" Li Shengli was taken aback. "Then there¡¯d definitely be problems. It¡¯d get infected."


    Gao Yuan explained, "But from the outside, it looks like the wound is stitched up and taken care of."


    Li Shengli fell into deep thought.


    Gao Yuan continued, "Traditional Chinese medicine works the same way. The boy went fishing with his grandfather and caught a cold. The body has its defenses, and the first line is the defensive qi on the surface. When the cold wind attacks, it¡¯s blocked, which is called wind-cold trapping the exterior, and it also stirs up the phlegm inside the body. That¡¯s why Xiaogou¡¯er first had a cough with phlegm."


    "At that point, it was necessary to clean the wound, so to speak. In Chinese medicine, this is called resolving the exterior. Whenever there¡¯s an exterior syndrome, it has to be resolved first. But you only saw the cough and ignored the exterior syndrome."


    "You used a cough-suppressing decoction, Xuanfu Daizhe Tang, which pushed the cold wind trapped outside deeper into the body. The situation wasn¡¯t that bad before, but your medicine made it worse by driving the illness inside."


    "When the pathogenic factor can¡¯t be expelled, it stays inside and causes havoc. That¡¯s why his condition worsened after taking your medicine. It wasn¡¯t that you cured his cough, but that his illness had progressed to the point where he couldn¡¯t cough anymore."


    Li Shengli was stunned.


    Li Shengli had studied medicine under Liu Sanquan, but Liu Sanquan himself didn¡¯t understand the importance of resolving exterior syndromes, so how could Li Shengli know?


    At this point, Li Shengli¡¯s medical knowledge was limited to matching symptoms with prescriptions¡ªcough medicine for a cough, diuretics for difficulty urinating, laxatives for constipation. As for pattern differentiation, he had no clue. This is why his misdiagnosis and mistreatment rates were relatively high.


    Li Shengli let out a sigh and sat down on the yellow earth as if all the strength had been drained from his body.


    Gao Yuan stepped forward, patting his shoulder. "I know you¡¯re different from the other doctors at the clinic. You¡¯re a soldier of the people. You genuinely want to help the common folk."


    Li Shengli looked up; his eyes dazed, not expecting Gao Yuan to say such words.


    Gao Yuan spoke sincerely, "But practicing medicine, like fighting a battle, is a technical skill. Passion alone isn¡¯t enough. A doctor is like a general on the battlefield. You need to know how to deploy your troops, understand the enemy¡¯s situation, make careful plans, and consider all sides."


    "In every aspect¡ªup, down, front, back, cause, effect, development, and change¡ªyou must be well aware. Treating illness is the same. If you rush in blindly, the more enthusiastic you are, the more likely you¡¯ll do harm while meaning well. Only by mastering strategy can you command in battle."


    Li Shengli remained silent.


    Gao Yuan stood beside him, remembering his own tumultuous journey in the past. His path to learning medicine had been extraordinarily difficult. Covered in filth, not a single person had been willing to take him as a disciple.


    Perhaps even Gao Yuan himself couldn¡¯t explain just how hard it had been back then¡ªhow many pitfalls he had stumbled into, how much suffering he had endured, and how much despair had driven him forward.


    After a long while, Li Shengli finally said, "But I won¡¯t learn medicine from Zhao Huanzhang. I can¡¯t forgive any landlord."


    He lifted his head, looking at Gao Yuan with bloodshot eyes, filled with bitterness and defiance, and his voice had turned hoarse as he said, "You haven¡¯t experienced my hardships, so you can¡¯t understand how much hatred I hold in my heart."

 Episode 17: I See You as a Comrade

    Gao-Yuan remained silent for a moment. This was yet another child who had grown up in hardship.


    He asked, "Do you enjoy being a doctor? Do you like studying traditional Chinese medicine?"


    Li Shengli shook his head. "There''s no such thing as like or dislike. It''s all about whether the people need us. When I was demobilized, the commander knew I had worked in a pharmacy before, so he said there was a shortage of doctors in rural areas and asked if I was willing to come here. I didn¡¯t think much and agreed. Afterward, I attended a training program for traditional Chinese medicine and practiced at the clinic."


    He continued, "Back then, the training program mostly covered Western medicine. The only Western doctors we had were in the county hospital, and even Western medicine was hard to come by in rural areas. In the end, I came out of the program confused, learning bit by bit from Comrade Liu Sanquan while treating patients. That¡¯s how it¡¯s been until now."


    Gao-Yuan nodded. "If you''re willing, you can study medicine with me."


    Li Shengli, however, fixed his gaze on Gao-Yuan and asked, "Did you really betray us?"


    Gao-Yuan asked in return, "What do you think?"


    Li Shengli thought for a moment before slowly saying, "I¡¯ve met spies before. They hide their true selves very well. Sometimes, they even behave better than the rest of us. They''re more proactive, less concerned about personal gains, more passionate with the people, and often get recognized as outstanding individuals."


    Hearing this, Gao-Yuan fell silent.


    Li Shengli looked into Gao-Yuan''s eyes and added, "But once they¡¯re found out, they no longer bother to hide or pretend."


    Gao-Yuan raised his head, a little taken aback.


    Li Shengli smiled and said, "Why would you want to help? me?"


    Gao-Yuan smiled back and replied, "Because I see you as a comrade."


    ...


    That afternoon.


    Gao-Yuan checked in on Aunt Wei again. After finishing her second dose of medicine, most of her symptoms had subsided. Her pulse was steady, and her body temperature had returned to normal, even though Gao-Yuan didn''t have a thermometer to measure it.


    However, Aunt Wei still felt weak and lacked appetite.


    Uncle Wei, on the other hand, was practically ready to dig up the ground with his head out of gratitude.


    Gao-Yuan advised, "Don¡¯t overwork yourself for the next few days. As for food, stick to light meals, like porridge or noodles, to nurture your stomach. You should be fine after that."


    "Got it," Aunt Wei agreed.


    Gao-Yuan glanced at Uncle Wei, who was secretly peeking at them from the side. "This kind of acute illness comes on quickly and can also be treated quickly, but it¡¯s hard to expect just one dose of medicine to work entirely. Fortunately, two doses should be enough."


    Aunt Wei smiled, "Listen to you! If any other doctor heard you, they''d be furious. When I¡¯ve been sick before, it sometimes took half a month of medicine before I felt better. No one else is as amazing as you."


    She then shot a glance at her husband and said to Gao-Yuan, "Don''t mind him. My man¡¯s got a screw loose!"


    Uncle Wei was already groveling with his head to the ground.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    "It¡¯s fine," Gao-Yuan said. "Uncle Wei was just worried about you. Take care and rest well. I¡¯ll be on my way."


    "Sure, sure," Aunt Wei responded quickly.


    As Gao-Yuan stepped out, he called out to Uncle Wei, "I''m heading off, Uncle Wei."


    Uncle Wei, with an awkward grin, looked like a complete fool.


    ...


    Next, Gao-Yuan went to check on the Zhang family¡¯s only child. After administering a dose of Xiao Qinglong Tang (Minor Bluegreen) Dragon Decoction, which relieved his external wind chill and internal water retention, the results were swift. By the afternoon, the boy¡¯s shortness of breath had stopped, and his bowel and bladder function had returned. Gao-Yuan advised them to give him another dose the next day, and he should be nearly recovered. From then on, they just needed to protect him from the cold.


    The Zhang family¡¯s grandparents couldn¡¯t thank Gao-Yuan enough.


    Gao-Yuan walked through the village, although most people still avoided him and refrained from speaking to him; a few would nod in acknowledgment when they passed by.


    Compared to the previous life, where he had been treated like a venomous snake for years, this life was off to a much better start.


    Gao-Yuan exhaled deeply, gaining a little more confidence for the future.


    ...


    After dinner, Gao-Yuan visited the Yang family again to check on Grandpa Yang¡¯s condition. Though the swelling had gone down, it still took a long time to fully recover.


    Yang Xiuying still avoided Gao-Yuan.


    Yang Degui stood there, arms crossed, looking defiant and disgruntled but too afraid to say anything.


    Yang¡¯s father was sitting at the entrance, smoking his pipe silently, lost in thought.


    After Gao-Yuan left, Grandpa Yang walked over and asked, "Ping, did the leaders decide not to let Xiao Yuan join the commune?"


    Yang¡¯s father shook his head.


    Grandpa Yang asked worriedly, "Is there no way around? it?"


    Looking ahead, Yang¡¯s father replied, "Compared to being a farmer in the village, working as a doctor in the clinic suits him better."


    Grandpa Yang pressed on, "Did you talk to the party? Secretary? Ask him to raise Xiao Yuan¡¯s case again and see if they can investigate what really happened back then."


    Yang¡¯s father exhaled a puff of smoke and bitterly smiled. "I¡¯ve brought it up before, many times. Now people avoid me whenever I mention it."


    "Father," Yang¡¯s father looked at Grandpa Yang, wanting to say more but hesitated.


    Grandpa Yang gripped his cane tightly and said, "Don¡¯t give me any excuses. No matter what, I¡¯ll never believe that Xiao Yuan is a bad person. You''ve seen how he''s been these past few days. Who else is in this village? could do what he¡¯s done?"


    Yang¡¯s father remained silent, focusing on his cigarette.


    Grandpa Yang glanced at his granddaughter, Yang Xiuying, who was sulking nearby. He sighed, "If only things had worked out between Xiao Yuan and Xiuying back then..."


    Yang¡¯s father interrupted, "If that had happened, our family would be ruined."


    Grandpa Yang clutched his cane tighter, sighing wordlessly.


    ...


    The next day, Gao-Yuan returned to the joint clinic.


    He had already heard about being rejected from the advanced commune. Having gone through this in his previous life, it didn¡¯t come as a surprise.


    Around noon, Gao-Yuan arrived at the clinic and spotted Liu Sanquan at the entrance.


    "Hello, Doctor Liu," Gao-Yuan greeted him.


    Liu Sanquan quickly stood up and said, "Oh, Doctor Gao. Is there something I can help you with today?"


    "I¡¯m here to see Li Shengli. Is he in?" Gao-Yuan asked.


    "He¡¯s inside," Liu Sanquan turned and called out. "Shengli... Comrade Shengli, Doctor Gao is here to see you."


    Li Shengli emerged from the consultation room, holding an enamel cup in his hand. He greeted, "Doctor Gao."


    Gao-Yuan nodded slightly, "Hello."


    Li Shengli lifted the enamel cup and said seriously, "This was awarded to me by my commander when I was in the army. It¡¯s my most treasured possession. I believe that if I could win battles on the battlefield, I could win them in the medical field as well."


    He extended the cup toward Gao-Yuan and said, "Now, I¡¯m entrusting this cup to you for safekeeping. When you believe I¡¯ve become a qualified doctor, return it to me."


    Liu Sanquan was stunned, "Are you serious? This is your most prized possession. You never even let me touch it!"


    Li Shengli said, "Doctor Gao, this is my resolve."


    Gao-Yuan nodded and solemnly accepted the enamel cup from his hands.


    Li Shengli smiled.


    Liu Sanquan, still in disbelief, looked at them. Just a few days ago, Li Shengli had been giving Gao-Yuan the cold shoulder. How had they suddenly become so close?


    According to He Yu, the two had gone home together a couple of nights ago. What exactly had happened that night?


    Liu Sanquan blinked, utterly confused.


    But soon, he realized something else¡ªhis own position as second-to-last in the clinic was now in serious jeopardy.


    Just then, an old man reeking of alcohol stumbled into the clinic. His eyes half-closed, he glanced at everyone and slurred, "Oh, you''re all here. I just got back from the village. Am I on duty this afternoon?"


    Seeing the man, Li Shengli immediately flew into a rage. "You lazy old fool! ''Just got back from the village''? More like you slept in until noon!"


    Liu Sanquan quickly moved aside.


    Gao-Yuan glanced at the newcomer and let out a soft sigh. his face showing a complicated expression for the first time.

 Episode 18: A True Iron-Blooded Man

    If Li Shengli¡¯s actions were well intended but poorly executed, then Shen Congyun was neither well-meaning nor interested in doing anything at all.


    Li Shengli, born into hardship and educated by the organization, had a high level of ideological awareness. Although his skills were lacking, his enthusiasm was unmatched. On the other hand, Shen Congyun was a loafer, and his enthusiasm was the lowest of all.


    Li Shengli snorted coldly, ¡°Tell me, where have you been?¡±


    Shen Congyun, with his head lowered, idly picking at the dirt under his nails, responded nonchalantly, ¡°Where else? I went on rounds in the countryside. Isn¡¯t that the agreement with the higher-level commune? We have to make regular rounds.¡±


    Li Shengli roared, ¡°You¡¯ve got the nerve to say that! You¡¯ve been gone for a whole week. Did you crawl there?¡±


    Still looking down, Shen Congyun spoke weakly, ¡°Well, what can I do? I¡¯m old. I can¡¯t walk mountain roads like you young folks.¡±


    Li Shengli snapped, ¡°Even if you had a cane, you wouldn¡¯t need a week!¡±


    Shen Congyun replied, ¡°I had to treat patients, you know? I wasn¡¯t sightseeing. Each Brigade has sick people, and I have to see all of them. You know how thorough I am when treating patients. One person takes a long time. I¡¯d love to be as fast as you, but I can¡¯t misdiagnose or mistreat anyone, can I?¡±


    ¡°You...!¡± Li Shengli was so angry that his eyes bulged.


    Liu Sanquan instinctively moved to the side, not wanting to provoke anyone.


    Shen Congyun, still sluggish and deflated, muttered under his breath and tried to walk into the clinic.


    Gao-Yuan frowned and said, ¡°Taking time to be thorough is one thing, but being too slow will affect the patients¡¯ treatment. After all, we¡¯re each responsible for over ten thousand people¡¯s health. There are so many patients waiting.¡±


    Shen Congyun glanced at Gao-Yuan and asked, ¡°And who might this leader be?¡±


    Liu Sanquan quickly replied, ¡°This is Doctor Gao-Yuan.¡±


    ¡°Doctor... Gao-Yuan?¡± Shen Congyun looked at Gao-Yuan with confusion, clearly having no memory of him. Without saying another word, he turned and went inside.


    Gao-Yuan frowned deeply and rubbed his aching head.


    Despite this small clinic having only a handful of people, it was like a pile of loose sand, full of conflicts and divisions.


    He looked at the two before him.


    Liu Sanquan hunched his shoulders and, clutching his medical kit, said, ¡°I still have rounds to do. I¡¯ll be going now.¡±


    Watching Liu Sanquan¡¯s retreating figure, Gao-Yuan shook his head slightly.


    Liu Sanquan was ordinary in every way¡ªhis background, his medical skills, even his personality. He wasn¡¯t particularly proactive, nor did he slack off. He avoided trouble, but he was timid and afraid of conflict, always choosing to evade problems rather than face them head-on, showing little responsibility.


    Gao-Yuan then turned his attention to Li Shengli.


    Still fuming, Li Shengli said to Gao-Yuan, ¡°Just look at the people we have! I¡¯ve said it before: you can¡¯t trust these landlords'' descendants! He¡¯s only still here because we don¡¯t have enough doctors. Otherwise, who would keep someone like him?¡±


    Gao-Yuan frowned and walked over to the clinic door. Sure enough, Shen Congyun was already dozing off.


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Li Shengli was about to rush in to confront him when someone entered the clinic.


    ¡°Shengli!¡±


    Li Shengli turned around and immediately straightened up. ¡°Hey, Old Squad Leader!¡±


    Gao-Yuan looked at the newcomer. It was the militia platoon leader, who also served as their instructor, Cao Xinjian.


    Cao Xinjian covered his mouth and casually waved at Li Shengli, asking, ¡°Is there only one doctor here?¡±


    Li Shengli glanced back, unwillingly muttering, ¡°Shen Congyun¡¯s here too.¡±


    Cao Xinjian said, ¡°Alright, carry on. I¡¯ll go see him for treatment.¡±


    Without another word, Cao Xinjian headed into the clinic.


    Li Shengli frozen, feeling utterly deflated. He was standing right there, yet Cao Xinjian chose not to consult him. It was a huge blow to his morale.


    Gao-Yuan saw through his thoughts and said, ¡°That¡¯s why you need to work hard on your studies. Being a doctor is about skill, not connections.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Li Shengli responded, then turned to tidy up.


    Standing by the door, Gao-Yuan could still hear the conversation inside the clinic.


    ¡°My mouth suddenly broke out in sores. It started about an hour ago, and now my tongue, mouth, and lips are all covered in sores. How could I get such severe heat so quickly? It¡¯s unbearable! Give me some medicine, fast.¡±


    ¡°Flipped lip sores, huh? Oh, just take some cooling medicine, Daoshan Powder mixed with Liangge Powder.¡±


    Gao-Yuan showed a hint of doubt.


    ¡°Shall we go?¡± Li Shengli had his medical kit on his back, ready for rounds.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go.¡± Gao-Yuan accompanied Li Shengli out. As they were leaving, he glanced back once more, feeling that something was off.


    He calculated the timing. In his previous life, he hadn¡¯t arrived at this clinic until a few days later, just in time for Zhang Yuancai¡¯s mother¡¯s funeral. He knew Cao Xinjian too, who later became a regiment commander in the large militia organization.


    However, Gao-Yuan distinctly remembered that Cao Xinjian didn¡¯t trust traditional Chinese medicine. Even later, when they were at the township health clinic, Cao always went for Western medicine and never sought out Chinese remedies. So why was he consulting a Chinese doctor now?


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Li Shengli asked again.


    ¡°Nothing. Let¡¯s go,¡± Gao-Yuan suppressed his doubts and followed Li Shengli out.


    ...


    That afternoon, Gao-Yuan accompanied Li Shengli on several patient visits.


    He explained how to differentiate symptoms in detail, using the later methods for training barefoot doctors. He used simple, easy-to-understand terms to teach him how to observe, listen, question, and examine, as well as the Eight Guiding Principles of Differentiation and how to diagnose and treat common ailments.


    Due to his limited education, Li Shengli couldn¡¯t start from scratch with the Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor, Treatise on Cold Damage, or Essentials from the Golden Cabinet, all of which were too difficult and time-consuming to master¡ªunsuitable for the current rural medical situation.


    He needed to quickly grasp how to handle common illnesses.


    After a day of clinical instruction with a true master guiding him, Li Shengli gained much. His head now felt heavy with information¡ªfar too much to digest all at once.


    Gao-Yuan told him, ¡°When you get home, review what you recorded today. To study medicine, effort might get you to pass, but you need to push hard to excel. If there¡¯s not enough time during the day, use your evenings as well.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Li Shengli, full of energy, stood at attention.


    The two of them started back.


    As they passed a house, Li Shengli said, ¡°This is my old squad leader¡¯s house. I wonder if he¡¯s feeling better.¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking, someone burst out of the house, flailing wildly.


    ¡°What on earth!¡± Li Shengli was startled.


    Gao Yuan also froze in surprise.


    Cao Xinjian¡¯s wife and son hurried out after him.


    ¡°Slow down, Cao!¡± his wife called.


    ¡°Sister-in-law?¡± Li Shengli was puzzled. Looking again at Cao Xinjian, he asked, ¡°Old Squad Leader, what happened to you? What did you eat?¡±


    Gao-Yuan looked over as well, noticing that Cao Xinjian¡¯s lips were swollen to the size of peaches, dramatically turned outward, and already cracked and bleeding.


    Seeing them, Cao Xinjian pointed to his mouth, groaning but unable to speak. The more he struggled to communicate, the more agitated he became, tearing at his clothes in frustration.


    Gao-Yuan frowned immediately. ¡°You¡¯d better take Comrade Cao inside first.¡±


    Cao Xinjian¡¯s wife quickly agreed, ¡°Yes, come back inside. You can¡¯t go to the clinic like this. Shengli, go get the doctor.¡±


    Li Shengli turned to Gao-Yuan, asking, ¡°What happened to him?¡±


    Gao-Yuan shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Let¡¯s go inside and take a look.¡±


    Cao Xinjian¡¯s wife led her husband inside, and Li Shengli rushed to help.


    Once inside, Gao-Yuan asked, ¡°What happened? When I saw him earlier, it wasn¡¯t this bad.¡±


    Cao Xinjian¡¯s wife, also confused, replied, ¡°I¡¯m baffled too. This morning, he only had a few sores in his mouth. He took some medicine, and I brewed it for him in the afternoon. After he drank it, not long after, he said he felt a rush of heat from his navel up to his face. His lips swelled quickly, and his tongue is swollen and painful. He can¡¯t speak. A little while later, he turned into this frightening sight.¡±


    Li Shengli exclaimed, ¡°I¡¯ve never seen heat so severe! Old Squad Leader, you really are an iron-blooded man; even your temper is fiery!¡±


    Gao-Yuan cast an exasperated look at Li Shengli.

 Episode 19 A Big Mouth

    In the afternoon, Shen Congyun, who was on duty, finally arrived at a leisurely pace. By the time he got there, Gao-Yuan had already finished his diagnosis.


    As soon as Shen Congyun stepped inside and saw Cao Xinjian¡¯s condition, he was taken aback, exclaiming, "What happened to him?"


    Cao Xinjian''s wife, looking worried, replied, "We don''t know either. After taking the medicine, he became like this."


    Shen Congyun examined Cao Xinjian¡¯s lips and said, ¡°This case of lip cancer seems to have gotten quite severe. It¡¯s on the verge of becoming carbuncular poison.¡±


    Cao Xinjian''s wife anxiously asked, "What do you mean by ''carbuncular poison''?"


    "It means the carbune has developed to a critical stage," Shen Congyun explained.


    He pressed gently on Cao Xinjian''s swollen, blood-filled lips, but before he could say anything, Cao Xinjian irritably brushed Shen''s hand away. He shook his head wildly, refusing to stay inside the room. Rushing outside to the courtyard, he began jumping around, flailing his limbs in agitation.


    Cao Xinjian''s wife whispered, "His temper has gotten much worse."


    Shen Congyun nodded knowingly. ¡°When carbuncular poison turns septic, it causes immense discomfort. As they say, all sores and ulcers are connected to the heart. His restlessness is expected, but..."


    "But what?" his wife interrupted anxiously.


    Shen Congyun frowned, puzzled. ¡°I already prescribed medicine earlier. How did it get this severe?¡±


    Li Shengli was also reviewing the prescription. He commented, "Maybe the dosage was too light. Each ingredient is just a couple of ''qian'' [mace]. His heat condition seems really intense."


    But Shen Congyun shook his head. "Treating the upper burner should be as light as a feather; heavy measures won¡¯t rise."


    Li Shengli looked confused.


    Shen gave him a dismissive glance, saying nothing more, but that single look was enough to make Li Shengli uncomfortable. The condescension was too obvious.


    Li Shengli took a deep breath, suppressing his anger. He turned to Gao-Yuan, knowing that Gao-Yuan never looked at him that way. Gao-Yuan, meanwhile, was lost in thought, finding the patient''s symptoms rather peculiar.


    Li Shengli, avoiding further argument, urged, ¡°Alright, enough of this. Just take a look at him already. Look at the state he¡¯s in!¡±


    Shen Congyun was not pleased. ¡°Why are you rushing me? You can¡¯t treat an illness in a hurry. Some people may work faster, but why didn¡¯t the patient seek them out, huh?¡±


    "You!" Li Shengli''s temper flared instantly.


    Cao Xinjian''s son couldn''t hold back anymore and chimed in, ¡°Doctor Shen, please hurry. When I went to the clinic to get you, you were dawdling, drinking water, and taking bathroom breaks. Now that you''re finally here, could you please speed it up?¡±


    Having been verbally attacked by two young men in succession, Shen Congyun stuffed his hands into his pockets and replied languidly, ¡°What kind of talk is this? You''re making it sound like I¡¯m deliberately wasting time. As the saying goes, ''Sharpening the axe won''t delay chopping firewood.'' I just take my time to do quality work. If you¡¯re dissatisfied, you can always find someone better. I don¡¯t mind.¡±


    Li Shengli, fuming with anger, retorted, ¡°If we were on a battlefield, I¡¯d have shot you!¡±


    Shen shrank his head back, meekly saying, ¡°I''m old, can''t handle much, and I scare easily. Please take it easy on me.¡±


    Cao Xinjian''s son, equally frustrated, muttered while scratching his head, ¡°If we had another doctor to go to, we wouldn¡¯t be asking you!¡±


    "Huh?" Li Shengli turned his head, feeling a bit left out. Had they forgotten about him again?


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Shen tilted his chin toward both Li Shengli and Gao-Yuan, remarking, "Aren¡¯t there two more doctors right here?"


    At that moment, Cao Xinjian¡¯s wife and son finally directed their attention toward Gao-Yuan, but upon seeing his young face, they couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit disappointed.


    Li Shengli hurried over to Gao-Yuan and asked, ¡°Doctor Gao, what exactly is wrong with my old squad leader?¡±


    Gao-Yuan frowned. "It''s a bit strange..."


    "Huh?" Li Shengli looked perplexed.


    Shen, leaning lazily against the doorframe, watched Gao-Yuan with interest.


    Gao-Yuan, puzzled, said, "The patient¡¯s pulse is abnormally strong and overwhelming, indicating a case of excessive heat and yang rising."


    Li Shengli clapped his hands, exclaiming, ¡°So, it''s just a case of heat, right?¡±


    Gao-Yuan replied, "But... when I press deeper, the pulse becomes as thin as a thread. The sudden onset and rapid progression are also quite unusual."


    From his spot by the door, Shen let out a scoff. ¡°Acute diseases are often caused by excess. It¡¯s precisely because this is an excess syndrome that the condition progresses so quickly. His pulse is large, and the symptoms clearly point to excessive fire and yang rising. Pulse and symptoms align¡ªthere shouldn¡¯t be any mistake. Didn¡¯t your master teach you that?¡±


    Seeing this, Cao Xinjian¡¯s wife quickly pulled on her son¡¯s sleeve and gave him a look, signaling for him to calm down.


    Cao Xinjian¡¯s son exhaled slowly, feeling relieved. He had no choice but to soften his tone toward Shen Congyun. ¡°Doctor Shen, I was a bit hasty earlier. Please understand our worries and help us out.¡±


    Li Shengli¡¯s temples throbbed with anger as he glared intensely at Shen Congyun.


    Shen, in his usual slow manner, nodded and straightened up, muttering to Li Shengli, ¡°Stop glaring at me. I¡¯m old, with a weak heart. Don¡¯t scare me, or I might forget how to treat patients.¡±


    Cao Xinjian''s wife quickly stepped forward, pulling Li Shengli away, while he turned his back to the others.


    Shen spoke slowly, ¡°It¡¯s quite clear already¡ªthis is a case of excessive yang and heat. The illness came on rapidly and urgently. He needs stronger medicine. Let¡¯s give it another go and see what happens.¡±


    At this, Gao-Yuan suddenly interjected, ¡°Then how do you explain the fact that after taking your medicine, the patient immediately felt as if fire surged up inside him? Even if the dose was too light, it should at least have some cooling effect, right? It wouldn¡¯t have made the fire worse.¡±


    "This..." Shen¡¯s face showed a hint of confusion. That, too, was something he couldn¡¯t quite explain.


    Cao Xinjian¡¯s wife hurriedly intervened. "Young man, please, just let Doctor Shen prescribe the medicine. Don¡¯t argue with him."


    Cao Xinjian¡¯s son, though clearly frustrated, had no choice but to agree. He pleaded with Gao-Yuan, ¡°Look at my dad¡ªhe¡¯s jumping around like an actor on stage, his face is as red as if it¡¯s been painted, and he¡¯s on the verge of going mad. His condition is this serious¡ªjust let Doctor Shen prescribe something to calm him down. Please, don¡¯t argue.¡±


    The son¡¯s unintentional comment sparked an idea in Gao-Yuan¡¯s mind. He immediately turned to look at Cao Xinjian, who was still hopping around in the courtyard. His gaze locked onto Cao¡¯s face, and then he rushed outside.


    Cao Xinjian¡¯s wife, still trying to reason with Shen, urged, ¡°Doctor Shen, don¡¯t mind him. Just focus on prescribing something to reduce the heat and make him feel better.¡±


    Shen nodded but glanced out of the corner of his eye. To his surprise, Gao-Yuan was in the courtyard, touching Cao Xinjian¡¯s leg¡ªreally feeling it with his hand.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Shen blinked in surprise.


    Cao Xinjian¡¯s family also turned to look and frozen in confusion.


    Gao-Yuan, with a serious expression, called out to Shen, ¡°Come over here.¡±


    ¡°What for?¡± Shen asked, bewildered.


    ¡°Just come and feel it,¡± Gao-Yuan insisted.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Shen was puzzled by Gao-Yuan¡¯s sudden request.


    Gao-Yuan urged again, ¡°Hurry up and feel it.¡±


    "Huh?" Shen glanced at Cao¡¯s family.


    Unable to hold back any longer, Li Shengli shouted, ¡°He said come over here!¡±


    Startled, Shen instinctively backed away from Li Shengli, looking around cautiously. Slowly, he walked over to Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan released his grip on Cao¡¯s leg and gestured for Shen to feel for himself.


    Seeing the sudden seriousness on Gao-Yuan¡¯s face, Shen curiously reached out to touch Cao¡¯s leg. ¡°Huh? Why is it cold?¡±


    Gao-Yuan pointed to Cao Xinjian¡¯s face and added, ¡°Look at his face closely. His complexion is unnaturally bright, almost like an actor wearing makeup.¡±


    ¡°This¡­¡± Shen stared at Cao¡¯s face, then touched his cold leg again. Goosebumps rose on his skin. "Could this be... ''false yang''?"


    Gao-Yuan¡¯s face darkened as he nodded.


    Gao-Yuan furrowed his brow tightly and glared at Shen Congyun. "He has surely been suffering from a prolonged deficiency of lower yang. At this time of year, when Yang energy is beginning to rise, Yin fails to contain Yang, causing the dragon fire to surge uncontrollably. That¡¯s why his illness flared up so violently this morning, filling his mouth with sores in less than an hour."


    "And because you misdiagnosed it as excess fire, you rashly used bitter and cold herbs to suppress it, leading to an uncontrollable blaze. That¡¯s why his lips have swollen like peaches, cracked and bled, his tongue has swollen to block his mouth, rendering him unable to speak, and his agitation is beyond words, pushing him into a dangerous masked yang state. If you continue using large amounts of bitter and cold herbs, this dangerous situation will turn into a near-fatal one!"


    Shen Congyun, the old doctor, nervously swallowed, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.


    The onlookers were stunned, unable to comprehend the sudden turn of events. How had Shen Congyun, the experienced physician, suddenly become speechless?


    Li Shengli, noticing this, widened his eyes and shouted, "Say something! Weren''t you just full of talk a moment ago?"

 Episode 20 The Method of External Testing

    Shen Congyun was suddenly filled with doubt, his eyes shifting nervously as he continued to ponder.


    The more he remained silent, the more suspicious the family became.


    ¡°What¡­ what¡¯s wrong?¡± Cao Xinjian¡¯s wife looked around anxiously, noticing that her son also wore a confused expression.


    Gao-Yuan had initially spared Shen Congyun¡¯s dignity, speaking only in professional terms that none of the bystanders, including Li Shengli, could understand.


    Shen Congyun glanced at Gao-Yuan, his brow deeply furrowed. He hesitated and carefully said, ¡°It¡¯s unlikely to be masked, yang, is it?¡±


    Gao-Yuan turned to Li Shengli and said, ¡°Shengli, go back to the clinic and fetch a few slices of fuzi.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡± Without another word, Li Shengli took off like a gust of wind and, in no time, was back again.


    Looking at Li Shengli¡¯s speed and comparing it to Shen Congyun¡¯s earlier sluggishness, even Cao Xinjian¡¯s son couldn¡¯t help but twitch the corners of his mouth in amusement.


    ¡°Here you go,¡± Li Shengli handed the fuzi slices to Gao-Yuan.


    ¡°Crush them into a paste, form it into a small cake, and heat it,¡± Gao-Yuan instructed.


    ¡°Leave it to me,¡± Li Shengli said, and once again rushed off, this time heading into the kitchen. Cao Xinjian¡¯s wife hurried after him to help.


    Soon, the two returned.


    Li Shengli handed the warm fuzi cake to Gao-Yuan. ¡°Will this work?¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded. ¡°Place this on Comrade Cao¡¯s belly button.¡±


    Li Shengli carefully applied the fuzi cake as instructed, and everyone watched Cao Xinjian nervously.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Cao Xinjian¡¯s son whispered to Li Shengli.


    ¡°How should I know?¡± Li Shengli replied frankly.


    Cao Xinjian¡¯s son frowned. ¡°You seemed so eager; I thought you knew.¡±


    Li Shengli glanced over at Shen Congyun, only to find him more nervous than anyone else.


    Before long, to everyone¡¯s surprise, Cao Xinjian¡¯s intense agitation began to subside. He was no longer as frenzied as before.


    Shen Congyun¡¯s face grew even more sullen.


    Gao-Yuan looked at Shen Congyun and asked, ¡°Do you have anything else to say?¡±


    Shen Congyun¡¯s mouth twitched, but then he lowered his head again, focusing intently on cleaning the dirt from under his fingernails.


    Seeing his lazy and defeated demeanor, Gao-Yuan couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit frustrated. ¡°You should leave,¡± he said sharply.


    Without saying a word, Shen Congyun immediately turned and walked out the door. The moment he stepped outside, he broke into a run, his footsteps echoing in the distance.


    Li Shengli stood there, dumbfounded. He had never seen the old doctor run so fast!


    ¡°Hey, why did he just leave like that?¡± Cao Xinjian¡¯s wife exclaimed in a panic.


    ¡°Sister-in-law,¡± Li Shengli replied, ¡°haven¡¯t you figured it out by now? That old trickster Shen Congyun couldn¡¯t treat this illness, so he ran away.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Cao Xinjian¡¯s wife said anxiously, ¡°What are we going to do now?¡±


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Cao Xinjian¡¯s son chimed in, ¡°Mom, didn¡¯t you notice? This young doctor can cure Dad¡¯s illness.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± She looked at Gao-Yuan in surprise, but when she saw how young he was, she hesitated.


    Li Shengli added, ¡°You know Zhang Yuancai¡¯s elderly mother, right? Even the big hospitals in the city couldn¡¯t help her, but Doctor Gao here was the one who cured her.¡±


    ¡°He cured her?¡± The whole Cao family was stunned. As neighbors, they were well aware of how severe Zhang Yuancai¡¯s mother¡¯s illness had been.


    Suddenly, both mother and son looked at Gao-Yuan with newfound respect.


    ¡°Doctor, Doctor Gao, please sit, sit,¡± Cao Xinjian¡¯s wife hastily urged him, then turned to scold Li Shengli. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell us sooner?¡±


    Gao-Yuan waved off the hospitality. ¡°No need for formalities. Shengli, give me some paper and a pen. I¡¯ll write a prescription.¡±


    ¡°Right away.¡± Li Shengli hurriedly handed the prescription sheet to Gao-Yuan.


    Having already thought it through, Gao-Yuan prescribed a strong dose of Guifu Eight Flavor Decoction to balance the yin and yang, correcting the previous medication error. He also instructed the patient to take yougui in small doses to guide the dragon energy back into the body¡¯s center.


    After finishing the prescription, Gao-Yuan handed it to Cao Xinjian¡¯s son, adding, ¡°Once the medicine is prepared, let it cool completely before giving it to him.¡±


    Cao Xinjian¡¯s son quickly ran out to get the herbs.


    Turning to the patient¡¯s family, Gao-Yuan said, ¡°I¡¯ll be at the clinic. If there¡¯s any problem, come find me right away.¡±


    With that, Gao-Yuan and Li Shengli left for the clinic.


    On the way, Li Shengli, still puzzled, asked, ¡°Doctor Gao, don¡¯t we usually drink medicine while it¡¯s hot? Why do we need to drink this one cold?¡±


    Gao-Yuan explained, ¡°This is called ¡®hot medicine taken cold,¡¯ a method to sneak past the upper body¡¯s defenses.¡±


    Li Shengli blinked in confusion for a few seconds, then nodded admiringly. ¡°Impressive.¡±


    Gao-Yuan elaborated, ¡°This technique comes from the Neijing and is called the method of reverse reinforcement. The patient isn¡¯t actually suffering from real heat; his symptoms are false heat masking a cold condition.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Li Shengli was shocked.


    ¡°If it were real heat,¡± Gao-Yuan continued, ¡°the previous medicine should have shown some effect, even if it was mild. As long as the direction wasn¡¯t wrong, the condition wouldn¡¯t have worsened so rapidly. But since Comrade Cao took cooling herbs and his illness only became more severe, that proves the treatment was wrong.¡±


    ¡°He fell ill with sudden upper-body heat; his face flushed as if painted, yet his lower limbs were icy cold. This is what we call a masked yang condition in traditional medicine¡ªreal cold beneath false heat. That¡¯s why I used a method to test whether it was indeed false heat.¡±


    ¡°You mean the fuzi cake I brought?¡± Li Shengli asked.


    Gao-Yuan nodded. ¡°Yes. This is a method taught by Master Zuo Jiyun. If it were real heat, applying the fuzi cake wouldn¡¯t relieve the symptoms and might even make them worse. But with real cold masked by false heat, the symptoms will lessen. It¡¯s a useful technique when you¡¯re unsure in practice.¡±


    Li Shengli quickly took note of this.


    ¡°For conditions like this, where the upper body shows false heat and the lower body has true cold, hot medicine is taken cold. The cool liquid tricks the overheated upper body, and when it reaches the stomach, the heat from the medicine takes effect. That¡¯s the reverse reinforcement method,¡± Gao-Yuan explained.


    Li Shengli grinned. ¡°I get it now. It¡¯s like sneaking past enemy lines, waiting for the right moment to strike¡ªjust like sticking a knife in when they least expect it!¡±


    Gao-Yuan chuckled, feeling more at ease. ¡°Exactly. You¡¯ve got a strategic mind now. But today¡¯s treatment may have seemed ordinary, yet it was actually quite dangerous.¡±


    ¡°Dangerous?¡± Li Shengli asked, confused.


    ¡°Comrade Cao¡¯s condition was already masked yang¡ªreal cold with false heat. Shen Congyun¡¯s initial misdiagnosis led him to prescribe cooling herbs, which worsened the situation and caused a crisis. Fortunately, the dose was small. But if he had switched to stronger cooling herbs just now, Comrade Cao could have been in critical danger.¡±


    Li Shengli¡¯s mouth dropped open as he finally understood why Shen Congyun had run away so suddenly. He had thought the old doctor simply didn¡¯t know how to treat the illness. Now he realized Shen¡¯s mistake had made things worse.


    ¡°So you¡¯re saying he¡¯s the one who made my old squad leader this sick?¡± Li Shengli asked, furious.


    Gao-Yuan nodded.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Li Shengli growled, his anger boiling over. He stormed off toward the clinic.


    Gao-Yuan hurried after him.


    Cao Xinjian¡¯s house was just a short distance from the joint clinic.


    Li Shengli rounded the corner and arrived at the clinic in no time.


    When Gao-Yuan caught up, he was met by Liu Sanquan, who was just leaving.


    ¡°Dr. Liu, you¡¯re back?¡± Gao-Yuan asked.


    ¡°Huh? Oh, yes, yes,¡± Liu Sanquan mumbled before hastily slipping away.


    As Gao-Yuan stepped forward, he could hear heated arguing coming from inside the clinic.


    The assistant, He Yu, had already stepped outside, clearly trying to avoid the conflict. She saw Gao-Yuan coming and gave a timid nod, gesturing inside.


    With a frown, Gao-Yuan hurried inside, where he saw Li Shengli pointing angrily at Shen Congyun.


    ¡°You¡¯re the one who said that slow work makes fine work! You¡¯re the one who claimed you take a week to do a rural round to avoid misdiagnoses! You¡¯re the one who said you¡¯re not like me! Well, guess what? You made a misdiagnosis! Now what do you have to say for yourself? How dare you pretend you weren¡¯t slacking off, you old trickster?¡±


    Shen Congyun kept his head down, still picking at the dirt under his nails, pretending not to hear a thing.

 Episode 21 The Miracle Doctor

    Seeing that there was no actual fight happening, Gao-Yuan casually pulled a chair over and sat down, watching them bicker.


    Strictly speaking, it wasn¡¯t really a quarrel since Shen Congyun wasn¡¯t talking back at all.


    This old fox had long given up on arguing, becoming utterly shameless. He had mastered the art of slacking off, avoiding responsibilities at all costs. If someone wanted to scold him, they could go ahead¡ªhe wouldn¡¯t respond. He would just slump over and act as though he hadn¡¯t heard anything.


    Li Shengli, who despised this kind of attitude, unleashed a torrent of scolding. By the time he was done, he was completely exhausted.


    Meanwhile, Shen Congyun merely picked at his ear, seemingly numb to the verbal barrage.


    Shen flicked away the dirt from his fingers and glanced out the window. ¡°Oh my, it¡¯s getting late,¡± he muttered.


    Without another word, Shen started gathering his things, preparing to leave.


    Li Shengli blocked his way and demanded, ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡±


    Shen replied slowly, ¡°Going home for dinner.¡±


    Li Shengli, enraged, shouted, ¡°Comrade Cao¡¯s still in a terrifying state, and you¡¯re just going to leave?¡±


    Shen motioned toward Gao-Yuan with a lazy nod. ¡°Isn¡¯t he taking over?¡±


    Li Shengli¡¯s voice escalated, ¡°But you¡¯re the one who made things worse!¡±


    Shen, indifferent, said, ¡°What can I do? I can¡¯t treat it, so what¡¯s the point of staying? Besides, I¡¯m getting old. When it¡¯s mealtime, my hands and feet go weak. I can barely stand.¡±


    Li Shengli¡¯s nostrils flared in fury.


    Shen waved dismissively, ¡°I need to go home and rest early. I¡¯ve got rounds to do in the villages tomorrow. If I don¡¯t get proper rest, I¡¯ll just delay more patients.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s even worse!¡± Li Shengli fumed. The more Shen spoke, the angrier he got. Once Shen left, it would be at least another week before he returned, and knowing him, it might be two weeks. This was pure irresponsibility!


    Seeing how upset Li Shengli was, Shen feigned dizziness, clutching his head and moaning, ¡°Ah, I can¡¯t, I can¡¯t... If I don¡¯t eat soon, I¡¯ll collapse. I¡¯m about to faint right here.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re shameless!¡± Li Shengli was so furious he couldn¡¯t even find the words.


    Gao-Yuan finally stood up and patted Li Shengli on the shoulder. ¡°Forget it. Let him go.¡±


    Shen, who had been pretending to collapse, instantly perked up, grabbed his belongings, and swiftly made for the door.


    Li Shengli, still fuming, protested, ¡°You¡¯re just letting him leave like that? Now he¡¯ll have even fewer scruples in the future!¡±


    Gao-Yuan shook his head. ¡°He¡¯s chosen this path of self-destruction. What can we do? It¡¯s just a shame¡ªShen¡¯s family used to have great medical skills.¡±


    ¡°What medical skills?¡± Li Shengli asked, confused.


    Gao-Yuan glanced at the door where Shen was about to leave and sighed, ¡°Forget it. There¡¯s no longer a ¡®Shen¡¯s Masterful Hand.¡¯ His family line is at an end.¡±


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    ¡°Shen family?¡± Li Shengli furrowed his brow, looking toward Shen¡¯s back. He suddenly realized something and muttered, ¡°Wait, isn¡¯t his last name also Shen?¡±


    To everyone¡¯s surprise, Shen Congyun, who had already reached the door, stopped in his tracks and turned around, staring intently at Gao-Yuan.


    Li Shengli was startled because, for the first time, he saw anger in Shen¡¯s eyes. The man who usually slouched around, either with sarcasm or laziness, was now glaring furiously¡ªa sight that left Li Shengli momentarily stunned.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± Li Shengli asked warily.


    Gao-Yuan, however, remained calm and simply met Shen¡¯s gaze.


    Shen didn¡¯t say a word. He just turned and walked away, his silhouette soon disappearing into the night.


    Li Shengli shook his head. ¡°What a mess!¡±


    Feeling drained, Gao-Yuan sighed. ¡°Go review your notes. Make sure you understand everything we covered today.¡±


    Li Shengli nodded. ¡°Got it. When will you head back?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll stay a bit longer, at least until Comrade Cao is out of danger,¡± Gao-Yuan replied.


    At that moment, Cao Xinjian¡¯s son arrived.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is something the matter?¡± Gao-Yuan asked, standing up quickly.


    Li Shengli also rushed out, alarmed.


    Seeing their worried faces, Cao¡¯s son quickly waved his hands. ¡°No, no! My father¡¯s still asleep. Nothing¡¯s happened. I just came to invite you both for dinner¡ªmy mother made noodles.¡±


    Gao-Yuan politely declined, ¡°Thank you, but we¡¯ve already eaten.¡±


    Cao¡¯s son blinked in surprise, ¡°Already? So quickly?¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded.


    Li Shengli glanced over at Gao-Yuan. In their region, doctors typically didn¡¯t charge consultation fees, only the cost of medicine. Sometimes, if a meal was offered out of courtesy, it would be accepted, but that was all.


    Since their invitation had been declined, Cao¡¯s son reluctantly left.


    After he left, Gao-Yuan pulled a hard, dark, grainy flatbread from his bag. ¡°Where¡¯s the hot water?¡± he asked.


    Li Shengli pointed to the back room. ¡°There¡¯s some in the clinic.¡±


    Gao-Yuan grabbed a thermos and borrowed Liu Sanquan¡¯s tea mug, breaking the hard flatbread into pieces and soaking it in hot water. After a while, the bread softened, and he ate it quickly, washing the mug and putting it back in its place.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Gao-Yuan said, signaling to Li Shengli. The two of them set out to check on Comrade Cao¡¯s condition. The night had fully fallen, but both men were used to walking in the dark and weren¡¯t afraid.


    After navigating a few alleyways, they reached Cao Xinjian¡¯s house.


    Upon entering, they were greeted by Cao¡¯s wife, who hurried out to meet them.


    ¡°How is Comrade Cao?¡± Gao-Yuan asked.


    Excitement filled her voice as she replied, ¡°He¡¯s awake! He¡¯s woken up. The swelling in his mouth has gone down, and he¡¯s no longer in pain. He¡¯s not agitated like before either.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± Gao-Yuan said, stepping inside to examine Cao. His face had indeed returned to normal.


    ¡°Wow!¡± Li Shengli clapped his hands in amazement. ¡°Old Squad Leader, if I hadn¡¯t seen it myself earlier, I¡¯d have thought you were never swollen at all. You¡¯re looking like nothing ever happened!¡±


    ¡°Right?¡± Cao¡¯s wife added, equally surprised. ¡°People always say that illnesses hit like a mountain and leave like silk. How did he recover so quickly?¡±


    Gao-Yuan chuckled. ¡°What? You think it was too fast?¡±


    ¡°No, no!¡± she hurriedly waved her hands. ¡°It¡¯s just that this is incredible!¡±


    The way she looked at Gao-Yuan had changed entirely.


    Gao-Yuan checked Cao again and said, ¡°It looks like the worst is over. Let him rest well tonight. I¡¯ll come by tomorrow for a follow-up.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, thank you,¡± Cao¡¯s wife said gratefully. ¡°You¡¯ve been working non-stop without even having a meal or drink. We feel so embarrassed.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry about that,¡± Gao-Yuan reassured her. ¡°As long as the patient is doing well, that¡¯s all that matters to us doctors.¡±


    Cao¡¯s wife was deeply touched as she escorted them to the door.


    Just as they were about to leave, Gao-Yuan¡¯s eyes caught sight of someone lingering in the shadows.


    He turned his head to get a better look.


    Li Shengli followed his gaze, his instincts kicking in due to the tense atmosphere of the times. He immediately shouted, ¡°Who¡¯s there? Show yourself!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± From the shadows emerged none other than Shen Congyun, the old man slouching as he walked out.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Li Shengli asked, suspicious.


    Gao-Yuan calmly said, ¡°I suppose he wanted to check whether Comrade Cao had improved.¡±


    ¡°As if he¡¯d care about that,¡± Li Shengli scoffed, not believing it for a second.


    Shen kept his head low and mumbled, ¡°I just had a big meal and was out for a walk.¡±


    ¡°See?¡± Li Shengli gestured in frustration.


    Gao-Yuan, however, remarked dryly, ¡°You live five miles from here. That¡¯s quite the walk.¡±


    Li Shengli furrowed his brows, watching Shen closely.


    Gao-Yuan patted Li Shengli on the shoulder. ¡°You head back. I¡¯ll have a word with him.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Li Shengli replied, eager to leave. He had no interest in spending more time with Shen Congyun.


    With that, Gao-Yuan and Shen were left alone in the quiet night.

 Episode 22 You Know This Too?

    Gao-Yuan asked, ¡°Doctor Shen, do you want to go in and take a look?¡±


    Shen Congyun, with his hands tucked into his sleeves, leaned against someone else¡¯s wall and said, ¡°Didn¡¯t they already ask for you? Why should I go in?¡±


    Gao-Yuan pressed further, ¡°Then why did you come all the way here?¡±


    Shen Congyun responded lazily, ¡°I told you, I ate too much and came out for a stroll.¡±


    After speaking, he turned and walked away.


    Watching his back, Gao-Yuan called out, ¡°The famous Shen family¡¯s hands¡ªdon¡¯t tell me they not only lost their skills but also their medical ethics?¡±


    Shen Congyun stopped in his tracks, turned around abruptly, and shouted, ¡°What do you know, you young pup!¡±


    Gao-Yuan said, ¡°I may not know much, but I do know that the Shen family became famous for three external treatment techniques¡ªacupuncture, massage, and bone-setting. It¡¯s all about their hands, which earned them the name ¡®Miracle Hands of the Shen Family.¡¯¡±


    ¡°There have been whispers that the Shen family¡¯s hands either ¡®grab for money the moment they¡¯re extended¡¯ or ¡®fumble the moment they touch someone,¡¯ but no one has ever accused the Shen family¡¯s hands of being irresponsible.¡±


    Shen Congyun glared at Gao-Yuan, saying, ¡°Responsible? I was responsible for them, but who took responsibility for me? I was left impoverished, with nothing, treated like dirt. Who the hell cared about me?¡±


    Without mercy, Gao-Yuan retorted, ¡°You¡¯re poor because of the Gold Yuan Certificates. You have nothing because you sold off your family¡¯s assets just to bribe your way into becoming a health doctor for the mayor. But within two months, liberation arrived. Who¡¯s to blame for that?¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Shen Congyun stared at Gao-Yuan in shock. That this young man knew about the Shen family¡¯s history surprised him. But to know so much about his personal past left him deeply unsettled.


    Gao-Yuan shook his head. ¡°What¡¯s the point of blaming anyone? All those foolish decisions¡ªweren''t they your own? Even after that, didn¡¯t you stay at the city hospital? You were dismissed because of your laziness and resentment. Who¡¯s to blame for that?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± Shen Congyun¡¯s lips trembled violently.


    He had always appeared timid and unassuming, never getting angry with anyone, always looking half-dead. But now, for the first time, someone was calling out the Shen family¡¯s past, and he was furious. Gao-Yuan¡¯s words cut deep, causing his qi to surge uncontrollably.


    ¡°Who¡¯s been spreading these slanderous lies?¡± Shen Congyun shouted, his rage barely contained.


    As Shen lost control, Gao-Yuan grew calm. ¡°Slander? You know in your heart whether it¡¯s true or not. You exchanged all your wealth for Gold Yuan Certificates¡ªwas that out of patriotism?¡±


    Shen Congyun¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief.


    ¡°And you sold off your family¡¯s assets to secure a health position with a high-ranking official. Was that for the betterment of humanity?¡±


    Shen¡¯s trembling hand pointed at Gao-Yuan.


    Looking at this old man, Gao-Yuan couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of sympathy. Shen Congyun¡¯s early life had been one of inspiring struggle, but his later years were nothing short of a tragic farce. Like a muddled fool, he had consistently made the wrong choices, leading to the dismal end he now faced.


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Finally, the always sarcastic and downtrodden Shen Congyun was enraged beyond control.


    He pointed at Gao-Yuan¡¯s face and cursed, ¡°What do you know? What do you understand? You¡¯re just a young punk, parroting baseless rumors! Everything I did was for the Shen family, to restore our family¡¯s medical legacy.¡±


    Gao-Yuan said calmly, ¡°And now, how many people still remember the Shen family? How much of the family¡¯s former glory have you restored?¡±


    Shen Congyun fell silent, unable to respond.


    After a long pause, he looked up, his bloodshot eyes filled with bitterness. His voice hoarse, he said, ¡°You can call me a failure, but you can¡¯t say I didn¡¯t try! You can criticize my medical skills, but don¡¯t say the Shen family¡¯s legacy is useless! The Shen family hasn¡¯t died out! Who says the Shen family has no heirs? Who says the Shen family is no more?¡±


    Years of suppressed emotions exploded in that moment.


    Shen Congyun roared at Gao-Yuan.


    For a brief moment, Gao-Yuan was stunned. Though he knew about the Shen family¡¯s history, this was the first time he had witnessed Shen Congyun¡¯s raw anger and bitter unwillingness to give up.


    Even in his past life, Gao-Yuan¡¯s impression of this old man had been that of an infuriatingly passive coward.


    Softening his tone slightly, Gao-Yuan said, ¡°Whether the Shen family continues or not is up to you, not me.¡±


    Shen Congyun¡¯s face darkened, and he snapped, ¡°And who are you to judge me? Who do you think you are? What qualifications do you have to comment on my family? Do you think you¡¯re some great master? Do you really think you¡¯re better than the Shen family?¡±


    Gao-Yuan was puzzled. ¡°Aren¡¯t you part of the Shen family?¡±


    Shen Congyun froze, then erupted in anger again. ¡°Such arrogance from a young fool! Just because you got lucky diagnosing Cao Xinjian¡¯s illness, you think you¡¯re better than me? You think I¡¯m some washed-up hack?¡±


    Gao-Yuan smiled politely.


    But Shen Congyun grew even more furious, jabbing a finger at Gao-Yuan¡¯s face. ¡°You wait. I¡¯ll show you!¡±


    Watching Shen¡¯s retreating figure, Gao-Yuan shook his head slightly. It seemed the only thing capable of truly stirring this old man¡¯s emotions was the honor of his family.


    ¡­


    The next morning.


    Gao-Yuan returned to the village, heading straight to Cao Xinjian¡¯s house.


    ¡°Ah, the doctor¡¯s here!¡± Cao Xinjian¡¯s wife greeted him eagerly.


    Gao-Yuan nodded slightly. ¡°Hello, I¡¯ve come to check on Comrade Cao¡¯s recovery.¡±


    ¡°Oh, thank you, doctor! You¡¯re so responsible. Please, have a seat. I¡¯ll make you some tea. Old Cao! Old Cao, come out! The doctor who treated you yesterday is here!¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to trouble yourself,¡± Gao-Yuan said. ¡°I¡¯m just here for a quick follow-up.¡±


    Cao Xinjian¡¯s wife led him in, and they found Cao sitting at the table, scratching his head over some papers.


    ¡°Old Cao, what¡¯s wrong with you? Did you go deaf? The doctor from yesterday is here; didn¡¯t you hear me?¡± she said, her tone half-joking.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Cao finally looked up and saw Gao-Yuan. ¡°Oh, the doctor¡¯s here!¡±


    He quickly put down his pen and stood up to offer Gao-Yuan a seat.


    ¡°How are you feeling today, Comrade Cao?¡± Gao-Yuan asked.


    ¡°Much better, much better,¡± Cao replied. ¡°But my mouth still feels tingly, like it¡¯s burning.¡±


    ¡°Stick out your tongue for me,¡± Gao-Yuan instructed.


    Cao did as asked.


    ¡°Your tongue is bright red and lacks coating¡ªthat means your yin is damaged. I¡¯ll prescribe another round of medicine for you. After two doses, you should be fine. Do you have paper and a pen?"


    ¡°Of course,¡± Cao replied, pushing over the paper he had been writing on.


    Gao-Yuan noticed the words ¡°atomic bomb¡± and ¡°bacteria¡± scribbled on the paper. Glancing at it briefly, he then wrote out the ingredients for a large dose of Fire-Draining Decoction in a blank corner and handed the prescription back. ¡°Take this to the pharmacy.¡±


    Cao nodded enthusiastically but didn¡¯t immediately look at the prescription. Instead, he stared at his own writing.


    ¡°What¡¯s on your mind, Comrade Cao?¡± Gao-Yuan asked curiously.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s nothing. You probably know about how the Americans have been threatening us with nuclear blackmail. Back during the Korean War, they used all sorts of chemical and biological weapons.¡±


    ¡°Strategically, we must dismiss them, but tactically, we must take them seriously. So, the higher-ups asked us to think of ways to defend against nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. I¡¯ve been losing sleep over it for days. I couldn¡¯t come up with anything, and then I fell ill. If it weren¡¯t for you, I¡¯d be in real trouble.¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded. ¡°If you want to defend against nuclear weapons, you need to understand what an atomic bomb is and what kind of destruction and harm it causes when it explodes. Once you know that, you¡¯ll know how to respond.¡±


    Cao was stunned. ¡°Doctor, you not only know medicine but also how to defend against atomic bombs?¡±


    Gao-Yuan smiled. ¡°I know a little bit.¡±

 Episode 23 The Expert of Massage

    The knowledge Gao-Yuan shared was actually learned from the Militia Training Manual, although this book wouldn''t be published for several more years. Later, during large-scale militia training, everyone followed the guidelines from this manual.


    Thus, Gao-Yuan had taken advantage of an information gap.


    Cao Xinjian immediately dared not waste time and said, "Comrade doctor, please explain."


    Gao-Yuan relayed the information he remembered to Cao Xinjian, and his memory of these topics was particularly vivid. It wasn''t just the militia that needed training on how to prevent and respond to these modern weapons¡ªbarefoot doctors like him also had to be trained in these areas.


    If these new weapons exploded, doctors like them needed to know how to treat the victims, prevent further damage, and protect the lives and health of the people.


    In his previous life, Gao-Yuan had undergone professional training for this. He was well-prepared.


    Gao-Yuan explained everything he remembered to Cao Xinjian.


    Before long, Cao Xinjian''s eyes widened with amazement.


    "Are you... really a doctor?" Cao Xinjian stared at Gao-Yuan in disbelief.


    Gao-Yuan asked in return, "If I''m not a doctor, then what am I?"


    Cao Xinjian replied, "Even if you told me you were a military research expert, I''d believe you!"


    Gao-Yuan laughed. "You''re too kind, Officer Cao. These are just some preliminary suggestions. You can submit them for further discussion and strive to develop a better plan from this."


    "Great, great!" Cao Xinjian nodded eagerly. Holding the densely written papers, he was thrilled. "These are invaluable, practical suggestions! Thank you so much, comrade doctor."


    Cao Xinjian excitedly extended his hand for a handshake, saying, "You''ve not only cured my illness but also helped me tremendously. I''ll organize this information and send it for review. By the way, comrade doctor, I still don''t know your name."


    "I''m Gao-Yuan, a new doctor at the joint clinic."


    "Gao-Yuan?" Cao Xinjian found the name familiar.


    Gao-Yuan nodded, then said, "Don''t forget to take your medicine. I have other things to do, so I''ll head back now. If you need anything, come to the joint clinic."


    With that, Gao-Yuan left.


    Cao Xinjian murmured to himself, "Gao-Yuan... Gao-Yuan..."


    The more he repeated the name, the more familiar it sounded, and suddenly he frozen. "Gao-Yuan?"


    He quickly glanced toward the entrance, but Gao-Yuan had already disappeared.


    <hr>


    Back at the joint clinic, both Liu Sanquan and Li Shengli were present.


    "Doctor Gao," they greeted him.


    Gao-Yuan nodded. "You''re both here. No rounds today?"


    Li Shengli replied, "During the busy farming season, we do rounds every three days. Today is a rest day."


    "Has the clinic been busy?" Gao-Yuan asked.


    Li Shengli answered, "There have been quite a few patients lately. Many people have been catching colds. Oh, Doctor Gao, I wasn¡¯t quite sure about the diagnosis and treatment for one patient earlier. Could you take a look?"


    Li Shengli handed over his medical notebook for Gao-Yuan to review.


    Liu Sanquan, curious, stretched his neck to listen quietly.


    Just as Gao-Yuan opened the notebook, a woman entered, carrying a child. She looked around at the doctors and asked, "Is Dr. Zhao Huanzhang here?"


    The doctors shook their heads.


    She asked again, "Is Dr. Shen here?"


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Again, they shook their heads.


    Looking troubled, the woman said, "Only you two are here."


    Liu Sanquan and Li Shengli were momentarily taken aback. What kind of remark was that?


    Gao-Yuan asked, "What''s the problem?"


    The woman, cradling her child, whispered, "My child has a fever."


    "Bring the child here; let me take a look," said Gao-Yuan.


    The woman, clearly worried, asked, "And you are...?"


    "I''m Gao-Yuan, a new doctor here," he replied.


    The woman hesitated, "My child is very delicate. Whenever he gets sick, it''s difficult to handle. He vomits whatever he eats, and getting him to take medicine is a struggle. If the fever doesn¡¯t go down after a few doses, it¡¯s a serious problem. That¡¯s why I wanted to see an experienced doctor. When will Dr. Zhao and Dr. Shen return?"


    Li Shengli replied, "Dr. Zhao Huanzhang is away for training and won''t be back for two days. As for Shen Congyun, don¡¯t count on him."


    "Why not count on me?" a voice suddenly sounded from outside the door.


    Shen Congyun slowly entered with his hands tucked into his sleeves, leaning against the doorframe with a lazy expression.


    Seeing him, Li Shengli grew angry again. "Do you know what time it is? You¡¯ve slept until now? Do you think your bed has some kind of treasure?"


    As the two were about to start arguing again, Liu Sanquan quickly shrank back, stepping aside.


    Shen Congyun nonchalantly scratched his ear with his pinky and continued looking lethargic, letting Li Shengli rant without offering any defense.


    Just as Li Shengli was about to hurl more insults, Gao-Yuan interjected, "He¡¯s been up for a while."


    Li Shengli was puzzled. "He¡¯s been up? Then why didn¡¯t he come to the clinic? Was he out earning extra on the side?"


    Gao-Yuan replied, "He was practicing his skills."


    Li Shengli, still confused, asked, "Practicing skills?"


    Gao-Yuan nodded. "No physician who treats external injuries with their hands neglects their training."


    Hearing this, Shen Congyun, who had been leaning against the doorframe, raised his drooping eyelids and looked at Gao-Yuan.


    Li Shengli, still not understanding, asked, "What do you mean, practicing what?"


    Gao-Yuan explained, "He¡¯s practicing a method from the Yizhi Chan school known as the Twelve Postures of the Yi Jin Jing."


    At this, Shen Congyun, who had been lounging against the doorframe, suddenly stood up straight, looking at Gao-Yuan in surprise. "How do you know all this?"


    Li Shengli and Liu Sanquan also turned their attention to Gao-Yuan.


    Li Shengli asked, "What is Yi Jin Jing?"


    Gao-Yuan answered, "The term ''Yi'' means to change, and ''Jin'' refers to tendons, muscles, and the points where they connect to the bones. The method involves using techniques to stimulate and alter these areas to heal the body. Traditional massage and bone-setting doctors all practice this, and most of them train in the Yi Jin Jing. Different schools have variations, but the core principles remain similar."


    "Oh." Li Shengli nodded, though he didn¡¯t fully understand.


    Just then, the child in the woman''s arms began to cry.


    Gao-Yuan turned to Shen Congyun and said, "Dr. Shen, since this woman specifically asked for you, it¡¯s time for you to step in."


    Shen Congyun interlaced his fingers and slowly stretched them. He glanced at Gao-Yuan and said coldly, "Watch closely, then."


    "Put the child on the examination bed," Shen Congyun instructed.


    The woman, still holding her child, hesitated. "Dr. Shen, could you please prescribe something gentle? My child is still very young and has a weak constitution. Medicine is three parts poison, and I''m afraid he won¡¯t be able to handle it. He vomits easily, so anything too bitter will be difficult for him."


    Shen Congyun replied, "Don''t worry. No medicine is needed. I''ll treat him to a massage alone."


    Li Shengli burst out laughing, "This old fellow is talking nonsense again."


    Gao-Yuan nudged him and shook his head, signaling him not to speak out of turn.


    Shen Congyun shot a glance in their direction but said nothing. He retrieved a thermometer and checked the child''s temperature¡ª38.5¡ãC.


    He then cradled the child''s head, studying him closely.


    Curious, Li Shengli asked, "What is he looking at?"


    Gao-Yuan explained, "For a child this young who can¡¯t speak, even slightly older children find it difficult to accurately describe their symptoms. That¡¯s why pediatricians in ancient times called pediatrics the ''silent art.'' Also, young children often can''t have their pulses checked."


    "In pediatric medicine, two of the traditional diagnostic methods¡ªpulse-taking and inquiry¡ªare omitted. Thus, visual diagnosis becomes the most important. The Secret Techniques of Pediatric Massage states, ''When examining children, first observe their spirit and complexion. Older children may also have their pulses checked.'' So, you first check the spirit, then the complexion. Only children over three years old can have their pulse diagnosed."


    Li Shengli nodded, then asked, "Oh, and what is he doing now?"


    Seeing Shen Congyun massaging the child¡¯s index finger, Gao-Yuan replied, "For a child this young, their qi and blood are insufficient, and their meridians are not fully developed, making pulse diagnosis impossible. However, the finger vein diagnosis technique uses the veins on the index finger, which is connected to the Lung Meridian of the Hand-Taiyin channel."


    "This technique, known as pediatric finger vein diagnosis, divides the index finger into three sections: Wind, Qi, and Life Gates. If the vein reaches the Wind Gate, the illness is mild. If it reaches the Qi Gate, it¡¯s serious. If it reaches the Life Gate, it¡¯s very critical."


    ¡°Of course, that¡¯s just what the ancient texts say about cases that are beyond treatment. In reality, there¡¯s always a chance for recovery. Even if the fingerprint reaches the life gate, we must do everything in our power to save the patient. We absolutely cannot give up and certainly cannot turn the patient away.¡±


    Li Shengli nodded, a serious expression on his face as he absorbed Gao-Yuan¡¯s words.


    At that moment, Shen Congyun, who was still observing the child¡¯s finger veins, glanced over at Gao-Yuan and let out a quiet scoff.


    The term Yi Jin Jing in martial arts novels likely borrowed from this medical concept. While practicing the Yi Jin Jing won¡¯t grant someone the ability to perform incredible feats like flying or vanishing, it does help stimulate the meridians and acupuncture points, aiding in quicker recovery for patients. And that, in itself, is already a great blessing.

 Episode 24 "You Know Massage Therapy Too?"

    Upon seeing the expression on Shen Congyun''s face, Li Shengli¡¯s demeanor instantly shifted, his face darker.


    Shen Congyun ignored him and glanced at the child''s finger veins, which were red and visible up to the Wind Gate. He then opened the child''s mouth, examined the tongue¡ªthin white coating¡ªand leaned closer to smell. There was no noticeable bad breath.


    "It''s just an external wind-cold invasion, nothing serious," Shen Congyun stated.


    The woman, still uncertain, asked, "No need for medicine?"


    Shen Congyun nodded. He then stood before the child, placing both hands on the child¡¯s head and thumbs on the forehead between the eyebrows, and slowly pushed upward toward the hairline.


    Li Shengli, utterly confused, asked, "What is he doing?"


    Gao-Yuan explained, "This is called ''Opening the Heavenly Gate.''"


    "Huh?" Li Shengli was taken aback.


    Gao-Yuan elaborated, "You push from the Yintang acupoint up to the Shenting acupoint at the hairline. It promotes sweating to dispel exterior pathogens and awakens the mind."


    Li Shengli listened in awe and then glanced at Shen Congyun again, bewildered.


    Liu Sanquan, who had quietly approached, asked, "Dr. Gao, is this pediatric massage therapy?"


    Gao-Yuan nodded.


    Liu Sanquan was amazed. "Dr. Shen has hidden his skills well! Not many people practice these external treatment methods anymore."


    Li Shengli, confused, asked, "Why is that? Is it hard to learn?"


    Gao-Yuan shook his head. "Not really. One reason is that these external treatments are usually passed down within families, and they¡¯re reluctant to teach outsiders. Another reason is the abolition of traditional Chinese medicine. Since the Republican era, traditional Chinese medicine has faced heavy criticism and discrimination, labeled as unscientific or supernatural."


    "Many traditional Chinese medical practices, especially external treatments, have been attacked. Even acupuncture was forced to adapt to neurological theories in order to survive."


    "Acupuncture barely made it, so it¡¯s even harder for more niche external treatments like massage therapy to be passed down," Gao-Yuan sighed.


    Li Shengli¡¯s expression grew regretful. "This kind of skill is so useful. It saves patients money on medicine and helps reduce the country¡¯s healthcare costs. Our nation is still struggling economically."


    Liu Sanquan turned to look at Li Shengli, acknowledging his high level of awareness.


    Gao-Yuan reassured him, "Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯re not like those impractical intellectuals of the old society. We prioritize usefulness. As long as it works and benefits the people, it will be promoted. This year, a massage therapy department was established at the Shanghai Medical College. In the future, there will even be massage therapy schools. It¡¯ll only get better."


    "Really? That¡¯s fantastic! I¡¯d love to learn it if I get the chance¡ªit could save both the country and patients a lot of money." Li Shengli beamed with a smile.


    Gao-Yuan smiled and nodded.


    Li Shengli then asked, "Is massage therapy really that powerful? Can it cure all kinds of illnesses?"


    Gao-Yuan explained, "Massage therapy works by applying specific techniques to areas and acupoints on the body to regulate qi and blood, balance yin and yang, and restore the body to a healthy state of equilibrium. For a master practitioner, massage therapy can be extremely effective."


    "Pediatric massage, in particular, is recommended for children because they don¡¯t respond well to strong medication. As the ancient saying goes, ¡®Children are not suited for heavy medicine, so massage is most appropriate.¡¯ A skilled physician can even replace medicine with these manual techniques."


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    "For example, the ''Push Three Gates'' technique can substitute for ephedra and cinnamon bark; ''Lower the Six Bowels'' can replace talcum and antelope horn; and ''Fishing for the Moon from the Sea'' mimics the effects of coptis and rhinoceros horn. These techniques are especially effective for young children with delicate organs and underdeveloped energy."


    Both Li Shengli and Liu Sanquan nodded repeatedly, soaking in the new knowledge.


    The two men were mesmerized as they watched Shen Congyun continue his technique, performing maneuvers like ''Pushing the Kan Palace,'' ''Rubbing the Taiyang,'' ''Clearing the Heavenly River,'' ''Clearing the Lung Meridian,'' ''Rotating the Inner Eight Trigrams,'' and ''Rubbing Fenglong.'' As Shen moved from point to point, the once fussy and uncomfortable child gradually calmed down, broke out in a light sweat, and even stopped coughing.


    When Shen Congyun finally finished, the child had fallen into a deep sleep.


    Shen took the child''s temperature with a thermometer, waited a moment, and said, "The fever¡¯s gone. You can take him home now, but be sure to avoid cold drafts in the next few days."


    Everyone in the clinic was stunned.


    Even the child¡¯s mother, the woman who had been so anxious, was left in disbelief, standing frozen in place, too shocked to pick up her child.


    Gao-Yuan began clapping for Shen Congyun.


    Li Shengli almost instinctively followed with a couple of claps before realizing it and quickly putting his hands down.


    Seeing Li Shengli stop, Liu Sanquan hesitated for a moment before awkwardly deciding whether or not to clap as well.


    The woman finally moved forward and scooped up her child, realizing that her child was now peacefully asleep. Overcome with emotion, she teared up. The child¡¯s illness had been wearing her down emotionally, and the thought of him taking medicine had terrified her¡ªjust imagining him vomiting and crying was unbearable.


    Yet here, a doctor had simply applied a few massage techniques, and her child was already better. No medicine, no suffering.


    The woman was overwhelmed with gratitude, her tears flowing freely. She grabbed Shen Congyun¡¯s hand and said, "Thank you, Dr. Shen, thank you so much."


    Shen, uncomfortable, quickly pulled his hand away and wiped it on his clothes. "Alright, alright, it¡¯s fine. If you¡¯re done, you can leave."


    The woman asked, "What do I owe you for this?"


    Shen waved her off, clearly impatient. "Forget it, just go."


    "Oh, thank you, thank you!" she said, continuing to bow and express her thanks as she left.


    What should have been a heartwarming scene was marred by Shen Congyun¡¯s curt attitude, making Li Shengli frown again. He muttered under his breath, "What kind of attitude is that?"


    After the woman left, Shen washed his hands, then tucked them back into his sleeves, leaning lazily against the doorframe again, giving Gao-Yuan and the others a sidelong glance.


    Gao-Yuan smiled. "Today was truly eye-opening. I¡¯d heard that the Shen family¡¯s massage techniques were renowned among the Three Character Classic School in Shandong. Seeing it firsthand today I¡¯m impressed. It seems Dr. Shen hasn¡¯t let his skills rust over the years."


    Shen glanced at Gao-Yuan and sneered, "Dr. Gao, you¡¯ve always had something to say about our family¡¯s practices. How about you give it a try? Let me see those''miracle hands'' of yours."


    Gao-Yuan waved his hand. "I wouldn¡¯t dare compare myself to you, Dr. Shen."


    Shen let out two cold laughs. "You don¡¯t dare now? Last night, you were quite bold in your comments."


    Li Shengli, irritated, said, "Hey, why are you acting like this?"


    Gao-Yuan quickly held him back.


    Just then, an elderly woman entered the clinic with her grandson. As soon as she stepped inside, she sensed the strange tension in the room. She glanced around, skipping over Liu Sanquan and Li Shengli, and went straight to Shen Congyun.


    "Dr. Shen, are you free now? Could you take a look at my grandson? He¡¯s not feeling well."


    Shen, still slouched against the doorframe with his indifferent demeanor, merely chuckled coldly.


    Li Shengli, his face growing darker by the second, was on the verge of losing his temper.


    Shen said casually, "There are other doctors here. Why bother me?"


    The elderly woman looked at Li Shengli and Liu Sanquan, but despite Shen''s bad attitude, she had no other choice and continued to plead. "Dr. Shen, please help. My grandson was vomiting all day yesterday."


    Shen pointed his chin toward Gao-Yuan. "Go to him; go to that doctor."


    The grandmother looked at Gao-Yuan, finding him unfamiliar and too young to trust. She hesitated.


    Shen continued, "Don¡¯t underestimate him because of his age. He¡¯s got real skills. He doesn¡¯t even need to prescribe medicine¡ªjust a few massages, and your grandson will be fine."


    "What?" the grandmother was taken aback.


    "Shen Congyun, I dare you to keep talking like that!" Li Shengli was now seething with anger.


    Shen lazily kept his half-lidded eyes and drawled, "I¡¯m not being sarcastic. Dr. Gao here is very capable¡ªafter all, anyone who can criticize others so freely must have real skills, right?"


    "You!" Li Shengli roared in fury.


    By now, Liu Sanquan, who hated confrontation, had quietly slipped away.


    Gao-Yuan calmly reassured the grandmother, "Ma''am, please bring your grandson in. I''ll take care of him. Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t prescribe any medicine¡ªjust a massage. And it won¡¯t cost you a thing."


    The grandmother still seemed unsure. "A few massages can really cure him?"


    Seeing that Gao-Yuan had really agreed, Shen Congyun was quite surprised. He looked Gao-Yuan up and down with some suspicion.


    Li Shengli leaned in and asked in a low voice, "Seriously? You know how to do massage?"


    Gao-Yuan quietly replied, "Not much, just a little."

 Episode 25 Im Not Like You

    Since it was free and didn¡¯t involve medication, the child¡¯s grandmother let Gao-Yuan give it a try. She carried the child inside.


    Gao-Yuan rolled up his sleeves and followed her in.


    Li Shengli was right beside him.


    Shen Congyun also walked over, leaning against the door frame of the consultation room, sleeves folded, absentmindedly picking at his nails while watching the scene inside.


    Meanwhile, Liu Sanquan stayed furthest back, peeking in from a distance, curious but unwilling to get involved.


    Once inside, Gao-Yuan asked the grandmother, "What''s going on with the child?"


    The grandmother replied, "He ate something bad. He¡¯s been vomiting all day since yesterday. What he threw up hadn¡¯t even been fully digested."


    Gao-Yuan nodded. "How old is the child?"


    "Two years old," she answered.


    "Let him lie down."


    The grandmother laid the child down on the consultation bed.


    As soon as Gao-Yuan pressed gently on the child¡¯s abdomen, the little boy cried out in discomfort.


    "Distended abdomen, resistant to pressure," Gao-Yuan noted. Then he opened the child''s mouth to inspect: "Red tongue, thick yellow coating, foul, sour breath."


    He inquired further with the grandmother and learned that the child had been experiencing chest tightness, loss of appetite, occasional abdominal pain, no bowel movement today, and yellow urine.


    Continuing his examination, Gao-Yuan found that the child¡¯s hands and feet were warm, and his pulse was slippery and forceful. He also checked the child¡¯s finger veins and found them purple.


    The diagnosis was clear: the child had overeaten, leading to food retention and indigestion.


    The stomach is the sea of water and grains, and it must descend to function properly. The child had accumulated food in the middle burner, which damaged the spleen and stomach, disrupting the ascending and descending functions of the spleen and stomach. As a result, the stomach qi rebelled upward, causing vomiting. The foul, sour breath indicated undigested food, a typical case of food retention leading to vomiting.


    With the diagnosis complete, it was time for treatment.


    "Okay, lie on your back and be good," Gao-Yuan said gently to the child, who was comforted by his grandmother.


    Shen Congyun, seeing Gao-Yuan flex his hands, furrowed his brows slightly.


    The grandmother reassured the child, making sure he lay down properly.


    Gao-Yuan took the child¡¯s hand and began massaging the fleshy area below the thumb.


    Shen Congyun frowned even more and murmured, "Massaging the Banmen point?"


    After that, Gao-Yuan pinched the child¡¯s palm between his index and middle fingers, using his thumb to rub in circles on the child¡¯s palm.


    "Working the Internal Eight Trigrams," Shen Congyun muttered as he stood up straight, watching intently. "Nourishing the Spleen Meridian... clearing the Large Intestine... pushing across the Banmen Point... vibrating the abdomen..."


    As he watched Gao-Yuan work, Shen Congyun grew more and more astonished but also increasingly puzzled.


    Li Shengli, who had been worried at first, was now beaming with excitement. "Turns out Dr. Gao knows this kind of skill too!"


    Liu Sanquan was craning his neck, trying to get a better view from outside.


    As Gao-Yuan continued, the child started to burp and pass gas, signs that his digestive system was beginning to function normally again.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Finally, the massage was done, and the child exclaimed, "Grandma, I need to poop!"


    "Oh my goodness, he¡¯s been holding it in all day, and now he finally needs to go," the grandmother said, lifting the child up. She was about to rush out but glanced back at Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan waved her off. "Go on, take him to relieve himself. No need to pay. Just make sure not to feed him anything before dinner tonight. And in the future, control his portions. If you want your child to stay healthy, a little hunger and cold won''t hurt. Don¡¯t let him overeat¡ªhis digestive system is still developing."


    The grandmother thanked him profusely, "Oh, oh, I¡¯ll remember that. Thank you so much, doctor. Thank you!"


    "No need to thank me," Gao-Yuan smiled. "Just hurry, or he¡¯ll go right here."


    The grandmother hurriedly carried the child out.


    Li Shengli grinned. "Now that¡¯s how you should treat the public!" He glanced over at Shen Congyun, his expression immediately changing into one of disdain. "Well? What do you have to say now?"


    But Shen Congyun was staring at Gao-Yuan as if he had seen a ghost.


    "Hey, say something! Why are you acting all mute now?" Li Shengli continued to nag.


    "You..." Shen Congyun ignored him completely, still fixated on Gao-Yuan. His voice was incredulous as he asked, "How do you know the techniques of my Shen family? And how do you know so much about us? Do you have some kind of connection to my family? Where did you learn these external treatment methods?"


    Gao-Yuan wiped his hands and glanced at Shen Congyun, his expression complicated.


    Where did he learn it? Who else could have taught him? It was Shen Congyun himself.


    In his past life, Gao-Yuan had studied massage techniques under Shen Congyun for three days.


    On the third night, Shen Congyun had confided in him, sharing not only his massage techniques but also the personal and family history that had weighed heavily on him. He had asked Gao-Yuan to come earlier the next day.


    When Gao-Yuan showed up early the following morning, he found that Shen Congyun had hanged himself. That request to come early had been a request for Gao-Yuan to find his body in time.


    The final memory Gao-Yuan had of Shen Congyun was of a lonely old man, bathed in the dim light of an oil lamp, sorrowfully recounting all the wrong choices that had defined his later years.


    It was a tragic end Gao-Yuan was determined not to see repeat in this life. He genuinely hoped Shen Congyun wouldn¡¯t follow the same path again.


    "Say something!" Shen Congyun, now both anxious and excited, took two quick steps forward, his eyes fixed on Gao-Yuan. "Do you have a connection with my family?"


    Li Shengli and Liu Sanquan both stood there dumbfounded, their eyes wide as they stared at Gao-Yuan.


    After a brief pause, Gao-Yuan nodded slowly.


    Shen Congyun took another two steps forward, his excitement growing. "Who taught you? Who¡¯s your master?"


    Gao-Yuan glanced again at Shen Congyun.


    At that moment, a couple burst through the door, holding a child in their arms. "Doctor! Doctor! Is there a doctor here?"


    "Huh?" Liu Sanquan, standing furthest outside, was the first to notice them.


    But it was Li Shengli who rushed forward like a gust of wind, shouting, "What happened? What¡¯s going on?"


    "Our child is terribly sick!" the mother cried anxiously.


    "Hurry, hurry, bring them in!" Li Shengli ushered them in.


    Inside the consultation room, Gao-Yuan sensed something was wrong and moved to head outside.


    But Shen Congyun grabbed his arm. "Wait, you haven¡¯t answered me. Who taught you?"


    Gao-Yuan was about to shake him off when he saw the couple had already carried their child inside.


    Liu Sanquan had followed them in too.


    The parents scanned the room, passing over Liu Sanquan, Li Shengli, and Gao-Yuan, before rushing straight toward Shen Congyun. "Dr. Shen! Dr. Shen! Please, look at our child! What¡¯s wrong with him?"


    Shen Congyun frowned, taking a glance at the child. The child was already unconscious. He tapped the child¡¯s body but got no response. When he felt the child¡¯s body temperature, he was shocked by how hot it was, yet the child¡¯s hands and feet were ice cold.


    The child¡¯s eyes were rolled back, his jaw clenched tight, and his entire body was arched like a taut bow. He was experiencing opisthotonus, and his body was convulsing violently, presenting an alarming sight.


    "Acute convulsions..." Shen Congyun muttered, checking further before finally declaring, "I can¡¯t treat this. Take him away."


    "What?" The parents were stunned.


    The mother¡¯s legs gave out beneath her, and she nearly collapsed.


    Her husband quickly caught her. He was a simple, honest farmer, and with tears in his eyes, he begged Shen Congyun, "Doctor, our first two children didn¡¯t make it, and now this is the only child we have left. Please, you have to save him! I¡¯m begging you. He¡¯s only four months old."


    Shen Congyun waved them off. "It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to help, but he¡¯s too far gone. You need to take him elsewhere."


    The father clutched Shen Congyun¡¯s sleeve, pleading desperately, "At least take a look. We walked all night to get here from the village. Please, I¡¯m begging you!"


    Shen Congyun pulled away, growing impatient. "I¡¯ve told you, I can¡¯t treat a case this severe. You¡¯ll have to find another doctor or take him to the county hospital."


    The parents looked utterly devastated. Their faces turned deathly pale, as if the world had collapsed around them.


    Gao-Yuan stepped forward without hesitation. "There¡¯s no time to get to the county hospital. Let me handle it. Give me the child, now!"


    The child''s parents stared blankly at Gao-Yuan.


    Shen Congyun blocked Gao-Yuan¡¯s way. ¡°Don¡¯t cause trouble; it¡¯s already this serious. You can¡¯t save him!¡±


    But Gao-Yuan forcefully shook Shen Congyun off. He fixed his gaze on him and said firmly, ¡°I¡¯m not like you!¡±


    Shen Congyun was taken aback.


    Li Shengli then pointed angrily at Shen Congyun¡¯s nose. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to treat him, then get out! If you say one more word, I¡¯ll break your teeth!¡±

 Episode 26 It’s Nothing

    "Give me the child," Gao-Yuan extended his hand toward the parents.


    The parents had already lost all hope. Now that someone was willing to treat their child, they hurriedly handed the baby over.


    Gao-Yuan took the child into his arms and instructed, "Check the temperature."


    Liu Sanquan quickly ran to get a thermometer.


    As Gao-Yuan held the baby, he realized that the situation was even more severe than it first appeared. The child''s lips had turned a purplish blue, his nostrils flared with each breath, and he had a severe phlegm blockage.


    Gao-Yuan picked up the child''s hand, only to find that the baby''s fingers had also turned purplish blue. He pressed the veins of the index finger and saw that the purple streak extended all the way to the "life gate."


    Li Shengli was stunned. He clearly remembered Gao-Yuan explaining earlier that the three sections of a child''s index finger indicate the severity of illness¡ªpassing through the "wind gate," "qi gate," and finally the "life gate." When it reaches the life gate, it¡¯s beyond saving. And now it had reached that point. He stood there, dumbfounded.


    Shen Congyun also shook his head repeatedly, saying, "This is a case of a sudden convulsion, a dangerously acute condition that progresses very quickly. In severe cases, it may develop into chronic convulsions, which could lead to epilepsy or mental retardation later in life. This child''s condition is too serious; he can''t be saved."


    The parents were trembling, their lips quivering as they struggled to say something but couldn¡¯t get any words out.


    Li Shengli glared at Shen Congyun, wanting to curse him, but deep down, he didn¡¯t feel confident either. Just as he stood there at a loss, Gao Yuan¡¯s voice rang out.


    "Did you forget what I told you? As long as there¡¯s even the slightest chance, you can never give up on saving someone."


    Upon hearing this, Li Shengli immediately stood up straighter.


    "Get me a three-edged needle!" Gao-Yuan ordered.


    "Yes!" Li Shengli, feeling as if he were receiving orders on a battlefield, jolted to attention. But then he realized he had no idea what a three-edged needle was. "What¡¯s a three-edged needle?"


    Gao-Yuan said, "Go fetch Zhao Huanzhang¡¯s acupuncture kit."


    "Yes!" Li Shengli shouted as he quickly ran off.


    "Here¡¯s the acupuncture kit!" Li Shengli opened it and placed it in front of Gao-Yuan.


    Without hesitation, Gao-Yuan took out the three-edged needle and carefully pricked the fingertips and toes, as well as the tips of the ears, Baihui (crown of the head), and Dazhui (upper back), allowing blood to flow.


    As the blood was released, the unconscious child immediately began to cry.


    Shen Congyun was stunned. He hadn¡¯t expected Gao-Yuan to know acupuncture and was now even more suspicious that Gao-Yuan had some connection with the Shen family.


    "Th-this..." The parents were also at a loss. Why was their child bleeding?


    Gao-Yuan noticed their anxiety and reassured them, "I¡¯m saving him. It¡¯s just a light prick; it¡¯s harmless. Don¡¯t worry."


    The mother looked nervously at the father.


    The father swallowed hard. Though he was filled with unease, the simple man could only nod nervously.


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    As the child¡¯s cries grew louder, Gao-Yuan touched the child again and said, "He¡¯s sweating."


    Then he felt the child¡¯s hands and feet. "The limbs are warming up."


    Li Shengli, confused, asked, "Is that good or bad?"


    The parents grew anxious again.


    Liu Sanquan chimed in, "Of course it¡¯s good."


    The parents finally exhaled the breath they¡¯d been holding.


    Shen Congyun stared at Gao-Yuan in disbelief.


    Gao-Yuan put down the three-edged needle and picked up a fine needle, swiftly using it to stimulate Yongquan (on the soles of the feet), Hegu (on the hand), and Renzhong (between the nose and upper lip). Then, with a bird-pecking technique, he stimulated Suliu (on the tip of the nose).


    Watching Gao-Yuan¡¯s needlework, Shen Congyun¡¯s expression turned even more perplexing.


    Liu Sanquan and Li Shengli were watching with rapt attention, as if they were witnessing a magic trick, their eyes nearly bulging out of their heads.


    After about a minute of treatment, the child woke up. Though still crying, the convulsions had stopped.


    "He¡¯s awake! He¡¯s awake!" Li Shengli shouted excitedly.


    "Phew..." Gao-Yuan let out a long breath.


    The parents rushed forward, tears of joy streaming down their faces.


    Shen Congyun, however, looked at Gao-Yuan with increasing uncertainty.


    Li Shengli was also overjoyed: "Dr. Gao, the child is awake! He¡¯s awake!"


    Gao-Yuan waved his hand. "Don¡¯t let your guard down. The child is not out of danger yet. We need to act quickly. Bring me pen and paper; I need to write a prescription."


    "Yes!" Li Shengli hurried off again.


    "Out of danger?" Shen Congyun murmured to himself, finally realizing that Gao-Yuan genuinely intended to not only save this dying baby but to completely pull him back from the brink of death.


    "How is that possible?" Shen Congyun couldn¡¯t believe it. After all, he himself couldn¡¯t have done it.


    "Here," Li Shengli handed the prescription pad to Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan then instructed Liu Sanquan, "To prevent the risk of asphyxiation, quickly weigh out one candareen of musk and administer it to the child."


    Liu Sanquan rushed to carry out the task.


    Gao-Yuan, holding the pen, thought for a moment and then began writing: "One tael of raw gypsum, three maces each of ephedra, apricot kernel, licorice, moutan bark, purple herb, and bamboo shavings."


    Shen Congyun glanced over at the prescription and was immediately stunned. "What? How much are you prescribing?"


    "What¡¯s wrong?" Li Shengli asked.


    After feeding the musk to the child, even Liu Sanquan couldn¡¯t resist taking a look at the prescription. One glance, and he was startled, his anxiety flaring up again.


    All three doctors stood there, speechless.


    Meanwhile, the parents were frightened once more.


    Patients dread seeing doctors sigh, frown, or shake their heads. Now, with three utterly dumbfounded doctors in front of them, the fact that the parents hadn¡¯t collapsed in fear was a testament to their strong nerves.


    Ignoring them, Gao-Yuan quickly finished writing the prescription.


    Once done, he said, "Sudden convulsions are one of the four major pediatric conditions and are extremely dangerous. Because a child¡¯s organs are delicate and their systems are light, the illness can spread rapidly. In less than a day, this has progressed to a critical state. However, because it spreads so quickly, if treated decisively, the illness can also be reversed just as fast."


    Shen Congyun interjected, "But you¡¯ve prescribed an adult dosage! This child is only four months old."


    Liu Sanquan unconsciously nodded. When treating children, they usually prescribed only one mace at most, especially for such a young infant. Yet Gao-Yuan had prescribed an entire teal.


    Li Shengli stood there, equally confused, not knowing what to say.


    Gao-Yuan nodded. "You¡¯re right, but that¡¯s under normal circumstances. For critical conditions, the dosage must not be too light. It¡¯s better to err on the side of more rather than less. And I¡¯m not having him drink it all at once. It will be administered in small doses, multiple times."


    "As long as the condition stabilizes, the remaining medicine can be discarded. We stop when the symptoms are relieved. This ensures a sufficient concentration of the medicine in the blood to guarantee effectiveness while avoiding excessive intake that could harm the body. This is the same method I used to treat Zhang Yuancai¡¯s mother."


    Upon hearing Zhang Yuancai¡¯s mother mention it, Liu Sanquan couldn¡¯t help but raise his eyebrows. He had witnessed it himself¡ªjust a few days ago, the woman had seemed on the brink of death, but after one night, she was well enough to collect her jujube buns the next morning. The speed of her recovery was shocking to anyone who saw it.


    Li Shengli nodded vigorously. "Dr. Gao, I trust you."


    Gao-Yuan handed the prescription to Li Shengli. "Go fetch the medicine."


    "Wait¡­" Shen Congyun wanted to say something more.


    But Li Shengli shot back, "Wait for what? Are you going to treat him?"


    Shen Congyun fell silent.


    The child¡¯s mother, too nervous to know what to ask, stammered, "Doctor, doctor... will our child... can he be saved?"


    Gao-Yuan nodded seriously.


    The father, looking back and forth between Shen Congyun and Gao-Yuan, hesitated. "But... but he said it¡¯s very serious. That it couldn¡¯t be cured."


    Gao-Yuan glanced at Shen Congyun and then reassured the parents, "Don¡¯t worry. To me, this is nothing."


    Shen Congyun¡¯s face twitched involuntarily.

 Episode 27 Where Did I Go Wrong?

    After the acupuncture treatment, the infant''s condition stabilized, but the parents were still in a state of panic and distress.


    Gao-Yuan sat down with them for a brief conversation and learned that they were from Huoxiang, a remote village deep in the mountains. Their entire village didn''t even have a doctor, so the sick could only endure until they couldn''t bear it anymore before seeking help at the nearest village''s clinic.


    These parents had carried their child through the night to get here.


    "Sigh..." Gao-Yuan let out a heavy sigh and muttered to himself, "Huoxiang..."


    He clearly remembered that in the coming flu outbreak, the people of Huoxiang, unable to receive proper medical treatment, fell prey to scammers. Multiple tragic incidents occurred where people died after consuming burned talisman water and incense ash, deceived into thinking it was a cure?.


    Gao-Yuan furrowed his brow deeply.


    Noticing Gao-Yuan''s expression, the child''s father grew nervous again. "D-Doctor, is something wrong?"


    "Hmm?" Gao-Yuan glanced at him, then shook his head. "No, I was just thinking about something else."


    "Oh." The parents, however, remained restless and on edge.


    A little later, He Yu came out with the freshly brewed medicine.


    "Bring a small spoon," Gao-Yuan instructed. "The child should take half a spoonful each time."


    But as soon as they brought the medicine to the child, his jaw clenched tightly, and the signs of convulsions began to reappear.


    "Doctor! Doctor!" The parents panicked once more.


    "This is bad," Li Shengli and Liu Sanquan''s faces turned grim.


    "Don''t worry," Gao-Yuan quickly responded and instructed Li Shengli, "Get one mace of antelope horn, three candareens of musk, twelve scorpion tails, and two centipedes. Grind them into a powder and mix them thoroughly."


    "Got it." Li Shengli immediately complied, but he hesitated and asked, "What about here?"


    Gao-Yuan turned to Shen Congyun and said, "Step in. I need you to calm the child and get him to open his mouth."


    All eyes turned to Shen Congyun.


    Shen Congyun glanced at the others and instinctively avoided their gazes.


    But Gao-Yuan continued to watch him intently.


    When Shen Congyun finally met Gao-Yuan''s gaze, he couldn''t match the younger man''s determined eyes. His head lowered slightly, unable to hold the eye contact.


    He hesitated and remained silent for a moment, then let out a soft sigh. Finally, he flexed his fingers and, with his head still bowed, approached the child.


    He employed a technique that involved pinching key acupoints, applying strong stimulation to the child''s nose ridge and nasal tip, then pressing on the philtrum and Laolong acupoints.


    He only applied a few quick motions to each point, but the infant, who had been on the verge of seizures, suddenly stilled.


    "Ah!" The parents gasped in surprise and relief.


    Shen Congyun then performed a gentle massage along the child''s jaw.


    After a brief moment, the tightly clenched jaw of the infant slowly relaxed, and then the baby began to cry again.


    The parents let out a huge sigh of relief.


    "Give him the medicine," Gao-Yuan reminded He Yu.


    "Oh, right." He Yu quickly and carefully administered the medicine.


    Both Liu Sanquan and Li Shengli were amazed. From the moment Shen Congyun began his treatment, it had only taken a few breaths of time to achieve such a remarkable effect. They were truly impressed by the old man¡¯s skill.


    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    Gao-Yuan also glanced at Shen Congyun and nodded slightly in approval.


    However, despite the successful outcome, Shen Congyun''s expression remained dark. He leaned against the doorframe, staring at the ground in silence.


    Over the next few hours, the child was given small doses of the medicine¡ªabout four spoonfuls in total. The powdered herbs were divided into smaller portions, and the child took three doses in all. By the afternoon, the child''s fever subsided, his condition stabilized, and he regained full consciousness. His breathing normalized, and his posture returned to a healthy state.


    The parents were overjoyed, tears streaming down their faces in gratitude.


    All the doctors in the clinic collectively exhaled a long breath of relief.


    "Thank you! Thank you so much!" The parents were overwhelmed with emotion.


    Everyone smiled, their tension lifting.


    Seeing his child out of danger, the father hesitated for a moment, then approached Gao-Yuan with concern. "Doctor, will our child be mentally impaired in the future? Will he develop epilepsy?"


    Gao-Yuan chuckled and replied, "Don¡¯t worry. Your child will grow up to be smarter than you and more successful."


    The father was taken aback, then scratched his head with an awkward smile.


    The mood in the clinic lightened considerably, filled with laughter and relief.


    ...


    Before the family left, Gao-Yuan wrapped two doses of powdered medicine in paper for them to take home, instructing them to administer it to prevent any residual heat from flaring up.


    The grateful parents thanked everyone profusely as they left.


    Inside the clinic, the doctors felt as though they had just run a marathon. Their bodies were inexplicably tired, yet their spirits were high, their faces beaming with excitement.


    Liu Sanquan, still catching his breath, exclaimed, "Wow, I¡¯ve really seen something today! That little one was in such a dire state¡ªI thought for sure we¡¯d lose him. But here we are; he¡¯s out of danger in less than a day. Incredible, just incredible!"


    Li Shengli was equally elated, slapping his thigh as he said, "Why does treating patients feel even more exhausting than fighting a war? I remember back when we used to fight for two days straight, covering hundreds of miles, and we still had the energy to clean up the battlefield. But today, after doing practically nothing, my whole body feels drained!"


    Liu Sanquan teased, "Maybe you¡¯re just getting weak. You should take better care of yourself, young man."


    "Get lost!" Li Shengli waved him off.


    Laughter filled the room once again.


    Gao-Yuan wore a faint but content smile on his face.


    Liu Sanquan turned to him and asked, "Dr. Gao, don¡¯t you have something to say? That kid was in real danger today. Weren¡¯t you nervous?"


    Gao-Yuan slowly raised his head and said, "For a doctor, there is no greater achievement than bringing someone back from the brink of death. And there is no greater reward than seeing families on the verge of collapse regain hope and happiness."


    "This kind of fulfillment can¡¯t be bought with money. It¡¯s a deep emotional resonance, a spiritual satisfaction. Look at you all right now¡ªthis excitement you¡¯re feeling is a sign of that."


    Liu Sanquan and Li Shengli were taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing.


    Gao-Yuan''s smile lingered faintly on his lips.


    However, in the corner of the room, Shen Congyun stood silently, his head bowed, completely out of sync with the others.


    After a long while, he let out a heavy sigh and quietly slipped out the door.


    Seeing him leave, Gao-Yuan quickly followed him outside and called out, "Dr. Shen, it¡¯s not the end of the day yet. Leaving so soon?"


    Shen Congyun didn¡¯t turn around. He kept his head lowered, his voice noticeably heavier. "I¡¯m exhausted¡­ I need to rest."


    Gao-Yuan replied, "There will be more patients coming soon."


    "You¡¯re here, isn¡¯t that enough?" Shen Congyun finally turned to face him, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "I used to think so highly of myself, but in front of you, a younger man, I¡¯ve lost completely. Now I¡¯m certain¡ªyou didn¡¯t learn medicine from our Shen family. We could never produce someone like you."


    Gao-Yuan remained silent.


    Shen Congyun''s self-deprecating smile deepened. "Maybe you were right. The Shen family will never rise again."


    Gao-Yuan said, "As long as you''re here, the Shen family still has hope."


    "Pfft..." Shen Congyun shook his head. "If I, the so-called hope of the Shen family, can¡¯t even compare to you, what good am I? With this case, your reputation will soon spread far and wide. I don''t even know why I helped you earlier."


    He laughed bitterly.


    Gao-Yuan responded, "If you hadn¡¯t done the little you did for the patient earlier, I would truly have given up on you."


    Shen Congyun looked at him, puzzled. "Given up on me? What is there to give up? With you around, do I still have a future? Even if some important official shows interest, they''ll seek you out, not me."


    Gao-Yuan frowned. "Why are you so fixated on these important officials?"


    Shen Congyun sneered at himself. "Who else should I focus on? Those filthy, stinking workers and farmers? What good is it to cure them? Treating a thousand common folk can¡¯t compare to saving one important person. No matter how many commoners praise you, it''s still not as valuable as one word of praise from a powerful official!"


    Gao-Yuan''s brow furrowed deeply. "Do you still not realize that your entire approach has been wrong from the start?"


    Shen Congyun''s expression suddenly shifted as he looked directly at Gao-Yuan. He said, "Fei Boxiong was praised as a ''National Healer'' by the former Qing Emperor. Menghe Town, with barely a hundred households, transformed into what it is today because of that single word of commendation."


    "The Four Great Medical Families rose to prominence because of it, and the Menghe School of Medicine resounded throughout the land. Aspiring physicians from all over revered them, and countless patients travelled great distances seeking their expertise. And all of this stemmed from just one word of praise from the royal family."


    "I don''t have such extraordinary talent. I don''t dare dream of single-handedly founding a medical school or reviving a region''s prestige. All I seek is the favour of a significant figure, someone who would help me restore the honour of the Shen family. That''s all. You say I''m wrong¡ªwhere exactly did I go wrong?"

 Episode 28 The Yellow Teeth

    Gao-Yuan sighed. The tragedies of the latter half of this old man¡¯s life stemmed entirely from a mistaken mindset.


    "You were wrong," Gao-Yuan said. "Your mistake was in focusing too much on networking and too little on medicine."


    Shen Congyun replied, "Do you really think I sleep until noon every day and get drunk every night? In truth, I practice medical techniques diligently every day and study medical books every night. I¡¯ve only been waiting for one chance, one opportunity to prove myself!"


    "But you should also open your eyes and see the society around you, see the times we live in. This isn''t the old Qing society anymore¡ªthis is a new era!" Gao-Yuan pointed out. "Look at the current leaders. What kind of people are they? How did they fight to build this nation?"


    "With your medical ethics and your attitude toward the masses, even if a leader were to come, they wouldn¡¯t trust you to treat them. If they had a temper, they wouldn¡¯t even give you a glance."


    "You harm and look down upon the very people they vowed to protect from the beginning. You call them dirty and smelly, but those leaders proudly call themselves the servants of these farmers and workers."


    Shen Congyun was stunned by Gao-Yuan¡¯s words.


    Gao-Yuan was exasperated; he had never met anyone so oblivious to the current state of things. But he couldn''t entirely blame the old man¡ªafter all, someone who would still spend all their money in 1949 lighting a cold stove for a former leader wasn¡¯t likely to possess great foresight.


    "I..." Shen Congyun mumbled, at a loss.


    Gao-Yuan continued earnestly, "As a physician, one must aspire to be a great healer, moved by compassion. You should vow to relieve the suffering of all beings, regardless of their status or wealth. You must be calm and focused, free from desire."


    "Even without quoting ancient wisdom, in today¡¯s world, look at Doctor Norman Bethune. Do people revere him because he treated some high-ranking leader? No! It''s because he upheld the noblest ideals of humanity and worked with a heart for the people. That¡¯s what made him the purest, most esteemed physician."


    "This is the value most cherished in our new era. You will only gain recognition if you let go of fame and fortune. If you cling to old ways, continue to despise the masses, and pursue the favor of the powerful, you will meet a bitter end."


    Gao-Yuan stopped short of saying the final thought on his mind¡ªhe really didn¡¯t want to witness Shen Congyun lamenting all his wrong choices before attempting to hang himself again.


    Shen Congyun had already been deeply shaken by Gao-Yuan earlier, and now, after hearing all this, he became even more distracted.


    Gao-Yuan stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder. "You really should think about the choices you''ve made in the second half of your life. Even if not for yourself, at least for Yan Kuan and Yan Ren. Maybe they, too, hope that their father can bring them out with dignity, allowing them to reclaim the Shen family name."


    Shen Congyun lifted his head with difficulty. "How... how do you know everything?"


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Gao-Yuan replied, "This isn¡¯t exactly a secret. If it''s something you can¡¯t achieve in your lifetime, at least there¡¯s still hope in them. They are also the future of the Shen family."


    Shen Congyun remained speechless.


    Gao-Yuan patted his shoulder again and said, "Think about it carefully."


    <hr>


    It was almost evening. Seeing that there was nothing else to do, Gao-Yuan headed home. His house was far away, and it would be dark by the time he arrived.


    Just as he left, Cao Xinjian showed up.


    "Hey, old squad leader, feeling better?" Li Shengli asked.


    Cao Xinjian replied, "Nothing serious, just a bit of numbness and spiciness in my mouth. Gao-Yuan gave me a prescription earlier, so I came to get the medicine."


    "Alright, Comrade He, please register him and get the medicine," Li Shengli called inside.


    "Where''s Gao-Yuan?" Cao Xinjian asked.


    Li Shengli pointed toward the street. "Just left."


    Cao Xinjian followed the direction indicated, catching a glimpse of Gao-Yuan''s departing figure.


    Li Shengli asked, "Do you need me to call him back?"


    Cao Xinjian shook his head. "What do you think of Gao-Yuan?"


    Li Shengli was taken aback, not expecting such a question. After a brief pause, he said, "I think he''s someone who benefits the people."


    Cao Xinjian looked at Li Shengli, then shifted his gaze back toward Gao-Yuan.


    In the setting sun, Gao-Yuan''s shadow stretched long across the ground.


    <hr>


    The next day, Gao-Yuan returned to the joint clinic.


    In truth, many had overlooked a small fact: Gao-Yuan hadn¡¯t officially joined the clinic, yet he had been coming to work every day, and nobody seemed to find this odd.


    "Good morning, everyone," Gao-Yuan greeted as he walked in.


    Everyone in the clinic looked toward him.


    Miss He, who handled miscellaneous tasks, smiled and said, "Dr. Gao, you live so far away, yet you manage to get here so early every day. You must be waking up before dawn!"


    Gao-Yuan smiled.


    Miss He continued, "But you''re not the first one here today; someone else arrived early."


    "Oh?" Gao-Yuan followed her gaze and saw Shen Congyun sitting at a table, earnestly reading a medical book. He wasn¡¯t dozing off or lazily picking at his nails.


    Across from him, Li Shengli and Liu Sanquan looked at him in disbelief.


    Gao-Yuan observed Shen Congyun closely. The old man had even changed into clean clothes, tidied his hair, and shaved his face. He was unusually neat and polished¡ªso much so that even Gao-Yuan was surprised.


    Shen Congyun, however, seemed oblivious, completely absorbed in his book.


    Just then, a patient came to the door. "Excuse me, doctor? My granddaughter has a fever. Can you prescribe some medicine?"


    Hearing this, Li Shengli stood up, but before he could move, a shadow suddenly rushed past him. Startled, he instinctively reached for his waist, only to grasp at air. When he looked again, he was utterly stunned.


    "Ma¡¯am, come in, come in. Please, have a seat and drink some water first," said the shadow, who turned out to be none other than Shen Congyun.


    "Is this the same old rogue?" Li Shengli turned to ask Liu Sanquan.


    But Liu Sanquan¡¯s eyes were wide with shock as well.


    Gao-Yuan also watched Shen Congyun in amazement.


    The elderly woman, however, was completely thrown off. Shen Congyun¡¯s bad attitude was notorious, but since his medical skills were indeed good, they often had no choice but to seek him out for treatment.


    Now, the old woman didn¡¯t know what to think.


    "Maybe we should come back later?" She looked flustered.


    Shen Congyun, in all seriousness, replied, "You¡¯re healthy, so there''s no rush. But look at your granddaughter¡ªshe still has a fever, and she seems listless. Do you really want her to go back home and wait?"


    "I¡­" The old woman shot a pleading glance at Li Shengli.


    Li Shengli slammed his hand on the table. "Shen Congyun, what are you trying to pull?"


    Shen Congyun calmly placed a cup of water in front of the old woman and said, "I¡¯m treating a patient. What else would I be doing? What do you think I¡¯m trying to do?"


    His response left Li Shengli momentarily speechless.


    Even Gao-Yuan scratched his head in confusion. What was going on? Could the old man really have changed this quickly? It seemed impossible.


    Shen Congyun then brought the little girl over and, with a smile that revealed his yellow teeth, kindly asked, "Little one, where do you feel uncomfortable? Tell grandpa."


    Upon seeing that smile, the little girl burst into tears.

 Episode 29 Paediatric Spinal Massage

    It took quite some effort to finally calm the little girl down.


    Everyone was a bit speechless as they stared at Shen Congyun.


    Shen Congyun touched his face, making sure he had shaved that morning. How could he still look so frightening? He began to doubt his own appearance.


    Once the little girl was somewhat settled, she cautiously approached Shen Congyun.


    Gao-Yuan asked, ¡°Are you planning to use pediatric massage?¡±


    Shen Congyun nodded, ¡°Yes.¡±


    Gao-Yuan followed up, ¡°So, no need for medicine?¡±


    Shen Congyun replied, ¡°None.¡±


    Hearing this, the little girl turned to look at Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan smiled and said, ¡°Little one, no medicine this time.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± The girl¡¯s face lit up with excitement.


    Watching Gao-Yuan joke around with the child, Shen Congyun felt a bit irritated. How come when he smiled at the girl, she cried, but when Gao-Yuan smiled, she laughed? It didn¡¯t seem fair.


    Shen Congyun¡¯s expression became awkward.


    Gao-Yuan glanced at him.


    Quickly, she put on a more pleasant face. ¡°Come, let¡¯s go to the treatment room.¡±


    The grandmother led her granddaughter into the room and had the girl lie down on the examination bed.


    Just as Shen Congyun was about to follow them in, Gao-Yuan pulled him aside.


    Gao-Yuan lowered his voice and asked, ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you? Had some epiphany overnight?¡±


    Shen Congyun replied, ¡°Not exactly an epiphany, but I think some things you said made sense.¡±


    ¡°Like what?¡±


    ¡°Well, I still believe that a single word from a person of influence is worth more than a thousand words from ordinary people. But getting the attention of someone important is the tricky part.¡±


    ¡°In the old days, those influential people liked gifts¡ªgold, antiques, fine calligraphy¡ªand I had to spend all my savings to please them. But now, things are different. Nowadays, those in power care about the common folk.¡±


    ¡°If I want to appeal to their tastes, I have to change my attitude, be more respectful to the ordinary people, and let them spread the word about how good I am. Who knows, maybe one day someone important will show up, and they¡¯ll hear nothing but praise about me.¡±


    ¡°If that happens, maybe they¡¯ll seek me out for treatment. Sure, your internal medicine skills might be better than mine, but when it comes to external treatment and massage, your techniques are still lacking. That¡¯s why I¡¯m going to focus more on massage. build up a good reputation. Who knows, I might even get the title of ¡®National Healer¡¯ someday. Then the Shen family¡¯s legacy would truly flourish!¡±


    Shen Congyun¡¯s eyes sparkled with ambition.


    ¡°This¡­¡± Gao-Yuan was at a loss for words, unsure whether to laugh or cry.


    Shen Congyun, however, felt grateful and said, ¡°Thank you, Doctor Gao! If it weren¡¯t for you, I¡¯d still be lost right now!¡±


    With that, Shen Congyun strode into the treatment room, full of confidence.


    <hr>


    Inside the room, Li Shengli and Liu Sanquan had also come to watch.


    After examining the girl, Shen Congyun, diagnosed her: She hadn¡¯t had a bowel movement for four days, her palms and feet were hot, she had a fever, runny nose, thick coating on her tongue, and a swollen throat. After further questioning, he found out he had trouble sleeping at night, was a picky eater, had dry stools, and sweated easily.


    Shen Congyun nodded. ¡°This child has always had a weak digestive system. This time, she overate and couldn¡¯t digest it properly, leading to food accumulation and fever.¡±


    Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    Gao-Yuan also nodded in agreement. Children¡¯s digestive systems are not fully developed, and parents often worry about them not eating enough, so they tend to overfeed. This easily leads to food retention. It¡¯s very common for children to experience fever, constipation, diarrhea, and other symptoms due to indigestion.


    ¡°Turn over and lie on your stomach,¡± Shen Congyun instructed, having confirmed his diagnosis.


    The little girl obediently lay on her stomach. Shen Congyun rolled up her shirt and rubbed his hands together to warm them, and then began pinching the flesh along her spine. Starting from the base of her spine, he worked his way upwards, pinching the flesh along her back in slow, deliberate movements. After two passes, he began a technique where he pinched the skin several times before lifting slightly with each pinch.


    The girl, however, found the sensation uncomfortable and painful and soon began to complain.


    Her grandmother quickly tried to soothe her.


    Gao-Yuan asked, ¡°Doctor Shen, are you using the pediatric spinal massage technique?¡±


    Shen Congyun nodded, ¡°Yes.¡±


    Gao-Yuan turned to the grandmother and paused before saying, ¡°Ma¡¯am, why don¡¯t you come learn this? technique?¡±


    ¡°Learn what?¡± The grandmother looked at him, confused.


    Li Shengli and Liu Sanquan also glanced over.


    Gao-Yuan explained, ¡°Pediatric spinal massage. It¡¯s quite easy to learn. Kids are prone to indigestion, diarrhea, poor appetite, vomiting, and other digestive issues. This massage technique can treat those problems, and it can even help prevent colds. Once you learn it, you can do it at home, and you won¡¯t have to come all the way here.¡±


    ¡°Can I really learn? it? I¡¯m not very educated,¡± the grandmother said hesitantly.


    Shen Congyun, who was in the middle of the massage, suddenly turned his head, looking at Gao-Yuan in surprise.


    Gao-Yuan reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s simple. You don¡¯t need to be educated to learn it.¡±


    Hearing that, Li Shengli perked up, ¡°Really?¡±


    Shen Congyun was now thoroughly confused as he looked at Li Shengli.


    Gao-Yuan smiled and asked, ¡°Right, Doctor Shen?¡±


    Everyone turned to look at Shen Congyun.


    His lips quivered. and he forced out a smile that looked more like a grimace. ¡°Uh, yes.¡±


    Gao-Yuan praised, ¡°Doctor Shen is so generous, willing to share his massage techniques without reservation.¡±


    Shen Congyun¡¯s forced smile grew even more strained. In a hoarse voice, he muttered, ¡°All for the people.¡±


    Li Shengli gave him a look of disbelief.


    Liu Sanquan nearly popped his eyes out in surprise.


    The grandmother, however, was touched. ¡°Oh, Doctor Shen, you¡¯re so kind. We¡¯re really embarrassed to take advantage of you.¡±


    What Shen Congyun really wanted to say was, ¡°If you¡¯re embarrassed, then don¡¯t learn it.¡± But he held back, forcing another smile. ¡°It¡¯s fine; just remember to say nice things about me. If any leaders or officials come by, tell them how good I am.¡±


    ¡°Oh, of course,¡± the grandmother quickly agreed.


    Only then did Shen Congyun feel somewhat comfortable.


    Gao-Yuan, trying hard not to laugh, said, ¡°Alright, you continue. I¡¯ll explain the technique to them.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Shen Congyun replied and resumed the massage.


    Gao-Yuan had Li Shengli turn around and demonstrate on him, ¡°See, this middle part is the spine, which we call the Du meridian. These two strips of muscle on either side, they¡¯re... ¡±


    The grandmother interrupted, ¡°The tenderloins?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Gao-Yuan was momentarily stunned.


    The grandmother explained, ¡°My husband¡¯s a butcher. Those two strips of meat are the pig¡¯s tenderloins.¡±


    ¡°Uh, yes, but in Chinese medicine, this is the path of the Bladder meridian. When we perform spinal massage, we¡¯re stimulating the Du meridian and the Bladder meridian, which helps improve circulation and promote health.¡±


    Seeing the grandmother¡¯s blank expression, Gao-Yuan quickly added, ¡°I was just explaining that part to them. All you need to remember is to pinch the muscles two fingers away from the spine. That will help treat digestive problems.¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡± The grandmother finally understood.


    Gao-Yuan pointed to Shen Congyun again: ¡°The massage is simple. Start at the base of the spine and work your way up to the neck, from the ¡®Turtle Tail¡¯ acupoint to the ¡®Great Vertebra¡¯ acupoint. Just pinch along the spine with your thumbs, continuously without stopping. After every three pinches, lift the skin. This is called ¡®pinching three, lifting one,¡¯ and it provides the strongest stimulation.¡±


    ¡°Pinching five times and lifting once is called ¡®pinching five, lifting one,¡¯ which provides medium stimulation. If you just pinch without lifting, it¡¯s the gentlest stimulation. If a child feels pain in certain areas, that means there¡¯s blockage, and you need to spend more time on it. After the massage, always give the child some warm water.¡±


    ¡°If the child has indigestion, diarrhea, bloating, or constipation, you can also focus on the Tian Shu and Zhong Wan acupoint. Doctor Shen, please show the grandmother where those acupoints are.¡±


    With a resigned sigh, Shen Congyun flipped the girl over and demonstrated on her stomach.


    Gao-Yuan said, ¡°See? This is the Zhong Wan, and here¡¯s the Tian Shu. Got it?¡±


    ¡°Got it, got it. Is that really all it takes?¡± The grandmother seemed a bit doubtful that something so simple could work.


    Gao-Yuan replied, ¡°Well, just watch Doctor Shen.¡±


    After Shen Congyun¡¯s diligent treatment, the little girl started sweating and even passed a few foul-smelling farts.


    ¡°Take her temperature,¡± said Shen Congyun, wiping his own sweat. Massage was hard work.


    ¡°Hey, the fever¡¯s gone!¡± Li Shengli exclaimed in surprise.


    The elderly lady looked at Gao-Yuan in astonishment and exclaimed with delight, "Oh my, doctor, your technique is amazing!"


    Shen Congyun''s face darkened. Shouldn''t that compliment be directed at him? Didn''t she see how hard he had been working, huffing and puffing for quite some time?

 Episode 30 Hiccups

    The fever had subsided, and the digestive system was working normally again.


    The elderly lady left with her little granddaughter.


    Shen Congyun didn¡¯t charge them a penny, but before they departed, he kept nagging them to speak well of him once they returned. especially if they encountered any officials.


    At first, the elderly lady agreed readily, but after Shen Congyun repeated his request over and over, she became flustered and quickly rushed away with her granddaughter in tow.


    Shen Congyun was still standing at the door, calling out after them.


    Everyone in the clinic looked at him speechlessly.


    Gao Yuan glanced at the three doctors, feeling slightly more relaxed. No matter what, his efforts over this period hadn''t been in vain. Now, only Zhao Huanzhang remained.


    "Dr. Shen, what are you doing at the door?" A voice suddenly came from outside.


    "Dr. Zhao, you''re back?" Shen Congyun responded, his face showing surprise.


    Everyone in the clinic turned their heads to look.


    Li Shengli took one glance and immediately turned his head back, his expression darkening.


    At the entrance stood a middle-aged man with slightly hunched shoulders and a clean-shaven face. His hair was cut short, and he black-framed glasses, giving him a scholarly look.


    This was Zhao Huanzhang, the director of their cooperative clinic.


    Zhao Huanzhang entered, nodded at everyone, and asked, "How''s everything going?"


    Liu Sanquan replied, "Everything''s fine; nothing major happened."


    Zhao Huanzhang, always polite, said, "Thank you all for your hard work while I was away. I brought some sponge cakes from the county. Please share them. Xiao He, help distribute them."


    "Yes!" He Yu happily rushed over.


    However, Li Shengli pulled a sour face and muttered, "Fake gestures, just trying to win people over."


    Hearing this, Zhao Huanzhang smiled awkwardly and handed the cakes to He Yu, and then turned to Gao-Yuan. "Comrade, are you here for medicine?"


    Liu Sanquan quickly intervened, "Oh, Dr. Zhao, I forgot to mention; this is Gao-Yuan. He¡¯s the new doctor in our clinic."


    "Huh?" Zhao Huanzhang was taken aback.


    As soon as Liu Sanquan said it, he too froze.


    Even He Yu, who was in the middle of unwrapping the sponge cakes, stopped.


    Over the past few days, everyone had grown used to Gao-Yuan being around and had subconsciously accepted him as one of the clinic¡¯s doctors. But they had all forgotten one important thing¡ªZhao Huanzhang, the clinic director, wasn¡¯t aware of this development.


    Looking bewildered, Zhao Huanzhang glanced at Gao-Yuan, then at the others. "A new doctor? Why didn¡¯t I know?"


    Li Shengli, still scowling, said, "Well, now you know. Do you have any objections?"


    Zhao Huanzhang quickly waved his hands. "No, no, if everyone agrees, then I agree too. Our clinic is very democratic. We follow the majority¡¯s opinion. My personal thoughts don¡¯t matter. Of course, I completely align with everyone¡¯s decision."


    He hurriedly explained himself.


    Seeing Zhao Huanzhang''s overly cautious demeanor, Gao-Yuan felt somewhat helpless. This was Zhao Huanzhang, a doctor who was overly prudent.


    Zhao Huanzhang turned to Gao-Yuan, extended his hand, and said, "Welcome, Dr. Gao... Gao-Yuan."


    Gao-Yuan shook his hand.


    After finishing the sponge cakes, everyone returned to their work.


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    A while later, as Liu Sanquan was flipping through some medical cases, he suddenly asked, "Hey, what''s the difference in application between Sang Ju Yin, Yin Qiao San, and Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang?"


    "Oh..." Zhao Huanzhang stood up, ready to answer.


    But before he could, Liu Sanquan quickly followed up. "Dr. Gao, why don¡¯t you explain?"


    Zhao Huanzhang, who had half-risen, awkwardly sat back down.


    Not long after, Li Shengli asked Gao-Yuan about the differences in feeling between a fine pulse and a weary pulse during diagnosis.


    Later, Shen Congyun had some new ideas he wanted to discuss with Gao-Yuan.


    Even He Yu, who handled odd jobs around the clinic, went over to Gao-Yuan to ask about the list of herbal supplies for treating colds.


    Zhao Huanzhang started to feel out of place. He was supposed to be the director of the clinic. Yet, after only a week away, he now felt like a complete outsider.


    After suppressing his frustration for a long time, Zhao Huanzhang walked outside, looked around, and confirmed that he hadn''t gone to the wrong place.


    As he was pondering this, a voice suddenly sounded beside him: "Dr. Zhao, you''re back?"


    Zhao Huanzhang turned around to see Zhang Yuancai. "Yes, Comrade Yuancai, you''ve come by?"


    "Yes, I''m here to discuss the issue of the outstanding payment for the herbs. There''s a new directive¡ªit needs to be paid off earlier than expected," Zhang Yuancai said.


    "What?" Zhao Huanzhang exclaimed.


    "Early repayment?" A voice suddenly interrupted from the entrance. Gao-Yuan walked over and asked, "Did you say the payment needs to be made early?"


    "Yes," Zhang Yuancai nodded.


    Gao-Yuan was taken aback, remembering that in his previous life, Zhang Yuancai had also come to collect the payment. He had thought it was because of the death of Zhang¡¯s mother, but it turned out that it was actually an official requirement.


    "Does it need to be paid now?" Gao-Yuan frowned deeply.


    The situation quickly drew the attention of the entire clinic.


    The farmers who came for treatment only paid 20% of the herb costs, which barely covered the clinic¡¯s daily expenses. The remaining 80% was supposed to be settled with communal funds from the cooperative society, but that money wouldn¡¯t be available until after the wheat and autumn harvests, when the farmers had income.


    Gao-Yuan understood that if the payment had to be made now, things would go downhill just like in his previous life¡ªeveryone would have to rely on their elderly parents or their wives for support again.


    The other doctors in the clinic were all well aware of the situation. They all looked anxiously at Zhao Huanzhang. But Zhao, with his hunched shoulders and timid demeanor, only made them feel more disheartened.


    "Sigh..." Liu Sanquan sighed, knowing that Zhao was not someone they could rely on.


    "The coming days won¡¯t be easy," Shen Congyun added.


    Even Li Shengli and He Yu looked visibly worried.


    Suddenly, Gao-Yuan asked, "Where is your director, Qi? Dongsheng, now?"


    Zhang Yuancai was puzzled but answered, "He should still be at the office."


    Gao-Yuan nodded. "In that case, please take us to him. I''ll speak with him about this."


    Everyone froze.


    "You want to discuss this with our director?" Zhang Yuancai asked.


    "Not just this issue," Gao-Yuan replied. "There¡¯s something else very important that I need to talk to him about. about."


    Zhang Yuancai looked confused.


    "Could you introduce us?" Gao-Yuan requested.


    After hesitating for a moment, thinking of how Gao-Yuan had saved his mother¡¯s life, Zhang Yuancai sighed and said, "Alright."


    Gao-Yuan nodded, then turned to Zhao Huanzhang. "Pack up. We need to go."


    Zhao looked stunned. "I¡¯m going too?"


    Gao-Yuan replied, exasperated, "You¡¯re the director. If not you, then who?"


    Without even taking a sip of water, Zhao Huanzhang was dragged away by Gao-Yuan.


    Watching Gao-Yuan¡¯s bold and decisive demeanor, He Yu¡¯s eyes gleamed as she muttered, "He''s so brave!"


    ...


    By evening, the group had arrived at the county office.


    Zhang Yuancai pointed upstairs. "Director Qi is up there."


    "Alright," the group headed up.


    Gao-Yuan and Zhao Huanzhang waited outside the office.


    Before long, Zhang Yuancai came out and said, "Director Qi isn¡¯t feeling well, so if you have something to discuss, make it quick."


    Gao-Yuan asked, "He¡¯s not feeling well? Well, that¡¯s convenient. We¡¯re doctors."


    "Huh?" Zhang Yuancai was surprised, realizing that was indeed the case.


    Director Qi Dongsheng was a man in his sixties with a lean face and neatly combed graying hair. When the group entered the office, he set down the pen in his hand and said, "Hello, please have a seat. Xiao Zhang, pour them some... uh... water."


    Gao-Yuan and Zhao Huanzhang exchanged glances.


    Director Qi continued, "I understand you¡¯ve come to discuss... uh... something."


    Zhao cautiously observed the director¡¯s complexion, trying to diagnose him from afar.


    But Gao-Yuan took the initiative and asked, "Director Qi, are you suffering from hiccups?"


    Director Qi nodded. "Yes, I¡¯ve been... uh... hiccupping for several days now."


    "Let us take a look at you first." Gao-Yuan offered.


    Director Qi waved his hand dismissively. "No need to trouble yourselves. I... uh... already saw a doctor."


    "Hiccups that won¡¯t stop can be more uncomfortable than illness itself," Gao-Yuan insisted. "It affects eating, sleeping, and even work."


    Director Qi sighed and shook his head, saying, "Yes, it¡¯s been really exhausting these past few days... hic... I¡¯ve already seen the doctors at the county hospital. Even invited Dr. Li Runyu from the Xingsheng Clinic... hic... but no effect.¡±


    At this point, Zhao Huanzhang completely lowered his head. shoulders hunched, remaining silent.


    "Li Runyu..." Gao-Yuan muttered softly, glancing out the window. He knew Li Runyu, the head of the Xingsheng Joint Clinic, was currently regarded as the top traditional Chinese medicine doctor in the county. Well, at least for now¡ªGao-Yuan himself would eventually surpass him.


    It was clear what Director Qi meant: if even Li Runyu couldn¡¯t cure it, then no need to waste more time.


    Gao-Yuan looked at Director Qi and said earnestly, "Just because Dr. Li couldn¡¯t treat it doesn¡¯t mean we can''t."


    "Hmm?" Director Qi raised his eyebrows in surprise. This young man certainly had some nerve! What a bold claim! Hadn¡¯t he brushed his teeth in months?

 Episode 31 Pride

    Hearing such a bold statement, Director Qi couldn¡¯t help but assume the role of a senior, advising, ¡°Confidence is, of course... hic... a good thing, but you can¡¯t be... hic... arrogant. Young people shouldn¡¯t be too proud; you must remember, there are always those better than you and mountains higher than the ones you see.¡±


    At that moment, Zhang Yuancai brought over two cups of water. "Director, don''t underestimate Dr. Gao. Though he''s young, his medical skills are quite extraordinary. My mother was terribly sick before, and even the city hospital couldn''t cure her. But Dr. Gao gave her just two doses of medicine, and she was fine afterward."


    "Oh?" Director Qi looked surprised once again.


    Gao-Yuan offered a polite smile.


    Director Qi gazed at the young man before him and said, "If that''s the case, then today I¡¯ll... hic... see whether this young doctor... hic... is that higher mountain or better person."


    Zhao Huanzhang, however, was growing anxious. He pulled Gao-Yuan aside and whispered, ¡°Are you really going to treat Director Qi¡¯s illness?¡±


    Gao-Yuan replied matter-of-factly, ¡°Of course. We¡¯re doctors, and doctors are supposed to treat people.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang lowered his voice even further. ¡°But even Dr. Li Runyu couldn¡¯t cure him. Can you?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll find out once I treat him,¡± Gao-Yuan said calmly.


    Zhao Huanzhang, still nervous, asked, ¡°What if you don¡¯t succeed? He¡¯s the director, after all!¡±


    Gao-Yuan frowned at him and said, ¡°So what if he¡¯s the director? Treating an illness is treating an illness. Why overthink it? You¡¯re worrying about all the wrong things. You think too much!¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang was stunned by Gao-Yuan¡¯s blunt response. He opened his mouth as if to say something but ended up turning his head away.


    Director Qi had already stepped out and sat down on a chair. He said to Gao-Yuan, ¡°Young doctor, could you... hic... take a look at me now?¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Gao-Yuan agreed and walked over without hesitation.


    Facing such a tough case, Zhao Huanzhang felt a bit bitter but could only follow behind.


    Gao-Yuan asked, ¡°Director Qi, do you have a pair of scissors here?¡±


    ¡°Scissors? I have some... hic...¡± Director Qi, though confused, pointed to his desk.


    Gao-Yuan got up, fetched the scissors, and said, ¡°Please, cut some of your fingernails for me.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Director Qi looked at Gao-Yuan, puzzled.


    Zhao Huanzhang and Zhang Yuancai also stared at Gao-Yuan in confusion.


    Without saying anything, Gao-Yuan just gave Director Qi a serious nod.


    Seeing Gao-Yuan¡¯s earnest expression, Director Qi took the scissors and began trimming his nails. His hiccups made his hands tremble several times, and he nearly cut himself.


    At last, he finished.


    Gao Yuan grabbed an assault and some matches from the table. He placed the fingernail clips in the ashtray and lit a match to burn them.


    Soon, the room was filled with the pungent smell of burning nails.


    Gao-Yuan blew out the flame and said to Director Qi, ¡°Director, quickly bring your nose close and inhale deeply. Don¡¯t hesitate; inhale now.¡±


    Perplexed, Director Qi leaned forward and took a few deep breaths, only to burst into a violent coughing fit.


    ¡°Ugh... What¡¯s this awful smell? Why would you have me inhale that? Cough... Ahchoo! It¡¯s horrible! I say, young doctor, what kind of treatment is this? Is there any logic behind it?¡± Director Qi complained, utterly disgusted.


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Zhang Yuancai, however, exclaimed in surprise, ¡°Director, you... you¡¯re not hiccupping anymore!¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Director Qi stopped in his tracks, instinctively feeling his throat and chest. The uncomfortable sensation of hiccups had greatly subsided.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Director Qi asked in amazement.


    Gao-Yuan explained, ¡°Burning the fingernails and inhaling the smoke serves as the remedy. Its extreme stench causes a rapid downward flow of energy. Inhaling it into your throat triggers a cough, which is a sign of your lung qi clearing. It follows the medical principle of ¡®to descend, one must first ascend.¡¯ That¡¯s the reasoning behind it.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Director Qi no longer dared to underestimate Gao-Yuan.


    Zhao Huanzhang also showed signs of amazement.


    Zhang Yuancai broke into a smile. He had said it before¡ªGao-Yuan was indeed quite skilled.


    Director Qi marveled, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect this young doctor to have such hidden talents at such a young age.¡±


    Gao-Yuan shook his head, ¡°It¡¯s just a little trick, nothing worth mentioning.¡±


    ¡°No need for such modesty, no need,¡± Director Qi waved his hands repeatedly.


    Zhang Yuancai quietly glanced at Director Qi, secretly thinking, Weren''t you just saying he was too arrogant?


    Director Qi then asked, ¡°So, am I cured now?¡±


    Gao-Yuan responded, ¡°If it were a regular case of hiccups, it might have been cured. But since you¡¯ve been suffering for a few days, it¡¯s clear that something inside your body is causing this. This method only treats the symptoms temporarily, relieving your discomfort. To address the root cause, further diagnosis and medicine are necessary.¡±


    By this point, Director Qi¡¯s attitude had softened considerably. ¡°Oh, then I¡¯ll have to trouble you. Please, have a seat, young doctor.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re too kind,¡± Gao-Yuan sat down next to him and asked, ¡°How long have you had these hiccups?¡±


    ¡°Eight days,¡± Director Qi answered.


    Gao-Yuan carefully observed Director Qi¡¯s complexion. He then asked, ¡°Have you had a fever?¡±


    Director Qi nodded. ¡°After taking some medicine two days ago, I had a low fever.¡±


    ¡°Stick out your tongue; let me take a look,¡± Gao-Yuan instructed.


    Director Qi stuck out his tongue.


    Zhao Huanzhang, also observing, commented, ¡°His tongue coating is thick and yellow.¡±


    Director Qi glanced at Zhao Huanzhang.


    Gao-Yuan said, ¡°Alright, let me feel your pulse.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Director Qi extended his hand.


    After diagnosing him, Gao-Yuan asked Zhao Huanzhang to check as well. While Zhao Huanzhang was diagnosing, Gao-Yuan stood aside, deep in thought.


    Soon, Zhao Huanzhang finished and returned.


    After exchanging their thoughts, Gao-Yuan said, ¡°The pulse is soft, slow, and stagnant.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang nodded in agreement. ¡°Based on the pulse and other signs, I¡¯d say it¡¯s due to old age and physical weakness, along with some aversion to cold. It¡¯s likely a case of stomach cold-induced hiccups.¡±


    But Gao-Yuan shook his head.


    Zhao Huanzhang didn¡¯t dare dismiss Gao-Yuan¡¯s judgment and carefully asked, ¡°What did I get wrong?¡±


    ¡°There are two things,¡± Gao-Yuan explained. ¡°First, cold-induced hiccups typically present with low-pitched hiccuping, which worsens with cold and improves with warmth. The patient¡¯s mouth is usually not thirsty, and the tongue is pale with a white coating. Director Qi¡¯s symptoms don¡¯t fully match those.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang appeared thoughtful.


    Gao-Yuan continued, ¡°More importantly, there¡¯s one crucial factor.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Zhao Huanzhang asked, looking up at him.


    Gao-Yuan smiled and said, ¡°If it were that simple, do you think Li Runyu wouldn¡¯t have been able to treat it?¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang froze for a moment. True, there¡¯s no way Li Runyu couldn¡¯t have treated such a straightforward condition.


    Looking worried again, Zhao Huanzhang said, ¡°If even Li Runyu couldn¡¯t cure it, it might be a complex and difficult case. You should be cautious.¡±


    Gao-Yuan shook his head and said, ¡°That¡¯s where you¡¯re wrong.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Zhao Huanzhang asked, puzzled.


    ¡°Dr. Li couldn¡¯t cure it because he made the wrong diagnosis. He¡¯s already helped me eliminate one incorrect answer. How could I possibly get this wrong?¡± Gao-Yuan replied confidently.


    Zhao Huanzhang was taken aback, ¡°Can... can it really be understood that way?¡±


    Gao-Yuan chuckled, then turned to Director Qi and asked, ¡°Director, what prescription did Dr. Li give you? Let me have a look.¡±


    By now, Director Qi¡¯s hiccups had stopped, and he was feeling much better. He quickly stood up and handed the prescription to Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan took one look and then passed it to Zhao Huanzhang.


    After reading it, Zhao Huanzhang immediately glanced at Gao-Yuan. As expected, Dr. Li had treated the condition as cold-induced hiccups, prescribing Dingxiang Shiti powder with additional medicine to replenish yin.


    Zhao Huanzhang secretly breathed a sigh of relief, realizing how close he had come to making the same mistake.


    Dingxiang Shiti powder is used to nourish qi and warm the middle, expelling cold and calming hiccups. It¡¯s for cases of chronic illness, physical weakness, and stomach cold. Unfortunately, after taking it, Director Qi¡¯s condition hadn¡¯t improved; in fact, it had worsened.


    The situation was now clear.


    This is why Gao-Yuan had been so confident from the start. Not only was he more capable than Dr. Li Runyu, but he also had the advantage of standing on Dr. Li¡¯s shoulders, seeing the problem from a higher vantage point. With that, how could he go wrong?


    Director Qi, still somewhat surprised, asked, ¡°So, Doctor Gao, what exactly is my problem?¡±


    Gao-Yuan looked at him intently and asked, ¡°Before the onset of your hiccups, did you suffer from an external illness, like a cold or flu?¡±


    Director Qi was startled by the question, his face filled with astonishment. ¡°How do you know that?¡±

 Episode 32 Better Talk Today

    Zhao Huanzhang glanced cautiously at Gao-Yuan. In truth, the situation had become clear to him right after seeing Li Runyu''s prescription. Zhao Huanzhang was an excellent doctor himself, and by this point, he had figured out the full picture.


    Gao-Yuan nodded and said, ¡°Hiccups, or ergi, are referred to as ¡®retching¡¯ in the Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor''s Inner Canon). Zhang Jingyue discussed it in his Jingyue Quanshu (The Complete Writings of Jingyue), specifically in the section on hiccups, where he explained, ¡®The causes of hiccups are of three types: cold, heat, and deficiency.¡¯¡±


    ¡°Dr. Li Runyu treated your condition as cold-induced hiccups and included tonics to address deficiency. This was based on the assumption that, given your advanced age, your body''s vital energy might be weak. However, your condition isn¡¯t due to a cold in the stomach but rather from stomach heat.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Director Qi looked puzzled.


    Gao-Yuan explained, ¡°You¡¯ve only been ill for eight days, so it¡¯s not a case of prolonged illness, meaning you wouldn''t have extreme deficiency causing the hiccups. But your fever has been growing worse, you¡¯re experiencing constipation, and your tongue coating is thick and yellow¡ªall signs of excess internal heat in the yangming system.¡±


    ¡°You previously had an external ailment, which gradually invaded deeper into your body and lodged in the yangming meridian. This caused excess heat to accumulate inside, obstructing the flow of qi, which led to the hiccups. What¡¯s confusing about your case is the misleading pulse.¡±


    Director Qi glanced at Gao-Yuan and asked, ¡°I know a little about traditional Chinese medicine. Isn¡¯t a slow pulse usually a sign of cold?¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded. ¡°Yes, a slow pulse is typically associated with cold, but sometimes the pulse can deceive you.¡±


    Director Qi looked surprised.


    Gao-Yuan continued, ¡°That¡¯s why traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the four diagnostic methods¡ªobserving, listening, questioning, and feeling the pulse. Each method could potentially give misleading information. For instance, your pulse is slow, but it doesn¡¯t signify a cold pattern; instead, it indicates yang heat penetrating deep inside.¡±


    ¡°The reason for your sluggish pulse is that pathogenic heat has obstructed your meridians, causing stagnation in the flow of qi and blood. The Treatise on Cold Damage (Shanghan Lun) states, ¡®In yangming disease, a slow pulse... Da Chengqi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction) is prescribed.¡¯ You see, even with yangming heat illness, a slow pulse can appear, and Chengqi Tang can be used to purge the heat.¡±


    Director Qi pondered for a moment before asking, ¡°Are you saying that Dr. Li Runyu misdiagnosed me?¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang immediately became tense.


    Gao-Yuan, however, nodded directly. ¡°Yes. If the diagnosis and treatment were correct, you would have already seen some improvement.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang broke into a sweat. Goodness, Gao-Yuan really wasn¡¯t afraid of offending people.


    Director Qi looked at Gao-Yuan thoughtfully. ¡°I suppose the next time I see Dr. Li Runyu, I¡¯ll have to discuss this thoroughly with him.¡±


    But Gao-Yuan shook his head. ¡°Treating illness in Chinese medicine is always a delicate process. We nearly fell into the same trap ourselves, misled by your pulse. In fact, we should thank Dr. Li Runyu. If it weren¡¯t for his initial diagnosis, we might have made the same mistake.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Huanzhang let out a sigh of relief.


    Director Qi chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re quite the interesting young doctor. When you first came in, before treating me, you were full of bravado, even looking down on Dr. Li Runyu. Now that the treatment is working, you¡¯ve become modest and even speak up to cover for him.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang also looked at Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan didn¡¯t reply but simply gazed out the window, looking toward the New Life Clinic.


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Seeing that Gao-Yuan wasn¡¯t speaking, Director Qi said, ¡°In that case, why don¡¯t I trouble you both to prescribe me some medicine?¡±


    Gao-Yuan turned back and replied, ¡°Very well, let¡¯s use Xiao Chengqi Tang (Minor Order the Qi Decoction).¡±


    ¡°Wait,¡± Zhao Huanzhang hurriedly pulled Gao-Yuan aside and whispered, ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we be more cautious? Director Qi is already quite old, and using Chengqi Tang with Da Huang (rhubarb) and other purgatives could be risky.¡±


    Gao-Yuan was speechless. Zhao Huanzhang¡¯s overly cautious habit was resurfacing again. He said, ¡°Not all illnesses in the elderly are deficiency syndromes. Not all old people are too weak to endure aggressive treatment. If the condition is present, the appropriate medicine should be used. If there is illness, the illness will bear the treatment; only when there is no illness will the body suffer from the medicine.¡±


    ¡°If the diagnosis is correct, we should boldly administer the treatment. Hesitation will only delay the illness. If we allow the pathogenic factor to sink deeper into the body, it will be the doctor¡¯s fault. When the disease worsens, will you still hesitate and worry, just as you are now?¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang was left speechless, unable to refute this reasoning.


    Gao-Yuan sighed inwardly. Everyone in their joint clinic had their own issues, and Zhao Huanzhang was no exception. His problem was excessive caution. He had three major fears: fear of treating serious illness, fear of treating leaders, and fear of failing and being held accountable.


    As a result, more than half of Zhao Huanzhang¡¯s medical skills were locked away. This was why, in their past lives, Zhao Huanzhang had privately lamented that if he had returned earlier, Zhang Yuancai¡¯s mother might have had some hope. With his capabilities, such illnesses should have been manageable, but his overcautious nature always held him back.


    In rural areas where medical resources were scarce, doctors frequently encountered critical cases. Yet, when faced with such diseases, Zhao Huanzhang would always tread lightly, often causing delays in treatment. Afterward, he would fall into deep regret, but the next time he encountered a critical illness, his fear and caution would resurface again.


    He was a walking contradiction, trapped in a vicious cycle.


    Seeing Zhao Huanzhang silent, Gao-Yuan fetched some paper and a brush to write out a prescription for Xiao Chengqi Tang, then handed it to Zhang Yuancai. ¡°Can you get the medicine here?¡±


    Zhang Yuancai nodded. ¡°Yes, we can.¡±


    Director Qi joked, ¡°They say Ren Shen (ginseng) kills without guilt, but Da Huang (rhubarb) saves lives without credit. You¡¯re quite bold for a young doctor, daring to prescribe such strong medicine.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang quickly interjected, ¡°Director, would you like to change the prescription?¡±


    But Director Qi responded, ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean? Since when do patients pick their prescriptions? I¡¯m not a doctor¡ªyou two are. If this young doctor dares to prescribe it, I dare to drink it.¡±


    Gao-Yuan gave Director Qi a small smile.


    It seemed these two were in sync.


    Soon, the medicine was brewed and brought in.


    Gao-Yuan instructed Director Qi to drink half of it first.


    As Director Qi held the bowl, he joked, ¡°If this bowl knocks me out, who¡¯s going to save me?¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang let out an awkward laugh.


    Director Qi added, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me that after drinking this, you¡¯ll have to call Dr. Li Runyu to clean up the mess. Some people were talking big just now, weren¡¯t they?¡±


    Gao-Yuan replied calmly, ¡°You¡¯ll have to drink it to find out.¡±


    Director Qi laughed a few more times, then, without further ado, drank half of the medicine. Shortly after, he began to experience bowel sounds and started passing gas.


    However, soon after, he became restless, fidgeting in his chair and feeling a little irritated. ¡°Why do I still feel somewhat agitated?¡±


    Gao-Yuan replied, ¡°You¡¯ve started to pass gas. Now, drink the remaining half of the medicine.¡±


    Zhang Yuancai asked, ¡°He should drink more?¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded. ¡°Yes, drink the rest.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang seemed like he wanted to say something but held back.


    Director Qi took the bowl, glanced briefly at Gao-Yuan, and then tipped his head back to drink the rest.


    Afterward, Director Qi frowned and began fiddling with his collar, visibly uncomfortable. He asked, ¡°Now that I¡¯ve taken the medicine, let¡¯s talk business. What is it that you came here for?¡±


    Gao-Yuan responded, ¡°It¡¯s like this. We came today to discuss two matters with you.¡±


    Before Gao-Yuan could finish, there was a knock at the door, and a young man rushed in to whisper something in Director Qi¡¯s ear.


    ¡°What?¡± Director Qi suddenly looked alarmed. He stood up quickly and said, ¡°Doctors, is your matter urgent?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Gao-Yuan and Zhao Huanzhang both looked confused.


    Director Qi continued, ¡°If it¡¯s not urgent, can we discuss it tomorrow? You see, it¡¯s already dark outside. How about I ask Xiao Zhang to arrange a place for you to stay tonight?¡±


    Gao-Yuan could tell that the other party had an urgent matter to attend to, so he nodded and said, "Very well, Director Qi, if you have something pressing to take care of, we can discuss this tomorrow. It makes no difference to us."


    "Alright." Director Qi grabbed his coat and hastily said to Zhang Yuancai, "Xiao Zhang, make sure you arrange for them to stay the night."


    With that, Director Qi hurriedly left the room, leaving the group standing there, exchanging uncertain glances.


    Zhao Huanzhang let out a sigh and said, "Actually... it would have been better to discuss the matter today."


    Gao-Yuan asked, "Why?"


    Looking at the empty medicine bowl with a concerned expression, Zhao Huanzhang replied, "What if the treatment doesn¡¯t work, or worse, it backfires and damages his vital energy? It¡¯ll make things much more difficult to discuss tomorrow."


    Gao-Yuan: "..."

 Episode 33 Explosive Encephalitis

    Night had already fallen, and it was too late for them to rush home. Besides, the discussion wasn¡¯t over yet.


    So, under Zhang Yuancai''s arrangement, they stayed at the herbal medicine company for the night.


    Throughout the evening, Zhao Huangzhang was restless, constantly sighing deeply.


    It got on Gao-Yuan¡¯s nerves. He sat up on the bed and asked, ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    Zhao Huangzhang replied, ¡°Doctor Gao, I actually want to talk to you about being cautious when prescribing medicine.¡±


    Gao-Yuan was speechless. He hadn¡¯t even had a chance to talk about bold prescriptions, and here Zhao Huangzhang was preaching caution.


    They debated for a while, but neither could convince the other.


    Finally, Gao-Yuan said, ¡°How about this¡ªlet¡¯s wait until tomorrow to see how Director Qi¡¯s treatment turns out. After that, we¡¯ll discuss it again, okay?¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± Zhao Huangzhang reluctantly agreed.


    They finally went to sleep.


    <hr>


    Early the next morning, there was a knock at the door.


    Zhao Huangzhang pulled up his pants and opened the door, only to find Zhang Yuancai standing outside. He asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    Zhang was out of breath and hurriedly said, ¡°Doctor Zhao, Doctor Gao, it''s our director... something happened.¡±


    Before he could finish, Zhao Huangzhang had already jumped to conclusions: ¡°What? Something happened to your director?¡±


    His face changed immediately, and he quickly turned to look at Gao-Yuan.


    ¡°See?!¡± Zhao Huangzhang¡¯s expression was filled with anxiety.


    Gao-Yuan was also pulling up his pants. Hearing this, he looked puzzled and asked, ¡°What happened to your director?¡±


    With regret in his voice, Zhao Huangzhang muttered, ¡°It must have been that Xiao Chengqi decoction from yesterday. I told you, Director Qi is too old for such a strong medicine, but you didn¡¯t listen! Look at this now. It¡¯s my fault for not stopping you.¡±


    Zhao continued to ramble on.


    Zhang Yuancai quickly explained, ¡°Oh, no, no! Our director is fine. He¡¯s no longer hiccupping this morning.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Zhao Huangzhang, who had been pounding his chest in regret, suddenly froze.


    Gao-Yuan looked at him, exasperated.


    Zhao Huangzhang asked, ¡°Then what did you mean by''something happened¡¯?¡±


    Zhang replied, ¡°I meant our director needs your help. His grandson is at the county hospital, and his condition isn¡¯t good. That¡¯s why he rushed off last night, and now he¡¯s asking you both to take a look.¡±


    Gao-Yuan glanced at Zhao Huangzhang.


    ¡°Oh.¡± Zhao responded, turning away to hide his face before quietly getting dressed.


    Once Gao-Yuan finished dressing, he asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with Director Qi¡¯s grandson?¡±


    This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± Zhang said. ¡°You¡¯ll know when you get there.¡±


    So, the three of them hurried to the county hospital.


    <hr>


    The old county was small, with only one busy intersection. The herbal company¡¯s office building was less than a kilometre from the county hospital, so they arrived quickly.


    The county hospital had been established in the 1950s and was the only place in the county with Western medical services. It had 28 medical staff and a multipurpose operating table that could handle simple surgeries like appendectomies, hernia repairs, and caesarean sections.


    They could only conduct basic tests like blood, urine, and stool analysis. The hospital didn¡¯t yet have X-rays or other radiology equipment, nor did it have ECGs or monitoring devices. It had internal medicine, surgery, and obstetrics departments, but no other specialised departments.


    When they arrived at the hospital ward, Qi Dongsheng came out to greet them, shaking hands with Gao-Yuan, ¡°Doctor Gao, thank you for coming.¡±


    Zhao Huangzhang was taken aback. Yesterday, he was just ¡°Comrade Gao,¡± but today, he was ¡°Doctor Gao.¡±?


    Gao-Yuan nodded and said, ¡°Treating patients is important¡ªno need to mention the effort.¡±


    Qi Dongsheng continued, ¡°I should¡¯ve personally come to pick you up, but things here are too hectic. Please excuse the slight. Doctor Gao, I hope you don¡¯t mind.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for formality. Let¡¯s see the patient first,¡± Gao-Yuan replied.


    ¡°Of course, please, this way.¡± Qi gestured for them to enter the ward and then smiled and nodded at Zhao.


    This made Zhao feel a bit awkward. He was the director of the joint clinic, while Gao-Yuan was the young, new doctor. How had their roles reversed, making him seem like an assistant?


    They entered the ward and saw a young boy, about eleven or twelve years old, lying on the bed. He was convulsing frequently and vomiting uncontrollably, with his mother caring for him by the bedside.


    ¡°This is my grandson,¡± Qi said anxiously. ¡°Yesterday evening after school, he suddenly had a severe headache, vomited, and fainted. The school principal carried him home. That¡¯s why I had to rush back yesterday.¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded, now understanding what had happened the previous evening.


    Qi continued, ¡°These two are the county hospital doctors: Doctor Qiao and Doctor Xiao Tian. They treated him last night.¡±


    Gao greeted them, ¡°Hello.¡±


    Doctor Qiao and Doctor Xiao exchanged a glance, both unable to hide their puzzlement. Doctor Qiao, being older, asked, ¡°Director Qi, is this the Chinese medicine expert you went to get?¡±


    Qi nodded. ¡°Yes, don¡¯t be fooled by Doctor Gao¡¯s youth. His medical skills are excellent. And this is Doctor Zhao, who came with him.¡±


    Only then did the two doctors look at Zhao Huangzhang.


    Doctor Xiao Tian couldn¡¯t resist teasing, ¡°Oh, it¡¯s our old teacher Zhao, here to share more theories about meridians flowing through the nervous system.¡±


    Doctor Qiao gave Xiao Tian a subtle glare but didn¡¯t say anything.


    Zhao¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment.


    After all, this trip was initially for Zhao to teach a class to these Western doctors.


    Qi looked between them.


    Frowning, Gao said, ¡°Let¡¯s save the medical discussions for later. The patient¡¯s condition is the priority. Tell me what treatment you¡¯ve given so far.¡±


    With that, he pushed his way forward, forcing the two doctors aside. They frowned, thinking this young man was being quite rude.


    Gao crouched beside the boy¡¯s bed and placed his hand on the boy¡¯s body. The child¡¯s skin was burning like hot coal, showing a dangerously high fever, but his limbs were cold, indicating he was in a state of shock. Gao asked, ¡°What¡¯s the child¡¯s temperature?¡±


    Surprised by how serious Gao seemed, Xiao Tian asked incredulously, ¡°Is he really going to treat him?¡±


    Doctor Qiao glanced at Zhao Huangzhang, who was nervously looking at the child but still hesitated to step forward. His face showed anxiety but also fear.


    Seeing neither doctor responding, Gao raised his voice, ¡°I asked, what¡¯s the temperature?¡±


    Even Qi turned to look at the two doctors.


    Finally, Xiao Tian replied, ¡°39.7¡ãC.¡±


    Gao continued his examination, finding that the boy¡¯s neck was stiff, his back arched like a drawn bow due to muscle spasms, and his vomiting was projectile. He had already lost consciousness and was mumbling incoherently.


    Doctor Qiao approached Qi and said, ¡°Director Qi, your grandson has explosive encephalitis, a critical condition. This illness can be fatal if it becomes severe. The accountant Sun Dehai¡¯s son died from it. We recommend transferring him to the city hospital immediately, where he might have a chance to survive.¡±


    Qi¡¯s face was filled with worry. ¡°But we need transportation to get to the city. The next coal train won¡¯t leave until tomorrow. We can¡¯t afford to wait.¡±


    Doctor Qiao frowned deeply. The accountant¡¯s son had also died because they couldn¡¯t get him to the city hospital in time. He glanced at Gao and said to Qi, ¡°Still, we should try to find a way. Chinese medicine... well, saving lives is what matters.¡±


    Qi¡¯s expression showed his dilemma.


    Gao stood up and said, ¡°There¡¯s no need to transfer him.¡±


    Doctor Qiao frowned. ¡°Why not?¡±


    Gao replied, ¡°Because I¡¯m afraid they won¡¯t be able to treat him in the city, and he¡¯ll just be sent back here critically ill.¡±

 Episode 34: A Degree Lower

    The room fell into silence at once.


    Everyone was stunned.


    The young man spoke with a confidence so large it seemed he hadn¡¯t brushed his teeth in two years.


    Zhao Huanzhang edged a couple of steps to the side. In truth, he barely knew Gao-Yuan, having just met him the day before.


    Gao-Yuan glanced around at the group, his expression steady, betraying no hint of boastfulness, for his words were no exaggeration. In these times, rural areas were starved for medical resources. The illness was met with fear, and many refrained from seeking treatment. As diseases and contagions became more rampant, countless cases that could have been treated early had now deteriorated into emergencies.


    Without access to the better-equipped city hospitals, the villagers relied on rural doctors to save lives. Other physicians shied away from such dire cases, but Gao-Yuan had a dogged sense of responsibility. No matter how grave the situation, he would always give it his all. In his previous life, he had handled many critical cases, carving out a reputation for himself.


    Why did he eventually become the most revered traditional physician in the county? It wasn¡¯t luck. He had brought back many patients who were sent home from the city hospitals to die¡ªpatients whose families sought out his help as a final act of desperation, only for him to pull them back from death¡¯s door.


    With a track record like that, how could he not be considered the best?


    The city''s hospital, with all its equipment, was still no match for what the future would bring. In this moment, it was better to let him work unfettered than struggle to transfer the child to the city.


    Dr. Qiao couldn¡¯t help but smirk. He turned to Qi Dongsheng and said, ¡°This expert you¡¯ve brought in... really something, huh?¡±


    The sarcasm hung thick in the air.


    Though Qi Dongsheng had already been somewhat convinced of Gao-Yuan''s skills, even he couldn¡¯t help but feel his vision darken at these audacious words. No matter how skilled the young man might be, he couldn¡¯t possibly match the prowess of a city hospital, right? The city had cutting-edge medical technology that their county lacked. And there were two specialists who had studied overseas. How could this country''s doctor¡¯s abilities compare?


    Even Zhao Huanzhang, overly cautious as always, was beginning to believe Gao-Yuan was in over his head. He couldn¡¯t tell if this collaboration with the clinic would end in fortune or disaster.


    In the end, all Qi Dongsheng could do was sigh. "Doctor Gao... he''s always been this confident. Let¡¯s have him prescribe something and see if we can at least stabilise the situation. Meanwhile, I¡¯ll figure out how to get the child transferred to the city."


    Dr. Qiao had no choice but to nod.


    Dr. Tian chuckled, walking over to Dr. Qiao and whispering, "Teacher, are all traditional doctors such braggarts?"


    Dr. Qiao raised his hand to silence him. "That¡¯s enough. Let¡¯s wait and see."


    Dr. Tian shook his head, a bemused smile on his face. He glanced at Zhao Huanzhang, then at Gao-Yuan, shaking his head at both.


    But Gao-Yuan was unfazed. He lifted the child¡¯s clothing, revealing patches of bruises on the chest and back. From the moment the child had been brought in, he had been convulsing uncontrollably, with no sign of stopping. Gao-Yuan asked the mother some questions and learned that the boy¡¯s urine was dark, his stools dry, and his thirst insatiable.


    He wanted to examine the child¡¯s tongue, but the boy¡¯s jaws were clenched too tightly to allow it. Unperturbed, Gao-Yuan focused on the pulse instead, finding it slippery and rapid.


    The mother, trembling with worry, asked, ¡°Doctor, can you save him? My father-in-law said you¡¯re very skilled... He¡¯s been sick for eight days now, and even Dr. Li Runyu couldn¡¯t help him. You cured my father-in-law with just one dose of medicine. You must have a way, right?¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded reassuringly. "Don''t worry. It¡¯s not too late."


    Stolen story; please report.


    He offered the family comfort before turning to Zhao Huanzhang. ¡°This child¡¯s fever is scorching his blood, driving him towards convulsions. His heat is deep, his blood has stagnated, and it¡¯s reached a dangerous point. The heat has seized his liver, causing wind, and it¡¯s blocked his heart. This is a critical condition."


    Zhao Huanzhang licked his lips nervously, his gaze darting away.


    Gao-Yuan felt a wave of exhaustion. At this crucial moment, Zhao Huanzhang was hesitating again, unable to offer the support he needed. Unable to count on him, Gao-Yuan simply pressed forward, asking, "Do you have acupuncture tools here?"


    Zhang Yuancai interjected, ¡°There¡¯s a clinic next door; they should have some.¡±


    ¡°Li Runyu¡¯s clinic?¡± Gao-Yuan asked.


    Zhang Yuancai nodded. ¡°Yes, but Dr. Li is out on a call. He hasn¡¯t returned yet.¡±


    Without missing a beat, Gao-Yuan instructed, ¡°Then go borrow their acupuncture kit. I need a three-edged needle and fine needles.¡±


    ¡°Right away,¡± Zhang Yuancai replied, dashing out of the room.


    With a moment¡¯s respite, Zhao Huanzhang finally pulled Gao-Yuan aside and whispered, ¡°Are you really going to treat this boy?¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded.


    Zhao Huanzhang¡¯s face twisted with worry. ¡°Just... be cautious with the medication, alright? The boy¡¯s condition is so severe, it¡¯s unlikely he¡¯ll make it. You don¡¯t want to use anything too aggressive. Try to stabilise him; buy some time so we can transfer him to the city hospital.¡±


    Gao-Yuan¡¯s gaze fixed on Zhao Huanzhang, unblinking.


    Unnerved, Zhao asked, ¡°What... what did I say wrong?¡±


    Gao-Yuan¡¯s voice was calm but unwavering. ¡°Do you know the biggest difference between us?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Zhao Huanzhang blinks, taken aback. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I have an unshakeable resolve,¡± Gao-Yuan said, his words deliberate. ¡°Even in the most desperate moments, I can seize that one-in-a-million chance. But you... you¡¯re so riddled with doubt that you¡¯ve already surrendered before the fight begins. And because of that, you never truly give your all. So when you lose a critical patient, you¡¯re left with nothing but regret and guilt.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang was stunned, the words cutting straight to his core. It was as if Gao-Yuan had voiced the thoughts buried deep within him.


    Gao-Yuan held his gaze, knowing that this was a truth Zhao Huanzhang had once spoken to him in a past life.


    With quiet intensity, Gao-Yuan continued, ¡°A doctor¡¯s battle with illness is like a showdown on a narrow path¡ªthe bravest will win. No strategy, no skill matters if the doctor doesn¡¯t have the courage to fight to the end. You must never give up, no matter the odds. Only then can you hope for victory.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang stood there, speechless.


    Gao-Yuan added, ¡°This is the spirit I learnt in the army.¡±


    Just then, Zhang Yuancai returned, breathless. ¡°I¡¯ve got the acupuncture kit.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± Gao-Yuan said, taking the kit from him without hesitation. With determined steps, he marched towards the patient.


    Zhao Huanzhang watched and dazed as the young man walked away. It struck him then¡ªthis wasn¡¯t just a doctor. Gao-Yuan was a warrior. And he, Zhao Huanzhang, was merely a weak-willed landlord.


    But then again, wasn¡¯t weakness inherent in their class? Perhaps, after all, that was the way of things.


    Gao-Yuan wasted no time. He drew the three-edged needle and, with expert precision, pricked the child¡¯s fingertips and toes, then moved to vital acupoints¡ªBaihui, Dazhui¡ªreleasing dark blood.


    Dr. Tian wrinkled his nose at the sight. ¡°Teacher, didn''t the traditional doctors used to mock us for bloodletting in the past? Yet here they are, still using such ancient methods! Haven¡¯t they evolved like we have?¡±


    Dr. Qiao shot him a glance. ¡°This is their expert. Let¡¯s see what comes of it.¡±


    Dr. Tian shrugged but said no more.


    Even Zhao Huanzhang frowned in doubt.


    But Gao-Yuan¡¯s hands moved swiftly. After the bloodletting, he switched to fine needles, employing the Sparrow-Pecking technique at the Yongquan acupoint, followed by quick points at Suli, Renzhong, and Hegu.


    Acupuncture is the fastest remedy in emergencies.


    As the needles took effect, the boy¡¯s vomiting ceased, and sweat began to bead across his pale skin.


    Zhao Huanzhang took a few steps forward, his eyes wide with astonishment. ¡°He¡¯s sweating! He¡¯s stopped vomiting!¡±


    The boy¡¯s mother, elated, exclaimed, ¡°He¡¯s not throwing up anymore! He¡¯s not throwing up!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Chief Qi rushed over, his voice trembling with hope.


    Dr. Qiao and Dr. Tian exchanged a look of disbelief.


    When Gao-Yuan finished, he removed the needles. The boy¡¯s eyelids floated open.


    The mother gasped, covering her mouth in shock. Realising what had happened, she quickly uncovered her face, calling out, ¡°Jianjun, my boy, you¡¯re awake! How do you feel?¡±


    "Grandson, look at Grandpa... look at Grandpa." Qi Lao''s voice trembled as he spoke, his hands quivering with hope.


    Dr. Qiao and Dr. Tian stood there, utterly dumbfounded, their wide eyes locked onto the young boy¡¯s face as if witnessing a miracle unfold before their very eyes.


    Gao-Yuan, having worked meticulously, finally exhaled a long breath. "Take his temperature," he ordered, his voice steady but sharp.


    When neither of the doctors moved, still frozen in their stupor, he raised his voice with stern clarity. "I said, take his temperature!"


    "Oh!" Dr. Tian snapped out of his daze, hastily moving forward. He fumbled with the thermometer before slipping it under the boy''s arm, his hands now steady but his heart racing with uncertainty.


    Minutes later, when he pulled out the thermometer, he stared at it, blinking rapidly as though he couldn¡¯t believe what he was seeing. His eyes widened in disbelief.


    "Well?" Dr. Qiao demanded anxiously, leaning in as if he might snatch the device from Tian¡¯s hands if the man didn¡¯t speak quickly enough.


    Dr. Tian, still staring at the thermometer, glanced again, his expression unreadable until he stammered, "It''s... it''s down. One degree... the fever¡¯s down by one degree."


    A deep hush fell over the room like a blanket.

 Episode 35: "Did You Write It Wrong?"

    Gao-Yuan finally let out a sigh of relief, wiping the sweat from his forehead before placing the fine needle down.


    Everyone in the room stared at him in stunned silence.


    He had actually done it!


    "Is this... this powerful?" Dr. Tian mumbled in disbelief, turning to glance at Zhao Huanzhang. He remembered Zhao lecturing them about acupuncture and meridians during their training, but the Western medicine doctors had refuted him with modern anatomical theories, leaving Zhao embarrassed in the process.


    Yet now, before their very eyes, this young doctor had used acupuncture to revive a critically ill child. Just yesterday, they had worked through the night without success, and the child¡¯s condition had only worsened.


    "You..." Dr. Qiao stared at Gao-Yuan in astonishment, hesitating before asking, "Who are you?"


    Gao-Yuan looked back at him calmly and answered, "My name is Gao-Yuan. I¡¯m a doctor."


    "Ah..." Dr. Qiao suddenly found himself lost for words.


    After a brief pause, he asked again, "What did you just do?"


    "Acupuncture. It¡¯s an external treatment method of Chinese medicine," Gao-Yuan explained. "In emergencies, acupuncture works the fastest. As the saying goes, ''Half the illness retreats once the needle is placed.''"


    Dr. Qiao¡¯s pupils dilate. Such confidence! Could simply using needles cause an illness to retreat by half? He wanted to be sceptical, but he had just witnessed it with his own eyes.


    "He¡¯s opened his eyes," Dr. Qiao could only acknowledge what he had seen.


    Gao-Yuan added, "This is just a standard procedure for a Chinese medicine practitioner."


    Hearing this, both Dr. Qiao and Dr. Tian looked over at Zhao Huanzhang.


    "Ah, ahem..." Zhao awkwardly cleared his throat, forcing out a polite smile.


    "What medication did you use last night?" Gao-Yuan asked.


    "We used penicillin and aminopyrine, but they didn¡¯t have much effect," Dr. Qiao replied.


    Gao-Yuan nodded thoughtfully.


    Dr. Qiao then enquired, "So, how do you plan to treat him, Dr. Gao?"


    "The patient is suffering from a severe febrile infection, which has already penetrated the deeper energy layers, affecting the blood," Gao-Yuan explained. "Therefore, the treatment must involve clearing the fever and detoxifying, cooling the blood, expelling the heat, and calming the internal wind."


    Both Dr. Qiao and Dr. Tian looked bewildered, their faces showing that they didn¡¯t quite understand but were deeply impressed.


    Noticing their confusion, Gao-Yuan asked, "What¡¯s the matter? Didn¡¯t you just attend a course on Chinese medicine? Didn¡¯t Dr. Zhao explain this clearly?"


    "Well..."


    Now it was Dr. Qiao and Dr. Tian¡¯s turn to feel embarrassed.


    Zhao Huanzhang looked equally uncomfortable.


    Shaking his head, Gao-Yuan continued, "Since the late Qing dynasty, Western medicine has gradually dominated over Chinese medicine, even to the point where some have called for the abolition of traditional Chinese practices. But now, the authorities are requiring that Western doctors nationwide study Chinese medicine, and there¡¯s a reason for that."


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "Our country is still facing hardships, and patients like this often don¡¯t receive timely or adequate modern medical treatment. Our county hospital is severely lacking in medical equipment, and in rural areas, they can¡¯t even access basic Western medications."


    "Only these herbs that grow from our land are best suited to our current situation. They allow us to remain self-sufficient, minimising reliance on foreign resources, and with minimal cost, we can protect the health of the people. Moreover, Chinese medicine can treat serious illnesses. Herbal medicine can save patients from critical conditions and bear heavy responsibilities."


    Dr. Qiao and Dr. Tian stood there in dazes.


    Dr. Qiao¡¯s lips quivered slightly as he said, "I¡¯ve learnt something valuable today."


    Dr. Tian¡¯s face flushed with shame.


    Zhao Huanzhang was also taken aback.


    Even Zhang Yuancai and Director Qi now looked at Gao-Yuan with newfound respect in their eyes.


    "Alright, let''s write the prescription. The patient is still not out of danger, so we must remain vigilant," Gao-Yuan instructed.


    Dr. Tian hurriedly fetched the prescription pad and handed it to Gao-Yuan with both hands, saying, "Dr. Gao, please."


    Taking the pad, Gao-Yuan began writing down the formula for "Ling Xiang Zhi Jing Powder" and included two bottles of "Yu Shu Dan." These were both pill and powder medicines.


    Then he wrote out the formula for a decoction.


    As Zhao Huanzhang walked over and glanced at the prescription, he couldn¡¯t help but gasp.


    Even though he had prepared himself, knowing that this young doctor was bold and decisive, he hadn¡¯t expected such audacity.


    Seeing Zhao¡¯s expression change, Zhang Yuancai asked, "Dr. Zhao, what¡¯s wrong?"


    Zhao Huanzhang¡¯s face stiffened as he whispered, "Dr. Gao, did you make a mistake? Did you mean to write seven qian of gypsum? You wrote seven liang."


    Gao-Yuan calmly replied, "No mistake. It¡¯s seven liang."


    Zhao Huanzhang was stunned.


    Director Qi asked, "What¡¯s going on?"


    Zhao Huanzhang was too shocked to respond.


    Gao-Yuan explained, "He thinks I prescribed too much gypsum."


    Director Qi asked, "How much did you prescribe?"


    "Seven liang," Gao-Yuan replied.


    Director Qi¡¯s body jolted. As someone involved in the centralised purchasing and distribution of herbs, he had a fair understanding of medicinal ingredients. Seven liang of gypsum was indeed a substantial amount.


    But Gao-Yuan wasn¡¯t concerned with their reactions. He continued writing out the prescription with quiet confidence.


    Dr. Qiao and Dr. Tian looked at each other, utterly clueless as to why the others were so shocked.


    After finishing the prescription, Gao-Yuan finally spoke, "People often say gypsum is extremely cold, but according to Shennong Bencao Jing, gypsum is only mildly cold and can even promote lactation. There¡¯s no need to fear its ''extreme coldness.''"


    "Moreover, Zhang Xichun once said, ''In prescribing medicine, the focus is on defeating the disease, not the quantity.'' He treated one patient with over ten jin of gypsum in a month, with single prescriptions using as much as half a jin."


    "His patient ate and drank normally and had regular bowel movements without feeling cold at all. During the Ming Dynasty, Li Shicai treated a prince of Lu who had false cold but real heat, using three jin of gypsum decoction in three bowls. After the first dose, the prince removed his fur coat; after the second, his wool blankets; and after the third, he sweated and recovered."


    "They used far more than I¡¯m prescribing. I¡¯m only using seven liang¡ªnot even half a jin. So what¡¯s there to be surprised about?" Gao-Yuan questioned them in return.


    Everyone was left speechless, thinking, "You would¡¯ve gone with half a jin? What, as if it were a meal?"


    Gao-Yuan explained, "For illnesses like this, the onset is rapid and ferocious. The disease doesn¡¯t typically follow a gradual progression through the defence, energy, nutrients, and blood levels. It often strikes the blood and energy levels simultaneously, causing intense heat, convulsions, and a collapse of the mind."


    "Against such a dangerous pathogen, we must act even faster, stronger, and more decisively. We need to quickly expel the heat with gypsum while simultaneously using rhubarb and mirabilite to drain it from within. We must strike with overwhelming force, for the faster and more decisive we are, the greater the patient¡¯s chances of survival."


    Zhao Huanzhang stared at Gao-Yuan in shock. He recalled Gao-Yuan¡¯s earlier words¡ªthis truly was a doctor of unwavering resolve, a warrior ready to charge into battle against illness, a man unafraid to collide headfirst with danger.


    Zhao Huanzhang believed that even if the King of Hell had set a time for someone''s death, Gao-Yuan would step forward, slap the king twice, and ask if they could reschedule.


    Director Qi no longer knew what to say.


    It was the child''s mother, Gao-Yuan¡¯s daughter-in-law, who finally spoke. "Dr. Gao, I believe in you. You were the one who woke my son just now. I trust you can pull him through this and bring him to true safety."


    Gao-Yuan nodded solemnly and declared, "The prescription is ready. Let¡¯s get the herbs!"

 Episode 36 "No Recovery Without a Crisis"

    The powder and pills were delivered quickly.


    Gao-Yuan divided them into five portions and instructed the patient to take one dose every two hours.


    The decoction was left to soak for an hour before being boiled over high heat for ten minutes to produce two Jin of medicinal soup.


    The high heat served two purposes: to retain the pungent dispersing effect of raw gypsum and not compromise the purging power of rhubarb. Normally, rhubarb should be added towards the end of the boiling process, but in this case, it wasn¡¯t necessary.


    Once the medicinal soup was ready, Gao-Yuan instructed, ¡°Divide these two jin of soup into five portions and administer one every three hours, day and night, without interruption until the crisis passes!¡±


    Only then did Director Qi Dongsheng breathe a sigh of relief. For a moment, he had thought Gao-Yuan was going to have his grandson drink the entire two jin at once. Thankfully, it was divided into five doses to be taken gradually.


    ¡°He¡¯s cautious after all,¡± Director Qi mused, glancing at Gao-Yuan. He recalled yesterday when Gao-Yuan had first arrived, full of youthful confidence, even bordering on arrogance. But once his treatments began to take effect, Gao-Yuan¡¯s demeanour changed, becoming humble and even speaking up for Dr. Li Runyu.


    Now, treating his own grandson, Gao-Yuan had shown a similar change. At first, he appeared fierce, like a warrior raising the mighty Green Dragon Crescent Blade. But as the treatment proceeded, he demonstrated caution and precision, wielding the figurative blade not with brute force but with the skill of a master engraver, working with delicate finesse.


    Yesterday, Director Qi had called Gao-Yuan only because Doctor Li was unavailable. Gao-Yuan had been his second choice. But now, watching the young man at work, Director Qi wondered if Gao-Yuan might actually be his best option. His eyes narrowed slightly in contemplation.


    Meanwhile, Doctor Zhao Huanzhang was also observing Gao-Yuan¡¯s methods, noting how the dosage was carefully controlled. While the medicines were potent and the amounts large enough to be alarming, administering them in divided doses significantly reduced the risk of overwhelming the patient''s system.


    ¡°Is this the secret behind his daring use of such high doses?¡± Zhao muttered to himself.


    Doctor Xiao Tian, on the other hand, was full of curiosity and whispered to Doctor Qiao Zheng, ¡°Teacher, did you hear him say that the child would be out of danger? Is he implying that he alone can handle this without sending the child to the city hospital?¡±


    Doctor Qiao was equally unsure.


    Despite Gao-Yuan¡¯s earlier display of skill, they still found it hard to believe that traditional Chinese medicine alone could cure such a critical condition. At best, they thought, the treatment might stabilize the patient enough to transport him to the city hospital for further care.


    After all, stabilizing the condition was already a major challenge. They had worked all night yesterday with little effect. But now¡­ Gao-Yuan seemed serious about this.


    ¡°We¡¯ll wait and see,¡± Doctor Qiao replied cautiously.


    The medicine was brought in, and the child was promptly given the first dose.


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    Everyone stayed in the ward, including Gao-Yuan, who adhered to his practice of remaining by a critically ill patient¡¯s side until the crisis had passed.


    After about twenty minutes, the child¡¯s condition appeared stable.


    Director Qi, relieved, stood up and approached Gao-Yuan, intending to speak. But just then, both Gao-Yuan¡¯s and Zhang Yuancai¡¯s stomachs growled in unison.


    Director Qi paused, then slapped his forehead. ¡°Oh dear, I¡¯m so sorry! In the rush to bring you here this morning, I completely forgot you haven¡¯t had breakfast yet. My apologies!¡±


    Gao-Yuan reassured him, ¡°It¡¯s alright. Saving lives is the priority.¡±


    Director Qi glanced back at his grandson and then said, ¡°The child¡¯s condition is stable for now. Let¡¯s get some breakfast. There¡¯s a place nearby that sells morning meals.¡±


    Gao-Yuan looked at the child and then nodded. ¡°Alright, downstairs then. That way, we can still keep an eye on him.¡±


    The group headed downstairs.


    The breakfast consisted of flatbread, fried dough sticks, porridge, soybean milk, and steamed buns.


    This was a luxury available only in town. In the countryside, they rarely had the opportunity to eat fried food, even once a year.


    As they ate, Gao-Yuan asked, ¡°Director Qi, how is your hiccuping now?¡±


    At this, Zhao Huanzhang immediately put down his bowl and turned to look at Director Qi.


    Director Qi replied, ¡°With all the chaos, I almost forgot to mention it. Yesterday, I had some relief after I rushed to the hospital, but the hiccups returned later. By then, I was too busy to deal with it and just let it be. Later that night, I finally had a bowel movement, passing some small black pellets like sheep dung.¡±


    ¡°Around ten o¡¯clock last night, I suddenly developed a fever and began to shiver uncontrollably. To be honest, at that moment, I cursed you a few times in my mind, thinking you had misdiagnosed me. Otherwise, why would I be getting worse?¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang glanced cautiously at Gao-Yuan, but Gao-Yuan remained calm.


    Feeling slightly embarrassed, Director Qi continued, ¡°My grandson¡¯s condition was so severe that I couldn¡¯t leave to seek treatment for myself, so I just endured it. Then, after midnight, I broke out in a heavy sweat, and with it, the fever subsided. I felt much better. At dawn, I had another bowel movement, passing more black pellets, and finally, I felt completely relieved. The hiccups stopped, and my body felt at ease.¡±


    ¡°For the first time in days, my mind is clear, even after an entire sleepless night. That¡¯s when I realized your prescription worked¡ªjust one dose was effective. So, I sent Xiao Zhang to fetch you right away.¡±


    Hearing this, Gao-Yuan nodded slightly.


    Director Qi, looking a little sheepish, added, ¡°Doctor Gao, I must apologize. Last night, I doubted you. I ignored an experienced doctor like Li Runyu and chose to trust a young doctor instead. That was reckless of me. Please don¡¯t hold it against me.¡±


    Gao-Yuan waved his hand dismissively, ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. It¡¯s nothing. Don¡¯t take it to heart.¡±


    Director Qi nodded and then asked, ¡°But I¡¯m still curious. Since your prescription was right, why did my condition fluctuate so much last night, with the ups and downs?¡±


    Gao-Yuan explained, ¡°There¡¯s an old saying in traditional Chinese medicine: ¡®No recovery without a crisis.¡¯ Sometimes, after taking medicine, symptoms may worsen before they improve. This is often a normal response, part of the body¡¯s process of expelling illness. As healers, we must maintain the composure of a general¡ªcalm and steady, letting things unfold naturally. Why rush the bullet¡¯s flight?¡±


    Director Qi looked at Gao-Yuan in amazement and said, ¡°I¡¯ve learned a lot from you.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang stared at Gao-Yuan in awe. Gao-Yuan¡¯s composure and daring far exceeded his own.


    Director Qi, now filled with even more respect for Gao-Yuan, said, ¡°Oh, by the way, you both mentioned having something to discuss with me yesterday. I was in such a rush that I didn¡¯t have a chance to talk to you. What¡¯s it about? As long as it doesn¡¯t violate any regulations, I¡¯ll do my best to help.¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Huanzhang¡¯s eyes lit up. Director Qi had finally opened the door for them to talk about the clinic¡¯s unpaid debts!


    Gao-Yuan glanced at Director Qi, then turned to look at the clearly excited Zhao Huanzhang. In the end, Gao-Yuan shook his head and said, ¡°It¡¯s not appropriate to bring up requests at a time like this. Let¡¯s wait until the child is fully out of danger.¡±


    Director Qi looked surprised. He knew they had come to ask for something, but now he felt like he was the one who owed them a favor, yet they were letting the opportunity pass.


    Zhao Huanzhang was also taken aback.


    Director Qi nodded slowly, then solemnly said to Gao-Yuan, ¡°Thank you, Doctor Gao.¡±

 Episode 37 Who Called for Help

    After finishing breakfast, they returned to the pharmacy to look after the sick child.


    Gao-Yuan¡¯s expression remained as calm as ever, while Zhao Huanzhang couldn¡¯t hide his anxiety, frequently checking on the child¡¯s condition.


    Doctor Qiao and Doctor Xiao Tian also dropped by from time to time to take a look.


    The child¡¯s mother sat nervously at the bedside, unable to leave for even a moment.


    Fortunately, after the acupuncture and medication, the child didn¡¯t experience the terrifying symptoms from earlier, but the fever remained severe, and the child was still in a heavy stupor, making the condition critical.


    Soon, three hours passed.


    Qi Dongsheng stood up and looked at Gao-Yuan, showing a questioning expression.


    Gao-Yuan nodded slightly and said, ¡°Administer the second dose of medicine.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± Trusting Gao-Yuan, Qi Dongsheng agreed without hesitation.


    Zhao Huanzhang looked like he had something to say but remained silent.


    Zhang Yuancai hurriedly fetched another bowl of medicinal soup and helped feed it to the child.


    Zhao Huanzhang watched nervously, fearing any sudden change in the child¡¯s condition.


    Luckily, nothing unexpected happened. At one point, the child woke up and went to the bathroom, where he passed an extremely foul-smelling stool. Afterward, the child fell back into a deep sleep, though there were still some occasional spasms, but at a much lower frequency.


    After the prior discussions, Qi Dongsheng seemed less worried now and approached Gao-Yuan with a question: "Doctor Gao, just now my grandson had a bowel movement. Is this the ''drastic healing process'' you mentioned?"


    Gao-Yuan shook his head, ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Qi Dongsheng was taken aback.


    Gao-Yuan explained, ¡°A drastic healing process causes new discomfort, making it seem like the illness is worsening. However, our treatment method involves purgation. The bowel movement was precisely the intended effect of the medicine.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Qi Dongsheng nodded in understanding.


    Seeing the child pass a stool, Zhao Huanzhang¡¯s expression relaxed slightly.


    Another three hours passed, and it was time for the third dose.


    After the medicine, the child had another bowel movement, again passing foul-smelling stools.


    After this, the child¡¯s condition visibly improved. He was much calmer, the spasms stopped, vomiting ceased, and the headache was gone. The child awoke, looked around at his family, and softly called out, ¡°Mom.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes¡­¡± The simple call brought the child¡¯s mother to tears. She had spent the past day and night in anguish, fearing for her son¡¯s life due to the deadly disease of encephalitis.


    She had watched her son deteriorate into a dreadful state, but now he could recognize people and call out to them. Her heart shattered with relief, and tears streamed down her face.


    Qi Dongsheng hurried to the bedside, calling anxiously, ¡°Jun, Jun! Look at Grandpa, are you feeling better?¡±


    ¡°Mm¡­¡± The child responded faintly before closing his eyes in exhaustion.


    Qi Dongsheng looked at Gao-Yuan again and asked, ¡°Doctor Gao, this... this...¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s take his temperature first,¡± Gao-Yuan replied.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Qi Dongsheng quickly went out to call for help.


    Doctor Qiao and Doctor Xiao Tian rushed over. After hearing the situation, Doctor Xiao Tian fetched a thermometer to take the child¡¯s temperature.


    Everyone watched him intently.


    As Doctor Xiao Tian removed the thermometer, he briefly felt as if he were the center of attention.


    ¡°How is it?¡±


    Doctor Qiao¡¯s voice snapped him back to reality.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Doctor Xiao Tian looked down again at the thermometer, then announced, ¡°The fever has gone down.¡±


    With those words, the room fell into a momentary silence, as everyone was overwhelmed by feelings of joy, relief, and disbelief.


    After a short while, Qi Dongsheng, tears welling in his eyes, rushed forward and grabbed Gao-Yuan¡¯s hand, his voice trembling: ¡°Thank you, Doctor Gao, thank you!¡±


    Gao-Yuan only smiled and nodded in response.


    ...


    As Gao-Yuan and Zhao Huanzhang left, Doctor Qiao and Doctor Xiao Tian remained in a daze.


    ¡°Teacher, has the child escaped danger?¡± asked Doctor Xiao Tian.


    Doctor Qiao nodded, ¡°He¡¯s essentially out of danger.¡±


    Doctor Xiao Tian continued, ¡°It¡¯s only been seven or eight hours, though. Even the city hospital wouldn¡¯t have achieved such results this quickly.¡±


    The two exchanged a glance, recalling Gao-Yuan¡¯s bold statements that morning. Could it be that what the city hospital couldn¡¯t cure, he could?


    Doctor Xiao Tian glanced at Zhao Huanzhang¡¯s retreating figure and then at Gao-Yuan¡¯s, unable to help but ask, ¡°Teacher, if this traditional doctor had treated the son of Accountant Sun from the cement factory, do you think that child might still be alive?¡±


    Doctor Qiao also looked at Zhao Huanzhang¡¯s back and then at Gao-Yuan¡¯s silhouette. He murmured, ¡°Gao-Yuan.¡±


    ...


    The next day, during the second consultation.


    The child¡¯s temperature had slightly fluctuated, with a low-grade fever of 38¡ãC. He was short of breath, sweating, and weak, but his consciousness was clear, and he could communicate normally, no longer appearing as miserable and frightening as the day before. Upon checking his tongue and pulse, his tongue was red, and his pulse was rapid.


    Gao-Yuan diagnosed the child with depleted energy and fluids, with his vital energy on the verge of collapse.


    He adjusted the prescription by reducing the gypsum by half, removing Yushu powder, nitrate, and antelope musk, and adding five maces of American ginseng, seven maces of Ophiopogon, and three maces of Schisandra. He prescribed two more doses, each to be taken in six portions, every three hours, around the clock.


    Before leaving, Gao-Yuan finally brought up his request to Qi Dongsheng.


    Hearing it, Qi Dongsheng frowned and said, ¡°I understand your need to delay collecting the overdue payments for some time, but why are you suddenly asking for a large batch of cold medicine?¡±


    Gao-Yuan replied, ¡°There¡¯s been a lot of colds and flu recently, and I¡¯m worried that if it spreads, it will become hard to control. With transportation being inconvenient, the supply of herbs might not keep up with demand. It¡¯s better to be prepared early.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang looked at Gao-Yuan in surprise, not expecting this to be the other important matter he mentioned.


    Qi Dongsheng chuckled and said, ¡°Doctor Gao, you might be overthinking this. It¡¯s the season for colds and flu; it happens every year; no need to panic.¡±


    Seeing that Gao-Yuan wanted to say more, Qi Dongsheng added, ¡°Besides, if you take in such a large batch of herbs now, your debt will only grow. If you can¡¯t use them all and they get spoiled, the loss will be even greater. I can help you apply for a delay in repayment, but suddenly asking for such a large loan, that might be difficult.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang also looked anxiously at Gao-Yuan and asked, ¡°Doctor Gao, should you think it over carefully?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Gao-Yuan was at a loss for words.


    Zhang Yuancai chimed in, ¡°Doctor Gao, there¡¯s no need to worry too much. It won¡¯t spread that badly. Even though the herb market is managed by our company, we still have quotas to meet. We can¡¯t just buy in bulk whenever we want. Please understand our situation.¡±


    Gao-Yuan furrowed his brow.


    The atmosphere became a bit awkward.


    Just then, a young man came running up.


    ¡°Xiao Huang? What¡¯s going on?¡± Qi Dongsheng asked.


    Xiao Huang, out of breath, replied, ¡°Director, there¡¯s an urgent notice. You need to go to the health bureau for a meeting right away.¡±


    Qi Dongsheng was confused. ¡°Right away? What happened?¡±


    Xiao Huang answered, ¡°There¡¯s been an outbreak of flu in the neighboring county. It¡¯s getting serious. There¡¯s a risk of it spreading to our county, so the bureau needs you to attend a meeting immediately to coordinate the supply of medicines.¡±


    Upon hearing this, both Qi Dongsheng and Zhang Yuancai looked at Gao-Yuan in astonishment.


    Xiao Huang was equally puzzled by their reactions. Why had they all stopped looking at him after hearing the news?


    Gao-Yuan quickly pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Qi Dongsheng. ¡°Director Qi, this is the list of herbs I need. Please expedite the process.¡±


    Taking the list, Qi Dongsheng, still in shock, asked, ¡°You had this prepared already?¡±


    ...


    That evening, the county''s top traditional Chinese doctor, Li Runyu, who had been away, finally rushed back. Upon hearing that Director Qi had come to the clinic to ask for his help earlier, he hadn¡¯t even taken a sip of water before hurrying to the county hospital to save a life.


    By the time he arrived at the hospital, Director Qi¡¯s grandson had finished his final dose of medicine, the residual heat had completely subsided, and the child was asking for food.


    Li Runyu rushed into the ward, only to find the little boy happily slurping down a large bowl of food.


    The two of them stared at each other in confusion.


    Out of breath, Doctor Li asked, ¡°You called for help?¡±


    The child timidly replied, ¡°You could call me Jianjun.¡±

 Episode 38 The Chaotic Clinic

    Gao-Yuan and Zhao Huanzhang hurried back on foot.


    Zhao Huanzhang, panting heavily as he quickened his pace, asked, ¡°Do we really need to rush this much? Why don¡¯t we stay overnight in town and head back tomorrow? It¡¯s pitch dark now, and we won¡¯t make much progress.¡±


    But Gao-Yuan shook his head. ¡°No, tomorrow will be too late. The flu outbreak must be quite severe by now.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it only severe in the neighboring county?¡± Zhao Huanzhang asked, surprised.


    Gao-Yuan''s tone became grave. ¡°Our area won''t be much better. Even though epidemic stations have been set up in each county, they were all established this year. The staff barely know what they¡¯re doing, and their response is terribly slow.¡±


    He continued, ¡°The health bureau urgently called for Director Qi Dongsheng to attend a meeting. There¡¯s only one reason for that¡ªthings are much worse than they anticipated, worse than we imagined. That¡¯s why we need to get back immediately.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang thought for a moment and agreed with Gao-Yuan¡¯s assessment. Looking around, he asked, ¡°Should we try to find a wagon going to Zhangzhuang? It¡¯s tough walking like this.¡±


    Gao-Yuan replied, ¡°At this hour, there won¡¯t be any wagons heading to the countryside. Let¡¯s just keep moving.¡±


    ¡°Sigh...¡± Zhao Huanzhang could only sigh and quicken his pace.


    ...


    Zhangzhuang United Clinic


    The clinic was in utter chaos. It was packed with people seeking medical attention, their incessant coughing filling the air. The noise was overwhelming¡ªa cacophony of shouting and complaints, making it difficult to hear anything unless voices were raised.


    Three doctors remained in the clinic, sitting side by side, each with a long line of patients in front of them. Even Li Shengli, the least skilled of the doctors, had a considerable queue, though most of his patients were dealing with mild illnesses.


    Fortunately, before leaving, Gao-Yuan had spent a few days training Li Shengli, focusing primarily on treating colds. Though Li Shengli was still scratching his head in confusion at times, he was no longer prescribing medication recklessly as he had before, a significant improvement.


    Liu Sanquan¡¯s medical skills were slightly better, but when it came to more serious or complicated cases, he, too, found himself at a loss. His cautious approach meant that his treatment efficiency was quite low.


    As for Shen Congyun, the once slippery old fox, he had undergone a significant transformation. In the past, he would have found a place to hide at the first sign of such a workload. But now, no matter how busy things got, he refused to leave.


    His face had been plastered with a smile all day, unsettling the patients. This former grumpy old doctor had suddenly become a cheerful Buddha-like figure, making everyone uneasy. Even several children had been frightened to tears by his sudden change in demeanor.


    Shen Congyun tried his best to maintain what he believed was a kind expression, and he never stopped talking. As soon as a patient arrived, he would remind them to sing his praises, especially if they were local officials. When the patients left with their prescriptions, he would repeat the same instructions.


    Because of his endless chatter, Shen Congyun¡¯s efficiency was the lowest among the three doctors.


    In addition to the sick patients, there were others who came looking for Gao-Yuan.


    Gao¡¯s mother tugged at Li Shengli¡¯s sleeve and asked, ¡°Doctor Li, why isn¡¯t my Gao-Yuan back yet? It¡¯s getting dark again.¡±


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Li Shengli, busy attending to a patient, turned and said, ¡°Auntie, didn¡¯t I tell you? Dr. Gao went to the county town with Zhao Huanzhang.¡±


    Gao¡¯s mother, her face filled with worry, said, ¡°What¡¯s going on? It¡¯s been days, and we haven¡¯t even received a message from him. Be honest with me¡ªhe hasn¡¯t been taken away again, has he?¡±


    Li Shengli was speechless. ¡°Auntie, what are you thinking? Why would they take Dr. Gao away for no reason? Besides, you live in Fucun. Even if we wanted to send a message, there¡¯s no one who could go that deep into the village.¡±


    Gao¡¯s mother, realizing the logic in his words, still wasn¡¯t entirely reassured. She added, ¡°Doctor Li, my Gao-Yuan is a simple and good-hearted man. Please don¡¯t let anyone wrong him.¡±


    Li Shengli, half-laughing, half-crying, responded, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Auntie. Take a seat over there. I¡¯ve got plenty to do here, but rest assured, no one will harm Dr. Gao.¡±


    Reluctantly, Gao¡¯s mother stepped aside, still worried.


    Before Li Shengli could turn back, Yang Dad caught him by the arm.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Uncle Yang?¡± Li Shengli asked, his patience wearing thin.


    Yang Dad, his brows furrowed, anxiously asked, ¡°When is Zhao Huanzhang coming back? When will you all be able to start your village rounds again? Many of the elderly in our village are too sick to travel this far. You need to come as soon as possible.¡±


    Li Shengli glanced at the chaotic scene around him and sighed. ¡°Uncle, I¡¯m worried too, but look around. We¡¯re completely overwhelmed. I haven¡¯t even had time for a drink of water all day.¡±


    Yang Dad looked around, his frown deepening. He was growing increasingly frustrated. The clinic served the medical needs of three nearby townships, with over forty thousand people depending on these four doctors. With Zhao Huanzhang away, they were barely managing the walk-in patients, let alone making house calls to the more remote villages.


    At that moment, Yang Degui approached, handing his father a dry tobacco pipe. ¡°Dad, have a smoke to calm down.¡±


    Yang Dad took the pipe and puffed several times in quick succession, the smoke escaping his lips heavy with his growing anxiety.


    Before he could say anything more, Nurse He Yu called out from behind the counter, ¡°Hey, we¡¯re running low on medicine. We¡¯re almost out of cinnamon twig, gypsum, forsythia, and several others. We need to replenish our supplies soon.¡±


    Li Shengli looked over at Liu Sanquan.


    Liu Sanquan gave an awkward chuckle, clearly unwilling to deal with the issue. He pretended not to hear and kept his head down, focusing on his patient.


    Li Shengli glanced over at Shen Congyun, who was still rambling on to his patient.


    Feeling a headache coming on, Li Shengli said, ¡°I know, I know. The pharmacy said they haven¡¯t received their shipment yet. I¡¯ll check again later.¡±


    Yang Degui scratched his head, looking helpless in the midst of the chaos.


    Yang Dad could only try again. ¡°Doctor Li, you really need to find a solution. The situation in our village is serious. Several people are already in critical condition. I¡¯m not exaggerating¡ªI even brought one of them here today.¡±


    Li Shengli looked over and recognized the patient. It was Uncle Wei, whom Gao-Yuan had treated last time for mistreating Aunt Wei, leading to her severe bleeding. Of course, it was later proven that Gao-Yuan had done nothing wrong.


    It hadn¡¯t been long since then, and now Aunt Wei had recovered, but Uncle Wei had fallen ill. Li Shengli asked, ¡°Uncle Wei, how are you feeling? Has your fever gone down?¡±


    Aunt Wei, who had accompanied him, answered, ¡°No, he¡¯s still burning up.¡±


    Li Shengli said, ¡°Shen Congyun, your previous prescription didn¡¯t work. Take another look.¡±


    ¡°Wait a moment,¡± Shen Congyun said as he reassured his current patient and got up to examine Uncle Wei. He, too, was puzzled. Uncle Wei¡¯s condition hadn¡¯t improved at all.


    Uncle Wei, growing agitated, raised his voice. ¡°Doctor Shen, I feel terrible! My whole body aches, my head feels like it¡¯s going to split open, and my neck is stiff and painful. I can¡¯t even turn it. Every time I try, it hurts so much. Why didn¡¯t the medicine help at all?¡±


    Li Shengli walked over, suspiciously asking Shen Congyun, ¡°Did you prescribe the wrong medicine again?¡±


    At this, Shen Congyun bristled. ¡°What do you mean by ¡®again¡¯? Are you accusing me of always making mistakes?¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s not like you haven¡¯t before,¡± Li Shengli retorted.


    Throwing up his hands in frustration, Shen Congyun declared, ¡°Fine, I made a mistake. You treat him then! He¡¯s all yours.¡±


    Li Shengli, angered, shot back, ¡°Is this how you handle things?¡±


    Shen Congyun stuffed his hands into his sleeves, slipping back into his usual lazy demeanor. ¡°If you¡¯re so capable, you handle it. I¡¯ve got nothing more to offer.¡±


    Seeing the two doctors about to argue again, Liu Sanquan hunched over, trying to make himself as small as possible, like a turtle retreating into its shell.


    Yang Degui stepped in to medierate.


    But the argument had already brought the clinic to a standstill, and the patients in line grew increasingly frustrated, adding to the chaos. The clinic erupted into a noisy uproar once more.


    Yang Dad, witnessing the scene, felt a deep chill in his heart. This was a disaster. How had things become such a mess? When would they be able to go to his village and treat the sick? So many people were waiting.


    Meanwhile, Li Shengli and Shen Congyun continued their standoff, glaring at each other, neither willing to back down.


    Just then, a deep voice boomed from the entrance, ¡°What are you doing?¡±

 Episode 39 In Sync

    The crowd immediately turned toward the door.


    The first person they saw was a handsome young man, followed closely by a middle-aged man panting heavily.


    ¡°Hey, Doctor Zhao is back!¡±


    ¡°Oh, finally! Zhao Huanzhang has returned!¡±


    The patients waiting in line were visibly excited.


    Liu Sanquan, who had nearly hidden himself under the table, quickly stood up when he saw them. He shouted, ¡°Doctor Gao, you¡¯re back!¡±


    Hearing Liu Sanquan¡¯s shout, Li Shengli and Shen Congyun, who had been glaring at each other like roosters in a fight, instantly calmed down.


    ¡°D-Doctor Gao,¡± Li Shengli said awkwardly.


    ¡°Doctor Gao is back,¡± Shen Congyun also muttered, no longer putting on his stubborn and defiant look. He stood upright and smiled sheepishly.


    The patients, packed into the clinic, looked bewildered. Why were the doctors acting so differently from them?


    While the patients were eagerly greeting Zhao Huanzhang, the doctors ignored him and instead greeted the young man.


    Everyone was staring at Gao-Yuan, whispering to one another.


    ¡°Yuan, you¡¯re back,¡± Gao-Yuan¡¯s mother finally relaxed, her anxiety dissipating.


    Gao-Yuan glanced at his mother, gave her a reassuring nod, and then stepped inside.


    Yang Degui, seeing Gao-Yuan¡¯s return, pouted in disdain and turned his head away, though he was careful not to let Gao-Yuan notice his contempt.


    Gao-Yuan walked toward Li Shengli and Shen Congyun, Zhao Huanzhang trailing behind him.


    Without saying a word, Gao-Yuan simply furrowed his brows and stared at them.


    Under his gaze, the two men grew increasingly uncomfortable.


    Finally, Gao-Yuan sighed softly, shaking his head in disappointment.


    That single action filled the two men with embarrassment. One was a soldier of the people, the other had promised to turn over a new leaf, yet here they were, quarreling instead of tending to the long line of patients.


    Feeling ashamed, Li Shengli lowered his head and muttered, ¡°Doctor Gao, I was wrong. I won¡¯t argue anymore. I¡¯ll get back to work now.¡±


    Without another word, Li Shengli quickly returned to his seat.


    Shen Congyun sneaked a glance at Gao-Yuan and, with an awkward smile, said, ¡°Doctor Gao, I¡¯ll leave this patient to you. I¡¯ll go tend to the others right away.¡±


    With that, Shen Congyun jogged back to his station.


    As for Liu Sanquan, he didn¡¯t dare delay either. He immediately resumed working.


    Gao-Yuan hadn¡¯t said a single word, but his mere presence had put an end to the bickering between the two.


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    Zhao Huanzhang let out a sigh of relief and shot a grateful glance at Gao-Yuan. Normally, he had no way of dealing with those two troublemakers. Despite being the head of the clinic, no one really respected him.


    The patients, curious about the young man, continued to observe him. They didn¡¯t know who he was, but they could tell he was someone important. Why else would the doctors be so afraid of him?


    Even the villagers who were familiar with Gao-Yuan were taken aback.


    Yang Degui, however, grew more frustrated, his lips pursed in annoyance.


    Yang¡¯s father, noticing Zhao Huanzhang had returned, quickly grabbed his arm and said, ¡°Doctor Zhao, I¡¯ve been waiting for you for so long. Many people in our village are sick, but they can¡¯t make the long trek here. Can you please come to our village for a visit soon?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Zhao Huanzhang, already overwhelmed by the crowd of patients, was caught off guard by the question. Unsure of how to respond, he instinctively turned to Gao-Yuan for advice. ¡°Doctor Gao, what do you think?¡±


    Yang¡¯s father was also surprised. Why was Zhao Huanzhang asking this young man?


    Yang Degui chimed in, ¡°Doctor Zhao, why are you asking him? You¡¯re the head of the clinic!¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang blinked, only then realizing his mistake. ¡°Oh, right.¡±


    Yang Degui rolled his eyes. ¡°What¡¯s going on? You¡¯d forget if I didn¡¯t remind you?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Zhao Huanzhang was also baffled. How had he become so accustomed to following Gao-Yuan¡¯s lead?


    Gao-Yuan stepped forward and said, ¡°Uncle, why don¡¯t you sit down for a bit? I¡¯ll take a look at Uncle Wei¡¯s condition first, and then we can discuss it.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Oh¡­ okay¡­¡± Yang¡¯s father hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Gao-Yuan¡¯s mother. Seeing her equally stunned, he nodded and sat down.


    Gao-Yuan turned his attention to Aunt Wei before looking at Uncle Wei. ¡°How long has it been since the symptoms started?¡± he asked.


    Aunt Wei replied, ¡°Three days now. It started the night before last when he got caught in the rain. He¡¯s had a fever ever since, and it¡¯s only gotten worse today. Luckily, Degui and the village secretary were coming here, so they helped bring him along.¡±


    Uncle Wei, looking both anxious and irritable, glanced at Zhao Huanzhang and said, ¡°I feel awful. My head hurts, and my chest feels tight. Doctor Zhao, please check on me.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang looked confused. ¡°Isn¡¯t Doctor Gao treating you?¡±


    Aunt Wei smiled apologetically at Gao-Yuan, then turned to Zhao Huanzhang. ¡°Doctor Zhao, Gao-Yuan is still young. My husband is seriously ill, and the medicine he just took didn¡¯t seem to help. We need you to take over.¡±


    But Zhao Huanzhang responded, ¡°Doctor Gao is very good at treating serious illnesses.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Both Uncle and Aunt Wei were stunned.


    At that moment, Li Shengli chimed in from his seat, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t underestimate Doctor Gao. Just a few days ago, a couple from Huo Township came here after walking all day with their dying child. Doctor Gao treated the kid, and in just half a day, the child was not only saved but fully recovered.¡±


    Everyone stared in shock.


    Zhao Huanzhang turned to Li Shengli. ¡°He saved someone again?¡±


    Li Shengli was just as surprised. ¡°What? He saved another one?¡±


    The previously bustling clinic fell into an eerie silence.


    All eyes were now on Gao-Yuan.


    Feeling disgruntled, Yang Degui sneered, ¡°What¡¯s this, a performance? One miracle after another, like it¡¯s an everyday thing? You think you¡¯re defying the King of Hell himself?¡±


    His remark stirred the clinic back into a noisy uproar.


    It wasn¡¯t that they didn¡¯t believe Li Shengli and Zhao Huanzhang. It was just that what they were describing sounded too far-fetched. Saving lives was no small feat, and yet they made it sound routine. Who could believe that?


    ¡°Is this true?¡± Aunt Wei asked Gao-Yuan cautiously.


    Gao-Yuan smiled lightly and said, ¡°It¡¯s just treating an illness. Nothing to make a fuss about.¡±


    Uncle and Aunt Wei looked at each other in astonishment.


    Gao-Yuan then asked, ¡°So, Uncle Wei, would you like Doctor Zhao to treat you, or shall I? If you want Doctor Zhao, I¡¯ll move on to the other patients.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Uncle Wei was still in a daze.


    Aunt Wei hesitated and said, ¡°Gao-Yuan, my husband¡¯s illness is serious. Degui and the village secretary had to carry him all the way here. We don¡¯t have a place to stay in town. How long will it take to treat him? He¡¯s too sick to walk back.¡±


    Gao-Yuan checked Uncle Wei briefly and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s not that serious. One dose of medicine will do the trick. He¡¯ll be able to walk back home shortly.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Aunt Wei could hardly believe her ears.


    Uncle Wei looked at Zhao Huanzhang again, his face filled with uncertainty.


    Zhao Huanzhang, however, quickly waved his hands as if to ward off a snake. ¡°Don¡¯t look at me. Look at him. I can¡¯t do what he does.¡±

 Episode 40 Sweating Away Yang Energy

    As soon as these words were spoken, the room fell silent again.


    Was Zhao Huanzhang implying that he wasn''t as skilled as this young doctor? Impossible. Zhao Huanzhang was known as the best doctor in the surrounding area!


    Everyone looked at the young man in astonishment.


    Zhao Huanzhang was in an awkward spot. It wasn¡¯t that he was being humble; he truly wasn¡¯t as aggressive as Gao-Yuan. This guy seemed to treat raw gypsum like it was rice, whereas Zhao Huanzhang was just an ordinary, soft-spoken landowner.


    "Seriously?" Yang Degui, filled with disbelief, eyed Gao-Yuan suspiciously. "You think one dose of medicine can cure Uncle Wei?"


    Gao-Yuan replied with a smirk, "What, do you want some more of it?"


    Yang Degui froze for a moment, then blushed deeply and turned away in frustration.


    Even Zhao Huanzhang¡¯s endorsement made Aunt Wei relent, and she said to Gao-Yuan, "Well then, we¡¯ll be troubling you."


    Gao-Yuan responded, "No need to be so polite. Let me take a look."


    He approached Uncle Wei, who was visibly irritable, having been unable to sleep since falling ill. He was restless, his body aching all over, his chest tight, and his head and neck in such pain that he couldn''t turn them.


    Uncle Wei thirsted for warm drinks, his face flushed. His phlegm was thick and white, difficult to cough up, and his mouth tasted bland. His tongue was pale with a thin yellow coating, and his pulse was floating and rapid, showing strength. He hadn''t had a bowel movement in three days.


    Gao-Yuan noticed Uncle Wei trembling slightly, with a coat draped over him. He asked, "Feeling cold?"


    Uncle Wei nodded.


    Gao-Yuan touched Uncle Wei¡¯s body¡ªhis skin was dry, without a trace of sweat. He asked, "Since falling ill, have you sweated at all?"


    Uncle Wei shook his head, "No."


    "Alright," Gao-Yuan understood. He then asked, "What medication has he been prescribed so far?"


    Both Uncle Wei and Aunt Wei looked puzzled¡ªthey had no idea.


    At that moment, Shen Congyun put down what he was doing and rushed over, "I prescribed Yin Qiao San."


    "Yin Qiao San?" Gao-Yuan frowned.


    Shen Congyun nodded. "His fever was really high¡ªover 39¡ãC¡ªso I thought I''d use Yin Qiao San to clear the heat from the exterior and bring down the fever."


    Gao-Yuan sighed. No wonder the treatment hadn¡¯t worked. He said, "Didn''t you notice his severe chills, body aches, neck pain, and white phlegm¡ªall signs of an exterior cold?"


    Shen Congyun was momentarily stunned, then defended himself, "But his fever was so intense that I didn¡¯t dare use warming herbs like Ma Huang and Gui Zhi. What if it exhausted his fluids or caused profuse sweating and depleted his Yang energy?"


    Zhao Huanzhang, sensing another issue, walked over, listened to the situation, and frowned, "Using Ma Huang and Gui Zhi does require caution. They are warming herbs with intense properties. Given how high his fever is, using them might intensify the heat and fire, causing Yang depletion and fluid loss, which could be dangerous."


    With Zhao Huanzhang backing his view, Shen Congyun straightened up a bit and nodded seriously at Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan, however, frowned. "Yes, the patient has a fever, but why? This is the body''s righteous Qi fighting against the pathogen. The fever is a sign that this battle has reached a critical, heated stage."


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "In traditional Chinese medicine, fever isn¡¯t necessarily a bad thing; it can actually be a good sign. But instead of expelling the exterior cold blockage, you''re using cooling formulas like Yin Qiao San to lower the fever. Isn¡¯t that weakening the body''s foundation and helping the pathogen?"


    Both of them were stunned by his explanation.


    The other patients in the clinic also turned to watch, curious to see just how skilled this supposedly extraordinary young doctor really was.


    Shen Congyun felt embarrassed and said, "Dr. Gao, you¡¯re oversimplifying things..."


    Gao-Yuan replied, "Then why hasn¡¯t your treatment shown any effect after one dose?"


    Shen Congyun was still somewhat unconvinced but dared not argue with Gao-Yuan. He muttered weakly, "You can''t expect a serious illness to be cured with just one dose, can you? It¡¯s not like he¡¯ll get better in one day; he needs at least ten days or more."


    Seeing Shen Congyun still muttering, Gao-Yuan said, "That¡¯s because you ignored the exterior cold and focused solely on reducing the fever. This results in a prolonged illness, which could later develop into a chronic cough or persistent low-grade fever. With the correct diagnosis, one or two doses of medicine should suffice."


    Shen Congyun, now at a loss for words, remained silent. He lacked the ability to deliver such swift and effective treatments.


    Zhao Huanzhang couldn¡¯t help but ask, "Are you really planning to cure him with just one dose?"


    Gao-Yuan nodded confidently.


    Zhao Huanzhang warned, "Be careful not to aim for too much too quickly. You must proceed with caution. The warming herbs like Ma Huang aren¡¯t like gypsum. Given the patient¡¯s high fever, if profuse sweating depletes his Yang energy, it could be fatal."


    Gao-Yuan replied, "If the diagnosis is correct, then the treatment should be decisive. Why hesitate?"


    Zhao Huanzhang was speechless again.


    Gao-Yuan fetched a prescription sheet. The diagnosis was straightforward: fever, chills, body aches, no sweating, and restlessness¡ªall symptoms treated by Da Qing Long Tang.


    Zhao Huanzhang peeked at the prescription and was shocked, "You prescribed six mace of Ma Huang? Most doctors don¡¯t even dare prescribe Ma Huang in the summer, yet you¡¯re using such a high dose in a patient with a nearly 40¡ãC fever?"


    Gao-Yuan explained, "The pathogen is extremely aggressive right now, and the struggle between righteous Qi and the pathogen has reached its peak. To overcome it, we must strike hard and fast, leaving no room for the pathogen to linger."


    Zhao Huanzhang, at a loss for words, could only say, "Dr. Gao, aren¡¯t you a proponent of cold and cooling treatments? Why are you now using warming herbs like Ma Huang so aggressively?"


    Gao-Yuan chuckled, "Who told you I favor cold treatments?"


    Zhao Huanzhang replied, "You use gypsum so fiercely¡ªisn¡¯t that a sign you favor cold and cooling methods?"


    Gao-Yuan laughed and said, "Actually, I¡¯m even more skilled with warming herbs. We can discuss it further sometime."


    "Let¡¯s not," Zhao Huanzhang quickly waved him off. He was terrified of Gao-Yuan¡¯s bold methods, worried that one day he might prescribe a lethal dose of Fuzi (aconite), and his heart couldn¡¯t take it.


    Gao-Yuan handed the prescription to Nurse He Yu and instructed Aunt Wei, "There¡¯s a stove in the back. Go and brew this for Uncle Wei to drink."


    "Alright," Aunt Wei answered promptly.


    After taking care of this, Gao-Yuan pulled up a table and sat down next to Zhao Huanzhang, ready to see patients.


    Although the clinic was crowded with patients, few approached Gao-Yuan. For one, he looked too young. And two, his reputation seemed too incredible, with talk of miracles like raising the dead, leaving them unsure.


    People exchanged nervous glances but hesitated to approach.


    Zhao Huanzhang, meanwhile, had the longest line¡ªafter all, he was the trusted, seasoned doctor.


    It wasn¡¯t until a few patients with milder conditions grew impatient that they finally lined up at Gao-Yuan¡¯s table.


    Gao-Yuan glanced at Li Shengli across the room and couldn¡¯t help but smile bitterly. How had he ended up in the same boat as Li Shengli, relegated to treating the lightest cases?


    But he shrugged it off. These patients still needed treatment, and he proceeded to diagnose and prescribe for them one by one.


    Unlike Li Shengli, who scratched his head in frustration, Gao-Yuan exuded a calm, composed demeanor, which gradually instilled confidence in the waiting patients. Soon, more of them started lining up in front of him.


    Before long, Gao-Yuan¡¯s line had also grown.


    Seeing that her son was fine, Gao-Yuan¡¯s mother finally relaxed and sat down nearby.


    Yang Degui¡¯s father, unsure of whom to discuss the clinic¡¯s inspections with, frowned as he smoked, wondering when the patients would be cured.


    Yang Degui, meanwhile, shot a disgruntled look at Gao-Yuan, muttering under his breath, "Show-off."


    Just then, he glanced over at Uncle Wei¡ªand was startled by what he saw. He shouted, "Hey, Uncle Wei, why are you steaming?"


    His loud voice drew everyone¡¯s attention.


    They saw Uncle Wei drenched in sweat, his clothes clinging to him, with beads of sweat rolling down his face like streams. White steam rose from his head, trailing into the air.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Huanzhang hurriedly stood up. One look, and he collapsed back into his chair, exclaiming in horror, "It¡¯s over! Too much sweating! His Yang energy is collapsing!"


    Shen Congyun¡¯s lips trembled as he stammered, ¡°This is bad, this is really bad! I told you we shouldn¡¯t have used mahuang and guizhi. I knew something serious would happen!¡±


    Gao-Yuan raised his head, only to see that the queue in front of him had completely disappeared. The small line of patients who had been waiting to see him had fled in fear.

 Episode 41 Quickly Bring It to Brother Gui

    The space in front of him was now empty. Gao-Yuan looked around, noticing that all the other patients were staring at him with fear in their eyes, slowly backing away as if they were afraid of being too close.


    Gao-Yuan looked at this frightened group, feeling both amused and exasperated. He asked, "Do any of you understand what they''re saying?"


    The patients were all stunned for a moment. Right, what were they talking about?


    Yang Degui, arms crossed, remarked, "Didn''t you see Zhao Huanzhang and Shen Congyun? They were terrified. Something must have gone wrong."


    An elderly man responded, "Young man, it''s just sweating; what¡¯s the big deal? I sweat after breakfast, too. Dr. Gao is excellent. Last time, he even cured my constipation."


    Hearing the voice, Gao-Yuan recognized the speaker as Uncle Zhou, a patient who had come in for constipation treatment a few days earlier. Unexpectedly, after his constipation was cured, he''d caught a cold.


    Yang Degui was not convinced. He said to Uncle Zhou, "If you trust Gao-Yuan that much, why don''t you go to him for treatment?"


    "I...," Uncle Zhou stammered, lowering his head while crossing his arms. "I''m just... not in a rush."


    Yang Degui frowned. looking from Gao-Yuan to the anxious Zhao Huanzhang, and asked, "Gao-Yuan, did you mess up his treatment?"


    All the patients turned their eyes to Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan glanced at him, teasing, "What, you didn''t get to drink the last time, so you''re planning to try again this time?"


    "You...!" Yang Degui was furious but dared not approach. Seeing Zhao Huanzhang rushing toward Uncle Wei in panic, he got an idea and said, "If you didn''t mess up, or rather, if you can cure Uncle Wei with just one dose, I''ll drink all the sweat soaked into his clothes."


    Not wanting to overpromise and risk failure again, Yang Degui carefully set the bar as "curing him in one dose."


    Gao-Yuan was speechless, amused, and said, "Why are you so interested in these bodily fluids?"


    Yang Degui waved his hand grandly, "Never mind that. But what if you can''t cure him with one dose?"


    Gao Yuan looked at him with a questioning expression.


    Pointing at Gao-Yuan, Yang Degui said, "Then you must apologize to my sister, in front of the entire village!"


    At these words, Gao Yuan paused, seeming hesitant. Finally, he sighed lightly and, glancing at the surrounding crowd, reluctantly nodded.


    Seeing that Gao-Yuan had agreed, Yang Degui breathed a sigh of relief but continued to glare resentfully at him.


    Gao-Yuan turned his head to look at Uncle Wei, who was still emitting wisps of steam. Observing that Uncle Wei appeared to be in no immediate danger, Gao-Yuan did not go over to check on him. With no other patients seeking his attention at the moment, Gao-Yuan picked up a piece of paper and began to write something down with calm focus.


    While he was at ease, the other doctors were far from it.


    Zhao Huanzhang, terrified, rushed to Uncle Wei and stared at him intently.


    Shen Congyun followed closely behind Zhao Huanzhang, her old eyes wide with worry.


    Even Liu Sanquan stood up, though the always timid and cautious man didn''t dare approach. He could only cast anxious glances from a distance.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Li Shengli alternated between looking at Gao-Yuan and Uncle Wei, his head swiveling back and forth like a spinning top.


    Uncle Wei was overwhelmed by the situation and dumbfounded. "Wh-what''s going on?" he stammered, looking to his wife for help. But Aunt Wei''s mouth was agape. wider than his.


    Zhao Huanzhang, his face serious, noticed that Uncle Wei was still sweating profusely, his clothes drenched, and steam rising from his head. Anxious, he asked, "How do you feel? Are you feeling cold?"


    "Huh?" Uncle Wei, now nervous himself, stammered, "I... I did feel a bit cold earlier, but now that I''m sweating, I don¡¯t feel cold anymore, just hot."


    "Hmm?" Zhao Huanzhang was taken aback. He examined Uncle Wei again, then asked, "How¡¯s your energy? Do you feel like you''re going to faint?"


    Uncle Wei, flustered by the tension, cautiously asked, "Am I supposed to faint at this point?"


    Zhao Huanzhang was lost for words.


    Shen Congyun was also speechless.


    Uncle Wei instinctively covered his mouth, glancing around nervously, "Did I say something wrong?"


    Zhao Huanzhang touched Uncle Wei¡¯s hand and found it warm, with no signs of a critical collapse.


    He was puzzled. Could it be that the excessive sweating had just begun and hadn¡¯t reached the dangerous stage yet?


    Without looking up from his writing, Gao-Yuan said calmly, "Uncle Wei, once you stop sweating, go to the back clinic room. Dr. Li has some clothes you can borrow. Your clothes are completely soaked¡ªyou can''t wear them anymore."


    "Oh," Uncle Wei responded.


    Zhao Huanzhang turned around to look at Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan also raised his head and said, "Sweating profusely only leads to a critical loss of Yang energy if it doesn¡¯t stop. It¡¯s too early for that. Don¡¯t worry too much."


    Despite this reassurance, the ever-coutious Zhao Huanzhang still felt uneasy. He glanced at Uncle Wei several more times, making Uncle Wei feel uncomfortable, as if he needed to faint on the spot to match the atmosphere.


    When it became clear that Uncle Wei was not in any immediate danger, Zhao Huanzhang finally returned to his duties. However, he kept glancing back at Uncle Wei, his worried gaze never leaving him.


    This behavior made Aunt Wei uneasy, too. She thought to herself that even she didn''t pay this much attention to her husband.


    Even after resumed treatment, Zhao Huanzhang kept checking on Uncle Wei.


    Once, twice...


    After finishing one prescription, Zhao Huanzhang looked back again, only to find the spot empty.


    "He''s gone?" Zhao Huanzhang exclaimed in shock.


    "What? He''s gone!" Yang Degui jumped up in surprise, bouncing off the ground in an instant.


    Zhao Huanzhang stood up so quickly that he sent his chair flying, panicking, "Where is he? Where''s Wei Laosan?"


    Everyone in the clinic looked at each other in confusion.


    Just as Yang Degui was about to charge at Gao-Yuan, a voice rang out.


    "Here, here! Who''s calling me?" Uncle Wei emerged from the back room hurriedly, his clothes disheveled.


    "Where did you go?" Zhao Huanzhang asked anxiously.


    Yang Degui, halfway through his charge, skidded to a halt, nearly falling over.


    Uncle Wei, puzzled, explained, "Didn¡¯t you say I should change into dry clothes after I stopped sweating? By the way, Dr. Li, your clothes stink a bit... but they fit quite well."


    The room fell silent.


    Zhao Huanzhang asked nervously, "You''re not sweating anymore?"


    Uncle Wei replied, "Do I still need to be sweating?"


    Zhao Huanzhang urgently inquired, "How are you feeling now?"


    Uncle Wei said, "Much better. I''m not cold anymore, my body doesn''t ache, and I''m not irritable. Just hungry and very tired."


    Zhao Huanzhang hesitated for a moment.


    Aunt Wei chimed in, "You haven''t slept much in the past three days, and after walking such a long mountain road, of course you''re tired."


    Gao-Yuan turned and said, "Dr. Zhao, why don''t you examine Uncle Wei?"


    Shen Congyun couldn''t sit still any longer and quickly brought over a thermometer.


    The two of them performed a thorough check-up.


    Shen Congyun concluded, "His fever has gone down, his pulse is calm, his body temperature is normal, and his overall condition is good."


    Zhao Huanzhang muttered, "Cured with one dose..."


    Both of them turned to look at Gao-Yuan, stunned by what they saw.


    The patients in front of them had all disappeared, now crowding around Gao-Yuan¡¯s station. The line of people stretched all the way out into the street, with some even shoving each other.


    A middle-aged woman elbowed Uncle Zhou, saying, "Hey, didn¡¯t you say you weren¡¯t in a rush?"


    Uncle Zhou defended himself, "I¡¯m not! I was just making room for you guys, so I came over here. Why are you all following me?"


    The woman protested, "You were behind me, and now you¡¯ve cut in line!"


    The two of them began to argue, and the crowd grew even more chaotic.


    Zhao Huanzhang and Shen Congyun were dumbfounded.


    Li Shengli shook his head.


    Liu Sanquan lowered his head, chuckling.


    Gao-Yuan turned to Aunt Wei and said, "Auntie, there¡¯s a small bed in the back. Let Uncle Wei sleep for a while."


    "Oh, okay, okay," Aunt Wei responded hurriedly.


    Gao-Yuan then asked, "What about Uncle Wei''s sweat-soaked clothes?"


    Aunt Wei pointed to the back, "They''re drying back there."


    Gao-Yuan glanced at the still-stunned Yang Degui, then said to Aunt Wei, "Quickly bring them to Brother Gui."

 Episode 42: Fell into the Ditch

    Faced with the crowded scene, Gao-Yuan was both amused and exasperated. Why did they all flock to him?


    There was no way around it. Who wouldn¡¯t want to save time and money with a single dose that cured the ailment? One dose and the illness would be gone¡ªimagine how much money and trouble that would save!


    Gao-Yuan quickly explained again that the previous case was special, and not every patient could be cured with just one dose. After much effort, he managed to convince some of the patients to leave, but a large portion still insisted on seeing him.


    Gao-Yuan pulled out a sheet of paper he had written on earlier and called out, ¡°Shengli, come here for a moment.¡±


    Li Shengli, who had been scratching his head in frustration, immediately walked over when he heard Gao-Yuan calling. ¡°What is it? Dr. Gao?¡± asked.


    Gao-Yuan replied, ¡°Here''s the thing: you should stop diagnosing patients by yourself for now. It¡¯s too slow. Look at this sheet I¡¯ve prepared¡ªit lists symptoms like body pain, chills, coughing, and so on. You take this and ask patients about their symptoms, checking off the ones they have.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Li Shengli glanced at his small group of patients and hesitated, ¡°What about my patients?¡±


    ¡°Send them to me,¡± Gao-Yuan replied.


    As soon as the words left his mouth, Li Shengli¡¯s patients were gone in the blink of an eye.


    Li Shengli was momentarily speechless, but in the end, he could only smile bitterly and grab the symptom checklist to start working.


    With Li Shengli¡¯s help, the efficiency on Gao Yuan¡¯s side quickly improved. Gao-Yuan even found the time to curse Shen Congyun, telling the old man to stop rambling so much.


    After being scolded, Shen Congyun finally quieted down and stopped his incessant muttering.


    Although Li Shengli wasn¡¯t independently diagnosing patients anymore, their treatment efficiency surged. He Yu, who was in charge of dispensing medicine, was so busy she nearly resembled a thousand-armed Bodhisattva.


    Yang¡¯s father, who was watching from the side, tried several times to bring up the matter on his mind. However, seeing how overwhelmed the doctors were, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to interrupt. In the end, he could only sigh heavily and silently puff on his cigarette, though his anxiety was palpable¡ªafter all, so many people were still waiting for him.


    Yang¡¯s father paced back and forth anxiously and suddenly spotted his son squatting on the ground, playing with ants. A wave of anger surged up within him, and he marched over, delivering a heavy slap to his son¡¯s head.


    Yang Degui nearly fell flat on the ground. ¡°Dad, why¡¯d you hit me?¡± he cried out.


    ¡°I¡¯m bored!¡± Yang¡¯s father snapped.


    With that, he gave his son two more big slaps.


    Seeing that the village secretary was about to lose his mind, even Yang¡¯s mother didn¡¯t know what to do.


    At that moment, a voice came from the front gate: ¡°Dr. Gao, the herbs you ordered have arrived.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re here!¡± Gao-Yuan quickly got up and ran outside.


    Zhao Huanzhang also looked toward the door, recognizing the voice of Zhang Yuancai, who had come to deliver the medicinal herbs. Zhao had been about to go out and help, but before he could stand, he saw that Gao-Yuan had already gone, leaving him feeling increasingly irrelevant as the clinic¡¯s director.


    Outside, Zhang Yuancai greeted Gao-Yuan, quickly unloaded the herbs, and hurried off with his mule cart without even taking a sip of water.


    Gao-Yuan didn¡¯t dare delay. He immediately called for He Yu to help divide the herbs and then headed back inside, where he found Yang¡¯s father still beating his son.


    ¡°Yuan¡­¡± Yang¡¯s mother was at a loss for what to do.


    Gao-Yuan quickly intervened, ¡°Uncle, stop! That¡¯s enough.¡±


    Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Yang¡¯s father asked, panting.


    ¡°The herbs have arrived. Let¡¯s discuss what to do next,¡± Gao-Yuan explained.


    Joy spread across Yang¡¯s father¡¯s face. ¡°We can talk business now?¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded.


    ¡°Great!¡± Yang¡¯s father clapped his hands and looked at Yang Degui, thinking that if he¡¯d known beating his son would solve the problem, he would have done it earlier.


    Eagerly, he turned to Gao-Yuan and asked, ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan? When will you start the village visits?¡±


    Gao-Yuan got straight to the point: ¡°As soon as we finish treating the patients here, I¡¯ll organize a team to visit the village.¡±


    Yang¡¯s father hesitated, ¡°You¡¯ll organize it? Shouldn¡¯t we call Dr. Zhao over to discuss it as well?¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You and I can handle it. Whatever I say now counts.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Yang¡¯s father was a bit stunned, staring at Gao-Yuan in disbelief. Has this kid really risen so high in such a short time, becoming someone whose word counts?


    ¡°Alright,¡± Yang¡¯s father quickly agreed.


    Pointing to the pile of herbs outside, Gao-Yuan said, ¡°Uncle, see those herbs outside? You need to transport them to the village as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Yang¡¯s father was taken aback, thinking he must have misheard.


    Gao-Yuan continued, ¡°Uncle, it''s really inconvenient for people from the surrounding villages to come here for medicine. I plan to send a batch of herbs into the village so that after we prescribe them, you can collect the medicine there directly without needing to make the trip.¡±


    Realizing what was happening, Yang¡¯s father was overjoyed. He nodded enthusiastically, his words spilling out quickly with excitement, ¡°That¡¯s fantastic! I was just worrying about how we¡¯d get the medicine. Do you know how tough it is to travel tens of miles through the mountains? If we can get the herbs delivered to the village, it¡¯ll save us so much trouble. You¡¯ve really helped us out!¡±


    Yang¡¯s father was genuinely moved. They¡¯d had infectious diseases in the past, but no one had ever brought medicine directly into the village. Villagers had to walk for hours just to pick up their prescriptions, making it difficult to treat patients.


    This time, with herbs being delivered to the village, everything would be so much easier!


    Gao-Yuan added, ¡°Uncle, I¡¯m afraid it¡¯ll be hard work for you, bringing these herbs into the village.¡±


    Yang¡¯s father waved him off, ¡°That¡¯s a small matter.¡±


    ¡°One more thing,¡± Gao-Yuan continued. ¡°I plan to let the nearby villages¡¯ patients come to your village to pick up their herbs, so they don¡¯t have to make the trip here.¡±


    Yang¡¯s father agreed, ¡°That¡¯s fine, no problem. It¡¯s just as hard for them to get medicine as it is for us. Let them come to our village¡ªI¡¯ll handle that.¡±


    ¡°Great!¡± Gao-Yuan nodded quickly, then added, ¡°But if people from other villages come regularly to get medicine, it might cut into your work hours and cause you to lose labor points. About that compensation...


    Before he could finish, Yang¡¯s father cut him off. ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Gao-Yuan was startled.


    Yang¡¯s father patted his chest and said solemnly, ¡°I¡¯m a Party member!¡±


    Gao-Yuan stood at attention, saluting him with a serious nod. ¡°Understood.¡±


    Soon, the herbs were loaded onto a wheelbarrow. Gao-Yuan wrote the names of the herbs on small pieces of paper and tied them to the bags so they wouldn¡¯t get mixed up.


    Once everything was ready, Gao-Yuan said to Yang¡¯s father, ¡°Uncle, once we¡¯ve finished with these patients, we¡¯ll head to the village immediately.¡±


    Yang¡¯s father was moved. He grabbed Gao-Yuan¡¯s hand, saying, ¡°Thank you so much, Xiao-Yuan. Our village patients owe you a great deal of thanks.¡±


    Gao-Yuan responded earnestly, ¡°It¡¯s what I¡¯m here for. Now, hurry and get the herbs back to the village.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Yang¡¯s father called to Yang Degui, ¡°Quick! Take the cart!¡±


    Yang Degui looped the cart¡¯s strap around his neck, lifted it up, and began to pull. After just a few steps, though, he hit a rock, stumbling and nearly flipping the cart over.


    Yang¡¯s father flew into a rage, shouting, ¡°How did I raise such a useless son? Get out of the way and let me do it.¡±


    With a single hand, Yang¡¯s father pulled the cart upright. With another hand, he steadied the load effortlessly. Taking two steps forward, he said, ¡°See? This is easy! How could you make it look so difficult?¡±


    Yang Degui¡¯s face turned sore.


    Unable to resist lecturing, Yang¡¯s father continued, ¡°You young folks these days just don¡¯t know what hardship is. Back when we were supporting the front lines, no matter where the army went, we delivered supplies. We pushed wheelbarrows through water and over mountains. What kind of road haven¡¯t I traveled? And you¡¯re stumbling over flat ground? Useless!¡±


    Yang Degui, arms crossed, scowled deeply.


    After berating his son, Yang¡¯s father decided to push the cart himself. He lit his tobacco pipe with his left hand while single-handedly controlling the cart with his right, moving swiftly down the road.


    From behind, Gao-Yuan called out, ¡°Uncle, be careful! It¡¯s dark!¡±


    Yang¡¯s father scoffed, full of disdain, ¡°This? It¡¯s like playing with a child''s toy. Careful about what?¡±


    Not only did he ignore Gao-Yuan¡¯s warning, but he also sped up. With a full load, he was eager to get back.


    Before he could go far, the darkness obscured his path. He pushed the wheelbarrow too quickly, and the wheel struck a rock. The cart tipped to one side, right over a dry ditch on the side of the road. In an instant, both Yang¡¯s father and the cart tumbled into the ditch together.


    Gao-Yuan was shocked.


    Yang Degui, startled at first, then burst out laughing, clapping his hands, ¡°Ha! My dad fell into the ditch!¡±

 Episode 43 I Just Knew It

    They worked late into the night, finally treating the last of the patients at the clinic.


    "Oh my back..." Shen Congyun groaned, pounding his aching lower back as he struggled to stand up. "Good grief, I''ve practiced medicine for so many years, and I''ve never been this exhausted."


    Li Shengli glanced over at Shen Congyun, ready to snap at him. But seeing the old man had, for the first time, stayed late into the night with them, Li swallowed his words.


    Zhao Huanzhang let out a long sigh. He had rushed back from the county earlier without a moment¡¯s rest and had worked non-stop since then. After taking a sip of water, she asked, "Doctor Gao, are you planning to send all those medicinal herbs to the village?"


    Gao-Yuan nodded. "Yes, it''s too difficult for rural areas to get proper medicine. If we want to win this battle, we can''t afford any supply problems with the herbs."


    Zhao Huanzhang thought for a moment and then asked, "Are you planning to organize us to go on a medical tour of the villages?"


    "Exactly," Gao-Yuan replied with a firm nod.


    "When do you plan for us to go?" Zhao Huang inquired further.


    The other doctors turned their gazes toward Gao-Yuan.


    In truth, without realizing it, Gao-Yuan had become the central figure of the joint clinic. Even Zhao Huanzhang, the director, now sought his input on all important matters.


    Looking at the expectant faces of the others, Gao-Yuan said, "We''ll leave now."


    "Now?" All four doctors stared at him in disbelief.


    "What time is it?" Shen Congyun looked outside into the pitch-black night.


    Zhao Huanzhang tried to reason with him. "Doctor Gao, if we leave now, we''ll only arrive at your village by dawn. It''s too rushed. Let''s get some rest first. You know, sharpening the axe won''t delay the job of cutting firewood."


    "He''s right," the others chimed in, echoing Zhao¡¯s sentiment.


    But Gao Yuan shook his head resolutely. "No, we must leave right now!"


    "But why?" Shen Congyun couldn''t help but ask.


    "Over forty thousand people across three villages are waiting for us five doctors." Gao-Yuan explained seriously. "The situation is critical. If we delay even one day, the number of patients will increase, and their conditions will worsen. The faster we act, the better our chances of winning this fight."


    "Alright, it''s just a night march. I''m in!" Li Shengli slapped the table and stood up with enthusiasm.


    He was eager, but the others looked more reluctant, especially Zhao Huanzhang, who was on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion.


    Shen Congyun folded his arms and his face, a picture of reluctance.


    Gao-Yuan understood their fatigue, but the urgency of the situation left no room for rest. His ultimate goal wasn¡¯t just the nearby villages but also Huo Village, deep in the countryside.


    Supporting Huo Village was his final objective!


    If they didn¡¯t speed up, what would happen to Huo Village?


    Gao-Yuan glanced at the fired-up Li Shengli and then at the other three, who were still dragging their feet. His brows furrowed.


    Zhao Huanzhang tried to persuade him again. "Doctor Gao, I know you''re enthusiastic, but you have to consider the reality of the situation. We¡¯ve all been working non-stop and need to rest. I¡¯m sure the other doctors in the village clinics are already asleep. No one else is rushing to visit the patients overnight."


    Gao-Yuan replied, "Precisely because they won¡¯t travel overnight, we must."


    "Why?" Zhao Huanzhang was puzzled.


    "Because you are different from them," Gao-Yuan said firmly.


    Shen Congyun, already confused, couldn¡¯t hold back anymore. "How are we different? We all have two shoulders and one head, don¡¯t we?"


    Gao-Yuan looked directly at Shen Congyun. "How can you say that? Have they ever endured the hardships you''ve gone through? Do they bear the same responsibilities as you? Have you forgotten the bitter humiliation when you were forced to marry? into the Yan family, to the point where you couldn¡¯t even keep your own family name?"


    Shen Congyun was stunned into silence.


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    "You once said you wanted to draw the attention of important figures. You wanted to restore the honor of the Shen family. You wanted your sons to be able to reclaim Shen''s name. If you go back to sleep like the other doctors, how will anyone ever notice you? How will you ever stand out?" Gao-Yuan continued.


    These words struck straight to Shen Congyun''s heart.


    Sure enough, after hearing them, his lips trembled.


    Gao-Yuan pressed on. "For the revival of the Shen family, you¡¯ve endured decades of suffering. What¡¯s one more sleepless night climbing a mountain? You are the hope of your entire family!"


    Shen Congyun slowly raised his head.


    Zhao Huanzhang could see the fire igniting in Shen Congyun¡¯s eyes. He was astonished¡ªjust a few words, and Gao-Yuan had managed to stir up the old man¡¯s fighting spirit?


    Before Zhao could fully process what was happening, he felt Gao-Yuan¡¯s gaze land on him.


    Zhao Huanzhang froze.


    Gao-Yuan said, "You are even more different. You¡¯re not a small landlord; your family is one of the most prominent landowners around!"


    Zhao Huanzhang¡¯s face darkened at the mention.


    "But you are also the joint heir to the Menghe Medical School, one of the Four Great Medical Houses. You¡¯ve learned so much, yet now you¡¯re content to be cautious. fearful doctor? Does that satisfy you? Have you forgotten your grand oath to alleviate the suffering of all living beings?"


    "I¡­" Zhao Huanzhang faltered, unsure how to respond.


    Gao-Yuan¡¯s eyes locked with his. "I know what¡¯s holding you back. I understand your caution. I know your junior brother Zhu is now the esteemed director of the city¡¯s Chinese medicine hospital and a representative of the area. And here you are just an anonymous rural doctor. But now is the best time for Chinese medicine! You have the chance to prove yourself. If Zhu could do it, so can you!"


    Placing a hand on Zhao Huanzhang¡¯s shoulder, Gao-Yuan said, "Doctor Zhao, our people are suffering. They need you! You, too, can become one of our comrades!"


    "C-comrades¡­" Zhao Huanzhang stammered over the unfamiliar word, something he had never dared to dream of.


    Zhao glanced over at Li Shengli, who, despite their usual rivalry, now nodded firmly in agreement.


    Seeing even Li Shengli acknowledge it, Zhao Huanzhang felt his own spirit ignite. The fire in Shen Congyun¡¯s eyes was now reflected in his own, burning even brighter!


    In that moment, Zhao Huanzhang, too, was filled with passion!


    Liu Sanquan, watching this unfold, was stunned. He couldn¡¯t help but marvel at how skillfully Gao-Yuan had managed to fire up these men with just a few words, rousing them to such a fever pitch that they refused to rest.


    As Gao-Yuan approached, Liu Sanquan¡¯s heart began to race uncontrollably, his breathing quickening. He stared at Gao-Yuan¡¯s face, eagerly wondering how he would inspire him. Deep down, he too longed for his own moment of passion.


    Gao-Yuan patted Liu Sanquan on the shoulder and said, "Doctor Liu, you¡¯ll stay here at the clinic."


    "Huh?" Liu Sanquan thought he must have misheard.


    "We can''t all leave; otherwise, there''ll be no one to treat the patients who come to the clinic," Gao-Yuan explained.


    Liu Sanquan was on the verge of tears. He looked around in disbelief¡ªwhy had the script suddenly changed for him?


    ¡­


    Late at night, in Fu Village.


    Grandpa Yang stood leaning on his cane, gazing expectantly toward the village entrance.


    Several people nearby were trying to persuade him to go back home.


    But Grandpa Yang stubbornly shaken his head. "So many people in the village are sick. We desperately need doctors. I¡¯m waiting for Xiaoyuan to return!"


    Uncle Zhang sighed. "Oh, my dear Grandpa Yang, look at the time. Who¡¯s going to come now?"


    Grandpa Yang, eyes still fixed on the distant darkness, replied, "Xiaoyuan said he¡¯d come, and he will. I believe him."


    The others fell silent.


    Uncle Zhang shook his head. "We¡¯re lucky that the clinic doctors visit our village regularly at all. I¡¯ve lived in Fu Village for decades, and I¡¯ve never seen a doctor come here in the middle of the night to treat patients."


    Others joined in with their opinions.


    "Yes, if they come tomorrow, we should count ourselves lucky."


    "I doubt they''ll even come tomorrow. The other villages also have many sick people. They¡¯ve always prioritized the outer villages; whoever cares about us?"


    "Exactly, Grandpa Yang, just go home. Don¡¯t rely on Gao-Yuan¡¯s word. Do you really believe him? After all, he¡¯s just a¡ª"


    Grandpa Yang shot a glare at the man, thumping his cane on the ground. "What did you just say?"


    The man swallowed his words, but his face still showed defiance, as if he believed what he said was the truth.


    Uncle Zhang turned to Father Yang and asked, "What did they say earlier? Did they mention they were coming tonight?"


    Father Yang, smoking his pipe and rubbing the sore spot from his fall, frowned. ¡°Xiao Yuan said that after treating the patients at the clinic, they''d come right away.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Uncle Zhang sighed in exasperation. ¡°So, they never actually said they''d come tonight¡ªjust that they''d come as soon as possible?¡±


    ¡°I...¡± Yang¡¯s father was at a loss for words.


    Uncle Zhang clapped his hands together and said, ¡°Forget it. It''s not happening tonight. We¡¯ll just have to wait and see tomorrow.¡±


    With that, Uncle Zhang left, followed by the others who had been waiting.


    Yang¡¯s father finished his last cigarette, but no one came. The night had grown deeper, and he turned to persuade his father. "Dad, let''s go back. They¡¯re not coming tonight. It¡¯s my fault for not making things clearer.¡±


    Old Man Yang shook his head. ¡°No, they will come. I believe Xiao Yuan will make the trip tonight. He definitely will.¡±


    Yang¡¯s father didn¡¯t know how to persuade him anymore. With a deep sigh, unable to argue with his stubborn father, he went home and brought back a whole sack of tobacco. prepared to stay out until dawn.


    It was late into the night when a light drizzle began to fall.


    ¡°It¡¯s raining, Dad. Let¡¯s go back,¡± Yang¡¯s father urged, trying to pull him away.


    But Old Man Yang stood firm, staring into the distance. No matter what, he refused to leave.


    Yang¡¯s father was on the verge of jumping up in frustration.


    And just then, several dim lantern lights appeared in the distance, cutting through the darkness. A few stumbling figures could be seen, drenched in rain, struggling their way up the mountain.


    Old Man Yang straightened up, his cane striking the ground with force. His voice trembled with excitement as he exclaimed, ¡°I knew it! I just knew it!¡±

 Episode 44 Acknowledging Glances

    The next morning.


    In the countryside, people wake up very early. As soon as the sky brightened, most were already awake. They looked out their windows and noticed it was still raining. Knowing there wouldn''t be any work to rush for today, they decided to go back to sleep for a bit longer.


    Just as they lay down, they heard voices outside.


    "Hey, the clinic doctors have come to the village for a health check-up! They¡¯re at the main hall. If you''re sick, grab your health book and some money and hurry over for treatment. They¡¯ll be leaving by noon!"


    The voice echoed, repeating over and over from near and far.


    Grandpa Zhang was still feverish. Upon hearing this, he groggily opened his eyes and asked, ¡°Who¡¯s shouting outside?¡±


    Grandma Zhang was busy dressing their puppy and grumbled, ¡°Who else? It¡¯s that kid, Degui.¡±


    Grandpa Zhang squinted out the window and coughed, ¡°Cough. Did the doctors come to the village?¡±


    Grandma Zhang snapped back, ¡°It¡¯s barely dawn. Do you think the doctors flew over? That Degui is so thoughtless. He''s grown up, but still talks nonsense!¡±


    Grandpa Zhang let out a disappointed sigh, feeling short of breath. After coughing twice, he said, ¡°Cough... That brat needs a good beating from his father.¡±


    No sooner had he said this than Yang Degui¡¯s voice echoed again.


    ¡°The medicine has been brought to the village too! After you see the doctor, you can get your prescription filled right here. No need to travel to the town! The sooner you take the medicine, the sooner you¡¯ll get better!¡±


    Grandpa Zhang closed his eyes in frustration, muttering, ¡°That rascal... his father should really give him a beating!¡±


    ...


    Yang Degui went around shouting, but no patients came out. The kid was almost on the verge of tears.


    ¡°Did you slack off and not shout properly?¡± Yang¡¯s father was so furious he was about to hit him again.


    Yang Degui protested, ¡°I went! I called out to the whole village. You heard me too, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    Yang''s father asked, ¡°Then why didn¡¯t anyone come?¡±


    Yang Degui was close to banging his head against the wall. ¡°How should I know?¡±


    Seeing his father¡¯s temple veins bulging, with fists ready to fly, Gao-Yuan quickly interjected, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because Degui has a reputation for being unreliable, so nobody believes him. Plus, it''s not like doctors have ever rushed to our village overnight to treat patients before.¡±


    Yang¡¯s father nodded, realizing the logic, and then scolded, ¡°This is what you get for not doing things properly!¡±


    After chastising his son, Yang¡¯s father took matters into his own hands and called out to the village himself.


    Yang Degui stood there, sulking, casting a resentful glance at Gao-Yuan before turning away with a huff.


    Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    Once Yang¡¯s father made his rounds, it worked. The sick villagers slowly began to emerge one by one.


    Uncle Zhang kept peeking outside, ¡°Are they really here?¡±


    Aunt Zhang, coughing continuously, replied, ¡°Do you think the village chief would lie to you?¡±


    ¡°They really came overnight, huh? It rained nonstop after midnight.¡± Uncle Zhang couldn¡¯t believe it. He had been so sure the doctors wouldn¡¯t come, yet here they were, braving the rain!


    Aunt Zhang struggled to get up, coughing as she said, ¡°I¡¯ll... cough... I¡¯ll get my health book. Finally, the doctors are here. Why are they so enthusiastic this time? They¡¯ve never been like this before.¡±


    Uncle Zhang paused for a moment, then said, ¡°It¡¯s because of Gao-Yuan.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Aunt Zhang was surprised.


    Uncle Zhang explained, ¡°In the past, we didn¡¯t have Gao-Yuan in the clinic.¡±


    Aunt Zhang was stunned into silence.


    The other patients in the village also made their way to the main hall, amazed and grateful for the doctors'' efforts.


    Everyone was deeply touched.


    When the villagers arrived at the hall, they were greeted by an impressive team¡ªeveryone was there, except Liu Sanquan. But this time, Gao-Yuan was with them.


    Seeing Gao-Yuan among the group, the villagers, who had been full of excitement and gratitude, suddenly hesitated, unsure of what to do.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Li Shengli looked around, puzzled by their reaction.


    Zhao Huanzhang also glanced at Gao-Yuan, noticing the subtle dimming in his expression.


    At that moment, Grandpa Yang, leaning on his cane, walked out again and spoke up, ¡°You people really ought to thank Gao-Yuan. It¡¯s Gao-Yuan who led these doctors here, braving the rain and trekking over dozens of miles overnight to treat us!¡±


    The crowd looked at him in astonishment.


    Zhao Huanzhang gave them a serious nod of confirmation.


    The villagers finally began to understand. No wonder things were so different this time¡ªit was because of him!


    Grandpa Yang continued, ¡°These doctors arrived just past midnight last night. They¡¯ve barely slept three hours and are already up again. Have you seen all the medicine they brought with them? In the past, we had to walk for miles to town to fill our prescriptions after receiving a diagnosis.¡±


    ¡°But this time, they brought the medicine here. As soon as we get our prescription, we can take the medicine immediately. And that¡¯s all thanks to Gao-Yuan, who went all the way to the county and fought hard to get us this deal with the medicine company.¡±


    The villagers stared at Gao-Yuan, speechless.


    Grandpa Yang, thumping his cane in frustration, said, ¡°Do you know how much hardship Gao-Yuan went through for you? And now you just stand here, hesitant? What more do you need to trust him?¡±


    ¡°Would your own sons brave the rain and walk dozens of miles overnight to get you a doctor and medicine? Would they travel all the way to the county, begging the medicine company to extend us credit for so much medicine?¡±


    ¡°Even your own sons couldn¡¯t do that! But Gao-Yuan, he did it for you! Is there anyone better in our village than this young man? Is there? Show me one!¡±


    The villagers, shamed by Grandpa Yang¡¯s scolding, couldn¡¯t lift their heads.


    They were moved by his words. It was true¡ªeven their own children might not have been able to do what Gao-Yuan had done for them. How could they still hesitate?


    Gao-Yuan¡¯s expression remained calm as he said, ¡°When we doctors first begin learning medicine, we take an oath to relieve the suffering of the people. This is nothing; don¡¯t think too much of it. Come on, let¡¯s not waste any more time.¡±


    Grandpa Zhang was the first to step forward, coughing as he spoke to Gao-Yuan, ¡°Cough... Gao-Yuan... You cured our puppy last time, and I didn¡¯t even get to thank you. Now this old body of mine needs your help again.¡±


    Gao-Yuan waved his hand dismissively, indicating it was no trouble.


    Grandpa Zhang, moved, said, ¡°From now on... cough cough... no matter what anyone says, I¡¯ll never believe you¡¯re a traitor. You¡¯re a good young man, the best of the best! If you¡¯re a traitor, then what does that make the rest of us?¡±


    Gao-Yuan looked up at the emotional Grandpa Zhang, then at the other villagers standing behind him.


    This time, as Gao-Yuan¡¯s gaze met theirs, they didn¡¯t shy away. Instead, they nodded at him, seriously and with recognition.


    For the first time, Gao-Yuan felt his nose tingle with emotion. All the hardships he¡¯d endured suddenly seemed insignificant under their acknowledging gazes.


    He had finally earned their approval!


    Shen Congyun, witnessing the scene, felt a strange pang of dissatisfaction. He muttered under his breath, ¡°I treat the patients with just as much care, but why don¡¯t they look at me like that?¡±


    Li Shengli glanced at him and said, ¡°The people aren¡¯t blind. They know who genuinely cares for them. If you exchange your sincerity for theirs, they¡¯ll recognize it. But if all you do is drone on, they¡¯ll just find you annoying.¡±


    Shen Congyun was left speechless.

 Episode 45 Zhao Huanzhang Cant Do It Anymore

    The clinic opened, and patients began pouring in.


    Since several days had passed without treatment, many villagers had fallen ill. People suffering from various ailments, not just colds or flu, flocked to the clinic, eager to seize the opportunity to be seen by a doctor while they were in the village.


    It didn¡¯t take long before the main hall was packed with people. Of course, there were also those who were simply there to watch the excitement, including Uncle Wei, who had returned to the village the previous night.


    The three doctors were lined up, and once again, Li Shengli took charge of triaging the patients.


    As before, most people gathered in front of Zhao Huanzhang. After all, his reputation, built over years of practice, wasn¡¯t something that faded easily.


    Shen Congyun also had a decent number of patients. Everyone knew that Doctor Shen had skill, but his temper wasn¡¯t the best. Wait, why did he suddenly smile? That smile was a bit scary; even the children started crying. Forget it; better go to Zhao Huanzhang!


    As for Gao-Yuan, fewer people lined up in front of him.


    Uncle Wei, feeling much better after a good night¡¯s sleep, was now strolling around the hall with his hands in his pockets, watching the show. As he wandered, he spotted his older brother, Wei Lao¡¯er, also here to see the doctor, pushing his way toward Zhao Huanzhang¡¯s crowded area.


    ¡°Hey, hey, Lao¡¯er!¡± Uncle Wei called out, grabbing his brother¡¯s arm.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Wei Lao¡¯er asked.


    Uncle Wei pointed toward Gao-Yuan. ¡°Go over there and line up. Let Gao-Yuan treat you.¡±


    Wei Lao¡¯er frowned. ¡°I know Gao-Yuan is a good lad, but I¡¯m here to get medical treatment. With Zhao Huanzhang in the village, why would I go to anyone else?¡±


    Uncle Wei sighed, ¡°You don¡¯t get it, do you? I¡¯m telling you this because we¡¯re family. Zhao Huanzhang... he¡¯s no longer up to the task.¡±


    ¡°What? He¡¯s not up to it anymore.¡± Wei Lao¡¯er was shocked.


    ¡°When did this happen?¡± A villager standing in front of Wei Lao¡¯er turned around, intrigued.


    Uncle Wei suddenly felt a bit flustered as he realized that everyone nearby was now looking at him with wide eyes.


    ¡°I mean, his skills have declined,¡± Uncle Wei explained.


    The others exchanged meaningful glances, clearly skeptical.


    ¡°I¡¯m telling the truth!¡± Uncle Wei declared confidently.


    Wei Lao¡¯er, however, remained unconvinced. ¡°If you said Zhao Huanzhang¡¯s getting old, I might believe you. But saying his medical skills aren¡¯t any good? What, has he forgotten everything?¡±


    Uncle Wei clarified, ¡°What I¡¯m saying is, Gao-Yuan is much better than Zhao Huanzhang now. Yesterday, I was in terrible shape, and it took both Degui and the village secretary to help me walk to the township. Even after Doctor Shen prescribed me medicine, it didn¡¯t help at all.¡±


    ¡°Zhao Huanzhang also took a look at me and said I¡¯d need to take medicine for ten days to half a month. But then Gao-Yuan stepped in. He gave me just one dose of medicine, and I was completely fine! I even walked home by myself last night. After a good night¡¯s sleep, I feel perfectly fine today.¡±


    The surrounding villagers stared at Uncle Wei in astonishment, then turned their gaze toward Gao-Yuan.


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    Uncle Wei continued, ¡°And that¡¯s not all! Yesterday, I overheard at the clinic that Gao-Yuan saved two children who were on the brink of death. Do you know why the pharmaceutical company was willing to give us so much medicine on credit? It¡¯s because Gao-Yuan saved the company leader¡¯s grandson. That kid was almost dead, but after taking just one dose of medicine from Gao-Yuan, he was up and running, back to school.¡±


    The crowd was dumbfounded, unable to believe what they were hearing.


    Wei Lao¡¯er, without saying another word, immediately rushed toward Gao-Yuan¡¯s line.


    Someone grabbed him along the way, asking, ¡°Wait, you¡¯re not going to see Zhao Huanzhang anymore?¡±


    Wei Lao¡¯er replied, ¡°You don¡¯t understand. Gao-Yuan is the real deal. As long as you¡¯ve got one breath left in you, he can save your life!¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± the man gasped. ¡°Can he bring people back from the dead?¡±


    And so, the rumor began to spread and grow more exaggerated: ¡°What? As long as the body isn¡¯t buried yet, Gao-Yuan can bring them back to life.¡±


    ¡°What? Even after burial?¡±


    The village¡¯s mortician had already grabbed his hoe and was heading to the graveyard.


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, as Zhao Huanzhang continued treating patients, he suddenly looked up and realized that there were far fewer people in line.


    He stood there, frozen for several seconds, wondering if he had somehow sped through his treatments too quickly.


    Then he glanced over and saw that a long line had formed in front of Gao-Yuan.


    ¡°Why are they all over there?¡± Zhao Huanzhang muttered puzzled.


    The old man in front of him said, ¡°Doctor Zhao, they¡¯re saying you¡¯re not up to it anymore.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Zhao Huanzhang was dumbfounded.


    The old man added, ¡°Of course, I don¡¯t believe it. You¡¯re not that old.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Zhao Huanzhang was utterly confused, completely unaware that the rumors had spiraled out of control.


    Just then, a frantic couple burst into the main hall, carrying a child. They rushed in, shouting, ¡°Doctor! Doctor! Help! Please, someone save our child! Let us through!¡±


    Hearing cries for help, Zhao Huanzhang instinctively looked toward Gao-Yuan.


    Shen Congyun and Li Shengli also glanced at Gao-Yuan.


    The couple squeezed through the crowd, and seeing the scene, they rushed straight to Zhao Huanzhang, placing the child in front of him and pleading, ¡°Doctor Zhao, save our child!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Zhao Huanzhang asked urgently.


    ¡°Our child, he¡¯s¡ª¡± The mother was so distraught that she could barely form a sentence.


    Zhao Huanzhang took one look at the child. The boy¡¯s breathing was labored, his face had turned blue, and he was thrashing about in agitation, barely conscious.


    After a brief examination, Zhao Huanzhang took a sharp breath. Without hesitation, he said decisively, ¡°Quick, give me the child!¡±


    His swift response gave the parents a glimmer of hope. Without a second thought, the mother handed the child over to Zhao Huanzhang.


    Zhao Huanzhang took the child, then stood up abruptly, sending his chair flying across the room. Without a moment''s delay, he turned and rushed toward Gao-Yuan, shouting, ¡°Doctor Gao, save this child!¡±


    The entire hall was left in stunned silence.


    They had expected Zhao Huanzhang to spring into action with the determination to save the day. But instead, he passed the responsibility on to someone else. This sudden twist left everyone dumbfounded.


    Even the child¡¯s parents didn¡¯t understand what was happening.


    The old man who had insisted that Zhao Huanzhang was still capable was now staring in disbelief.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Gao-Yuan quickly stood up and took the child from Zhao Huanzhang. After a quick examination, he said, ¡°Check the temperature.¡±


    Li Shengli, after checking the thermometer, reported, ¡°The fever¡¯s at 39.7¡ãC.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang, listening through his stethoscope, told Gao-Yuan, ¡°There¡¯s a lot of wheezing throughout the lungs and a dull sound in the left lower lung. It¡¯s pneumonia.¡±


    Gao-Yuan finished his pulse diagnosis and said, ¡°The pulse is rapid and floating. The heart rate is already over 160 beats per minute. It¡¯s severe!¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang swallowed nervously. One of his greatest fears was treating severe cases. He anxiously looked at Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan turned to the child¡¯s parents and asked, ¡°How did this start? When did the fever begin?¡±


    The parents looked back at Zhao Huanzhang.


    Zhao Huanzhang, growing impatient, urged them, ¡°Why are you looking at me? Just tell us!¡±


    The mother stammered, ¡°Oh, it started last night. With so many people catching colds recently, I was afraid he had caught it too, so I gave him a bowl of hot soup and bundled him up to sweat it out.¡±


    ¡°I left for just a moment, and then the neighbor¡¯s kid came over to play. He was sweating under the covers but ran outside to play. Maybe that¡¯s when he caught a chill. He started running a fever last night. When I heard doctors were here in the village, I rushed over.¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded. He recognized the couple; they were from the neighboring village, the next stop on their rounds.


    The father, worried sick, pleaded with Zhao Huanzhang, ¡°Doctor Zhao, how is our child? Can he still be saved? Please, Doctor Zhao, do something to save him!¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang, flustered, turned to Gao-Yuan and said, ¡°Yes, Doctor Gao, you have to save him!¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± The father was completely confused now.

 Episode 46 Your Prescription

    Everyone stood in stunned silence, first looking at Zhao Huanzhang and then at Gao-Yuan.


    Their long-held impression of Zhao Huanzhang was starting to crumble.


    "What¡¯s going on?"


    "Why does Dr. Zhao look like an apprentice in front of Gao-Yuan? I can¡¯t wrap my head around it; shouldn¡¯t it be the other way around?"


    People in the crowd whispered to each other.


    No one could make sense of the situation.


    Wei Lao''er remarked, ¡°Maybe Dr. Zhao really isn¡¯t that capable anymore.¡±


    That comment began to take root in everyone¡¯s minds.


    Faced with Zhao Huanzhang''s desperate plea, Gao-Yuan was left speechless. He had clearly sparked something in Zhao Huanzhang, but the man¡¯s cautious nature wouldn¡¯t change overnight.


    Zhao Huanzhang was renowned as the most skilled doctor in the clinic. This was common knowledge among the local villagers, who sought him out for treatment, especially for serious or complex illnesses. When faced with critical cases, Zhao Huanzhang would steel himself, despite his inner fear, as there was no one else but him. But now, with the arrival of a medical prodigy, he naturally wanted to pass the responsibility for these difficult cases onto Gao-Yuan.


    It was like Zhao Huanzhang had been a lone panda in the wild, tough and independent, but once he was in the zoo with food and shelter provided, he became a chubby house cat.


    Seeing Zhao Huanzhang like this, Gao-Yuan didn¡¯t know what to say. The patient¡¯s condition was urgent, so he didn¡¯t have time to argue. ¡°The situation is critical; perform a bloodletting using the ten Xuan points.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Zhao Huanzhang responded immediately, turning to fetch his acupuncture kit, which he placed in front of Gao-Yuan. To his surprise, he had adapted quite well to the role of an assistant.


    Gao-Yuan was at a loss for words. ¡°Surely you¡¯re not afraid to even perform ten Xuan point bloodletting?¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang froze, then laughed awkwardly. After taking a deep breath, he finally picked up the triangular needle and began the procedure.


    Meanwhile, Gao-Yuan picked up the prescription pad and started writing out a treatment plan.


    The parents of the sick child were bewildered, exchanging confused glances. The mother asked Zhao Huanzhang softly, ¡°Dr. Zhao, are you really letting this young doctor write the prescription?¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang quickly nodded. ¡°Ah... yes, yes, he¡¯s better at this. When it comes to treating serious conditions, he¡¯s more capable than I am.¡±


    Hearing this, the parents could only nod in agreement.


    One of the old men who had been in Zhao Huanzhang¡¯s line also moved over to join the queue in front of Gao-Yuan. He shook his head and muttered, ¡°Looks like Zhao Huanzhang really isn¡¯t what he used to be.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang overheard this and blushed slightly.


    Li Shengli approached Gao-Yuan and asked, ¡°Dr. Gao, what¡¯s wrong with this child?¡±


    Gao-Yuan explained, ¡°First he was exposed to heat, then cold. Internally, he¡¯s hot, but externally, cold¡ªhis lung energy is obstructed, something similar to winter fever. I¡¯ve taught you this before¡ªif there are external symptoms present, what should you do?¡±


    Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    Without hesitation, Li Shengli replied, ¡°First, relieve the exterior.¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded. ¡°Correct. This patient needs cooling to release the exterior and quickly open his lungs. Be careful not to misjudge the high fever and use overly bitter cold herbs, or one dose could lead to severe consequences. Likewise, don¡¯t overuse warming herbs, or you¡¯ll provoke eruptions and nosebleeds. It¡¯s a delicate balance.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Li Shengli replied seriously, nodding his head in acknowledgment.


    Gao-Yuan glanced at Zhao Huanzhang and then at Li Shengli. One was overly cautious, and the other too reckless. If only they could balance each other out.


    After guiding Li Shengli, Gao-Yuan prepared to finish writing the prescription. Just as he began, he glanced at the hesitant Zhao Huanzhang again. After a brief thought, he wrote something different.


    Soon, Gao-Yuan finished the prescription. ¡°Modified Ma Xing Shi Gan Decoction. The prescription is ready.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Huanzhang couldn¡¯t contain his curiosity. He had to know what this medical prodigy had written down. He moved closer, readying himself for an intense prescription.


    He expected Gao-Yuan to prescribe three taels of ephedra and half a jin of gypsum, and he felt braced for it. But as he glanced at the prescription, he was taken aback.


    ¡°Did you write it wrong?¡± Zhao Huanzhang asked in disbelief.


    ¡°Did he prescribe a lot again?¡± Shen Congyun asked from afar.


    Zhao Huanzhang shakes his head. ¡°No, it¡¯s just... how come it¡¯s so little?¡±


    Shen Congyun, puzzled, came over to take a look.


    Gao-Yuan smiled. ¡°Weren¡¯t you worried I¡¯d prescribe too much? Now you think I¡¯ve prescribed too little?¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang was momentary speechless.


    Shen Congyun read the prescription aloud: ¡°One mace of raw ephedra, two maces of apricot seeds, four maces of raw gypsum, one mace of licorice, two maces of silkworm.¡±


    ¡°This seems like a normal dose,¡± Shen Congyun commented.


    Zhao Huanzhang gave an awkward chuckle. It was indeed a normal dose for them, but for someone like Gao-Yuan, known for his bold prescriptions, it seemed almost restrained.


    Gao-Yuan looked at Zhao Huanzhang. ¡°Dr. Zhao, this prescription may not reflect my usual style, but doesn¡¯t it seem more like your kind of prescription?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Zhao Huanzhang was stunned.


    Gao-Yuan explained, ¡°Light doses, strong combinations, simplified ingredients. Using a small prescription to achieve great effect.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang was speechless.


    Gao-Yuan looked him in the eye and said earnestly, ¡°What I¡¯m trying to tell you is, this child¡¯s illness isn¡¯t that serious. Given your skills, there¡¯s no reason you shouldn¡¯t be able to handle this easily. Today, I¡¯m going to treat him using a prescription inspired by your style to show you that if even someone mimicking your approach can succeed, surely you, the original, can too.¡±


    Zhao Huang was completely floored.


    Shen Congyun and Li Shengli stood dumbfounded as they watched the two doctors.


    Gao-Yuan handed the prescription to Yang Xiuying, who was weighing out the herbs for another patient. ¡°This is a serious case; prepare this prescription first.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Yang Xiuying replied, head bowed as she took the prescription without once looking up at him.


    Zhao Huanzhang returned to his spot feeling dazed. When he looked up again, he realized that no one was standing in line for him anymore. He glanced at the others, hearing their murmurs and whispers, then lowered his head, feeling even more dejected.


    After a while, Yang Xiuying finished preparing the herbs. Zhao Huanzhang walked over and took them, saying, ¡°I¡¯ll brew it.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Yang Xiuying was surprised. ¡°Dr. Zhao, you¡¯ll brew it yourself?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Zhao Huanzhang nodded, stealing a glance at Gao-Yuan¡¯s back. He lowered his voice. ¡°It¡¯s my prescription; I¡¯ll brew it.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang found a stove and started brewing the medicine for the sick child. First, he boiled the ephedra to remove the foam, then the raw gypsum...


    When the medicine was ready, Zhao Huanzhang brought it over for the child to drink.


    As the village gradually filled with people, the morning passed in a busy blur. By noon, all the villagers had been seen and had received their medicine.


    The child¡¯s breathing had eased significantly, and his body temperature had dropped to 37.5¡ãC. Though he still had a slight fever, his mind was clear, and he was running around energetically.


    Watching the scene and seeing the parents¡¯ heartfelt gratitude toward Gao-Yuan, Zhao Huanzhang felt a sudden sense of loss and confusion.


    He walked out of the assembly hall, staring at the light drizzle outside. For some reason, he felt the urge to sigh, but when the sigh reached his lips, he couldn¡¯t let it out. Instead, he forced a bitter smile and gazed into the distance, muttering, ¡°Another instant recovery...¡±


    ¡°You could do it too, couldn¡¯t you?¡±


    The voice came from behind. Zhao Huanzhang turned around and saw Gao-Yuan standing there.


    Looking at Gao-Yuan, Zhao Huanzhang smiled, though he suddenly felt like crying.


    Gao-Yuan patted him on the shoulder and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go eat. The village prepared noodles for us¡ªwhite flour, good stuff.¡±

 Episode 47 Blood Boils Once Again

    After finishing their meal, they bid farewell to the villagers and set out for the next village on their medical rounds.


    The villagers of this era were simple and sincere. When Gao-Yuan and his team left, the villagers escorted them far down the road, touching Zhao Huanzhang and Shen Congyun deeply. It was the first time they had received such treatment, and suddenly, they felt that their arduous night journey through the rain had been worth it.


    After saying goodbye to the villagers, they hastened to the next village¡ªthe one where the couple with the sick child came from.


    As usual, they set up their clinic in the village hall. Li Shengli took care of the initial consultations while they wrote the prescriptions.


    Several serious cases emerged, and people instinctively sought out Zhao Huanzhang first. Zhao took a few deep breaths and glanced at Gao-Yuan multiple times before gritting his teeth and making a diagnosis. However, when it came time to write the prescription, he hesitated. After staring at the yellowed paper for what seemed like an eternity, no ink touched the page.


    The patient, growing anxious, began to feel even more worried. He didn¡¯t realize his condition was so grave that even Zhao Huanzhang seemed stumped.


    ¡°What is it, Dr. Zhao? Am I... am I in trouble?¡± the patient stammered nervously.


    Finally, Zhao Huanzhang put the pen down, defeated, and said, ¡°You should go see Dr. Gao. He''s better at treating severe cases.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± The patient looked at Gao-Yuan in confusion.


    Gao-Yuan sighed softly. The saying, "A leopard cannot change its spots," came to mind. It was difficult to transform someone, and even harder for them to revert to their old ways.


    The patient was hesitant, unsure of the young doctor before him.


    Fortunately, the couple with the sick child was also in the village hall. With their endorsement and the boy¡¯s remarkable recovery as proof, the patients quickly placed their trust in Gao-Yuan, flocking to him one after another.


    Seeing this, both Shen Congyun and Li Shengli turned to look at Zhao Huanzhang. His brow was furrowed, and his face showed a deep sense of defeat and struggle.


    By late afternoon, all the patients in this village had been seen.


    Gao-Yuan checked on the child from the previous village. By this time, his temperature had returned to normal, his abdomen was no longer swollen, the thick tongue coating had diminished, and his pulse had stabilized¡ªthough he still had a lingering cough. This indicated that the cold was dissipating, the fever was subsiding, and both the surface and internal illness had been resolved. Gao-Yuan adjusted the prescription, giving two doses to harmonize the lungs and stomach for recovery.


    Afterward, the group once again rushed to the next village.


    Along the way, they snacked on hard, dry food and drank cold water to stave off hunger.


    By dusk, they arrived at the third village. As usual, they treated patients in the village hall, with Zhao Huanzhang still referring the severe cases to Gao-Yuan. Fortunately, there weren¡¯t many critical cases this time.


    By eight in the evening, they had finished treating the entire village.


    Gao-Yuan urged them to continue, insisting they march to the next village.


    The group, carrying only the essentials, set out again for the fourth village.


    By the time they finished in the fourth village, it was already the middle of the night.


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Shen Congyun¡¯s voice trembled with exhaustion.


    Zhao Huanzhang collapsed into a chair, his limbs shaking. He was truly spent. The previous day, he had rushed back from the county, treating patients without even drinking water until the evening. Then, they had trekked through the rain and arrived at Fucun in the middle of the night. Having barely slept three hours, they had risen at dawn to treat patients and hadn¡¯t stopped until well past midnight.


    Zhao Huanzhang felt like his very soul was about to leave his body.


    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Li Shengli, being the youngest, with a military background, was the only one still standing.


    The village secretary approached with a smile, saying, ¡°Doctors, you¡¯ve worked so hard. I¡¯ve arranged for accommodations. Let me take you there so you can get some rest.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang politely replied, ¡°Thank you very much. We appreciate it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no trouble at all,¡± the village secretary said, waving his hand dismissively.


    But Gao-Yuan spoke up, ¡°There¡¯s no need. We won¡¯t be staying in the village. We need to leave immediately for the next village.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Zhao Huanzhang and Shen Congyun¡¯s voices rose in surprise.


    Even Li Shengli looked puzzled.


    The village secretary was stunned. ¡°What? It¡¯s already the middle of the night, and you¡¯re still going to the next village?¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded. ¡°That¡¯s right. We¡¯ll be leaving shortly. Don¡¯t worry about us, and you should rest as well.¡±


    The village secretary, still confused, returned to his duties.


    Meanwhile, the other three doctors stared at Gao-Yuan in disbelief.


    Shen Congyun protested, ¡°Dr. Gao, last night when you said we needed to rush to Fucun overnight, I understood because it was so far away. If we had set out in the morning, we would have arrived late in the afternoon, and the delay would have affected treatment. But we¡¯re already in the village, and it¡¯s the middle of the night. Do we really have to leave now?¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang added, ¡°Yes, we¡¯re all exhausted. Our strength is nearly depleted.¡±


    Gao-Yuan shook his head. ¡°No, we have to reach the next village as soon as possible and rest there. We can¡¯t waste any time.¡±


    ¡°Why the rush?¡± Shen Congyun grumbled. ¡°We¡¯re moving faster than any other medical team, aren¡¯t we?¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang also felt something was off. ¡°I feel like you¡¯re not telling us everything, Gao-Yuan.¡±


    Hearing this, Gao-Yuan finally revealed his reasoning. ¡°The reason we need to hurry is because my ultimate goal is Huo Village.¡±


    ¡°Huo Village?¡± the three of them echoed in surprise.


    Gao-Yuan explained, ¡°Huo Village is deep in the mountains, with no doctor in the entire village. It takes them a full day to walk to the nearest clinic. Normally, they are already severely lacking in medical care, and now, with this flu outbreak, their situation will be even worse.¡±


    ¡°In these outer villages, three towns with over 40,000 people have just four doctors. The doctors in the joint clinics outside are already overwhelmed, and none of them will go to help Huo Village. The situation there must be dire.¡±


    Li Shengli interrupted, standing up. ¡°Dr. Gao, you don¡¯t need to explain further. I get it now. No objections here¡ªlet¡¯s set out immediately!¡±


    Once again, Li Shengli¡¯s blood boiled with enthusiasm.


    But Shen Congyun and Zhao Huanzhang both wilted, their faces filled with reluctance.


    Seeing the other two¡¯s exhaustion and unwillingness, Li Shengli was about to speak when Gao-Yuan stopped him. Gao-Yuan turned to Shen Congyun and said, ¡°Dr. Shen, no other doctor will go to help Huo Village.¡±


    Shen, frustrated, cut him off. ¡°But what does that have to do with us? Huo Village is so far away. Why should we run ourselves ragged just to help them?¡±


    ¡°Say that again!¡± Li Shengli flared up instantly.


    ¡°I¡¯m just stating the facts!¡± Shen, worn out, became more irritable the more tired he got.


    Li Shengli was about to start another argument, but Gao-Yuan quickly intervened, calming the young man down. He repeated to Shen, ¡°Dr. Shen, no other doctor will go to Huo Village.¡±


    ¡°What¡­ what do you mean?¡± Shen looked at Gao-Yuan, confused.


    Gao-Yuan looked directly into his eyes and said, ¡°When the people of Huo Village are most in need, when no other doctors in the county can help, who is willing to risk their lives to support a village miles away? Dr. Shen, we are the only team in the entire county that can go.¡±


    Gao-Yuan raised his voice. ¡°Dr. Shen, it¡¯s just us! We¡¯re the only ones in the entire county!¡±


    Shen¡¯s pupils slowly dilated as he mumbled, ¡°The... the only ones...¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded firmly. ¡°If you sleep now, all our efforts will be in vain!¡±


    Shen¡¯s lips trembled violently. Finally, he grabbed his hat, threw it on the ground, and cursed, ¡°Damn it! To hell with it! Let¡¯s go. Now!¡±


    Li Shengli was stunned. He looked at Shen, then at Gao-Yuan, and suddenly realized that what he lacked wasn¡¯t just medical skill.


    Gao-Yuan then turned to Zhao Huanzhang.


    Zhao smiled wryly, popped two ginseng tablets into his mouth, chewed slowly, and said, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go. I can¡¯t let you all be the best in the county while I¡¯m dead last. can I?¡±


    Gao-Yuan smiled in return.


    Once again, the team set off in the middle of the night.


    Before leaving, Li Shengli pulled Gao-Yuan aside and asked, ¡°Dr. Gao, what did you do in the army?¡±


    Gao-Yuan raised an eyebrow. ¡°Why do you ask?¡±


    Li Shengli looked puzzled. ¡°You¡¯re even better at giving speeches than our political commissar.¡±


    Gao-Yuan chuckled, giving him a gentle push. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s move.¡±


    Thus, Gao-Yuan and his team continued their gruelling pace, marching through the night and treating patients at first light. Their days were so hectic that it felt like they were on the verge of burning out. Given the speed at which they worked and the fact that they provided medicine directly in each village, there was a growing shortage of medical supplies.


    Fortunately, Director Qi had their back, prioritizing their access to the necessary medicine. Zhang Yuancai tirelessly drove his mule cart, delivering cartloads of supplies to them. However, because of this, Director Qi faced significant criticism in the following emergency meetings for his decisions.

 Episode 48 This is the Peoples Doctor

    An emergency meeting at the Health Bureau.


    The bureau leader sighed heavily, his expression somber, and said, "Comrades, you''ve all heard Secretary Cao. The situation in Huo Township is indeed very severe. Each village has numerous influenza patients, and many of the elderly and children have already developed serious conditions."


    "From the onset until now, they''ve received no effective medical aid, and the situation is only escalating. This is our responsibility, and we absolutely cannot ignore what''s happening in Huo Township. Director Li, you''re the chairman of the Health Association and also the dean of the county hospital. What do you have? to say?"


    "Well¡­" Director Li looked uncomfortable. "We just heard about Huo Township¡¯s situation, and it¡¯s certainly not looking good. We''ll support them as much as we can. But we¡¯re facing challenges too."


    "You all know, our county hospital has only about 20 medical staff, and only 10 of them are doctors. We serve tens of thousands of people in the county. We''re already scrambling as it is. And now there''s a shortage of Western medicines. We''re barely managing ourselves."


    Seeing the bureau leader¡¯s darkening face, Director Li added reluctantly, "Well, we can squeeze out a bit more medicine for Secretary Cao to take back, but as for doctors, we really don¡¯t have any to spare. I wonder if the situation might be better for the traditional medicine department."


    He looked over at Dr. Yan Qiao, who sat nearby and asked, "Dr. Yan, what do you think?"


    Dr. Yan, slightly taken aback that the issue had been passed to him, hesitated briefly.


    The bureau leader addressed him next: "Dr. Yan, you''re the vice chairman of the Health Association and the head of the county¡¯s joint health clinics. How many traditional medicine doctors can we mobilize to support Huo Township?"


    Dr. Yan, nearly seventy years old but still full of energy, let out a couple of dry laughs. "As you all know, medical resources in the rural areas are far scarcer than in the county. Often, a few doctors have to care for tens of thousands of people, with the villages far apart from each other."


    "Before I came here, I checked in on the situation. Everyone is at their wit''s end. They set out at dawn and don¡¯t return until after dark. The doctors are already exhausted. They''re working so hard but still can''t keep up. Mobilizing extra help from them is just not feasible."


    The bureau leader immediately became angry, "Difficulties, difficulties! Everyone keeps talking about difficulties! Who doesn¡¯t have difficulties? The people of Huo Township are the ones facing the greatest hardship! When there are difficulties, you overcome them! What¡¯s the use of sitting here? complaining?"


    Everyone fell silent, heads bowed.


    Upon hearing that no solutions were being offered, Secretary Cao from Huo Township turned pale.


    Dr. Yan sighed again, "Doctors simply can''t be spared. How about... we wait another ten days? By then, we should be able to free up some doctors to go to Huo Township."


    "Ten days?" Secretary Cao exclaimed. "We can''t wait that long! The situation is already critical! Ten days? That would be disastrous!"


    Dr. Yan, feeling helpless, wanted to say there was nothing more he could do, but in the end, he simply sighed and kept quiet.


    "Is there really no way?" Secretary Cao anxiously looked at the bureau leader.


    The bureau leader thought for a moment and said, "We¡¯ll do our best to send some medicines to Huo Township, and we¡¯ll try to arrange for a few doctors to go as well."


    Dr. Yan shook his head. "It''s not possible. We don''t even have enough medicine now."


    "Not enough traditional medicine either?" the bureau leader asked Director Qi Dongsheng.


    Director Qi quickly nodded. "This flu outbreak hit so suddenly; we weren¡¯t prepared. The demand has been huge, and we''re already working hard to replenish. Please, everyone, bear with us a little longer."


    Dr. Yan was not pleased with this response. "Oh, we should ¡®bear with it,¡¯ you say? Then how come Zhangzhuang Clinic is receiving special treatment? As far as I know, you¡¯ve already sent several batches of medicine there, more than twice as much as any other clinic."


    This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    Everyone in the room froze.


    The bureau leader turned to Director Qi. "Is this true?"


    Director Qi was caught off guard by the question.


    Someone leaned over and whispered to Director Qi, "Be careful of Dr. Yan. He¡¯s the former father-in-law of Dr. Shen Congyun from Zhangzhuang Clinic. They¡¯ve had long-standing grudges. Don¡¯t get caught in the middle of it."


    Hearing this, Director Qi frowned deeply.


    Dr. Yan pressed further, "Do you have some special relationship with that clinic? Why else would they be getting such preferential treatment? We¡¯re all struggling, but they seem to have plenty!"


    Director Li chimed in, "I¡¯ve heard something about this. A while back, Director Qi¡¯s grandson had encephalitis and was treated at our hospital. But then they called in a doctor from the Zhangjiang Clinic to treat him. People at the hospital are still talking about it."


    Dr. Yan was surprised, not knowing the reason behind the extra supplies being sent to Zhangzhuang Clinic.


    Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.


    A young man entered and said, "Someone from the medicine company is here to see Director Qi. It¡¯s urgent¡ªthey need approval for a shipment of medicine."


    The bureau leader frowned. "Let them in."


    "Yes," the young man replied and brought in the visitor.


    It was Zhang Yuancai.


    Seeing so many officials in the room, Zhang Yuancai looked nervous.


    The bureau leader asked, "Which clinic are you delivering medicine to, and how is the situation there?"


    Zhang Yuancai quickly replied, "I¡¯m delivering a batch of medicine to Zhangzhuang Clinic. They¡¯re running very low."


    His words left the room in stunned silence.


    "Zhangzhuang again?" The bureau leader looked puzzled.


    Dr. Yan was even more surprised. "Zhangzhuang has already received more than twice the amount of other clinics. How could they still be short?"


    Zhang Yuancai nodded honestly. "Yes, they''ve received that much already."


    Dr. Yan was incredible. "Then why are they short again? Are they using the medicine? as food or selling it on the black market?"


    The room grew agitated.


    The bureau leader''s face darkened, and he asked sternly, "What¡¯s really going on?"


    Secretary Cao from Huo Township was also anxious: "We¡¯re so short on medicine in Huo Township. Why do the neighbouring townships need so much? Think of us!"


    Zhang Yuancai quickly waved his hands, "No, no, it¡¯s not like that. Dr. Gao and his team are short on medicine because they¡¯re bringing supplies to support Huo Township."


    "What?" The room fell silent again.


    Even Secretary Cao was stunned. "They¡¯re planning to support Huo Township?"


    Zhang Yuancai clarified, "Not planning to¡ªthey¡¯re already on their way. They left last night, traveling through the night with the last of their supplies. But the medicine they brought won¡¯t be enough, so they asked me to get more approved as soon as possible."


    The room went completely silent again.


    Then Secretary Cao suddenly clapped his hands excitedly, "This is great! Finally, some doctors are coming to us!"


    Everyone turned to look at Director Qi.


    Director Qi, with a cold sneer, glanced at Director Li and Dr. Yan without a word.


    Both men were left feeling awkward.


    Dr. Yan muttered, "This can¡¯t be right. Isn¡¯t there still an outbreak in the neighbouring town? How did they manage to treat everyone so quickly?"


    Zhang Yuancai explained, "They distributed the medicine directly to the villages, so villagers in remote areas could get treatment close to home. Every night, they traveled long distances and started treating patients at dawn. They barely slept three hours a day, rushing to treat patients in three neighboring towns."


    Everyone looked at Director Qi again, understanding now why so much medicine had been consumed. They had treated so many patients so quickly.


    Director Qi added, "They left at dawn and returned after dark. Our doctors have been working incredibly hard."


    He echoed Dr. Yan¡¯s earlier words, throwing them back at him, leaving Dr. Yan speechless.


    What could he possibly say in the face of these tireless workers?


    The bureau leader was deeply moved, "This is the attitude we need in overcoming difficulties. No tasks assigned, no extra compensation, no one urging them on. yet they voluntarily rushed to the most difficult place in the middle of the night! These are doctors who truly care for the people! These are doctors with people in their hearts! These are the people¡¯s doctors!"


    Director Li and Dr. Yan blushed with embarrassment.


    Zhang Yuancai quickly added, "Only one doctor stayed behind at Zhangzhuang Clinic. Dr. Gao has already taken the others to Huo Township. They should be arriving soon. We need to get the medicine to them quickly!"


    The bureau leader nodded vigorously, "Yes, yes. We must prioritize supplying Huo Township!"


    "Understood," Director Qi nodded in agreement.


    Still doubtful, Director Li asked, "Can this be true? In less than a week, they treated three towns, traveled hundreds of miles through the mountains, and cared for over 40,000 people across dozens of villages¡ªhow did they manage that?"


    Zhang Yuancai replied, "Dr. Gao has been encouraging the other doctors to make up their minds, to not fear sacrifice, to overcome all obstacles, and to strive for victory."


    The bureau leader paused and then asked cautiously, "Which Dr. Gao are you referring to? "


    Zhang Yuancai replied, "Dr. Gao-Yuan."

 Episode 49 Bring Me the Most Critical Patients

    "We''ve finally reached the village." Li Shengli let out a long sigh of relief.


    Everyone else also smiled.


    Huo Township was truly far away. They had walked all night. In the latter half of the night, they found a flat spot on the mountain road to sleep for a while. Now it was already morning, and they had finally arrived.


    "Let''s go." Gao-Yuan waved his hand. "Let''s head over and see if we can get a bowl of hot water."


    Everyone nodded excitedly.


    The four had just entered the village, passing by a house, ready to knock on the door and ask around, when they saw an old man pouring out a basin of something. It almost splashed on them.


    Li Shengli said, "Sir, be careful. What are you dumping out?"


    The old man rinsed the basin in the gutter in front of the house. Seeing that these people were unfamiliar faces, he said, "Dumping? It''s vomit. Someone in my family is sick, vomiting and having diarrhea. By the way, who are you?"


    Li Shengli quickly replied, "Sir, we are doctors."


    The old man looked them up and down, noticing they were even more ragged, dirty, and smelly than he was. Suspiciously, he asked, "Are you beggars fleeing a disaster?"


    The four who had been excited suddenly darkened in unison. They looked at each other and couldn¡¯t help but laugh.


    Gao-Yuan smiled bitterly. "Sir, we really are doctors from the Zhang Village Joint Clinic. We''ve traveled a long way to come to your township. We slept in the fields last night, so we''re a bit dirty and smelly. Look, our wheelbarrow is full of medicinal herbs."


    Li Shengli quickly opened the sack to show.


    The old man hurried over, grabbed a handful of herbs to inspect, and his hands began trembling. The basin he had been holding dropped to the ground with a crash, but he didn''t even notice. He looked at Gao-Yuan and the others, tears suddenly welling up in his eyes.


    Like a child, the old man began to cry, overcome with emotion. "You... you¡¯re doctors? You''ve finally come. You''ve finally come. So many of us are sick. My whole family is sick."


    The old man grabbed Gao-Yuan''s arm tightly, refusing to let go, as if afraid the doctors might disappear.


    The four doctors were at a loss for what to do.


    The old man quickly wiped away his tears and called out to the back of the house, "Come out, everyone! Come out! The doctors are here! The doctors from Zhang Village are here! Everyone, come out!"


    Soon, more and more people gathered, many of them looking sickly. The villagers, with tense and excited expressions, gazed at the four doctors who had come to provide aid.


    Faced with this scene, the doctors were stunned.


    Zhao Huanzhang said to Gao-Yuan, "Huo Township is so remote that usually no doctor is willing to come here. The last time a doctor came was to administer smallpox vaccines and treat sexually transmitted diseases, but that was years ago."


    "They are severely lacking in medical care and supplies. It¡¯s not just the flu¡ªmany other illnesses have afflicted them. When someone falls ill, they can only endure it."


    Gao-Yuan placed his hand on the wheelbarrow and said, "Looks like we''ll need a lot more medicine."


    ...


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    News that the doctors had arrived spread quickly.


    More and more people gathered. To centralize treatment, they didn¡¯t linger in the village but went straight to the township government.


    After making contact with the local officials, they set up a treatment station right in front of the government building. The officials responded swiftly, spreading the word to nearby villages and urging the sick to come for treatment as soon as possible.


    Meanwhile, Gao-Yuan and the others finally got a chance to eat something warm.


    Before they even finished their meal, patients had already lined up, and they had to eat faster.


    Gao-Yuan looked at the scene, deeply worried.


    "What¡¯s wrong, Dr. Gao?" Zhao Huanzhang asked.


    Gao-Yuan pointed ahead, "Look at this. So many patients, and more are coming. There are people being carried in, too. If the outer villages are this bad, the inner ones must be even worse."


    Zhao Huanzhang looked at Gao-Yuan, and a hunch began to form about what he intended to do.


    Gao-Yuan said, "The patients in the inner villages can¡¯t come this far to the township, especially the critically ill ones. We must go in. But we can¡¯t abandon these patients here either. So I plan to split into two teams. Li Shengli and I will go to the innermost village, while you and Dr. Shen stay here."


    Hearing this, Zhao Huanzhang¡¯s breathing quickened.


    Gao-Yuan locked eyes with him and said, "After I leave, these critically ill patients will be your responsibility."


    Zhao Huanzhang''s face showed signs of nervousness. He swallowed hard, wanting to say he should go with Gao-Yuan, but reason held him back.


    Gao-Yuan said to him, "You can¡¯t run away from this forever!"


    Zhao Huanzhang looked at Gao-Yuan, his gaze faltering.


    Gao-Yuan placed a hand on Zhao Huanzhang''s shoulder and said, "I¡¯ve heard that students of the Menghe School of Medicine recite the ¡®Oath of the Great Physician¡¯ every morning. ''A great physician must be calm and composed, with no desires or personal motives, driven only by compassion and the desire to relieve suffering. Whether rich or poor, noble or lowly, young or old, beautiful or ugly, whether they are enemies or friends, natives or foreigners, wise or foolish, all must be treated as equals, like one¡¯s own family. There should be no hesitation or concern for one¡¯s own safety."


    Zhao Huanzhang, breathing heavily, continued, "''...and all patients who seek help, regardless of their background, must be treated with the same care. A physician must never prioritize their own safety or fortune above the well-being of their patients.''"


    At first, his voice was shaky, but as he recited, it became steadier and faster. It seemed as if he had returned to his youthful days of studying with great ambition. But when he reached the final sentence, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to say it.


    He looked nervously at Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan finished the last line for him: "In doing so, one can become a great physician for the people. If not, they are nothing but a thief to the suffering souls of the world!"


    At the words "thief to the suffering souls," Zhao Huanzhang trembled.


    Gao-Yuan stared intently at Zhao Huanzhang. Earlier, when Gao-Yuan had used Zhao Huanzhang''s prescription to save that critically ill child, it was to show him that he could do it. Now, by invoking the "Oath of the Great Physician," he was telling him that he must do it.


    Zhao Huanzhang''s breathing grew more erratic, his face filled with struggle and discomfort. He looked at the increasing number of patients outside, their eyes filled with desperation and hope, and his heart quivered.


    Gao-Yuan said earnestly, "I heard that you became a doctor because your mother died when you were young, and you vowed to save others. You once swore to relieve the suffering of all beings and not to hesitate or worry about your own safety. Does that vow still hold?"


    Zhao Huanzhang breathed heavily, staring at the patients outside, his fists clenched tightly.


    Gao-Yuan glanced at the long line of patients, his brow furrowed deeply, and said, "For the sake of the patients in Huo Township, we must split into two teams. We need to head out now. Can I entrust these critical patients to you, Dr. Zhao?"


    Zhao Huanzhang grated his teeth and nodded vigorously. His voice trembled as he said, "I am not a thief to the suffering souls."


    "I believe in you," said Gao-Yuan.


    Zhao Huanzhang nodded fiercely.


    Gao-Yuan then looked at Dr. Shen and asked, "Dr. Shen..."


    Shen Congyun waved her hand, resolutely saying, "Go on, don''t worry about us. This is a rare opportunity. Even if you tried to chase me away, I wouldn¡¯t leave!"


    "Alright," Gao-Yuan replied firmly, then turned to Li Shengli and said, "Pack up. We''re heading to the innermost village right away!"


    "Yes, sir!" Li Shengli shouted, immediately pushing the cart.


    The two of them set off quickly, heading towards the deepest parts of the village.


    An official hurried over, asking anxiously, "Doctors, more patients have arrived. A few more critical cases were just brought in. What should we do?"


    Shen Congyun looked at Zhao Huanzhang.


    Zhao Huanzhang closed his eyes, inhaled deeply as if trying to draw all his strength inward, then exhaled forcefully, as if expelling all his pressure and burdens. He opened his eyes, straightened his clothes, and adjusted his glasses.


    He turned to the official and said resolutely, "Bring me the most critical patients!"

 Episode 50 Feigning Divine Powers

    Gao-Yuan and Li Shengli pulled the wheelbarrow along. With so many items loaded, they had no choice but to travel slowly, not arriving at the village deep inside the forest until dusk.


    Even Li Shengli, with his strong physique, was utterly exhausted.


    "Good grief," Li Shengli gasped, feeling as though his soul was about to escape from his body.


    Gao-Yuan suggested, "Let''s head into the village and get something warm to drink."


    "Right," Li Shengli agreed, and the two of them pushed the wheelbarrow into the village together.


    As soon as they entered, they saw a middle-aged man holding a bowl, rushing out in a hurry.


    Gao-Yuan called out, "Uncle, where are you going?"


    The man glanced at Gao-Yuan, coughing loudly, and waved him off dismissively, clearly in a rush. He hugged the bowl tightly and ran off.


    "Huh?" Li Shengli looked confused.


    Soon after, a woman holding a five- or six-year-old child, also clutching a bowl, hurried toward them.


    "Auntie," Gao-Yuan quickly stepped forward to stop her. "Where are you going in such a rush?"


    The woman tried to sidestep Gao-Yuan, too anxious to respond.


    But Gao-Yuan blocked her path again, asking, "Auntie, why is everyone carrying bowls?"


    She looked flustered, saying, "Who are you? Don¡¯t block me! The Immortal is about to bless us with divine water! We¡¯re all bringing bowls to collect it. Move aside!"


    Seeing Gao-Yuan wasn¡¯t moving, the woman skirted around him and continued on her way.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on, Dr. Gao?¡± Li Shengli asked, shaking the dazed Gao-Yuan.


    "Divine water?" Gao-Yuan suddenly turned, a chill running down his spine. In his past life, many had died because of this so-called ¡°divine water.¡± This time, he had rushed to Huo County as fast as possible to prevent the tragedy from repeating.


    To his shock, in this remote village, there were still charlatans preying on people. Furious, Gao-Yuan trembled with rage.


    "Let¡¯s go! Follow them quickly! Some frauds are burning talismans and making ''elixirs'' to harm people," Gao-Yuan yelled, chasing after the crowd.


    "What?" Li Shengli was startled and hurriedly pushed the wheelbarrow after him.


    Outside the village, on a flat piece of land, a large group of sickly villagers gathered, holding bowls and watching an "immortal" perform a ritual.


    The so-called immortal stood in the center, his eyes closed, gesturing with his fingers. dressed in attire resembling the City God statues in temples. Several other "immortal children," dressed in Taoist robes, were performing mystical acts. One male disciple was boiling a large pot of ¡°divine water,¡± which bubbled and emitted a strange, pungent smell.


    A female disciple walked around with a basket collecting money, followed closely by a burly male disciple.


    "Boundless blessings, eternal paradise! Burn a talisman, light incense, and stay free from illness! Three yuan for a talisman, two yuan for incense! Burn them, pave the way to the heavens, and receive divine protection!" The female disciple changed while collecting money.


    ¡°Can¡­ Can you make it cheaper? We don¡¯t have much left. just a few coins,¡± an elderly woman pleaded.


    The burly disciple immediately glared at her, barking, "No money? Then why are you here? causing trouble? The gods don¡¯t bless those who don¡¯t pay! Get lost!"


    Trembling, the elderly woman begged, "My daughter suffered a severe hemorrhage after giving birth; she''s on the verge of death. Please, Immortal, show some mercy and save her."


    She knelt, continuously bowing her head to the ground, her eyes filled with tears.


    As the burly disciple prepared to hit her, the female disciple intervened, saying, "It''s not us asking for money; the heavenly road must be paved with gold and silver for the gods to send divine water. If you don¡¯t pay, you¡¯ll leave a gap, and the divine water will flow through it, ruining everything. You¡¯ll doom everyone! Do you want to kill everyone?"


    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    Terrified, the elderly woman stammered through her tears, "N-no, no... I just need a bowl of divine water to save my daughter. She¡¯s only twenty¡­ just gave birth..."


    The female disciple exchanged a glance with the burly man, who promptly shoved the elderly woman, making her tumble backward, shouting, "If you dare insult the gods again and delay others, I''ll beat you up!"


    The elderly woman, now lying on the ground, wanted to stand but was too frightened to move forward, instead collapsing in despair and sobbing.


    Gao-Yuan and Li Shengli arrived just in time to witness this scene.


    ¡°You son of a¡ª!¡± Li Shengli¡¯s temper flared, and he stormed toward the platform, confronting the so-called immortal seated at the center. "Are you a god?"


    Everyone froze, shocked by his outburst.


    The ¡°immortal¡± opened his eyes to glance at Li Shengli, then disdainfully closed them again.


    The male disciple brewing the "divine potion" pointed at Li Shengli and shouted, "How dare you disrespect the immortal!"


    Li Shengli raised his hands defensively, saying, "No, no, I wouldn¡¯t dare be disrespectful. I just want to ask something. Since you claim to be an immortal, you must be all-knowing, right?"


    As he spoke, Li Shengli inched closer to the "immortal."


    The male disciple boasted, ¡°Of course! The immortal knows the past and future, five hundred years each way!¡±


    "Oh, that¡¯s impressive. Well then, can he predict this?" Li Shengli swiftly kicked the "immortal" square in the face, sending him sprawling with a nosebleed.


    For a moment, the entire scene fell silent.


    Li Shengli clapped his hands, shaking his head regretfully. "Guess he didn¡¯t see that coming."


    "You... you dare disrespect the immortal?" The male disciple stammered, pointing a trembling finger at Li Shengli.


    Li Shengli barked, "And I¡¯ll disrespect you too!" He kicked the male disciple, sending him flying.


    Soon, two other disciples charged at Li Shengli, and a brawl ensued.


    Seeing the disruption, the female disciple collected money, and the burly male disciple rushed over to intervene. Gao-Yuan hurried to help, surprised at how much energy Li Shengli still had left despite claiming exhaustion earlier.


    While everyone was distracted, Gao-Yuan took the opportunity to kick over the pot of "divine water." In his past life, this very concoction had killed many people. He wanted to eliminate the threat immediately.


    ¡°Hey!¡±


    ¡°Hey!¡±


    The villagers panicked as they saw the pot overturned. Some of the seriously ill fainted on the spot from the shock.


    Seizing the moment, Gao-Yuan grabbed a burning log from the fire and struck the burly male disciple on the back of the neck, sending sparks flying.


    While fighting, Gao-Yuan rallied the villagers, shouting, "Folks! We¡¯re doctors from the Zhang Village Clinic! We¡¯ve brought medicine to treat you. These frauds are harming you! Help us capture them!"


    "Doctors?"


    The villagers looked around in confusion.


    "Have any doctors ever come to our village?"


    "No, we¡¯ve been sick for so long, and no doctors ever came."


    Seeing their disbelief, Gao-Yuan urgently added, "Look at our wheelbarrow! It¡¯s filled with medicine. We¡¯ve pushed it all the way here to treat you!"


    Before he could finish, Gao-Yuan was kicked and sent flying.


    ¡°Ow!¡± Gao-Yuan winced in pain.


    ¡°It really is medicine!¡± the villagers murmured among themselves.


    The "immortal," now bleeding from his nose, finally regained his senses. He shouted, "Don¡¯t believe them! They¡¯re demons! They brought the disease here. Those aren''t medicines; they¡¯re poisonous herbs meant to kill you! When has a doctor ever come to your village? These people are devils!"


    The villagers hesitated again, unsure of whom to trust.


    ¡°You¡¯re the devil!¡± Li Shengli cursed, lunging at the "immortal," only to be intercepted by other disciples. He took several blows as they fought.


    Just as Gao-Yuan and Li Shengli seemed overwhelmed, a woman¡¯s voice suddenly rang out, "I know them! They¡¯re doctors from Zhang Village. This is Dr. Gao-Yuan! He saved my son when he was dying from a high fever!"


    Gao-Yuan turned to see the woman who had sought his help before, cradling her child, the one he had saved from a life-threatening condition. She and her husband were from Huo County!


    "He¡¯s the famed Dr. Gao-Yuan?"


    "Is he really the miracle doctor?"


    The villagers had clearly heard of Gao-Yuan''s reputation.


    Sensing the opportunity, Gao-Yuan rallied them again: "Yes, I¡¯m Dr. Gao-Yuan, and the man fighting with me is Dr. Li Shengli. We¡¯ve traveled day and night to reach your remote village, bringing medicine to heal you."


    "These people are swindlers, here to cheat you out of money and even your lives! Look at this poor woman¡ªher daughter is dying, and instead of helping, they¡¯re beating her. We¡¯re doctors! We won¡¯t stand by and let people die!"


    ¡°We are your doctors. We are the doctors of the people! We¡¯re here to help you. You need to join us in capturing these criminals and stopping them from harming more people. We¡¯re here to treat your illnesses, and we need to go save this woman¡¯s daughter right away. Let¡¯s catch these criminals!¡±


    Gao-Yuan¡¯s reputation in the village was clearly strong. The villagers exchanged glances, murmuring about how he was a miraculous doctor.


    The elderly woman, trembling, cried out, "Doctor! Doctor! Let the doctor go; please save my daughter!"


    The child¡¯s mother shouted, "Let the doctor go!"


    ¡°Let the doctor go!¡± someone else echoed, following her lead.


    ¡°Let the doctor go!¡± The chant grew louder and louder until it swelled into an overwhelming chorus.


    The swindlers, taken aback by the sudden surge of unity among the villagers, hesitated. They knew if the villagers banded together, they wouldn¡¯t stand a chance. Instinctively, they backed down and stopped their assault.


    Seizing the moment, Gao-Yuan hurriedly pulled Li Shengli out of the fray, concerned, and asked, ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± Li Shengli said, spitting out a mouthful of blood and wiping the corner of his mouth. ¡°Compared to what I¡¯ve been through before, this is nothing. The only thing is, I didn¡¯t bring a gun like I used to when I was with my old squad leader. Damn it, a doctor should always have a gun when going out to treat patients!¡±

 Episode 51 Crossing Death’s Door

    Seeing that the situation had calmed down slightly, and after having kicked over that cauldron of so-called ¡°miracle medicine¡± earlier, Gao-Yuan felt there shouldn¡¯t be any further immediate danger. He quickly turned to the old woman and asked, ¡°How is your daughter doing?¡±


    The elderly woman stammered, ¡°She¡¯s... she¡¯s bleeding heavily; she¡¯s almost... almost gone.¡±


    Gao-Yuan¡¯s expression grew more urgent. ¡°Where is she? Take me to her, quickly!¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s at home,¡± the woman replied, standing up hurriedly and stumbling as she led Gao-Yuan back to her house.


    Turning to Li Shengli, Gao-Yuan called out, ¡°Bring the wheelbarrow over here! You see that small bag? Make sure you grab it. It¡¯s got the life-saving medicine in it.¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡± Despite the pain from his injuries, Li Shengli wasted no time. He jumped down from the wheelbarrow, grabbed the small bag, and hurriedly pushed the cart to follow them.


    The group of ¡°immortals¡± exchanged uneasy glances. Seeing the suspicious looks from the villagers, their nerves frayed. They all turned toward their leader. the head ¡°immortal.¡±


    The head ¡°immortal,¡± still nursing a bloody nose, winced and then hissed through his teeth. ¡°Let¡¯s go and see what¡¯s happening,¡± he said, motioning for his group to follow.


    So, these pretenders, acting as if they possessed divine powers, followed along as well.


    The villagers, after a moment of hesitation, also followed. After all, one was a miraculous doctor, and the others claimed to be immortals¡ªthis was bound to be a spectacle.


    Before long, they reached the old woman¡¯s house.


    The elderly mother rushed inside, crying out, ¡°Xian¡¯er, I brought the doctor! Xian¡¯er, my child...¡±


    Her voice trembled. and then her cries grew louder, filled with despair.


    Gao-Yuan hurried inside and saw the midwife trembling, covered in blood, staggering out of the room in a state of shock.


    The moment he entered, he saw a large basin of fresh blood near the door.


    On the bed lay the woman in labor. Her eyes were closed, her face deathly pale¡ªwhite as paper¡ªand she had already slipped into unconsciousness. Her mother was at her bedside. sobbing, but no matter how much she cried, her daughter showed no sign of responding.


    The in-laws were also gathered inside the room, a newborn baby girl wailing loudly in a corner.


    Everyone was in shock, lost, and bewildered.


    A young man, likely the woman¡¯s husband, was kneeling beside her, sobbing uncontrollably, his face streaked with tears and snot.


    The mother-in-law, holding the newborn, was standing at a distance, too afraid to approach the bed.


    The old woman kept crying, ¡°I brought the doctor for you! I brought him! Xian¡¯er, wake up! Look at your mother, please!¡±


    The heartbreaking cries filled the room, and soon, the mother-in-law also broke down in tears. saying, ¡°It¡¯s no use, dear. Xian¡¯er... Xian¡¯er is already gone.¡±


    ¡°No, no!¡± The old woman turned frantically to Gao-Yuan, pleading, ¡°Doctor, please, Doctor Gao! You must take a look!¡±


    Gao-Yuan hurried forward and felt the woman¡¯s limbs¡ªthey were ice cold.


    The mother-in-law sobbed, ¡°She¡¯s cold. There¡¯s no breath left in her.¡±


    Gao-Yuan checked for any sign of breathing¡ªthere was almost none.


    Li Shengli, having just arrived at the doorway with the wheelbarrow, saw the scene unfold and was momentarily frozen with shock. ¡°Is she still alive?¡± he thought. ¡°She¡¯s already gone, isn¡¯t she?¡±


    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    The mother-in-law wiped her tears and continued, ¡°She passed away right after you left. Now, there¡¯s no pulse either. Her body is as cold as ice. She¡¯s gone.¡±


    Gao-Yuan felt for her pulse on both wrists¡ªthere was no movement, not even a flicker. All six pulses had vanished.


    The old woman¡¯s face turned ashen, drained of all colour. She collapsed to the ground, unable to get back up no matter how hard she tried. Crawling toward Gao-Yuan, he pleaded, ¡°Doctor Gao, they say you¡¯re a miraculous doctor. You must find a way to save my daughter!¡±


    The mother-in-law, still crying, said, ¡°Dear, Xian¡¯er is already gone. Not even a miraculous doctor can save her now. Only the gods can bring her back.¡±


    As if on cue, the so-called ¡°immortals¡± arrived.


    ¡°Blessings from the Immortal Lord,¡± the head ¡°immortal¡± stepped forward with a flourish, though the sight of his swollen, bruised face clashed with his supposed divine status.


    His sudden appearance startled everyone in the room. His demeanour seemed somewhat out of place for someone claiming to be a celestial being.


    The head ¡°immortal¡± looked down at the woman on the bed and then pulled out a small bottle from his robe. ¡°This woman has already returned to the realm of the immortals,¡± he declared. ¡°No mortal means can bring her back. Only this elixir of immortality preserves her body from decay. After she has journeyed through the immortal realm for seven days and nights, she will naturally return.¡±


    The mother-in-law, hesitant yet hopeful, asked, ¡°Can she really be saved?¡±


    The old woman, too, looked anxiously at the ¡°immortal¡± leader.


    He nodded slightly. ¡°I see you are fated to receive this gift. I will bestow the immortal elixir upon you, free of charge.¡±


    The old woman¡¯s face lit up with joy, overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events. Just moments ago, they had demanded money, and now they were offering it for free? She could hardly believe it. ¡°Is this... is this really true?¡±


    The head ¡°immortal,¡± sounding resolute, raised his voice for the crowd outside to hear. ¡°Of course! We seek only to build a good reputation, to accumulate good karma by helping those in need! Once she drinks this elixir, in seven days, she will return to life.¡±


    The old woman hesitated, unsure whether to accept it. But with no other options left and having already fallen into utter despair, what choice did she have?


    Li Shengli, however, cursed under his breath, ¡°Seven days? She¡¯ll start to rot in seven days!¡±


    The head ¡°immortal¡± snapped back, ¡°Ignorant fool! This is an immortal elixir!¡±


    ¡°Immortal, my ass!¡± Li Shengli cursed and, without warning, threw a punch right at the "immortal''s.¡± nose.


    With a loud ¡°crack,¡± the man¡¯s nose was completely broken.


    The head ¡°immortal¡± fell flat on his back, stunned that this young man would attack him so mercilessly.


    Li Shengli wasn¡¯t finished. He jumped forward and landed two more punches on the man.


    The rest of the ¡°immortal¡¯s¡± followers rushed forward to attack Li Shengli.


    Even though Li Shengli was exhausted and already injured, he fought them off with every ounce of strength he had left.


    Inside and outside, everyone was too stunned to react.


    Initially, many had doubted the ¡°immortal¡¯s¡± elixir, but seeing him get knocked down so easily left everyone in disbelief. How could a divine being be so weak?


    Just as the fight escalated, Gao-Yuan, who had been examining the patient, shouted urgently, ¡°Stop them! If they hurt the doctor, who will save the patient?¡±


    The crowd hesitated, unsure of what to do.


    Suddenly, the young man kneeling by the woman¡¯s side let out a loud wail and, like a mad bull, charged at the group, grabbing everyone and throwing them out the door, including himself.


    Li Shengli was thrown out as well, but with his battlefield instincts, he quickly rolled back to his feet and tackled one of the ¡°immortal¡± apprentices to the ground.


    The others rushed to help, and another brawl ensued.


    At that moment, loud voice called from outside, ¡°Let go of Doctor Li!¡±


    It was the mother of the sick child from earlier. She had rushed back and brought her husband with her. The moment they saw Li Shengli being beaten, they jumped in to help. After all, Li Shengli had just saved their son¡¯s life¡ªthere was no way they¡¯d let him get hurt now.


    The woman shouted for the other villagers to help.


    Since most of the villagers were related, and seeing how these so-called ¡°immortals¡± were acting more like common thugs, they finally intervened. Outside, they quickly gained control of the situation.


    Meanwhile, inside the house, the patient¡¯s pulses had completely vanished. Gao-Yuan drew on his knowledge of ancient medical practices for saving critical patients. If there was no pulse at the wrist, he needed to check the three-foot pulses¡ªFuyang, Taichong, and Taixi¡ªto assess the qi of the stomach, liver, and kidneys.


    Gao-Yuan quickly ran to check the foot pulses.


    Fuyang, no pulse.


    Taichong, no pulse!


    Taixi, faint... barely there.


    Gao-Yuan felt his scalp tingle. Even though


    He had experienced many severe cases in his past life; he had never seen anything quite like this.


    No wonder the mother-in-law kept saying the woman was gone¡ªshe had crossed far beyond the threshold of death.


    People often described critical conditions as having "one foot in the grave." But this woman? Her entire body had crossed through the gates of the underworld, with the gates already halfway closed behind her, leaving just the slightest sliver open!


    Gao-Yuan''s hair stood on end. He shouted at the top of his lungs, with all the desperation in his voice: ¡°Li Shengli! Bring my lifesaving pouch inside, now!¡±

 Episode 52 Breaking Through the Gates of Life and Death

    Hearing Gao-Yuan''s urgent shout, Li Shengli scrambled off the ground, rolling and crawling towards the wheelbarrow. He grabbed the small emergency pouch and dashed back into the house. But in his haste, he tripped over the threshold, crashing to the floor.


    Ignoring the pain, Li Shengli quickly held up the pouch. "I got it! But... can this person still be saved?"


    When even the doctor showed doubt, the patient''s family became even more desperate.


    "We must not give up!" Gao-Yuan swiftly took out a large moxa stick from his pouch, lit it, and blew out the flame, leaving it smouldering. He carefully placed the moxa stick on the patient''s Shenque acupuncture point. This point, located at the navel, is the connection between a foetus and its mother through the umbilical cord¡ªwhere prenatal essence flows in, the gateway to life energy, and the refuge of true innate breath.


    This point should never be pierced, but it can be treated with moxibustion. It has the power to restore yang and reverse collapse. The patient was in a state of extreme blood loss and yang depletion, teetering on the brink of death. To pull her back from the gates of death, they had to act swiftly and decisively to restore her vital yang energy.


    Turning to the elderly woman, Gao-Yuan instructed, "Come here. You hold the moxa stick and keep applying it to your daughter¡¯s Shenque point. Don¡¯t stop, no matter what."


    The woman, trembling with nerves, took the moxa stick, nodding earnestly to Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan then opened his pouch, took out a pack of dried ginger, and grabbed some dragon bone powder. "Shengli, go roast this ginger until it becomes ginger charcoal, and quickly calcine the dragon bone powder. Hurry!" he ordered.


    "Got it!" Li Shengli grabbed the ginger and rushed to the kitchen without hesitation.


    Meanwhile, Gao-Yuan reached into another bag, pulling out angelica and astragalus roots. The patient had lost so much blood that replenishing it immediately was impossible. Therefore, the key was to stabilise the body¡¯s vital energy, and Gao-Yuan decided to increase the dosage of astragalus to strengthen the qi.


    He mixed the Angelica blood-replenishing soup with the previous life-saving prescription, then unpacked small pouches and began combining their contents carefully.


    Just as he finished, Li Shengli came running back with the ginger charcoal and calcined dragon bone.


    Gao-Yuan quickly added the final key ingredient.


    Li Shengli, watching closely, widened his eyes in shock. "Isn¡¯t that Aconite?"


    Gao-Yuan nodded and poured the entire dose of aconite into the pot.


    "That¡¯s... that¡¯s a lot!" Li Shengli exclaimed in disbelief.


    "It¡¯s less than half a jin. I brought everything the clinic had. Now go, boil it for the patient," Gao-Yuan replied firmly.


    Li Shengli stood frozen, dumbfounded. "Huh?"


    "No time for hesitation! Go!" Gao-Yuan barked.


    "Yes, sir!" Li Shengli snapped out of it and rushed out.


    Turning to the patient¡¯s family, Gao-Yuan asked, "Do you have hot water and a fire?"


    "Yes, yes, the fire¡¯s been burning since the birth," they answered hurriedly.


    Gao-Yuan instructed Li Shengli, "Pour everything into the boiling water. Use the hottest fire you can. Let it boil quickly, then take a small spoonful and bring it to me immediately. Do not stop the fire!"


    "Yes, sir!" Li Shengli rushed to the kitchen to start the process. His efficiency was remarkable, far superior to Zhao Huanzhang, who would have hesitated and wasted precious time, possibly dooming the patient.


    Once Li Shengli was gone, Gao-Yuan wasted no time. He snipped off a handful of the patient¡¯s hair, found a bowl, and burnt it into charcoal.


    Hair is the remnant of blood, and its vitality is tied to the kidneys, which store essence and generate marrow. Burning hair into charcoal stabilises the yin, making it especially effective in treating conditions related to blood loss in gynaecology. Hair charcoal stops bleeding without causing stagnation, invigorates blood circulation, and stabilises the yin¡ªa potent remedy in this situation.


    Gao-Yuan mixed the hair charcoal with water and carefully administered it to the patient.


    Fortunately, the patient¡¯s swallowing reflex was still functional, sparing them from having to use a feeding tube.


    Just as the hair charcoal went down, Li Shengli returned with a spoonful of the medicinal soup.


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Gao-Yuan quickly fed the soup to the patient. "Go get another spoonful. Don¡¯t stop. Hurry!" he commanded.


    Without hesitation, Li Shengli ran back to the kitchen.


    This was emergency medicine at its finest¡ªboiling powerful herbs over a roaring fire, quickly administering spoonfuls of life-saving heat.


    Aconite, with its intensely hot and toxic properties, was their last hope. At this critical moment, it was a battle against time, a fight to snatch life from the jaws of death. Gao-Yuan knew, standing at death¡¯s door, there could be no hesitation. Only firm, decisive action could save the patient.


    This moment made Gao-Yuan truly understand the ancient phrase, "Breaking through the gates of life and death."


    It was a battle to cut down the grim reaper inside the gates of death. Anyone who stood in the way of saving this life would be struck down without mercy. To break through the gates was to seize the only remaining chance for life, the last flicker of hope.


    There was no time for doubts or light-handed measures now¡ªit was a contest of strength.


    The ancient doctors likened using powerful drugs to wielding a general¡¯s Green Dragon Crescent Blade. Now, Gao-Yuan stood at the gates of death, brandishing his blade, ready to fight his way in to save the patient. Whoever blocked his path, whether human or ghost, would be cut down.


    This was truly breaking through the gates of life and death!


    Time passed slowly. Li Shengli was running so much that his legs gave out, and he collapsed. The patient''s family members took over, delivering spoonful after spoonful of the medicinal soup from the kitchen to the bedroom. Eventually, they too collapsed, and new family members took their place. After a brief rest, Li Shengli got back on his feet and continued.


    Gao-Yuan kept administering the potent medicine without pausing or doubting his approach.


    The old woman holding the moxa stick at the patient¡¯s Shenque point had long since lost all feeling in her arms, but she didn¡¯t dare move a muscle.


    Forty minutes passed.


    Everyone watched anxiously.


    Even the villagers outside remained, holding their breath.


    The mother-in-law, who had been expecting her daughter-in-law to die by now, noticed something. Lifting the blanket to check, she exclaimed, "Hey! Hey! The bleeding stopped!"


    "What? The bleeding stopped?" The family gasped in astonishment.


    "Has she bled out?" someone asked nervously, recalling the terrifying amount of blood that had pooled earlier.


    The mother-in-law wasn¡¯t sure what to think. If the blood had truly run dry, the patient would already be dead. Yet she still seemed to be alive.


    Gao-Yuan quickly checked the patient''s arms. The coldness and stiffness had begun to recede, and warmth was returning to her limbs. Overjoyed, he immediately felt for her pulse and checked her lower pulse points.


    The pulse at the Taixi point was clear!


    Both the stomach and liver pulses were also present!


    "She¡¯s got a pulse! She¡¯s got a pulse!" Gao-Yuan shouted in excitement.


    "What? The pulse is back? Can she live?" Li Shengli asked, stunned.


    "There¡¯s hope!" Gao-Yuan announced.


    At his words, the entire room exploded in jubilation.


    Gao-Yuan quickly added, "But we¡¯re not done yet! Keep administering the medicine. Don¡¯t stop!"


    "Yes!" The family was even more determined now.


    The news spread outside, and the village erupted in cheers.


    The fake Taoist priest, who had recently regained consciousness, heard the news and was dumbfounded. He had claimed the patient wouldn¡¯t recover for seven days, yet here they were, showing signs of life after only half an hour.


    He solemnly nodded, pretending to remain composed, and declared, "It seems I underestimated these two doctors. They must also be immortals."


    "Get lost!" the father of the newborn shouted, slapping the charlatan across the head.


    The con men looked ready to retaliate, but the villagers quickly surrounded them, fists ready, making it clear that any resistance would result in a serious beating.


    The fraudsters immediately backed down, cowed by the angry crowd.


    Inside the house, the rescue continued.


    As the patient¡¯s limbs warmed and her pulse stabilised, her breathing also grew stronger.


    Everyone was exhausted beyond measure, having worked non-stop from dusk until midnight.


    "What time is it?" Gao-Yuan asked.


    Li Shengli checked the time. "It¡¯s almost midnight."


    Gao-Yuan felt the patient''s hands and pulse again. "We¡¯ve given all the medicine. Now we just have to wait for her yang energy to fully return."


    Everyone collapsed onto the floor, too tired to stand, anxiously watching the woman.


    The elderly woman holding the moxa stick hadn¡¯t moved a muscle the entire time. She was frozen in place, unable to respond when others called her name.


    Li Shengli collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily. He glanced at the time and said, "It''s past midnight."


    After a while, seeing that the woman was still unconscious, Gao-Yuan walked over and gently tapped her shoulder: "Comrade, comrade..."


    But there was no response.


    "Is it still not working?" someone asked in despair. Everyone''s heads lowered as quiet sobs filled the room.


    Outside the door, a crowd remained, unwilling to leave. A murmur of sighs echos through the air.


    The mother, with her arms still rigidly outstretched, had a blank expression on her face, unresponsive even as people called her name.


    The mother-in-law, seeing the heartbreaking state of her daughter-in-law and her own daughter, couldn''t contain her grief any longer. Holding the newborn baby, she began to sob. As if responding, the baby, who had been sleeping soundly, suddenly cried out loudly, its voice sharp and clear.


    At that moment, the woman on the bed heard the baby¡¯s cry and, to everyone¡¯s astonishment, quickly opened her eyes. Her gaze was filled with concern.


    "She¡¯s awake!" Gao-Yuan shouted excitedly as he rushed over. He saw the woman¡¯s lips moving, though no sound came out. But from the movement of her lips, Gao-Yuan could tell she was saying one word: "Child!"


    The people in the room quickly gathered around.


    The young man, overcome with emotion, held the woman in his arms, crying uncontrollably.


    At that very moment, the woman¡¯s mother, who had been holding the moxa stick with her arms stiff in front of her, suddenly collapsed to the floor. Her hands, which had been frozen in place, finally relaxed.


    The people nearby hurried to help her up.


    Li Shengli, who had been lying on the ground, began to laugh and cry at the same time, overcome with emotion. Flat on his back, he wiped his tears while smiling broadly.


    Outside, the villagers were just as overwhelmed with excitement.


    Gao-Yuan, struggling to stand, pushed himself up. His physical strength had long since been depleted. Slowly, he walked over to the baby¡¯s grandmother, gave her a faint smile, and couldn¡¯t help but shed a tear himself. He wiped it away, gently touched the crying baby, and said, "Little one, you have your mother now."

 Episode 53 Training a Doctor

    In the latter half of the night, the sick woman regained consciousness and was able to speak. By dawn, she was hungry and out of danger.


    Gao Yuan and Li Shengli had fallen asleep at the woman¡¯s home. Although there were still patients outside who needed treatment, they were utterly exhausted. It had been a relentless week with no rest. After travelling such a long distance, fighting off those charlatans even when their strength was depleted, and then staying up through the night to save a life, their bodies could hardly hold up.


    Even someone with iron resolve would struggle under such demands.


    Despite feeling like his entire body was falling apart, Gao Yuan woke up just as the sky began to lighten.


    ¡°Ah...¡± he groaned tiredly, stretching his arms though they barely moved. He glanced at Li Shengli, who was still snoring. Gao Yuan braced himself and got out of bed, planning to step outside for some fresh air.


    As soon as he opened the door, he saw a large crowd standing outside.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Gao Yuan was slightly startled.


    Seeing him, the group displayed mixed expressions of joy and awkwardness.


    The elderly woman of the house stepped forward and said, ¡°Doctor, you¡¯re awake! But you all, why are you here so early? At least let the doctor sleep a bit more and have breakfast.¡±


    The crowd outside looked even more embarrassed.


    Gao Yuan scanned them; they all appeared sickly, coughing continuously. A few looked visibly anxious and out of sorts. Clearly, they had severely ill family members and were here seeking medical help.


    ¡°Are you all here for treatment?¡± Gao Yuan asked.


    Everyone nodded in unison.


    Gao Yuan said, ¡°Alright, don¡¯t just stand around here. Go to your village''s assembly hall. Take any sick relatives who can be moved. For those who can¡¯t, I¡¯ll visit them at home.¡±


    The elderly woman said, ¡°Doctor, at least have breakfast first.¡±


    Gao Yuan asked, ¡°Do you have hot water? I brought some dry food. Just warm it up for me.¡±


    The old woman replied, ¡°Doctor, you saved our lives. How could we let you eat that? I¡¯ve made some white bread rolls and corn porridge. You must have some.¡±


    Gao Yuan looked at the malnourished family, their faces gaunt and pale. This was a remote, impoverished village, the poorest in the entire county. He shook his head. ¡°No, save it for the new mother. She needs nourishment.¡±


    Seeing that the old woman was about to protest, Gao Yuan gently stopped her, ¡°No need to argue. We¡¯re grown men. We can handle it. Focus on the mother.¡±


    The woman was deeply touched and nodded.


    Li Shengli, who had woken up at some point, stood at the doorway, grinning widely.


    Gao Yuan checked on the recovering woman. After eating, she had fallen asleep next to her newborn daughter. Mother and child slept peacefully.


    Gao Yuan smiled softly, not wanting to disturb their rest. He planned to return in the afternoon for a follow-up.


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    After a quick bite of the warmed bread, Gao Yuan and Li Shengli pushed their wheelbarrow to the assembly hall.


    Upon arriving, they noticed that the group of charlatans from the day before had been tied up like mummies and left there. Despite their situation, they were still stubbornly proclaiming they¡¯d unleash divine power to spread a plague and destroy the village.


    Before they could finish, they received another two slaps to the face.


    The villagers had completely lost faith in them.


    Even the village officials, one using a cane, approached Gao Yuan and Li Shengli with looks of embarrassment and apology.


    Li Shengli glanced at the charlatans and said to the villagers, ¡°You should never believe in these frauds. Their incense and charms are harmful, not helpful. They not only fail to cure illnesses, but they can cost lives.¡±


    The villagers looked even more ashamed.


    An elderly man spoke up, sounding angry. ¡°We didn¡¯t want to believe them, but we had no choice. We didn¡¯t have any doctors.¡±


    At that, both Gao Yuan and Li Shengli fell silent, feeling a sense of helplessness.


    ¡°Sigh...¡± Gao Yuan let out a long sigh. ¡°Everyone, come here for treatment. I won¡¯t leave the village until I¡¯ve seen all the patients.¡±


    The villagers gathered eagerly to be treated.


    Li Shengli, sensing the situation, began helping with consultations. By now, Gao Yuan was seen as a miracle doctor¡ªfar beyond Li Shengli¡¯s level¡ªso none of the villagers asked for Li¡¯s treatment anymore.


    The village had many sick people. In addition to colds and fevers, there were a variety of other ailments. Usually, they would have to endure such illnesses because they had no medical care. Now that a doctor was here, they rushed to get treatment, knowing they might not see one again for years.


    By evening, after a long day, Gao Yuan realised they were running out of medicine for various conditions. He had to get creative, substituting remedies. Eventually, their supplies were so low that Gao Yuan resorted to acupuncture as a last resort.


    This reminded him of his experiences in his previous life, when he had honed his acupuncture skills during the extreme hardships of famine. Back then, there was barely enough food, let alone medicine, so Gao Yuan had no choice but to master acupuncture, using needles instead of medication whenever possible.


    In such a poor and barren era, personal preference or passion didn¡¯t matter. What mattered was what the people needed. Whatever the people needed, that¡¯s what they studied and developed.


    By evening, they finally had a moment to rest.


    Gao Yuan checked in on the sick woman again. The loss of vital blood couldn¡¯t be replenished quickly, so she remained extremely weak and bedridden. Gao Yuan prescribed a large dose of Angelica Blood-Replenishing Soup, with added herbs, and handed the prescription to her family, instructing them to get the medicine.


    As night fell, they prepared to leave for the next village.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Gao Yuan said, waving to Li Shengli.


    Li Shengli followed behind, pulling the now empty wheelbarrow.


    Just as they stepped outside, they heard someone calling out behind them.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    They turned to see people rushing towards them.


    Gao Yuan and Li Shengli exchanged a glance.


    The village secretary, still using his cane, hurried to catch up, holding a bundle. ¡°Doctors, this is a small token of our gratitude from the village.¡±


    ¡°This is...¡± Gao Yuan opened the bundle to find it filled with white bread rolls.


    The secretary explained, ¡°We¡¯re a poor village, and you¡¯ve done so much for us. We don¡¯t have much, but every household contributed a bit of flour, and we made these rolls for you to take on your journey.¡±


    Both men were taken aback. They knew this was the best the village could offer.


    Sensing they were about to refuse, the secretary quickly added, ¡°Please, take them. Don¡¯t look down on them.¡±


    Gao Yuan looked up to see the villagers watching them, eyes filled with hope and reluctance.


    Holding the bundle, Gao Yuan nodded solemnly.


    The secretary smiled in relief.


    As they walked out of the village, the villagers followed. Even when they reached the outskirts, the villagers wouldn¡¯t turn back. They knew that once the doctors left, it could be years before they saw another one.


    ¡°Doctor Gao,¡± Li Shengli whispered, clearly struggling with emotion.


    Gao Yuan held the bundle of bread, paused, then turned back and handed it to Li Shengli. He walked towards the villagers, saying, ¡°Everyone, I know your village desperately needs a doctor. I have an idea. I¡¯m not sure if you¡¯re willing to consider it.¡±


    Without hesitation, the villagers nodded eagerly.


    Gao Yuan continued, ¡°Go back and select a young person who wants to become a doctor, someone who can read and write. Send them to Zhangzhuang, and I¡¯ll train them myself. They can stay at our clinic, though they¡¯ll need to handle their own meals.¡±


    ¡°Your village can record a basic work point for them. It¡¯ll take about three to six months. Just like you all gathered your strength to make these bread rolls, together you can cultivate a doctor¡ªone who belongs to your village!¡±


    The villagers were stunned.

 Episode 54 The Welcome

    As they left the village, Li Shengli''s steps felt much lighter.


    Pulling the wheelbarrow along, he asked Gao-Yuan, "Doctor Gao, do you think anyone from their village will come to learn medicine?"


    Gao-Yuan thought for a moment and said, "They probably will; I hope they will."


    Li Shengli nodded enthusiastically, "Working collectively is always better. We can pool our efforts to get things done."


    Gao-Yuan nodded in agreement. "I hope we can train a group of doctors for the people in these impoverished mountain areas."


    Li Shengli looked at Gao-Yuan, then nodded firmly, "Doctors for the people!"


    ...


    Before liberation, almost no poor people could study medicine. The poor sold their children just to survive. They could barely afford to eat, let alone read or study medicine, which required tuition fees and living expenses. For poor families, simply paying for room and board was enough to crush them.


    Most doctors from poor peasant backgrounds were trained after the founding of New China.


    The method Gao-Yuan had just proposed was later used to train barefoot doctors. The entire village would support one person, recording work points daily, allowing them to leave the village for six months to study medicine.


    What are work points? They represent food rations.


    This meant that even when the entire village was struggling to feed itself, they would sacrifice part of their rations for six long months to support one young person in training to become a doctor.


    In any other era, this would have been unimaginable. But in reality, we managed to ensure that during such difficult times, every village had its own barefoot doctor. Through collective contributions, each impoverished villager received free medical care.


    Now, Gao-Yuan wanted to bring this plan forward by nine years. Huo Township''s situation was unique; they couldn¡¯t afford to wait another nine years for their own doctor.


    ...


    The supply of medicinal herbs was timely, and soon, a new batch of herbs arrived.


    Gao-Yuan and Li Shengli worked quickly, treating one village after another. In every village, they were warmly welcomed; Huo Township was in desperate need of doctors. Gao-Yuan shared his idea of training local doctors with the villagers, letting them decide for themselves.


    After all, tending one sheep or a flock of sheep is still herding.


    By the time they reunited with Zhao Huanzhang, only a few days had passed, but it felt like a lifetime, like they were old friends meeting again after a long separation.


    They exchanged glances, smiling faintly with hidden emotions in their eyes.


    "How¡¯s everything been? No major issues, I hope?" Gao-Yuan asked.


    Shen Congyun looked at Zhao Huanzhang.


    Zhao Huanzhang''s face showed a bit of grievance as he replied to Gao-Yuan, "Doctor Gao, from now on, you handle the serious cases! This work is unbearable!"


    ¡°Hahaha...¡± Since his return to this era, it was the first time Gao-Yuan laughed out loud.


    The others also burst into laughter.


    With the four doctors working together, the situation in Huo Township gradually came under control and improved.


    Finally, the influenza outbreak was extinguished, and the group causing harm with their superstitions was dealt with as well.


    As they prepared to leave Huo Township, half of the villagers came out to see them off. They walked and waved, but the people of Huo Township were reluctant to part.


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    The sight moved Zhao Huanzhang and Shen Congyun. They had treated many patients before and been thanked countless times, but they had never imagined such a scene where half a township would come out to bid them farewell.


    For a moment, they didn¡¯t know what to say.


    Gao-Yuan said, "See? I wasn¡¯t lying to you."


    Both Zhao Huanzhang and Shen Congyun stood dumbfounded, staring at Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan pointed behind him and said, "These are our people!"


    Li Shengli straightened his back with pride.


    ¡°Our people,¡± Zhao Huanzhang and Shen Congyun muttered to themselves, then nodded seriously at Gao-Yuan.


    ...


    The journey back from Huo Township took almost a full day.


    They set off in the morning and arrived at Zhangzhuang by evening.


    As soon as they left the mountain path, they saw a group of people waiting for them.


    ¡°Are they here to welcome us?¡± Shen Congyun asked in confusion.


    Li Shengli took a few quick steps forward, squinting to see the crowd. After recognising the man in front, he exclaimed, ¡°Oh, it¡¯s Bureau leader Wang from the Health Bureau! He¡¯s here to welcome us.¡±


    "Really?" Zhao Huanzhang and Shen Congyun were both shocked. This kind of reception was new to them.


    Shen Congyun, though often expressing a desire for recognition from influential figures, panicked when it finally happened. "Am I... am I too dirty right now? Should I change my clothes and wash my face?"


    Gao-Yuan replied, "We¡¯re in the middle of nowhere. Where are you going to wash up?"


    "This¡­ this is bad!" Shen Congyun was flustered. "What if I leave a bad impression on the leaders?"


    But Gao-Yuan said, "You¡¯ve got it wrong."


    ¡°Huh?¡± Shen Congyun looked puzzled.


    Gao-Yuan pointed at his tattered outfit and said, "This is your badge of honour."


    Shen Congyun stood stunned for a few seconds before finally understanding. With a loud whoop, he rushed to the front with excitement, running so fast that Li Shengli stood there bewildered.


    Li Shengli gave Gao-Yuan a thumbs-up. "You really know what to say."


    Gao-Yuan smiled, "Let¡¯s go. We shouldn¡¯t keep them waiting."


    The four of them hurried forward.


    There were quite a few people there to greet them. Leading the group was the health bureau leader, followed by staff from the bureau, the heads of local clinics, and health association officers.


    The bureau leader had instructed them to come, not just for a simple welcome but to show them role models and learn from the best.


    However, the group had long faces, clearly unwilling and unhappy.


    "Doctor Li, this is quite something. We¡¯re here, but to have you come all this way as well? It seems these people are getting too comfortable sitting on top of you," one person remarked, trying to stir up trouble.


    Li Runyu glanced at the man, his expression darkening. His gaze turned impatient as he looked ahead.


    Doctor Yan Qiao, even more frustrated, had been reluctant to come. He had faked an illness to avoid it, but when the bureau leader showed up at his home and found him drinking alone, Yan had been dragged along. The bureau leader had made it clear that everyone else could stay, but Yan absolutely had to be there.


    Yan Qiao was thoroughly annoyed.


    "Here they come," the bureau leader announced, starting the applause.


    The others clapped half-heartedly.


    Shen Congyun was the first to run forward, with the rest following behind.


    The welcoming crowd was taken aback. These weren¡¯t doctors¡ªthey looked like beggars, with scruffy beards, tattered clothes, and a strong odour.


    The crowd was stunned for a few seconds before some of the doctors began to chuckle.


    But the bureau leader¡¯s expression changed. He quickly removed his hat and rushed forward, grabbing Shen Congyun¡¯s hand with sincerity. "Thank you for your hard work!"


    It was the first time a leader had greeted him so warmly. Shen Congyun was overjoyed, grinning so widely that his eyes nearly disappeared. "Hello, leader! I¡¯m Shen Congyun, the third-generation heir of Shen¡¯s external treatments. I specialise in massage and acupuncture. It¡¯s no trouble; serving the people is our duty!"


    Moved by Shen¡¯s high level of awareness, the bureau leader shook his hand even more firmly. "Good, good! But Shen, how did you lose a tooth?"


    Shen Congyun touched his mouth, feeling a bit embarrassed. But remembering Gao-Yuan¡¯s words, he beamed even more, proudly exposing his broken tooth. "We travelled late into the night every day these past few days. I was so tired that I accidentally fell into a ditch and chipped it."


    The bureau leader, now even more moved, vigorously shook his hand again. "You¡¯ve worked so hard, Doctor Shen!"


    Shen Congyun¡¯s grin grew wider, showing off his "medal" with pride.


    Watching this, Yan Qiao''s face turned black as coal.


    The bureau leader then asked, "Which one of you is Doctor Gao-Yuan?"


    Shen Congyun pointed behind him, "That¡¯s him."


    Everyone turned to look. They had been hearing all kinds of stories about Gao-Yuan recently.


    "That¡¯s Gao-Yuan?" Li Runyu muttered to himself.


    Gao-Yuan stepped forward quickly, smiling as he stood before the bureau leader.


    The bureau leader, too, looked Gao-Yuan up and down. "Gao-Yuan, I¡¯ve been hearing a lot of stories about you recently."


    Gao-Yuan hesitated for a moment.


    Behind the bureau leader, the other doctors exchanged strange glances. They had heard not only of Gao-Yuan¡¯s heroic deeds but also of his troubled past, and their expressions showed their curiosity.


    This made Gao-Yuan uneasy.


    Li Shengli was about to speak up for Gao-Yuan, but Zhao Huanzhang stopped him.


    Gao-Yuan exhaled slowly, lowering his head.


    But then, the bureau leader extended his hand towards Gao-Yuan, saying sincerely, "Thank you, Comrade Gao-Yuan!"


    Gao-Yuan looked up in surprise.


    Zhao Huanzhang watched as Gao-Yuan, for the first time, was moved to tears.

 Episode 55 Caution, Always Caution

    The bureau leader, in front of everyone, kept heaping praise on the Zhangzhuang Joint Clinic. He was determined to set them as a shining example for others. "People are always talking about difficulties¡ªhow is it that Zhangzhuang Clinic manages to overcome every challenge? It all comes down to attitude!"


    The more the leader praised them, the darker the faces of the other doctors became.


    But the Zhangzhuang Clinic staff remained blissfully unaware.


    Li Shengli didn''t care in the slightest. He completely disregarded the others.


    As for Zhao Huanzhang and Shen Congyun, they still hadn''t had their fill of the praise and paid no attention to anyone else.


    It was at this moment that a person came running from afar, shouting, "Hey, hey, has Dr. Gao returned? Has Dr. Gao returned?"


    Everyone turned to look.


    "Isn''t that Liu Sanquan?" Li Shengli asked, unsure.


    Gao-Yuan furrowed his brow slightly and stepped forward. "Could something have happened?"


    The bureau leader quickly stopped his praise and looked towards the runner.


    Liu Sanquan hurried over and said, "Ah, Dr. Gao, you''re finally back!"


    Gao-Yuan asked, "What''s going on? Did something happen?"


    Liu Sanquan pointed behind him and said, "Zhang Yuancai''s youngest son has had a severe nosebleed that won''t stop. It''s been bleeding for half the day, and they can''t control it. When I heard you were back, I rushed over to get you to take a look."


    Gao-Yuan asked Again, "How is the child now?"


    Liu Sanquan replied, "He''s stable for now, but if we can''t stop the bleeding soon, it could become dangerous."


    Gao-Yuan nodded, understanding the situation. He turned to the bureau leader and said, "Director, we have a patient waiting for us. We need to head over immediately."


    The bureau leader said, "Oh, that''s fine, that''s fine. Saving lives comes first. You go ahead¡ª"


    Before he could finish, a voice suddenly emerged from the group of visiting doctors. "Why don''t we go with them? It would be a good opportunity to learn from Zhangzhuang Clinic¡¯s advanced medical practices."


    As soon as this was said, the others began to stir in agreement.


    The bureau leader''s face darkened a little.


    But Gao-Yuan didn''t mind and said, "Sure, let''s all go."


    With that, Gao-Yuan strode ahead, and the others hurried to keep up.


    The person who had instigated things sidled up to Dr. Li Runyu and said, "Dr. Li, we''ve been hearing about their excellent work for a while now. Will you show off some of your skills too? I heard people saying that Zhang Yuancai''s grandson had meningitis and was lucky to have Dr. Gao treat him. If it had been you, well, who knows if he would''ve made it."


    Hearing this, Li Runyu snorted coldly and said, "Meningitis? Please, it was just bad luck that I was out that day. Otherwise, would I have let that young upstart steal? the show?"


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Got it." The instigator, having achieved his goal, quickly moved aside.


    A group of people hurried back to the clinic. Zhang Yuancai was anxiously waiting at the door. When he saw Gao-Yuan, he rushed over and said, "Dr. Gao, please take a look at my little Huzi."


    "Alright," Gao-Yuan replied as he hurried inside.


    Zhang Yuancai then noticed the officials standing nearby. "Oh my!"


    Looking behind them, Zhang Yuancai gasped again. He hadn''t expected all the prominent doctors from the county to come as well. For a moment, he wasn''t even sure if it was his mischievous son who was ill or if some high-ranking official was here for treatment.


    Gao-Yuan quickly entered the house, where Zhang Yuancai''s wife and mother were anxiously waiting. A little boy, about five years old, lay slumped in a chair.


    Grandma Zhang was wiping her eyes as she tried to stop her grandson''s nosebleed. No matter how she stuffed his nose or tried to stop it, the bleeding wouldn''t stop.


    When she saw Gao-Yuan enter, she hurriedly stood up, panicking. "Doctor, please help!"


    Gao-Yuan raised his hand, signaling for her to remain calm. He stepped forward to examine the child, and Zhao Huanzhang quickly moved to his side.


    The visiting doctors all squeezed inside, with Li Runyu being pushed to the front by the crowd.


    Shen Congyun had originally planned to wait for the leader, but to his surprise, the bureau leader had already moved to the front. How could he fall behind now? Shen Congyun quickly began squeezing through the crowd, determined to stand beside the leader.


    "Move, move, move!"


    The doorway was already cramped, and his shifting created an uproar of displeasure.


    But Shen Congyun didn''t care, wriggling through like a worm.


    "Do you expect me to move for you too?"


    A voice suddenly rang out beside him. Shen Congyun looked up and immediately felt a chill in his spine.


    It was the stern-faced, cold-eyed Dr. Yan Qiao, an esteemed traditional Chinese medicine practitioner.


    Like a deflated balloon, Shen Congyun froze in place, unsure of what to do.


    ¡­


    Up front, Gao-Yuan asked, "How long has the bleeding been going on?"


    Grandma Zhang replied, "It started before lunch. We thought it would stop after a little while, but it hasn¡¯t. We¡¯ve tried everything¡ªpacking the nose, using cold water to cool his forehead, washing his face¡ªnothing has worked."


    "The more blood he lost, the more worried we got. We rushed him here, but only Liu Sanquan was around. He wanted to treat him, but when I heard you were coming back today, I told him to wait."


    Gao-Yuan glanced at Liu Sanquan, who awkwardly smiled. It seemed his credibility was low in Grandma Zhang''s eyes.


    Gao-Yuan examined the child. The boy was pale, listless, and slumped in the chair. Blood-stained cloth was stuffed in his nose, but blood was still seeping through. The little boy weakly glanced at Gao-Yuan before his eyes dove again.


    The doctors in the back were observing closely.


    "He''s been bleeding for most of the day. This must be serious. How are you not even a little worried?" someone asked Li Shengli.


    Li Shengli chuckled. "This? You think this is serious?"


    The others looked at Li Shengli with disdain. He was young but certainly had a flair for boasting.


    Li Shengli didn''t bother to explain further. He had seen worse cases, far more severe than this.


    Gao-Yuan stepped forward to check the boy''s pulse. After touching the child¡¯s hand, a look of doubt crossed his face. He checked the boy¡¯s hands again, his confusion deepening. Then he asked the child, "Open your mouth. Stick out your tongue."


    The boy stuck out his tongue, and Gao-Yuan saw it clearly¡ªpale and weak.


    Gao-Yuan immediately understood. He stood up and told Liu Sanquan, "We need to strengthen Yang, dispel Yin, warm the channels, and stop the bleeding with Si Ni Tang."


    "Huh?" The doctors in the back were stunned.


    "Si Ni Tang? It''s not like the child¡¯s life is at risk, is it?"


    "I¡¯ve been practicing medicine for years, and this is the first time I¡¯ve seen someone treat a nosebleed with Si Ni Tang."


    "Ha! No wonder they''re considered advanced. Their treatment methods must be advanced too."


    The doctors sneered upon hearing Gao-Yuan¡¯s decision.


    Zhao Huanzhang, standing next to Gao-Yuan, cautiously added, "Dr. Gao, we must be careful. We must be careful."


    Gao-Yuan was speechless. Every time he returned, Zhao Huanzhang, who could be as fierce as a bear, reverted to a timid cat, spouting nothing but caution.


    Gao-Yuan frowned and looked at the group of doctors. "Who was it that said Si Ni Tang can¡¯t treat nosebleeds? Step forward!"

 Episode 56 Joyful Laughter

    As soon as Gao-Yuan said these words, the attending doctors fell silent.


    Then, the elder traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, Doctor Yanqiao, released Shen Congyun from his scrutinising gaze, stepped forward, and gravely asked Gao-Yuan, ¡°Doctor Gao, are you threatening us?¡±


    ¡°Not at all,¡± replied Gao-Yuan with a faint smile. ¡°It¡¯s purely an academic discussion.¡±


    With a slight nod, Doctor Yanqiao responded, ¡°Since this is purely academic, then we¡¯ll speak openly. Let¡¯s keep it professional and not take offence.¡±


    Gao-Yuan glanced over at Doctor Yanqiao, then at the visibly uncomfortable Shen Congyun, and finally turned to Zhao Huanzhang.


    With a somewhat embarrassed smile, Zhao Huanzhang leaned in and whispered, ¡°Doctor Gao, there¡¯s quite a bit of history between Doctor Yan and Shen. He¡¯s often critical of us, so please proceed carefully to avoid conflict.¡±


    Gao-Yuan gave a subtle nod and replied to Doctor Yanqiao, "Please feel free to speak.¡±


    Hearing this young man address him respectfully as ¡°Elder Yan,¡± Doctor Yanqiao¡¯s expression softened slightly as he began, ¡°Chinese medicine¡¯s understanding of blood disorders goes back a long way. The Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet specifically dedicate a section to blood disorders, with main treatments like Xiexin Decoction to drain heat and stop bleeding and Huangtu Decoction to warm the spleen and contain blood.¡±


    He continued, ¡°Zhang Jingyue, summarizing his predecessors¡¯ views, noted that ¡®blood disturbances are caused by heat and qi. Therefore, in treating blood disorders, one must drain heat or nourish qi to control bleeding.¡¯ Essentially, the treatment of blood disorders lies in either cooling the blood or strengthening the qi.¡±


    ¡°Epistaxis, or nosebleeds, is usually caused by heat damaging the blood vessels, causing blood to flow recklessly. How, then, can Si Ni Decoction stop bleeding? With its ingredients like Aconite and Dried Ginger, both potent and warming, their effect is too intense, unsuitable for treating bleeding.¡±


    As Doctor Yanqiao finished, several doctors in the crowd began to praise him, their voices filled with admiration.


    The director observed the exchange without commenting. Since this was set up as an academic discussion, it wasn¡¯t his place to interfere.


    Although Li Runyu frowned, his understanding of traditional Chinese medicine and experience told him that Doctor Yanqiao¡¯s reasoning was solid. However, seeing the calm expression on Gao-Yuan¡¯s face made him uncertain. Though he held some resentment towards Gao-Yuan, he knew the young doctor was not someone to underestimate. With some hesitation, Li Runyu decided to step forward and examine the patient himself.


    Shen Congyun was caught in a dilemma as Doctor Yanqiao stirred up trouble. With the director present, he felt helpless, anxiously pacing back and forth as his vision grew dark. This was a rare opportunity to impress the leadership, and he feared his former father-in-law might ruin it.


    Leaning on his cane, Doctor Yanqiao eyed Gao-Yuan with a haughty gaze, saying, ¡°Doctor Gao, won¡¯t you explain?¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang continued to whisper, ¡°Doctor Gao, proceed cautiously.¡±


    Gao-Yuan patted Zhao reassuringly, signalling he was fine. He began, ¡°Doctor Yan cited classic texts, which is certainly admirable. The Yan family has rightfully earned its reputation as our county¡¯s foremost medical family.¡±


    Doctor Yanqiao merely gave a slight smile.


    ¡°But,¡± continued Gao-Yuan, ¡°Doctor Yan just referenced Zhang Jingyue, who also creatively suggested that a deficiency of qi leads to cold. So, can¡¯t the failure of qi to contain blood also indicate a cold pattern?¡±


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°This¡­¡± Doctor Yanqiao was momentarily taken aback.


    The crowd fell into a collective stupor.


    Seizing the moment, Gao-Yuan continued, ¡°We often talk about qi and blood¡ªqi representing yang and blood representing yin. Have we forgotten such a fundamental principle?¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang started sweating, thinking, He¡¯s really going all out.


    Ignoring the other doctor¡¯s changing expressions, Gao-Yuan continued, ¡°You mentioned Zhang Zhongjing¡¯s theories. Then you must also remember his twelve-character rule for treatment: ¡®Observe the pulse and symptoms, know the opposing factors, and treat accordingly.¡¯¡±


    ¡°You were standing at the back, merely hearing about a nosebleed and a mention of Si Ni Decoction. You didn¡¯t even examine the patient. How can you make such a definitive conclusion without any diagnosis?¡±


    A hush fell over the room.


    Zhao Huanzhang pulled on Gao-Yuan¡¯s sleeve, whispering, ¡°Couldn¡¯t you have phrased that more tactfully?¡±


    In response, Gao-Yuan asked, ¡°I could. But will he stop causing trouble after today?¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang was speechless.


    Everyone¡¯s gaze shifted to Li Runyu, who had just finished his diagnosis of the patient.


    Earlier, Doctor Yan had acted impulsively, driven by anger at the sight of Shen Congyun. Without understanding the situation, he had intervened, but he hadn¡¯t expected Gao-Yuan to counter so firmly. Now, he found himself stuck.


    Gao-Yuan added, ¡°If you¡¯re still unsure, Doctor Yan, perhaps we should ask the patient¡¯s family. Did the bleeding worsen when they applied cold compresses to the child¡¯s face and forehead?¡±


    Immediately, Grandma Zhang exclaimed, ¡°Yes, yes! Doctor Gao, you¡¯re amazing! How do you know everything?¡±


    While she was delighted, others felt uncomfortable.


    Doctor Yan¡¯s face twitched. He hadn¡¯t expected this young doctor to go so far. Is he trying to ruin his chances of joining the Medical Association?


    Gao-Yuan simply smiled and said warmly, ¡°As Doctor Yan said earlier, this is a purely academic discussion. Let¡¯s keep it professional and not take offence.¡±


    Once more, Doctor Yan¡¯s face turned ashen.


    Moved to tears, Shen Congyun looked at Gao-Yuan with gratitude, marvelling that he would stand up to his former father-in-law for him.


    At that moment, Li Runyu completed his examination. He rose and declared, ¡°The patient¡¯s symptoms, including cold extremities, fatigue, and pale lips and tongue, suggest a Shaoyin cold syndrome.¡±


    Hearing this confirmation from Li Runyu, the highest-ranking doctor in the county, the room erupted into whispers.


    Finally, Doctor Yan lost his argumentative edge. If he had taken a moment to examine the patient initially, he might have spotted the signs himself.


    Li Runyu turned to Gao-Yuan and asked, ¡°What¡¯s your treatment plan?¡±


    Gao-Yuan looked at his former rival with a gentle smile and replied, ¡°Si Ni Decoction will suffice, no modifications necessary.¡±


    Li Runyu raised an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s the dosage?¡±


    Gao-Yuan responded, ¡°One tael of aconite, one tael of roasted ginger, and seven maces of honey-fried liquorice.¡±


    ¡°H-how much?¡± Even Li Runyu stammered slightly.


    Zhao Huanzhang¡¯s eyes widened, as he had predicted that Gao-Yuan would propose such a bold dose of aconite.


    Some of the other doctors looked on in disbelief.


    Doctor Yan muttered in amazement, ¡°Such audacity in one so young!¡±


    Li Shengli scoffed and glanced between them with a look of disdain.


    Cautiously, Zhao Huanzhang urged, ¡°Doctor Gao, you must be careful. A large fire drains qi; too much heat may deplete qi further and lead to worse complications.¡±


    Before Gao-Yuan could respond, Li Shengli interjected, ¡°Doctor Zhao, you call that too much?¡±


    ¡°What? Isn¡¯t it too much?¡± Zhao Huanzhang took it.


    Li Shengli replied, ¡°Not at all. Back in Huo Township, we once used nearly half a jin in a single dose.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Zhao was bewildered.


    Li Shengli elaborated, ¡°That case was much more severe than this. The child here can still speak and sit up. The woman we treated was in postpartum haemorrhage and had lost almost a basinful of blood.¡±


    One doctor in the crowd chuckled, ¡°A whole basin? It sounds more like you¡¯re butchering a pig. Who could survive losing that much blood?¡±


    Li Shengli responded, ¡°I thought she was dead. Her pulse was gone in both wrists, and even her foot pulse was almost nonexistent. Her family said she had been unconscious for over an hour, her body already cold. But after one dose of Doctor Gao¡¯s treatment, she came back to life.¡±


    Even Li Runyu couldn¡¯t help but chuckle.


    Doctor Yan, whose expression had been tense, was also drawn into laughter by Li Shengli.


    For a moment, the clinic filled with joyful laughter.


    Li Shengli looked around, unsure why everyone was laughing.


    Without acknowledging their amusement, Gao-Yuan turned to Zhang Yuan¡¯s family and said, ¡°As you heard, I recommend using Si Ni Decoction.¡±


    Grandma Zhang nodded eagerly, ¡°We¡¯ll follow your advice. Whatever you say.¡±


    Gao-Yuan felt reassured by Grandma Zhang¡¯s unwavering trust.


    She then asked, ¡°When will my grandson recover?¡±


    Gao-Yuan glanced at her and replied, ¡°With this minor issue, one dose will be more than enough to cure him.¡±


    Abruptly, the laughter ceased.

 Episode 57 Reward or Punishment?

    Everyone looked at Gao-Yuan with a peculiar gaze, an expression they couldn''t quite put into words.


    Li Runyu examined Gao-Yuan up and down before asking, ¡°Can you really cure it in one dose?¡±


    Before Gao-Yuan could respond, Zhao Huanzhang quickly interjected, ¡°Dr. Gao, while you¡¯ve often cured in just one dose, let¡¯s be cautious. Your dosages are pretty strong; let¡¯s not overdo it.¡±


    While Zhao Huanzhang was advising Gao-Yuan, everyone else looked on, feeling a bit sick of it. Cure in one dose? Seriously?


    Even Bureau Chief Wang couldn''t resist asking, ¡°Dr. Gao-Yuan, do you often manage to cure in one dose?¡±


    Gao-Yuan waved his hand, ¡°Oh, not always; sometimes it takes two doses.¡±


    Everyone: ¡°...¡±


    You might as well have just stayed silent!


    ¡°Ahem¡­¡± Chief Wang was momentarily lost for words.


    But Grandma Zhang couldn¡¯t wait any longer. She tugged on Gao-Yuan¡¯s sleeve, ¡°Dr. Gao, please, less talk and more action! He¡¯s still bleeding here!¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± Gao-Yuan turned to Nurse He said, ¡°Xiao He, please prepare the medicine for her. Grandma, when you get home, boil it on high heat for half an hour, take a small amount first, and then boil for another half hour and drink the rest.¡±


    Dr. Yanqiao chimed in, ¡°Better not wait until home. Does your clinic have a stove? Since the condition is urgent, we might as well cook it here.¡±


    The other doctors began to urge him on; they all wanted to witness this legendary ¡°cure in one dose.¡±


    ¡°If we¡¯re cooking it here, let¡¯s do it right. Watch closely, everyone.¡± Li Shengli quickly fetched a stove from the back courtyard. He had absolute faith in Gao-Yuan. After all, he¡¯d seen him save patients right at death¡¯s door, so what was a little nosebleed?


    Gao-Yuan hadn''t even had a chance to respond before Li Shengli was busy setting things up.


    It was already evening, but not a single doctor had left¡ªthey all remained wide awake with anticipation.


    Following Gao-Yuan¡¯s instructions, Li Shengli boiled the medicine on high heat for half an hour and handed a small bowl to Grandma Zhang.


    ¡°Should I give it to him directly?¡± she asked.


    Gao-Yuan nodded.


    After blowing on it to cool it a bit, Grandma Zhang carefully fed the child.


    Everyone watched closely, studying the little boy so intently that he grew a bit shy, nestling closer to his grandmother.


    "Grandma...¡± he muttered, hiding bashfully in her arms.


    In the back, Shen Congyun saw that his former father-in-law had squeezed to the front. Unable to bear being left out, he squeezed his way up to Chief Wang¡¯s side.


    Chief Wang glanced at him, amused. This man seemed to pop up everywhere lately.


    Seeing Chief Wang¡¯s smile, Shen Congyun grinned too, proudly displaying his half-missing tooth as if he were showing off his badge of honour.


    Up front, the little boy squirmed in his grandmother¡¯s arms under all the watchful eyes.


    Grandma Zhang chuckled, then suddenly gasped as she looked down. ¡°Oh my, little tiger, you took the cloth out of your nose?¡±


    Zhang Yuancai and his wife rushed over to see.


    Grandma Zhang tilted her grandson¡¯s head and was about to wipe his nose with a handkerchief when she noticed something: ¡°Sweetie, you¡¯re not bleeding anymore!¡±


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Huh?¡± The boy was still a bit confused.


    The other doctors crowded closer.


    Zhang Yuancai quickly knelt down and removed the remaining piece of cloth from his son¡¯s other nostril. Both nostrils were blood-free. He lifted his son¡¯s head to inspect his nose carefully and exclaimed in surprise, ¡°Oh my goodness, really¡ªlook, he¡¯s not bleeding at all!¡±


    Excited, Zhang Yuancai turned to his wife, momentarily forgetting that both his hands were under his son¡¯s chin. In his excitement, he raised his hands just a little too high, and the boy toppled backward.


    ¡°Waaah¡­¡± Just as his nose stopped bleeding, the little boy found himself flipped over by his own father, bursting into tears.


    Grandma Zhang smacked Zhang Yuancai in frustration before comforting her grandson.


    Zhang Yuancai looked utterly embarrassed.


    The other doctors exchanged glances, stunned. The boy wasn¡¯t even bleeding after that hard fall!


    Everyone was dumbstruck.


    Li Runyu¡¯s gaze turned serious; while onlookers saw a spectacle, a skilled practitioner saw the subtleties. To him, Gao-Yuan wielded powerful techniques with the skill of a master¡ªhe not only dared to use them but knew exactly how.


    Yanqiao¡¯s brows knitted tightly; his eyes flickered with astonishment.


    Finally, Grandma Zhang managed to console the boy, and the remaining medicine finished cooking.


    Once the boy drank the rest of the dose, he no longer wanted to stay in the clinic. Noticing that the attention had shifted away, he snuck towards the door and darted outside to play.


    Grandma Zhang anxiously called after him, ¡°Little Tiger, come back! Dr. Gao needs to check you; don¡¯t run off.¡±


    But her grandson only laughed, his short legs running faster than she could keep up with.


    The doctors in the clinic watched in awe. So, it really was a one-dose cure?


    ¡°Could he have really cured that woman with a life-threatening haemorrhage and no pulse before?¡± someone muttered quietly.


    The clinic fell silent.


    What they had thought was a ridiculous boast suddenly seemed real.


    All eyes turned to Gao Yuan in shock.


    Gao-Yuan, however, remained humble: ¡°The circumstances were dire; I was merely lucky.¡±


    The others took sharp breaths. He made it sound simple, but as doctors, they knew the skill required.


    Li Runyu¡¯s expression grew even more serious, and he couldn¡¯t help his eye twitch.


    No one dared say a word, all keeping their eyes on Gao-Yuan with newfound respect.


    Seeing this, Gao-Yuan turned to Chief Wang Hanzhang, ¡°Actually, I specialise in treating cold-induced ailments due to severe frostbite. No matter the severity, I feel confident that I could attempt treatment.¡±


    ¡°Uh?¡± Chief Wang blinked in surprise, glancing around to make sure Gao-Yuan was indeed talking to him. Not fully understanding why Gao-Yuan mentioned it, he thought it might be a report on his abilities and nodded, ¡°Oh, good.¡±


    Seeing he had Chief Wang¡¯s attention, Gao-Yuan continued, ¡°Chief Wang, I also have a suggestion.¡±


    ¡°Please go ahead,¡± replied Chief Wang.


    ¡°This flu outbreak hit us hard, especially in rural areas where healthcare resources are sorely lacking. I¡¯m thinking if we could train a health officer in each village to focus on disease prevention and simple treatment, they could help even in emergencies.¡±


    Chief Wang¡¯s face lit up. ¡°Ah! Dr. Gao, I had the same thought!¡±


    Gao-Yuan gave a slight nod. He remembered his previous life and knew this idea would gain traction after the flu outbreak, eventually giving rise to the barefoot doctor programme.


    The reason it didn¡¯t take off back then was due to the short training periods¡ªjust a week in the clinic.


    The villagers also kept things practical; they figured they¡¯d keep working and learn the ropes when doctors came around. After all, they couldn¡¯t afford to let someone sit around and not pitch in. The clinic doctors were even less motivated¡ªthey had no incentive and no extra allowances, so they often taught in a very casual way, using ancient texts that villagers couldn¡¯t grasp.


    Thus, the rural health officers barely formed a foundation.


    It wasn¡¯t until years later, with the 626 directive, that the issues were resolved and rural health officers became barefoot doctors.


    What Gao-Yuan wanted was to train these officers earlier, following the barefoot doctor model so that when the directive came, their clinic could be a model for the country.


    To do this, they had to solve the training period issue. Gao-Yuan said to Chief Wang, ¡°Sir, it¡¯s difficult to train a doctor, even for basic first aid. I¡¯d say it takes at least four to six months, so could you help coordinate with the local teams?¡±


    Chief Wang thought about it and agreed, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll handle that. But I¡¯m worried about Huoxiang Township; they have neither doctors nor clinics. Where would they train?¡±


    He glanced back at the group of doctors, but they all avoided eye contact, pretending not to notice. They weren¡¯t eager for such a thankless job.


    Chief Wang¡¯s brow furrowed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. I¡¯ve already discussed it with Secretary Cao and the village heads. They¡¯ll send their trainees here, and I¡¯ll handle the instruction myself; no fees involved,¡± said Gao-Yuan.


    Chief Wang looked at him with genuine surprise, then nodded emphatically and touched, ¡°Good, Comrade Gao-Yuan. You¡¯re a true asset!¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded earnestly, ¡°This is our duty.¡±


    Feeling himself fading into the background, Shen Congyun suddenly shouted, ¡°Into the fire if need be, Chief!¡±


    Chief Wang chuckled, then looked back at the other doctors, considering how their attitudes contrasted with Gao-Yuan¡¯s.


    After a moment, he turned to Gao-Yuan and said, ¡°I¡¯ve just made a decision: the next time Western doctors come for traditional medicine training, I¡¯d like you to be the instructor.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Gao-Yuan froze.


    The other doctors were equally stunned. No one could tell if this was a reward or a punishment.

 Episode 58 The Heart Governs the Mind

    Since the introduction of Western medicine to China, the standing between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine has been anything but equal.


    Many know that in the early Republican era, Yu Yunxiu spearheaded a campaign to ¡°abolish old medicine,¡± yet few are aware that in 1950, at the First National Health Conference, Yu Yunxiu was invited as a special representative and once again advocated for abolishing TCM.


    Although the conference officially affirmed the principle of uniting both TCM and Western medicine, the actual practice fell far short. In the Northeast, traditional therapies like massage and acupuncture were deemed ¡°folk remedies¡± and were nearly eradicated.


    Unreasonable interim regulations were also imposed on TCM practitioners. They had to pass exams, study Western medical theories, and avoid answers containing traditional concepts like the "Five Movements and Six Climates,¡± deemed "unscientific." In the Northeast, practitioners over sixty were even barred from taking exams.


    Many TCM practitioners were pessimistic about the future and left the profession entirely.


    It was during this time that Zhao Huanzhang developed his ¡°three fears¡± completely.


    In 1954, however, the Chairman noticed these issues and took corrective actions, dismissing two deputy ministers in the process. That same year, he also emphasised the importance of acupuncture research and established massage therapy programs. These long-suppressed and marginalised TCM practices were revitalised.


    Moreover, in that year, four TCM universities were established in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu, marking the first time TCM had state-supported higher education institutions. A nationwide initiative was launched encouraging Western-trained doctors to study TCM, a historically unprecedented move.


    This was a golden age for TCM.


    Being asked to teach Western-trained doctors was indeed an honour. After all, it had been over half a century since such an event occurred. But just like TCM practitioners learning Western medicine, theoretical clashes were inevitable, and teaching sessions often turned contentious. Zhao Huanzhang recently attempted to teach them and returned utterly dejected.


    Now, it was Gao-Yuan¡¯s turn.


    This was why others couldn¡¯t tell if Director Wang Hanzhang¡¯s invitation was a reward or a punishment.


    Gao-Yuan¡¯s upcoming trip to the county hospital would be closely watched by all the TCM practitioners in the county. Previously, everyone from Yan Qiao to Li Runyu and Zhao Huanzhang had stumbled at this task.


    Anxiously, Zhao Huanzhang shared his previous experiences with Gao-Yuan, giving tips on communication, handling potential conflicts, and highlighting certain difficult personalities to watch out for.


    But Gao-Yuan barely paid attention, preoccupied with his own thoughts.


    Seeing Gao-Yuan¡¯s distraction, Zhao Huanzhang sighed, ¡°Maybe I should go with you tomorrow?¡±


    Gao-Yuan snapped back, ¡°What, you want revenge?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Zhao Huanzhang replied. ¡°I just don¡¯t want you to be at a disadvantage.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll be fine,¡± Gao-Yuan reassured him. ¡°Actually, Director Wang¡¯s invitation came just at the right time¡ªI¡¯ve been meaning to visit the county hospital.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang looked surprised. ¡°What for?¡±


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    With a smile, Gao-Yuan replied, ¡°To truly unite the county¡¯s TCM and Western medicine.¡±


    The following day, Zhao Huanzhang tagged along to the county hospital. Initially, he was worried Gao-Yuan might lose face, but now he feared Gao-Yuan would stir things up. Gao-Yuan could only laugh at his nervous companion.


    The county hospital was the only place in the county with Western-trained doctors, so the lecture was held there.


    The hospital had received word about the session. Gao-Yuan had previously impressed them with his swift response in treating the explosive encephalitis of Qi Dongsheng¡¯s grandson. Rumours about him still circulated within the hospital, and excitement spread when they heard he would be teaching them.


    The session took place in a third-floor archive room. Only about a dozen people attended, which was considered a good turnout, given it was Gao-Yuan. When Zhao Huanzhang had taught here, barely seven or eight people had shown up.


    Before Gao-Yuan arrived, the room buzzed with conversation.


    Dr. Qiao Zheng, unable to resist, cautioned, ¡°Hey, everyone, take it easy later. Don¡¯t let his age fool you¡ªDr. Gao-Yuan is really skilled. Let¡¯s not keep asking him to explain the theoretical basis of TCM acupuncture. He¡¯s already proven how effective it is.¡±


    A woman¡¯s voice chimed in, ¡°We¡¯re here to learn, after all. We may not understand everything, but if something doesn¡¯t make sense, we¡¯ll ask. Isn¡¯t that the point?¡±


    Dr. Qiao looked at her and smiled wryly. The woman, Miao Ran, had a reputation for asking questions, often leaving previous TCM lecturers flustered and unable to continue.


    ¡°Ms. Miao,¡± Dr. Qiao sighed. ¡°Curiosity is great, but let¡¯s try not to put him on the spot too much, okay?¡±


    Miao Ran rolled her eyes. ¡°Why would I? Didn¡¯t he say he often receives cases from the city hospital that others couldn¡¯t treat? For someone that skilled, how could I possibly embarrass him?¡±


    Her words sparked a flurry of whispers from the group.


    Dr. Qiao shook his head, smiling helplessly. Well, if Gao-Yuan dared to make such a bold statement, he¡¯d have to live with the consequences.


    Soon, Gao-Yuan and Zhao Huanzhang entered, led by Director Li. After a brief introduction, Director Li quickly exited, leaving Gao-Yuan to face the crowd.


    ¡°Hello, everyone,¡± Gao-Yuan greeted the group with a warm smile.


    Zhao Huanzhang sat down awkwardly in a corner.


    The doctors scrutinised Gao-Yuan¡¯s calm smile, wondering how someone so unassuming could make such audacious claims.


    One doctor quietly asked Dr. Qiao, ¡°Dr. Qiao, are you sure it was this young doctor who said he¡¯s better than the city hospital? You didn¡¯t make that up, did you?¡±


    ¡°Oh, please¡­¡± Dr. Qiao sighed, exasperated.


    Settling into a seat, Gao-Yuan spoke calmly, ¡°I¡¯m here at the invitation of Director Wang to discuss TCM theories with you. I understand that there are different views on TCM and Western medicine, and I¡¯ve heard about some of the challenges past lecturers have faced here.¡±


    Miao Ran interjected, ¡°Dr. Gao-Yuan, I think you¡¯ve got it wrong. There¡¯s nothing wrong with our attitude; we have respect for the TCM lecturers. But as learners, we need clarity. If explanations are lacking, you can¡¯t blame us for asking. Isn¡¯t that right, Dr. Zhao?¡±


    Dr. Zhao could only manage an awkward laugh: ¡°Yes, yes.¡±


    Gao-Yuan turned to face Miao Ran.


    Unfazed, she met his gaze directly.


    Gao-Yuan had heard of her reputation but didn¡¯t mind, merely nodding, ¡°Seems like if I don¡¯t address your question first, this lecture might not get very far. All right, please go ahead with your question.¡±


    Miao Ran said, ¡°It¡¯s simple: we¡¯re puzzled by this TCM idea of the heart governing the mind. The heart is just an organ that pumps blood, incapable of producing consciousness. The brain, not the heart, is where consciousness originates. So why do you say ¡®the heart governs the mind¡¯?¡±


    The other doctors nodded in agreement.


    Dr. Zhao scratched his head. This was the same question that had stumped him in his last lecture, leaving him flustered. He shot a quick glance at Gao-Yuan, hoping he remembered the prior warning.


    Yet Gao-Yuan appeared entirely calm, replying, ¡°That¡¯s a typical example of the differences between TCM and Western medicine. You¡¯re talking about the anatomical heart, but our concept of the ¡®heart¡¯ isn¡¯t limited to that.¡±


    ¡°Then does it include the brain?¡± Miao Ran pressed.


    ¡°No,¡± Gao-Yuan replied with a shake of his head.


    She spread her hands in a silent challenge.


    ¡°To illustrate,¡± he continued, ¡°take unconsciousness. According to Western medicine, it¡¯s the brain losing awareness. In TCM, however, we use methods to awaken the mind by opening sensory orifices with herbs that enter the Heart Meridian. This is the ¡®heart governing the mind.¡¯¡±


    Everyone appeared puzzled.


    Miao Ran frowned, ¡°Dr. Gao-Yuan, that¡¯s still rather vague. Like this morning, a stroke patient arrived at our hospital. Are you saying you could use heart-treatment methods to revive him?¡±


    Ignoring Zhao Huanzhang, whose hands now trembled slightly in nervous anticipation, Gao-Yuan replied, ¡°If that¡¯s the case... then please, lead the way.¡±

 Episode 59 The Tongue as the Heart’s Sprout

    The doctors in the hospital were buzzing with excitement. Compared to dry theoretical lectures, they certainly preferred hands-on demonstrations.


    The crowd bustled out of the lecture room.


    Zhao Huanzhang held Gao-Yuan back, asking urgently, ¡°Hey, don¡¯t go causing trouble, alright?¡±


    Gao-Yuan retorted, ¡°What trouble? I¡¯m here to treat patients, aren¡¯t I?¡±


    Zhao was exhausted. ¡°Does this look like treating patients to you? What exactly are you planning?¡±


    ¡°I told you yesterday, I¡¯m going to bring Chinese and Western medicine together in true collaboration,¡± Gao-Yuan replied.


    ¡°Really?¡± Zhao still sounded sceptical.


    Gao-Yuan nodded and then headed out.


    Puzzled, Zhao trailed after him. He had a feeling something was off.


    In truth, Gao-Yuan wasn¡¯t bluffing. He genuinely wanted to unite Chinese and Western medicine to tackle this outbreak of adenovirus pneumonia that he anticipated. Bringing the doctors together at Zhangzhuang Clinic had helped manage the recent flu epidemic, but the looming threat of adenovirus pneumonia called for closer, more comprehensive collaboration.


    In difficult times, it was always the impoverished and underserved who suffered the most, their communities hit hardest by disease. In this era, waves of infectious diseases relentlessly threatened the public¡¯s health. As soon as one epidemic subsided, another emerged.


    Compared to adenovirus pneumonia, the flu was child¡¯s play.


    Adenovirus pneumonia was merciless, particularly targeting children under five and showing a deadly preference for infants aged six months to two years. With underdeveloped immune defences, these young patients often fell critically ill, and the mortality rate was high. Even those who survived were frequently left with severe complications¡ªthis was truly a scourge of the youngest.


    To fight this killer, combining Chinese and Western medicine was the best approach.


    Western medicine, with its oxygen therapy, suction, intravenous fluids, and intensive care, could stabilise these fragile patients, providing the critical window of Chinese medicine needed for symptomatic treatment. These medical facilities and equipment were absent in rural joint clinics, and even if they had the money, purchasing them was near impossible. Only the county hospital could provide this essential life support.


    Though antibiotics were ineffective against adenovirus pneumonia, they could help manage bacterial coinfections and prevent certain secondary infections. For severe cases with impaired swallowing, traditional Chinese medicine could only be administered through a nasal tube, requiring Western equipment.


    Winning this hard battle would necessitate seamless cooperation between Chinese and Western medicine. In his past life, the failure of both systems to work together had hindered the rescue of countless young patients.


    Just after the flu outbreak, Gao-Yuan had been considering how to bridge this divide, but before he could bring it up, Bureau Chief Wang presented him with a golden opportunity.


    For many Chinese doctors, lecturing Western physicians was a daunting task. For Gao-Yuan, it was a mission he was determined to undertake.


    ¡­


    Gao-Yuan followed the group out quickly.


    The county hospital was small, consisting of just one building, with patient rooms on the ground floor.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    The group entered a patient room.


    The doctors made way for Gao-Yuan to go in. Zhao Huanzhang wanted to follow, but the doctors closed ranks, leaving him awkwardly standing at the back.


    Inside, a seventy-something man lay in bed, attended by his elderly wife and a scholarly-looking son in his fifties, who wore glasses.


    The family was visibly surprised to see so many doctors enter.


    Dr. Miao Ran introduced the case to Gao-Yuan: ¡°Dr. Gao, this is our patient, age seventy-six. After breakfast, he suddenly lost consciousness, collapsed, and his left limbs became rigid. He doesn¡¯t respond when called. His family rushed him here immediately.¡±


    ¡°We diagnosed a stroke, measuring his blood pressure at 240/200 mmHg. We quickly provided respiratory support and intravenous access to stabilise him and manage his blood pressure, but he hasn¡¯t regained consciousness yet.¡±


    The family looked at Gao-Yuan, noticing the air of authority the young man exuded.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Gao-Yuan said, stepping forward to examine the patient.


    The patient¡¯s son asked, ¡°Who is this doctor?¡±


    Dr. Miao introduced him, ¡°This is a traditional Chinese doctor we invited for a consultation.¡±


    The son frowned. ¡°I brought my father here because of the hospital¡¯s facilities. Why did you bring in a Chinese doctor without asking us?¡±


    The doctors exchanged uncertain glances.


    Dr. Miao asked, ¡°Are you saying you don¡¯t want Chinese medicine involved?¡±


    The son glanced at the young Gao-Yuan and shook his head firmly, ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    Even Gao-Yuan was stumped. He turned to Dr. Miao.


    Dr. Miao gave an awkward smile. She hadn¡¯t expected the family¡¯s resistance to be this strong. ¡°It looks like we might have to find another opportunity.¡±


    Gao-Yuan looked at the son, frowning.


    The son, noticing Gao-Yuan¡¯s gaze, addressed him directly, ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m against Chinese medicine. But not every Chinese doctor has the skill to heal people like Qi Dongsheng¡¯s grandson.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± The remark left Gao-Yuan speechless.


    ¡°What?¡± Dr. Miao looked equally surprised.


    Seeing their confusion, the son furrowed his brow and explained carefully, ¡°Chinese medicine places a lot of emphasis on individual expertise. Not every practitioner has the skill level of Zhangzhuang¡¯s Dr. Gao-Yuan.¡±


    Dr. Miao looked over at Gao-Yuan.


    The expressions of the doctors behind him lit up with realisation.


    Dr. Qiao Zheng let out a laugh, ¡°But this doctor is Gao-Yuan.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Now it was the son¡¯s turn to look bewildered. ¡°Which Gao-Yuan?¡±


    Gao-Yuan, smiling wryly, replied, ¡°Are there that many?¡±


    Realising the mistake, the son¡¯s face lit up with excitement as he hurried forward, taking Gao-Yuan¡¯s hand in a warm grip. ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve been so clumsy. I¡¯ve heard my friend Dongsheng talk about you countless times. It¡¯s an honour to finally meet you. Dr. Gao, you¡¯re usually at Zhangzhuang; what brings you here?¡±


    Gao-Yuan replied, ¡°I¡¯m here to exchange medical knowledge with our Western colleagues. Now, about your father¡¯s condition...


    The son stepped back eagerly, ¡°Oh, Dr. Gao, please, do what you need!¡±


    The son even brought over a chair for Gao-Yuan, eager to be of service.


    Gao-Yuan examined the patient, observing a crimson tongue with a yellow coating and a wiry pulse.


    The others watched intently as he conducted his diagnosis.


    After a moment, the son asked, ¡°Dr. Gao, how is my father?¡±


    Gao-Yuan said, ¡°Here¡¯s what we¡¯ll do. Just outside is the New Life Joint Clinic. Please go and buy some musk and borneol.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡± Trusting Gao-Yuan implicitly, the son immediately turned to leave, then paused to ask, ¡°Should I get some gypsum as well?¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang chuckled at this. He could see the rumours about Gao-Yuan had clearly made an impression.


    Gao-Yuan shook his head. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± The son nodded and left.


    Dr. Miao asked, ¡°Dr. Gao, is this the method you call ¡®the heart governs the spirit¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Gao-Yuan explained. ¡°Musk and borneol both enter the heart meridian. Musk opens the orifices to restore consciousness, while borneol clears heat and opens the orifices. Together, they stimulate the heart meridian, promoting consciousness and aiding in this gentleman¡¯s stroke recovery.¡±


    Dr. Miao nodded, turning to discuss with the other doctors.


    Soon, the son returned with the medicine and handed it to Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan put the ingredients into a small bowl, adding hot water, and stirred with a cotton swab to create a solution.


    Dr. Miao finished her discussion and returned, asking, ¡°Do these ingredients stimulate the brain as well?¡±


    ¡°Yes, they do,¡± Gao-Yuan confirmed.


    ¡°But then, how can you be sure this is truly ¡®the heart governs the spirit¡¯?¡±


    Gao-Yuan gently opened the patient¡¯s mouth, ¡°You¡¯ll understand by how I administer the medicine.¡±


    Dr. Miao was puzzled. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Dipping the cotton swab in the mixture, Gao-Yuan applied it to the patient¡¯s tongue. ¡°I¡¯m applying it to his tongue.¡±


    The doctors looked baffled.


    ¡°Why the tongue?¡± Dr. Miao asked.


    Gao-Yuan glanced at her. ¡°The tongue is the sprout of the heart. Applying the medicine here allows it to reach the heart¡¯s orifice swiftly.¡±


    Dr. Miao¡¯s mouth twitched, barely stifling a smile. ¡°Do you really call that scientific?¡±

 Episode 60 Great Harmony in the World

    Hearing Miao Ran¡¯s challenge, the patient¡¯s son couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Dr. Gao, is there any scientific basis for applying medicine to the tongue?¡±


    Busy administering medication to the patient¡¯s tongue, Gao-Yuan replied without looking up, ¡°Don¡¯t listen to her nitpicking. Don¡¯t Western doctors use nitroglycerin tablets under the tongue to treat angina?¡±


    The patient¡¯s son immediately turned to look at Miao Ran.


    Miao Ran clarified, ¡°We administer medicine under the tongue to avoid the first-pass effect, allowing medication to be absorbed immediately through the capillaries of the oral mucosa, achieving an emergency response. It¡¯s not limited to heart medication but includes drugs for lowering blood pressure and treating stomach ulcers. This doesn¡¯t mean the tongue is directly connected to the heart; sublingual absorption also delivers the drug through the bloodstream.¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded. ¡°What you said makes sense.¡±


    Surprised by Gao-Yuan¡¯s willingness to concede, Miao Ran pressed further, ¡°So, do you think the theory that the tongue is the seedling of the heart works through the capillaries, entering the bloodstream that way? Or do you believe there¡¯s an invisible meridian linking the tongue and heart?¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t tell you,¡± Gao-Yuan replied frankly.


    Seeing him caught off guard, Miao Ran glanced back with a hint of smugness.


    The doctors watching wore expressions of mild disdain. For all Gao-Yuan¡¯s bluster, didn¡¯t he just get stumped?


    Zhao Huanzhang sighed quietly, looking at Gao-Yuan with sympathy. He¡¯d once found himself in a similar bind, unsure how Gao-Yuan would handle the situation.


    Reflecting on his own past embarrassment, Zhao thought, This woman really is tough to deal with.


    Sensing the upper hand, Miao Ran continued, ¡°So, Dr. Gao also has things he can¡¯t explain. People were saying the entire city hospital couldn¡¯t match up to you. I wonder who spread that nonsense and tarnished your reputation.¡±


    But Gao-Yuan paid her little mind.


    Miao Ran shook her head, thinking that Chinese medicine¡¯s logic was inherently flawed. No matter how famous the practitioners¡ªwhether it was Li Runyu, the best in the county, Yan Qiao, the Deputy Director of the Health Association, or Dr. Zhao Huanzhang¡ªnone could answer her questions.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Huanzhang hung back, quietly strategising how to console Gao-Yuan.


    Dr. Qiao and Dr. Xiao exchanged glances, silently noting how even Gao-Yuan had faltered under Miao Ran¡¯s interrogation. She was quite the adversary.


    The patient¡¯s son, too, was taken aback. This highly esteemed Dr. Gao was rendered speechless! His impression of Gao Yuan was starting to crumble. Had Qi Dongsheng exaggerated? Or was their last successful treatment just a fortunate accident?


    Growing increasingly anxious, the patient¡¯s son finally couldn¡¯t bear it and approached Gao-Yuan to speak.


    Without missing a beat, Gao-Yuan handed him a small bowl.


    The patient¡¯s son reflexively took it, momentarily confused, and was about to voice his doubts when Gao-Yuan interrupted, ¡°Your father¡¯s waking up.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± The patient¡¯s son thought he¡¯d misheard.


    Gao-Yuan gently squeezed the patient¡¯s left hand and foot, which had previously been rigid but now showed considerable improvement.


    ¡°Dad!¡± the patient¡¯s son exclaimed, hurriedly setting the bowl aside.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The doctors behind him were equally stunned.


    Zhao Huanzhang, who had been huddling in the corner, jumped forward, startled.


    Even Miao Ran was taken aback. They¡¯d worked for hours with little result, and now Gao-Yuan had revived the patient with a half-hour treatment?


    The doctors exchanged bewildered glances, shocked by the rapid effect.


    ¡°Dad, how are you?¡± the son called, eagerly leaning in.


    ¡°Mm,¡± the patient murmured, his mind gradually clearing, though he still struggled to speak.


    This alone filled the patient¡¯s son with joy. He turned to Gao-Yuan and clutched his hand, now singing his praises. ¡°You¡¯re a miracle worker!¡±


    Gao-Yuan shook his head with a smile, then looked at Miao Ran. ¡°I¡¯m no miracle worker; didn¡¯t you see I was just stumped a moment ago?¡±


    The patient¡¯s son turned to Miao Ran, chuckling with a hint of sarcasm. ¡°What good is talking if it can¡¯t cure? If debate¡¯s your strength, why not go into PR?¡±


    Embarrassment coloured Miao Ran¡¯s cheeks.


    The doctors behind her also looked uncomfortable.


    Gao-Yuan stepped in to explain, ¡°Let¡¯s not be too harsh. Their oxygen, blood pressure reduction, and IV administration were essential supports. Otherwise, the treatment wouldn¡¯t have worked so quickly.¡±


    Miao Ran stared at Gao-Yuan in disbelief, surprised that, after her antagonism, he would still vouch for her.


    The other doctors were equally stunned at Gao Yuan¡¯s magnanimity. If it were them, they likely wouldn¡¯t handle it with such grace.


    The patient¡¯s son, following Gao-Yuan¡¯s lead, softened as well.


    Gao-Yuan turned to the group and said, ¡°Shall we check the patient¡¯s blood pressure?¡±


    Dr. Xiao promptly brought over the equipment.


    With a light sigh, Gao-Yuan appeared more at ease, then addressed Miao Ran, ¡°I didn¡¯t have time earlier to respond to your question.¡±


    Miao Ran¡¯s face fell. She¡¯d known it wouldn¡¯t be easy for him to let this go.


    The other doctors waited tensely, wondering if Gao-Yuan would retaliate.


    Zhao Huanzhang grew anxious, torn between concern for Gao-Yuan¡¯s reputation and fearing a rift.


    Gao-Yuan began, ¡°In emergency treatments for comatose patients, we often administer medicine via the tongue, following the theories that the tongue reflects the heart and the heart governs consciousness. Applied properly, this method swiftly rouses patients.¡±


    He continued, ¡°I don¡¯t know if the medicine enters the bloodstream through the capillaries, according to our theory that it travels to the heart meridian. Or if, as per your theory, it reaches the brain. That¡¯s not for me to decide; it¡¯s something you should study since it¡¯s based on Western medical theory.¡±


    ¡°Traditional Chinese and Western medical theories do diverge but aren¡¯t entirely contradictory. We both use sublingual administration. You discuss blood circulation; we discuss meridian channels. But the ultimate goal is the same¡ªhealing the patient.¡±


    ¡°If our aims align, why not seek unity in our goals and allow for differences in our methods? In treating this stroke patient, you used life-supporting techniques to prevent complications. I used our heart-calming, tongue-pointing method. Didn¡¯t we ultimately achieve our shared goal?¡±


    The room fell silent as everyone absorbed his words.


    Zhao Huanzhang, still in the back, was struck by d¨¦j¨¤ vu, recalling the flu pandemic and how Gao-Yuan had commanded respect, his own reputation as the clinic¡¯s ¡°rebel¡± completely reformed.


    Good heavens, Gao-Commissioner is back! Zhao thought, almost seeing a halo above Gao-Yuan¡¯s head.


    Miao Ran¡¯s cheeks flushed with shame; Gao-Yuan¡¯s perspective was on another level. While she¡¯d focused on verbal sparring, he was already speaking of unity.


    Dr. Xiao, examining the blood pressure gauge, reported, ¡°Blood pressure is down to 200 over 180.¡±


    The crowd turned to Gao-Yuan.


    ¡°The policy now encourages hospitals with research capabilities to have Western doctors study Chinese medicine. Nantong, for instance, is researching the Jide Sheng snakebite medicine¡ªit¡¯s been in the papers several times. The effort to have Western doctors study Chinese medicine isn¡¯t about competition.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s to increase understanding and promote collaboration. We hope you¡¯ll research Chinese medicine and expand its benefits to more patients. Personally, I hope we can work together, combining our strengths to cure more people. Because that¡¯s the unity we should strive for.¡±


    ¡°Bravo!¡± Dr. Qiao began clapping for Gao-Yuan.


    Miao Ran looked both embarrassed and humbled by his words.


    To lighten the mood, Dr. Qiao joked, ¡°It¡¯s an honour to work with Dr. Gao¡ªafter all, one man¡¯s talent outmatches the entire city hospital!¡±


    Gao-Yuan shook his head with a smile. ¡°Just a little joke that got blown out of proportion.¡±


    Others chuckled, finally easing the tension.


    Zhao Huanzhang also cracked a smile.


    Just then, a young man appeared at the doorway, knocking and asking, ¡°Excuse me, I just came from the New Life Clinic downstairs and heard Dr. Gao-Yuan is here at the county hospital.¡±


    Everyone turned towards Gao-Yuan.


    ¡°Yes?¡± Gao-Yuan replied.


    The young man hesitated before asking, ¡°You¡¯re the doctor who cured Director Qi Dongsheng¡¯s grandson, right? You mentioned accepting patients discharged in critical condition from the city hospital. Is that correct?¡±


    Gao-Yuan frozen for a second.


    The others shared weary expressions. Well, well, they thought, people are starting to seek him out by reputation.


    Before Dr. Qiao could respond, the young man added, "So... would you also accept critical patients from the provincial hospital?¡±

 Episode 61 Never Giving Up

    "What happened? What''s going on?" Gao-Yuan hurried forward through the crowd.


    The young man explained, "It¡¯s...it¡¯s my nephew. We brought him back from the provincial hospital, but he¡¯s not doing well. He¡¯s been taken to the New Life Clinic downstairs, and they told us Dr. Gao might be here at the county hospital. They mentioned you once treated a patient discharged as critically ill from the city hospital, so my sister asked me to come and check.¡±


    With a cautious tone, he asked, ¡°Dr. Gao, just a slight upgrade, right? Think you could handle one from the provincial hospital?¡±


    The county hospital doctors exchanged glances at this. Oh, brother, this isn¡¯t a slight upgrade.


    Their county hospital was basic, poor, and rundown, with no X-ray machines, no monitors, no shadowless lamps¡ªjust a few general practitioners. The city hospital was significantly better than theirs, and the provincial hospital, being the best in the province, was on another level entirely. It housed several specialists who had trained abroad and top-notch equipment they could only dream of having.


    If the provincial hospital couldn''t manage, how could their little county hospital possibly handle it?


    They hadn''t even seen the patient yet, but the doctors already felt a chill down their spines.


    Miao Ran glanced at Gao-Yuan. Earlier, even when he had the upper hand, he hadn¡¯t gloated, so she thought she''d repay the favour by addressing the young man, ¡°If the provincial hospital advised you to leave, I assume you¡¯re already prepared for the worst. Don¡¯t get your hopes up, and don¡¯t hold it against any doctor after this.¡±


    Hearing this, the young man¡¯s face fell. ¡°I understand. I know it¡¯s hopeless¡ªit¡¯s just that my nephew is only seven. He hasn¡¯t even had a chance to really see the world yet.¡±


    His words struck a nerve in everyone.


    Gao-Yuan nodded. ¡°Go and bring the child up quickly.¡±


    The young man¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°You¡¯ll treat him?¡±


    Gao-Yuan shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know. But I never give up until a patient is truly gone.¡±


    Everyone stared at Gao-Yuan in shock.


    Turning to the other county hospital doctors, Gao-Yuan explained, ¡°Earlier, I wasn¡¯t boasting. What I meant was, no matter the severity of a patient¡¯s condition, no matter which hospital might have given up on them, I¡¯ve never given up on any life.¡±


    Everyone was momentarily stunned.


    Gao-Yuan fixed his gaze on the young man and spoke firmly, ¡°Bring the patient up, and I¡¯ll see him.¡±


    Inspired by Gao-Yuan¡¯s resolute expression, the young man nodded vigorously and rushed downstairs.


    Soon enough, the patient¡¯s parents, carrying the child, followed the young man up, accompanied by Li Runyu, head of the New Life Clinic and the county¡¯s top Chinese medicine doctor.


    ¡°Are...you Dr. Gao-Yuan?¡± The child¡¯s father looked surprised by Gao-Yuan¡¯s youth.


    Gao-Yuan nodded slightly. ¡°Bring the child in and lay him on the examination bed.¡±


    The father hurriedly set the child down, his face haggard, barely keeping his composure. ¡°Dr. Gao, my name is Hu Xingyan. This is my son. Please take good care of him.¡±


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°Alright.¡± Gao-Yuan got to work, wasting no time with pleasantries.


    Everyone looked on intently as he began his examination.


    Li Runyu observed silently, frowning. He knew Gao-Yuan was here after his son went downstairs to fetch the medicine for a stroke patient. Running into this critically ill child, Li had only mentioned it casually, not expecting Gao-Yuan to take on the case. Surprised by his decision, Li hurried to follow them upstairs.


    Zhao Huanzhang, overly cautious as always, peeked from behind.


    As Gao-Yuan continued his examination, he asked, ¡°How long has he been sick, and how did his symptoms develop?¡±


    The father answered, ¡°It¡¯s been ten days. He suddenly started convulsing around 2 a.m. one night. His body arched stiffly, and his eyes rolled back every five minutes or so.¡±


    ¡°Also, he can¡¯t stand. Whenever he tries, he collapses. We immediately rushed him to the county hospital, and they referred us to the city. So, we caught a coal train to the city hospital, where he was treated in paediatrics for three days.¡±


    ¡°At first, they thought it might be tetanus, but with no visible wounds, they suspected brain or spinal cord issues. They couldn¡¯t figure it out, so they sent us to the provincial hospital. But after three more days there, things only got worse, with more frequent suffocation episodes. They believed he¡¯d been without oxygen too long, that his condition was critical, and even if he survived, he¡¯d be mentally impaired. They recommended we go elsewhere.¡±


    ¡°Returning home felt hopeless, but we heard Dr. Li Runyu here has exceptional skills, so we came. However, Dr. Li wouldn¡¯t take him, and that¡¯s when we heard about you.¡±


    Li Runyu raised an eyebrow.


    Gao-Yuan nodded slightly. He had a rough idea now. The boy had been convulsing since being brought in, without a single pause. His breath was faint, and his body was drenched in cold sweat. His face was sallow and lifeless, his lips were blue, and he was listless, incontinent, and limp.


    The more Gao-Yuan examined him, the graver his expression became.


    Seeing this, Li Runyu couldn¡¯t help but shake his head slightly. It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t want to treat the child; he simply didn¡¯t dare, given the severity of the case.


    Gao-Yuan adjusted the child¡¯s neck gently, but it fell limp as soon as he let go.


    The mother, wiping her tears, said, ¡°Xiao-Chuan can¡¯t hold his head up anymore.¡±


    ¡°Collapse of the Pillar Bone,¡± Gao-Yuan muttered, calling out to the boy, who opened his eyes. But his gaze was empty and devoid of life. Taking his pulse, Gao-Yuan found it weak and barely discernible.


    Inquiring further, he learned the child had been undernourished from infancy, often sickly.


    The father asked anxiously, ¡°Is there any hope?¡±


    Furrowing his brow, Gao-Yuan replied, ¡°The boy has a congenital deficiency, worsened by long illness. After ten days, his vitality is depleted, his blood is exhausted, and he is profusely sweating... on the verge of collapse.


    Li Runyu interjected, ¡°Just say it outright¡ªthe boy could pass any moment!¡±


    The boy¡¯s parents trembled, their faces growing ashen.


    Li Runyu continued, ¡°The collapse of the pillar bone, incontinence¡ªthis is a terminal symptom indicating renal failure. His vital essence is gone; how can we treat that? If it had been on the first day, I might have managed. But you insisted on rushing to the county and city hospitals.¡±


    Hearing this, the county hospital doctors were offended; Li Runyu was clearly blaming them.


    Tempers flared as the two groups were about to argue again.


    ¡°Hmph!¡± Li Runyu sneered, recalling the disdainful treatment he¡¯d received during his last lecture.


    This was the core difference between Gao-Yuan and the others: while Gao-Yuan prioritised unity, they were always eager to compete.


    ¡°Stop bickering! We¡¯re trying to save a life!¡± Gao-Yuan scolded.


    As soon as he spoke, the child began convulsing violently again, his back arching, his face turning blue, as he struggled for breath.


    Gao-Yuan sprang into action, directing the Western-trained doctors, ¡°Quick! Administer oxygen, now!¡±


    Miao Ran, despite her sharp tongue, was quick to act, setting up the equipment without delay.


    Seeing the boy in such a state, his mother broke down in tears.


    His father, visibly exhausted, sighed. ¡°Every ten minutes, he convulses just like this. Dr. Gao, is there really any hope for our son?¡±


    Li Runyu scoffed, glancing at Gao-Yuan, ¡°Unless an immortal comes down to save him.¡±


    The boy¡¯s father forced a sad smile. ¡°Dr. Gao, thank you. We don¡¯t expect you to perform miracles. We knew it was hopeless the moment we left the provincial hospital. But as parents, no matter what, we can¡¯t give up on our child.¡±


    Gao-Yuan looked at him seriously. ¡°You¡¯re parents¡ªyou won¡¯t give up on your child. And we¡¯re doctors¡ªwe¡¯ll never abandon our patients!¡±


    The boy¡¯s father met Gao-Yuan¡¯s gaze.


    Without hesitation, Gao-Yuan barked, ¡°Dr. Zhao, Korean ginseng powder, half a mace; musk, one candareen. Dissolve and administer, now!¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Zhao Huanzhang felt a jolt as he hurried to comply, answering as if under military command.

 Episode 62 How Dare Death Approach

    Zhao Huanzhang hurried downstairs to buy the medicine.


    Li Runyu scowled, his gaze sharp as he looked at Gao-Yuan. Gao-Yuan''s words from earlier echoed in his mind. What does he mean by "a doctor would never give up on a patient"?  The implication was obvious: the comment was aimed squarely at him, the one who had already given up on saving this child.


    Once Zhao Huanzhang left, Gao-Yuan immediately turned to approach the young patient.


    ¡°Hey!¡± Li Runyu called out sharply.


    Gao-Yuan turned back.


    With a frown, Li Runyu asked, ¡°Are you really going to try to save him?¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded.


    Sizing him up, Li Runyu scoffed, ¡°So young, and already so ambitious. Be careful you don¡¯t bite off more than you can chew. You might just ruin the small reputation you¡¯ve managed to build.¡±


    Gao-Yuan paused, met Li Runyu¡¯s gaze, and asked in return, ¡°So, Dr. Li, you¡¯re not willing to treat this child because you think he¡¯s beyond help¡ªor because you¡¯re worried that if things go wrong, it¡¯ll tarnish your status as the county¡¯s top doctor?¡±


    Li Runyu¡¯s irritation turned to anger, his voice cold. ¡°You insolent boy! I¡¯m offering you advice, and you dare to twist it into something malicious.¡±


    Gao-Yuan replied calmly, ¡°I would hope I¡¯m wrong in my suspicions. I¡¯d much rather be seeing you with a generous heart and a genuine desire to help.¡±


    ¡°You¡­!¡± Li Runyu¡¯s face flushed as his temper flared.


    At that moment, Miao Ran entered, searching for Gao-Yuan, only to freeze upon seeing the confrontation. Her eyes widened in surprise¡ªshe¡¯d thought Gao-Yuan wasn¡¯t one for heated arguments. Now she realises he simply chose not to argue with her. But here he was, holding his own quite fiercely.


    Gao-Yuan, after challenging Li Runyu, walked briskly towards the child¡¯s bed, glancing at Miao Ran as he passed her.


    She gave him a reflexive, somewhat forced smile.


    Li Runyu hadn¡¯t felt this kind of frustration in a long time. The last time he¡¯d been humiliated like this was when he came here to teach, and Miao Ran had confronted him publicly in class. He¡¯d held a grudge ever since. Now, this was the second time, and being more of a scholar than a fighter, he was unused to handling arguments.


    Li Runyu was about to storm out, but watching Gao-Yuan rush towards the sick child, he hesitated. He wanted to stay¡ªto see Gao-Yuan fail.


    Soon enough, Zhao Huanzhang returned with the medicine.


    Gao-Yuan quickly administered it to the child.


    As he observed the young patient closely, Zhao Huanzhang whispered, ¡°Dr. Gao, this child¡¯s condition is already critical. The medical texts call this state ¡®the collapse of kidney energy,¡¯ a sure sign of death. How much chance do we really have?¡±


    Gao-Yuan shook his head. ¡°Hard to say right now. The child could deteriorate at any moment. We need to act quickly, giving him an urgent boost to stabilise his qi and blood. Our success depends on how well his body responds to these powders.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang¡¯s face clouded with worry. He was pessimistic, but, hearing Gao-Yuan¡¯s confidence, he glanced over at Li Runyu, who was standing nearby. Approaching cautiously, he murmured, ¡°Dr. Li...¡±


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Li Runyu simply turned away, presenting him with an aloof back.


    Uncertain how to proceed, Zhao Huanzhang returned to Gao-Yuan, asking, ¡°Dr. Gao, what¡¯s with him?¡±


    Gao-Yuan replied, ¡°We exchanged a few words, and he¡¯s annoyed.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang looked from one man to the other, clearly wanting to ease tensions but realising that both were above his influence. He sighed and let it go.


    Gao-Yuan took a long look at the two men and sighed, massaging his temples.


    ¡°¡­Hmm?¡± Zhao Huanzhang looked at him curiously.


    ¡°Nothing.¡± It wasn¡¯t the time for more words, so Gao-Yuan let it drop.


    He knew, however, that among all the county¡¯s traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, Zhao Huanzhang and Li Runyu were the most skilled. Although a few others were ranked higher in reputation, Zhao Huanzhang was known as the ¡°Three Fears Doctor¡±¡ªfear of failure, fear of injury, and fear of patient loss.


    Like a martial artist competing in a tournament while weighed down by shackles, Zhao Huanzhang could still make it to the top ten. This demonstrated his real strength. After all, he was the joint disciple of four major masters from the Menghe School of Medicine.


    If Zhao Huanzhang ever broke free of his limitations, he would surely rival Li Runyu.


    Li Runyu was similarly skilled. The Yan family, headed by Elder Yan, was renowned across the city and known for producing excellent doctors, with many disciples and prot¨¦g¨¦s. But even they had no one who could surpass Li Runyu.


    Li Runyu held his position as the best in the county, but his flaw was that he guarded his reputation too jealously. As the number one doctor, he refused to treat any patient with less than a sixty-percent chance of success.


    This was one reason Gao-Yuan would later surpass him as the best in the county. Even if a patient was already halfway across the bridge to the afterlife, Gao-Yuan would call them back to help¡ªand would never give up. This unyielding attitude shaped him into an extraordinary talent.


    Still, if Li Runyu could overcome his pride, his achievements would reach far beyond being the best in the county.


    Gao-Yuan glanced at the two men, pressing his brow.


    ¡­


    Everyone in the room focused intently on the child.


    The boy¡¯s parents stayed close, not daring to leave his side. Any available doctors from the county hospital also stood nearby, watching over him.


    The child¡¯s father, well-off enough to own a wristwatch, glanced at it periodically, his face tense with worry.


    The others murmured amongst themselves.


    The young man who had come upstairs earlier asked, ¡°Brother-in-law, how many minutes has it been?¡±


    The father looked down at his watch. ¡°Nine minutes.¡±


    Everyone¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Every ten minutes or so, the child would convulse violently and struggle to breathe. Now it was almost time for another episode.


    Gao-Yuan quickly stepped forward, standing by the boy¡¯s side.


    Li Runyu, standing by the door, also took a few steps closer, though his face remained sour.


    ¡°Dr. Gao.¡± The child¡¯s father turned to him, his voice tense.


    Gao-Yuan motioned for him to calm down. ¡°How many minutes has it been?¡±


    ¡°Ten minutes,¡± the father replied.


    Everyone held their breath, eyes widening in suspense.


    Even Li Runyu leaned forward, drawn in despite himself.


    ¡°He hasn¡¯t had a seizure,¡± Miao Ran announced.


    ¡°Dr. Gao!¡± The father¡¯s voice grew strained with excitement.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Gao-Yuan said firmly, holding the man¡¯s arm.


    ¡°Eleven minutes, twelve, thirteen, fifteen minutes...¡± The father¡¯s voice rose with each minute, nearly trembling.


    The boy not only avoided a major seizure but his smaller convulsions also started decreasing in frequency. By twenty minutes, they had stopped entirely.


    Everyone stared at the boy, hardly daring to breathe, as if their own breaths could disrupt the fragile recovery.


    Slowly, the boy opened his eyes, his voice faint as he called out, "Mama.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ yes¡­¡± His mother tried to respond, but her tears and overwhelming relief reduced her voice to little more than a whisper. She swallowed, preparing to speak, but Miao Ran cried out, ¡°He¡¯s awake! He¡¯s calling for his mother!¡±


    The surrounding doctors burst into cheers, their joy filling the room.


    Several doctors even threw their caps into the air, their excitement overwhelming.


    Li Runyu stepped forward to examine the child. Seeing the boy¡¯s stabilised condition, his eyes widened, and his lips quivered in shock.


    ¡°Dr.¡± The father gripped Gao-Yuan¡¯s hand, too emotional to form complete sentences.


    Zhao Huanzhang beamed at Gao Yuan. He vividly recalled how Gao-Yuan had said the child¡¯s survival depended entirely on the effect of this one dose.


    Gao-Yuan was equally thrilled by the results. The child had a real chance of survival now. He declared confidently, ¡°Let¡¯s press on! Time for another prescription!¡±


    This time, the doctors rushed to fetch prescription sheets without hesitation.


    Zhao Huanzhang asked, ¡°Dr. Gao, what are his odds now?¡±


    Everyone looked to Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan glanced at the now-conscious child and replied, ¡°As long as I stand here to guard his bedside, even the King of Hell wouldn¡¯t dare come for him.¡±

 Episode 63: Don’t Be Afraid, I’m Here

    Gao Yuan prepared a second prescription.


    He used Danggui Buxue Tang with a heavy dose of raw Astragalus, combined with Shenfu Longmu Jiuni Tang, and added Live Magnetic Stone to draw from above and below. He also incorporated Zhang Xichun¡¯s Lai Fu Tang and finally added a large dose of Shen Siwei to tonify kidney energy.


    ¡°Prepare the medicine,¡± Gao Yuan instructed, handing the prescription to Zhao Huanzhang.


    Zhao Huanzhang glanced at the prescription. By now, he was used to Gao Yuan¡¯s bold methods and, without saying a word, went to fetch the herbs.


    Gao Yuan exhaled with relief and turned to look at Li Runyu.


    Seeing Gao Yuan¡¯s gaze, Li Runyu quickly averted his head and left with a stony expression.


    Gao Yuan shook his head slightly, having anticipated this reaction. He had experienced this attitude from Li Runyu in his past life. Although Li Runyu was skilled, he lacked tolerance. After Gao Yuan''s medical skills matured, Li Runyu viewed him as his fiercest rival, sparring with him for years. In the county, they were known as arch-enemies, and Gao Yuan harboured resentment. But in this lifetime, he found it hard to hold onto those feelings.


    Years later, when turmoil engulfed them both and Li Runyu faced imminent danger, he risked his life to deliver his cherished notes from Peng Ziyi¡¯s lectures to Gao Yuan, entrusting his most valued possession to his greatest adversary.


    Later, Gao Yuan himself faced similar hardship.


    Watching Li Runyu storm out, Gao Yuan felt a complex mix of memories and emotions.


    Once the medicine was prepared, Gao Yuan followed his usual method¡ªadministering high doses in divided intervals.


    After taking the medicine, the child experienced no more convulsions, his sweating ceased, his breathing steadied, and the danger passed. By evening, the child began to eat. Gao Yuan adjusted the prescription, reducing the dosage and advising continued use.


    Just as he and Zhao Huanzhang were about to leave, Dr. Miao Ran hurried over.


    ¡°Is there something else?¡± Gao Yuan asked.


    Miao Ran seemed tense. ¡°I wanted to ask¡ªhow did you manage to treat the child?¡±


    Gao Yuan countered, ¡°Didn¡¯t you watch the entire process?¡±


    ¡°But I don¡¯t understand the principles,¡± Miao Ran admitted.


    Nodding, Gao Yuan explained, ¡°The root of the child¡¯s illness was congenital deficiency, worsened by poor nourishment, leading to weakened spleen and kidney. The kidneys govern bones, which are connected to the marrow, with the brain as the sea of marrow. You once asked, ¡®If consciousness originates in the brain, why do we say the heart governs the spirit?¡¯¡±


    ¡°All of Traditional Chinese Medicine''s theories come from practical healing experience. The brain is regulated by the kidneys. For children with delayed brain development, we use the kidney-tonifying Liuwei Dihuang Tang. If the brain alone governed consciousness, we wouldn¡¯t treat this condition by tonifying the kidneys¡ªit simply wouldn¡¯t work.¡±


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Miao Ran appeared momentarily stunned.


    Gao Yuan continued, ¡°As long as you don¡¯t impose unrelated theories, our logic remains coherent. This child, for instance, suffered from kidney deficiency and an inability to nourish the muscles, which made his limbs weak and unable to support his weight.¡±


    At this point, Miao Ran dared not question the connection between the spleen and limbs any further.


    Gao Yuan proceeded, ¡°The child¡¯s illness manifested at midnight, with weakened defences and an acute cold attack, causing the frequent convulsions. That¡¯s the underlying cause.¡±


    Miao Ran, mouth agape, admitted, ¡°I didn¡¯t understand a word.¡±


    Gao Yuan told her, ¡°Don¡¯t ask me for a scientific breakdown. All I know is Traditional Chinese Medicine. But if you¡¯re interested, you¡¯re welcome to study it further.¡±


    Miao Ran straightened up and sincerely said, ¡°Thank you, Instructor Gao.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang looked at Miao Ran in surprise. It was the first time he¡¯d ever heard anything pleasant come from her mouth.


    ¡­


    As the two made their way back towards Zhang Village, Zhao Huanzhang pulled out a couple of cigarettes, sniffing them as he asked, ¡°Dr. Gao, who do you think that family was? They were so refined and even had Zhonghua cigarettes. You¡¯re really not going to take one?¡±


    Gao Yuan shook his head, ¡°No, keep it for yourself.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, then!¡± Zhao Huanzhang laughed. ¡°Tomorrow is Grain Rain Festival. Why don¡¯t you come over to my place for some fragrant Chinese toon and egg noodles, and we can share a couple of drinks?¡±


    Gao Yuan smiled, ¡°Time does fly. It¡¯s already raining rain...¡± But then his smile faded, and he asked, ¡°Tomorrow¡¯s really Grain Rain?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Zhao Huanzhang replied.


    ¡°You¡¯re certain? Isn¡¯t it supposed to be in a few days?¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang, puzzled by Gao Yuan¡¯s serious tone, thought it over and shook his head, ¡°Nope. This is tomorrow. What calendar are you looking at?¡±


    Gao Yuan glanced around and said urgently, ¡°Dr. Zhao, something just came up. I need to take care of it. How about you head back on your own?¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang could sense Gao Yuan¡¯s urgency: ¡°I¡¯d better go with you, just in case.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± Gao Yuan nodded and quickened his pace.


    As they hurried along, Zhao Huanzhang asked, ¡°What happened that¡¯s so urgent?¡±


    Gao Yuan, barely hiding his anxiety, replied, ¡°My father¡¯s been craving sorghum wine from Zi Village. With the festival tomorrow, I figured I¡¯d fetch him some.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going all the way to Zi Village for that? It¡¯s getting dark,¡± Zhao Huanzhang said, clearly puzzled.


    ¡°He¡¯s had it rough,¡± Gao Yuan replied, quickening his pace even more.


    Moved by Gao Yuan¡¯s filial devotion, Zhao Huanzhang exclaimed, ¡°You¡¯re a good son!¡±


    The two rushed on, and as night fell, they were still on the road to Zi Village. Just as they crossed a low hill, they suddenly heard a woman¡¯s cry for help.


    ¡°Help! Is anyone there? Help!¡±


    The eerie sound in the dark made Zhao Huanzhang shiver. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Who¡¯s calling at this hour? Could it be a ghost? Dr. Gao¡­ Dr. Gao?¡±


    But Gao Yuan was already running towards the source of the cries.


    Stunned, Zhao Huanzhang shrank back slightly, but quickly mustered his courage and hurried after Gao Yuan.


    They followed the sound, and as they got closer, Gao Yuan shouted back reassuringly, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid! We¡¯re here!¡±


    Impressed by Gao Yuan¡¯s quick response, Zhao Huanzhang thought, Dr. Gao¡¯s compassion truly knows no bounds.


    ¡°Over here, I¡¯m here!¡± a girl¡¯s urgent voice called.


    When they finally arrived, they found a mother and daughter. The mother was pale, sweating profusely, and breathing heavily, on the verge of fainting.


    ¡°Please, my mom... she¡¯s been bleeding so much,¡± the girl cried.


    Zhao Huanzhang looked down to see that the mother¡¯s trousers were soaked in blood, which was still flowing. ¡°Has she had a sudden haemorrhage?" he asked.


    The girl nodded desperately, and Zhao Huanzhang¡¯s heart fell. ¡°Oh no, we didn¡¯t bring any medicine or even the acupuncture kit, and we¡¯re in the middle of nowhere. The closest clinic is nearly twenty miles away.¡±


    At his words, the girl¡¯s face paled even more, and she pleaded, ¡°Please, you have to save my mom. Please!¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang looked to Gao Yuan, who had been gazing at the girl thoughtfully.


    With a steady tone, Gao Yuan said to the girl, ¡°Don¡¯t cry. I won¡¯t let anything happen to your mom.¡±


    The girl, teary-eyed, looked up at Gao Yuan, recognising the voice that had responded to her earlier.


    Meeting her eyes, Gao Yuan reassured her firmly, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. I¡¯m here.¡±


    The girl nodded with all her might.


    Gao Yuan extended his hand towards Zhao Huanzhang, ¡°Give me the cigarettes.¡±


    Startled, Zhao Huanzhang replied, ¡°But you don¡¯t smoke.¡±


    ¡°Quickly!¡±

 Episode 64: Wen Hui

    Zhao Huanzhang quickly went to fetch the cigarettes.


    Gao-Yuan helped the girl¡¯s mother into a more comfortable position.


    Taking out two packs of Zhonghua cigarettes, Zhao Huanzhang asked, ¡°Should we run to the nearest clinic to get medicine?¡±


    Gao-Yuan replied, ¡°It¡¯s too far; going there and back would waste too much time. Quickly, give me the cigarettes.¡±


    Handing the cigarettes to Gao-Yuan, Zhao Huanzhang questioned, ¡°What are you going to do with them?¡±


    Gao-Yuan began to unbox the cigarettes. ¡°I¡¯m going to do moxibustion.¡±


    Stunned, Zhao Huanzhang asked, ¡°What? You¡¯re going to use cigarette tobacco as moxa?¡±


    ¡°The situation is urgent. It¡¯s the only substitute we have.¡± Gao-Yuan instructed, ¡°Take off her shoes; I need to apply moxibustion on her Yinbai and Dadun acupoints.¡±


    Gao-Yuan handed the cigarette box to Zhao Huanzhang. ¡°You brought matches, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Zhao Huanzhang nodded, finding the matches. As he lit the cigarettes, he hesitated. ¡°Do you think this will work?¡±


    Gao-Yuan shot back, ¡°Do you have a better idea?¡±


    Silenced, Zhao Huanzhang resigned himself to trying anything that might help.


    Gao-Yuan took the matchbox, lighting another match. Without scissors, he directly ignited a lock of the mother¡¯s hair, extinguished it, then rubbed the hair into a small pile of ash.


    He retrieved a water flask from his bag, mixed the hair ash into the water, and helped the mother drink it down.


    Seeing the two men helping, the girl¡¯s panicked expression softened somewhat. She looked at Gao-Yuan, then at Zhao Huanzhang, and asked, ¡°Who are you two?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re doctors from Zhang Village Clinic,¡± Zhao Huanzhang replied.


    Tears welled up in the girl¡¯s eyes as she exclaimed, ¡°Oh, thank heaven! We found doctors up here on this mountain!¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang chuckled, ¡°Indeed, lucky timing. If it weren¡¯t for Dr. Gao-Yuan heading to Zixiang to buy sorghum liquor, we wouldn¡¯t have passed by.¡±


    The girl looked at Gao-Yuan and whispered, ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Gao-Yuan simply reminded Zhao Huanzhang, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s cut the chit-chat.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang focused back on the manipulation.


    The girl glanced at Gao-Yuan with mixed feelings; at first, he¡¯d seemed warm, but now he looked a bit fierce. She avoided talking to him and turned her attention to her mother¡¯s condition.


    As moxibustion continued on the acupoints, the mother¡¯s severe bleeding gradually slowed, and her pale face regained a bit of colour.


    ¡°Mom, how are you feeling?¡± the girl asked with concern.


    ¡°Better,¡± her mother replied, though her voice remained faint.


    Seeing that it seemed to be working, Zhao Huanzhang felt encouraged.


    Time passed, and the mother¡¯s condition gradually stabilised.


    Night had fallen deep.


    Gao-Yuan grew increasingly silent.


    ¡°Xiao Hui, where are you?¡± Shouts echoed from a distance.


    The girl quickly stood up, waving her arms and calling back, ¡°We¡¯re over here, Dad, Brother, we¡¯re here¡­¡±


    Lights began to appear in the distance as a group hurried towards them.


    ¡°My family is here,¡± the girl said to Gao-Yuan and Zhao Huanzhang.


    A rough-looking man rushed forward, shouting anxiously before he even reached them, ¡°What were you two doing? You said you¡¯d be picking acorns for acorn tofu, but it¡¯s the middle of the night, and you¡¯re still not home! We¡¯ve been looking for ages; I thought you¡¯d gone missing!¡±Stolen novel; please report.


    Looking ahead, the girl saw her father and relatives approaching, neighbours among them as well.


    Relieved but feeling a surge of emotion, the girl broke into tears as she spoke, ¡°Dad, Mom suddenly started bleeding heavily. It was terrifying!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Her father, shocked, hurried over with a lantern to see Gao-Yuan and Zhao Huanzhang crouching beside his wife.


    The girl sobbed, ¡°Dad, they¡¯re doctors from Zhang Village, and they just happened to be passing by. They¡¯ve been helping this whole time.¡±


    ¡°Oh, oh!¡± The girl¡¯s father looked frightened and worried. He didn¡¯t even pause to thank them, rushing over to check on his wife¡¯s condition.


    Zhao Huanzhang finished the manipulation.


    Gao-Yuan said, ¡°Let me examine her one last time.¡±


    The girl¡¯s father stepped aside.


    Gao-Yuan checked the mother¡¯s pulse, noting that the bleeding hadn¡¯t fully stopped but was minimal now, and her condition was more stable. After confirming her pulse was steady, he said, ¡°Get her to the nearest clinic as soon as possible. Her condition is stable enough to make it there.¡±


    Everyone looked at Zhao Huanzhang, given that he was older.


    Zhao Huanzhang pointed to Gao-Yuan, saying, ¡°Listen to him; follow his advice.¡±


    The girl¡¯s father promptly lifted his wife onto his back, heading quickly forward with the relatives helping along.


    In their hurry, none of them had time to properly thank the doctors.


    The girl wiped her tears and turned to the two, saying, ¡°Thank you. My name is Wen Hui, from the mountain nearby. If it weren¡¯t for you, my mother wouldn¡¯t have made it.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang waved a hand dismissively, ¡°It¡¯s nothing; just doing our job.¡±


    Wen Hui looked at Gao-Yuan and said, ¡°Thank you too, Dr. Gao-Yuan. Your method really worked; you¡¯re an amazing doctor.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang glanced at Gao-Yuan.


    But Gao-Yuan, expression cool, only replied, ¡°Hurry along.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Wen Hui whispered cautiously, confirming Gao-Yuan¡¯s aloof temperament. She gave him a quick look before hurrying after her family.


    Gao-Yuan, however, remained in place, gazing silently at her departing figure. The coolness on his face gave way to a deep sadness.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Zhao Huanzhang asked in confusion, ¡°Didn¡¯t we save her? Why do you look so down?¡±


    Gao-Yuan forced a smile. ¡°Yes, we saved her.¡±


    Staring into the night where Wen Hui had disappeared, he continued watching long after she¡¯d gone out of sight. He¡¯d finally been there for her at her moment of greatest despair.


    But he had no intention of ever involving her in his life again.


    If he couldn¡¯t escape his fate, why drag her down with him? She was a good woman; she deserved a better life than he could offer.


    Gao-Yuan sighed softly, the sadness in his gaze unmistakable.


    As Zhao Huanzhang tidied up the cigarette packs, he asked, ¡°It¡¯s so late; are we still heading to Zixiang?¡±


    In a low voice, Gao-Yuan answered, ¡°Forget it.¡±


    ¡°What about tomorrow¡¯s festival? Should we get a different bottle of liquor?¡±


    ¡°Drinking¡¯s bad for you,¡± Gao-Yuan replied flatly.


    Stunned, Zhao Huanzhang muttered to himself¡ªwasn¡¯t it you who wanted the liquor for the festival?


    With a bit of regret, Zhao Huanzhang pulled out the last of his cigarettes and asked, ¡°Want a Zhonghua?¡±


    Gao-Yuan shook his head.


    Zhao Huanzhang passed him the cigarette anyway, saying, ¡°Hold this for me; my shoe¡¯s got a pebble in it; let me shake it out.¡±


    Taking the cigarette in hand, Gao-Yuan remembered his past life. He¡¯d never left home without matches, always lighting one cigarette after another, even using a part of his family¡¯s small plot to grow tobacco. Only in the haze of smoke could he dull the pain of his reality.


    After putting his shoe back on, Zhao Huanzhang looked up to find Gao-Yuan holding the cigarette. Surprised, he asked, ¡°So you do smoke?¡±


    Handing the cigarette back, Gao-Yuan replied, ¡°Not anymore.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡± Zhao Huanzhang asked, curious.


    Gao-Yuan glanced once more in Wen Hui¡¯s direction, saying, ¡°She doesn¡¯t like it.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Zhao Huanzhang asked, missing the comment entirely.


    ¡­


    At Huichun United Clinic, Director Tan Yun had been summoned to treat an emergency. After examining Wen Hui¡¯s mother and enquiring about the events, he remarked, ¡°The bleeding was severe; without stopping it, this could have been fatal.¡±


    Wen Hui¡¯s family exchanged worried glances, a lingering sense of dread in their expressions.


    Tan Yun asked, somewhat puzzled, ¡°Since there was such heavy bleeding, how did it stop? Did she take any medication or receive any first aid?¡±


    Everyone turned to Wen Hui.


    Wen Hui quickly explained, ¡°We ran into two doctors who performed emergency care. They burnt some of my mother¡¯s hair into ash and had her drink it.¡±


    Tan Yun nodded. ¡°Xueyu Tan. Good for treating minor haemorrhages, but in cases of severe bleeding, it¡¯s a bit limited.¡±


    Wen Hui continued, ¡°They also performed moxibustion on her toe.¡±


    Tan Yun checked for burn marks and nodded. ¡°Dadun and Yinbai acupoints. That¡¯s very skilful thinking. Did they carry moxa with them?¡±


    ¡°No, they used cigarettes,¡± Wen Hui replied.


    Tan Yun looked surprised. "Cigarettes? They can be used like that?"


    Wen Hui carefully added, "Maybe because they''re Zhonghua brand, so they¡¯re more effective."


    Tan Yun shook his head and laughed, clearly impressed. "That''s really some clever thinking! It takes serious skill and courage to attempt something like that. Without enough emergency experience, most people wouldn''t think of using it this way, and even if they did, they wouldn¡¯t dare try it. So, who was this doctor? What''s his name?"


    Wen Hui said, "They¡¯re doctors from Zhangzhuang Clinic."


    Tan Yun was surprised. "Zhao Huanzhang? Since when has he become this bold?"


    Wen Hui shook her head. "It was Doctor Gao-Yuan."


    "Gao-Yuan?" Tan Yun paused. "Oh, that explains it."


    Wen Hui asked eagerly, "You know him?"


    Tan Yun smiled. "Who doesn¡¯t know Gao-Yuan around here? You¡¯re really lucky to have crossed paths with such a skilled doctor. If it had been someone else, I¡¯m afraid things would have taken a much worse turn."


    The Wen family stood in awe, taking it all in.


    Wen Hui, meanwhile, looked thoughtfully towards the door.

 Episode 65: The Epidemic Prevention Plan

    On his second visit to give a lecture, Gao-Yuan received a warm welcome. This time, the county hospital doctors greeted him at the entrance.


    Before the lecture, Gao-Yuan went to check on the sick child again. The child was still in the hospital, but his condition had stabilised significantly. He could eat on his own, communicate clearly, and showed no signs of cognitive impairment. After advising continued medication and observation, Gao-Yuan visited the elderly stroke patient.


    Other doctors trailed behind Gao-Yuan, creating a scene similar to when the provincial hospital¡¯s expert team visited rural areas. This sight left the stroke patient''s son in awe; just the day before, this doctor had been standing in the background, but now he seemed to be leading the way.


    The patient''s son instinctively stood up and reached out to shake Gao-Yuan''s hand. "Doctor Gao, nice to meet you."


    The formality of the address had changed.


    Gao-Yuan shook his hand and asked, ¡°How¡¯s your father doing today?¡±


    The son replied, ¡°Much better. After he took the decoction you prescribed, he could sit up and eat today and even talk with us.¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded and examined the patient¡¯s condition, finding remarkable improvement. After giving some instructions, he left, and the patient¡¯s son escorted him to the door.


    Dr. Miao Ran, who had been following Gao-Yuan, asked, ¡°Instructor Gao, how did the stroke patient recover so quickly?¡±


    Gao-Yuan explained, ¡°The patient had a strong constitution, and we treated him promptly. This type of acute illness comes on fast, but with timely intervention, recovery can be swift. Oh, by the way, I imagine you¡¯ve all noticed that I used musk in treating both patients.¡±


    The doctors nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Musk is a valuable medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine, and for good reason. It has powerful effects on stimulating the central nervous system, protecting the brain from hypoxia, alleviating suffocation, and stopping spasms. When used sparingly, it can work wonders. It¡¯s a significant factor in these patients¡¯ rapid recovery,¡± Gao-Yuan elaborated.


    ¡°The provincial hospital previously assumed the child had suffered prolonged brain hypoxia and concluded he would be left with cognitive impairment. I¡¯ve treated cases like this before; with timely use of musk, a child¡¯s cognitive abilities can be effectively preserved. You might want to pursue further research in this area.¡±


    The doctors were deeply intrigued, having witnessed the remarkable effects of mushrooms firsthand.


    Dr. Qiao Zheng expressed his gratitude: ¡°Instructor Gao, thank you for your guidance. Over the past few days, we¡¯ve learnt a lot and have come to a renewed understanding of traditional Chinese medicine.¡±


    Taking the opportunity, Gao-Yuan said, ¡°You¡¯re very welcome. Traditional Chinese and Western medicine each have their strengths. Cooperation between the two, with each discipline playing to its advantages, is the ideal approach. If we encounter more challenging cases in the future, I¡¯d be glad if we could work together to treat them.¡±


    Without hesitation, Dr. Qiao Zheng agreed, ¡°Nothing would please us more.¡±


    Everyone shared a friendly smile, and even Dr. Miao Ran gave Gao-Yuan a nod of approval.


    A few days later, after finishing his lectures, Gao-Yuan left the hospital and decided to check in at the Epidemic Prevention Station.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    When he arrived, he found the station empty. After asking around, he learnt that everyone there had been called to a meeting at the Health Bureau. So, Gao-Yuan headed to the bureau.


    As he reached the ground floor, someone called out from above, ¡°Hey, Doctor Gao!¡±


    He looked up and recognised Director Wang Hanzhang, who waved at him. ¡°Come on up. You¡¯re just in time to join the meeting.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Gao-Yuan hesitated for a moment before hurrying upstairs.


    Upon entering the meeting room, he noticed several familiar faces: Director Li from the hospital, Senior TCM Practitioner Yan Qiao, and Dr. Li Runyu were all present. The ¡°station chiefs¡± from the Epidemic Prevention Station sat despondently at the end of the table.


    Director Wang lit a cigarette and gestured for Gao-Yuan to sit next to him.


    ¡°Alright.¡± Gao-Yuan found a chair and sat down.


    As soon as Gao-Yuan joined them, Senior Practitioner Yan Qiao and Dr. Li Runyu exchanged dark looks. Director Li, however, nodded politely at him, acknowledging his positive reputation at the hospital.


    Director Wang tossed a pack of cigarettes onto the table in front of Gao-Yuan, signalling him to help himself.


    Politely, Gao-Yuan waved it off.


    After taking a deep drag, Director Wang tapped his fingers on the table. ¡°Well? You all had plenty to say earlier, didn¡¯t you? Epidemic Prevention Station, your job is to prevent diseases and carry out a ¡®prevention-first¡¯ public health policy. So, where were you all when we were battling the flu outbreak? Every one of you disappeared!¡±


    Gao-Yuan observed Director Wang and then looked at the group of ¡°station chiefs,¡± all of whom kept their heads down.


    Director Wang continued, ¡°Director Li, you¡¯re responsible for managing the station. Care to explain this?¡±


    Director Li responded awkwardly, ¡°There were just so many flu cases; our hospital couldn¡¯t keep up, so we had them help treat patients at the hospital.¡±


    Director Wang, irritated, shot back, ¡°The organisation trusted you to oversee epidemic prevention, and this is how you managed it?¡±


    Director Li looked even more embarrassed.


    Gao-Yuan couldn¡¯t help but smile wryly. Most county epidemic prevention stations had only been established this year. Usually, a hospital director or deputy director served as head, with minimal resources allocated. Their county¡¯s station had one room and a single desk¡ªno chairs, which led locals to joke about the five ¡°standing chiefs¡± always standing around.


    There was a pervasive lack of understanding and commitment to preventive work, with most personnel sent from the hospital being either idlers, simpletons, or those with connections. During slow times, they mostly sat around chatting; when things got busy, they were called back to help at the hospital.


    Director Wang was now scolding them for precisely this issue. ¡°Don¡¯t brush this off lightly! I¡¯ll have you know that during this flu crisis, our response has been severely lacking, and health authorities at all levels have taken notice. As doctors and committee members of the Health Association, you¡¯re all also responsible for this criticism.¡±


    Everyone in the room kept their heads low, accepting the rebuke in silence.


    Director Wang extinguished his cigarette and softened his tone slightly. ¡°That said, compared to neighbouring counties, we did a commendable job in providing medical support to remote towns. This has been recognised by the higher-ups.¡±


    Everyone turned their gaze to Gao-Yuan.


    Director Wang looked over at him as well. ¡°Doctor Gao, your team¡¯s work has been outstanding. Without your support, we would have been left with nothing but reproach.¡±


    Humbly, Gao-Yuan replied, ¡°It was our duty.¡±


    Director Wang turned back to the others and said, ¡°Look at him. Look at yourselves. You claim you didn¡¯t have the capacity to support He Township, yet somehow he did. You couldn¡¯t coordinate Western and traditional medicine? Well, I specifically sent Doctor Gao to give you lectures, and how did that go? I saw it myself; they escorted him all the way to the main street when he left.¡±


    ¡°Why can¡¯t you foster collaboration? Why didn¡¯t you have the resources to help? This is about your attitude. If you truly wanted to make things work, could you not have done it?¡± Director Wang pulled out a stack of letters and tossed them onto the table. ¡°Take a look. These are letters of commendation from the residents of He Township. How many letters of commendation have any of you received?¡±


    People felt even more uncomfortable, heads dropping further.


    Shaking his head in frustration, Director Wang said, ¡°Learn from him. Adopt a more proactive attitude. Let me be clear: if you don¡¯t present a suitable epidemic prevention plan, don¡¯t blame me for holding you accountable.¡±


    Dr. Li Runyu, feeling annoyed, spoke up, ¡°Since Doctor Gao is so excellent and is our model, I think he should be the one to propose a plan for us to discuss, shouldn¡¯t he?¡±


    Director Wang¡¯s eyebrows shot up.


    The others echoed Li Runyu¡¯s suggestion, calling for Gao-Yuan to present a plan.


    Only then did Director Wang pause, glancing at Gao-Yuan. He wondered if his praise had gone too far and provoked resentment towards Gao-Yuan.


    However, Gao-Yuan gave him a slight nod, signalling that he was unbothered.

 Episode 66: Ready and Prepared

    Although the slogan ¡°Prevention First¡± had been circulated for years, in practice, there were only two accomplishments to show for it: controlling venereal diseases and administering smallpox vaccines. The rest of the preventive work? Well, to put it mildly, it was a mess even in Director Wang¡¯s mind.


    Why did he keep pushing everyone so hard? It was simply because he, as a leader, didn¡¯t have any better ideas either. His superiors pressed him, and in turn, he had no choice but to press his subordinates.


    Now, as he looked at Gao Yuan, he found himself somewhat stunned. In his mind, he couldn¡¯t help but wonder, ¡°How is this man so confident?¡±


    Li Runyu continued to elevate Gao-Yuan: ¡°All the doctors in our county should learn from Doctor Gao. He¡¯s incredibly capable, achieving things the rest of us can¡¯t. When he says he¡¯ll unite people, he unites them; when he promises support, he delivers it. This preventive work may be beyond us, but he can definitely handle it.¡±


    Doctor Yanqiao, the seasoned traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, also had his own reasons to dislike Gao-Yuan and added, ¡°Indeed, while I, Yan, have lived over seventy years, my skills are nowhere near Doctor Gao¡¯s. I could wrack my brain over this prevention work and still find no solutions, but Doctor Gao is different. He¡¯s talented; he¡¯s sure to handle it well.¡±


    Dean Li, observing the exchanges and knowing that the county hospital was on relatively good terms with Gao-Yuan, chimed in to soften things: ¡°Hey, we shouldn¡¯t put it that way. Preventive work is new to all of us, including Doctor Gao. He might not necessarily be able to manage it either.¡±


    Li Runyu, however, retorted, ¡°That¡¯s not the point. The reason we fail at it is our lack of enthusiasm. If Doctor Gao doesn¡¯t manage it, wouldn¡¯t that mean he¡¯s lacking the commitment to serve the people?¡±


    Dean Li, shut down by that, kept silent.


    ¡°Are you two done with your little duet?¡± Director Wang couldn¡¯t listen any longer.


    Gao-Yuan, however, said calmly, ¡°Director, since they seem so eager to hear my thoughts, I¡¯ll say a few words to inspire discussion and share some of my shallow insights. I believe that these two esteemed senior doctors, with their wealth of experience, can certainly improve upon my suggestions.¡±


    Director Wang looked at Gao-Yuan puzzled.


    Gao-Yuan gave him a reassuring nod.


    Director Wang then said, "Well, go ahead. Don¡¯t hold back. We¡¯re all new to epidemic prevention, and we can only make fewer mistakes in practice by boldly voicing ideas and engaging in discussion.¡±


    Director Wang was concerned that Gao-Yuan¡¯s suggestions might be criticised, so he subtly lent him his support.


    Gao-Yuan looked around at everyone.


    Li Runyu and Yanqiao exchanged a glance, smirking. They trusted Gao-Yuan¡¯s medical prowess but were sceptical about his expertise in disease prevention. Who in the county knew about that? None of them had ever studied or researched it!


    They wouldn¡¯t even need to look for faults deliberately.


    Gao-Yuan began, ¡°The first National Health Work Conference of New China set forth three core principles: ¡®Prevention First,¡¯ ¡®Unity of Chinese and Western Medicine,¡¯ and ¡®Focusing on Workers, Farmers, and Soldiers.¡¯ The prioritisation of prevention underscores its importance.¡±


    ¡°Yet we¡¯ve consistently fallen short, addressing infectious disease control only when the situation becomes critical. Our medical resources are limited, so we often end up struggling.¡±


    ¡°Traditional Chinese medicine has long held that ¡®the highest form of healing is to prevent illness,¡¯ a concept closely aligned with the preventive-first approach, but it¡¯s not limited to treating a single person¡¯s illness. Rather, it aims to prevent illness across the entire population.¡±


    Director Wang found himself taken aback by Gao-Yuan¡¯s eloquence.


    Li Runyu and Yanqiao smirked quietly. Gao-Yuan had been going on and on without hitting the main points, spouting what they saw as empty rhetoric. They grew more certain that he was out of his depth.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    ¡°Er¡­¡± At this point, Gao-Yuan hesitated.


    Director Wang was startled, looking at him with curiosity.


    Yanqiao nearly burst out laughing.


    Li Runyu no longer hid his amusement and asked, ¡°Doctor Gao, did you forget what you were going to say, or are you just not sure of what you¡¯re talking about? Surely it¡¯s not due to a lack of enthusiasm, is it?¡±


    Gao-Yuan replied, ¡°Apologies. I¡¯ve been a bit forgetful lately.¡±


    Yanqiao jumped in, ¡°I thought so. Doctor Gao must have forgotten. How could he not know?¡±


    Director Wang¡¯s face darkened.


    Gao-Yuan turned to his bag, took out a notebook, opened it, and said, ¡°A poor memory is no match for a pen. I¡¯ve written it all down.¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡± Both Yanqiao and Li Runyu were taken aback.


    Even Director Wang was dumbfounded. He hadn¡¯t invited Gao-Yuan to the meeting; he¡¯d just happened to run into him and ask him along. How did he even have a notebook ready? Had he come prepared?


    Flipping through his notes, Gao-Yuan said, ¡°First, we need to do a good job in publicity. We must translate policies into community actions, ensuring the broad public understands, masters, and actively participates in health prevention measures. It¡¯s essential that people grasp the importance and necessity of health prevention work.¡±


    ¡°Health campaigns should be seasonal and relevant, with continuous and repetitive publicity. We should use clear and engaging formats that the public can relate to. In addition to verbal explanations and written health slogans, we could use blackboard notices, posters, and hygiene classes.¡±


    ¡°We should also mobilise our county¡¯s cultural workers, encouraging them to create operas, cross-talk, storytelling, songs, and other programmes that promote hygiene. During their rural tours, they can repeatedly showcase these to instill preventive health measures deeply within the community.¡±


    Director Wang was momentarily stunned, then hastily picked up his pen to take notes.


    Li Runyu and Yanqiao¡¯s eyes widened¡ªDoctor Gao was skilled not only in treating patients but also in public relations?


    Dean Li, equally astounded, reminded himself that he was the head of the Epidemic Prevention Station, yet even he had no idea how to proceed.


    Turning the page, Gao-Yuan continued, ¡°Second, we need reliance. Health work is community work, and we must integrate professional teams with the people¡¯s movement. We need to fully mobilise the people to carry out a patriotic health campaign focused on eliminating disease hazards.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s essential to establish measures for health campaigns. As I mentioned to the director earlier, each production team should at least develop one health worker. One goal is to train them to treat simple illnesses, but an equally important goal is for them to be responsible for the health campaign in their villages. Each team should have a dedicated individual overseeing this effort.¡±


    Director Wang looked up, startled by the forward-thinking ideas Gao-Yuan had been nurturing.


    Gao-Yuan continued, ¡°Third, we need to be relentless, focusing on priorities, enforcing policies, and setting examples.¡±


    The entire group was left speechless, with Li Runyu and Yanqiao exchanging a glance, barely hiding their shock.


    Director Wang put down his pen, his astonishment evident. ¡°Doctor Gao, you truly have an in-depth understanding of preventive health work.¡±


    Gao-Yuan moistened his finger, turned another page, and modestly said, ¡°I¡¯m not done yet.¡±


    ¡°Still more?¡± Director Wang was floored. They had debated for half the day without coming up with a single practical measure, yet Gao-Yuan had shared an extensive outline, and he wasn¡¯t even finished.


    In a mix of awe and urgency, Director Wang quickly resumed taking notes.


    Gao-Yuan explained, ¡°So far, I¡¯ve only covered the general approach, not the specific implementation. Our preventive health work should focus on three areas: water, waste, and pest control.¡±


    ¡°Water management is critical. The dysentery outbreaks that peak each summer and fall are tied to drinking unclean river water. We must address the manure pits, trash heaps, and livestock sheds around wells, rivers, and ponds immediately. Pollution of drinking water must be strictly prohibited!¡±


    ¡°We must also ensure drinking water is disinfected. People must develop the habit of drinking boiled water instead of raw water, and we should periodically disinfect wells using a one-time chlorine method. I¡¯ve even written out the math formula to calculate the water volume and required chlorine dosage.¡±


    The others were stunned; he even had a formula!


    After addressing water, Gao-Yuan discussed methods for managing waste and provided multiple techniques for treating it safely. He then moved on to pest control, detailing various pests¡¯ dangers and offering specific eradication methods, providing practical steps that could be implemented immediately.


    When he finally finished, the room fell into silence.


    Director Wang had stopped writing; his hand was numb, and now his mind seemed to be, too. He asked incredulously, ¡°Doctor Gao... how do you know all this?¡±


    Gao-Yuan paused thoughtfully and then replied, ¡°Back in university, I was always pondering health issues and spent a lot of time reading in the library. I just pieced together a few modest ideas. We should be grateful... to this era.¡±


    Turning to Li Runyu and Yanqiao, he added, ¡°My suggestions are still very preliminary; they¡¯re merely a starting point. I¡¯m sure you both can improve on them. Don¡¯t you agree?¡±


    Director Wang scoffed lightly, turning to the two doctors, ¡°Well, you two had plenty to say earlier¡ªdon¡¯t stop now!¡±


    Li Runyu''s mouth twitched as he shot Yan Qiao an earnest look. ¡°I think it would be fitting for the senior to speak first.¡±


    Yan Qiao turned to him, utterly taken aback. Unbelievable¡ªthe nerve of his so-called teammate to throw him under the bus!

 Episode 67: Cold Affliction

    Wang Hanzhang treated Gao-Yuan''s notebook as a treasured possession, stowing it carefully away. He had no idea how to start implementing preventive measures and guessed the other counties were likely just as lost. But with this notebook in hand, Wang Hanzhang knew that their county was about to make a big impression.


    Elated, Wang Hanzhang dragged Gao-Yuan out for a meal at a local restaurant.


    The others watched enviously, though they could hardly complain. If they didn¡¯t have the smarts to make it to university, who could they blame but themselves?


    Yan Qiao and Li Runyu both looked rather sour, exchanging a glance. Yan Qiao let out a cold snort and stormed off, while Li Runyu¡¯s brow furrowed in irritation.


    At the restaurant, Gao-Yuan once again stressed to Wang Hanzhang the importance of training health workers. Wang Hanzhang assured him he would mobilise every production team.


    However, when Gao-Yuan returned, he found that the production teams weren¡¯t enthusiastic about the initiative, especially the ones near Zhang Village.


    "Why is that?" he asked Yang Degui, puzzled.


    Yang Degui crossed his arms, looking around disgruntled. ¡°How should I know? Weren¡¯t we supposed to send one person from each team? So why am I the only one here?¡±


    The other staff at the clinic watched, intrigued.


    Gao-Yuan scratched his head, still baffled. He remembered clearly from his previous life that, aside from the villages closest to town, all the villages had sent people. How could it be different this time, with only Yang Degui showing up?


    Li Shengli joined in, asking, ¡°It¡¯s clearly a good thing¡ªwhy isn¡¯t anyone interested?¡±


    Yang Degui replied, ¡°Good thing? They said training would take a month! For that long, will the village give you work credits or not? If they don¡¯t, how am I supposed to eat? And even if they do, they¡¯ll still be mad about feeding me for free. People fight like cats and dogs over credits every night; imagine what it would be like if I just sat here doing nothing. And the village has to buy medicine now too, which costs even more!¡±


    Gao-Yuan was taken aback.


    Yang Degui glanced at Gao-Yuan. ¡°My village wasn¡¯t even going to send anyone. They figured since you¡¯re one of us and around often enough, it¡¯d be fine. But my dad and... and my sister insisted I come, even forfeiting my work credits.¡±


    Gao-Yuan was speechless, unsure how to respond to such an attitude.


    ¡°What about the other townships? Aren¡¯t any of them willing to train health workers?¡± he asked Zhao Huanzhang.


    Zhao Huanzhang had just returned from a meeting and took a sip of water before replying, ¡°The other townships are fine; all the villages aside from the ones near us have been pretty enthusiastic.¡±


    Everyone looked puzzled.


    Veteran doctor Shen Congyun muttered, ¡°Why else? It¡¯s because we exhausted ourselves treating the flu, working nonstop for hundreds of miles. We¡¯ve already shown our dedication, so they see no need to go through the trouble of training someone.¡±


    It dawned on Gao-Yuan; no wonder things were different this time. In his past life, the clinic had only four doctors. Zhao Huanzhang was hesitant to treat, Liu Sanquan didn¡¯t know how, Shen Congyun was too lazy, and Li Shengli just made things worse. The local people had suffered and therefore eagerly joined the training later.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    This time, however, Gao-Yuan had done too good a job. Ironically, their success had led to a lack of motivation among the villagers.


    The shortsightedness of the farmers left Gao-Yuan with a pounding headache.


    Seeing his rejected expression, Yang Degui grew more frustrated. ¡°What are you sighing for? If my family hadn¡¯t forced me to come support you, I¡¯d be gone by now. You don¡¯t want me here anyway, so I¡¯ll head back and earn some work credits instead of starving!¡±


    With that, Yang Degui turned to leave.


    ¡°Hey, Degui, where are you going?¡± Yang Xiuying appeared in the doorway.


    ¡°I¡¯m leaving, Sis,¡± said Yang Degui, full of resentment. ¡°They don¡¯t need me here.¡±


    Yang Xiuying grabbed him, saying, ¡°Stop being childish. Remember what Dad told you? If you go back now, he¡¯ll beat you.¡±


    Recalling his father¡¯s leather sandal, Yang Degui reluctantly returned.


    Yang Xiuying, carrying a woven basket, glanced at Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan nodded slightly to her in greeting. ¡°Xiuying.¡±


    She nodded back, a little shy, and pulled out a parcel from her basket. ¡°Grandpa asked me to bring you some buns.¡±


    Surprised, Yang Degui asked, ¡°Sis, did you wake up early just to make those for him?¡±


    Yang Xiuying¡¯s face turned red, and she immediately twisted Yang Degui¡¯s arm in embarrassed.


    Gao-Yuan was embarrassed too, unsure whether he should accept the buns.


    At that moment, a voice sounded from the door. ¡°Excuse me, is Dr. Zhao Huanzhang or Dr. Gao-Yuan here?¡±


    Gao-Yuan turned towards the voice, and his heart skipped a beat.


    Wen Hui!


    ¡°It¡¯s you.¡± Zhao Huanzhang stepped out to greet her.


    Wen Hui wiped the sweat from her forehead and said to the young man behind her, ¡°Bro, bring down those two jars of wine.¡±


    She stepped inside, smiling. ¡°Hello, Dr. Zhao, Dr. Gao. I¡¯m here to thank you personally. Dr. Tan Yun said, If not for your timely help, my mother wouldn¡¯t have made it.¡±


    ¡°My mother wanted to thank you both in person, but she¡¯s still recovering. I heard you like Zixiang sorghum wine, so my father sent these two jars. Just a little token¡ªplease don¡¯t refuse.¡±


    While Zhao Huanzhang exchanged pleasantries, Gao-Yuan found himself mesmerised by Wen Hui¡¯s bright smile, recalling how it had once been the only light in his bleak life.


    Yang Xiuying, whose face was already flushed, glanced nervously at Gao-Yuan. She noticed his gaze fixed on the new girl, and her hand instinctively clenched the bag she was holding.


    Wen Hui took one of the wine jars from her brother and held it out to Gao-Yuan. ¡°Dr. Gao, please don¡¯t turn it down.¡±


    Yang Xiuying glanced between Gao-Yuan and Wen Hui, finally whispering to him, ¡°Who is she?¡±


    For a moment, Gao-Yuan didn¡¯t know how to respond.


    Wen Hui kindly offered an answer: ¡°I¡¯m Wen Hui, and you are...¡±


    She glanced at Yang Xiuying, then turned her gaze back to Gao-Yuan.


    <hr>


    At the County Hospital


    Wang Hanzhang, Director Li, the county hospital¡¯s doctors, Li Runyu, and Yan Qiao all waited anxiously at the hospital entrance, glancing around.


    ¡°There they are,¡± said Wang Hanzhang, stepping forward as a convoy of ambulances and military vehicles arrived.


    The hospital¡¯s doctors rushed to assist, carefully carrying out a patient who was barely conscious and transporting him to the ward.


    A high-ranking officer stepped out of the military vehicle.


    Wang Hanzhang quickly stepped up to greet him. ¡°Hello, Sir. I¡¯m Wang Hanzhang, in charge of the county¡¯s healthcare services.¡±


    The officer nodded. ¡°Comrade Hanzhang, I¡¯m entrusting Comrade Su Pingchuan to your care. He¡¯s a decorated hero, and I hope you¡¯ll do your utmost to treat him.¡±


    Wang Hanzhang stood at attention and replied, ¡°Rest assured, sir. We have the best doctors here and will do everything possible to help Comrade Su Pingchuan.¡±


    While Wang spoke confidently, the doctors behind him exchanged anxious looks.


    The officer didn¡¯t press with unrealistic expectations. ¡°I understand the severity of Su Pingchuan¡¯s condition. The provincial hospital couldn¡¯t help him either, and he simply wants to return home rather than passing away in a hospital. Just do your best, so he feels cared for.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Wang Hanzhang replied loudly.


    The officer then saluted the medical team, saying, ¡°On behalf of Comrade Su Pingchuan, I thank you all for your dedication.¡±


    The doctors, feeling honoured, returned the salute.


    As they walked inside, Wang Hanzhang asked, ¡°Sir, how did Comrade Su¡¯s health deteriorate so severely?¡±


    The officer sighed, his expression solemn. ¡°Su Pingchuan¡¯s condition stems from the frostbitten battlefields in Korea, where the harsh conditions worsened his illness beyond recovery.¡±


    Hearing this, Wang Hanzhang suddenly stopped in his tracks.


    The officer turned, puzzled. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    Wang Hanzhang looked up. ¡°Would this be considered a cold affliction?¡±


    ¡°A what?¡±

 Episode 68: A Change in Approach

    In the hospital ward, all available doctors were examining Su Pingchuan, including most of the county hospital staff.


    Standing in the back, Yan Qiao and Li Runyu hadn¡¯t yet had their turn to assess the patient. As directors of the county¡¯s two affiliated clinics, they were known as the top traditional medicine practitioners in the county, so they were often called for any major case.


    Despite being colleagues, they maintained icy expressions towards each other. Yan Qiao was still holding a grudge. They had originally agreed to ostracise Gao-Yuan together, but Li Runyu had backstabbed him. For his part, Li Runyu, not known for his tolerance, saw no need to initiate any cordiality either.


    Their glares at each other had practically become a part of the scenery.


    Dr. Qiao finished examining the patient, administered some oxygen, and began leafing through the medical records with a heavy expression. Although he had prepared himself mentally, reading the records firsthand made him acutely aware of his helplessness.


    Miao Ran noticed the two bickering practitioners, Yan Qiao and Li Runyu, and asked, ¡°Would you two like to conduct your traditional medicine assessment?¡±


    Both looked up at her.


    Li Runyu replied icily, ¡°Are you questioning our role here?¡±


    Yan Qiao added, ¡°Assess? Do you think we came here to sightsee?¡±


    They exchanged a glance, momentarily united in their blunt replies.


    Miao Ran blinked in surprise, then flared up. ¡°I was just trying to be considerate. Is that such a problem?¡±


    Li Runyu responded with detachment, ¡°We were simply answering your question.¡±


    ¡°And why are you so worked up?¡± Yan Qiao added.


    Miao Ran, fuming, looked like she was going to explode.


    The other doctors, used to her tendency to clash with people, simply shook their heads. She often got on everyone¡¯s nerves; it was no surprise she got pushback now.


    She glared at the two, thoughts drifting to Gao-Yuan¡ªso much more easygoing than these two!


    Before the argument could escalate, Dr. Qiao interjected, ¡°Leadership is just outside.¡±


    The bickering subsided.


    Just then, Wang Hanzhang and a high-ranking officer walked into the ward. Wang glared at the doctors, his expression severe; he had overheard their arguing. Had the officer not been present, he would have berated them already.


    Yan Qiao and Li Runyu, mindful of the higher-ups, finally stepped forward to assess the patient. Both furrowed their brows as soon as they started; Su Pingchuan¡¯s condition was worse than they¡¯d anticipated.


    Suppressing his frustration, Wang Hanzhang asked, ¡°How is Comrade Su¡¯s condition?¡±


    Neither wanted to speak first.


    Wang sighed and said, ¡°Dr. Li, you go first. Be direct.¡±Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    He then turned to the officer and explained, ¡°This is Dr. Li, the county¡¯s most skilled traditional medicine practitioner, and beside him is Dr. Yan, deputy chair of our medical association, with over fifty years of experience.¡±


    The officer nodded at both men. ¡°Please, be straightforward.¡±


    Li Runyu finally spoke up: ¡°Well, the patient has severe cold stagnation penetrating deep into the blood. Put simply, it¡¯s as if he¡¯s frozen solid from the inside out.¡±


    He trailed off, hesitant to continue.


    The officer nodded grimly. ¡°It¡¯s not surprising. In the Korean War, temperatures reached extreme lows. Many of our soldiers froze to death, and we even saw entire ¡®ice sculpture¡¯ units... Su Pingchuan and his comrades displayed remarkable tenacity.


    ¡°They defended their post for seventy-two hours without retreating an inch. Su barely survived but sustained extreme frostbite; his condition has steadily worsened. We tried various treatments after his return, but none succeeded, and his health has only deteriorated.¡±


    Wang Hanzhang glanced at Dr. Yan.


    Yan shook his head slightly, looking troubled.


    Wang asked, ¡°Is there any way to stabilise Comrade Su¡¯s life?¡±


    Yan¡¯s face showed hesitation.


    Li Runyu, who usually refused cases with less than a 60% success rate, shook his head.


    The officer¡¯s face fell.


    Suddenly, Dr. Qiao, close to Su Pingchuan, leaned in, hearing Su mumbling something faintly.


    ¡°What is it, Pingchuan? Do you want to say something?¡± The officer leaned in, listening intently.


    In a voice barely audible, Su Pingchuan whispered, ¡°Commander, don''t waste medicine on me. Save it for those who need it more. I know I¡¯m not going to make it. I want to be with my old comrades again. I have two last requests.¡±


    The officer¡¯s voice softened. ¡°Tell me. I¡¯ll do everything I can.¡±


    Struggling, Su touched his chest, every word stabbing at him with pain. ¡°Our unit¡­may be gone, but please¡­keep our unit number alive. We¡¯re iron-willed men who didn¡¯t fall to the Americans. Rebuild our unit¡­tell our story.¡±


    The officer¡¯s eyes reddened; only those who had been on the battlefield knew the weight of this honour. ¡°Yes, I promise you. I promise.¡±


    A faint smile crossed Su Pingchuan¡¯s face. ¡°If it''s not too much trouble, please bury me by the riverbank at Wuyun Ridge in Xin Village. It¡¯s where our unit passed, where I enlisted. I can¡¯t forget that place. I want to keep walking with the troops in my next life.¡±


    The officer wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.


    Suddenly, Su clutched his chest in agony.


    ¡°Pingchuan, what¡¯s wrong?¡± the officer asked anxiously.


    Dr. Qiao intervened. ¡°It¡¯s angina. Get the nitroglycerin!¡±


    The doctors hurried into action.


    The officer, torn with worry, turned to Wang Hanzhang and asked, ¡°Where is that traditional doctor you mentioned, the one skilled in treating cold syndromes?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s at the Zhang Village Clinic¡ªhis name is Gao-Yuan,¡± Wang replied.


    Yan and Li faltered, thinking, Gao-Yuan again?


    Dr. Qiao, however, looked thrilled. ¡°Yes, how could we forget Dr. Gao? He might be able to help.¡±


    The officer watched in confusion as the doctors lit up at the mention of Gao-Yuan.


    Yan scoffed, ¡°This is beyond what the province¡¯s experts can handle. How can one rural doctor make a difference?¡±


    The officer sighed, well aware of the dangers of holding onto unrealistic hopes.


    Miao Ran seized the moment and countered, ¡°That¡¯s not fair to say. Remember Vice Principal Hu Xingyan¡¯s youngest son from our county high school? He was discharged from the provincial hospital in critical condition, practically on the verge of death. And it was Dr. Gao who saved him! Dr. Li, weren¡¯t you there that day? You even said it would take nothing less than divine intervention to save him. Have you forgotten?¡±


    Li Runyu gasped, the veins in his neck bulging.


    The officer, surprised, asked, ¡°Really? There¡¯s a doctor this skilled?¡±


    Wang Hanzhang, equally taken aback, had not heard of this case before. Once again, Dr. Gao-Yuan had managed to surprise him.


    ¡°Yes, Dr. Gao is exceptionally talented,¡± he quickly confirmed. ¡°I suggest we call him in to help with this treatment.¡±


    The other county hospital doctors nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Alright,¡± the officer replied decisively.


    But Li Runyu interrupted, ¡°But Dr. Gao has serious political issues. Is it really appropriate to call him in to treat a war hero?¡±


    The officer frowned, looking over.


    Miao Ran sneered, ¡°You¡¯re clever, aren¡¯t you? You¡¯re quick to shift blame when your skills fall short, and then look for other ways to discredit him.¡±


    This jab startled the officer. Wasn¡¯t Dr. Li supposed to be the best traditional doctor in the county?


    Wang Hanzhang was even baffled. When had Gao-Yuan surpassed him? And why hadn¡¯t anyone told him?

 Episode 69 - A Look

    Faced with Miao Ran¡¯s mocking tone, Li Runyu simply let out a faint scoff.


    Yan Qiao quickly added, ¡°That¡¯s exactly my concern. Letting someone like Gao-Yuan treat a war hero just doesn¡¯t seem appropriate to me.¡±


    Before the officer could respond, the county hospital staff reacted like a hive stirred into chaos.


    Dr. Qiao Zheng frowned. ¡°Medical treatment is about saving lives¡ªnothing else should matter. If there¡¯s a more skilled doctor available, why wouldn¡¯t we want the patient to receive the best care possible?¡±


    Li Runyu retorted, ¡°It¡¯s not just about skill; character is more important. Someone with a questionable reputation like him¡ªdo you think he¡¯ll genuinely try his best? I¡¯m worried he might even sabotage the treatment.¡±


    Miao Ran sneered, ¡°Oh, you¡¯re so noble. So where were you when Huo Township needed help? If you¡¯re so noble, why didn¡¯t you stay up all week, travelling hundreds of miles to save patients? And where were you when that critically ill child needed treatment?¡±


    Li Runyu was left speechless.


    Yan Qiao was about to say something, but the other doctors all chimed in, openly criticising Li Runyu, forcing Yan Qiao to swallow his words.


    Li Runyu and Yan Qiao were stunned. Hadn¡¯t the relationship between Western and traditional medicine been tense all this time? How could a simple mention of Gao-Yuan provoke such a reaction?


    Had the relationship between Chinese and Western medicine really improved? Or... was it just these doctors standing together against the two of them?


    Both Li Runyu and Yan Qiao were left at a loss.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on here? Why the commotion? Do you think this is a marketplace?¡± Wang Hanzhang¡¯s booming voice silenced the room.


    He glared at the gathered crowd, feeling exhausted. Turning to the officer, he said, ¡°Sir, about Dr. Gao.¡±


    The officer raised his hand to interrupt. ¡°We¡¯ll discuss other matters later. First, tell me¡ªdid this doctor really save that critical patient discharged from the provincial hospital?¡±


    Wang Hanzhang looked over at Miao Ran.


    Miao Ran immediately confirmed, ¡°Yes, we all witnessed it and can testify. That child was just discharged two days ago. If you need proof, I can bring the family here.¡±


    The officer nodded. ¡°No need. Xiao Wu, drive to Zhangzhuang and bring this doctor here.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Xiao Wu responded loudly.


    Miao Ran quickly added, ¡°I¡¯ll go along and show the way¡ªand I can brief Dr. Gao-Yuan on the patient¡¯s condition.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± the officer agreed.


    Miao Ran eagerly dashed out.


    This left Yan Qiao and Li Runyu standing there, both looking complexed.


    <hr>


    Zhangzhuang Joint Clinic


    Yang Xiuying and Yang Degui had already left, upset that Gao-Yuan hadn¡¯t accepted their bag of steamed buns. As they left, Yang Xiuying began to tear up.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Yang Degui, fuming, muttered threats about giving Gao-Yuan a piece of his mind; if only he could actually fight him, he¡¯d go back and confront him!


    Meanwhile, Wen Hui and her brother were still there, having come from afar to deliver some wine. Zhao Huanzhang politely served them tea.


    Wen Hui curiously looked around the clinic and said, ¡°Dr. Zhao, your clinic has so many books¡ªway more than the Huichun Clinic where we¡¯re from. It¡¯s like a library here.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang set a teacup in front of her. ¡°These have been here a long time¡ªI bought them years ago.¡±


    Li Shengli added with a grin, ¡°Bought with money exploited from the poor.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang, though visibly uncomfortable, let it slide. Despite improved relations after the recent flu outbreak, Li Shengli still couldn¡¯t resist poking at him on touchy subjects.


    Wen Hui, tactfully changing the subject, reached for a medical text nearby. ¡°I wish I knew medicine too. Then, back then, I could have saved my mother myself. Ancient wisdom says, ¡®If one cannot be a wise minister, let him be a great physician. Physicians are more easily made than ministers. However, I disagree. Great ministers are found in every generation, while truly great physicians are rare.¡¯¡±


    She held up Correcting the Errors in the Forest of Medicine and read it aloud.


    ¡°You can read?¡± Zhao Huanzhang asked, slightly surprised.


    Wen Hui chuckled, ¡°Dr. Zhao, don¡¯t underestimate me.¡±


    Her brother beamed with pride. ¡°My sister¡¯s always been smart! She went to high school, the best student in our area, and now she teaches in our township.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang nodded, impressed. ¡°That¡¯s rare! They say women can be as capable as men¡ªyou¡¯re more educated than many men out there.¡±


    Wen Hui¡¯s eyes crinkled with a smile.


    Li Shengli, however, sensed a slight dig. ¡°High school? That¡¯s nothing! Our Dr. Gao is a university student¡ªfrom Beiping, no less!¡±


    Wen Hui looked over at Gao-Yuan in surprise.


    But Gao-Yuan couldn¡¯t meet her eyes, his heart heavy. In this time, a rural girl managing to complete high school showed both her intelligence and her family¡¯s support. Without him, she would¡¯ve had a better future, a promising career, a happier life¡ªinstead of abandoning everything to follow him into hardship.


    Gao-Yuan¡¯s expression grew even darker.


    Wen Hui looked at him with a hint of puzzlement, sensing an unexpected sadness in Dr. Gao.


    At that moment, a military vehicle pulled up outside the clinic. Xiao Wu stepped out and called, ¡°Is there a Dr. Gao-Yuan here?¡±


    The people in the clinic exchanged surprised glances.


    Gao-Yuan stood up. ¡°I¡¯m Gao-Yuan.¡±


    Xiao Wu said, ¡°Dr. Gao, I¡¯m under orders from our commander to take you to the county hospital to treat a patient.¡±


    Gao-Yuan froze for a moment.


    Then Miao Ran climbed out of the vehicle. ¡°Instructor Gao, we need you urgently; the patient¡¯s condition is critical. Your help is needed.¡±


    Gao-Yuan understood immediately¡ªwar hero Su Pingchuan had returned. He nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll be right there.¡±


    Turning to Li Shengli, he said, ¡°Shengli, come with me.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Seeing the military vehicle, Li Shengli perked up, grabbing a medical kit and rushing to the car.


    Zhao Huanzhang asked, ¡°Should I come along?¡±


    ¡°No need.¡± Gao-Yuan shook his head, slinging his medicine bag over his shoulder and striding towards the door. At the doorway, however, he paused.


    The people behind him all watched his back.


    Gao-Yuan stood in silence for a few seconds before turning to look directly at Wen Hui.


    Wen Hui felt a shiver. She¡¯d never seen that look in his eyes before.


    ¡°Honk¡­ honk¡­¡± Xiao Wu tapped the horn, urging him on.


    Gao-Yuan clenched his fists tightly, then decisively turned, got into the vehicle, and left.


    Though he¡¯d been gone for some time, Wen Hui hadn¡¯t moved. The look in his eyes when he left felt like a nail driven into her heart, filled with things she couldn¡¯t understand.


    "He...¡± she stammered, struggling for words. "How... did he end up becoming a doctor?¡±


    Since it involved Gao-Yuan¡¯s past, Zhao Huanzhang hesitated to answer.


    Just then, Shen Congyun returned, having just stepped out for a moment. Looking around, he asked, ¡°Hey, where did Dr. Gao and Li Shengli go?¡±


    Liu Sanquan replied, ¡°A car came and took them. They said there was an emergency case.¡±


    ¡°A car!¡± Shen Congyun was stunned. Cars were a rare sight in these rural parts. He immediately asked, ¡°Is it someone important?¡±


    Liu Sanquan nodded. ¡°Probably.¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡± Shen Congyun nearly slapped himself in frustration. Why¡¯d he step away at a crucial moment? He bolted for the door, shouting, ¡°Dr. Gao, you left something behind!¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Huanzhang genuinely thought Gao-Yuan had forgotten something and hurried after Shen Congyun. But all he saw was Shen, running off with surprising speed, shouting, ¡°Dr. Gao, you forgot me!¡±

 Episode 70: Prescriptions On The Double

    At the county hospital, Gao-Yuan stepped out of the car, striding quickly towards the entrance. Dr. Qiao Zheng awaited him at the door, greeting him with an outstretched hand.


    ¡°Dr. Gao, thank you for coming,¡± Qiao said earnestly.


    Gao-Yuan shook his hand firmly. ¡°It¡¯s my duty.¡±


    As they walked up the stairs, Qiao continued, ¡°Dr. Miao Ran should have briefed you on the situation.¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded.


    Qiao¡¯s brows knit tightly. ¡°The patient¡¯s toes suffered frostbite and had to be amputated, but the wounds just won¡¯t heal. His condition has deteriorated¡ªnow he¡¯s suffering from angina and cerebral arteriosclerosis, even a myocardial infarction. The Provincial Hospital suggested a high amputation, but he refused. Now, he¡¯s nearly beyond saving.¡±


    Gao-Yuan listened attentively, aware of these details beforehand.


    Qiao quietly cautioned, ¡°His superiors don¡¯t have much hope, so please assess carefully. You¡¯re in a sensitive position now. Be cautious to avoid any accusations or undue attention.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for the reminder,¡± Gao-Yuan replied with a nod.


    As they arrived at the ward, Dr. Wang Hanzhang introduced him. ¡°This is Dr. Gao Yuan."


    The leader looked Gao-Yuan over, raising an eyebrow, surprised at his youth and with some reservations about his history.


    ¡°Hello, Sir!¡± Before Gao-Yuan could speak, Dr. Li Shengli stood at attention, giving a formal salute.


    The leader returned it, smiling. ¡°Were you once in the army?¡±


    Dr. Li responded crisply, ¡°Sir, I¡¯m Li Shengli, enlisted in ¡¯47, honourably discharged in ¡¯50, now working as a doctor in Zhangzhuang Clinic!¡±


    The leader smiled, ¡°No need to be so formal.¡±


    ¡°Sir! Once a soldier, always a soldier!¡± Li Shengli replied, standing rigidly.


    The leader gave an approving nod, then looked to Gao-Yuan. ¡°Dr. Gao-Yuan, the patient is in your hands.¡±


    ¡°I will do my utmost,¡± Gao Yuan assured.


    ¡°Please,¡± the leader gestured towards the bed.


    Approaching the patient Su Pingchuan, who lay almost unconscious, Gao-Yuan began his examination. The man¡¯s face was deathly pale, his toes discoloured with a deep purple-blue hue. When Gao-Yuan touched them, they were icy. Despite being able to rouse him briefly, Su Pingchuan was too weak to respond, his expression full of exhaustion.


    Examining the site of the amputated toes, Gao-Yuan noted the persistent, chilling cold. Below his knees, his legs felt like blocks of ice¡ªa clear reason for the hospital¡¯s prior recommendation for a higher amputation.


    Suddenly, Su clutched his chest, groaning in pain.


    ¡°Another angina attack. Nitroglycerin,¡± Qiao said immediately, and Dr. Miao Ran hurriedly fetched it.


    Qiao explained, ¡°The patient¡¯s chest pain has been constant, relying on nitroglycerin to keep it in check.¡±


    At this, Gao-Yuan frowned deeply.


    Seeing his troubled expression, both Yan Qiao and Li Runyu felt a small measure of relief.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    Moving on to take the patient¡¯s pulse, Gao-Yuan found it faint and slow, and further examination yielded no reading in the lower pulses.


    Straightening up, he knit his brows tightly. In his previous life, he knew Su Pingchuan had died from an invasion of cold into the blood, and though he¡¯d planned meticulously this time, he hadn¡¯t expected it to be so severe.


    The leader enquired, ¡°Dr. Gao-Yuan, what¡¯s your assessment?¡±


    ¡°The root cause is cold sinking deep into the blood level,¡± Gao-Yuan explained. ¡°Following the pattern of the Wei, Qi, Ying, and Blood stages, the illness has progressed to its most serious phase. Put simply, the patient is like a block of ice, frozen through.¡±


    The leader glanced at Dr. Li Runyu, as this was just what she had diagnosed.


    Li Runyu¡¯s expression relaxed slightly, reassured she still held her place as the county¡¯s top doctor.


    The leader thought for a moment and asked, ¡°Do you have a treatment plan?¡±


    All eyes were on Gao-Yuan.


    Dr. Wang Hanzhang implored, ¡°Dr. Gao, Comrade Su Pingchuan is a war hero and a symbol of pride for our county. Do everything you can; don¡¯t hold back.¡±


    Hearing this, Qiao Zheng grew visibly anxious. He had just spoken with Gao-Yuan about the risks of being overly ambitious.


    Taking a steadying breath, Gao-Yuan gazed at the dying hero. His eyes grew resolute. ¡°There¡¯s a way. Since he¡¯s frozen, we¡¯ll need to ¡®melt the ice.¡¯¡±


    The leader¡¯s surprise was obvious. He had invited Gao-Yuan as a last-ditch effort, holding out little hope. Yet this young doctor was saying there was a way.


    ¡°Truly?¡± the leader asked again.


    Gao-Yuan nodded firmly.


    Dr. Li Shengli, standing nearby, lit up with joy; he knew Gao-Yuan wouldn¡¯t be empty-handed.


    The leader, suddenly hopeful, looked around at the others before turning to Li Runyu and Yan Qiao.


    Li Runyu and Yan Qiao, both taken aback, couldn¡¯t hide their disbelief.


    Li Runyu frowned. ¡°Are you serious? What medicine would you even use?¡±


    ¡°Extreme cold requires extreme heat,¡± Gao-Yuan answered decisively. ¡°We¡¯ll use Chuanwu and Fuzi¡ªpotent, warming herbs. Their ability to penetrate all twelve meridians will blast through the enemy cold, sweeping it away.¡±


    The leader sensed a fierce resolve in his tone. ¡°You mean to cure him?¡±


    ¡°What else did you call me for?¡± Gao-Yuan replied, puzzled.


    Caught off guard, the leader hesitated. He hadn¡¯t expected to save Su Pingchuan; he¡¯d simply hoped to ease his suffering, extending his life if possible¡ªa far cry from a complete cure.


    The leader scrutinised Gao-Yuan, struck by his audacity.


    Nearby, Li Shengli couldn¡¯t help but interject, ¡°Sir, you can trust him. Dr. Gao specialises in difficult cases; the more severe, the better. Even a single breath of life is enough for him to pull someone back.¡±


    The leader frowned. ¡°Where did you pick up such bragging habits?¡±


    Li Shengli, flustered, stammered, ¡°But it¡¯s true, I swear!¡±


    The leader waved dismissively, cutting him off.


    Looking between Gao-Yuan and Dr. Wang Hanzhang, the leader raised an eyebrow. Dr. Wang nodded, affirming his faith in Gao Yuan''s abilities.


    After a moment of contemplation, the leader relented, ¡°Very well, write up the prescription.¡±


    Gao-Yuan took paper and pen, writing quickly.


    Dr. Li Runyu and Yan Qiao peeked over his shoulder, gasping in shock at the first line.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± asked the leader.


    ¡°Two taels of Fuzi and one of Chuanwu?¡± Li Runyu sputtered.


    Yan Qiao, equally stunned, chimed in, ¡°Are you saving him or... ending him?¡±


    The leader¡¯s expression grew serious. ¡°What¡¯s the issue?¡±


    Exchanging uncertain glances, Li Runyu reluctantly explained, ¡°These herbs are toxic in large amounts. Normally, we use one qian or two at most. Dr. Gao has increased it tenfold.¡±


    ¡°To give you a picture,¡± Li Runyu continued, ¡°our approach to melting ice is akin to warming him under the sun. Dr. Gao¡¯s approach is to throw him into a raging fire.¡±


    The leader¡¯s face darkened slightly as he looked to Dr. Wang Hanzhang.


    Dr. Wang appeared equally startled.


    Meanwhile, Qiao Zheng covered his face, resigning himself; all his earlier cautions to Gao-Yuan had been in vain.


    Finishing the prescription, Gao-Yuan handed it to Li Shengli. ¡°Follow this precisely.¡±


    Without hesitation, Li Shengli replied, ¡°Right away!¡±


    ¡°Hold on,¡± the leader said, stopping him.


    ¡°Sir, ignore them,¡± Li Shengli said nonchalantly. ¡°These two always spout a load of nonsense. Every time they eat their words.¡±


    Drs. Li Runyu and Yan Qiao bristled at this, their reputation now hanging in the balance.


    The leader frowned at them.


    Li Runyu defended, ¡°This prescription is incredibly dangerous. Even a strong, healthy person couldn¡¯t withstand this toxicity, let alone Comrade Su in his current state. Dr. Gao, are you sure you¡¯re not trying to harm him?¡±


    The leader grew tense. ¡°Will this prescription cause poisoning?¡±


    Yan Qiao nodded solemnly. ¡°From my fifty years of medical practice, I¡¯d say certainly. With Comrade Su¡¯s frail state, he might not last long under its effects.¡±


    The leader looked sharply at Gao-Yuan, suspicion mounting.


    Gao-Yuan, calm and unfazed, handed the prescription to Li Shengli and addressed the group confidently. ¡°I¡¯ll drink the first dose myself.¡±


    Everyone stared, stunned.


    Then Gao-Yuan turned to Li Shengli. ¡°Get the medicine. Quickly!¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Li Shengli responded with a vigorous salute.

 Episode 71: He Won’t Die

    Li Runyu and Yan Qiao hadn¡¯t expected Gao-Yuan to be so bold, insisting on drinking it himself first!


    The commander gazed at Gao-Yuan in surprise.


    Wang Hanzhang spoke up, ¡°I¡¯ve heard that the most exquisite fish is none other than the pufferfish, and among pufferfish, the fork-tailed species is supreme. But the skin, bones, and blood of the fork-tailed pufferfish are incredibly toxic, and only a skilled chef can navigate around these poisonous parts to extract the most delicious meat.¡±


    ¡°Thus, there¡¯s an old rule before a fork-tailed puffer is served¡ªthe chef takes the first bite to ensure that diners won¡¯t be poisoned, displaying the chef¡¯s absolute confidence in their knife skills.¡±


    The commander nodded slightly, then asked Gao-Yuan, ¡°Are you sure you won¡¯t be poisoned?¡±


    Gao-Yuan glanced back at Li Runyu and Yan Qiao, then said, ¡°If I can¡¯t steady my hand, how could I serve in the army? And if I can¡¯t handle poisons, how can I call myself a doctor?¡±


    The commander was taken aback by Gao-Yuan¡¯s unshakeable confidence.


    Li Runyu and Yan Qiao were fuming; Gao-Yuan¡¯s words were aimed directly at them.


    Li Runyu retorted loudly, ¡°If the patient dies from poisoning, you¡¯ll be held responsible!¡±


    Gao-Yuan shot back, ¡°If he¡¯s poisoned, I¡¯ll die first. Just watch; no need to worry yourself.¡±


    ¡°You!¡± Li Runyu¡¯s neck bulged with frustration.


    The commander frowned. Though he had little hope of Su Pingchuan¡¯s recovery, he also didn¡¯t want him to die immediately from poisoning. In his current condition, Su could at least hold on for a few more days, and that was his concern.


    After some thought, the commander nodded, ¡°Proceed.¡±


    Yan Qiao grew tense. ¡°Please reconsider.¡±


    Having made his decision, the commander didn¡¯t hesitate. In a firm voice, he said, ¡°Proceed. There¡¯s no better option now. In war, words are no trifles. Since you dare to make such a pledge, I¡¯m willing to let you try!¡±


    Li Shengli hurried down to fetch the herbs.


    Li Runyu and Yan Qiao exchanged a glance, each shaking their heads. They wanted to persuade him otherwise, but seeing the decision, they could only stand back.


    Finally, with Li Shengli gone to fetch the medicine, Gao-Yuan¡¯s thoughts grew unsettled. He rubbed his face, exhausted, and said, ¡°I¡¯m going to wash up.¡±


    Gao-Yuan headed outside.


    ¡°He¡¯s not planning to flee, is he?¡± Yan Qiao whispered.


    Miao Ran shot him a glare.


    Wang Hanzhang looked his way as well.


    Yan Qiao fell silent.


    Qiao Zheng followed Gao-Yuan outside, watching as Gao-Yuan drew a bucket of water from the well and splashed it on his face, gasping for breath.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°Dr. Gao, what¡¯s wrong? You seem unusually tense today,¡± Qiao Zheng asked.


    Gao-Yuan wiped his face; the icy water cleared his mind a little. He couldn¡¯t help but smile bitterly. Today he was more on edge than usual¡ªseeing Wen Hui at the clinic earlier had thrown him.


    Reborn into this life, he strove to change his tragic fate and those of his loved ones¡ªfor his mother, for Wen Hui, for his children.


    If he could, he wouldn¡¯t dream of leaving Wen Hui behind.


    No one could understand the pain he felt looking back at her as he left the clinic.


    ¡°Phew¡­¡± Gao-Yuan exhaled deeply, remaining silent until his emotions finally calmed. He dried his face with his sleeve, then told Qiao Zheng, ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    Still unconvinced, Qiao Zheng offered another reminder: ¡°You really ought to be careful. If you end up killing a war hero, you¡¯ll face the consequences.¡±


    Gao-Yuan straightened his collar, tidying himself up, and said to Qiao Zheng, ¡°Thank you. Don¡¯t worry.¡±


    Qiao Zheng shook his head slightly. He could tell Gao-Yuan wasn¡¯t listening, but there was only so much he could say.


    Back in the sickroom, Gao-Yuan quietly took a seat by Su Pingchuan¡¯s side, watching over him.


    Then, Li Shengli brought up the medicine.


    All eyes turned to Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan stood, his face calm. ¡°I¡¯ll drink it first.¡±


    Seeing he was serious, Li Runyu and Yan Qiao blanched.


    But the commander stopped Gao-Yuan. ¡°Young doctor, if I¡¯ve decided to use your prescription, it¡¯s because I trust you. Since when do doctors taste their own medicine? How could a doctor treat patients if his heart grew cold?¡±


    Looking at the commander, Gao-Yuan said sincerely, ¡°Thank you.¡±


    The commander extended a hand. ¡°Let¡¯s give Su Pingchuan the medicine.¡±


    Gao-Yuan brought the bowl to Su Pingchuan, and with Li Shengli¡¯s help, they fed him the medicine spoon by spoon.


    Seeing Su Pingchuan drink it down, Li Runyu and Yan Qiao swallowed nervously.


    Li Runyu whispered to Yan Qiao, ¡°How can he be so confident? Could it really be safe?¡±


    Yan Qiao shook his head. ¡°Impossible. Decades ago, back in the late Qing era, I once prescribed a single mace of Sichuan aconite. The patient carelessly added a few more maces by accident and was immediately poisoned. No one was there to help, and he died instantly. Gao-Yuan¡¯s dose is much higher¡ªit can¡¯t be safe. I swear on my fifty years of medical experience.¡±


    Li Runyu nodded slightly.


    After giving the patient the medicine, Gao-Yuan didn¡¯t leave.


    Li Runyu and Yan Qiao kept close watch, looking for any signs of poisoning.


    Half an hour passed, and the patient showed no reaction.


    Li Runyu shot Yan Qiao a suspicious look¡ªhadn¡¯t he sworn on fifty years of experience?


    Yan Qiao tugged at his goat, nearly pulling it off in frustration. The two were even more anxious than Gao-Yuan.


    After a while, they noticed Su Pingchuan¡¯s eyes close, his head tilting to the side.


    Yan Qiao¡¯s hand jerked, pulling out a tuft of his beard. ¡°He¡­he¡­¡±


    Li Runyu clenched up, ¡°This isn¡¯t good.¡±


    They rushed over to examine him but were met with a deep, steady snore.


    ¡°Snore¡­¡±


    Their expressions froze.


    ¡°He¡¯s¡­¡± Li Runyu stammered.


    ¡°Snoring?¡± Yan Qiao added.


    Li Shengli looked at them. ¡°What did you think?¡±


    Other doctors looked at them with bewildered expressions.


    They were dumbfounded.


    The commander, hearing the noise, hurried over, ¡°What¡¯s happening to him?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s asleep,¡± Gao-Yuan replied.


    The commander¡¯s face lit up. ¡°Asleep? And snoring?¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded slightly.


    Li Shengli beamed, ¡°See, Commander? I wasn¡¯t exaggerating. Dr. Gao specialises in treating critical cases.¡±


    Wang Hanzhang also smiled.


    Li Runyu and Yan Qiao looked at each other, baffled. Their medical expertise didn¡¯t seem to match this reality.


    Gao-Yuan felt slightly at ease. ¡°Same prescription; go fetch another dose and brew it.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Li Shengli responded.


    ¡°More?¡± Yan Qiao was incredulous.


    Li Shengli smirked, ¡°What, still want to swear on your fifty years of experience?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± Yan Qiao was at a loss for words.


    Gao-Yuan told Yan Qiao, ¡°We won¡¯t change an effective prescription. Get the same medicine, three times daily and once at night for four doses.¡±


    Yan Qiao was stunned.


    Li Runyu was speechless.


    The two felt utterly defeated.


    Li Runyu glanced at Gao-Yuan, at a loss. He wanted to echo Miao Ran¡¯s disbelief, ¡°How is this even possible?¡±


    Yan Qiao could barely calculate how much Sichuan aconite and prepared aconite this fierce young man intended to administer in a single day.


    The commander looked at Su, who was finally resting peacefully. He hadn¡¯t slept this well in a long time. His confidence in Gao Yuan had grown considerably. Anxiously, he asked, ¡°What are Su Pingchuan¡¯s chances of survival?¡±


    Gao-Yuan looked at Su Pingchuan and answered, ¡°As long as I¡¯m here, he won¡¯t die.¡±

 Episode 72: I’ve Always Been Here

    Shen Congyun, almost sixty years old, was considered elderly in an era when the average life expectancy barely reached forty. Though he had taken care of himself reasonably well, age had still caught up with him. After covering just half the distance, he was already gasping for air and on the verge of collapse.


    Bent over with his hands on his knees, Shen Congyun panted heavily. Every fibre of his being screamed for him to stop and rest. But he couldn¡¯t afford to stop¡ªnot when an automobile, of all things, had come to their remote village to pick someone up.


    An automobile! That had never happened before.


    He knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Whether the Shen family could be revitalised under his stewardship hinged on this moment. How could he rest? How could he stop?


    For Shen Congyun, nothing was more important than the resurgence of his family.


    This thought alone reignited his weary body with determination. Step by arduous step, he pressed on, shouting with resolve, ¡°An old horse in the stable still aspires to gallop a thousand miles!¡±


    Though his lips muttered ceaselessly, his legs didn¡¯t falter.


    By the time he reached the county hospital in the dead of night, Shen Congyun was running on pure willpower.


    ¡°I... I¡¯ve made it.¡± His lips quivered as he dragged his leaden feet up the stairs, moving towards the single illuminated ward.


    Carefully, he tidied his dishevelled hair but then paused, realising that looking too composed might not fully convey his struggle. Hastily, he ruffled his hair, popped a button off his shirt, and even rubbed his clothes against the wall for added effect. Limping dramatically, he staggered into the ward.


    ¡°Hold on! I¡¯m here!¡± Shen Congyun howled, bursting into the room.


    All eyes turned to him.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Li Shengli asked, startled.


    Even Gao Yuan seemed taken aback, though understanding dawned quickly. A mix of amusement and exasperation crossed his face.


    ¡°Of course I had to come,¡± Shen Congyun declared tearfully as his gaze fell on the patient. His face froze in astonishment at the sight of Su Pingchuan casually sipping porridge in bed.


    Su Pingchuan, equally puzzled, stared back at the emotional newcomer.


    Pointing at Su, Shen Congyun stammered, ¡°He... he...¡±


    Gao Yuan replied calmly, ¡°He¡¯s out of danger now.¡±


    ¡°You!¡± Shen Congyun¡¯s trembling finger pointed at Gao Yuan before the world spun around him. With a gasp, he collapsed in a heap on the floor.


    ¡°Hey!¡± Li Shengli exclaimed, rushing to lift Shen Congyun. ¡°Dr. Gao, looks like you¡¯ll have another patient to rescue!¡±


    Suppressing the urge to roll his eyes, Gao Yuan instructed, ¡°Quick, bring him over here.¡±


    The onlookers exchanged baffled glances.


    The commander turned to Su Pingchuan, puzzled. ¡°Is he a relative of yours?¡±


    Su Pingchuan shook his head, equally mystified. ¡°I don¡¯t know him.¡±The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    The commander pressed on, ¡°Then why would he faint from excitement after seeing you recover?¡±


    Su Pingchuan scratched his head. ¡°Even if he were a relative, it¡¯s hard to imagine someone reacting this strongly.¡±


    From the corner, Wang Hanzhang clarified, ¡°That¡¯s Shen Congyun, a doctor from Zhangzhuang Clinic.¡±


    ¡°A doctor?¡± Su Pingchuan¡¯s confusion deepened. ¡°Why would a doctor be this emotional?¡±


    The commander, with his sharper political instincts, concluded, ¡°This is the true bond between soldiers and civilians.¡±


    Gao Yuan, busy examining Shen Congyun, couldn¡¯t help but glance back at the commander.


    <hr>


    <h4>The Next Morning</h4>


    Shen Congyun groaned as he regained consciousness, looking utterly dejected.


    Meanwhile, Su Pingchuan had taken his third dose of medicine, with only one more to go.


    Unable to suppress their curiosity, Yan Qiao and Li Runyu returned to observe him. Yet no matter how they scrutinised Su Pingchuan, they found no signs of poisoning.


    Li Shengli muttered to the commander, ¡°See? I told you those two elders always end up embarrassing themselves.¡±


    The commander was left speechless.


    Blushing, Yan Qiao and Li Runyu made a hasty exit. Once outside, they exchanged a troubled look.


    Yan Qiao frowned deeply. ¡°It doesn¡¯t make sense. How could such a high dose of aconite not result in poisoning? I¡¯ve practiced medicine for over fifty years and never encountered this.¡±


    Li Runyu pondered briefly before asking, ¡°Could Gao Yuan have mastered a technique for safely administering high doses of aconite?¡±


    Yan Qiao spun to face her, startled. ¡°If that¡¯s true, the implications would be monumental. Do you think we can get hold of the prescription from yesterday?¡±


    Li Runyu shot him a withering look. ¡°Do you honestly believe he¡¯d disclose a trade secret of that magnitude in a prescription? If it were you, would you?¡±


    Yan Qiao hesitated briefly before sighing. He wouldn¡¯t.


    The two left the hospital silently.


    <hr>


    <h4>In the Ward</h4>


    The commander, after confirming Su Pingchuan¡¯s full recovery, was elated.


    With pressing matters awaiting him, he prepared to leave that afternoon. Before departing, he gave Su Pingchuan instructions to focus on his recovery.


    Turning to Gao Yuan, the commander hesitated briefly before speaking to Wang Hanzhang. ¡°Comrade Hanzhang, accompany me. I¡¯d like to hear more about Dr. Gao Yuan.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Wang Hanzhang agreed promptly.


    Feeling afraid, Gao Yuan watched them leave.


    Li Shengli, sensing Gao Yuan¡¯s concern, gave him an encouraging nod. ¡°Relax. I¡¯ll go too. I¡¯ve got plenty to say about him.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± the commander agreed.


    Gao Yuan let out a long sigh, turning his gaze to the window.


    Meanwhile, Shen Congyun had switched to pestering Su Pingchuan to try the Shen family¡¯s massage therapy.


    But Su Pingchuan adamantly refused. ¡°Only landlords make people massage them. I won¡¯t do it!¡±


    Despite exhausting all his arguments, Shen Congyun failed to sway the stubborn man.


    <hr>


    <h4>In the Adjacent Room</h4>


    Wang Hanzhang explained, ¡°That¡¯s the gist of it. Based on Dr. Gao¡¯s behaviour, I can¡¯t believe he would betray anyone. Honestly, I¡¯m ashamed because I doubt I could do what he¡¯s done.¡±


    Li Shengli added, ¡°I think Dr. Gao was framed back then. He¡¯s a good person. Sure, some spies hide behind a fa?ade of enthusiasm, but once exposed, they don¡¯t keep acting that way. Despite all the injustice he¡¯s suffered, Dr. Gao continues to love this country and its people.¡±


    The commander nodded, visibly moved by Gao Yuan¡¯s story.


    Wang Hanzhang elaborated, ¡°Dr. Gao is incredibly talented. Even in university, he was already researching disease prevention for the country. The sanitation plan he submitted recently has received significant attention and is being prepared for nationwide implementation.¡±


    Li Shengli chimed in, ¡°Dr. Gao even knows how to prepare for nuclear attacks. He¡¯s helped our militia develop strategies for handling new weapons.¡±


    The commander was surprised. ¡°He wrote that?¡±


    Li Shengli nodded. ¡°Yes. He studied these topics during university.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± the commander murmured thoughtfully.


    <hr>


    Later, the commander summoned Gao Yuan, his expression complicated.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard a lot about you, Dr. Gao,¡± he began. ¡°Frankly, I¡¯m deeply moved. But regarding your past, I can¡¯t make judgements or draw conclusions lightly.¡±


    Gao Yuan remained silent.


    The commander continued, ¡°However, I will report your actions here to the higher authorities. The truth can¡¯t be hidden. Personally, I hope they¡¯ll reconsider your case.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Gao Yuan replied quietly.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s we who should thank you. Thank you for saving Su Pingchuan and preserving a war hero¡¯s life.¡± The commander saluted him.


    Gao Yuan straightened his posture in response.


    After a moment¡¯s hesitation, the commander added, ¡°Dr. Gao, we still have many soldiers like Su Pingchuan suffering from frostbite and related illnesses.¡±


    Without hesitation, Gao Yuan replied, ¡°Whether or not you consider me a comrade, I¡¯ll always be a doctor. If a patient needs me, I¡¯ll be here.¡±


    The commander regarded Gao Yuan with respect, saluting once more. ¡°Thank you, Comrade Gao Yuan.¡±

 Episode 73: Unleashing Full Strength

    Gao-Yuan climbed onto the rooftop, letting the wind cool his restless thoughts.


    The commander had left. Gao-Yuan was certain he had reported his situation to the higher-ups, yet days passed without any response, as if his plea had vanished into thin air.


    This outcome, though disheartening, wasn¡¯t entirely unexpected. Gao-Yuan had anticipated such a result from the beginning. After all, what hadn¡¯t been accomplished in over a decade in his past life couldn¡¯t possibly be resolved in just a month or two in this life. It was an inescapable deadlock.


    Despite mentally preparing himself, Gao-Yuan couldn¡¯t help feeling a pang of disappointment.


    He stayed on the rooftop for a long time, lost in thought, as the sun dipped lower in the sky.


    <hr>


    Downstairs in the Zhang Village clinic, the doctors watched Gao-Yuan anxiously.


    "Sigh..." Zhao Huanzhang exhaled heavily, his voice tinged with empathy. "I truly understand what Dr. Gao must be feeling."


    ¡°You understand?¡± Li Shengli interrupted with a scoff. ¡°How could you possibly understand? You and Dr. Gao aren¡¯t even remotely alike.¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± Zhao Huanzhang choked on his words, then threw up his hands in frustration and stomped back inside, visibly upset.


    Shen Congyun tried to smooth things over. ¡°There¡¯s no need to always pick on Dr. Zhao. What¡¯s the point?¡±


    Li Shengli, not one to hold back, snapped, ¡°And you think you¡¯re any better? If it weren¡¯t for you Nationalist spies, would Dr. Gao be in this mess?¡±


    Shen Congyun froze. ¡°I¡¯m not a spy.¡±


    ¡°Yet you still grovel to them?¡± Li Shengli retorted, rolling his eyes.


    Frustrated, Shen Congyun also stormed inside.


    Li Shengli glanced at the remaining Liu Sanquan.


    Without a word, Liu Sanquan retreated inside as well, his expression unreadable.


    Li Shengli looked up at Gao-Yuan again, growing increasingly irritated before finally heading inside himself. It wasn¡¯t long before the clinic was filled with bickering once more.


    Meanwhile, Gao-Yuan remained silent on the rooftop, his gaze fixed on the setting sun.


    The arguing downstairs dragged on, only to suddenly stop. Everyone looked up, realising something was amiss. They¡¯d been squabbling for ages, yet Gao-Yuan hadn¡¯t come down to play the role of peacemaker as usual.


    Zhao Huanzhang furrowed his brows. ¡°This time, it seems whatever happened has truly shaken Dr. Gao.¡±You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    The room fell into an uneasy silence.


    <hr>


    The next day, at the county hospital, Su Pingchuan was in the courtyard, recovering his strength. By the time Gao-Yuan arrived, Su was practicing martial arts.


    Gao-Yuan waited until Su finished before speaking. ¡°Comrade Su, you haven¡¯t fully recovered yet. Your exercise should be moderate.¡±


    Shen Congyun sidled up with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll give Comrade Su a massage afterward to help him relax.¡±


    Su waved him off. ¡°No, no, no. I¡¯ve told you before, I¡¯m not some capitalist tycoon. I don¡¯t need anyone massaging me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s an external treatment in traditional Chinese medicine,¡± Shen explained earnestly. ¡°It¡¯s science.¡±


    Su shook his head firmly. ¡°I don¡¯t want it, no matter what.¡±


    Shen, out of options, gave up.


    Turning to Gao-Yuan, Su asked, ¡°Dr. Gao, any updates on your matter?¡±


    Gao-Yuan shook his head silently.


    Su frowned. He studied Gao-Yuan¡¯s face for a moment before suddenly rolling up his sleeves. ¡°Dr. Gao, I heard you¡¯re a former soldier. How about a spar?¡±


    ¡°No, thank you,¡± Gao-Yuan replied.


    ¡°Come on, don¡¯t be shy,¡± Su said, lunging playfully at Gao-Yuan and grabbing at him.


    Caught off guard, Gao-Yuan instinctively stepped back, but seeing no way to avoid it, he reached out his hands to counter. Their arms locked immediately, and the two began grappling.


    Their movements were fluid yet forceful, each trying to outmanoeuvre and unbalance the other.


    Watching in astonishment, Shen Congyun muttered to himself, ¡°How did this escalate so quickly?¡±


    Despite Su¡¯s injuries and missing toes, his movements retained the sharpness of a battle-hardened soldier. Gao-Yuan found himself struggling to keep up, marvelling at Su¡¯s strength and resilience.


    Suddenly, Su stared directly into Gao-Yuan¡¯s eyes and bellowed, ¡°If the organisation has denied your appeals repeatedly, doesn¡¯t that prove you weren¡¯t wronged in the first place?¡±


    The words struck Gao-Yuan like a bolt of lightning.


    Taking advantage of Gao-Yuan¡¯s momentary hesitation, Su closed in, attempting to trip him. But out of nowhere, Gao-Yuan drew strength from deep within, shifting his weight and channelling immense force through his legs. In a single explosive motion, he flipped Su over and sent him flying.


    Su stumbled backward several paces before losing his balance and landing flat on the ground.


    Shen Congyun was stunned.


    From the doorway, Wang Hanzhang burst in with a shout. ¡°Dr. Gao, what on earth are you doing?¡± He hurried to Su¡¯s side to help him up.


    Su laughed heartily as he dusted himself off. ¡°Relax, we were just horsing around.¡±


    ¡°Reckless,¡± Wang scolded. ¡°Su¡¯s still recovering, and you didn¡¯t hold back at all.¡±


    Gao-Yuan said nothing.


    Su grinned and waved dismissively. ¡°A real man never holds back in a fight. Holding back is an insult.¡±


    <hr>


    The day¡¯s meeting began shortly after. Wang Hanzhang discussed upcoming public health initiatives, heavily referencing Gao-Yuan¡¯s proposed plans. He emphasised the importance of training health aides, though the room¡¯s atmosphere grew tense at the prospect of additional workload.


    But the day¡¯s tension was interrupted by an unexpected commotion outside the window.


    ¡°Dr. Gao! Is Dr. Gao here?¡± A loud voice called out.


    Everyone turned towards the source of the noise.


    Peering out, Gao-Yuan was surprised to see villagers from Huo Township, carrying bundles and looking travel-worn. At the forefront was Wan Jinliang, the husband of the woman Gao-Yuan had saved from postpartum haemorrhage.


    Seeing Gao-Yuan, the villagers waved excitedly, their voices brimming with hope. ¡°Dr. Gao! We finally found you! Is your offer to train us still valid? The whole village pooled our food together so we could come. We can¡¯t stop now!¡±


    Inside, the room was stunned. The level of trust and desperation displayed by these impoverished villagers was unimaginable.


    Gao-Yuan¡¯s grip on the window frame tightened as he called down to them, his voice resolute. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s valid! I promise to train each one of you so that every village in Huo Township will have its own doctor.¡±


    The villagers erupted in cheers, their faces alight with joy.


    From the balcony above, Su Pingchuan chuckled, rubbing his sore backside. ¡°So that¡¯s the tenfold strength he used on me,¡± he muttered with a grin.

 Episode 74: Seeking Gao-Yuan

    Li Runyu had been feeling restless lately.


    Ever since the man named Gao-Yuan appeared, Li Runyu''s life trajectory seemed to have been irrevocably altered.


    Previously, he was the undisputed top doctor in the county, admired and respected by all.


    A common saying among the locals was, "Only after passing through Li Runyu¡¯s hands can you walk the Yellow Springs road." It meant that only when Li Runyu declared someone beyond saving could they prepare for death.


    Li Runyu had always taken pride in this phrase. It perfectly encapsulated his position as the number one doctor in the county. However, in recent times, another line had been appended to it: "If you fall into the gates of hell, call Gao-Yuan to save you."


    There was little Li Runyu could do to contest this. Gao-Yuan¡¯s accomplishments were simply too overwhelming. Several patients he had deemed unsalvageable had been miraculously rescued by Gao-Yuan.


    This, of course, made Gao-Yuan seem superior to him, a notion that gnawed incessantly at Li Runyu¡¯s pride.


    Li Runyu couldn''t fathom how such a formidable competitor had suddenly emerged. It even led him to reflect on his own practice. If he had taken a chance on those cases with only a 40¨C50% probability of success, could he have saved them too?


    For years, Li Runyu had carefully guarded his reputation, avoiding any situation that might tarnish his impeccable record. But Gao-Yuan¡¯s meteoric rise forced him to question his own limitations. The more he thought about it, the more agitated he became.


    Gao-Yuan now posed a serious threat to his position as the top doctor in the county.


    <hr>


    ¡°Doctor Li, Doctor Li...¡± The junior doctor called out several times before Li Runyu snapped out of his thoughts.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Li Runyu responded, barely masking his irritation.


    The junior doctor gestured at the prescription slip in Li Runyu¡¯s hand. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, sir?¡±


    Looking down, Li Runyu realised he had crumpled the prescription into a ball. With a sigh, he tossed it aside. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    The junior doctor hesitated before cautiously saying, ¡°Is it because of Gao-Yuan?¡±


    Li Runyu shot him a sharp look.


    The junior doctor awkwardly chuckled. ¡°I couldn¡¯t help overhearing some gossip...¡±


    Annoyed, Li Runyu turned his head away.


    Trying his luck, the junior doctor whispered, ¡°Doctor Li, I have an idea. If Gao-Yuan excels at treating critical illnesses, let him have that domain. You, sir, are unparalleled in handling complex and rare diseases. As long as you maintain that edge, you¡¯ll still outshine him.¡±


    Li Runyu glanced at the junior doctor. ¡°If you¡¯ve got nothing better to do, go prepare the medicinal herbs.¡±


    Seeing that his advice wasn¡¯t well-received, the junior doctor changed his approach. ¡°If you¡¯re determined to compete with him in critical care, just wait. Fame is hard to build but easy to destroy. No one succeeds every time. Just let him do his thing; the moment he fails, the higher the pedestal, the harder the fall.¡±Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    Hearing this, a spark lit in Li Runyu¡¯s eyes. He had avoided high-risk cases to protect his reputation. Now that Gao-Yuan¡¯s reputation eclipsed his, a single mistake could indeed bring him crashing down.


    A faint smile tugged at the corner of Li Runyu¡¯s mouth.


    <hr>


    Just then, a new patient arrived at the clinic.


    ¡°Is Doctor Li Runyu here?¡± a father carrying a frail child cautiously asked.


    ¡°Yes?¡± Li Runyu turned his attention to them.


    The father, humble and deferential, approached. ¡°Doctor Li, please take a look at my child.¡±


    Li Runyu stood up and asked, ¡°Put the child down. What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    The mother helped carefully lay the child on the consultation table. The father, visibly exhausted, said, ¡°Acute leukaemia.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Li Runyu was stunned. Looking at the child, who was emaciated to the point of being unrecognisable, he saw lifeless eyes and a face devoid of vitality, bearing the unmistakable mark of death.


    ¡°When did this start?¡± Li Runyu asked.


    ¡°About a month ago,¡± the father replied. ¡°We spent the month undergoing chemotherapy at the provincial hospital, but they told us there was nothing more they could do and discharged us. Doctor Li, you¡¯re the best doctor in our county. Please, we beg you to try.¡±


    The father¡¯s words were calm, yet his voice betrayed deep fatigue.


    After a thorough examination, Li Runyu concluded that the child¡¯s chances of survival were less than 20%. This was not a case he would take on.


    With a heavy heart he shook his head.


    Seeing this, the parents looked utterly defeated. The father murmured, ¡°They say you must see Doctor Li Runyu before you tread the Yellow Springs road. If even you can¡¯t help...


    Tears filled his eyes, though he didn¡¯t cry aloud, his silent grief palpable.


    The sight made Li Runyu uncomfortable.


    The father exhaled deeply and pleaded, ¡°Doctor Li, could you at least prescribe something to make his last days more bearable? So he can eat a little of what he wants? We¡¯d be forever grateful.¡±


    The mother also gazed at him imploringly.


    Unable to endure their desperate stares, Li Runyu turned away, took a deep breath, and quickly spun back. ¡°Go to Zhangzhuang Clinic and find Gao-Yuan.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± the parents asked, confused by the unfamiliar name.


    <hr>


    After they left, Li Runyu felt an inexplicable mix of emotions.


    The junior doctor approached, grinning. ¡°Now, we can watch him make a mistake.¡±


    ¡°Get lost,¡± Li Runyu snapped, his frustration boiling over.


    <hr>


    At Zhangzhuang Clinic, Gao-Yuan was teaching the new health workers. Most of them had little formal education, with only two having completed middle school.


    ¡°Traditional Chinese medicine diagnoses illness by observing external signs, as any internal imbalance will manifest outwardly. This is why TCM developed the four diagnostic methods: observation, listening and smelling, inquiry, and pulse-taking.


    He jumped straight into practical knowledge, teaching diagnostic techniques, prescriptions, and treatment of common ailments.


    The health workers eagerly took notes, their enthusiasm palpable. Among them was Li Shengli, who had some prior experience as a half-trained doctor.


    Meanwhile the other clinic doctors exchanged puzzled glances.


    ¡°What can he possibly train them into?¡± Shen Congyun asked Zhao Huanzhang.


    Zhao shrugged. ¡°When I studied, my master had me copy prescriptions and memorise texts for over a year before teaching diagnostics or treatments. This method of skipping basics seems reckless.¡±


    Liu Sanquan interjected, ¡°Maybe he¡¯s not expecting them to handle complex cases.¡±


    The others exchanged looks, realising there might be truth to this.


    <hr>


    As the lesson ended, a burly health worker, Wan Jinliang, approached Gao-Yuan. ¡°Doctor Gao, you¡¯ve taught us a lot about minor illnesses. When will you teach us to treat serious ones?¡±


    Gao-Yuan chuckled. ¡°You haven¡¯t learnt to walk and already want to run?¡±


    Embarrassed, Wan scratched his head. ¡°It¡¯s just that you¡¯re incredible. When you saved my wife, it felt like a miracle. We all want to learn from you so we can help others in desperate situations.¡±


    The others nodded eagerly, their eyes brimming with admiration.


    Gao-Yuan smiled but shook his head. ¡°Focus on the basics. For severe cases, always refer them to better-equipped clinics or hospitals. Never hesitate to acknowledge when others are more capable.¡±


    Wan hesitated, then asked, ¡°Doctor Gao, people often compare you and Doctor Li Runyu. Who do you think is better?¡±


    The room grew quiet, everyone awaiting his answer.


    ¡°Out, all of you,¡± Gao-Yuan waved them off with mock exasperation.


    Just then, a man entered, carrying a frail child. ¡°Excuse me, is Doctor Gao-Yuan here? Doctor Li Runyu sent us, saying you might be able to help our child.¡±

 Episode 75: Thank You

    Upon hearing that it was Li Runyu who referred them, Gao-Yuan wasted no time and stepped forward, saying, ¡°Quickly, bring the child inside.¡±


    The child¡¯s father hesitated, his disbelief evident as he asked, "You... are you Doctor Gao-Yuan?¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded.


    The parents exchanged puzzled glances.


    Li Shengli, accustomed to such reactions, added matter-of-factly, ¡°Doctor Gao is a graduate of a prestigious university in Beiping.¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡± The couple immediately stood in awe.


    Gao-Yuan asked, ¡°What¡¯s the situation? What illness?¡±


    Carrying the child inside, the father explained, ¡°Acute granulocytic leukaemia.¡±


    Hearing the diagnosis, Gao-Yuan¡¯s brows knitted tightly. One look at the child¡¯s pallor confirmed his concerns; his heart sank.


    The other doctors in the clinic gathered around to examine the child.


    Zhao Huanzhang, seeing the child¡¯s critical condition, instinctively turned to Gao-Yuan. Zhao had long learnt not to act rashly when Gao-Yuan was present.


    ¡°How did this happen, and how long has it been?¡± Gao-Yuan asked.


    The father recounted the ordeal. ¡°It started over a month ago. He suddenly developed a high fever and uncontrollable chills, with the fever spiking to 40¡ãC. He also had severe nosebleeds that wouldn¡¯t stop for two days.¡±


    ¡°We took him to the local joint clinic, then to the county hospital, both of which referred us to the provincial hospital. By the time we arrived there, he was barely alive. The doctors there stabilised him after a blood transfusion, but he was left severely anaemic.¡±


    ¡°Was blood transfused?¡±


    ¡°Yes, they transfused 1,400 millilitres of blood, but his haemoglobin level is still only 4 g/dL. The doctors then started chemotherapy¡ªtwo cycles¡ªbut his condition deteriorated to what you see now.¡±


    ¡°The provincial hospital suggested we discharge him due to his critical state, so we brought him home. We first sought help from Doctor Li Runyu, who directed us to you.¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded, piecing together the child¡¯s medical history.


    Li Shengli whispered, ¡°Doctor Gao, another one discharged from the provincial hospital as critically ill.¡±


    Gao-Yuan shot him a look. ¡°I¡¯m not a miracle worker. Stop making it sound like every patient the provincial hospital gives up on is guaranteed salvation here.¡±


    With no time for idle chatter, Gao-Yuan began his examination.


    The child¡¯s complexion was waxy and yellowish; his lips and fingertips were pale as paper. He was too weak to sit upright, with scant appetite, consuming barely one or two taels of food per day. His palms and soles burnt with low-grade fever, and he perspired profusely. His eyes lacked focus, and his chest subtly quivered with each heartbeat¡ªa sign of severe depletion of vital energy.


    Examining the tongue, it was red and glossy, akin to a peeled pork kidney, devoid of coating and dry. His pulse was thin, wiry, and rapid, exceeding seven beats per breath.


    After completing the assessment, Gao-Yuan swallowed hard and glanced back at Zhao Huanzhang.


    Zhao awkwardly chuckled, instinctively leaning back.


    ¡°How is our child?¡± the father asked anxiously. ¡°Is there any chance left?¡±


    Gao-Yuan hesitated. Acute leukaemia was already a difficult condition to treat, and this case was far advanced, with the child teetering on the brink of death after just a month.


    He looked at the parents and spoke frankly, ¡°Your child is in a state of extreme exhaustion, with both energy and fluids depleted. It¡¯s¡­¡± He paused, then said solemnly, ¡°It¡¯s critical.¡±


    The father¡¯s hope flickered and faded, his voice trembling. ¡°Does that mean... there¡¯s no way?¡±Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    Li Shengli chimed in again, ¡°But Doctor Gao, this is another case from the provincial hospital!¡±


    ¡°Shut it,¡± snapped Gao-Yuan.


    Wan Jinliang added, ¡°But Doctor Gao, the child still has a pulse¡ªhe¡¯s still breathing!¡±


    ¡°You shut it too,¡± Gao-Yuan retorted, silencing them both.


    The parents, though heartbroken, clung to their composure.


    Covering his face with his hands, the father rubbed vigorously. After a long moment, he sighed deeply, then removed his hands, his expression now calm. ¡°Doctor Gao, please, just prescribe something to make his last days less painful.¡±


    The mother nodded tearfully, pleading silently.


    At that moment, Shen Congyun approached and whispered, ¡°Be careful. Li Runyu probably sent this case your way to watch you fail and ruin your reputation.¡±


    ¡°I already know,¡± Gao-Yuan replied calmly.


    Shen nodded, reassured.


    Everyone watched, wondering if Gao-Yuan would accept the case.


    Without hesitation, he told the parents, ¡°I can¡¯t guarantee that I can save him, but I will do my best.¡±


    The parents bowed deeply, gratitude filling their eyes.


    Shen Congyun pulled him aside, shocked. ¡°I thought you were prepared for Li Runyu¡¯s scheme!¡±


    ¡°I am,¡± Gao-Yuan replied. ¡°But I¡¯m a doctor first.¡±


    She froze in surprise.


    Turning his focus back to the child, Gao-Yuan deliberated carefully. In this era, acute leukaemia was almost always fatal, especially in such an advanced state.


    He rechecked the child¡¯s vital pulses at Fuyang, Taixi, and Taichong points. While weak, they were not chaotic. The child, though eating minimally, could still take food¡ªan indication that his stomach¡¯s vital energy wasn¡¯t entirely depleted.


    A glimmer of hope lit in Gao-Yuan¡¯s eyes. ¡°Not entirely hopeless¡ªthere¡¯s a sliver of a chance.¡±


    He swiftly formulated a treatment plan.


    This was the fundamental difference between him and Li Runyu. While Li Runyu had also likely assessed that the situation wasn¡¯t entirely hopeless, he refused to take on cases where the probability of success was too low.


    Gao-Yuan, however, understood that at this critical moment, where both qi and yin were utterly depleted, the patient¡¯s vitality was hanging by a thread. The body could no longer withstand aggressive treatments. Any medication aimed at attacking cancer or clearing toxins would spell certain death.


    The only viable approach was to reinforce the body''s vital energy and urgently stabilise it.


    Preserving even a fraction of vital energy meant pushing back against the disease by that same fraction. Maintaining some semblance of stomach energy offered a glimmer of hope.


    Faced with leukaemia, he wouldn¡¯t treat the leukaemia itself but instead focus on strengthening the body and supporting its vital energy. This was the essence of traditional Chinese medicine''s philosophy of ¡°treating the person, not the disease.¡±


    Once his strategy was clear, Gao-Yuan decisively prepared a prescription. He combined Danggui Buxue Tang and Shengmai Powder, using a heavier dosage of ginseng and astragalus and supplementing with cornelian cherry to stabilise the energy.


    After reviewing the prescription thoroughly, Gao-Yuan handed it to the boy¡¯s parents. ¡°Try this prescription first.¡±


    The father hesitated before asking, ¡°Thank you. So, should we...¡±


    ¡°Prepare the medicine here,¡± Gao-Yuan instructed. ¡°Cook and administer it here. I¡¯ll stay by the child¡¯s side to monitor him.¡±


    The parents were moved to tears, their gratitude spilling over. ¡°Thank you! Thank you so much!¡±


    They quickly got to work preparing the medicine.


    Everyone in the clinic turned their attention to the child, anxiously observing him as he received the first dose.


    ¡°How many days does our child have left?¡± the father finally asked, his voice trembling.


    Gao-Yuan shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know. It depends on how effective this first dose is. The better the response, the greater the hope.¡±


    ¡°Hope...¡± The father repeated the word softly, his tone tinged with pain. Over the past weeks, hope has felt more like a cruel joke, always out of reach.


    Gao-Yuan remained by the child¡¯s side, not moving an inch.


    Even the trainee health workers, who were supposed to be focused on their studies, frequently glanced over with concern.


    Only Li Shengli and Wan Jinliang seemed unaffected, their trust in Gao-Yuan unwavering.


    Minutes turned into hours.


    Gradually, the child¡¯s profuse sweating subsided, his breathing grew steadier, and even his complexion began to show subtle signs of recovery.


    ¡°This...¡± The father stared in amazement, turning to Gao-Yuan with hope rekindled in his eyes.


    Gao-Yuan, too, felt a surge of excitement. The initial prescription had shown results. Placing a reassuring hand on the father¡¯s shoulder, he said firmly, ¡°There¡¯s hope!¡±


    ¡°Hope...¡± The father repeated the word once more, this time with tears streaming down his face.


    <hr>


    At the New Life Clinic.


    Li Runyu had just finished seeing a patient but seemed distracted. More and more people were comparing Gao-Yuan¡¯s skills to his, and the whispers of Gao-Yuan''s superiority were gnawing at him.


    Noticing his mood, one of the junior doctors approached him. ¡°Dr. Li, are you still thinking about that leukaemia case?¡±


    Li Runyu nodded.


    ¡°It¡¯s been ten days,¡± the junior doctor said. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s time for you to visit Zhang Village and see Gao-Yuan¡¯s failure for yourself.¡±


    Li Runyu shot him an annoyed look.


    Just then, a voice called from the entrance. ¡°Excuse me, is Dr. Li here?¡±


    Both men turned, startled. Standing at the doorway were the leukaemia patient¡¯s parents.


    The junior doctor immediately blurted, ¡°They¡¯re not carrying the child. Something must have gone wrong!¡±


    Li Runyu stood up quickly, his heart sinking. The two of them hurried towards the couple.


    Before the junior doctor could say anything, the mother turned and waved towards the entrance. ¡°Xiao Duo, stop playing and come inside.¡±


    A small boy trotted in, his face full of life.


    Both Li Runyu and the junior doctor froze in their tracks, their eyes wide with disbelief as they stared at the child.


    The father stepped forward, holding a modest gift in his hands. ¡°Dr. Li, we came to thank you personally. Thank you for recommending such an incredible doctor to us. He saved our son¡¯s life. This is just a small token of our gratitude.¡±


    Li Runyu¡¯s lips quivered slightly. After a few moments, he managed to force a polite smile.

 Episode 76: Taming the Illness

    The clinic was in an uproar.


    "Is this child truly recovered?" The doctors were dumbfounded, rushing over to examine the boy.


    The child, alarmed by the commotion, quickly hid behind his mother.


    "Don¡¯t be scared," the mother comforted him gently. "The doctors just want to check on you."


    Still, the child clung to his mother, avoiding everyone.


    Dr. Li Runyu observed the boy¡¯s complexion and couldn¡¯t help but recall the child¡¯s condition just days ago. The boy had been hovering on the brink of death¡ªhow was it possible that he was now walking around?


    Dr. Li glanced at the young doctor beside him, who looked just as stunned.


    ¡°This... how is this possible?¡± Li Runyu asked.


    The child¡¯s father answered with a mix of gratitude and awe, "It¡¯s all thanks to you. Dr. Gao is truly skilled in treating such illnesses. After just three doses of the medicine, our child could sit up. By the fifth dose, he was eating half a pound of food daily. His dizziness subsided, his spirits lifted, and he could chat with us. After seven doses, he was walking. By the tenth dose, we decided to come and thank you."


    Li Runyu¡¯s face twitched as he struggled to respond.


    The young doctor, feeling embarrassed, quietly slinked away. He had been eager to see Gao Yuan fail but now realised that the joke was on him.


    Li Runyu, still incredulous, said, "Bring the child over. Let me examine his tongue."


    The mother led her son forward, encouraging him to stick out his tongue.


    Li Runyu scrutinised it carefully. The child¡¯s tongue was now moist, covered in a healthy white coating¡ªvastly different from the dry, glossy, nearly membrane-less appearance from before. He muttered under his breath, ¡°The stomach¡¯s vitality has returned.¡±


    Inside, Li Runyu was deeply shaken. He had underestimated Gao Yuan¡¯s capabilities. Whether treating severe yang excess, life-threatening yin deficiency, or now even cases of extreme energy depletion, Gao Yuan had proven himself time and again. Was there any patient beyond his ability to save?


    Li Runyu felt paralysed.


    ¡°How is he?¡± the father asked anxiously.


    The other doctors watched Li Runyu closely. His uneasy expression only deepened their belief that his status as the top doctor in the county was under threat.


    The young doctor whispered, almost reverently, ¡°Gao Yuan wins again.¡±


    Taking a deep breath, Li Runyu said, ¡°Let me take the child¡¯s pulse.¡±Stolen story; please report.


    He reached for the boy¡¯s wrist, but before he could begin, the child suddenly retched violently.


    Startled, Li Runyu froze, and the other doctors rushed over, equally alarmed.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± The parents panicked, watching as their son doubled over, clutching his abdomen and vomiting uncontrollably.


    Before anyone could react further, the child collapsed onto the floor, shivering and gasping. A wheezing sound emanated from his throat, like a saw dragging through wood. His body trembled with cold as he curled into himself.


    ¡°Why is this happening?¡± the mother cried in terror.


    The young doctor muttered under his breath, ¡°Could Dr. Li have mishandled him?¡±


    Li Runyu leaned closer to examine the boy, but the father snatched his son up and ran for the door, shouting, ¡°Get a cart! We¡¯re going to Zhangzhuang to find Dr. Gao!¡±


    With that, the family dashed out, leaving Li Runyu standing there, his outstretched hand frozen in midair. The gifts they had brought sat awkwardly beside him, a stark reminder of his failure.


    <hr>


    Zhangzhuang Clinic


    ¡°Help us, Dr. Gao!¡± The desperate parents burst into the clinic, clutching their child.


    Gao Yuan hurried out to meet them. Recognising the family, he asked urgently, ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Our child suddenly worsened!¡± the father explained, his voice trembling.


    ¡°Quickly, lay him on the examination bed,¡± Gao Yuan instructed.


    After a thorough examination, Gao Yuan identified the symptoms: severe vomiting and diarrhoea, abdominal spasms, trembling limbs, chills, and laboured wheezing. The child¡¯s tongue had turned pale and greasy, his pulse weak and thready.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t food poisoning or a cold,¡± Gao Yuan said gravely. ¡°This is the cancer¡¯s evil energy staging a counterattack.¡±


    Li Shengli, standing nearby, suggested boldly, ¡°If it¡¯s a counterattack, shouldn¡¯t we fight back? I¡¯ve heard arsenic can treat leukaemia. Should we try it?¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang looked to Gao Yuan, expecting a drastic response, given Gao Yuan¡¯s reputation for bold measures.


    The parents watched Gao Yuan anxiously.


    Gao Yuan, calm and decisive, shook his head. ¡°This is due to prolonged illness damaging the kidneys, leading to a collapse of vital Yang energy. The child is on the verge of complete organ failure. Any aggressive treatment now would be fatal. We must urgently replenish his yang energy and strengthen his vitality. There¡¯s no time to hesitate¡ªprepare the prescription!¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang asked, ¡°Should we use deer antler velvet? If so, I¡¯ll need to source some immediately.¡±


    Gao Yuan glanced at the parents and replied, ¡°They¡¯ve spent so much already. Let¡¯s use the more affordable Shen Si Wei formula instead.¡±


    Adjusting the prescription, Gao Yuan focused on gentle, restorative treatment.


    After one dose, the child¡¯s condition stabilised. By the second dose, the vomiting stopped, and his pulse steadied. By the fifth, his abdomen was calm, and his energy returned. Soon, he was playing outdoors again.


    After ten doses, the boy returned to school. His anaemia improved, and his white blood cell count decreased significantly. Gao Yuan continued with the same approach, achieving steady progress over weeks.


    This case quickly became a sensation. Gao Yuan¡¯s reputation soared as both the medical community and ordinary citizens hailed him as a miracle worker.


    Meanwhile, Li Runyu¡¯s confidence crumbled. His title as the county¡¯s top doctor was no longer just under threat¡ªit had been decisively eclipsed.


    Back at Zhangzhuang Clinic, Gao Yuan warned the parents, ¡°The child¡¯s condition is stable for now, but he remains a leukaemia patient. I¡¯ve suppressed the disease, not eradicated it. You must be vigilant in his care¡ªavoid cold foods, shield him from drafts, and take every precaution to protect his restored vitality.¡±


    The parents expressed their heartfelt gratitude before leaving.


    That evening, after seeing their child safe and sound, the couple finally allowed themselves to relax¡ªonly to succumb to their own exhaustion. The mother developed a fever that very night.


    The next day, as the mother¡¯s fever persisted, the father took her to the clinic, leaving the boy home alone.


    By evening, the fever had broken, and the parents returned¡ªonly to find their child collapsed on the floor.

 Episode 77: I Couldn’t Save Him

    Early the next morning.


    Gao-Yuan now spent most of his nights at the clinic, as his home in Fucun Village was too far away. Going home every night and returning early the next morning would leave no time for sleep, with the journey alone consuming the entire night.


    Nowadays, he only stays at home when conducting medical rounds, spending a single night there before heading to another village for further rounds. The rest of his time was dedicated to the clinic.


    This arrangement made it easier to teach the group of trainee health workers from Huoxiang Village. It also ensured that he was available for any emergencies, as no one else at the clinic could match his expertise in handling critical cases.


    Despite thinking he had woken up early, Gao-Yuan found the health workers already up and diligently reciting their medical notes before dawn. Their dedication was palpable.


    These trainees had brought their own pots and made porridge from mixed grains, with each carrying a jar of pickled vegetables. Their daily meals consisted solely of porridge and pickles. In all the days they¡¯d been there, they hadn''t had a single proper meal or any fresh vegetables.


    Occasionally, some patients¡ªmoved by their hardship¡ªbrought fresh vegetables as gifts. However, with no oil on hand and only salt to cook with, the trainees simply boiled everything together with the mixed grains into a haphazard stew.


    The living conditions were equally tough. They slept on the ground in the rooms behind the clinic, over 20 people packed together. Turning over in their sleep could mean accidentally rolling onto someone else.


    Despite such adversity, their eagerness to learn was unprecedented.


    Gao-Yuan felt satisfied. The saying "barefoot doctors are the sunflowers of the people" truly resonated with him. These were doctors nurtured by the masses, affordable for rural communities, and trusted by the people.


    Carrying the hopes of their villages, the trainees dared not slack off in the slightest.


    During breakfast, Wang Jinliang leaned in with a conspiratorial grin and said, ¡°Dr. Gao, people are saying you¡¯re even better than Li Runyu, that you¡¯re the best doctor in the entire county.¡±


    Gao-Yuan shook his head and replied, ¡°Don¡¯t say things like that, and don¡¯t compare us unnecessarily.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s true,¡± Wang Jinliang insisted. ¡°You¡¯ve saved so many critically ill patients. That¡¯s a fact. It¡¯s clear you¡¯re better than Li Runyu.¡±


    ¡°Treating even one critical case successfully is already a stroke of immense luck,¡± Gao-Yuan replied with a sigh.


    ¡°But you¡¯ve never failed, have you?¡± Wang Jinliang countered, staring at him earnestly.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    Hearing this, Gao-Yuan fell silent, his expression clouding with memories.


    ¡°Dr. Gao! Dr. Gao-Yuan!¡± An urgent voice rang out from the entrance.


    Gao-Yuan quickly set down his chopsticks and dashed outside, with Wang Jinliang following closely, still holding his bowl.


    ¡°What¡­ what happened?¡± Gao-Yuan was alarmed to see it was the same family from before.


    The child¡¯s father, visibly panicked, stammered, ¡°Dr. Gao, please, take a look! Hurry!¡±


    ¡°Quick! Bring the child in!¡± Gao-Yuan ordered, rushing to assist.


    Wang Jinliang placed his bowl aside and jumped in to help. Together, they carried the child to the examination bed. One glance at the child¡¯s condition left Gao-Yuan stunned¡ªthe boy¡¯s face was ashen, he was gasping for breath, and he looked on the verge of collapse.


    ¡°This can¡¯t be!¡± Gao-Yuan muttered in disbelief. ¡°How did this happen? He was fine when he left¡ªrunning, jumping, almost like a normal child.¡±


    Looking up, he asked the adults, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    The three were too panic-stricken to form coherent answers.


    The mother, pale and feverish herself, trembled as she spoke. "It... it must have been the watermelon!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Gao-Yuan froze.


    The mother began pounding her head in remorse. ¡°It¡¯s my fault! All my fault! I fell ill, so they carried me to the clinic and told the boy to stay inside. We warned him repeatedly not to eat the watermelon. But when we got back, we found he¡¯d eaten over half of it!¡±


    She wept bitterly and blamed herself incessantly.


    Gao-Yuan¡¯s mind reeled. The child¡¯s digestion hadn¡¯t fully recovered; his stomach was still weak and needed careful nurturing. Even slightly cold food was off-limits, let alone half a watermelon.


    In traditional Chinese medicine, watermelon is likened to Baihu Decoction¡ªa natural, cold remedy for stomach heat. For a child with barely recovering digestion, consuming so much watermelon was devastating.


    Examining the boy further, Gao-Yuan found persistent diarrhoea, a prolapsed rectum, and an inability to ingest any food since the previous day. He was drenched in sweat, his limbs icy, and his pulse scattered and weak.


    The boy¡¯s life was hanging by a thread.


    ¡°Light the stove! Prepare the medicine immediately!¡± Gao-Yuan barked orders, his voice taut with urgency.


    The situation called for radical intervention: Ginseng, Aconite, Dragon Bone, and Cornelian Cherry to stabilise and revive his energy.


    The parents and uncle stood aside, faces ashen and trembling. The mother¡¯s fever worsened, causing her to shiver uncontrollably.


    The other doctors arrived and were shocked by the gravity of the case. Gao-Yuan directed Zhao Huanzhang to examine the mother, but she refused, clinging to her child and pleading for his life.


    The first dose of medicine was prepared and administered quickly.


    Everyone held their breath, eyes fixed on the boy.


    Typically, a single dose was enough under Gao-Yuan¡¯s care, often stabilising even the direst cases. But this time, his face was grim.


    The child showed no signs of improvement¡ªhis diarrhoea continued, and his limbs remained cold.


    ¡°Double the dosage!¡± Gao-Yuan commanded.


    The second dose was prepared and administered, but it too failed to take effect.


    With the boy¡¯s condition worsening, Gao-Yuan clenched his teeth. ¡°Again!¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang hesitated, whispering, ¡°His stomach energy is gone. Without stomach energy, there¡¯s no life. It¡¯s over.¡±


    ¡°Prepare another dose!¡± Gao-Yuan shouted, refusing to give up.


    A third dose was administered, but the boy was now slipping into a coma.


    Exhausted and defeated, Gao-Yuan slumped to the ground, leaning against a cabinet.


    The father, desperate, pleaded, ¡°Dr. Gao, more medicine! Please, don¡¯t stop!¡±


    Gao-Yuan exhaled deeply, shaking his head with profound sorrow. ¡°It¡¯s not the watermelon. I¡­ I couldn¡¯t save him.¡±


    The room fell silent.


    The father collapsed to the floor, wailing in grief. The mother fainted on the spot, and the uncle struck himself in self-reproach.


    The air in the clinic was thick with despair.


    Gao-Yuan stared blankly, the weight of his failure heavy in his heart. For the first time, he realised even his skills had their limits.

 Episode 78: Admiration

    The child suffering from leukaemia ultimately passed away.


    As Gao-Yuan had predicted, saving a critically ill patient was already a stroke of fortune; there was no guarantee that every case would end successfully. In his previous life, Gao-Yuan had treated numerous critical cases, yet many slipped away despite his best efforts.


    By all accounts, he should have been accustomed to such outcomes.


    Yet this time, he felt deeply disheartened.


    His relentless efforts were thwarted by a single moment of indulgence¡ªa small, preventable mistake.


    Could it really be that destiny was insurmountable?


    Once again, Gao-Yuan climbed onto the roof of the clinic, gazing at the sunset-streaked sky.


    The doctors at the clinic sighed quietly.


    From a distance, the health workers of Huo Township also observed Gao-Yuan. A young man among them asked, ¡°Will we end up like this someday?¡±


    No one answered.


    Wan Jinliang looked up at Gao-Yuan on the roof, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. ¡°Maybe this is what it means to be a doctor.¡±


    <hr>


    The county convened a meeting to discuss the progress of preventative healthcare efforts across various clinics.


    News of the leukaemia child¡¯s death had spread, and all attendees were aware of it. Previously, many had assumed Gao-Yuan had successfully saved the child; the news of the child¡¯s passing came as a surprise.


    The room buzzed with murmurs.


    When Gao-Yuan pushed open the door and entered, all eyes turned to him. The previously noisy conference room fell silent in an instant.


    Zhao Huanzhang, aware that Gao-Yuan was under immense scrutiny, had originally planned to attend the meeting himself. But Gao-Yuan insisted on coming, arguing that the prevention plan was his brainchild and he needed to hear firsthand about its implementation across the county.


    Unable to dissuade him, Zhao Huanzhang sent the burly Li Shengli to accompany Gao-Yuan, ensuring his safety. Li Shengli¡¯s formidable presence alone was often enough to deter troublemakers.


    When Gao-Yuan entered, the room felt as if a ladle of cold water had been poured into a pot of boiling water¡ªeverything calmed down immediately.


    Gao-Yuan scanned the room with a composed gaze.


    Behind him, Li Shengli was already rolling up his sleeves, ready to deal with anyone who dared provoke trouble.


    The room remained still.


    But not everyone was willing to let things lie.


    A junior doctor trailing behind Li Runyu broke the silence. Glancing around, he smirked and said, ¡°Oh, isn¡¯t this Doctor Gao? You¡¯re not busy today, arriving so early?¡±


    Li Shengli frowned, asking, ¡°What are you trying to say?¡±If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    The junior doctor grinned mischievously. ¡°Nothing much. I just wanted to ask Doctor Gao for some medical advice, especially on treating critical illnesses.¡±


    A younger man following Yan Qiao chimed in, ¡°Oh, are you referring to leukaemia?¡±


    The room grew even quieter as all eyes focused on the two juniors.


    Realising they had become the centre of attention, the duo grew more animated.


    The junior doctor continued enthusiastically, ¡°You¡¯ve come to the right person! Doctor Gao is a specialist in critical care, especially in treating leukaemia.¡±


    The younger man added, ¡°Oh, really? Then, as long as Doctor Gao takes on the case, success is practically guaranteed.¡±


    ¡°Of course! Doctor Gao is a renowned physician. He doesn¡¯t make mistakes, let alone turn a success story into a personal liability.¡±


    Their banter was clearly planned.


    Li Shengli clenched his fists, ready to strike, but Gao-Yuan stopped him with a hand on his arm.


    Li Runyu turned to glare at the junior doctor.


    The junior, noticing Li Runyu¡¯s gaze, interpreted it as encouragement. He nodded eagerly as if to assure him, Leave it to me; I¡¯ll handle this for you.


    ¡°Leave,¡± Li Runyu said coldly.


    The junior froze.


    ¡°Get out!¡± Li Runyu barked.


    The junior doctor was stunned. He couldn¡¯t understand why Li Runyu, whom he was trying to support, would reprimand him.


    ¡°Out!¡± Li Runyu repeated, his voice rising in anger.


    The junior doctor was dumbfounded. He felt the hostile stares from everyone around him, his face paling in realisation.


    Yan Qiao also scolded the younger man behind him, ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear? Get out! Don¡¯t embarrass yourself here!¡±


    Both men stood in stunned silence, suddenly realising they had become the villains of the room.


    Li Shengli sneered at them. ¡°Scram, didn¡¯t you hear? Or do you want me to throw you out myself?¡±


    Terrified, the two young men quickly lowered their heads and scurried out of the room.


    Yan Qiao sighed and hobbled forward with the help of his cane. He stopped in front of Gao-Yuan and said, ¡°Doctor Gao, I, an old man, deeply admire you. Your medical expertise is remarkable, but your medical ethics are even more extraordinary¡ªyou disregard personal gain and loss entirely.


    ¡°If the same had happened to me, I¡¯m not sure I could have handled it as gracefully. You¡¯re a doctor worthy of respect. If you agree not to interfere in my affairs with Shen Congyun, we can bury our grievances. From now on, I won¡¯t trouble you. What do you think?¡±


    Everyone heard Yan Qiao¡¯s words. No one was willing to offend the prominent Yan family over someone as inconsequential as Shen Congyun.


    Li Shengli also looked at Gao-Yuan.


    But Gao-Yuan didn¡¯t hesitate. He shook his head and replied, ¡°Doctor Shen is my friend.¡±


    Yan Qiao¡¯s face darkened. After a long pause, he turned and left without another word.


    Li Shengli, on the other hand, broke into a wide grin.


    Li Runyu glanced at Gao-Yuan, sighed softly, and refrained from commenting.


    <hr>


    The death of the leukaemia patient didn¡¯t tarnish Gao-Yuan¡¯s reputation. Everyone understood what had caused the child¡¯s passing.


    Instead of criticism, Gao-Yuan received praise for his high ethical standards and deep compassion for patients and their families.


    Even the grieving parents of the child came to thank Gao-Yuan once more after the burial.


    As a result, Gao-Yuan¡¯s reputation soared to new heights.


    Li Runyu, once the county¡¯s top physician, found his position increasingly precarious.


    One day, a woman visited Li Runyu for treatment. She took her prescription but hesitated to leave.


    ¡°Is there something else?¡± Li Runyu asked.


    The woman replied, ¡°Doctor Li, I¡¯ve taken this medicine before, but it wasn¡¯t very effective. You¡¯ve only prescribed two maces of Sichuan aconite¡ªdon¡¯t you think that¡¯s too little?¡±


    Li Runyu frowned. ¡°It¡¯s a toxic herb.¡±


    ¡°But I¡¯ve heard that Doctor Gao from Zhang Village prescribes one tael per dose,¡± the woman countered.


    Li Runyu¡¯s face darkened. In all his years of practice, he had never encountered a patient asking for more poison. Exhausted, he snapped, ¡°Why don¡¯t you go to Gao-Yuan for treatment then?¡±


    The woman explained, ¡°Zhang Village is too far, and we haven¡¯t signed a contract with their clinic.¡±


    Li Runyu¡¯s expression soured further.


    Handing the prescription back to him, the woman pleaded, ¡°Doctor Li, I need to recover quickly to return to work. My family¡¯s struggling. Can you increase the dosage? This gentle treatment won¡¯t cut it.¡±


    Speechless, Li Runyu scribbled a new prescription, doubling the Sichuan aconite to four maces, and handed it back to her. ¡°Three doses. Go get your medicine.¡±


    Only then did the woman leave.


    Frustrated, Li Runyu tossed his pen aside, exasperated. Ever since Gao-Yuan arrived, everything had changed. Had Gao-Yuan started this reckless trend?


    His irritation lingered all day, but he thought the matter was over.


    The next day, to his dismay, the woman was carried back to his clinic on a stretcher.

 Episode 79: Adenovirus Pneumonia

    At the county hospital.


    "Dr. Gao."


    Gao-Yuan asked, "Where¡¯s the patient?"


    "Second floor," Qiao Zheng replied.


    Gao-Yuan headed upstairs quickly, saying, "Tell me about the patient¡¯s condition."


    Qiao Zheng explained, "The patient is a 10-month-old male infant. He has been coughing with significant phlegm and experiencing fever for over ten days. His current temperature is 40.3¡ãC. His development and nutritional status are average. On examination, he has rapid breathing, a red and swollen throat, slightly enlarged tonsils, dullness on lung percussion, coarse breath sounds in both lungs, and medium-to-fine crackles in the right lung. Lab tests confirm adenovirus pneumonia."


    Hearing this, Gao-Yuan paused slightly, then turned to look at Qiao Zheng.


    Qiao Zheng added, "We¡¯ve used tetracycline, sulfonamides, and other Western medicines on the child, but they didn¡¯t work. The family also sought treatment from a TCM clinic and tried herbal medicine, but it was ineffective."


    "The child¡¯s condition is severe¡ªpersistent high fever that hasn¡¯t subsided. Dr. Gao, you¡¯ve mentioned before that if we encounter a difficult infectious disease, we should inform you. So, I asked Xiao Tian to invite you for a consultation."


    Gao-Yuan nodded slightly, his expression turning more serious. It seemed adenovirus pneumonia had indeed become a major issue. He said, "Let¡¯s check on the patient first."


    "Alright," Qiao Zheng agreed and led Gao-Yuan inside.


    Miao Ran was already in the ward. Seeing Gao-Yuan arrive, she excitedly told the family, "The TCM doctor we invited is here."


    The child¡¯s parents, however, couldn¡¯t share her enthusiasm. The mother sighed bitterly, "We¡¯ve already tried TCM before, and it didn¡¯t help."


    The father also let out a sigh.


    Miao Ran quickly reassured them, "But you need to know which TCM doctor you¡¯re dealing with. This time, it¡¯s Dr. Gao-Yuan!"


    Both parents froze in surprise.


    The mother asked hurriedly, "Which Gao-Yuan?"


    The father added, "You mean the one who cured leukaemia and encephalitis?"


    Miao Ran laughed, "Yes, the very same Gao-Yuan who saved our county¡¯s war hero, Su Pingchuan!"


    The parents¡¯ faces lit up with joy. They had heard of Gao-Yuan¡¯s reputation before. Now seeing that he had come all this way to treat their child, they were deeply moved. They quickly went outside to greet him, and as they stepped out of the ward, they saw Gao-Yuan approaching.


    The father rushed forward, grabbing Gao-Yuan¡¯s hand, and said excitedly, "Thank you, Dr. Gao!"


    Gao-Yuan took a step forward, about to respond politely.


    But the father bypassed him entirely and grabbed Shen Congyun¡¯s hand instead, shaking it vigorously.


    Shen Congyun was completely dumbfounded.


    Both Qiao Zheng and Miao Ran were stunned as well.


    Shen Congyun had been filled with regret ever since missing the chance to help treat Su Pingchuan. He had resolved to follow Gao-Yuan everywhere, believing that as long as he stuck close to him, he¡¯d encounter significant cases. Today, he had insisted on accompanying Gao-Yuan to the county. However, he hadn¡¯t expected to be mistaken for Gao-Yuan and grabbed so fervently by the child¡¯s father.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    The father, full of gratitude, said, "Dr. Gao-Yuan, I¡¯ve heard so much about you. Your work treating Su Pingchuan is the talk of the town. Everyone says you¡¯re a bold and skilled doctor, using four taels of Sichuan aconite and eight taels of processed aconite in a single day to save our war hero¡¯s life during a critical moment!"


    Shen Congyun could only manage an awkward smile and muttered, "I just try my best."


    "Huh?" The father didn¡¯t understand.


    Qiao Zheng, thoroughly exasperated, said, "You¡¯re grabbing the wrong hand. That¡¯s not Gao-Yuan. He¡¯s over there."


    The father turned around and saw Gao-Yuan already entering the room.


    Inside, Miao Ran reported the previous treatment details to Gao-Yuan: "The infant had a sudden high fever on the 27th of last month and experienced two seizures. After treatment, the fever subsided, and the condition stabilised. The child was sent home for recovery but soon developed another fever, with temperatures ranging from 38.5¡ãC to 40.3¡ãC."


    "Antipyretics brought the fever down temporarily, but it quickly returned. We administered tetracycline and sulfonamides for four days without success. The infant''s coughing worsened, with audible phlegm in the throat, rapid breathing, nasal flaring, chest retractions, persistent high fever of 40¨C40.3¡ãC, no sweating, irritability, dry lips, poor appetite, thirst for warm drinks, nausea, drooling, five to eight watery stools per day, and reduced urination."


    Gao-Yuan nodded, acknowledging the report, and knelt to examine the infant. The child, only ten months old, lay quietly in bed. At an age when he should have been active and playful, he now wore an oxygen mask, looking frail and ill.


    Gao-Yuan carefully observed the child. He noticed a phlegmy cough, puffiness in the face and limbs, chest and abdomen bloating, and a yellowish tinge to the swollen face. The sclera appeared blue, and the forehead was warm with slight sweating, while the hands and feet were cold.


    Examining the fingerprints revealed faint markings, and the pulse was deep and soggy. A tongue examination showed a pale tongue with a greasy, dark-grey coating.


    The father and Shen Congyun entered the room at this moment. The father, realising his mistake, felt deeply embarrassed. He had heard of Gao-Yuan¡¯s reputation but hadn¡¯t expected him to be so young.


    After concluding his examination, Gao-Yuan furrowed his brow slightly. The child had been ill for over ten days, and his condition was severe¡ªadvanced adenovirus pneumonia.


    After some thought, Gao-Yuan asked, "You mentioned he had taken herbal medicine before. What formula was used?"


    Miao Ran looked to the mother for confirmation.


    The mother immediately replied, "We consulted Dr. Yan Qiao; as you know, his family has a long-standing reputation for traditional medicine in this county."


    Hearing this, Gao-Yuan glanced at Shen Congyun.


    Shen Congyun, who was notoriously uncomfortable with any mention of Yan Qiao, immediately fidgeted uncomfortably. Even hearing the name "Yan Qiao" was enough to unease him.


    "This is the prescription," the mother said, handing over the prior prescription sheet to Gao-Yuan.


    Reviewing it, Gao-Yuan noted heavy doses of modified Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang and Yin Qiao San combined with Zixue Dan. Later, Qinghao Biejia Tang was modified with rhinoceros horn and Saiga antelope horn powder.


    After reading, Shen Congyun exclaimed, "Even with such potent prescriptions, the fever still hasn¡¯t subsided? It¡¯s still at 40¡ãC."


    The mother looked distressed. "Yes, we¡¯ve already spent a lot of money."


    Shen Congyun, less skilled than Yan Qiao, turned to Gao-Yuan and asked, "Dr. Gao, why didn¡¯t these treatments lower the fever? Even rhinoceros horn and saiga antelope horn powder didn¡¯t work."


    The parents anxiously looked at Gao-Yuan, their worry evident.


    The mother quickly explained, "I didn¡¯t mean to complain about the cost. As long as the child can be cured, we¡¯re willing to spend whatever it takes. Money... we¡¯ll find a way."


    Gao-Yuan, observing their modest attire, realised they weren¡¯t wealthy and must have already strained their finances for treatment. He reassured them, "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll do my best."


    After carefully considering the prior prescription, Gao-Yuan decided to use a formula combining Guizhi Renshen Tang with Erchen Tang.


    Shen Congyun, puzzled, approached and asked, "After a ten-day fever, you¡¯re still using warming therapy?"


    Gao-Yuan explained, "The infant¡¯s central Yang is failing, and the lungs and stomach are unresponsive. This is a case of vital deficiency with pathogenic excess. Further use of cooling therapies would only worsen the condition. Now, we must warm and unblock the two Taiyin meridians while simultaneously opening the Taiyang meridian. Let¡¯s proceed¡ªprepare the medicine first, and I¡¯ll explain more later."


    "Understood." Shen Congyun, without further questions, took the prescription and headed downstairs.


    The county hospital lacked a TCM pharmacy, so they relied on Li Runyu¡¯s clinic on the ground floor for herbs. The father followed to pay and collect the medicine.


    However, the group waited and waited, and neither returned.


    Curious, Gao-Yuan stepped out into the hallway. From the second floor, he could hear faint sounds of arguing from outside. Looking down, he saw a crowd gathered at the entrance of the clinic.


    Among the commotion, he spotted Shen Congyun being shoved backward, stumbling several steps before landing on the ground with a thud.

 Episode 80: Aconite Poisoning

    Gao-Yuan noticed the commotion and rushed over immediately.


    In the yard, he ran into Su Pingchuan, who was jogging for exercise. Su quickly joined him, and the two headed to the Xinsheng Clinic.


    The scene was utter chaos. Outside, a large crowd of onlookers jostled to catch a glimpse of the drama, while inside, an all-out brawl was unfolding.


    Gao-Yuan stepped forward and helped Shen Congyun, who had been knocked to the ground. ¡°What happened?¡± he asked.


    Rubbing his sore backside, Shen grimaced. ¡°I was just trying to break up the fight and pull the young herbalist out so he could prepare our prescription. But as soon as I stepped in, they pushed me down. It hurts like hell!¡±


    Frowning, Gao-Yuan asked, ¡°Where¡¯s the father of the sick child?¡±


    Shen pointed inside. ¡°He¡¯s over there, trying to grab the herbs himself.¡±


    Looking in, Gao-Yuan saw the man clumsily rummaging through the medicine cabinet.


    ¡°What on earth is this mess?¡± Gao-Yuan muttered to himself.


    Impatient, Su Pingchuan strode in and shouted, ¡°Stop it! All of you, stop fighting right now!¡±


    When no one paid him any attention, Su grabbed two combatants by their collars and yanked them apart with brute strength, tossing them aside like rag dolls.


    The fighters froze, stunned by Su¡¯s extraordinary display of strength.


    ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± Su bellowed. ¡°Who gave you permission to brawl in here?¡±


    One burly man with rough hands scowled. ¡°Who do you think you are to meddle in our business?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Su Pingchuan!¡± Su replied firmly.


    The room fell silent. Everyone had heard of the war hero Su Pingchuan; his exploits were the talk of the town.


    ¡°You¡¯re Comrade Su?¡± The burly man¡¯s tone softened immediately.


    Su nodded. ¡°If there¡¯s a problem, talk to me. No more fighting.¡±


    The man pointed at Li Runyu and shouted, ¡°They¡¯re a bunch of quacks! They prescribed so many toxic herbs for my wife, and now she¡¯s been poisoned and is on the brink of death. Yet they have the gall to deny responsibility!¡±


    The young clinic doctor retorted, ¡°It¡¯s not fair to blame us every time something goes wrong!¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡± the burly man roared. ¡°If you don¡¯t have the skills, don¡¯t take on the job! Do you think you¡¯re Gao-Yuan, daring to prescribe such dangerous doses? Who do you think you are?¡±


    He raised his fist again.


    Gao-Yuan quickly intervened. ¡°Enough! Stop fighting. Where is she?¡±


    The man glared at Gao-Yuan. ¡°And who are you?¡±Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    ¡°I¡¯m Gao-Yuan,¡± he replied calmly.


    The man froze. ¡°You¡¯re Doctor Gao-Yuan?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Gao-Yuan snapped. ¡°This is a matter of life and death. Stop wasting time with this nonsense! Where¡¯s the herbalist?¡±


    A timid young man raised his hand.


    ¡°Go prepare the medicine. Now!¡± Gao-Yuan ordered, pointing to the dispensary.


    The young man glanced nervously at the family. Seeing no objection, he darted into the dispensary.


    Now that order had been somewhat restored, Gao-Yuan turned to the burly man. ¡°Where¡¯s your wife? How is she doing?¡±


    The man, still fuming, replied, ¡°She¡¯s definitely not going to make it. Someone has to pay with their life! I won¡¯t let Li Runyu get away with this. And you¡ªdon¡¯t think you¡¯re off the hook either!¡±


    He jabbed a finger at Li Runyu, who shrank back, visibly terrified.


    Su Pingchuan stood guard next to the furious man, ready to intervene if needed.


    Amid the chaos, Gao-Yuan barked, ¡°I haven¡¯t even said I can¡¯t save her yet! Who are you to decide she¡¯s beyond help?¡±


    The man was taken aback and stammered, ¡°You mean¡­ she can still be saved?¡±


    ¡°Where is she?¡± Gao-Yuan demanded.


    The man quickly pointed to the corner, where a woman lay unconscious, her two children sobbing beside her.


    Nearby, an elderly man was restraining Li Runyu, who looked utterly humiliated and avoided meeting Gao-Yuan¡¯s gaze.


    Gao-Yuan hurried over to examine the woman. Her condition was critical: labored breathing, convulsions, vomiting, diarrhea, and an irregular heartbeat. She was already unconscious.


    ¡°Aconite poisoning,¡± Gao-Yuan diagnosed immediately.


    The burly man glared at Li Runyu and bellowed, ¡°It¡¯s his fault! Why would he prescribe so much processed aconite root? Do you think you¡¯re Gao-Yuan? Four taels may work for him, but who do you think you are? Are you trying to kill people?¡±


    Li Runyu, trembling, tried to explain, ¡°She insisted on a higher dose! And four qian (mace) wouldn¡¯t cause such severe symptoms. There must be some other factor¡­¡±


    ¡°Still making excuses? Then explain why she¡¯s like this!¡± the man roared.


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know,¡± Li Runyu stammered.


    ¡°Enough!¡± Gao-Yuan interrupted. ¡°Let¡¯s focus on saving her first!¡±


    The man hesitated. ¡°You mean she can still be saved?¡±


    The woman¡¯s children clung to Gao-Yuan, their tear-filled eyes pleading.


    ¡°Stop wasting time,¡± Gao-Yuan snapped. ¡°Take her to the county hospital immediately for life support. Herbalist!¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± The young man rushed over, having just finished preparing another prescription.


    Gao-Yuan quickly issued instructions. ¡°One tael of raw rhubarb for rapid purgation. Add one tael each of saposhnikovia root, black soybeans, and licorice. Mix with five taels of honey and brew into a decoction. Finally, mix in one tael of raw mung bean powder. Hurry!¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± The young man scurried off without question.


    Turning to the burly man, Gao-Yuan said, ¡°Carry her to the county hospital now. And let go of Li Runyu¡ªhe¡¯s not going anywhere.¡±


    The elderly man reluctantly released his grip, still glaring at Li Runyu.


    A group of onlookers followed them to the hospital, where doctors worked on stabilizing the woman. Word of the incident spread like wildfire, drawing a curious crowd. Even Yanqiao, the respected local physician, hobbled over with his cane to observe.


    Standing outside the hospital room, the burly man grew increasingly anxious. ¡°Doctor Gao, tell me the truth. Can she really survive this?¡±


    The children clung to Gao-Yuan, their tear-streaked faces filled with hope.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t given up. Why should you?¡± Gao-Yuan replied firmly.


    The man was speechless.


    ¡°Stop panicking. Administering the antidote will counteract the poison,¡± Gao-Yuan reassured.


    Yanqiao¡¯s eyes narrowed as he observed Gao-Yuan.


    ¡°Here it is! The medicine is ready!¡± The young herbalist rushed in, holding the decoction.


    ¡°Quickly, give it to her!¡± Gao-Yuan directed.


    All eyes were on the woman as the antidote was administered. Minutes ticked by in tense silence.


    The crowd outside buzzed with speculation. ¡°She¡¯s too far gone,¡± someone muttered.


    The burly man lost his composure upon hearing this. He turned to Li Runyu with fury in his eyes. ¡°If she dies, you¡¯re coming with me!¡±


    Fortunately, Su Pingchuan intervened just in time to restrain him.


    At that moment, the woman¡¯s daughter cried out, ¡°Dad! Grandpa! Mom¡¯s awake!¡±


    Everyone froze.


    ¡°What?¡± The burly man spun around, rushing to his wife¡¯s side.


    The onlookers were stunned. ¡°She¡¯s alive?¡±


    Yanqiao¡¯s eyes flickered with astonishment as he looked at Gao-Yuan, now filled with deep respect. To revive a patient from aconite poisoning in such a short time¡ªGao-Yuan¡¯s expertise was undeniable.

 Episode 81: A Heart as Vast as the Sea

    The eldest sister was finally saved. Gao-Yuan exhaled a sigh of relief.


    The old man, no longer holding onto Li Runyu, hurried over to check on his daughter''s condition.


    Outside, the crowd of onlookers gradually dispersed, chattering in amazement as they left.


    With the situation settling down, Gao-Yuan instructed the staff to transfer the woman to the next ward for continued observation and intravenous treatment. People of this era, though simple and forthright, could be impulsive. While they might fight fiercely when angered, once they saw that the person was unharmed, they would let things go, including sparing Li Runyu.


    However, Li Runyu had thoroughly lost face. Even after everyone had left, he remained dazed. His clothes were filthy, his hair a tangled mess, and his face bruised and battered. Slumping against the wall, he slid down to the floor, his eyes devoid of spirit.


    Not far away, Gao-Yuan stood observing him, letting out a soft sigh. Li Runyu had always held himself in high regard, so today''s incident must have dealt him a heavy blow.


    "Wash your face."


    Li Runyu looked up to see Gao-Yuan standing before him, holding out a towel.


    With a bitter smile, Li Runyu said, "You know, the last person I want to see right now is you."


    Gao-Yuan handed him the towel. "Wipe your face. You look a mess¡ªwhat kind of image is that?"


    Li Runyu took the towel, his voice filled with self-deprecation. "Everyone''s already seen me at my worst. Do I really need to care about appearances anymore?"


    Gao-Yuan replied, "Dr. Li, surely you''re not someone who can''t handle a setback like this?"


    Li Runyu remained silent.


    Gao-Yuan shook his head lightly.


    After a moment, Li Runyu sighed deeply. "I just don''t understand why she was poisoned. Even though I used four mace of the herb, by my judgment, it shouldn¡¯t have led to this."


    Gao-Yuan explained, "She boiled and consumed three doses together."


    Li Runyu''s head snapped up, staring at Gao-Yuan in astonishment.


    Gao-Yuan continued, "I believe in your skills and your prudence in prescribing medicine. That''s why I specifically inquired about the details just now."


    Li Runyu turned his gaze toward the ward.


    "I¡¯ve already explained to them that it wasn¡¯t your fault," Gao-Yuan added.


    Hearing this, Li Runyu''s lips quivered, his eyes welling up with tears. What kind of miserable luck was this?


    Watching him, Gao-Yuan found it both frustrating and amusing. Li Runyu was undoubtedly the most skilled physician in the county¡ªand yet, he had the most fragile heart.


    Li Runyu sighed again and began wiping his face with the towel, especially focusing on his eyes. He muttered, "It''s also my fault. I let my competitiveness with you get the better of me. When the patient questioned me, I adjusted the dosage. If I had stuck to the original prescription of two mace, even consuming three doses together wouldn¡¯t have resulted in such critical poisoning."Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Perhaps they¡¯re right¡ªif you don¡¯t have the skills, why take on the challenge? I¡¯m not like you, who can use four taels of Chuanwu and eight taels of Fuzi in a day. Competing with you, striving to win¡ªwhat a joke. I deserve what happened today."


    Li Runyu looked utterly dejected.


    Gao-Yuan reassured him, "Today¡¯s incident was just an accident. Although you¡¯re competitive, you¡¯ve always been cautious with your prescriptions."


    Li Runyu shook his head.


    Gao-Yuan continued, "Medicines like Aconitum and Fuzi are extremely potent and toxic. When used properly, they can achieve miraculous effects. But if you don''t understand how to counteract their toxicity, poisoning will occur. Take Zhang Zhongjing¡¯s Wutou Tang, for example. The preparation method involves boiling Chuanwu in honey."


    ¡°This is because honey, the essence of countless flowers, neutralizes toxins, particularly those of Chuanwu. Moreover, honey¡¯s viscous nature tempers the herb¡¯s harsh and fiery properties, further suppressing its toxicity."


    Li Runyu looked at Gao-Yuan in confusion, unsure why he was sharing this.


    Undeterred, Gao-Yuan continued, "Using this method to prepare small to moderate doses of Chuanwu minimizes risks. But for large doses, you need additional measures for detoxification. My principle is that no matter the original formula, I always include twice the amount of roasted licorice to balance its pungency and dryness while neutralizing toxins."


    ¡°First, honey-roast the Chuanwu. Then, boil the other ingredients separately, combine the decoctions, and add five taels of honey to further reduce toxicity. Finally, always include one tael each of black soybeans and Fangfeng in the prescription. These two ingredients work together to counteract the toxic effects of Aconitum."


    Li Runyu stared at Gao-Yuan, his jaw nearly hitting the floor.


    Unbothered by Li Runyu¡¯s shock, Gao-Yuan continued, "Lastly, when boiling, start with five jin of water and simmer gently until it reduces to one jin. This takes about three hours, and prolonged high heat further destroys Aconitum¡¯s toxicity. Administer the medicine in small doses, monitoring for numbness of the tongue and lips to avoid overdose. These are all my experiences in using large doses of Aconitum."


    By the time Gao-Yuan finished, Li Runyu was completely stunned. He didn¡¯t even notice when the towel slipped from his hands to the floor.


    "W-What did you just say?" Li Runyu stammered.


    "What¡¯s the matter?" Gao-Yuan asked. "Didn¡¯t you hear, or didn¡¯t you understand, or didn¡¯t you remember?"


    It took a long while for Li Runyu to recover, his mind reeling from what he had just heard. Looking at Gao-Yuan as if he were a monster, he finally spoke.


    "Why¡­ why would you share such invaluable knowledge with me?"


    "Why not?" Gao-Yuan replied with a slight smile.


    Still puzzled, Li Runyu exclaimed, "Every doctor knows the potency of Aconitum, but they also fear its toxicity like a venomous snake. Do you realize the value of what you just said? For any other physician, this would be a closely guarded family secret, something they might not even fully teach their own disciples. Why¡­ why would you share it with me, your rival?"


    ¡°Rival?¡± Gao-Yuan chuckled. ¡°I¡¯ve walked this path without ever seeing anyone as my rival.¡±


    Li Runyu was rendered speechless, standing frozen like a statue.


    At that moment, memories of his past attempts to make things difficult for Gao-Yuan and the badmouthing behind his back came flooding back.


    Shame. Overwhelming shame. Li Runyu felt that even being slapped in public by that family a hundred times wouldn¡¯t compare to the humiliation he felt now.


    ¡°I¡­ I concede. I¡¯ve lost. I¡¯ve completely lost.¡± Covering his face, Li Runyu wept tears of shame.


    Gao-Yuan, however, extended his hand toward him with a smile. ¡°Get up, Dr. Li.¡±


    <hr>


    Elsewhere, Shen Congyun¡¯s day seemed cursed. After being pushed to the ground earlier and still nursing a sore backside, he now ran into the old Chinese medicine doctor, Yan Qiao.


    Yan Qiao, who had come to the hospital intending to check on the child with adenoviral pneumonia, spotted Shen Congyun in the ward. When enemies meet, tempers flare. This time, no one stood between Shen Congyun and Yan Qiao.


    ¡°Shen Congyun¡­¡± Yan Qiao blocked the doorway, glaring coldly into the room.


    Shen Congyun¡¯s teeth chattered with fear as he considered jumping out the window to escape.


    Yan Qiao, leaning on his cane, glanced at the patient and then at Shen Congyun. ¡°You¡¯ve got guts, Shen Congyun¡ªstealing our Yan family¡¯s internal treatment techniques wasn¡¯t enough for you? Now you dare to snatch my patients? Who gave you the audacity?¡±


    Shen Congyun waved his hands frantically, stammering incoherently, ¡°I¡­ it¡¯s not¡­ not¡­¡±


    Yan Qiao, with a frigid expression, ordered, ¡°Yan Er, hit him!¡±

 Episode 82: Pfft Pfft

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    Behind Yan Qiao followed a middle-aged man, and upon hearing the instructions, he rolled up his sleeves and started marching inside.


    ¡°Don¡¯t come near me! Stay away!¡± Shen Congyun shrieked, striking various defensive poses in terror.


    The child¡¯s parents, who were in the hospital ward, froze in place. What¡¯s going on?


    However, Yan Er paid no attention to the commotion. He went straight for Shen Congyun.


    Moments ago, Shen Congyun had been trying to act tough, but the moment he realized they were coming for him, he cowered, squatting down, covering his head with his hands, and trembling like a leaf.


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    Just as Shen Congyun braced himself for a beating, a voice rang out from the doorway.


    Everyone turned to see Gao Yuan entering, with Li Runyu following closely behind.


    Yan Qiao frowned. ¡°Doctor Gao, this is a family matter. Do you intend to meddle in it as well?¡±


    Gao Yuan replied calmly, ¡°Doctor Yan, Shen Congyun is no longer part of your Yan family. Besides, even if he were, beating someone in a public place would be hard to explain if the police were to show up, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±


    Yan Qiao¡¯s expression darkened.


    Seeing Gao Yuan intervene, Yan Er hesitated to act rashly.


    ¡°Doctor Gao¡­¡± Shen Congyun cried out and scurried over to Gao Yuan, visibly shaken.


    Yan Qiao¡¯s face was as dark as ink as he said coldly, ¡°Gao Yuan, are you determined to oppose us?¡±


    ¡°I have no intention of opposing you,¡± Gao Yuan responded. ¡°But I won¡¯t stand by and let you bully Doctor Shen.¡±


    Hearing this, Shen Congyun was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes. Being protected felt incredible.


    Yan Qiao, however, was furious. ¡°Bully him? Ask him who¡¯s bullying whom! This ungrateful scoundrel betrayed my family! He tricked my daughter into marrying him under false pretenses, claiming he¡¯d be a devoted husband. I thought my daughter had found a good match. But no, this scumbag only wanted to learn our family¡¯s internal medical techniques.


    ¡°After he mastered them, he abandoned his wife and child, ran away, and remarried! You tell me, who¡¯s bullying whom!¡±


    Shen Congyun, feeling utterly humiliated, muttered softly, ¡°I¡¯m already divorced¡­¡±


    Gao Yuan stayed silent. The entanglement between Shen Congyun and the Yan family was too complicated to resolve in a few words.


    Li Runyu glanced back and forth between the two parties. This was some juicy drama!


    Yan Er¡¯s eyes turned cold as he hissed, ¡°Because of you, my sister is now alone at home, ridiculed by others!¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± Shen Congyun¡¯s face scrunched up, tears threatening to spill.


    Yan Qiao¡¯s face was ashen as he pounded his cane forcefully on the ground. ¡°I haven¡¯t even sought out this scoundrel to settle the score, and yet he has the audacity to show up here! What does he think he is? He¡¯s nothing more than a thief who¡¯s stolen the surface of our family¡¯s knowledge, daring to treat my patients. Where does he get the nerve?¡±


    Shen Congyun flinched in fear.


    Gao Yuan interjected, ¡°Doctor Yan, you¡¯re misunderstanding the situation. Doctor Shen isn¡¯t here to take over the patient. The child has been suffering from persistent high fever, and the county hospital invited me to consult. Doctor Shen is merely accompanying me.¡±Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Yan Qiao turned his gaze to the child¡¯s parents.


    The father quickly nodded.


    Unexpectedly, Yan Qiao¡¯s expression didn¡¯t soften. Instead, he snapped, ¡°So, you¡¯re implying that you doubt my medical skills?¡±


    ¡°Not at all,¡± Gao Yuan replied evenly. ¡°However, the prescription and medication you provided earlier did cause some issues.¡±


    Yan Qiao¡¯s eyes widened in anger.


    Shen Congyun, feeling the tension rise, clenched every muscle in his body.


    Yan Er barked, ¡°Gao Yuan, you¡¯ve got quite the audacity! No matter how skilled you are, you¡¯re still a junior. Is this how you speak to your seniors?¡±


    Gao Yuan replied sincerely, ¡°Respect for seniors is essential, of course. But as doctors, our primary duty is to be truthful in front of patients and prioritize effective treatment above all else.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Yan Er was momentarily at a loss for words.


    Shen Congyun cautiously peeked up, glancing between the two. He couldn¡¯t help but marvel¡ªYan Er clearly had no idea about Gao Yuan¡¯s greatest strength. It wasn¡¯t his medical skills, but his eloquence. The man¡¯s words were practically blessed.


    Frustrated at being outargued, Yan Er shifted the focus to Li Runyu. ¡°Even Doctor Li hasn¡¯t said a word, so why are you making such a fuss?¡±


    Li Runyu waved his hands dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s fine, it¡¯s fine. Let¡¯s listen to Doctor Gao. He¡¯s talented, and I enjoy hearing him speak.¡±


    This remark nearly made Yan Er lose his balance.


    Even Yan Qiao stared at Li Runyu in astonishment. Wasn¡¯t Li Runyu supposed to be on his side? Why was he suddenly siding with Gao Yuan? He hadn¡¯t expected this betrayal from someone he thought was reliable.


    Shen Congyun glanced at Li Runyu, then at Gao Yuan. He understood now¡ªGao Yuan wasn¡¯t just a doctor; he must¡¯ve been some kind of political strategist. The way he won people over was faster than an old lady collecting eggs from a henhouse.


    Realizing he was outnumbered, Yan Qiao reluctantly conceded, ¡°Fine. Since you think I¡¯m wrong, why don¡¯t you show us how it¡¯s done?¡±


    Gao Yuan paused, casting a brief glance at Shen Congyun. Initially, he¡¯d had no intention of directly clashing with Yan Qiao, but it seemed inevitable now.


    Having made his decision, Gao Yuan said confidently, ¡°Ask the patient¡¯s family whether the previous treatment had any effect.¡±


    Yan Qiao and Yan Er turned to the child¡¯s parents, who exchanged uneasy looks.


    ¡°No improvement at all?¡± Yan Qiao asked, his voice low.


    The parents shook their heads.


    Yan Qiao¡¯s expression stiffened.


    Even Li Runyu found this surprising and went inside to assess the child¡¯s condition.


    Gao Yuan explained, ¡°Not only was there no improvement, but the overly cooling medicine you prescribed harmed the child¡¯s middle Yang energy. This caused an obstruction in the lungs and worsened the condition. Without your treatment, the child¡¯s illness wouldn¡¯t have escalated to this point.¡±


    ¡°What!¡± Yan Qiao roared in fury. Gao Yuan wasn¡¯t just criticizing his treatment; he was accusing him of worsening the patient¡¯s condition.


    Shen Congyun shrank back instinctively.


    Gao Yuan, however, remained calm. ¡°Not all cases of high fever require cooling treatment. It¡¯s not just about lowering the temperature, even if it means using costly ingredients like rhinoceros horn or antelope horn. The patient¡¯s overall condition should always be considered first.¡±


    Yan Qiao frowned slightly.


    From inside, Li Runyu added, ¡°The patient has an underlying issue with excess dampness.¡±


    Gao Yuan nodded subtly. Li Runyu¡¯s observation was spot-on.


    Yan Qiao appeared momentarily stunned.


    Unable to contain his frustration, Yan Er snapped, ¡°If you think we¡¯re wrong, then what medicine did you use?¡±


    ¡°Guizhi Ginseng Decoction combined with Erchen Tang,¡± Gao Yuan answered.


    Yan Er laughed derisively. ¡°What? The child¡¯s fever is over 40 degrees, and you¡¯re using warming methods? Aren¡¯t you afraid of worsening the condition? If your treatment works, then I¡¯ll¡­¡±


    Before Yan Er could finish his boast, Yan Qiao hurriedly stopped him, realizing the potential consequences of rash promises.


    Gao Yuan explained, ¡°The child exhibits high fever without sweating, wheezing, phlegmy breathing, swollen limbs, and a distended abdomen. The tongue is pale with a greasy, dark coating, and the pulse is deep and soft. These symptoms suggest an internal imbalance caused by excessive dampness compounded by external cold.


    ¡°The initial use of bitter and cold herbs harmed the Yang energy, exacerbating the condition. My formula aims to warm the spleen and stomach, resolve dampness, and restore balance. It¡¯s not guaranteed to work, but it addresses the root cause.¡±


    Yan Er was momentarily stunned.


    Yan Qiao¡¯s face grew increasingly grim, having already realized his earlier mistake.


    Softening his tone slightly, Gao Yuan added, ¡°Of course, this is just my hypothesis. Until we see results, I can¡¯t claim anything definitive. My prescription might not work either.¡±


    Before Yan Qiao could respond, Li Runyu called out, ¡°The patient is starting to sweat lightly and passing gas. Listen.¡±


    ¡°Pfft¡­ Pfft pfft¡­ Pfft¡­¡±


    The Yan family¡¯s faces turned progressively darker.


    Gao Yuan gave Li Runyu an exasperated look. Was this really the time to make such a spectacle?

 Episode 83: Coordination

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    After the child took the prescribed medicine, they began to perspire slightly, and their flatulence became more frequent. Following a persistent high fever that lasted over ten days, the child¡¯s temperature finally returned to normal. Overcome with joy, the parents wept tears of relief.


    Seeing that even the relentless fever had subsided, the Yan family father and son were rendered speechless. Yan Er silently thanked his father for stopping him earlier from making any rash declarations; otherwise, he would have been utterly embarrassed now.


    Realizing they had no face to linger any longer, the Yan family duo left, but not without stealing several lingering glances at Shen Congyun. Feeling thoroughly uncomfortable under their scrutiny, Shen wished he could merge into the wall and disappear.


    Once they left, Shen breathed a sigh of relief, as if pardoned from a heavy burden.


    Li Runyu approached Gao-Yuan and asked, "Doctor Gao, are you really planning to intervene in their affairs?"


    Shen huddled down on the ground with his arms around his knees, lowering his head like a dejected figure.


    Seeing Shen in such a pitiful state brought back memories of his previous life''s tragic end¡ªa lonely, sorrowful figure before his demise. Gao-Yuan couldn''t help but shake his head, sighing deeply. "Some matters must be resolved and faced eventually. Once things settle here, I''ll accompany him to the Yan family."


    Shen looked up at Gao-Yuan with watery eyes, his hands tucked into his sleeves, his face showing an expression of grievance, on the verge of tears.


    Li Runyu glanced at Gao-Yuan, her expression subtly conflicted.


    "Let¡¯s check on the child¡¯s condition," Gao-Yuan suggested.


    <hr>


    During the second diagnosis, the child¡¯s abdominal distension had noticeably reduced, breathing became smooth, and diarrhea had significantly lessened. Initially experiencing 5-8 bowel movements daily, the frequency had dropped to three, with the stools now yellow and normal in texture. The child¡¯s throat still carried phlegm sounds, but sleep had stabilized, lips were moist, and the extremities showed slight warmth.


    Examining the pulse, Gao-Yuan found it to be deep and slightly slippery. The tongue''s coating, which had been grey-black, was now fading.


    Gao-Yuan exchanged thoughts with Li Runyu, concluding the condition remained a case of yang deficiency complicated by phlegm.


    Li Runyu suggested, "I recommend continuing with warming therapies. The previous approach yielded quick results, so minor adjustments to the prescription should suffice."


    Gao-Yuan nodded in agreement. Li Runyu¡¯s judgment was precise, and Gao-Yuan modified the original prescription slightly before instructing continued administration.


    <hr>


    As they exited, Li Runyu remarked, "It¡¯s quite peculiar. Even though the flu season has passed, there¡¯s been a noticeable increase in children with respiratory distress and pulmonary swelling recently."


    Gao-Yuan froze mid-step.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    "What¡¯s wrong?" Li Runyu asked.


    "Are you saying cases of respiratory distress and pulmonary swelling among children have increased recently?" Gao-Yuan asked.


    Li Runyu nodded. "Yes, there¡¯s been a noticeable uptick. The peculiar thing is that the external pathogens differ. Some are wind-cold, while others are wind-heat."


    Gao-Yuan¡¯s brows furrowed deeply. Adenovirus pneumonia, from a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, aligned with terms like "pulmonary swelling" and "respiratory distress." Diagnosing such cases was notoriously challenging, as it lacked the patterns of a flu outbreak. The external pathogens varied across patients, and the symptoms transformed at different stages of the illness, creating layers of complexity and uncertainty in diagnosis.


    Even seasoned TCM practitioners like Yan Qiao, renowned throughout the county, had stumbled over such cases, demonstrating the difficulty in diagnosis.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Gao-Yuan said, nudging Li Runyu. ¡°We need to report this situation to Bureau Chief Wang Hanzhang.¡±


    <hr>


    Upon hearing the situation, Wang immediately sprang into action. Life had become hectic since Gao-Yuan¡¯s arrival; he and the other station leaders had been running nonstop to handle public health prevention efforts.


    Exhausted, they had barely caught a break before being tasked with compiling illness statistics again. Public health work was thankless: when done well, it went unnoticed; when done poorly, blame abounded.


    Data from various rural areas confirmed similar cases appearing in every clinic. However, as traditional and modern medicine interpreted diseases differently, only the county hospital possessed the necessary diagnostic tools and expertise.


    Gao-Yuan suggested convening the heads of joint clinics and the county hospital director to devise a coordinated prevention and treatment plan. He also proposed immediately reporting the situation to higher authorities and alerting other counties.


    Wang followed through with the suggestions but later realized, Why am I just blindly following whatever Gao-Yuan suggests?


    <hr>


    Travel from the rural areas to the county took time, so the meeting had to wait until the next day.


    That evening, Gao-Yuan stayed in the county. The following morning, he returned to the hospital for the child¡¯s follow-up.


    <hr>


    The second round of treatment had further reduced symptoms. The child¡¯s bloating was entirely gone, extremities warmed, and while the face still showed slight puffiness, bowel movements had stabilized at two to three times daily, with stool consistency normal. The child coughed lightly but was able to eat and drink with improved vitality. The pulse was slow and steady, the tongue''s coating further cleared.


    ¡°How is he?¡± the anxious parents asked.


    Gao-Yuan playfully tousled the now-active boy¡¯s hair and smiled reassuringly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, he¡¯s out of danger. Just continue the medication for two more doses and monitor his condition. If nothing changes, he can be discharged soon. Post-discharge, proper dietary care will suffice.¡±


    The parents sighed in relief and thanked Gao-Yuan profusely.


    <hr>


    Doctor Qiao observed the situation with admiration. ¡°Doctor Gao, I¡¯m genuinely impressed. The child¡¯s high fever persisted for over ten days, and no treatment seemed effective. It kept worsening to the point where his life was at risk.¡±


    ¡°But then you came along. One dose reduced the fever, and two doses nearly resolved the issue. It¡¯s taken only two days! Adenovirus pneumonia has always been a tough case for us, yet you made it look effortless.¡±


    Gao-Yuan responded humbly, ¡°The treatment''s success is due to our teamwork. Infants have such fragile immune systems; severe cases rely heavily on your life-saving interventions and advanced medical tools.¡±


    Qiao laughed heartily. ¡°Doctor Gao, if anyone hears us flattering each other like this, they¡¯d laugh at us!¡±


    The surrounding doctors chuckled as well.


    But Gao-Yuan¡¯s expression remained serious. ¡°I mean it. I sincerely hope to collaborate more closely with you all in the future.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯d be happy to cooperate,¡± Qiao replied without hesitation.


    ¡°Good,¡± said Gao-Yuan. ¡°I¡¯ll inform the other clinics about this approach.¡±


    Qiao stopped him quickly. ¡°Wait a moment! Aren¡¯t you collaborating with us directly?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a joint effort between traditional and modern medicine,¡± Gao-Yuan explained. ¡°But I¡¯ll still spend most of my time at Zhangzhuang.¡±


    At that, the local doctors exchanged subtle looks.


    A wave of unease washed over Gao-Yuan. Could something be going wrong now?

 Episode 84: Over Before It Began

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    During the emergency meeting that followed, the expected issues emerged.


    Gao-Yuan was a staunch advocate for integrating traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with Western medicine in treatment strategies. However, others in the room showed little enthusiasm. Neither the TCM practitioners nor the Western-trained doctors seemed willing to collaborate.


    The scene made Gao-Yuan¡¯s blood pressure spike. In his previous life, the same rigid separation had delayed countless treatments. This time, he had been working tirelessly to change that dynamic. Yet, despite his efforts, the results were disappointing¡ªWestern doctors acknowledged only his expertise and were unwilling to collaborate with others.


    The county hospital''s stance was clear: they would only work closely with Gao-Yuan.


    As for the smaller clinics, they wanted no part in cooperating with the county hospital.


    The entrenched biases were palpable.


    Gao-Yuan rubbed his aching temples in frustration.


    Director Wang Hanzhang frowned deeply and said, ¡°Unifying TCM and Western medicine is a national policy! Why are you all grumbling here? You¡¯re all well aware of how serious adenovirus pneumonia can be!¡±


    Zhou Fangda, director of the Miao Township United Clinic, voiced his complaints: ¡°Director, it¡¯s not that we want to gripe. It¡¯s just that collaboration is practically impossible. For instance, whose judgment should prevail during treatment? If we encounter a patient with a damp constitution, should we proceed with intravenous fluids or not?¡±


    ¡°And what if the treatment succeeds? Let¡¯s not even argue over who contributed more. But if it fails¡ªhow do we determine whether the treatment itself was ineffective or if someone made a mistake? It¡¯ll become a blame game. Besides, the big-shot doctors from the county hospital don¡¯t think much of us rural practitioners.¡±


    Director Li of the county hospital shot back, ¡°If you¡¯ve got issues, say so plainly. Why the sarcasm?¡±


    Before Zhou Fangda could retort, another voice chimed in: ¡°This isn¡¯t sarcasm. Remember what happened in recent years? Let¡¯s not dig up everything, but even recently, haven¡¯t our TCM practitioners been mocked when giving lectures at your hospital?¡±


    Director Li¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°Then why is it that Dr. Gao-Yuan can get along so well with our hospital staff, while you all can¡¯t?¡±


    Yan Qiao retorted angrily, ¡°Oh, so now you¡¯re blaming us?¡±


    The two sides began bickering again.


    Wang Hanzhang massaged his temples, the tension evident on his face. The conflict between TCM and Western medicine had deep roots, dating back to the Republican era. It was a dilemma that had yet to be resolved. He turned his troubled gaze to Gao-Yuan.


    Slamming the table for attention, Gao-Yuan said sternly, ¡°Enough! This meeting is about finding ways to collaborate, not digging up past grievances. Adenovirus pneumonia is a formidable adversary. Only by joining forces can we truly defeat it. Neither side can handle this monumental task alone.¡±


    Yan Qiao scoffed, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be so sure. Didn¡¯t Dr. Gao-Yuan single-handedly save a critically ill child with adenovirus pneumonia yesterday? The county hospital couldn¡¯t manage it in half a month, yet he did it in just two days. Cooperation? More like someone¡¯s bound to drag us down.¡±


    Gao-Yuan sighed, speechless.


    Director Li, equally frustrated, countered, ¡°If I remember correctly, Dr. Yan, you treated that same child before Dr. Gao-Yuan stepped in, and the condition only worsened. Based on your logic, maybe it¡¯s you who¡¯s dragging everyone down.¡±The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°You¡ª!¡± Yan Qiao glared at him.


    And once again, the room devolved into chaos. Gao-Yuan struggled to regain control.


    Just then, a knock on the door interrupted the argument. A young staff member from the Health Bureau entered and whispered something to Wang Hanzhang, who cast a glance at Gao-Yuan before giving instructions to the staffer.


    The young man exited, and shortly after, returned with Dr. Qiao Zheng from the county hospital in tow.


    Director Li looked surprised. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Qiao Zheng gave a nervous chuckle. ¡°I¡¯m here to see Dr. Gao-Yuan.¡±


    All eyes turned to Gao-Yuan. His rapport with the Western-trained doctors was no secret, but this level of trust was striking.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Gao-Yuan asked.


    Qiao Zheng explained, ¡°A patient from the city has requested your help.¡±


    ¡°Me?¡± Gao-Yuan was puzzled.


    ¡°It¡¯s like this,¡± Qiao Zheng began, ¡°Do you remember the deputy principal of our county middle school, Hu Xingyan?¡±


    After a brief pause, Gao-Yuan nodded vaguely.


    Qiao Zheng continued, ¡°He¡¯s the one who brought his seven-year-old son to you after exhausting treatment options elsewhere. You know, the child who was misdiagnosed with severe neurological damage. Everyone, even Dr. Li Runyu, said his case was hopeless.¡±


    Li Runyu¡¯s face darkened. That particular failure was not something he liked to be reminded of.


    ¡°Is something wrong with the child now?¡± Gao-Yuan asked.


    Qiao Zheng shook his head. ¡°No, not him. It¡¯s a relative of theirs. When Principal Hu heard about it, he immediately sent a telegram recommending they come here to see you. I rushed over because the child¡¯s condition is dire.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the diagnosis?¡± Gao-Yuan asked.


    ¡°Adenovirus pneumonia, with severe pulmonary shadows,¡± Qiao Zheng replied gravely.


    At this, the room fell silent.


    Wang Hanzhang turned to Gao-Yuan, his expression expectant.


    With a slight nod, Gao-Yuan conveyed his readiness.


    Wang Hanzhang addressed the room: ¡°You were all saying just now how hard it is to collaborate on TCM-Western integrated treatments. Well, here¡¯s a critically ill child. Let¡¯s have Dr. Gao-Yuan demonstrate how it¡¯s done with the county hospital¡¯s team. Let¡¯s see if it¡¯s as impossible in practice as you claim.¡±


    The group hesitated, their expressions uneasy.


    ¡°Enough sitting around!¡± Wang Hanzhang ordered. ¡°To the hospital!¡±


    Reluctantly, the group got up, following slowly behind Gao-Yuan and Qiao Zheng, who were already striding ahead.


    <hr>


    At the hospital gates, the family was waiting anxiously. Upon spotting Gao-Yuan, Principal Hu quickly approached, extending his hand warmly. ¡°Dr. Gao-Yuan, I must trouble you once more.¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded politely. ¡°It¡¯s my duty. Take me to the patient immediately.¡±


    As they walked, Gao-Yuan noticed Principal Hu¡¯s son, the previously bedridden child. He ruffled the boy¡¯s hair gently. ¡°You¡¯re looking much better now.¡±


    Principal Hu beamed. ¡°Thanks to you, he¡¯s back in school and catching up with his studies. Xiao Chuan, thank Dr. Gao-Yuan!¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Uncle,¡± the boy said shyly.


    ¡°No need to thank me. It¡¯s what doctors do,¡± Gao-Yuan replied with a smile.


    Principal Hu introduced his younger sister, Hu Xingke, and her husband. Hu Xingke clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture. ¡°Doctor, please save my child.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll do everything we can,¡± Gao-Yuan reassured her. He then turned to the crowd following him. ¡°These are experts from our county, here for a joint consultation.¡±


    Hu Xingke blinked, surprised by the impressive turnout. ¡°Brother, since when did you have this much influence?¡±


    Even Principal Hu was momentarily stunned.


    ¡°Enough talk,¡± Gao-Yuan interrupted. ¡°Let¡¯s see the patient. Qiao Zheng, brief me on their medical history as we walk.¡±


    <hr>


    Inside, the urgency was palpable, and collaboration between the teams was no longer a choice but a necessity.


    Gao-Yuan proceeded toward the hospital room with determined steps.


    ¡°Do you have the medical records?¡± he asked.


    Hu-Xingke quickly produced the documents and handed them over.


    Qiao Zheng began to explain, "The patient is a boy, one and a half years old. He¡¯s had a high fever for eight days and a persistent cough for six. He was admitted to the municipal hospital four days ago. His body temperature has fluctuated between 38 to 40 degrees Celsius, with a red throat, labored breathing, abdominal distension, and pronounced wet rales in both lungs. Percussion revealed dullness."


    ¡°The hospital conducted a full battery of tests and isolated Type III adenovirus from a throat swab. A chest X-ray revealed dense shadows near the right pulmonary hilum, with small patchy opacities in the inner zone of the right lung. Similar dense patchy shadows were observed in the lower left lung.¡±


    ¡°They tried various treatments, including penicillin, chlortetracycline, erythromycin, plasma transfusions, and other symptomatic therapies, but none were effective. Additionally, on the second day after admission, they administered Chinese medicine, which also failed to yield any results.¡±


    Gao-Yuan interrupted him. ¡°Wait a moment¡ªdid you just say they¡¯ve already used Chinese medicine?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Qiao Zheng confirmed with a nod.


    Director Wang-Hanzhang¡¯s expression stiffened slightly.


    The other directors exchanged awkward glances. Hadn¡¯t this been an exercise in demonstrating how Chinese and Western medicine could work together? They had assumed the collaboration hadn¡¯t even started yet¡ªbut it seemed the efforts had already failed.

 Episode 85: More Powerful Than a Howitzer

    The first attempt at combining Chinese and Western medicine had failed.


    Even Wang Hanzhang began to feel uneasy. Were it not for his trust in Gao-Yuan, he might have voiced his doubts already.


    The others, who were reluctant about integrating Chinese and Western medicine in the first place, now shook their heads even more resolutely.


    Dr. Qiao Zheng glanced at Gao-Yuan. Frankly, he preferred working with Gao-Yuan alone.


    Counting all the people present, the only one genuinely determined to advance the integration of Chinese and Western medicine was Gao-Yuan.


    When Gao-Yuan turned to look at the crowd, their various expressions weighed on him. The setback before they had even begun felt like a heavy blow. The resources available in the city far surpassed those in their county. If the city¡¯s effort at integration had failed, what hope did they have here?


    ¡°Let¡¯s go and check on the child first,¡± Gao-Yuan said, following Qiao Zheng to the ward.


    Inside, the grandparents, along with the maternal and paternal relatives, had all gathered.


    Seeing Dr. Gao-Yuan finally arrive, they pleaded with him fervently. For any family, a child is the most precious treasure.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Gao-Yuan reassured them. ¡°I will do my utmost. Please step aside so I can examine the child.¡±


    The family quickly moved out of the way. Gao-Yuan stepped forward to diagnose, with Qiao Zheng by his side. Other doctors observed from behind, while Li Runyu hesitated briefly before moving up to assist Gao-Yuan.


    Qiao Zheng began, ¡°The child has had a high fever for eight days, accompanied by diarrhoea¡ªmore than ten watery episodes a day, greenish in colour. Over the past four days, bowel movements have decreased to three or four times daily, with a sticky, greenish appearance. Appetite is poor, and vomiting curdled milk occasionally occurs. The child is lethargic, coughing, and wheezing, but urination is normal.¡±


    Li Runyu asked, ¡°Dr. Qiao, what Chinese medicine prescriptions were used earlier?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Qiao Zheng, unfamiliar with Chinese medicine prescriptions, handed over the medical records to Li Runyu. ¡°It¡¯s all written here.¡±


    After reviewing the records, Li Runyu said to Gao-Yuan, ¡°They used Mahuang-Xingren-Shigao-Gancao Decoction and Maimendong Decoction.¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded slightly. He patted the child¡¯s shoulder gently and called a few times, but there was no response; the child¡¯s eyes remained tightly shut.


    ¡°The child is already in a deep coma,¡± Dr. Qiao stated gravely.


    The other Chinese doctors froze at the diagnosis. As expected, cases from the city hospital were truly severe.


    Hearing this, the family members became even more anxious and began to weep.


    Hu Xingyan quickly tried to comfort his sister. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, don¡¯t worry. Dr. Gao-Yuan is here.¡±


    Hu Xingke, her face pale with fear, nodded repeatedly.


    Gao-Yuan continued examining the child. He touched the child¡¯s skin¡ªhot with a high fever but lacking sweat. Breathing was rapid and laboured, with severe phlegm congestion. The child¡¯s complexion was ashen, the abdomen distended, and the lips parched.


    He opened the child¡¯s mouth and observed the tongue, noting its red colour, dryness, and a thin, white coating. He pressed on the child''s fingertip to check the fingerprint¡ªa diagnosis method in children¡ªand saw that the veins were swollen, dark, and extended to the third section, or ¡°life gate,¡± a critical sign.


    The seasoned Chinese doctors behind him gasped. Fingerprint diagnosis dividing into wind, qi, and life gates signifies escalating severity. When the fingerprint reaches the life gate, it indicates life-threatening danger. If it extends beyond that, it¡¯s a dire emergency.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    Gao-Yuan¡¯s brows furrowed at the sight, his breathing heavier. He picked up the child¡¯s small hand and felt the pulse. The left pulse was deep and rapid, while the right was floating and large.


    Dr. Qiao spoke with equal gravity. ¡°The child is at risk of respiratory failure, with obstructive breathing patterns, significant lung consolidation, abdominal distension, and early signs of paralytic ileus.¡±


    Wang Hanzhang swallowed hard, glancing between Gao-Yuan and Qiao Zheng. They had planned to use this case as an example of integrated treatment, but given the situation, the stakes were incredibly high. If they failed to save the child, advocating for Chinese-Western integration in the future would become even harder.


    Understanding the significance of this case, Gao-Yuan felt immense pressure. After briefly organizing his treatment approach, he asked the assembled specialists, ¡°Would any of you like to step forward and make a diagnosis?¡±


    None of the department heads moved. They had heard and seen the same diagnostic information and didn¡¯t believe they could offer any new insights.


    ¡°Then,¡± Gao-Yuan pressed on, ¡°who among you can save this child?¡±


    The family members looked nervously at the group of doctors.


    The physicians hesitated, their expressions awkward. Given the severity of the situation, no one dared take responsibility. They all turned to look at Li Runyu, the county¡¯s leading expert in Chinese medicine.


    Even Li Runyu frowned deeply, looking troubled.


    If even he hesitated, the others were even less likely to act.


    Understanding the family''s desperation, Gao-Yuan addressed Li Runyu directly: ¡°Dr. Li, what is your assessment?¡±


    Li Runyu¡¯s brows were tightly knit. ¡°To be honest, this case is extremely severe. I¡­¡±


    Normally, Li Runyu would have declined outright, as he never took on patients with less than a 60% chance of survival. This child had at best a 20-30% chance, making it a case he¡¯d usually refuse. But with Gao-Yuan present, he found it difficult to say so directly.


    ¡°What makes treating this case so difficult?¡± Gao-Yuan asked.


    ¡°The primary challenge,¡± Li Runyu replied, ¡°is the progression of the illness. With the fingerprint reaching the life gate, the child is critically ill. The major hurdles are respiratory failure, excessive phlegm, intestinal obstruction, and, most fundamentally, severe pneumonia. Addressing all these issues simultaneously during such a critical stage is nearly impossible. Trying to save the child could lead to a domino effect, where resolving one issue exacerbates another. That¡¯s why I¡¯ve been hesitant to proceed.¡±


    The other department heads nodded in agreement.


    Miao Ran, standing nearby, chimed in sarcastically, ¡°Didn¡¯t you all claim to be so capable? Can¡¯t this be resolved with oxygen therapy, artificial respiration, regular phlegm suction, and retained enemas?¡±


    Her remark instantly annoyed the Chinese medicine practitioners.


    ¡°If it¡¯s so easy, why didn¡¯t you Western doctors cure the patient yourselves?¡±


    ¡°If you think you don¡¯t need us, go ahead and treat the patient alone. Let¡¯s see how well you do.¡±


    Miao Ran¡¯s confrontational tone sparked yet another round of arguments.


    Both sides were equally uncertain. Even the city hospital had failed to manage the case; what hope did they have? Both groups were hesitant, and neither wanted to take the risk.


    The family watched in dismay.


    Gao-Yuan turned to Li Runyu again. ¡°If Western medicine handles oxygenation, phlegm suction, and enemas, leaving you to focus solely on one issue, how confident would you feel about saving the child?¡±


    The room fell silent.


    Li Runyu¡¯s heart skipped a beat. He hadn¡¯t considered that. If the major complications could be managed by Western measures, allowing him to focus on treating pneumonia, the survival rate could rise from 20-30% to 40-50%, making the case worth attempting.


    He looked at Gao-Yuan with newfound respect.


    The other department heads exchanged glances, realization dawning.


    Gao-Yuan turned to Dr. Qiao Zheng. ¡°If you rely solely on oxygen therapy, phlegm suction, and antibiotics, can you save the child?¡±


    Qiao Zheng shook his head slightly.


    Miao Ran¡¯s earlier boldness now seemed misplaced.


    Addressing the group, Gao-Yuan declared, ¡°This is precisely why I advocate for integrating Chinese and Western medicine. In severe cases like this, neither approach alone is sufficient. Only by working together can we maximize our chances of saving lives.¡±


    ¡°Children are the future of our nation and the hope of every family. While you argue and compete, who will save the patient? Who will save this child?¡±


    His words struck a chord. The doctors couldn¡¯t meet his gaze, feeling a pang of guilt.


    Shen Congyun stood outside the door, listening. He didn¡¯t need to step inside to recognize Gao-Yuan¡¯s commanding presence and rhetorical skill.


    Gao-Yuan surveyed the room, his voice resolute. ¡°For these children, for these desperate parents, for these families on the brink of collapse¡ªwe, as doctors, are their last hope!¡±


    The family members, their eyes brimming with tears, looked at the doctors with desperate, pleading gazes.


    Gao-Yuan turned to Qiao Zheng and extended his hand. ¡°Let¡¯s begin our collaboration with this child. Together, we can give them hope.¡±


    Qiao Zheng clasped his hand firmly. ¡°Yes!¡±


    Wang Hanzhang watched, deeply moved. It was a good thing Gao-Yuan¡¯s political record was flawed; otherwise, even his position as director might not be safe.


    At the doorway stood Su Pingchuan, the decorated war hero, silently observing the scene. Unable to contain himself, he began to applaud. Gao-Yuan¡¯s words, delivered with unwavering conviction and clarity, had struck a chord. "That doctor¡¯s tongue," Su thought with a hint of awe, "is more powerful than a pair of howitzers."

 Episode 86: You Saved Him

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    ¡°I''ll act as a consultant,¡± Li Runyu finally relented, his voice calm but reserved. Together, they analyzed the situation.


    The child¡¯s illness had dragged on for far too long. The pathogenic force had entrenched itself, causing severe damage to both the lungs and stomach. Phlegm obstructed vital pathways, creating a dire imbalance where the body¡¯s essential energy was critically depleted while the disease flourished unchecked. It was a precarious battle between life and death, one where even the slightest mistake could be fatal.


    ¡°Strengthen the body¡¯s vitality and dispel phlegm to open the airways. Aggressive treatment is out of the question¡ªit would be his undoing,¡± Li Runyu concluded gravely.


    Gao-Yuan sketched out a formula. Li Runyu examined it with a faint smile, offering no criticism but also withholding any endorsement. Gao-Yuan sighed, shook his head slightly, and ordered the preparation of the medication without further delay.


    Meanwhile, the hospital¡¯s Western medical team maintained oxygen support, suctioned phlegm, administered hypertonic saline enemas, and supplemented plasma. Their combined efforts sought to stabilize the child¡¯s fragile state.


    The doctors forewent their scheduled meeting at the health bureau, instead convening at the hospital to deliberate strategies. Their discussions revolved around the challenges posed by adenoviral pneumonia¡ªa disease notorious for its rapid progression and difficulty in diagnosis. A single misstep could spiral into severe complications or even mortal peril.


    Despite hours of debate, they arrived at no definitive solution. Gao-Yuan¡¯s mind, however, was elsewhere. The child had been transferred from the city. If the illness had reached such a stage in the county, the city itself might already be grappling with an outbreak. Drawing from his memories of a previous life, he could sense the storm brewing.


    ¡°We must act swiftly¡­¡± His thoughts were heavy with urgency.


    That evening, Gao-Yuan revisited the child. Finding no significant improvement, he adjusted the prescription, adding American ginseng and anemarrhena to the formula. He remained in the county hospital overnight, unable to rest. By the dim light of an oil lamp, he scribbled notes, his pen moving with relentless determination.


    Shen Congyun, on the other hand, snored softly in blissful ignorance.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    The next morning, Gao-Yuan led the doctors into the hospital ward for a follow-up. All eyes were on him as he entered.


    Director Wang Hanzhang nodded at him in acknowledgment, though his expression was grave. Despite Gao-Yuan¡¯s repeated advocacy for integrated Chinese and Western medicine, skepticism lingered without solid evidence to bolster his claims.


    The child¡¯s family huddled near the bedside, their faces etched with exhaustion and worry. The mother, Hu Xingke, approached Gao-Yuan hesitantly.


    ¡°Dr. Gao, thank you for everything,¡± she said softly, her voice heavy with fatigue.


    ¡°How is the child?¡± Gao-Yuan asked, his brow furrowed.


    Hu Xingke sighed. ¡°Still the same.¡±


    Her brother, Principal Hu Xingyan, stood silently nearby, his lips pressed tight, as though afraid that speaking might extinguish the fragile spark of hope.


    The atmosphere was somber. The doctors exchanged uneasy glances, knowing full well the precariousness of the situation. If even the county¡¯s top physicians¡ªrenowned for their expertise¡ªcould not save the child, what hope remained?


    ¡°What''s the child¡¯s current temperature?¡± Gao-Yuan asked suddenly, breaking the silence.


    Dr. Qiao Zheng turned to a nurse. ¡°Xiao Tian, what¡¯s the temperature reading?¡±


    Xiao Tian removed the thermometer and gasped in surprise. ¡°It¡¯s down! The fever¡¯s gone!¡±


    A wave of cautious optimism swept through the room. The physicians visibly relaxed, and even Director Wang allowed a faint smile.


    But Hu Xingke seemed unconvinced. ¡°Gone? So quickly?¡±


    Her brother intervened. ¡°Isn¡¯t that a good thing? Dr. Gao is known for his swift results!¡±


    Director Wang chimed in, ¡°Well said, Principal Hu!¡±


    Hu Xingke nodded uncertainly. ¡°Perhaps, but just moments ago, his forehead still felt hot¡­¡±


    ¡°What did you say?¡± Gao-Yuan¡¯s sharp voice cut through the room.


    Hu Xingke hesitated, startled by his intensity. ¡°I...I said his forehead still felt hot earlier.¡±


    ¡°Check again!¡± Gao-Yuan commanded, his voice filled with urgency.


    As the thermometer was prepared anew, Gao-Yuan swiftly examined the child. His expression darkened.


    The room held its breath. Xiao Tian read the thermometer and paled. ¡°Oh no...the temperature is plummeting!¡±


    A chill descended upon the room. The child was not recovering; his body was failing, losing even the strength to sustain a fever. His condition was perilously close to the final collapse.


    Panic erupted. The mother sobbed uncontrollably, while Gao-Yuan¡¯s hands moved decisively.


    ¡°We need medicine immediately!¡± he barked.


    ¡°What do you need?¡± Director Wang stepped forward, ready to act.


    ¡°Ginseng and aconite decoction, with calamus added. Quickly!¡±


    Without hesitation, Wang sprinted downstairs to prepare the medicine, followed closely by Li Runyu.


    Back in the ward, the Western doctors battled desperately to revive the child. Gao-Yuan hovered by the bedside, his mind racing.


    When the decoction arrived, Gao-Yuan wasted no time. ¡°Administer it now!¡±


    Principal Hu stepped forward, gently spooning the remedy into his nephew¡¯s mouth. The family gathered around, their hands clasped tightly in silent prayer.


    Time dragged agonizingly. Every second felt like an eternity.


    Then, a faint murmur broke the silence.


    ¡°Did you hear that?¡± the mother whispered, her voice trembling. ¡°Is he waking up?¡±


    All eyes turned to the child. His body stirred faintly, though his eyes remained closed.


    Gao-Yuan leaned in, checking his pulse and temperature. Slowly, a smile spread across his face.


    ¡°You saved him,¡± he said, his voice ringing with quiet triumph.

 Episode 87: Entrusting the Care of Critically Ill Children

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    The child¡¯s limbs were gradually warming, and they had transitioned from deep coma and lethargy to mild irritability, even coughing up phlegm.


    After arriving in critical condition, the child had endured over two days of respiratory failure, multiple instances of respiratory arrest, and dangerous drops in body temperature. Thanks to the relentless efforts of the medical team, the child was finally out of danger.


    Exhaustion was palpable among all the doctors, and even the directors who had been mere bystanders looked utterly drained. The mental strain had proven far more taxing than physical exertion.


    Seeing the child stabilize, Li Runyu felt a complicated mix of emotions.


    Gao Yuan approached him and asked, ¡°Do you regret it?¡±


    Li Runyu froze, unsure how to answer.


    Gao Yuan sighed softly and walked past him without waiting for a reply.


    <hr>


    The subsequent meeting was noticeably lighter in tone. With the success of saving this critically ill child, resistance toward integrating traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine significantly diminished.


    The results spoke for themselves. Without Western medical techniques, such as life-support measures, TCM practitioners would have struggled to address the child¡¯s recurring respiratory arrests. Conversely, the effectiveness of TCM¡¯s Shengfu Decoction had proven vital in turning the tide, likely saving the child from an untimely death the previous day.


    During the meeting, Wang Hanzhang affirmed the value of this collaboration, encouraging the team to document their experiences thoroughly.


    The county hospital staff were thrilled. Compared to city hospitals, they lagged in both equipment and expertise. Yet, they had successfully treated a patient even the city hospital could not save. It was a morale-boosting achievement, eroding preconceptions and fostering willingness to collaborate with TCM practitioners.


    The integration of the two approaches hinted at a promising synergy, one that might rival or even surpass city hospitals.


    <hr>


    Gao Yuan presented his notes from the previous night, outlining his reflections on adenovirus pneumonia, the phases of the disease, and corresponding prescriptions. He also provided a framework for integrating TCM and Western medicine in rescuing critically ill patients.


    Wang Hanzhang was impressed. ¡°If everyone worked like Gao Yuan, my job would be much easier,¡± he remarked.


    As the meeting concluded, the clinic directors prepared to return to their respective sites. Before leaving, they all gave Gao Yuan a complicated look.


    Gao Yuan, in turn, clasped his hands together respectfully.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    The others nodded, saying nothing, and left one by one.


    Yan Qiao lingered for a moment before departing as well.


    <hr>


    Gao Yuan returned to the county hospital and stopped Li Runyu, who was preparing to leave. ¡°Dr. Li.¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡± Li Runyu turned to look at him.


    ¡°You heard the discussion during the meeting, right? Critically ill children will be sent to the county hospital for integrated treatment. Dr. Li, the responsibility now falls to you,¡± Gao Yuan said.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you staying in the county?¡± Li Runyu asked.


    ¡°As I mentioned before, I¡¯ll be spending most of my time in Zhangzhuang. The county¡¯s burden will need you to shoulder,¡± Gao Yuan replied.


    Behind them, Shen Congyun glanced toward the hospital courtyard, where staff were dismantling equipment to be transported to Zhangzhuang. Gao Yuan¡¯s plan for combating adenovirus pneumonia revolved around two main battlegrounds: Zhangzhuang Clinic in the countryside and the county hospital.


    While Gao Yuan would personally oversee Zhangzhuang, the county hospital required a capable TCM leader. From his gaze, it was clear Gao Yuan intended to entrust this responsibility to Li Runyu.


    Realizing Gao Yuan was serious, Li Runyu nodded solemnly. ¡°Thank you for your trust, Dr. Gao. I¡¯ll do my utmost!¡±


    ¡°There will be many critically ill children sent here¡­¡± Gao Yuan began.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do everything in my power to save those who can be saved!¡± Li Runyu interrupted passionately.


    ¡°And those who can¡¯t be saved?¡± Gao Yuan pressed.


    Li Runyu faltered, unsure how to respond.


    Gao Yuan fixed him with a penetrating stare.


    The intensity of that gaze unsettled Li Runyu. It felt as though Gao Yuan had seen through him, uncovering the unspoken rule he lived by: avoiding patients with less than a 60% chance of survival.


    <hr>


    Gao Yuan reached for a blank sheet of paper and dipped a brush in ink. He placed a single dot on the paper, then set the brush down.


    ¡°Dr. Li, what do you see?¡±


    Li Runyu examined the paper. ¡°An ink dot.¡±


    ¡°And do you know what I see?¡± Gao Yuan asked.


    Li Runyu hesitated.


    ¡°I see a vast expanse of white around it,¡± Gao Yuan said.


    Li Runyu was taken aback.


    Shen Congyun blinked in confusion. Since when did Commissar Gao start speaking like a Zen master?


    ¡°Do you know why I shared my knowledge of high-dose Wutou and Aconite usage with you?¡± Gao Yuan continued.


    Li Runyu shook his head.


    ¡°Because I¡¯ve never considered you a rival,¡± Gao Yuan replied. ¡°My focus has never been limited to the county level.¡±


    Li Runyu froze, stung by the implication. Did this mean he wasn¡¯t even worthy of being Gao Yuan¡¯s opponent? A mix of shame and anger welled up within him.


    Gao Yuan picked up the paper and said, ¡°If you only fixate on this single ink dot, you¡¯ll never see the broader blank canvas. I remember when you were the best doctor in the county during my youth. Years have passed, and you still hold that title. But I hope, by the time I reach middle age, you¡¯ll have surpassed even that.¡±


    Li Runyu was speechless.


    Gao Yuan handed him the paper. ¡°When I first began studying medicine, you were my benchmark. I hope you¡¯ll continue to be so in the future.¡±


    Instinctively, Li Runyu reached for the paper but hesitated halfway.


    ¡°No one is born the best doctor in the county, nor does anyone remain the best in the city or province forever,¡± Gao Yuan said firmly. ¡°Dr. Li, you started from nothing. Have you lost the courage that once drove you?¡±


    Li Runyu stood there, stunned. Images of his younger, more determined self flashed through his mind¡ªthe tenacity that had propelled him to become the county¡¯s best. Yet now, in clinging to his reputation, he had grown cautious and timid.


    <hr>


    Gao Yuan raised the paper. ¡°Today, I entrust you with the care of half the county¡¯s critically ill children. Dr. Li, will you reclaim the fearlessness of your youth? Dr. Li, your future should not end here. Can I count on you?¡±


    Shen Congyun also turned to look at Li Runyu.


    Li Runyu¡¯s breathing quickened, and his trembling hand finally clenched the paper. He met Gao Yuan¡¯s gaze with renewed determination. ¡°Dr. Gao, I hope one day, I¡¯ll once again become your benchmark.¡±


    Gao Yuan smiled. ¡°I look forward to it.¡±

 Episode 88: Lao Shen Has Arrived

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    The clinic entrance was crowded with curious onlookers. No one was there to seek medical help; they were all here to witness the spectacle. Zhang Village had brought in equipment they had never seen before, and everyone was abuzz with excitement.


    The county hospital had sent two doctors to support them. One was Dr. Tian, a young doctor learning under Qiao Zheng. The other was Dr. Miao Ran, who had a reputation for clashing with the county¡¯s traditional medicine practitioners.


    Gao-Yuan approached and asked, ¡°How has the clinic been performing these past few days?¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang replied, ¡°There have been a few cases of adenoviral pneumonia among children, but after treatment, the outcomes have been quite positive.¡±


    Standing nearby, Liu Sanquan chimed in, ¡°Just two days ago, a critically ill child came in. Honestly, I thought we wouldn¡¯t be able to save them. But Dr. Zhao stayed up all night, adjusted the prescription three times, and managed to pull them through.¡±


    Gao-Yuan glanced at Zhao Huanzhang.


    The latter gave an awkward laugh, scratching his head.


    It was becoming increasingly clear that Zhao Huanzhang had a ¡°panda personality.¡± Whenever Gao-Yuan was around, he would appear cautious and submissive. But once Gao-Yuan left, Zhao¡¯s courage and competence emerged, allowing him to handle situations independently.


    Zhao Huanzhang was still worried that Gao-Yuan might scold him.


    Instead, Gao-Yuan nodded approvingly. At least Zhao had held the fort in his absence. That was already good enough. After all, you couldn¡¯t expect a doctor who was constantly fearful to completely transform overnight.


    Relieved by Gao-Yuan¡¯s reaction, Zhao Huanzhang discreetly exhaled.


    He gestured toward Dr. Miao, who was busy working, and said nervously, ¡°Who is that?¡±


    He hadn¡¯t attended the meeting earlier and wasn¡¯t aware of the new developments.


    Gao-Yuan glanced back and said, ¡°From now on, this clinic will be the critical care centre for adenoviral pneumonia cases. Critically ill children from half the county will be sent here.¡±


    ¡°Wha¡ª?¡± Zhao Huanzhang gasped audibly. This was mind-blowing. Last time, they had rushed hundreds of miles to assist with the influenza outbreak in Huo Township, which was already incredible. Now, half the county¡¯s critical cases were coming to them?


    In all the years of running Zhang Village¡¯s United Clinic, Zhao had never imagined it would become such a big deal.


    His smile was weighted with responsibility.


    Gao-Yuan patted him on the shoulder and said, ¡°Dr. Zhao, we have a heavy burden ahead.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang hurriedly replied, ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ll just assist you. I can handle the routine cases.¡±


    Gao-Yuan countered, ¡°I can¡¯t be here all the time. I¡¯ll need to leave for consultations elsewhere. When I¡¯m gone, the critical cases will be in your hands.¡±


    Zhao Huanzhang almost burst into tears. You, Lao Gao, go out there bragging, and I, Lao Zhao, have to clean up after you.


    Meanwhile, Shen Congyun was bustling around excitedly. He darted to and fro, occasionally peeking out the door and muttering, ¡°Why aren¡¯t they here yet?¡±If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Liu Sanquan approached and asked, ¡°Dr. Shen, what are you waiting for?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m waiting for an opportunity to serve the people!¡± Shen Congyun declared earnestly.


    Liu Sanquan turned away, shaking his head. Dr. Shen¡¯s gone mad.


    Since they were now preparing to admit critical cases, the clinic needed to be reconfigured. Previously, patients had to go home after receiving their medications, as there were no inpatient facilities. Now, however, children from across the county¡¯s townships needed not only care but also the detailed monitoring that only Western medicine could provide.


    The young men from Huo Township took charge of the heavy lifting. In this era, people had strong hands-on skills. With a little tweaking and effort, they managed to set up rows of hospital beds. They worked quickly, even carrying large oxygen tanks into place with ease.


    Still, their faces were clouded with worry.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is something troubling you?¡± Gao-Yuan asked.


    The young men exchanged glances. Wang Jinliang, the leader of the group, furrowed his brow and said, ¡°Dr. Gao, the flu just passed, and now there¡¯s this pneumonia outbreak. We don¡¯t know how things are back home. What if someone¡¯s fallen ill? We¡¯re still just learning medicine and can¡¯t do much to help, so we¡¯re stuck here worrying.¡±


    The others nodded in agreement, their concern evident. They were carrying the hopes of their entire villages and, though not fully trained, were deeply invested in their communities¡¯ well-being.


    Wang Jinliang looked toward Huo Township with a painful expression. ¡°My baby boy was just born recently. I don¡¯t even know how he¡¯s doing.¡±


    Gao-Yuan addressed them, ¡°When we were in Huo Township, I promised that it would have its own doctor. I don¡¯t make empty promises. While you may not yet be fully independent, you¡¯ve already become a great help.¡±


    Hearing this, the young men straightened their backs with renewed determination.


    Gao-Yuan continued, ¡°As before, we will send a doctor to the township. However, this time, we can only send one person because we¡¯re responsible for the county¡¯s critical cases and can¡¯t spare too many.¡±


    The young men were a bit disheartened but nodded in understanding.


    At the mention of only one doctor going to Huo Township, Shen Congyun rushed back into the room and stood firmly in front of Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan gave him a brief glance before addressing the others, ¡°Although we can only send one doctor, you will still have vital responsibilities to carry out.¡±


    The young men¡¯s spirits lifted at the mention of a mission, and they stood at attention.


    ¡°First,¡± Gao-Yuan explained, ¡°Huo Township is short on medicine. I¡¯ve already spoken with Director Qi Dongsheng of the pharmaceutical company. He¡¯ll allocate some supplies, and you will be responsible for transporting them to the township. Second, you need to survey the village for sick children, perform preliminary diagnoses, handle emergencies, and bring critical cases to the clinic.¡±


    ¡°Third, if a child doesn¡¯t recover after seven days and their condition worsens, you must bring them here for treatment immediately. Remember, you are now health workers, not ordinary villagers. The lives of these children rest on your shoulders!¡±


    Thanks to his past experiences, Gao-Yuan had focused heavily on training these men for such situations. Now they were ready to step up.


    Understanding the gravity of their mission, the young men brimmed with enthusiasm.


    Wang Jinliang exclaimed, ¡°Dr. Gao, don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll get the job done and take care of our fellow villagers. They¡¯ll be so happy to see us return with medicine and a doctor!¡±


    Their smiles were contagious.


    One of them asked, ¡°Dr. Gao, which doctor will accompany us back to the township?¡±


    Shen Congyun leaped forward, glancing around to ensure Li Shengli wasn¡¯t nearby, and shouted, ¡°Me! It has to be me!¡±


    Gao-Yuan questioned, ¡°Are you sure? Huo Township is far, the patients are numerous, and you¡¯re not young anymore. What if you can¡¯t handle it?¡±


    Shen Congyun, afraid Gao-Yuan might reject him, swore an oath. ¡°Nonsense! I¡¯ll save the children of Huo Township, even if it means skipping meals and sleep. Even if something happens to me, I won¡¯t let anything happen to those kids!¡±


    The health workers from Huo Township were deeply moved.


    Gao-Yuan smiled faintly. Last time, it had taken so much effort to ignite Shen Congyun¡¯s fighting spirit. Now, he was practically begging to go. If denied, he might even throw a tantrum.


    Both Zhao Huanzhang and Liu Sanquan were in awe.


    Gao-Yuan said, ¡°Dr. Shen, I¡¯ll entrust Huo Township¡¯s children to you.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll get the job done!¡± Shen Congyun declared, pounding his chest.


    Wang Jinliang added excitedly, ¡°Thank you, Dr. Shen. We¡¯ll set off first thing tomorrow morning!¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow?!¡± Shen Congyun scolded. ¡°Are you even from Huo Township? Your villagers are suffering, and your children are sick, yet you can sleep? We leave now, immediately!¡±


    He stormed to the door and shouted at the top of his lungs, ¡°People of Huo Township, I, Shen Congyun, have come to save you!¡±


    The health workers were moved to tears.


    Zhao Huanzhang and Liu Sanquan looked at Shen Congyun as if they¡¯d seen a ghost.

 Episode 89: A Rainy Night

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    Clinics soon became chaotic, as many of these pediatric cases rapidly progressed to critical conditions. Thankfully, the Zhangzhuang Clinic and the county hospital took the initiative to accept severely ill children, easing the pressure on other clinics.


    However, both facilities were soon inundated, with staff barely able to catch their breath.


    <hr>


    ¡°Oh my, this rain!¡± Li Shengli exclaimed as he walked into the clinic, carefully setting down an iron canister before removing his raincoat and straw cape. He shook them, splattering rainwater across the floor.


    Wiping his face with his hand, he grabbed a towel and haphazardly dried his hair and face.


    ¡°Did you bring the kerosene?¡± Miao Ran asked.


    ¡°Yes, yes,¡± Li Shengli replied, holding up the kerosene and heading inside.


    Miao Ran stopped him, saying, ¡°Dry yourself off first, and mop up the water on the floor. Hygiene is critical here. Drink some hot water to ward off the cold¡ªthis place is full of critically ill children, and we can¡¯t risk you bringing in any germs.¡±


    Li Shengli nodded repeatedly. ¡°Got it, got it. How are the kids doing?¡±


    ¡°Dr. Gao just came by and updated their prescriptions. Miss He Yu is in the back brewing medicine. If you¡¯re free, you can help her,¡± Miao Ran suggested.


    ¡°I¡¯m a doctor! How can you say I should just help out in the back? Am I just here to do odd jobs now?¡± Li Shengli grumbled.


    ¡°Well,¡± Miao Ran retorted confidently, ¡°you¡¯re not skilled in patient care, and Dr. Gao handles all the diagnoses and prescriptions. What else is there for you to do?¡±


    ¡°Hey!¡± Li Shengli protested.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Dr. Gao? I want him to settle this!¡± Li Shengli demanded, increasingly treating Gao Yuan as an authority figure, even for settling disputes.


    Miao Ran pointed outside. ¡°Dr. Gao left after taking a suction pump.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Li Shengli looked toward the door in surprise. ¡°In this downpour, at this hour? What could he possibly be doing?¡±


    ¡°Who knows,¡± Miao Ran said, picking up the kerosene canister. ¡°If you¡¯re not busy, go check for leaks in the building.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not just sitting idle!¡± Li Shengli protested, his annoyance evident.


    But Miao Ran ignored him.


    <hr>


    Meanwhile, in Zixiang Village, another stormy night unfolded.


    ¡°Xiaohui, Xiaohui! Are you awake? Get up! Come quick!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Wen Hui woke with a start, hearing her mother knocking frantically on her door.


    Her mother¡¯s anxious voice came through: ¡°Come out, quick! Xiaoyezi suddenly fainted and won¡¯t wake up!¡±Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    ¡°What?¡± Wen Hui leapt out of bed, hurriedly putting on her clothes and rushing out.


    Outside, the lamps were already lit. Her older brother and sister-in-law held their child, their faces filled with worry.


    ¡°What happened to Xiaoyezi?¡± Wen Hui asked as she approached.


    Her sister-in-law, almost in tears, explained, ¡°Xiaoyezi took her medicine earlier today but still felt awful, coughing non-stop. I stayed awake all night to keep an eye on her. Around midnight, I noticed her breathing sounded laboured, like she was gasping for air. I told your brother to light the lamp, and when we checked, she had gone limp. She¡¯s barely breathing and won¡¯t respond no matter how much we call her. Earlier, she could still answer when spoken to, but now¡ªnow she¡¯s completely unresponsive!¡±


    Her brother stood helplessly by, looking to Wen Hui for guidance.


    Wen Hui quickly examined Xiaoyezi and called her name, but there was no response. She grimly said, ¡°She¡¯s lost consciousness. We can¡¯t keep her at home anymore¡ªwe need to get her to the clinic immediately.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s pouring rain outside!¡± her mother said, glancing nervously toward the door. ¡°What if she catches a chill?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s already unconscious! Forget about catching a chill!¡± Wen Hui snapped. ¡°Wrap her up tightly, and the adults can shield her from the rain as best we can while we get her to the clinic.¡±


    Seeing Wen Hui¡¯s determination, her brother and sister-in-law nodded hurriedly.


    ¡°Dad,¡± Wen Hui instructed, ¡°go borrow a lantern from the village head¡¯s house, fill it with kerosene, and get a couple more rain hats and straw capes.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll go right away,¡± her father replied.


    ¡°Sister-in-law, find a blanket to wrap Xiaoyezi. Mom, you stay home¡ªyou¡¯ve only just recovered and shouldn¡¯t be out in this weather. We¡¯ll handle it.¡±


    After organizing everything, Wen Hui quickly changed into sturdier clothes and shoes.


    When her father returned with the supplies, the Wen family set out into the storm, braving the rain as they rushed toward the Huichun Clinic.


    <hr>


    Given the severity of the adenovirus pneumonia outbreak, the clinic was staffed even at night. The director, Tan Yun, had not dared to leave, knowing patients might arrive at any moment.


    He had been hoping for a quiet night, assuming the heavy rain would deter people from traveling. Just as he drifted off into a light sleep, loud knocking jolted him awake.


    The sound nearly sent him tumbling off the bed. He scrambled up, knowing that anyone braving the storm must be in dire need.


    ¡°Coming, coming!¡± he called out, hurrying to open the door.


    The Wen family rushed in.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to trouble you so late, Dr. Tan,¡± Wen Hui said urgently. ¡°But Xiaoyezi¡¯s condition has worsened. Please take a look!¡±


    ¡°Quick, bring the child in. I¡¯ll light the lamp,¡± Tan Yun said.


    Under the flickering lamplight, Tan Yun examined the child. His expression darkened¡ªXiaoyezi was in deep critical condition, her breathing shallow, her limbs cold, and her body temperature dropping.


    ¡°This is bad,¡± he muttered to himself. The child was on the brink of respiratory failure, and death was imminent without immediate intervention.


    ¡°How is she?¡± Wen Hui asked anxiously.


    Tan Yun hesitated before replying honestly, ¡°Her condition is too severe. I can¡¯t treat her here. The only options are the county hospital or Zhangzhuang Clinic.¡±


    ¡°Zhangzhuang?¡± the Wen family echoed.


    ¡°Yes, Dr. Gao Yuan¡¯s clinic,¡± Tan Yun explained. ¡°They specialize in integrated Chinese and Western medicine. During this outbreak, all critical cases have been sent to either the county hospital or Zhangzhuang Clinic. I¡¯ve already transferred six patients there.¡±


    The family glanced outside. The pitch-black night was punctuated only by torrential rain and the occasional crash of thunder. The lightning briefly illuminated the muddy mountain paths they would need to traverse. Even in good weather, it would take half a day to reach Zhangzhuang. How could they possibly get there in this storm?


    ¡°Dr. Tan, isn¡¯t there anything you can do here?¡± Wen Hui¡¯s brother pleaded.


    Tan Yun sighed. ¡°I¡¯ve tried for five days, but her condition has worsened. I don¡¯t have the expertise of Dr. Gao. There¡¯s nothing more I can do.¡±


    Despair filled the room. As Xiaoyezi¡¯s breathing grew weaker, her mother wept uncontrollably, calling her name.


    Wen Hui, biting her lip, grabbed a straw cape. ¡°I¡¯ll go to Zhangzhuang and bring Dr. Gao back!¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t!¡± her father protested. ¡°It¡¯s pouring rain, with thunder and lightning. How can you even get there? And why would Dr. Gao come all this way for strangers?¡±


    Her brother and sister-in-law slumped in defeat. Even relatives might balk at such a dangerous request, let alone a doctor who owed them nothing.


    But Wen Hui was resolute. She flung the clinic door open, revealing the storm raging outside. Thunder roared, and a flash of lightning illuminated the figure of a man standing in the downpour.


    For a brief moment, the lightning lit up his face.


    It was Gao Yuan!

 Episode 90: I Trust Him

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    Standing at the door, Gao-Yuan said, "The rain is heavy. Don''t go out."


    "Huh?" Wen Hui was dumbfounded, her mind completely frozen.


    "Who is it?" The Wen family looked over curiously.


    Wen''s older brother came to check and froze as soon as he saw who it was.


    Gao-Yuan stepped inside, removing his rain hat and bamboo hat.


    The entire room fell into a heavy silence.


    "You¡­ are you Cao Cao?" Tan Yun stared at Gao-Yuan in disbelief.


    Wen''s sister-in-law, holding the child, wiped her tears repeatedly, crying out, "Even if Cao Cao comes, it¡¯s no use. What we need now is Dr. Gao-Yuan."


    She had never seen Gao-Yuan before, so she didn¡¯t recognize him.


    "Dr. Gao¡­ Gao¡­ Gao-Yuan," Wen¡¯s brother stammered, his tongue tied.


    Wen¡¯s sister-in-law turned to him in surprise.


    Gao-Yuan calmly placed his rain hat aside.


    But Wen Hui noticed the mud covering the left side of his body.


    "Did he fall?" she thought, staring blankly at him. Considering the treacherous mountain paths between Zhang Village and Zi Township, especially in this storm, how could he not have fallen?


    Gao-Yuan turned to Tan Yun. "Do you have a towel? I need to dry off."


    Tan Yun, momentarily stunned, took two seconds to respond. "Oh, yes. I''ll get one."


    He hurried off.


    Meanwhile, Wen Hui cautiously asked, "Are you here to buy wine in Zi Township again?"


    Gao-Yuan avoided her gaze, instead picking up the suction device in his hand. "I came to deliver this to Dr. Tan. With so many children falling ill, he should find it useful."


    Tan Yun returned with the towel, overhearing this and freezing mid-step. He thought, Since when did Gao-Yuan and I become so close that he''d rush through a storm to deliver something like this at night?


    The Wen family glanced at the two of them, puzzled.


    Gao-Yuan took the towel and began drying himself off. Twisting slightly to ease the pain from his fall, he asked, "Why are you all at the clinic so late? Is someone sick?"


    This snapped Wen¡¯s brother back to reality. "Oh, yes, my child is sick! We were just discussing taking him to you for help!"


    "Really?" Gao-Yuan raised his eyebrows. "Is it serious? Let me take a look."


    The Wen family immediately stepped aside.


    As Gao-Yuan set the towel down, Wen Hui extended her hand.


    He glanced at her but quickly averted his eyes.


    Without a word, Wen Hui took the dirty towel from him.


    Gao-Yuan said nothing either, hurrying forward to examine the sick child.


    Tan Yun explained, "The child is a year and a half old and has had a high fever with laboured breathing for five days. Lung percussion reveals dullness, and auscultation shows crackles. It¡¯s likely extensive lung consolidation. I tried using cold, heat-clearing remedies, but they¡¯ve been ineffective."


    "Tonight, the family brought her in as an emergency. The child is deeply comatose, breathing heavily, coughing weakly, and her body temperature is dropping. I suspect she¡¯s reached critical condition, so I was considering taking her to your clinic or the county hospital."


    Gao-Yuan shook his head. "Not in this rain. You can¡¯t take the child that far."


    Tan Yun grew anxious. "What should we do then? She needs oxygen support and suction equipment urgently."Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    "Our Western medical facilities are already full. Even if you send her over, they probably won¡¯t be able to accommodate her," Gao-Yuan said bluntly.


    Hearing this, the Wen family¡¯s faces turned pale.


    Tan Yun was stunned. "Are resources that strained now?" he asked. "What do we do?"


    Gao-Yuan examined the child further. "We¡¯ll treat her with traditional Chinese medicine."


    Tan Yun frowned. "But you¡¯re the one who advocates combining Chinese and Western medicine for critical cases. You¡¯ve said before that only combined treatments maximize the chances of survival."


    The Wen family immediately looked to Gao-Yuan, desperate for hope.


    Gao-Yuan nodded. "That¡¯s correct in most cases. But there are exceptions."


    "What exceptions?" Tan Yun pressed.


    Gao-Yuan turned to him. "I¡¯m the exception."


    Tan Yun was momentarily speechless.


    Gao-Yuan continued his examination, recalling that Wen¡¯s older brother had once lost a daughter to adenovirus pneumonia. However, he didn¡¯t know the exact timing of the illness. Wen Hui had briefly mentioned it to him before, saying it was on a stormy night like this when they had rushed to Tan Yun for help, but the child hadn¡¯t made it.


    With the distance between villages and the severity of the epidemic, Gao-Yuan couldn¡¯t have known in advance. Seeing the storm tonight had triggered his memory, so he rushed to the clinic. And now, here they were.


    Thankfully, he had made it in time during this critical moment!


    The little girl¡¯s full name was Wen Xinye, given by her well-educated aunt, Wen Hui. However, her current condition was grim¡ªher face sallow, her throat clogged with phlegm, and her breathing labored. Her lower jaw trembled, and her shoulders rose and fell with each breath. Her limbs were cold to the touch.


    "What¡¯s her temperature?" Gao-Yuan asked.


    "37.8 degrees," Tan Yun replied.


    Gao-Yuan nodded slightly and checked her pulse. The child¡¯s heart rate was racing at 220 beats per minute. Her lips were dry, her tongue parched, her teeth chapped, and her tongue coating was thick, yellow, and devoid of moisture. Her pulse was thin, rapid, and weak.


    "This deep coma is due to heat collapse. The pathogen has entered the pericardium and caused obstruction, indicating the collapse of lung transformation," Gao-Yuan concluded. "Heat has trapped the pericardium, and the coma and phlegm blockage signify excessive pathogens. The thin, rapid, and weak pulse, combined with the dropping temperature, shows the body¡¯s defences are exhausted. It¡¯s a mix of excess and deficiency."


    Tan Yun, always self-aware of his limitations, accepted Gao-Yuan¡¯s judgement without question. "What should we do? Should we attack the pathogen or support the body¡¯s defences, like with that other child at the county hospital?"


    "This situation is different. If we don¡¯t eliminate the pathogen, it will grow stronger and the body weaker. If we don¡¯t support the body, it won¡¯t have the strength to fight. The best approach now is to combine both¡ªsupport and eliminate."


    Tan Yun nodded quickly. "Alright. What¡¯s the plan?"


    "Following Wu Jutong¡¯s principles: when the pathogen sinks and the pulse is weak, use Ren Shen Tang alongside An Gong Niu Huang Wan. Brew 2 qian of American ginseng as a decoction and use it to administer 1 qian of An Gong Niu Huang San. Hurry," Gao-Yuan instructed.


    "Got it." Tan Yun rushed off.


    Gao-Yuan crouched beside the child, using the suction device he had brought to clear her airway.


    The situation was dire. The thick phlegm he extracted resembled clumps of rotten flesh. Once the airway was cleared, the child¡¯s breathing improved significantly.


    The Wen family, standing nearby, clutched their chests anxiously.


    If only there was oxygen support¡ªit would help even more.


    Before long, Tan Yun returned with the decoction and powdered medicine.


    As the child was deeply comatose and had lost her swallowing reflex, Gao-Yuan inserted a feeding tube to administer the medicine nasally.


    Halfway through the treatment, the child¡¯s condition began to improve. She started coughing more easily, her skin turned rosy, and sweat appeared on her palms.


    "Is Xinye heating up again?" Wen Hui knelt to touch the child.


    Wen¡¯s sister-in-law also felt her forehead. "Why is she so hot now?"


    Everyone turned to Gao-Yuan.


    Tan Yun, too, looked to him for an explanation.


    "Take her temperature," Gao-Yuan instructed.


    Tan Yun measured it quickly. "Oh no, it¡¯s 41 degrees!"


    The Wen family panicked. Wen¡¯s sister-in-law exclaimed, "Her temperature was going down earlier! What if this high fever damages her brain?"


    "Quick, get a cold towel for her forehead!" Wen¡¯s father suggested.


    "Got it," Wen¡¯s brother said, rushing out.


    "Stop!" Gao-Yuan interrupted. "That will only suppress the pathogen. Her fever won¡¯t subside that way."


    "But she¡¯s burning up!" Wen¡¯s sister-in-law said anxiously.


    Even Tan Yun showed concern. If he were alone, he might have used a cooling remedy by now. He wanted to voice his thoughts but decided to hold back, fearing it might backfire.


    Gao-Yuan shook his head and explained in simpler terms, "The earlier drop in temperature wasn¡¯t recovery but a sign of the body¡¯s weakness¡ªtoo weak to even mount a fever. This resurgence of fever shows that the body¡¯s defences are fighting back. The higher the fever, the closer we are to a critical turning point. At this stage, forcibly reducing the fever will weaken the body¡¯s resistance and allow the pathogen to dominate, which will make things much worse."


    Everyone froze, absorbing his words.


    Tan Yun silently breathed a sigh of relief, grateful he hadn¡¯t impulsively suggested his own remedies earlier.


    Wen¡¯s father voiced his concern anxiously, "But won¡¯t such a high fever damage the child¡¯s brain?"


    Gao-Yuan replied firmly, "No, it won¡¯t. What we need to do now is support the body¡¯s vital energy to continue fighting. Boil some hot water and use it to wipe the child¡¯s body!"


    The group was stunned into silence.


    Tan Yun stared at Gao-Yuan in disbelief. What a bold approach! A fever this intense, and yet he¡¯s suggesting hot water? Truly, only someone with unparalleled expertise and confidence could dare such a thing.


    The Wen family hesitated, unsure of this unconventional advice.


    Breaking the tension, Wen Hui stepped forward and declared with determination, "I¡¯ll boil the water. I trust him!"

 Episode 91: Two Major Highlights

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    It was precisely this stubborn and determined spirit that had driven her in her past life to pursue a relationship with Gao-Yuan despite all the pressure.


    Watching her retreating figure, Gao-Yuan''s expression grew slightly dazed as memories of the past flooded his mind.


    ¡°Doctor Gao? Doctor Gao!¡± Tan Yun called out to him twice more.


    Gao-Yuan finally snapped out of his thoughts and turned to look at him.


    Tan Yun asked, ¡°What should I do now?¡±


    ¡°Pour me something warm to drink,¡± Gao-Yuan said.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Tan Yun blinked, momentarily stunned.


    ¡°Add some perilla leaves,¡± Gao-Yuan added, his body trembling slightly.


    ¡°Oh, okay.¡± Tan Yun hurried to prepare it.


    Before long, Wen Hui came in with the hot water.


    ¡°Are you sure we should use hot water to wipe him down?¡± Wen Hui¡¯s father still hesitated. Based on their old experience, when someone had a high fever like this, they would typically use cold water to wipe their forehead and neck.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Wen Hui said firmly as she soaked a towel in the hot water.


    Gao-Yuan explained, ¡°Right now, we must avoid forcibly lowering the fever or using cold measures to suppress the pathogen. Otherwise, the child could be in real danger. Using hot water to wipe him down opens the pores and helps induce sweating. Once he starts to sweat, the fever will naturally subside. This is the safest method.¡±


    Hearing Gao-Yuan¡¯s explanation, the Wen family quickly nodded in agreement.


    Gao-Yuan undid the child¡¯s clothing, and Wen Hui carefully wiped him down with the hot towel. Wen Hui¡¯s sister-in-law came over to help as well.


    After repeated applications of the warm compress, little Ye Zi began to sweat lightly, and the high fever finally started to drop.


    Seeing this, Wen Hui¡¯s father and brother heaved a sigh of relief, both nearly collapsing into their chairs from exhaustion.


    Next, Gao-Yuan had them use a nasal tube to feed the child a little rice soup. He then administered another dose of An Gong Niu Huang Wan with ginseng soup.


    By dawn, the child¡¯s consciousness gradually returned, and his condition began to stabilize.


    Upon re-examination, his body temperature was near normal. His breathing had improved significantly, and his mind was clear. Though he still coughed up some phlegm, his tongue color was better, his tongue coating had thinned, and his pulse showed improvement¡ªsmooth on the right and slightly rapid on the left. The heat obstruction had been resolved, his vital energy was recovering, and only residual pathogens remained. The treatment now shifted to nourishing yin and clearing heat.


    Gao-Yuan prepared a new prescription.


    Thus, the critically ill child who had been in a deep coma was finally out of danger!


    The rest was left to Tan Yun, who was capable of handling the follow-up care.


    The rain had finally stopped.


    Standing at the clinic¡¯s entrance, Gao-Yuan took in the fresh air after the rain. Though his body was utterly exhausted, his spirit was elated. Saving a young life and giving hope to a despairing family¡ªthis sense of accomplishment was unmatched.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    He breathed deeply, savoring the moment.


    The doctors of the Rejuvenation Clinic watched him from behind, their faces filled with admiration. Everyone had heard phrases like "divine hands that bring the dead back to life" to describe brilliant doctors, and their clinic was even named "Rejuvenation" to reflect such aspirations. Yet, for them, it had always seemed like an unattainable ideal.


    But this man standing before them had repeatedly performed miracles, truly achieving what others only dreamed of. They couldn¡¯t help but marvel at him, even questioning their own capabilities. How could there be such a vast gap between them and someone practicing medicine in the same county?


    Tan Yun looked at Gao-Yuan¡¯s silhouette, his emotions complicated. He truly lives up to being a university graduate, he thought.


    As Gao-Yuan collected himself, he realized he needed to hurry back to Zhang Village, where other patients awaited him. Turning to the doctors, he said, ¡°Everyone, it¡¯s getting late. I should head back.¡±


    Medicine was a technical profession; in the end, it all came down to skill. Faced with someone of Gao-Yuan¡¯s caliber, the doctors at the Rejuvenation Clinic couldn¡¯t help but be respectful.


    ¡°Doctor Gao, the mountain roads must still be treacherous after a night of heavy rain. Please be careful on your way,¡± Tan Yun advised.


    ¡°Will do,¡± Gao-Yuan nodded and turned to leave.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Tan Yun called after him.


    Gao-Yuan looked back.


    Tan Yun pointed at Gao-Yuan¡¯s hand. ¡°The suction device.¡±


    Looking down at the device, Gao-Yuan chuckled awkwardly. ¡°Oh, I almost forgot. You¡¯ll need this, won¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Tan Yun was dumbfounded. Wasn¡¯t Gao-Yuan¡¯s late-night trek through the storm specifically to deliver this device?


    Realizing he had spoken unnecessarily, Gao-Yuan laughed dryly, took two steps forward, and reluctantly handed the suction device to Tan Yun. ¡°Doctor Tan, here.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, thank you,¡± Tan Yun said, deeply moved. ¡°In the past, people talked about traveling thousands of miles to deliver a goose feather, a gift small in value but heavy in sentiment. Doctor Gao, you braved the storm to bring us this suction device¡ªyour kindness surpasses those ancient tales.¡±


    The doctors of the Rejuvenation Clinic were all touched.


    Gao-Yuan forced a smile. As long as you¡¯re happy, he thought.


    The Wen family emerged with the child. Seeing that Gao-Yuan was about to leave, they naturally wanted to thank him for saving the child¡¯s life. Yet, for some reason, they all turned to Wen Hui instead.


    Sensing their gaze, Gao-Yuan hastily bade farewell, not daring to linger.


    Wen Hui, however, quickly chased after him, blocking his path.


    Gao-Yuan stopped and looked at her.


    She looked back at him.


    ¡°Teacher Wen,¡± Gao-Yuan greeted.


    But Wen Hui¡¯s gaze bore into his, her emotions stirring. She suddenly felt a lump in her throat. ¡°Why is it that whenever I¡¯m at my most helpless, you always appear?¡±


    Seeing her like this, Gao-Yuan nearly lost his composure. Steeling his nerves, he replied, ¡°I¡¯m just as baffled why every time I run into you, there¡¯s always some kind of trouble waiting.¡±


    The retort left Wen Hui speechless.


    After a moment, Gao-Yuan glanced at her and said, ¡°I should go.¡±


    With that, he left.


    Wen Hui watched his retreating figure, a faint sense of loss welling up inside her.


    Wen Hui¡¯s father approached to console her. ¡°Hui, even though Doctor Gao doesn¡¯t talk much with you, he¡¯s helped our family so much. Don¡¯t take it personally.¡±


    Wen Hui looked at her father, suddenly feeling aggrieved.


    Her brother grew anxious. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Why do you look upset?¡±


    Holding the child, Wen Hui¡¯s sister-in-law glanced at the two clueless men and shook her head.


    ...


    Back in Zhang Village, Gao-Yuan had no time for wistful sighs or romantic entanglements. The moment he arrived at his clinic, he plunged back into the urgent work of treating patients.


    Two developments, however, were particularly gratifying:


    First, in the remote mountain village of Huo Township, Gao-Yuan¡¯s earlier mobilization efforts had led to the training of local health workers.


    These health workers proved invaluable during the outbreak, assisting Shen Congyun in providing timely care for all the village¡¯s sick children. Shen, too, worked tirelessly, pushing himself to the limit, often forgoing sleep. After treating each patient, he demanded letters of commendation¡ªthough few could write.


    The health workers, trained with the collective resources of their villages, demonstrated remarkable dedication. For critical cases, they even carried children on foot for a day and a night to seek Gao-Yuan¡¯s help at Zhang Village.


    These scenes left even the children¡¯s parents astonished.


    The health workers¡¯ image soared in the hearts of Huo Township¡¯s residents.


    Naturally, they were also deeply grateful to Gao-Yuan. Without him, they wouldn¡¯t have their own trained health workers.


    Second, Li Runyu finally let go of his inner burdens. He lowered his threshold for taking cases from requiring 60% confidence to 30%. This was his absolute limit; anything below 30%, he still didn¡¯t dare attempt, often calling on Gao-Yuan for assistance.


    Occasionally, a high-wheeled ox cart passed between Zhang Village and the county town. The driver, Old Wang, now habitually checked with Gao-Yuan to see if he wanted a ride to town.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Huanzhang had proven himself capable of holding down the fort in Gao-Yuan¡¯s absence.


    The two major centers for treating critically ill children in the county, staffed by the three most skilled traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, finally managed to maintain a fragile balance in this challenging situation.

 Episode 92: Doctor Han Dai

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    Wang Hanzhang nodded. ¡°Mainly, it¡¯s because we¡¯ve done exceptionally well this time. Our response was swift from the very beginning, especially with the establishment of these two centers for integrated Chinese and Western medicine. These efforts saved many critically ill children. Do you remember the child who was the younger sister of Principal Hu Xingyan¡¯s child?¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded. ¡°I remember. That was the critically ill child discharged from the city hospital, the one whose fingerprint markings extended through all three joints.¡±


    Hearing this, Wang Hanzhang was momentarily taken aback. He was good at remembering people, while Gao-Yuan remembered illnesses. Quickly regaining composure, he nodded again. ¡°Yes, exactly. It was because we saved that child that the city noticed what we¡¯ve been doing here. They asked us to submit a report, so¡­¡±


    Wang Hanzhang chuckled softly.


    Gao-Yuan understood.


    Wang Hanzhang said to him, ¡°Doctor Gao, you¡¯ll need to come with me to the city and properly present our experiences there. The higher-ups specifically mentioned your name.¡±


    Hearing this, Gao-Yuan glanced at Wang Hanzhang with gratitude. It must have been Wang who highlighted his contributions in the report.


    After briefly assessing his current situation, Gao-Yuan believed that Zhao Huanzhang and Li Runyu would be able to handle the workload while he was away. He turned to Wang Hanzhang and said, ¡°Alright.¡±


    Wang Hanzhang smiled.


    <hr>


    The meeting was set to take place at the city hospital. Besides their team, several heads of joint clinics in the city had also been invited. After reading Wang Hanzhang¡¯s report, the city leaders understood that integrating Chinese and Western medicine was key to combating diseases.


    Three people from the county were attending: Gao-Yuan, Wang Hanzhang, and Dean Li from the county hospital, who would discuss the Western medicine treatment methods.


    The trio took the train to the city and then walked to the city hospital.


    In the city hospital conference room, the doctors had already started murmuring. They knew the main presenters this time were doctors from a rural county, sharing their unique experiences in integrating Chinese medicine and grassroots hospital resources to treat severe cases.


    This combination sounded unreliable, and many city doctors found it amusing.


    <hr>


    ¡°This is the city hospital,¡± Wang Hanzhang said, introducing the location to Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan nodded slightly. In his previous life, he had visited this place a few times.


    Dean Li, meanwhile, looked quite enthusiastic. He adjusted his clothes and carefully combed his hair, ready to make a good impression.


    As they entered, the hospital lobby was filled with the cries of babies and anxious family members running back and forth.


    The trio¡¯s expressions grew serious. Even the previously excited Dean Li furrowed his brows. ¡°How¡­ how does it seem like the situation here in the city is even more tense than in our county?¡±


    Gao-Yuan scanned his surroundings and then looked at Wang Hanzhang.


    Wang Hanzhang sighed deeply. ¡°This is probably why Director Yuan Hai asked us to share our experiences as soon as possible.¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Both Gao-Yuan and Dean Li nodded in agreement.


    The trio headed upstairs. As they rounded a corner in the stairwell, they almost collided with a middle-aged man with short hair.


    ¡°Oh!¡± Everyone stepped back a few paces.


    Gao-Yuan glanced at the man, his expression briefly startled. ¡°Han¡­¡±


    The man, Han Dai, turned to look at Gao-Yuan upon hearing his voice.


    Gao-Yuan quickly corrected himself. ¡°Doctor Han, hello.¡±


    Han Dai scrutinized him and asked, ¡°And you are?¡±


    ¡°My name is Gao-Yuan. Previously, I¡­¡±


    Before Gao-Yuan could finish, Han Dai interrupted. ¡°You¡¯re Gao-Yuan?¡±


    Swallowing his unfinished words, Gao-Yuan nodded. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s me.¡±


    Han Dai asked again, ¡°Are you the one who treated the critically ill child discharged from the city hospital?¡±


    Gao-Yuan countered with a question of his own. ¡°Critically ill child discharged from the city hospital? Which one are you referring to?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Han Dai looked surprised. ¡°There¡¯s more than one?¡±


    Both Wang Hanzhang and Dean Li couldn¡¯t help but smile wryly.


    Han Dai clarified, ¡°Don¡¯t you remember? The child with adenoviral pneumonia, discharged from the city hospital in critical condition and later saved by your team. That¡¯s the case we¡¯ll focus on discussing during today¡¯s meeting.¡±


    Understanding dawned on Gao-Yuan. ¡°Yes, that child was treated by our Chinese medicine team and the county hospital doctors together.¡±


    Dean Li beamed with pride.


    Clapping his hands, Han Dai skipped over the details and grabbed Gao-Yuan, pulling him downstairs. ¡°If it¡¯s you, that¡¯s perfect. Come with me quickly; there¡¯s a patient who needs your help with a consultation.¡±


    ¡°But isn¡¯t there a meeting?¡± Wang Hanzhang called out.


    Han Dai didn¡¯t even turn around. ¡°Treating patients is more important! The meeting can wait ten minutes.¡±


    Wang Hanzhang was left speechless.


    Pulled along by Han Dai, Gao-Yuan found himself both amused and helpless. Doctor Han was as energetic as ever.


    In his past life, Gao-Yuan had taken a correspondence course in Chinese medicine, where Han Dai had been one of the instructors. Although the course lasted less than a week, Gao-Yuan had been deeply impressed by him.


    Dragging him along, Han Dai explained as they went, ¡°Here¡¯s the situation. The city hospital just admitted a child patient. Originally, the parents wanted to take the child to my clinic, but since I¡¯m here for the meeting, they brought the child here instead.


    ¡°The child¡¯s condition is quite severe, so the city hospital admitted them first. And since you¡¯re here to share your experiences in integrated Chinese and Western medicine, I thought it¡¯d be great to invite you to consult on the case. Who would¡¯ve thought I¡¯d run into you in the hallway? What a coincidence¡­¡±


    Gao-Yuan glanced at Han Dai. Another of Doctor Han¡¯s quirks was his love of talking. He could complicate even the simplest matters. His lectures were like this too¡ªhe wanted to cover everything comprehensively, which made them increasingly convoluted. Only a few students could keep up with him.


    After talking for what felt like ages, Han Dai suddenly asked, ¡°Am I being too roundabout? Did you understand what I said, or should I repeat it?¡±


    ¡°I understood,¡± Gao-Yuan quickly replied. ¡°We need to treat the patient.¡±


    Han Dai froze, blinking for two whole seconds. ¡°Such a concise summary?¡±


    Gao-Yuan smiled faintly and urged, ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go.¡±


    The two rushed to the ward, where the attending physician had already gone upstairs for the meeting, leaving only a nurse in charge.


    Han Dai approached the nurse, saying, ¡°Comrade, hello, I¡¯m Han Dai, a Chinese medicine practitioner. This child was originally supposed to come to my clinic¡­¡±


    The nurse¡¯s jaw nearly dropped.


    Interrupting, Gao-Yuan said, ¡°We¡¯re here for a consultation. Could you please share the child¡¯s examination results with us?¡±


    ¡°Of course, of course,¡± the nurse said, feeling relieved.


    Han Dai glanced at Gao-Yuan, who added, ¡°There¡¯s no need for pleasantries.¡±


    Han Dai chuckled awkwardly.


    The nurse handed over the medical record and began summarizing, ¡°Male, five months old, fever and cough for eleven days. Weight: 6.3 kilograms. Grade 1 hypoxia. Lung percussion reveals dullness; auscultation reveals crackling sounds. X-ray shows large areas of consolidation in the lungs. Blood test results: white blood cell count of 24,200 per cubic millimeter, with 68% neutrophils and 32% lymphocytes. Throat culture found Escherichia coli; throat swab isolated adenovirus type III. Diagnosis: adenoviral pneumonia complicated by heart failure.¡±


    The nurse closed the record and looked at them expectantly.


    Both Gao-Yuan and Han Dai frowned. This was a serious case.


    <hr>


    Upstairs, in the conference room:


    ¡°Director Yuan, Director Yuan,¡± Wang Hanzhang whispered at the door, trying to call the director out to explain Gao-Yuan¡¯s absence.


    Director Yuan Hai, noticing him, smiled and nodded. Then he said aloud, ¡°Now, let¡¯s warmly welcome Doctor Gao-Yuan from the distant county to share their valuable experience in treating critically ill adenoviral pneumonia patients.¡±


    Both Wang Hanzhang and Dean Li were dumbfounded.

 Episode 93: Reviving the Hopeless with the Sweating Method

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    In the hospital ward, Gao-Yuan and Han Dai exchanged a glance, their expressions equally grim.


    Han Dai asked Gao-Yuan, "I¡¯ve heard you have extensive experience treating severe adenoviral pneumonia in children. How many critical cases like this have you treated before?"


    "Too many to count," Gao-Yuan replied.


    Han Dai was taken aback. He pressed further, "What¡¯s your success rate?"


    "Two deaths," Gao-Yuan said calmly, "all the others recovered and were discharged."


    A derisive scoff escaped from a nearby nurse.


    Both men turned to look at the nurse, who folded her arms and walked away with an air of disdain, leaving Han Dai somewhat embarrassed. He hadn¡¯t expected this young doctor from the countryside to boast so brazenly.


    Gao-Yuan, for his part, was unfazed.


    ¡°Dr. Gao-Yuan, are you here?¡± A voice called out from the hallway.


    Both men turned to see a bustling group approaching, led by Director Yuan Hai himself.


    Director Yuan stepped forward and enthusiastically shook Gao-Yuan¡¯s hand. ¡°Dr. Gao-Yuan, it¡¯s a pleasure to meet you. I¡¯ve heard a lot about you from Comrade Han Zhang. He mentioned not only your outstanding medical skills but also your genuine care for the people and your willingness to serve them.¡±


    Gao-Yuan glanced over at Wang Hanzhang, who returned a faint smile.


    Gao-Yuan politely replied as he shook the director¡¯s hand, "Director Wang is too kind. I¡¯ve merely done what any doctor should do."


    Director Yuan nodded. ¡°We¡¯re all gathered upstairs, waiting for you to share your treatment insights. What brings you here to the ward?¡±


    Gao-Yuan looked past Yuan Hai to the group of doctors and specialists following him. Some were from the city hospital, while others were traditional medicine experts from private clinics. Their skeptical gazes rested on him, and he could sense their doubts.


    ¡°I believe it¡¯s more effective to combine theory with practice,¡± Gao-Yuan replied. ¡°Instead of a dry lecture, why not discuss real cases on-site? That way, everyone can see, hear, and assess firsthand.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Director Yuan raised an eyebrow.


    The group of doctors immediately understood what Gao-Yuan was implying. The young doctor intended to demonstrate his skills right before their eyes.


    They exchanged glances, their inner thoughts evident: Bold move!


    To perform in front of the city''s top experts required both skill and confidence. A misstep could invite criticism and ruin his credibility. Yet, they also knew this was the best way to prove one¡¯s abilities. In medicine, skill always spoke louder than words.


    Wang Hanzhang and Director Li felt the weight of the situation. It was a clever idea, but if it failed, the consequences would be humiliating. How could they continue the meeting or share their experiences afterward?


    Director Yuan hesitated briefly before looking to Wang Hanzhang for guidance. Seeing Wang¡¯s determined nod, Yuan decided to proceed. ¡°Very well,¡± he said to Gao-Yuan, ¡°show us what you can do. Let us know if you need any assistance.¡±Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Gao-Yuan said, turning to the child patient.


    Han Dai followed closely, ready to assist. He had no time to overthink the risks; his focus remained on helping the child.


    The patient¡¯s parents approached Han Dai anxiously, explaining their concerns, while Gao-Yuan began his diagnosis. Meanwhile, the group of doctors gathered to observe.


    The child remained feverish and sweatless, with cold extremities, labored wheezing, a hoarse voice, and obstructed phlegm. His complexion was pale, with slight cyanosis around the lips. His breathing was irregular, his tongue red and coatingless, and his pulse slippery and slightly rapid.


    After completing his examination, Gao-Yuan stood silently in thought while the doctors whispered among themselves. Despite their curiosity, no one approached him directly, choosing instead to keep their distance.


    After finishing his discussion with the parents, Han Dai walked over to Gao-Yuan and asked, ¡°Dr. Gao-Yuan, the child¡¯s condition is critical. His lungs show extensive consolidation, breathing is severely impaired, and he¡¯s experiencing heart failure. What¡¯s your treatment plan?¡±


    The room fell silent as all eyes turned to Gao-Yuan.


    After a brief pause, Gao-Yuan replied, ¡°The sweating method¡ªexpelling the pathogen by inducing sweat.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± The crowd was stunned, especially the traditional medicine practitioners.


    Han Dai looked at him in disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re going to use the sweating method?¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded firmly.


    An elderly doctor from the back spoke up, his voice skeptical. ¡°Dr. Gao-Yuan, surely you must be joking?¡±


    Gao-Yuan turned to the man and recognized him as Wan Rensheng, a renowned traditional medicine practitioner in the city. He responded, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare joke in front of you, Dr. Wan.¡±


    Wan Rensheng frowned. ¡°Then why propose the sweating method at such a critical juncture?¡±


    ¡°Because it is precisely the right time for it,¡± Gao-Yuan answered.


    Wan Rensheng leaned on his cane, scrutinizing the young doctor before glancing at his colleagues.


    One of them muttered, ¡°Perhaps this rural doctor¡¯s skills aren¡¯t up to par after all.¡±


    Wan Rensheng considered for a moment before addressing Gao-Yuan again. ¡°Young man, The Yellow Emperor¡¯s Inner Canon states, ¡®Sweating is appropriate within three days; after three days, purging is required.¡¯ This child has been ill for over 11 days and is on the brink of collapse. How can you still consider inducing sweat? Have you forgotten the teachings of the ancients?¡±


    ¡°Of course not,¡± Gao-Yuan replied. ¡°However, the three-day rule is a general guideline, meant to remind us to time our treatments appropriately. It doesn¡¯t mean every case must adhere strictly to three days. Dr. Wan, with your decades of experience, surely you don¡¯t base every prescription on that rule alone?¡±


    Wan Rensheng was momentarily taken aback, surprised by the young doctor¡¯s sharp retort.


    The room grew tense as the other doctors frowned at Gao-Yuan¡¯s audacity.


    Although displeased, Wan Rensheng replied calmly, ¡°Treatment must indeed vary with each patient. Yet, with the child¡¯s red tongue and rapid pulse indicating lung yin deficiency, how can you justify using the sweating method?¡±


    Gao-Yuan explained, ¡°Though the tongue and pulse suggest yin deficiency, the child¡¯s lack of sweat, cyanotic lips, laboured breathing, and obstructed phlegm point to wind-phlegm blocking the lungs and trapping the qi. In this case, urgent measures must be taken to expel the pathogen and open the lungs. Treat the symptoms first when time is critical.¡±


    Wan Rensheng shook his head. ¡°Young man, you are bold indeed. Knowing the child is critically ill, you still propose inducing sweat. Do you not fear making the situation worse?¡±


    Director Yuan looked to Wang Hanzhang for reassurance.


    Wang Hanzhang, accustomed to Gao-Yuan¡¯s unconventional methods, nodded confidently at the director, signalling that there was no need to worry.


    The child¡¯s parents, however, were visibly distressed.


    Facing Wan Rensheng¡¯s criticism, Gao-Yuan remained composed. ¡°Among the eight traditional treatment methods, why is the sweating method listed first? Not just because external pathogens often begin at the surface, but because inducing sweat is crucial to expelling such pathogens. As long as external symptoms persist, the sweating method remains valid¡ªeven in critical or life-threatening cases. Who dares to say it cannot revive the hopeless?¡±


    His words left the room in stunned silence.


    Han Dai exclaimed, ¡°A bold claim¡ªreviving the hopeless with the sweating method!¡±


    Wan Rensheng stared intently at Gao-Yuan. ¡°Such grand words. I¡¯ll be watching closely to see how you perform this miracle.¡±


    Knowing further debate was pointless, Gao-Yuan turned to the assistant and said, ¡°Prepare the prescription!¡±

 Episode 94: The Balance of Forces

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    Han Dai peered over his shoulder, his voice breaking the tension. ¡°Ah, I see. A focus on expelling wind and ventilating the lungs. He''s restrained with the sweating method, though. Look here, the first herb¡ªstiff silkworm. Its primary function is to dispel wind...¡±


    Those familiar with Han Dai had already averted their gazes, knowing this monologue all too well. The less acquainted physicians, however, remained courteous, listening to his meandering analysis with strained attention. The more he spoke, the more esoteric he seemed, leaving them awash in confusion but impressed by his apparent depth of knowledge.


    Seeing that Gao-Yuan hadn¡¯t gone completely rogue, Elder Wan¡¯s stern expression softened¡ªif only slightly.


    With the prescription dispatched, Director Yuan Hai clapped his hands lightly. ¡°Well, let¡¯s not crowd the child. Let him rest. Meanwhile, we can resume our meeting. Dr. Gao, this is an opportune moment for you to share your experiences.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes,¡± President Li interjected hastily, his anxiety palpable. Any chance to preemptively salvage the situation was a godsend.


    Gao-Yuan nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s move to the conference room.¡±


    As the group filed out, Han Dai blinked, realizing mid-analysis that his audience had vanished.


    <hr>


    In the conference room, Gao-Yuan began, his tone measured yet firm. ¡°Based on our detailed records and analysis of the cases, it is clear that the locus of this illness lies in the lungs. However, as the disease progresses, it manifests differently¡ªshifting between internal and external, cold and heat, deficiency and excess. Each stage demands a tailored approach; there is no one-size-fits-all prescription.¡±


    Elder Wan¡¯s eyebrows twitched slightly, the faintest sign of unease.


    ¡°Humans are an interconnected whole,¡± Gao-Yuan continued. ¡°Meridians link, qi and blood flow as one. When one organ falls ill, it inevitably affects others, creating a domino effect. Our analysis reveals that this illness generally follows a seven-day cycle.¡±


    He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle. ¡°In the first seven days, the condition is predominantly excess¡ªabundant qi, virulent pathogens. At this stage, the body¡¯s righteous energy is strong, and expelling the pathogen is the priority. Proper treatment here can prevent further deterioration. Beyond the seven days, as the righteous energy wanes, patterns of deficiency-excess emerge, necessitating a strategy of bolstering the body while expelling the remnants of the pathogen.¡±


    The room turned collectively toward Elder Wan. Everyone recalled how staunchly he had opposed Gao-Yuan¡¯s earlier sweating method, advocating instead for fortifying the patient¡¯s vital energy. Now, it seemed Gao-Yuan had pivoted to align with Wan¡¯s approach.


    Elder Wan tilted his head, scrutinizing Gao-Yuan. ¡°Have you changed your mind?¡±


    Gao-Yuan shook his head. ¡°Another key insight we''ve gained is that while the seven-day cycle provides a useful framework, it must not become a rigid doctrine.¡±


    Elder Wan¡¯s face darkened as he turned away, muttering under his breath. This insolent young man had baited him into a cough of exasperation.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Some chuckled awkwardly; others remained bewildered.


    Han Dai nodded approvingly from the sidelines. There was a wry grin on his face as if seeing a reflection of his own penchant for rhetorical finesse.


    <hr>


    Gao-Yuan¡¯s words, however, fell on distracted ears. The city doctors, seated with an innate sense of superiority, dismissed the rural practitioner as little more than an overambitious villager.


    Realizing he lacked their attention, Gao-Yuan abruptly closed his mouth.


    Director Yuan Hai frowned, displeased.


    President Li shifted uneasily in his seat.


    Gao-Yuan glanced at his watch and broke the silence. ¡°The child should have had enough time for the first dose to take effect. Let me check on him.¡±


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Yuan Hai said, glad for the excuse to leave.


    <hr>


    Downstairs, the child showed no signs of improvement.


    A ripple of skepticism swept through the group. Even Han Dai appeared puzzled.


    Elder Wan chuckled faintly and shook his head. ¡°Well, at least no harm has been done. If he''d gone overboard with sweating, it could¡¯ve been disastrous. At least this way, we avoided any major mishap.¡±


    The derision in his tone was subtle but unmistakable.


    President Li wanted to disappear into the walls, his embarrassment palpable. How had Gao-Yuan miscalculated?


    Director Yuan Hai¡¯s eyes narrowed. The glowing reports from the county had painted Gao-Yuan as a medical prodigy. Now, he seemed... ordinary. He shot a glance at Wang Hanzhang.


    Under the weight of the director¡¯s scrutiny, Wang felt his composure slipping. He hurried to Gao-Yuan¡¯s side. ¡°Dr. Gao, what¡¯s going on? Why isn¡¯t there any effect?¡±


    Gao-Yuan remained calm. ¡°It¡¯s too early to draw conclusions. Let¡¯s administer another dose.¡±


    Elder Wan merely sighed and shook his head again.


    <hr>


    Even after the second dose, there was no significant improvement.


    Elder Wan exhaled heavily. ¡°This result, disappointing as it is, could have been worse. At least we avoided exacerbating the condition. Sometimes, inaction is a form of caution.¡±


    The other doctors nodded, their smirks barely concealed.


    Gao-Yuan inspected the child again. No sweat. No worsening symptoms. But the child¡¯s limbs were warmer. A flicker of realization crossed his face. ¡°It¡¯s time to adjust the prescription,¡± he announced.


    ¡°What adjustment?¡± Wang asked eagerly.


    ¡°Shooting Star Decoction, with modifications,¡± Gao-Yuan replied.


    Elder Wan¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Shooting Star Decoction? Are you seriously using ephedra to induce sweating? The child didn¡¯t sweat with scallion stalks, and now you¡¯re escalating?¡±


    ¡°I understand your concerns, Elder Wan,¡± Gao-Yuan said, his tone firm. ¡°I hesitated at first too. That¡¯s why I started cautiously, using ventilating herbs. Two doses have passed with no harm, and the child¡¯s limbs are warming¡ªa sign that the body¡¯s energy is responding. The problem is the exterior remains closed. To truly dispel the pathogen, I must boldly open the door. Sweat may seem damaging to the lungs, but in reality, it preserves the yin by clearing the exterior.¡±


    The boldness of Gao-Yuan¡¯s reasoning stunned the room into silence.


    He met their gazes, his voice resolute. ¡°I¡¯ll say it again: the sweating method can save lives in critical moments. When the body is at the brink, expelling the pathogen can restore balance. Even in the face of danger, one must act decisively.¡±


    The crowd gawked at him, bewildered by his audacity.


    Wang exhaled deeply, wiping the sweat from his brow. For a moment, he¡¯d feared disaster.


    President Li, who moments earlier wished to vanish, now stood upright, his confidence inexplicably restored.


    The city doctors, observing the rural team¡¯s renewed vigor, exchanged incredulous looks.


    Elder Wan shook his head, muttering, ¡°In fifty years of practice, I¡¯ve never seen someone attempt sweating in a case of yin deficiency with ephedra. If this works, I might as well...¡±


    Wang quickly interrupted him. ¡°Elder Wan, please, don¡¯t say anything rash.¡±


    Wan frowned. ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± Wang hesitated, ¡°let¡¯s just say, our county¡¯s last fifty-year practitioner hasn¡¯t quite recovered from a similar incident...¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Before Wan could probe further, Gao-Yuan cut in. ¡°The child is in danger. Let¡¯s focus.¡±


    Wan grumbled but stepped aside.


    ¡°Administer the new prescription immediately,¡± Gao-Yuan commanded.


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± President Li bellowed, his voice unexpectedly forceful. He blinked, surprised by how satisfying it felt.

 Episode 95: Demonstrating in Person

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    Even Director Yuan Hai couldn¡¯t figure out where Gao-Yuan¡¯s confidence came from. Yet, seeing the young doctor so assured, and observing the calm and collected expressions of the county medical staff, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a sliver of trust.


    Recalling the report submitted by Wang Hanzhang, Director Yuan finally said, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I think we should give Dr. Gao another try. What do you all think?¡±


    The others, however, shook their heads in disapproval.


    Seeing this, Director Yuan decided not to ask further and instead turned directly to Gao-Yuan, ¡°Are you sure about this?¡±


    Gao-Yuan smiled faintly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± Yuan Hai nodded, granting approval.


    Gao-Yuan immediately drafted a new prescription.


    Old Dr. Wan, however, remained skeptical. ¡°We¡¯ve always advocated integrating traditional Chinese medicine with Western medicine. But let¡¯s hope this doesn¡¯t end in chaos, with the Western doctors stepping in to rescue the situation.¡±


    Passing the prescription to a nurse, Gao-Yuan calmly replied, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. When it comes to saving lives, I know a thing or two as well.¡±


    Dr. Wan frowned deeply. This young man spoke with such brazenness¡ªas if he knew everything.


    Unbothered by Wan¡¯s attitude, Gao-Yuan proceeded with the treatment.


    The medicine was prepared, boiled, and administered.


    Gao-Yuan stayed by the patient¡¯s bedside, closely monitoring their condition. None of the other doctors left either; they were all eager to see if the critical extraction of sweat¡ªa key part of the treatment¡ªwould cause any complications.


    Even Director Yuan felt a growing sense of unease. Gao-Yuan¡¯s experience was crucial to the city¡¯s battle against pneumonia. If his methods proved ineffective, it would discredit Wang Hanzhang¡¯s entire report and become a significant issue.


    More importantly, the city was facing a severe outbreak, with numerous children¡¯s conditions worsening daily. The mounting pressure was unbearable. If Gao-Yuan¡¯s approach failed, it would mean the entire crisis had no viable solution.


    Unable to sit still, Director Yuan paced back and forth, longing for a cigarette to calm his nerves. But surrounded by children with pneumonia, smoking was out of the question.


    After several laps around the room without any noticeable changes in the patient, he finally headed to the courtyard on the ground floor. Finding a secluded corner, he crouched down and lit a cigarette in frustration.


    ¡°Director Yuan, mind sharing one with me?¡±


    Startled, Yuan Hai looked up to see Wang Hanzhang standing there. Annoyed, he pulled out his pack of cigarettes and tossed it to him.


    Wang Hanzhang took one, lit it, and puffed leisurely.


    Seeing Wang¡¯s relaxed demeanor, Yuan Hai couldn¡¯t help but snap, ¡°You grassroots fellows always like to exaggerate in your reports. Be honest with me¡ªhow much of that report you submitted is exaggerated?¡±


    Wang Hanzhang chuckled, ¡°Director Yuan, that¡¯s unfair. Every word in my report is accurate and backed by evidence.¡±


    Yuan Hai scrutinized him for a moment before nodding. ¡°Alright then. But what¡¯s your take on the city¡¯s traditional medicine experts opposing Dr. Gao¡¯s plan?¡±


    Wang Hanzhang replied bluntly, ¡°What¡¯s there to say? If they were truly capable, you wouldn¡¯t have needed to rush us here from the county. If they all agreed with Dr. Gao¡¯s prescription, now that would be strange.¡±


    Yuan Hai was momentarily stunned but had to admit there was some truth to Wang¡¯s words.


    He sighed, ¡°You¡¯re aware of the challenges we¡¯re facing. Tell me honestly¡ªcan that child upstairs be saved?¡±


    Wang Hanzhang took a drag from his cigarette and said, ¡°Why not go see for yourself?¡±


    Confused, Yuan Hai asked, ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Wang casually shrugged. ¡°The child¡¯s fever has already subsided, and his breathing has stabilized. If you want to know if he can be saved, just go take a look yourself.¡±The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°What?¡± Yuan Hai exclaimed, stunned. Losing his composure, he tossed his matchbox at Wang. ¡°You did that on purpose, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    Wang Hanzhang laughed but didn¡¯t deny it.


    Without wasting another second, Yuan Hai hurried back upstairs. Outside the ward, he found a group of doctors standing around, their expressions a mix of disbelief and intrigue.


    Old Dr. Wan looked troubled, while Gao-Yuan appeared calm and collected. Hospital Director Li could only shake his head repeatedly.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Yuan Hai asked, perplexed by their reactions.


    Director Li glanced at Wan, then sighed, ¡°Why did you have to provoke him?¡±


    Dr. Wan¡¯s expression darkened further. For the first time, he empathized with the struggles of his counterparts in remote counties.


    Seeing no one willing to explain, Yuan Hai decided to enter the ward himself.


    Gao-Yuan tried to stop him but couldn¡¯t match Yuan¡¯s speed.


    ¡°Ah!¡± A startled scream came from inside the ward.


    Yuan Hai quickly retreated, his face flushed with embarrassment. He hadn¡¯t expected the child¡¯s mother to be breastfeeding.


    Gao-Yuan chuckled, ¡°I wanted to stop you, but my mouth wasn¡¯t as quick as your feet.¡±


    Still flustered, Yuan Hai asked anxiously, ¡°How¡¯s the child?¡±


    Gao-Yuan replied calmly, ¡°After taking the medication, the child broke out in a full-body sweat, and all symptoms have subsided.¡±


    Hearing this, Director Li glanced at Dr. Wan, recalling how the latter had been visibly moved when the child first started sweating.


    ¡°Wonderful!¡± Yuan Hai clapped his hands in excitement. With Gao-Yuan¡¯s methods validated, the crisis could finally be addressed. His admiration for Gao-Yuan was evident as he exclaimed, ¡°Dr. Gao, you truly are bold and brilliant. This method of inducing sweat is remarkable!¡±


    Gao-Yuan only smiled in response.


    Even Zhu, the hospital¡¯s internal medicine chief, was much more respectful now. ¡°Dr. Gao, your medical skills are truly impressive. Witnessing your approach today has been eye-opening. I¡¯m particularly intrigued by your emphasis on integrating traditional and Western medicine.¡±


    Yuan Hai cast a sidelong glance at Zhu. This was the same man who had left the earlier meeting early, now suddenly professing interest.


    Unfazed, Gao-Yuan replied, ¡°Indeed, integrating traditional and Western medicine can yield excellent results. We¡¯ve already seen this proven in the county.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Zhu raised an eyebrow, intrigued. ¡°How exactly should this integration work?¡±


    "Western medicine provides various life-support treatments, such as suctioning phlegm and administering oxygen. Traditional Chinese medicine, on the other hand, analyzes and diagnoses based on the patient''s specific condition and ultimately cures the disease," Gao-Yuan explained.


    Hearing this, the hospital staff from the city frowned. Director Zhu questioned, "So, according to Dr. Gao, we''re just assisting you?"


    Gao-Yuan quickly clarified, "Of course not. Without your life-support measures and various treatments, it would be difficult for us to buy time for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. You are our strongest support."


    Director Zhu waved dismissively. "So, in the end, we''re just the logistics team, right?"


    Gao-Yuan was momentarily at a loss for words.


    Initially, the traditional Chinese medicine practitioners also harbored some dissatisfaction toward Gao-Yuan. However, upon hearing his response, they all displayed amused expressions instead.


    Observing the two groups, Gao-Yuan realized that the tension between traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine in the city was just as complicated as it was in the county.


    In the county, he had managed to suppress conflicts through his exceptional medical skills, strong personal charisma, and persistent efforts, barely smoothing things over before the adenovirus pneumonia outbreak. He hadn''t expected to face a similar situation in the city.


    Director Yuan Hai voiced his dissatisfaction. "What kind of talk is this? ''Assisting'' and ''being assisted''¡ªaren¡¯t we all here to serve the people? If none of you want to assist, I''ll do it myself. Whether it''s wiping tables, sweeping floors, preparing medicine, or boiling it, just give the word, and I''ll handle it."


    Yuan Hai¡¯s remark silenced everyone.


    Yet, judging by their expressions, it was clear that the underlying tensions remained sharp. When actual collaboration began, these conflicts would likely erupt, potentially delaying treatment and saving lives.


    One of the traditional Chinese medicine practitioners interjected, "When it comes to pneumonia, your methods are just the same three moves: oxygen therapy, suctioning, and antibiotics. But your antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, so of course, you can only assist."


    This comment was like throwing a grenade into the room.


    Immediately, the two groups began quarreling.


    Even Yuan Hai was momentarily stunned.


    Seeing the conflict erupt, Gao-Yuan realized he didn¡¯t have the time to manage it diplomatically. He decided to take a more aggressive approach. Raising his voice, he declared, "Enough! Stop arguing! Will arguing bring the critically ill children back to life?"


    Intimidated by Gao-Yuan''s commanding presence, the room fell into a brief silence, though angry glares continued to be exchanged.


    Surveying the crowd, Gao-Yuan felt his frustration boil over. What kind of dedication did these people have?


    He said, "Isn¡¯t everyone here to see how we save critically ill children? Aren¡¯t you all skeptical of our methods? Well, everyone¡¯s here now, but arguing won¡¯t solve anything."


    "You don¡¯t want to assist, right? You want to determine who¡¯s better, right? You think you''re all exceptional, don¡¯t you? Fine. If you don¡¯t want to collaborate, then step forward and save a child on your own. Use your method, revive the child, and let their parents walk out of this hospital, full of gratitude and joy!"


    The room fell into silence.


    If they had such abilities, this meeting wouldn¡¯t even be necessary.


    Director Yuan Hai looked at Gao-Yuan in amazement. He suddenly realized that Gao-Yuan¡¯s skills extended beyond medicine¡ªhis words were equally sharp.


    Seeing their reactions, Gao-Yuan continued, "If you can¡¯t do that, then open your eyes wide and watch how I do it. I¡¯ll demonstrate how traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine can work together to save a child. Now, bring me the most critical, most difficult cases you have¡ªthose you think are beyond saving!"


    The room fell completely silent.


    Even Old Wan was momentarily stunned. Suddenly, he felt that Gao-Yuan¡¯s earlier attitude toward him had actually been rather polite.

 Episode 96: Why Are You Still Seeking Patients?

The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Director Zhu was taken aback. "Why are you still asking for more patients?"

 Episode 97: Here We Are

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    <div>

 Episode 98: Just a Little Bit

    <div>


    This young patient held great significance; he was the first case of integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment at the city hospital.


    If this critically ill child could recover, they could replicate Gao-Yuan¡¯s methods for future cases. The road ahead would become much simpler, with far less resistance.


    Director Yuan Hai was under immense pressure.


    On the contrary, Gao-Yuan, sitting at the heart of the storm, appeared completely at ease.


    After two doses of medicine, the child remained feverish and comatose, breathing heavily and rapidly.


    Seeing that there was no obvious improvement, Director Yuan Hai felt as though his own breathing was becoming labored. He even began to suspect he was falling ill himself.


    Director Zhu looked at Gao-Yuan.


    The other doctors also turned to Gao-Yuan.


    This time, however, no one dared to question or mock him.


    Gao-Yuan stepped forward to check on the child. Although the main symptoms hadn¡¯t improved significantly, the child¡¯s skin was slightly moist, and the convulsions had lessened. The tongue was still red, but the coating had turned faintly yellow, and the pulse remained floating and rapid.


    ¡°How is it?¡± Han Dai asked succinctly, clearly affected by the tense atmosphere.


    Gao-Yuan said, ¡°Remove Platycodon and scallion from the original formula. Add one mace of Uncaria to extinguish wind, one mace of radish seed, and eight candareens of stir-fried perilla seed to lower Qi. Let¡¯s try another dose.¡±


    Director Yuan immediately ordered someone to prepare the medicine.


    By now, it was already late into the night. Whether the child¡¯s condition would improve would only become clear by the following morning.


    One by one, the others left.


    On the way back, everyone discussed Gao-Yuan. This country doctor who had appeared out of nowhere was a hot topic.


    Director Yuan Hai walked up to Gao-Yuan, wanting to say something¡ªto ask questions or to encourage him¡ªbut after a long pause, he could only manage two words: ¡°Keep going.¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded deeply.


    Once most people had left, Dean Li and Wang Hanzhang approached Gao-Yuan. The three exchanged glances, and then they all shook their heads and laughed.


    While the city staff were anxious to their limits, they themselves knew that patients transferred to their county hospital had often been in far worse condition than this. And yet, they had saved them all. Compared to those cases, this was nothing.


    Dean Li said, ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to seeing their reactions tomorrow.¡±


    Wang Hanzhang pointed at him but couldn¡¯t help laughing too.


    <hr>


    The next day, the same group of Chinese medicine doctors gathered at the city hospital again. Before even entering, they were already discussing.


    ¡°Elder Wan, what do you think?¡±


    Everyone looked at Elder Wan.


    Elder Wan tapped his cane against the ground with some resignation. ¡°Do I even have the qualifications to say anything anymore?¡±


    The group couldn¡¯t help feeling embarrassed on his behalf. Elder Wan¡¯s lifetime reputation had taken quite the hit at the hands of Gao-Yuan.


    Han Dai pushed them, ¡°Stop standing around at the door. Just go up and see what¡¯s going on.¡±You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    With that, everyone moved inside.


    At the ward¡¯s entrance, quite a crowd had already gathered. Several city hospital medical staff were waiting there as well. Director Yuan Hai had arrived early and nodded when he saw the group approaching.


    Han Dai, as carefree as ever, rushed over and asked, ¡°Director, how is the situation?¡±


    Director Yuan replied, ¡°They¡¯re still examining him inside.¡±


    Han Dai glanced back at the Chinese medicine doctors.


    Just then, the door to the ward opened.


    Gao-Yuan and Director Zhu walked out, followed by the child¡¯s family, who were all smiling.


    The expressions on the family members¡¯ faces sent everyone¡¯s hearts plummeting.


    Gao-Yuan looked at the crowd, then at Director Zhu with a questioning glance.


    Director Zhu shook his head and gestured to Gao-Yuan, signalling for him to deliver the news.


    Gao-Yuan nodded and said to everyone, ¡°The child¡¯s fever is gone, his breathing has stabilised, and he is conscious.¡±


    These simple words swept the crowd like a tidal wave.


    Another critically ill child had been saved¡ªanother one! They couldn¡¯t help but think back to their own experiences treating similar cases, where they had been left frustrated and overwhelmed, often unable to save the patient.


    Yet Gao-Yuan handled these cases as though it were child¡¯s play. Not even a full day had passed, and the child had already turned the corner.


    This was simply incredible.


    Everyone was stunned.


    Elder Wan¡¯s expression darkened and lightened in turns. He was glad he hadn¡¯t argued with Gao-Yuan yesterday about whether the illness had entered the heart layer.


    Because, judging by today¡¯s result, Gao-Yuan had been right. If he had stubbornly insisted yesterday, he would have embarrassed himself again today.


    Elder Wan felt utterly defeated. From his initial disdain to his continued questioning and now to his awe, he hadn¡¯t realised how much his view of this young doctor from the countryside had changed. Step by step, Gao-Yuan¡¯s exceptional skills had elevated him above them all.


    He remembered Dean Li¡¯s advice: Why had he picked a fight with this young man?


    Elder Wan deeply regretted it. He¡¯d embarrassed himself repeatedly and gained nothing.


    As Elder Wan shook his head, he suddenly realised Gao-Yuan was standing in front of him.


    Elder Wan instinctively stepped back, frowning. ¡°What are you trying to do? Are you here to mock me?¡±


    The other Chinese medicine doctors frowned as well.


    Han Dai was about to advise Gao-Yuan to be magnanimous when, unexpectedly, Gao-Yuan said, ¡°Elder Wan, I¡¯d like to ask for your help.¡±


    Elder Wan was puzzled. ¡°My help?¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded. ¡°The child¡¯s recovery so far has been fortunate. But the follow-up treatment is crucial¡ªit will determine whether the child fully recovers. I would very much appreciate your participation and advice. After all, the experience of senior experts like you is something we younger doctors cannot compare to.¡±


    These words left everyone stunned.


    Elder Wan looked Gao-Yuan up and down, surprised. ¡°You¡­ what do you mean?¡±


    Gao-Yuan glanced at Han Dai. Had he picked up Han Dai¡¯s bad habit of talking in circles? He asked, ¡°Did I not make myself clear?¡±


    Elder Wan couldn¡¯t believe it. ¡°You want to invite me to participate in the treatment?¡±


    Gao-Yuan shook his head. ¡°I want you to oversee it.¡±


    Elder Wan was truly shocked now. Gao-Yuan clearly held the upper hand, yet instead of mocking him, he humbly invited him to take charge. This, despite Elder Wan having questioned and belittled him so many times before!


    Director Yuan Hai was equally surprised.


    Wang Hanzhang whispered to Yuan Hai, ¡°Do you feel like your job is being taken over? Like your role could be replaced?¡±


    Director Yuan turned to look at Wang Hanzhang.


    Wang Hanzhang smiled bitterly. He had been a ¡°victim¡± of Gao-Yuan¡¯s skills before too.


    Director Yuan couldn¡¯t help but smile bitterly as well.


    Elder Wan was moved by Gao-Yuan¡¯s humility and magnanimity. He said, ¡°Doctor Gao, I¡­ I am deeply ashamed but also full of admiration!¡±


    Gao-Yuan looked at Elder Wan, then at Director Zhu, and said earnestly, ¡°For the children.¡±


    Director Zhu nodded solemnly. ¡°For the children!¡±


    Elder Wan straightened up, leaning on his cane. ¡°For the children!¡±


    Director Yuan Hai applauded them. The city¡¯s crisis finally had a solution.


    Wang Hanzhang smiled. With Gao-Yuan involved, all problems could eventually be solved.


    Director Yuan Hai, deeply comforted, said, ¡°It is truly wonderful to see you all working together. On behalf of all the sick children in the city, I thank you.¡±


    Director Zhu, after a night of contemplation, had gained clarity. He said, ¡°Dr. Gao is right. We should each leverage our strengths. Take that child with adenoviral pneumonia who had been sick for over twenty days¡ªwe tried everything and couldn¡¯t help him, but Dr. Gao managed it with just two doses of medicine. We have to admit the advantages of Chinese medicine. At the same time, when it comes to patients requiring life support or emergency care, that is where we have the edge.¡±


    Elder Wan turned to Gao-Yuan and asked, ¡°Dr. Gao, yesterday you mentioned that you know a little about emergency medicine as well?¡±


    Director Zhu looked over curiously.


    Gao-Yuan waved his hand modestly. ¡°It¡¯s really just a little¡ªnothing worth mentioning.¡±


    Director Zhu joked, ¡°I was hoping for an opportunity to witness it firsthand.¡±


    Gao-Yuan quickly replied, ¡°Please, no! If I end up making a fool of myself, I¡¯ll have no face left to show in the city.¡±


    The group burst into laughter.


    Wang Hanzhang and Dean Li exchanged a knowing glance.


    Director Zhu shook his head with a chuckle.


    Just then, a sudden, frantic cry echoed from downstairs: ¡°Help! Doctor, help us!¡±

 Episode 99: Clenched Claw Madness

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    The moment they heard cries for help downstairs, Director Zhu wasted no time. ¡°Excuse me,¡± he said, hurrying toward the commotion, ¡°I¡¯ll go check the situation.¡±


    The other traditional medicine practitioners looked at one another, startled. None of them had anticipated a sudden medical emergency.


    ¡°Gao¡ª¡± Elder Wan began to call out to Gao Yuan, but before he could finish, he saw Gao Yuan already bolting out the door, taking the stairs two steps at a time as he dashed downstairs.


    Everyone froze, momentarily stunned.


    This starkly revealed the difference between urban and rural traditional doctors. In the city, medical resources were abundant, with modern hospitals rapidly expanding, while traditional medicine clinics had gradually been consolidated and pushed to the margins. Consequently, emergencies were almost always taken to hospitals, leaving traditional doctors far removed from critical care scenarios. As such, even when faced with an emergency, they hesitated, almost instinctively deferring to the modern system.


    Gao Yuan, however, was cut from a different cloth. Growing up as a rural doctor, he had no choice but to treat every illness, face every crisis, and develop the instinct to act without hesitation. So, without a second thought, he ran straight to the scene.


    The others upstairs still weren¡¯t sure what was happening.


    One practitioner asked with a faint smirk, ¡°Did Doctor Gao just run off? Or is he going downstairs to show off his ¡®little bit¡¯?¡±


    Elder Wan scratched his head, puzzled. Wasn¡¯t everyone just joking earlier? Why was this young man taking it so seriously? But then he remembered Gao Yuan¡¯s earlier words: ¡°I never joke about my work.¡± Still unsure of Gao Yuan¡¯s intentions, Elder Wan said, ¡°Well, let¡¯s head down and see for ourselves.¡±


    With that, the group finally moved, hurrying downstairs.


    By the time they reached the first floor, Gao Yuan was already with Director Zhu in the hospital lobby. This particular city hospital lacked a dedicated emergency department, so on-duty physicians handled preliminary diagnoses. In critical cases, they stabilized the patient and summoned specialists for further treatment.


    Gao Yuan and Director Zhu rushed into the bustling lobby and immediately spotted the commotion¡ªa man was clutching a woman tightly around the waist, desperately trying to keep her from collapsing. The woman¡¯s body convulsed violently, her movements jerking uncontrollably as though she were adrift on a storm-tossed raft. Her face was contorted in terror, and foam streamed from her mouth.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Director Zhu called out from a distance.


    A nurse, waving frantically, called back, ¡°Director Zhu, come quickly! This patient is behaving very strangely.¡±


    Director Zhu strode closer and saw the woman still writhing uncontrollably. He gently placed his hands on her head to steady her, but when he looked into her eyes, he found them twisted askew, as though she couldn¡¯t focus on anything properly.


    Seeing the situation worsening, Director Zhu shouted, ¡°I need two people over here! Help me move her inside and prepare a sedative¡ªquickly!¡±


    Several young medical staff rushed forward, and together they wrestled the convulsing woman into a nearby consultation room. The woman¡¯s husband finally loosened his grip, slumping to the side, visibly drained, and gasping for breath.


    Inside the consultation room, the chaos continued. The woman¡¯s limbs twisted uncontrollably¡ªher fingers clamped into a claw-like position, her calves cramping and spasming violently. Even lying down proved futile, as she thrashed restlessly, unable to settle. It took all the staff¡¯s effort to position her securely on the examination bed.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°Clenched Claw Madness?¡± Gao Yuan murmured, his eyes narrowing as he observed her hands. He stepped forward, carefully assessing the woman¡¯s condition.


    The other traditional doctors filed into the room, taken aback by the bizarre and terrifying spectacle. Their gazes shifted to Gao Yuan, who was already examining the patient with a calm, methodical focus. Their bewilderment turned to confusion.


    ¡°Is he trying to save face?¡± Elder Wan muttered under his breath.


    Director Zhu, meanwhile, turned to the patient¡¯s husband. ¡°What happened? How did she get like this?¡±


    The man, his face etched with panic, stammered, ¡°We argued this morning¡ªnothing serious! But she got really angry. Then¡­ then she said she felt like something was ¡®shrinking inside her.¡¯ She said her chest felt tight, and¡­ and down there too. I thought she was just exaggerating, but before I could say anything, she fainted!¡±


    ¡°Shrinking Syndrome?¡± Dr. Han murmured, exchanging glances with the others.


    The other doctors were equally surprised. Shrinking Yang Syndrome was known to occur in men, but Shrinking Yin Syndrome? That was nearly unheard of.


    Director Zhu pressed on, frowning. ¡°And then what?¡±


    The husband, wringing his hands anxiously, said, ¡°I helped her to bed, thinking she just needed to rest. But when she woke up, she was like this¡ªconvulsing, delirious, like she¡¯d been possessed. Her face¡ªit was terrifying! You saw it yourselves!¡±


    Director Zhu nodded gravely. ¡°I see.¡±


    The man¡¯s voice quivered as he asked, ¡°Doctor, what¡¯s wrong with her? What happened?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s suffering from hysteria,¡± Director Zhu replied. ¡°Where¡¯s the sedative?¡±


    ¡°Here!¡± A nurse hurried forward with a syringe, looking at Gao Yuan, who was crouched beside the patient. ¡°Doctor, excuse me¡ªI need to administer this injection.¡±


    Director Zhu gestured toward Gao Yuan apologetically. ¡°Sorry, Doctor Gao, we need the space. Please step aside for now so we can stabilize her.¡±


    Gao Yuan stood up, wordlessly yielding his position as the nurse administered the sedative.


    Elder Wan, watching from the side, asked, ¡°Doctor Gao, were you really planning to intervene?¡±


    Gao Yuan simply shook his head, offering no explanation.


    The others exchanged amused looks, recalling his earlier remark about knowing ¡°just a little.¡± They couldn¡¯t help but smirk.


    After the sedative was administered, the woman¡¯s violent convulsions gradually subsided. Her husband, standing nervously nearby, turned to Director Zhu. ¡°Doctor, will this make her better?¡±


    Director Zhu reassured him, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. The sedative will calm her down. Once she¡¯s stabilized, we¡¯ll develop a proper treatment plan.¡±


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    The patient¡¯s husband finally nodded and turned to look at his wife. Seeing that she had finally quieted down, he let out a small, relieved sigh.


    Gao-Yuan, however, was still in the middle of his diagnosis. His expression remained grave as he observed the woman. Sweat streamed down her face, her expression still locked in a look of terror, and her complexion had turned ashen-grey. She swayed with dizziness, occasionally vomiting frothy saliva. When she opened her eyes, her vision split into two, unable to focus.


    Gao-Yuan carefully felt her limbs again and found them ice-cold, her breath faint and chilling, her lips and tongue tinged with a dark purplish-blue.


    The patient¡¯s husband, watching the young doctor still checking the pulse, looked puzzled and turned to Director Zhu. ¡°What is he¡­doing now?¡±


    Director Zhu, ever composed and confident, offered a measured response. ¡°This doctor is an expert in traditional Chinese medicine. During the emergency, we prioritized rescue efforts, which is why Dr. Gao stepped aside to let us administer the sedative. Now that the emergency has passed, Dr. Gao is diagnosing the root of the illness. Later, we¡¯ll combine Chinese and Western approaches to develop the most suitable treatment plan.¡±


    After speaking, Director Zhu nodded politely toward the Chinese medicine practitioners in the room.


    The Chinese doctors exchanged knowing looks, quietly pondering the subtle meaning behind Director Zhu¡¯s words.


    Yuan Hai, the department head, also gave a small nod. While there was still a hint of competition in his demeanour, the atmosphere had improved significantly. At least, for now, everyone¡¯s pride was intact, and there was a clear attitude of cooperation¡ªor at least the appearance of it.


    The patient¡¯s husband didn¡¯t understand much of the exchange and said anxiously, "Then... please prescribe something quickly. If she starts convulsing again, it¡¯ll be a real disaster.¡±


    Director Zhu responded with his usual confidence, ¡°That won¡¯t happen. We just administered a sedative.¡±


    But the moment the words left his mouth, the patient on the bed began to convulse violently once more.

 Episode 100: "Wow"

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    For a moment, Dr. Zhu¡¯s mind went utterly blank. He hadn''t even finished his sentence, yet here the patient was convulsing again.


    The room froze in a collective gasp.


    ¡°Oh no!¡± the patient¡¯s husband cried out, throwing himself onto his wife to hold her still.


    Gao-Yuan had just completed checking her pulse¡ªa slow and fine rhythm, beating at a sluggish 60 times per minute. But before he could speak, the patient began to suffer another attack. She seemed lost in a maelstrom, as if the world around her had become a tempestuous ocean tossing her mercilessly. Her hands twisted into grotesque claws, her legs seizing violently as cramps gripped her calves once again.


    Her husband, panicked and desperate, turned sharply toward Dr. Zhu. ¡°Doctor, please, do something! You said the sedative would work!¡±


    ¡°Generally¡­it should,¡± Dr. Zhu stammered, visibly shaken. He hadn¡¯t anticipated that even a sedative couldn¡¯t subdue the symptoms.


    ¡°What now?¡± the husband demanded, his voice cracking with fear and frustration.


    Dr. Zhu hesitated, his mind racing. Perhaps a higher dose of the sedative? But before he could act, Gao-Yuan had already stepped forward, unbuckling the cloth belt tied around his waist.


    The sight stopped everyone in their tracks. From the belt, Gao-Yuan retrieved a neatly folded cloth pouch, which he opened to reveal a set of acupuncture needles and moxa sticks.


    The crowd exchanged looks of bewilderment. Gao-Yuan carried this with him?


    Few knew that this habit stemmed from a lesson hard learned. On a previous occasion, when rushing to save another life, he¡¯d arrived empty-handed, ill-prepared. Only the fortuitous gift of two packs of cigarettes from a friend had saved the situation from descending into chaos. Since then, the needle kit was his constant companion, a quiet testament to vigilance and readiness.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Dr. Zhu asked, his tone tinged with both confusion and skepticism.


    ¡°Emergency treatment,¡± Gao-Yuan replied curtly.


    Without waiting for permission, he slipped off his jacket and gently began to lift the patient¡¯s clothing. With measured care, he exposed her abdomen up to just below her chest, covering the rest with his jacket to preserve her modesty.


    ¡°Hold this,¡± he instructed the husband, striking a match and lighting a stick of moxa. He guided the trembling man to hover the glowing moxa over the Shuang Rugen points at the base of the patient¡¯s breasts.


    Then, kneeling, Gao-Yuan adjusted the patient¡¯s waistband slightly downward, his movements efficient but respectful. He rolled a tiny ball of moxa wool, no larger than a grain of wheat, and placed it precisely over the Guanyuan point below her navel. He lit it, performing a moxa cone therapy known as Mai Li Jiu.


    The onlookers, including the gathered medical professionals, were dumbstruck.


    He was already treating her?


    Dr. Zhu hesitated. ¡°Perhaps we should take over. This kind of situation is more in our wheelhouse.¡±


    ¡°I know a thing or two,¡± Gao-Yuan replied without breaking stride, retrieving thin needles from his kit. ¡°Besides, we can¡¯t keep increasing the sedative dose indefinitely. Let me stabilize her first. If it doesn¡¯t work, then it¡¯s your turn.¡±


    Without waiting for consent, Gao-Yuan inserted needles with precision, stimulating the Renzhong (Philtrum) and Neiguan points on both wrists.Stolen novel; please report.


    Dr. Zhu, unaccustomed to being sidelined, frowned but found himself unsure how to respond. Gao-Yuan¡¯s earlier tact in yielding to Western methods had left him little ground to object. He glanced at his superior, Director Yuan Hai, for direction.


    Yuan Hai studied Gao-Yuan intently. The young doctor¡¯s quiet confidence and history of delivering results swayed him. After a moment, he nodded. ¡°Since the sedative didn¡¯t work as expected, let¡¯s see what Dr. Gao can do.¡±


    Dr. Zhu had no choice but to relent.


    Meanwhile, the other Chinese medicine practitioners crowded closer, their curiosity piqued by Gao-Yuan¡¯s technique. They scrutinized his needlework and deliberated over his choice of acupuncture points, whispering amongst themselves.


    ¡°Is he just trying to save face?¡± one of them muttered to Elder Wan, a seasoned practitioner standing nearby.


    ¡°No one forced him to step forward,¡± Elder Wan replied, his voice tinged with intrigue.


    Glancing back, Elder Wan noticed Dr. Wang Hanzhang and Dean Li from their local hospital engaged in a quiet conversation about what snacks to buy on the way home. Their apparent indifference irked him. How could colleagues from the same region show so little solidarity?


    The patient¡¯s husband, meanwhile, looked increasingly uneasy. He glanced at Dr. Zhu for reassurance but, receiving none, turned to a younger Chinese medicine doctor nearby. ¡°Will this¡­will this actually work?¡±


    Still focused on his task, Gao-Yuan interjected, ¡°Remove the ¡®will¡¯ and the question mark.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­what?¡± The husband blinked, momentarily puzzled.


    The bystanders had grown accustomed to Gao-Yuan¡¯s confident, even audacious, remarks. By now, his unshakeable self-assurance felt oddly natural.


    Dr. Zhu folded his arms, watching skeptically as Gao-Yuan continued. Time ticked by, marked by the tension in the room.


    Then, suddenly, Professor Han Dai, who had been observing the patient closely, spoke up. ¡°Her convulsions¡ªare they stopping?¡±


    Everyone turned toward the patient.


    Even Yuan Hai¡¯s usually composed expression flickered with surprise.


    ¡°She¡¯s no longer seizing,¡± Han Dai confirmed.


    The patient¡¯s husband leaned in, his heart pounding. In his eagerness, he almost let the moxa flame touch his wife¡¯s skin, but Gao-Yuan caught his hand just in time.


    ¡°Careful! You¡¯ll burn her,¡± Gao-Yuan chided.


    Startled, the husband nodded hastily, adjusting his grip.


    The convulsions ceased, and the patient¡¯s face softened, the terror and contortion fading into calm.


    ¡°She¡¯s stable,¡± someone whispered in awe.


    ¡°Her expression isn¡¯t as strained anymore.¡±


    ¡°This is incredible!¡±


    Dr. Zhu stepped closer, inspecting the patient with disbelief. ¡°But will it recur?¡± he asked cautiously.


    The room fell silent, all eyes on Gao-Yuan.


    After checking her condition, Gao-Yuan replied, ¡°Not for now, but prompt medication is crucial.¡±


    Dr. Zhu hesitated, recalling how quickly the sedative had failed earlier. ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°You can keep observing,¡± Gao-Yuan said with quiet assurance, removing the needles and ensuring the patient¡¯s clothing was restored.


    As others continued to monitor the patient, Gao-Yuan turned to the husband, seeking more information about her medical history. The man explained how the episodes began seven years ago, following the birth of their child. They had tried calcium supplements, but nothing worked.


    The patient¡¯s frailty was clear. She avoided cold foods and drinks, even in summer, and often dressed warmly even on hot days.


    After listening, Gao-Yuan frowned. ¡°Her internal organs are deeply burdened by cold.¡±


    Professor Han joined the conversation, stroking his chin thoughtfully. The peculiar symptoms intrigued him, and he relished the opportunity to discuss such cases.


    Meanwhile, the others watched the patient closely, noting her steady improvement.


    ¡°She¡¯s waking up!¡± someone exclaimed.


    The husband leaned forward, his voice trembling. ¡°Honey, are you okay?¡±


    The patient¡¯s eyes fluttered open, her voice faint but coherent. ¡°Mm¡­¡±


    Tears welled in the husband¡¯s eyes. He crouched beside the bed, his voice quivering. ¡°You scared me to death. I¡¯ll never dare argue with you again!¡±


    The room, now buzzing with admiration for Gao-Yuan, turned its attention back to him. Even Dr. Zhu¡¯s skepticism had softened. Though reluctant to admit it, he couldn¡¯t deny the efficacy of the acupuncture.


    Elder Wan clapped his hands. ¡°They say acupuncture works fastest in emergencies, and today, I¡¯ve seen it with my own eyes. Remarkable!¡±


    Others joined in, their applause ringing through the room.


    ¡°Just luck,¡± Gao-Yuan said modestly, though his steady gaze suggested otherwise.


    Only Dr. Wang Hanzhang and Dean Li remained conspicuously silent.


    Elder Wan frowned, his earlier irritation bubbling to the surface. ¡°Aren¡¯t you impressed? How can you not admire such skill?¡±


    Their lack of enthusiasm didn¡¯t go unnoticed by Yuan Hai either, who cast them a disapproving glance. Feeling the weight of judgment, Dr. Wang finally blurted out, ¡°Wow¡­¡±


    Dean Li echoed weakly, ¡°Wow¡­¡±


    The room fell into an awkward silence.


    ¡°...¡±

 Episode 101: The Běntún Decoction

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    This was merely a small victory; the true test would lie in the subsequent differentiation and treatment phase.


    Gao-Yuan continued his discussion with Dr. Han Dai.


    Dr. Han pondered aloud, ¡°It¡¯s quite evident that the patient suffers from deep-seated cold accumulation in her zang-fu organs. Feeling cold even in midsummer speaks volumes¡ªwinter would surely be intolerable. Her previous bouts of J¨©zhu¨£f¨¥ng (claw-like spasms) stemmed from the same root cause. This time, her su¨¯y¨©nzh¨¨ng (retracted genital syndrome) and J¨©zhu¨£f¨¥ng share the same origin.¡±


    ¡°Cold constricts and contracts¡ªthis explains the retracted genitals and the claw-like spasms. The symptoms of extreme cold in the Shaoyin and Jueyin meridians are unmistakable. The cold energy rising from the liver and kidneys is why she foams at the mouth. When cold fluids invade the heart, it causes palpitations and unease.¡±


    ¡°Additionally, the emotional outburst during her argument with her husband triggered the rebellious Qi to surge upwards, leading to unconsciousness. The kidneys govern the two lower orifices, and the liver meridian runs through the lower body and the breasts. The cold in these two meridians has caused the contraction and spasm. Her essence has become disordered, which explains her double vision and inability to focus.¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded slightly. Though Dr. Han was a bit verbose, his analysis was solid and comprehensive, tying the patient¡¯s symptoms to one root cause¡ªcold.


    Other TCM practitioners present nodded in agreement upon hearing Dr. Han¡¯s explanation. However, when it came to prescribing the appropriate formula, differing opinions quickly emerged.


    ¡°Since the issue lies in obstructed joints and cold within the zang-fu, I believe we should use W¨±t¨®u Decoction to unblock the twelve meridians and dispel the cold.¡±


    ¡°She only has occasional J¨©zhu¨£f¨¥ng episodes; her joints aren¡¯t consistently stiff. Given her frequent spasms and vomiting of foam, I recommend W¨²zh¨±y¨² Sh¨¥ngji¨¡ng Decoction. W¨²zh¨±y¨² excels at alleviating spasms and dispelling cold. Her symptoms align perfectly with its indications.¡±


    ¡°That approach only treats the symptoms, not the root cause. Given the patient¡¯s icy extremities, we should administer S¨¬ N¨¬ Decoction immediately.¡±


    ¡°No, it should be D¨¡nggu¨© S¨¬ N¨¬ Decoction.¡±


    ¡°Why not try Sh¨¥nf¨´ Decoction then?¡±


    ¡­


    The practitioners debated fervently over various prescriptions, leaving Dr. Zhu, the modern medicine specialist, bewildered. Hearing names like this decoction and that decoction, he found himself longing for his mother¡¯s homemade chicken soup instead.


    ¡°Is TCM prescribing always this complicated?¡±


    Indeed, this was both the charm and the challenge of TCM. Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasizes individualized prescriptions¡ªnot just tailored to the patient but also to the practitioner. The same patient might receive entirely different prescriptions from different doctors, which makes TCM highly dependent on the skill and experience of the physician.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    For straightforward illnesses, prescriptions from various doctors might only differ slightly in effectiveness. But for complex conditions¡ªwhere treating one symptom might exacerbate another¡ªprescriptions could vary wildly. Each practitioner also has their preferred medicines and combinations.


    This is why, during a TCM consultation, a single decisive authority is needed; otherwise, debates may never reach a consensus.


    Even Gao-Yuan found himself scratching his head. The patient¡¯s cold syndrome was similar to Su Pingchuan¡¯s case, but the specifics differed. Faced with such a complex condition, Gao-Yuan also began deliberating carefully.


    He glanced at Dr. Han, who was deep in thought, and then at Elder Wan, who was similarly contemplative. Upon closer observation, he noticed that the most skilled practitioners were pondering silently, while the less experienced ones were chattering away.


    Elder Wan raised his hand to quiet the room. ¡°Think carefully before you speak. If it were that simple, would we be stuck debating like this?¡±


    The room finally fell silent.


    For a moment, even Gao-Yuan struggled to settle on a formula.


    Meanwhile, the patient¡¯s husband, relieved that his wife¡¯s condition had stabilized, sat beside her, half-regretful and half-reproachful, muttering, ¡°I won¡¯t argue anymore, never again. You scared me to death. Other people argue and hurt feelings; you argue and risk your life.¡±


    ¡°How can you have such a temper? One moment you faint, the next you go mad. When I get mad, at most, I feel my anger rush up to my head¡ªmaybe my face turns red and my neck swells. But you? Your anger is so strong you just pass out!¡±


    Hearing this, Gao-Yuan couldn¡¯t help but shake his head in exasperation. If the husband kept talking like this, he¡¯d likely anger her again someday.


    ¡°Angered into fainting¡­¡± Suddenly, Gao-Yuan realized something. He turned his gaze back to the patient, and his mind clicked into place. Yes! Her condition wasn¡¯t just about liver and kidney cold¡ªit was the cold Yin energy surging upwards to her head that caused these symptoms.


    ¡°In that case¡­ that formula would be perfect!¡±


    Picking up a pen, Gao-Yuan began drafting the prescription.


    Dr. Han was taken aback. ¡°You¡¯ve decided?¡±


    As Gao-Yuan started writing, the others gathered around, eager to see. Gao-Yuan wasn¡¯t an ordinary doctor; his prescriptions were never to be underestimated.


    ¡°F¨´z¨«, one tael; red ginseng, three qian; Chinese yam, one tael; roasted licorice, two taels¡­¡±


    At first, the others were shocked by Gao-Yuan¡¯s boldness, starting with one tael of F¨´z¨« (aconite). But recalling his previous daring actions, they found it fitting for his character.


    ¡°Wait¡­ Isn¡¯t this reminiscent of S¨¬ N¨¬ Decoction? I told you it should be S¨¬ N¨¬ Decoction! But where¡¯s the dried ginger?¡±


    ¡°And there¡¯s some resemblance to Gu¨¬ F¨´ L¨« Zh¨­ng Decoction¡ªexcept it¡¯s missing B¨¢izh¨².¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s also W¨²zh¨±y¨² in there! I said W¨²zh¨±y¨² was necessary to relieve spasms and dispel cold!¡±


    ¡­


    The less experienced practitioners resumed their chatter.


    Elder Wan squinted, feeling a sense of familiarity.


    Dr. Han¡¯s pupils slowly widened as he exclaimed, ¡°Isn¡¯t this B¨§nt¨²n Decoction?¡±


    His comment drew puzzled laughter from the others. ¡°B¨§nt¨²n Decoction? How could this be B¨§nt¨²n Decoction?¡±


    Dr. Han quickly clarified, ¡°Not Zhang Zhongjing¡¯s B¨§nt¨²n Decoction¡ªthis is Dr. Wu Wenquan¡¯s B¨§nt¨²n Decoction.¡±


    Elder Wan seemed to recall something. ¡°Ah, Dr. Wu Wenquan from the provincial capital?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Dr. Han replied, recognizing the formula immediately due to his close friendship with Dr. Wu.


    Having completed the prescription, Gao-Yuan confirmed, ¡°That¡¯s correct¡ªthis is Dr. Wu¡¯s B¨§nt¨²n Decoction. It¡¯s perfect for this case.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Elder Wan had only heard of the formula but never studied it in depth.


    Dr. Han smiled at Gao-Yuan. ¡°So, Dr. Gao, you¡¯re familiar with Dr. Wu¡¯s B¨§nt¨²n Decoction! He¡¯ll be thrilled to know that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve only studied it briefly,¡± Gao-Yuan replied modestly. ¡°While it shares the name B¨§nt¨²n Decoction with Zhang Zhongjing¡¯s formula, the methodology is different. Dr. Wu¡¯s version modifies Renshen Sini Decoction by removing dried ginger, Gu¨¬ F¨´ L¨« Zh¨­ng Decoction by removing B¨¢izh¨², and Gu¨¬ F¨´ Eight-Ingredient Pill by omitting Sh¨²d¨¬, D¨¡np¨ª, and Sh¨¡ny¨²r¨°u. He then adds Ch¨¦nxi¨¡ng, Sh¨¡r¨¦n, and Ni¨²x¨©.¡±


    ¡°This is a masterful prescription that warms pure Yang and revives precarious situations. It harmonizes the upper and lower regions of the body, strengthens the Mingmen Fire, and restores depleted vitality. It¡¯s truly a miraculous formula with boundless potential.¡±


    Hearing this, even Dr. Han¡¯s jaw dropped. He stammered, ¡°Why didn¡¯t Dr. Wu ever tell me his formula was this remarkable?¡±

 Episode 102: The Anglers Obsession

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    Gao-Yuan had always harboured a deep sense of gratitude toward Dr. Wu Wenquan. In his previous life, when Gao-Yuan attended correspondence classes, the main instructor was Dr. Han Dai. Dr. Wu had only given one lecture during that period, and it was about the Ben Tun Tang (Rushing Piglet Decoction)¡ªDr. Wu''s signature formula.


    Unfortunately, Gao-Yuan missed the lecture because his supervisor sent him out on an errand. By the time he returned, the lecture was already over.


    Back then, due to his background, Gao-Yuan had no friends to rely on. Others avoided him, leaving him with no way to ask for lecture notes or borrow them from his classmates.


    When Dr. Wu noticed Gao-Yuan arriving late, he did not chastise him. Instead, he suggested that Gao-Yuan borrow notes from others. Seeing Gao-Yuan¡¯s troubled expression, Dr. Wu enquired further and learnt the full story. Surprisingly, Dr. Wu sacrificed his own dinner time to personally explain the entire lecture to Gao-Yuan.


    By the time he finished, it was already late. Despite being hungry and tired, Dr. Wu refused Gao-Yuan¡¯s offer to treat him to a meal. He simply smiled, encouraged Gao-Yuan to study medicine diligently, and then left on his own.


    Although their encounter was brief, Dr. Wu¡¯s warm demeanour left a deep impression on Gao-Yuan. In the dark, cold world of his previous life, Dr. Wu had been a rare source of warmth and kindness.


    After mastering the Ben Tun Tang formula, Gao-Yuan dedicated himself to researching it further. Through clinical practice, he refined the formula, tailoring it to treat critical illnesses effectively. Over time, he elevated it to an extraordinary level, imbuing it with what could be considered miraculous properties.


    For Gao-Yuan, this was his way of repaying Dr. Wu for that missed dinner.


    Unfortunately, his previous life was riddled with hardships, and he never had the opportunity to share this achievement with Dr. Wu. He could only hope that in this life, the chance would come.


    <hr>


    At the moment, Dr. Han Dai wore a puzzled expression. As one of Dr. Wu Wenquan¡¯s close friends, even he had never heard Dr. Wu boast about Ben Tun Tang to such an extent. Han Dai¡¯s face turned incredulous as he thought to himself, Is Gao-Yuan exaggerating a bit too much?


    The others in the room were equally stunned, blinking in disbelief.


    "Resurrecting the dead?" Director Zhu chuckled. Only those truly experienced in medicine understood how far-fetched such claims were. Humans, after all, could not defy the heavens.


    Yuan Hai glanced at Gao-Yuan with surprise.


    Among the group, only Dean Li and Wang Hanzhang remained composed, having witnessed countless remarkable cases in their careers.


    Elder Wan found Gao-Yuan''s claims somewhat exaggerated but refrained from challenging him directly. Instead, he asked, "Are you saying this formula can cure this woman?"


    Gao-Yuan nodded firmly. "Yes. This formula addresses the primary symptom of ¡®qi surging upward.¡¯ As Dr. Wu explained, when kidney yang is deficient, liver qi stagnates, and cold phlegm accumulates, the Chong meridian becomes unsettled, causing rebellious qi to surge upward¡ªthis is precisely the root of the patient¡¯s condition.


    "Furthermore, this formula¡¯s warming and replenishing properties can address the deep-seated cold in the patient¡¯s organs. Heavy use of Shan Yao nourishes and harmonizes the spleen, stomach, lungs, and kidneys. Shan Zhu Yu strengthens the liver and kidney, preventing qi dissipation.


    "Supplemented with Zi Shi Ying and raw Long Gu and Mu Li, the formula stabilizes the Chong meridian and protects the Yuan Qi. Paired with Wu Zhu Yu and medicinal insects, it alleviates liver colds and spasms. The combined application of these herbs precisely targets the complexity of the patient¡¯s condition, eliminating deep-seated cold, warming the center, and reversing rebellious qi. There is no condition this formula cannot effectively address."Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    The group was stunned. Could a formula truly be this powerful? Gao-Yuan''s glowing praise left them speechless.


    Even Dr. Han Dai, who had long been familiar with the formula, seemed to be learning about it anew, his eyes wide with surprise.


    Gao-Yuan held up the prescription and declared, "Prepare the medicine. I have full confidence it will work."


    Since Gao-Yuan had practically praised the formula to the skies, there was no room left for objection. The staff quickly began preparing the medicine.


    After hearing Gao-Yuan¡¯s bold claim, Director Yuan Hai couldn¡¯t help but feel intrigued. He approached Gao-Yuan and asked, "Dr. Gao, can this formula truly bring someone back from the brink of death?"


    Gao-Yuan nodded earnestly. "When used appropriately, absolutely."


    Yuan Hai¡¯s eyes lit up. "Can it be promoted on a larger scale?"


    Gao-Yuan replied, "It would be best to consult Dr. Wu Wenquan about that."


    Yuan Hai then turned to Dr. Han Dai with an expectant smile.


    Han Dai didn¡¯t know whether to laugh or cry. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Gao-Yuan bore some kind of grudge against Dr. Wu. Why else would he heap such overwhelming praise on the formula, practically setting Dr. Wu up for failure? But looking at Gao-Yuan¡¯s serious expression, Han Dai felt it was unlikely to be an intentional ploy.


    Yuan Hai didn¡¯t press the matter with Han Dai just yet; he still wanted to see if the formula truly lived up to its reputation.


    Meanwhile, others in the room whispered amongst themselves, debating whether the formula was as extraordinary as Gao-Yuan claimed.


    Elder Wan also showed some doubt, silently analysing and contemplating the intricacies of the prescription.


    Moments later, the patient¡¯s condition began to worsen again. After a brief period of stability, she started convulsing, her earlier terrifying symptoms threatening to return.


    "Doctor, doctor! Please come and take a look!" The patient¡¯s husband frantically called for Gao-Yuan, no longer bothering with Director Zhu.


    Gao-Yuan quickly stepped forward to examine the patient. "You didn¡¯t anger her again, did you?"


    The husband protested, "No! I¡¯ve been agreeing with everything she says. In her condition, how could I dare upset her?"


    The group¡¯s expressions grew grave as they observed the patient¡¯s worsening condition.


    Gao-Yuan turned and asked, "Is the medicine ready?"


    "Coming, coming!" A nurse hurriedly entered with the decoction.


    Gao-Yuan instructed, "Quick, administer it!"


    The patient¡¯s husband, with the nurse¡¯s help, carefully fed the medicine to his wife.


    After placing the bowl down, the husband hesitated and asked, "Doctor¡­ what you said earlier, is it true?"


    Gao-Yuan nodded confidently.


    The husband pressed on. "Then my wife... will she really be okay?"


    Gao-Yuan smiled gently, signalling reassurance.


    Seeing this, Director Yuan Hai had already sidled over to Han Dai''s side.


    Everyone else focused intently on the condition of the patient. Just as Gao-Yuan had said, the medicine was remarkably effective. The woman soon stopped convulsing, and the contorted expression on her face gradually eased. She began breathing slowly and steadily, no longer foaming at the mouth or showing signs of dizziness.


    "Juan, Juan, are you feeling better?" The husband nervously approached her again.


    "If you stop making me angry, I''ll be fine," the woman managed to reply weakly.


    The husband, overcome with joy, burst into tears. "I promise! I won''t make you angry ever again!"


    The woman, still frail, asked, "Can you work hard from now on and stop going fishing all the time?"


    "Ah?" The husband hesitated and cautiously replied, "But...a true fisherman never comes home empty-handed."


    The woman, annoyed, shut her eyes again.


    Startled, the husband cried out, "No, no, no! I was just joking! I won¡¯t go fishing anymore, ever again, not even in my next life!"


    Hearing this, the woman slowly reopened her eyes.


    Those nearby couldn¡¯t help but laugh at the scene.


    Gao-Yuan stepped forward and felt the woman¡¯s pulse. Her hands and feet were warming up, and her symptoms were beginning to subside. He said, "Continue with two more doses to completely expel the pathogenic energy."


    The onlookers were once again amazed by the immediate results.


    Director Yuan Hai turned around and enthusiastically grabbed Han Dai''s hand. "Comrade Han Dai, you must invite Doctor Wu Wenquan here. We all want to hear him share his experience with this Bentun Decoction! It¡¯s incredible!"


    Han Dai nearly burst into tears. He replied, "Director, this formula can¡¯t actually bring people back from the dead."


    Director Yuan Hai reproached him, "Oh, Han Dai, you¡¯re being too modest! We all just witnessed it firsthand¡ªhow effective it is! The patient recovered almost instantly!"


    Han Dai, with a bitter expression, said, "Even so, it¡¯s not to the extent of reviving the dead."


    Elder Wan chimed in to explain, "Director, this formula is indeed extraordinarily refined and works wonders for conditions like chronic cold, severe stagnation, and rebellious energy. But if someone is truly on the brink of death, not even this formula, let alone the gods themselves, could save them. You shouldn¡¯t place too much hope on it, lest Doctor Wu Wenquan be frightened by such expectations."


    Director Yuan Hai turned to look at Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan replied earnestly, "When used appropriately, it does have the power to revive the dying."


    The crowd fell silent. Revive the dying? Seriously?


    Elder Wan shook his head, trying to smooth things over, only for Gao-Yuan to completely miss the subtle cue.


    Director Yuan Hai was now thoroughly confused. So, does it work or not?


    At that moment, a nurse rushed in, shouting urgently, "Director Zhu, please come outside immediately!"

 Episode 103: Preparing for the Inevitable

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    Hearing that trouble had surfaced again, Gao-Yuan instinctively followed. He couldn¡¯t resist taking an interest in critical or severe cases, whether they were assigned to him or not.


    Seeing him leave, the others also headed out of the room.


    The nurse led Director Zhu to another area, where a family had brought in a patient on a wooden board.


    Upon seeing the patient, Director Zhu exclaimed, ¡°Eh? Grandpa Hao? Wasn¡¯t he transferred to the provincial hospital?¡±


    The eldest son of the Hao family sighed and said, ¡°Director Zhu, sorry to trouble you again.¡±


    Director Zhu immediately responded, ¡°Not at all. What happened? Has there been no improvement after all this time?¡±


    The eldest son gave a wry smile. ¡°No, nothing. To be honest, my father¡¯s condition has been critical for days now. We¡¯ve already prepared his coffin and burial clothes at home¡­¡±


    Director Zhu nodded heavily. He had been aware of Grandpa Hao¡¯s critical state when he was transferred. At the time, he had suspected there was little hope for survival, and it seemed his fears had come true. He said solemnly, ¡°Alas, human effort has its limits. You¡¯ve done your best. What brings you back here today?¡±


    The younger sons exchanged glances before looking at a woman in the family.


    The eldest son explained, ¡°This is my sister. She¡¯s just returned from out of town for the funeral¡­¡±


    Hao Meiling interrupted angrily, ¡°Father¡¯s not dead yet! What funeral?¡±


    Her elder brother, exasperated, said, ¡°Our sister is a journalist. She¡¯s been away on assignment and didn¡¯t know how serious our father¡¯s condition was. Now that she¡¯s back and sees him like this, she can¡¯t accept it. She insists we bring him to the hospital for another attempt at treatment.¡±


    ¡°So we thought, why not try? It¡¯s our filial duty, after all. Director Zhu, could you examine him again? Maybe find a room for him, prescribe some medicine, or set up an IV. At the very least, we¡¯d like to say we did all we could, with no regrets.¡±


    Director Zhu understood. Such cases weren¡¯t uncommon. He nodded and said, ¡°Alright, bring him into this examination room.¡±


    Hao Meiling stepped forward and firmly addressed Director Zhu, ¡°Director Zhu, right? Hello, I¡¯m Hao Meiling. Even though my father¡¯s condition is dire, I ask that you give it your all. Use the best medicine and consult with the top specialists. Can you do that?¡±


    Hearing her mention ¡°top specialists,¡± Director Zhu involuntarily glanced toward Gao-Yuan.


    Hao Meiling followed his gaze and saw a clean-cut young man. Seeing nothing particularly extraordinary about him, she turned back and said, ¡°Director Zhu? Director Zhu¡­¡±


    Director Zhu quickly snapped back to attention and reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll do everything we can.¡±


    The other Hao siblings merely sighed. This youngest sister was always the most headstrong. In their hearts, they felt it was unnecessary and futile. They had already notified their relatives and friends. But since their accomplished youngest sister refused to give up, they had no choice but to support her efforts one last time.


    Hearing Director Zhu¡¯s assurance, Hao Meiling finally nodded. ¡°Alright.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    The patient was moved into a ward, and the Hao family members, along with the doctors, entered as well.


    Hao Meiling, seeing the room packed with people, asked curiously, ¡°Why are there so many here? Who are all these people?¡±


    Director Zhu explained, ¡°These are some of our city¡¯s finest traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. They¡¯re here for a conference at the hospital. Since they¡¯re here, I thought it would be good to have them consult on your father¡¯s case and offer their input for the best possible treatment plan.¡±


    ¡°Excellent, excellent,¡± Hao Meiling said repeatedly, her anxiety easing somewhat. What she feared most was the doctors seeing her father as a lost cause and not giving their full effort. From what she could see, the hospital was treating this seriously.


    Director Zhu nodded. As a seasoned doctor, he had plenty of experience handling such situations.


    The doctors and practitioners began assessing the patient¡¯s condition, but their expressions quickly grew grim. The patient¡¯s face was ashen, his lips and fingertips cyanotic, and his breathing was exceedingly faint.


    Even without taking the pulse or checking the tongue, it was apparent at a glance¡ªthis was a case that seemed beyond saving.


    ¡°Dr. Gao?¡± Wang Hanzhang called out to Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan had been observing the patient closely. Now that the patient was placed on the bed, he ignored the call and approached to examine him personally.


    The crowd was stunned. He¡¯s stepping in again?


    Seeing Gao-Yuan take action, Dr. Han Dai refused to be left behind and hurriedly followed him.


    The Hao siblings, seeing Gao-Yuan step up for the diagnosis, showed no particular reaction.


    However, Hao Meiling glanced at him and then turned to ask Director Zhu, ¡°Director Zhu, aren¡¯t you going to examine him yourself?¡±


    Director Zhu replied, ¡°Let the traditional medicine practitioners take the lead first. In the meantime, we¡¯ll provide oxygen and check his blood pressure. Could someone bring me a stethoscope?¡±


    Hao Meiling wanted to say something, but seeing that the doctors weren¡¯t idle, she swallowed her words. Looking back and forth between Gao-Yuan and her father, her expression grew more anxious.


    Gao-Yuan examined the patient and asked, ¡°Is it rheumatic heart disease?¡±


    None of the Hao siblings immediately answered.


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Gao-Yuan turned to them.


    Finally, the eldest son said, ¡°Yes, yes. It¡¯s rheumatic heart disease.¡±


    ¡°How long has he been sick?¡±


    ¡°Twelve years. The last two years have been especially bad. His whole body swells up. Look, his belly is bigger than a pregnant woman¡¯s. His legs are so swollen that if you press them, they leave dents. He can¡¯t walk or even move.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve tried everything¡ªlocal hospitals, city hospitals, even the provincial hospital. They diagnosed it as heart failure, stage III, with atrial fibrillation. Then he ended up like this. Even the provincial hospital couldn¡¯t help and discharged him.¡±


    Director Zhu listened with his stethoscope and confirmed, ¡°Yes, there¡¯s fibrillation.¡±


    Gao-Yuan observed the patient, noting his semi-conscious state, neither fully awake nor entirely asleep.


    ¡°Grandpa Hao, Grandpa Hao,¡± Gao-Yuan gently tapped the patient¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Grandpa Hao responded weakly, still capable of making a sound.


    Gao-Yuan touched the thick cotton blanket covering the patient and asked, ¡°Has he always been covered in heavy quilts?¡±


    The eldest son replied, ¡°He has no internal heat. He¡¯s constantly cold, even in the summer. He always wears padded clothing.¡±


    The doctors thought back to the earlier case of the woman overdressed for summer. This man¡¯s condition seemed even more severe¡ªwearing padded clothes in midsummer.


    Gao-Yuan lifted the quilt, revealing a distended abdomen, thin chest, and profuse cold sweat. The patient¡¯s breathing was laboured, his hands and feet icy cold. Gao-Yuan silently confirmed the signs of extreme Yang deficiency.


    When Gao-Yuan pressed on the patient¡¯s abdomen, he immediately felt a pulsating sensation.


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Gao-Yuan removed his hand and observed the unusual movement of the patient¡¯s abdomen. The pulse was so strong it visibly moved the clothing. Pressing again, he felt the abnormal, vigorous pulsation.


    The moment he applied pressure, Grandpa Hao shakily pointed to his lower abdomen and murmured faintly, "Cold... cold... here... cold...¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Gao-Yuan leaned in closer, unable to catch the words.


    ¡°Father, what are you saying?¡± Hao Meiling hurried to his side.


    Grandpa Hao, semi-conscious, struggled to speak. His breath was cold, and he pointed upward, mumbling, "Cold... cold... rising... rising up...¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Hao Meiling still couldn¡¯t hear clearly.


    Gao-Yuan, with his hand on the lower abdomen, felt a chilling sensation rising from the Guanyuan acupoint. Turning to look at Grandpa Hao, he suddenly saw the old man¡¯s eyes roll back as he slipped away.


    ¡°Father!¡± Hao Meiling screamed in panic.


    The eldest son sighed and said, ¡°It¡¯s time to prepare for the funeral.¡±

 Episode 104: Let’s Change the Name

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    "Is that it?" Everyone present was stunned.


    Director Zhu sighed deeply, lamenting the fragility of life.


    The Hao siblings began wiping their tears, breaking into sobs.


    ¡°Step aside,¡± Gao-Yuan said, pushing past Hao Meiling. He quickly examined the old man''s condition, noting that while his breathing was faint and cold, it was still there. After a brief diagnosis, he declared, ¡°He¡¯s only fainted. He¡¯s still alive.¡±


    Hao Meiling, initially upset by Gao-Yuan''s abruptness, immediately grew anxious upon hearing his words. ¡°My father¡¯s still alive?¡±


    ¡°Alive?¡± Hao¡¯s eldest son echoed in shock.


    The other grieving family members paused their wailing, suddenly unsure if they had started crying too soon.


    Gao-Yuan took the patient¡¯s hand and began diagnosing the pulse. The moment his three fingers pressed against the wrist, his brows furrowed tightly. Moving his fingers to feel along the´ç¿ÚÃ} (Cun Kou pulse point), he focused intently.


    ¡°What¡¯s the pulse like?¡± asked Teacher Han Dai.


    Switching to the other hand for diagnosis, Gao-Yuan continued probing the pulses. His voice turned grave. ¡°The six pulses are faint, almost indiscernible.¡±


    The assembled Chinese medicine practitioners fell silent, their hearts sinking. A faint pulse was a grim sign.


    Then Gao-Yuan added, ¡°Wait, there¡¯s a pulse.¡±


    Everyone looked at him with renewed hope.


    But Gao-Yuan¡¯s brow tightened again. ¡°It¡¯s a bird-pecking pulse, and extremely faint.¡±


    Disappointment swept through the room.


    Shaking his head, Han Dai commented, ¡°The bird-pecking pulse is one of the seven deadly pulses¡ªa pulse of certain death. And with it being so faint¡­¡±


    Upon hearing the words ¡°certain death,¡± Hao Meiling panicked. ¡°Can¡¯t you think of something else? Don¡¯t just declare him doomed so quickly! There has to be a way¡ªtry another medicine, another treatment! My father¡­ My father hasn¡¯t even seen me get married or have kids. He¡­ he can¡¯t leave us this soon¡­¡± Tears streamed down her face as she pleaded.


    The other siblings sighed. Meiling, the youngest and most successful among them, was also the busiest, rarely coming home. They understood her guilt and sorrow¡ªafter all, it had been years since she spent much time with their father.


    Seeing no response from her father, Meiling broke down further, her grief overwhelming her. She thought about how little time they had spent together in recent years. Now, with her father gravely ill, she hadn¡¯t even had the chance to care for him at his bedside. And just as she returned, he was about to leave forever.


    ¡°Dad¡­¡± she cried, her voice choked with emotion as she stumbled forward, intending to throw herself onto her father in anguish.


    But Gao-Yuan extended his arm, stopping her firmly. ¡°Stay back!¡± he barked. ¡°Don¡¯t get in the way of my resuscitation!¡±


    Startled, Meiling froze in her tracks.


    Everyone else was equally taken aback. Resuscitation?


    Without wasting another second, Gao-Yuan squatted down, turning his attention to the patient¡¯s swollen and damaged feet to examine the three lower pulses. Pressing his fingers against the foot, he found his hand sinking into the inflamed, soft tissue. Diagnosing the pulses here was challenging, but he carefully felt around for any signs.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    ¡°What is he doing?¡± Hao¡¯s eldest son asked, confused.


    Meiling¡¯s crying paused mid-sob as she watched.


    Old Master Wan explained, ¡°The three lower pulses are considered the foundation of life. However, diagnosing these is far more complex and less convenient than diagnosing the´ç¿ÚÃ}. Thus, it¡¯s not widely practiced. Still, the ancients believed that in cases of severe illness or when the´ç¿ÚÃ} is unreliable, one must examine the three lower pulses to determine if there¡¯s any chance of survival.¡±


    The Hao family finally understood.


    ¡°How are the three lower pulses?¡± Wan Lao asked Gao-Yuan.


    Still focused on the task, Gao-Yuan shook his head. ¡°The Taichong pulse¡­ is absent.¡±


    Wan Lao sighed. ¡°The liver¡¯s energy is dissipating.¡±


    Gao-Yuan moved to check the Fu Yang pulse and again shook his head. ¡°The Fu Yang pulse is also absent.¡±


    Another shake of Wan Lao¡¯s head. ¡°The stomach¡¯s energy is fading.¡±


    Finally, Gao-Yuan examined the Taixi pulse, carefully feeling for any trace. ¡°The Taixi pulse is faint but barely discernible,¡± he said.


    Meiling glanced nervously between Gao-Yuan and Wan Lao.


    With a deep sigh, Wan Lao turned to her. ¡°Prepare for the worst. The pulse is gone.¡±


    Meiling¡¯s face went pale, her body trembling. She turned her desperate gaze toward Director Zhu.


    Director Zhu gave a wry smile and shook his head.


    Meiling nearly collapsed, but her siblings quickly rushed to support her.


    For months, the family had mentally prepared for this outcome. Although they had expected it, accepting it was still hard.


    But Gao-Yuan wasn¡¯t ready to give up. Releasing the Taixi pulse, he stated, ¡°The Taixi root pulse hasn¡¯t disappeared entirely. It¡¯s not a certain death. There¡¯s still a glimmer of hope.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Wan Lao was stunned, almost doubting his ears.


    Everyone else exchanged confused looks, wondering if they¡¯d heard correctly.


    Meiling stared at Gao-Yuan in disbelief.


    Hao¡¯s eldest son, holding his trembling sister, grew angry. ¡°Our sister is already like this, and you¡¯re still giving her false hope? Why keep toying with us like this? Do you think this is fun?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m only trying to save him,¡± Gao-Yuan replied calmly.


    ¡°You think you can save him when even the provincial hospital couldn¡¯t? They sent us home, saying there was no hope. Who do you think you are? Giving us hope only to crush it¡ªis that some kind of game to you?¡±


    Unfazed, Gao-Yuan turned to him. ¡°So what if the provincial hospital declared him terminal? It¡¯s not like I¡¯ve never saved someone in such a state before.¡±


    The eldest son froze, momentarily stunned.


    Everyone else was equally speechless.


    Meiling¡¯s tearful eyes remained fixed on Gao-Yuan.


    Standing up slowly, Gao-Yuan¡¯s resolute posture made him seem larger than life. In Meiling¡¯s mind, a phrase unexpectedly surfaced: ¡°The gaunt man, as he stood, seemed like a towering giant.¡±


    ¡°But the patient already has the deadly pulse,¡± Wan Lao interjected. ¡°And his stomach¡¯s energy is nearly gone. Without stomach energy, death is inevitable. Are you still going to try?¡±


    ¡°As long as there¡¯s the faintest hope, I¡¯ll never give up,¡± Gao-Yuan answered firmly.


    Wan Lao fell silent, unsure of how to respond.


    Gao-Yuan scanned the room, his voice resolute. ¡°Didn¡¯t you all want to see if the Bentun Decoction could revive someone on the brink of death? This is the chance! The patient exhibits classic Shaoyin collapse symptoms. His life hangs by a thread, so we must promptly use Bentun Decoction in a modified form to rescue him. Prepare the prescription!¡±


    His commanding tone was like a thunderclap.


    ¡°Yes!¡± both Wang Hanzhang and Director Li responded in unison.


    Even Wang Hanzhang found himself exhilarated by the intensity of the moment.


    Without hesitation, Gao-Yuan began listing ingredients: ¡°Three taels of processed Aconite, three taels of Chinese Yam, one mace of Cinnamomum Oil, one mace of Agarwood¡­¡±


    The moment he mentioned three taels of Aconite, the room erupted into gasps.


    ¡°Three taels of Aconite?! Are you trying to kill someone?¡± Korean medicine teacher Han Dai muttered, dumbfounded.


    Ignoring the reactions, Gao-Yuan continued, ¡°Boil it immediately! Hurry!¡±


    Wan Lao quickly stepped in to caution him. ¡°Doctor Gao, three taels of Aconite in a single dose is already excessive. How many days do you plan to administer this for?¡±


    ¡°Three doses during the day, one at night, for four consecutive days. The treatment must not be interrupted. Now go prepare the medicine!¡± Gao-Yuan barked.


    ¡°Twelve taels in total?!¡± Wan Lao nearly threw his cane in shock. ¡°Three taels is already enough to terrify most people, and you¡¯re talking about nearly a pound! What is this, a meal?!¡±


    The surrounding Chinese medicine practitioners inhaled sharply, half-joking that they might as well absorb the patient¡¯s cold energy themselves.


    Director Li wasted no time, rushing out to have the medicine prepared.


    Bureau Chief Yuan Hai stared at Gao-Yuan in shock, then turned to Wang Hanzhang for an explanation.


    Wang Hanzhang waved his hand nonchalantly, as if to say, ¡°No big deal, just another day.¡±


    Han Dai could only manage an awkward laugh. ¡°Doctor Gao, maybe you should rename this decoction. Don¡¯t call it Bentun Decoction anymore.¡±


    Gao-Yuan frowned. ¡°Why?¡±


    With a wry smile, Han Dai replied, ¡°I¡¯m afraid Old Wu might not take it well.¡±

 Episode 105: Striving Against All Odds

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    fuzi is too high. The pharmacy refuses to fill it."


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    Elder Wan shook his head. He had expected this¡ªwho would dare dispense such a high dosage?


    Gao-Yuan turned to Director Zhu and called out, "Director Zhu!"


    Director Zhu hesitated, glancing at the patient¡¯s family. His experience told him that the attitude of the family was crucial at such moments. He asked, "What do you think?"


    Without much hesitation, Hao Meiling replied firmly, "We¡¯ll proceed."


    Her elder brother frowned. "Meiling, do you really trust this man to save Dad''s life?"


    Hao Meiling shook her head.


    "Then why would you agree to use such a terrifying prescription?" he asked again.


    Looking at Director Zhu and the other doctors, Hao Meiling saw them all avoiding her gaze. She responded, "This doctor is the only one who truly wants to save my father. He¡¯s our only option. Do we even have a choice?"


    Her elder brother was momentarily stunned into silence. She was right¡ªthis young doctor was the only one still trying. Everyone else, himself included, had already given up. None of them believed there was any hope left.


    After a pause, he sighed deeply. "Alright, as long as you won''t regret your decision, I¡¯ll support whatever you choose to do."


    Tears welled up in Hao Meiling¡¯s eyes again.


    Director Zhu nodded heavily, understanding that the family had resigned themselves to trying whatever might work¡ªa desperate attempt to save the unsavable. He had seen this situation countless times during his years in the hospital. Unfortunately, the outcome was rarely positive, only serving to add another layer of despair.


    Elder Wan glanced at the other traditional medicine practitioners, who responded with wry smiles.


    With the family in this state of mind, it wouldn¡¯t have mattered if Gao-Yuan had prescribed twelve taels of fuzi a day¡ªor even twelve jin¡ªthey would have accepted it.


    But would it make any difference?


    Seeing the family¡¯s approval, Director Zhu turned to the hospital leadership. "Director Yuan, what¡¯s your view?"


    Director Yuan Hai replied, "I don¡¯t understand medical treatments. It¡¯s up to you."


    Director Zhu nodded, taking the prescription from the nurse. "I¡¯ll speak with the pharmacy myself."


    With that, he left the room.


    The room fell silent. The atmosphere grew unbearably heavy. Treating a terminal patient was already distressing, but Gao-Yuan''s unconventional approach added another layer of tension.


    Though the Hao siblings stayed by their father¡¯s side, they couldn¡¯t help but glance at Gao-Yuan every so often.


    The oppressive atmosphere eventually became too much for some of the doctors. One by one, they excused themselves, saying they were going to check on the children with adenoviral pneumonia in the wards.


    Gradually, most of the people in the consultation room left.


    Director Yuan Hai also departed. He was busy coordinating the treatment of adenoviral pneumonia patients and overseeing the collaboration between Western and traditional medicine teams.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    Before long, only a handful of people remained in the consultation room. Part of it was because everyone was busy, and part of it was because no one believed there was any hope for Hao Daya.


    Hao Meiling sat silently by her father¡¯s side, tears streaming down her face.


    After observing the situation for a while, Gao-Yuan stepped out of the room as well.


    Outside the hospital entrance, he exhaled deeply, trying to release the tension. Gazing into the distance, he murmured, "Another life hanging by a thread."


    Gao-Yuan had treated many critically ill patients. As long as the three major foot pulses were discernible, even a complex seven-deficient pulse at the wrist offered some chance of survival. But this patient only had the Taixi pulse remaining.


    The Taixi pulse, associated with kidney qi, was the body¡¯s congenital foundation.


    He recalled the teachings from his past life, especially the notes in Peng Ziyi''s Lecture Records, which stated: ¡°Even when stomach qi is nearly exhausted, survival is not impossible. But once kidney qi is depleted, it¡¯s like uprooting the source of yang energy¡ªbeyond salvation, even for immortals.¡±


    Instinctively, he reached into his pocket for a cigarette, only to find none. In his previous life, he had relied on cigarettes during such tense moments. Although he had quit smoking in this life, the habitual craving lingered.


    Shaking his head, he muttered to himself.


    "Are you looking for a cigarette?" a voice asked from behind.


    Gao-Yuan turned to see Hao Meiling approaching.


    "If you want to smoke, I can ask my brother for one," she offered.


    He waved his hand. "No need. I quit long ago."


    "Are you uncertain about this too?" she asked quietly.


    Gao-Yuan remained silent.


    Her face fell. "I know my father probably can¡¯t be saved. I just can¡¯t bring myself to accept it. I don¡¯t want to believe it. It¡¯s so hard to imagine that the man who once carried me on his shoulders is now in this condition."


    "I don¡¯t want to go home and never be able to call out ¡®Dad¡¯ again. That¡¯s why I¡¯m insisting on trying everything. Even if there¡¯s no hope, I need to keep trying. At the very least, I can say I never gave up on him."


    Meeting her eyes, Gao-Yuan replied earnestly, "I won¡¯t give up on my patients either. No matter what happens, I¡¯ll always do my best."


    She looked at him with gratitude. "Thank you."


    He nodded. "Thank you too."


    ¡­


    After the medication was prepared, Hao Meiling fed the first dose to her father.


    Meanwhile, Gao-Yuan assisted in treating critically ill children in the other wards. Originally, they had planned to return to the county hospital that day, but the sudden emergence of a critical case delayed their departure.


    Director Li and Wang Hanzhang seized the opportunity to share their experiences of combining traditional and Western medicine again.


    After the first dose, they quickly prepared the second, which was administered in the afternoon.


    To everyone¡¯s surprise, the patient, who had been expected to pass away before noon, was still alive by the afternoon. By evening, he was still holding on.


    By dinnertime, more relatives arrived, some with black armbands, prepared for the worst.


    Seeing Hao Daya¡¯s condition, they sighed and shed tears, grateful to have made it in time to see him one last time.


    After dinner, Hao Meiling fed her father the third dose.


    Night fell, and Hao Daya was still alive.


    As more relatives and friends arrived, they expressed astonishment that they could still see him alive.


    Hao¡¯s elder son, observing the scene, was at a loss for words. He wondered, ¡°Is it possible that everyone will get to see him one last time?¡±


    By now, it was late in the evening. Not only had the hospital doctors stayed, but even the traditional medicine practitioners from outside clinics had not left.


    These practitioners marveled at the situation. That morning, Hao Daya¡¯s six pulses had ceased, and his three-foot pulses were nearly gone¡ªa sure sign of imminent death. Yet here he was, still alive.


    This defied all their expectations!


    Elder Wan, observing the crowd in the ward, couldn¡¯t help but exclaim, "For Dr. Gao to fight this hard, it¡¯s something to be proud of."


    The other doctors nodded in agreement. Facing a patient who had stepped through death¡¯s door, keeping him alive until now was a feat worthy of respect.


    Despite his admiration, Elder Wan sighed. "But human strength has its limits. How can man wrestle life away from the King of Hell?"


    The others sighed as well. They wished for a miracle, but reason told them miracles belonged only to legends.


    Director Yuan Hai shook his head, a wry smile on his face. He didn¡¯t even know what he was hoping for anymore¡ªperhaps he should never have had any expectations to begin with.


    Elder Wan turned to him and said, "Director, this patient may not survive, but Dr. Gao has demonstrated the value of the Benton Decoction. I believe the city should take it seriously."


    "Agreed," Director Yuan Hai said with a nod.


    Elder Wan smiled faintly.


    Just then, Teacher Han Dai emerged from the crowd of Hao family relatives and said, "Hey, the patient¡¯s benton qi has stabilized."


    The room instantly fell silent.

 Episode 106: Please, Please Invite Him

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    ¡°What? The breath stopped?¡± Elder Wan, being hard of hearing due to his age, misunderstood what was said.


    The nearby traditional Chinese medicine doctor added, ¡°Ah, so it¡¯s just the breath stopping? I thought it was the ¡®running piglet qi¡¯ that stopped. Scared me half to death.¡±


    The others shook their heads in disapproval.


    Director Yuan Hai sighed deeply.


    ¡°Stop joking around!¡± Master Han Dai exclaimed urgently. ¡°It really is the ¡®running piglet qi¡¯ that¡¯s stopped! It¡¯s not acting up anymore!¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± This time, everyone confirmed they hadn¡¯t misheard.


    Elder Wan asked again, ¡°The ¡®running piglet qi¡¯ stopped? But the patient¡¯s breathing didn¡¯t stop, right?¡±


    ¡°Breathing? What breathing? The patient¡¯s still alive!¡± Master Han Dai snapped irritably.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Elder Wan found himself at a loss for words.


    Everyone else was dumbfounded.


    After all this time, not only had the patient not died, but the ¡®running piglet qi¡¯ had stopped? Could this mean¡­ the situation had improved?


    They all stared at one another in astonishment. What on earth was happening?


    Director Yuan Hai, looking around in a panic, asked, ¡°Where¡¯s Doctor Gao Yuan?¡±


    Everyone immediately began searching the room.


    ¡°Yes, where¡¯s Doctor Gao Yuan?¡±


    From amidst the Hao family members, Hao Meiling pushed her way out and shouted anxiously, ¡°Doctor Gao! Doctor Gao!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± Gao Yuan¡¯s voice came from outside the room.


    ¡°Please, come quickly and see my father. He¡¯s awake!¡± Hao Meiling grew even more frantic.


    ¡°I¡¯m on my way.¡± Gao Yuan stepped in from the shadows. The dim lighting in the main hall gradually illuminated his figure.


    At that moment, Gao Yuan seemed to absorb all the surrounding light. No, in that moment, he was the light.


    Everyone was mesmerized.


    Gao Yuan walked steadily, each step resonating like a drumbeat in their hearts.


    At this moment, his expression was solemn and resolute.


    Even the doctors outside the room instinctively moved aside, creating a clear path for Gao Yuan.


    He walked through the crowd and headed straight for the patient¡¯s room.


    Inside, the room was packed with people. Even Master Han Dai and Hao Meiling had to squeeze their way out to make space.


    But now, as Gao Yuan approached, everyone scrambled to press themselves against the walls, leaving the center path entirely for him.


    Gao Yuan strode forward, stopping directly at the patient¡¯s side.


    ¡°Dr. Gao¡­ please, look¡­¡± Hao Meiling¡¯s eldest brother stammered.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Gao Yuan knelt by the patient¡¯s bedside to examine him. The patient had regained consciousness but remained groggy, barely able to respond to simple questions. Gao Yuan touched the patient¡¯s limbs and found them warming up. Then, he felt the patient¡¯s pulse at the wrist and at the foot.


    ¡°How is it?¡± Hao Meiling asked nervously.


    The other traditional Chinese medicine doctors outside tried desperately to squeeze in to get a look, but the Hao family blocked their way. Everyone was on edge, unwilling to yield even an inch.


    Gao Yuan withdrew his hand and asked, ¡°Did he take the medicine from tonight?¡±


    ¡°Not yet,¡± Hao Meiling replied.


    ¡°Administer it immediately,¡± Gao Yuan instructed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go get it!¡± This time, Hao Meiling¡¯s eldest brother hurried off to fetch the medicine.


    Hao Meiling looked anxiously at Gao Yuan. ¡°Will¡­ will my father survive?¡±


    Gao Yuan replied calmly, ¡°If he makes it past midnight, when Yang qi rises, he¡¯ll survive.¡±


    Hao Meiling quickly glanced at her watch.


    ¡°The medicine¡¯s here!¡± her eldest brother called loudly from the door.


    <hr>


    Night deepened.


    Not just the Hao family members but even the other traditional Chinese medicine doctors outside refused to leave. Though they usually went to bed early, now they were fighting off yawns. No one dared leave, or even yawn too loudly, for fear of missing a critical moment.


    Director Zhu was running back and forth, torn between nervousness and excitement. Deep down, he sensed he might be witnessing a miracle.


    Gao Yuan sat at the patient¡¯s bedside like a mountain, calm and composed, his eyes closed but exuding an intimidating aura.


    Everyone else held their breath in tension.


    Outside the hospital, Wang Hanzhang and Dean Li sat on the steps, smoking. While everyone else was on edge, they seemed the most relaxed. Unconsciously, they had adopted Li Shengli¡¯s bad habit of treating Gao Yuan as omnipotent.


    Wang Hanzhang glanced at the patient¡¯s room window, then stubbed out his cigarette on the ground. ¡°Doctor Gao is sitting by the patient¡¯s bedside again.¡±


    Dean Li picked up the stub to check if it was completely smoked before tossing it aside. He replied, ¡°Probably scaring King Yama again.¡±


    Wang Hanzhang chuckled.


    <hr>


    ¡°Doctor Gao, it¡¯s almost midnight,¡± Hao Meiling suddenly blurted out in alarm.


    Only then did Gao Yuan open his eyes.


    Inside the room, the Hao family members held their breath.


    Gao Yuan looked at the patient and once again began a diagnostic examination.


    Hao Meiling kept glancing back and forth between her watch and her father, her anxiety palpable.


    Outside, Master Han Dai was trying to force his way in.


    The other traditional Chinese medicine doctors were just as anxious.


    ¡°It¡¯s midnight! Midnight!¡± The hospital clock struck twelve with deep, resonant chimes.


    ¡°Let me in!¡± Master Han Dai wriggled like a worm, trying to push through.


    Elder Wan, maintaining his dignity, refrained from squeezing but craned his neck to catch a glimpse of the patient¡¯s condition.


    Director Yuan Hai, parched from tension, looked around for Wang Hanzhang and Dean Li. Seeing neither, he silently cursed their calm demeanor, wondering how they could be so composed at a time like this.


    Inside the room¡­


    ¡°My father¡¯s alive! My father¡¯s alive! Doctor Gao!¡± Hao Meiling was on the verge of tears, her voice trembling with emotion.


    The hearts of the Hao family members were lodged in their throats.


    Gao Yuan released the patient¡¯s wrist and called softly, ¡°Elder Hao, Elder Hao.¡±


    ¡°Mm¡­¡± Elder Hao responded faintly.


    Gao Yuan asked, ¡°Do you still feel discomfort in your chest?¡±


    ¡°Mm¡­ mm¡­¡± Elder Hao shook his head weakly.


    Gao Yuan nodded. ¡°The heart palpitations should have stopped.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Director Zhu rushed over with his stethoscope, listening carefully. Then, he exclaimed in amazement, ¡°The fibrillation has stopped! The fibrillation has stopped!¡±


    Finally, Gao Yuan smiled. Facing the expectant gazes of the Hao family, he turned to the eldest son and said, ¡°Turn the food and supplies you prepared for the funeral into a thank-you feast. You can¡¯t let your guests go home empty-handed.¡±


    ¡°You mean¡­ you mean¡­¡± Hao¡¯s eldest son was so overjoyed he could barely speak.


    Gao Yuan nodded with a faint smile. ¡°You¡¯ve got so many strong men here¡ªhow could King Yama dare to take your father away?¡±


    ¡°Ha ha ha¡­¡± The room erupted in cheers.


    The traditional Chinese medicine doctors outside were startled by the laughter.


    ¡°He¡¯s¡­ alive?¡± one of them murmured in disbelief.


    Elder Wan¡¯s face was a mix of astonishment and admiration. ¡°In over fifty years of practicing medicine, this is the first time I¡¯ve witnessed a miracle. Gao Yuan is truly a divine doctor!¡±


    Hearing the laughter inside, Master Han Dai grew even more desperate, wriggling forward with renewed urgency.


    Director Yuan Hai quickly snapped out of his daze and rushed forward to grab Master Han Dai, pulling him back.


    Master Han Dai had almost made it halfway through the door but was yanked out of the room. He turned, ready to curse, only to see it was Director Yuan Hai.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± he demanded.


    Gripping Master Han Dai¡¯s hand tightly, Yuan Hai said earnestly, ¡°Doctor Han, you must invite Dr. Wu Wenquan. I¡¯ll accompany you personally to make the request!¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± Master Han Dai was utterly exasperated.

 Episode 107: What Car?

    By the next day, three more doses of medicine were administered. Including the previous day''s, a total of seven doses had been taken. After these seven doses, the patient experienced significantly increased urination, reaching up to 2,000 milliliters per day and night. His appetite improved remarkably, his breathing stabilized, and he could lie flat without discomfort. Even the heart palpitations that had plagued him for over a decade had ceased.


    By evening, devoted family members, distant relatives, and old friends had gathered at the hospital. They looked at each other in disbelief.


    They had come prepared for mourning, their emotions primed, tears welling in their eyes, ready to burst into wails of sorrow at any moment.


    But instead, they found themselves watching as the supposedly dying Mr. Hao dashed around the room.


    Yes, by evening, after seven doses of medicine, Mr. Hao was not only alive but also walking around.


    Even his children were dumbfounded. This wasn''t the feeble, bedridden man they¡¯d known; he was healthier than he¡¯d been in months. Their father, who hadn''t been able to get out of bed for a long time, was now roaming freely, greeting the distant relatives who had come to bid him farewell. The only oddity was the flaking skin on his body, as if he were shedding an old layer.


    The visitors didn¡¯t know whether to laugh or cry. The surreal sight of this vigorous man contrasted sharply with the mournful atmosphere they had expected. It was eerie in the dim hospital light.


    An elderly man with a walking stick, who looked like a stern, old-school scholar, approached Mr. Hao''s eldest son with a grim expression and asked, "Do you know the story of the beacon fire that amused kings?"


    Mr. Hao''s eldest son, sweating profusely, awkwardly replied, "I only know about pancakes rolled with green onions."


    The old man struck the floor with his cane and bellowed, "Do you know how sharp this cane is?"


    The eldest son shook his head, on the verge of tears. "Mother''s chicken!" he blurted out in exasperation.


    "Take this!" The old man raised his cane and began to strike him.


    The eldest son darted away, dodging the blows. It wasn¡¯t that the old man was particularly agile, but the gathered relatives were so numerous that the poor son kept stumbling over someone¡¯s foot, receiving more hits in the process.


    He was utterly devastated. A grown man getting scolded and beaten¡ªwhat kind of absurdity was this?


    ¡°How is he doing?¡± Hao Meiling anxiously asked Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan was diagnosing Mr. Hao, who had now completed ten doses of medicine. The swelling had entirely disappeared, and his spirits were high. Gao-Yuan released Mr. Hao''s pulse and said, ¡°The recovery is excellent. The most critical stage is behind us. What remains is careful recuperation.¡±


    Hao Meiling finally let out a long breath of relief. ¡°So my father won¡¯t relapse into such a critical condition again, right?¡±


    Gao-Yuan deliberated briefly and said, ¡°He won¡¯t. For the follow-up treatment, you should consult Dr. Wan. He¡¯s more experienced in this area. Since you¡¯re based in the city, follow-ups with him will also be more convenient.¡±


    Hao Meiling hesitated. ¡°Dr. Gao, aren¡¯t you based in the city?¡±


    Gao-Yuan shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m stationed in a rural county.¡±


    ¡°A rural county? But didn¡¯t you come from Beiping? You speak with a capital accent.¡± Hao Meiling was surprised. She had assumed Gao-Yuan was a prominent physician from the capital. How could he be a rural doctor? Could someone from the countryside really cure a terminal illness that even the provincial hospital couldn¡¯t?


    ¡°I attended university in Beiping,¡± Gao-Yuan replied.


    ¡°University?¡± Hao Meiling was even more astonished. He was a university graduate? Then why was he practicing medicine in the countryside?Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    Gao-Yuan didn¡¯t elaborate. ¡°Take care. I must return to the countryside. Excuse me.¡±


    With that, Gao-Yuan rose and took his leave.


    Outside, Director Li and Wang Hanzhang were waiting for him. The medical staff from the city hospital had gathered in the first-floor lobby, while outside, the courtyard was packed with local TCM practitioners who had come to see him off. At the forefront stood Dr. Wan, leaning on his cane.


    When they saw Gao-Yuan emerge from the consultation room, they broke into applause.


    Gao-Yuan froze for a moment, taken aback by the unexpected scene.


    But as he looked around, a smile spread across his face. As he smiled, his eyes began to well up.


    Director Li and Wang Hanzhang stood before him, hands at their sides, smiling.


    Gao-Yuan rubbed his eyes and smiled back, trying to make his grin as broad as possible.


    Hearing the applause outside, Hao Meiling hurried to open the door and was stunned by what she saw.


    Wang Hanzhang said to Gao-Yuan, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Gao-Yuan nodded and turned to face the city hospital¡¯s medical staff in the lobby.


    Standing straight, he gave them a deep bow.


    Director Zhu led the staff in returning the bow, followed by the rest of the medical team, who all bowed in unison to show their respect.


    ¡°Goodbye,¡± Gao-Yuan said softly. Not daring to linger, he turned and walked out.


    Outside, the TCM practitioners, some familiar, some not, stood waiting.


    Dr. Wan stood at the front, looking at Gao-Yuan with a smile.


    Gao-Yuan smiled back.


    Dr. Wan said sincerely, ¡°I have studied medicine for over sixty years and practiced for more than fifty. Today, I finally understand what it means to be a true doctor.¡±


    ¡°Dr. Wan¡­¡±


    Dr. Wan raised a hand to stop him. ¡°Dr. Gao-Yuan, it¡¯s a pleasure to know you. It¡¯s an even greater pleasure to have someone like you in the TCM community.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Gao-Yuan said, bowing deeply to Dr. Wan and the gathered practitioners.


    The TCM practitioners bowed in return.


    Dr. Wan also bowed and then pointed upstairs. ¡°They¡¯re seeing you off as well.¡±


    Gao-Yuan turned to see parents and children crowding the second and third-floor balconies. The parents waved, holding children whose conditions had stabilized thanks to him.


    Seeing their smiling faces, a rare sight in a hospital, Gao-Yuan felt an overwhelming sense of contentment. No one knew what the future held, not even someone like Gao-Yuan who had been reborn.


    But seeing these smiles was reward enough.


    Do good deeds, and don¡¯t worry about the future.


    As Gao-Yuan turned to leave, he saw Bureau Chief Yuan Hai arriving at the hospital in a car. He stepped out and said, ¡°Hop in. I¡¯ll take you to the station.¡±


    The three of them were momentarily stunned. This area was so remote and underdeveloped that it was rare to see a car. Even the city government only had one car. Yet, Bureau Chief Yuan had borrowed it to pick them up. Such treatment was indeed extraordinary.


    Seeing their hesitation, Yuan Hai chuckled and said, ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there. Gas isn¡¯t cheap.¡±


    The group burst into laughter.


    After they left, the remaining doctors lingered for a while.


    Hao Meiling ran outside, but Gao-Yuan was already gone. She had seen him leave in a car. Looking at the grand send-off, she couldn¡¯t help but ask Dr. Wan beside her, ¡°Who exactly is Dr. Gao-Yuan?¡±


    Dr. Wan thought for a moment and earnestly replied, ¡°He¡¯s a doctor.¡±


    In the countryside, the battle against adenovirus pneumonia finally ended thanks to everyone¡¯s efforts. Gao-Yuan¡¯s advocacy for integrating traditional Chinese medicine with modern Western medical practices proved to have remarkable advantages. It not only saved countless children¡¯s lives but also deepened the bond between practitioners of Chinese and Western medicine, resolving previous tensions and fostering better collaboration.


    This time, the city¡¯s public health achievements were outstanding. Their efforts even garnered recognition and praise from higher authorities.


    Meanwhile, far away in Huo Township, Dr. Shen Congyun, who had fought the battle alone, finally trudged out of the remote mountains. His steps were slow and unsteady, like a lone warrior emerging from a long, gruelling campaign. Step by step, he made his way forward.


    Once he exited the village, he searched around for the welcoming committee he had envisioned¡ªsomeone to greet him as the lone hero who had braved the ordeal. He looked and looked but found no one. Confused, he waited for quite a while longer, thinking perhaps they had been delayed. Yet, as the sun dipped below the horizon and darkness settled in, no one showed up.


    ¡°How could there be no one here? That doesn¡¯t make sense,¡± Shen Congyun muttered to himself, utterly baffled.


    Beside him, Wan Jinliang cautiously suggested, ¡°Could it be¡­ there was never going to be anyone to welcome you?¡±


    Hearing this, Shen Congyun¡¯s lips quivered slightly. He didn¡¯t want to admit it. He wanted to wait a bit longer, still holding on to hope. But as the night deepened, the absence of people confirmed the disappointing truth. Hungry and exhausted, he finally relented and said, ¡°Maybe they don¡¯t know when I''m coming back. Let¡¯s just head back to the clinic.¡±


    The group trudged back to the clinic.


    When they arrived, the clinic was lit by a faint glow from a kerosene lamp. Inside, there were still people.


    As Shen Congyun approached the door, he heard the excited voice of Li Shengli from within.


    ¡°It¡¯s true! A car actually came to pick him up! Wow, I¡¯ve never even ridden in a car before. There¡¯s only one car in the entire city, isn¡¯t there? Hey, hey, what¡¯s it like to ride in a car? Is it comfortable?¡±


    Shen Congyun burst through the door, anxious and flustered. ¡°What car? What kind of car are you talking about?¡±

 Episode 108: The Bewildered Shen Congyun

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Are you insane?¡±


    ¡°Get lost!¡±


    For the first time, the mild-tempered Gao-Yuan lost his cool. But it really wasn¡¯t his fault. Halfway through relieving himself, Shen Congyun had barged in to "check on him." How could anyone not lose their temper over something like this? And this wasn¡¯t even the first time Shen Congyun had done it.


    These past few days, Shen Congyun had turned into Gao-Yuan''s shadow. Whatever Gao-Yuan did, Shen Congyun insisted on tagging along.


    If Gao-Yuan ate, Shen Congyun stared.


    If Gao-Yuan drank water, Shen Congyun watched.


    If Gao-Yuan slept, Shen Congyun lingered.


    If Gao-Yuan bathed, Shen Congyun peeked.


    And now, as Gao-Yuan was trying to relieve himself, Shen Congyun repeatedly pushed the door open to "check."


    The fact that Gao-Yuan hadn¡¯t thrown a punch was a testament to his restraint. Anyone else would¡¯ve long since bashed Shen Congyun over the head.


    Even after being scolded, Shen Congyun didn¡¯t take it to heart. Rubbing his hands together, he grinned sheepishly, his wrinkled face radiating shamelessness. ¡°I just wanted to make sure you were still there.¡±


    ¡°Still there? Go entertain yourself somewhere else!¡± Gao-Yuan fumed.


    Shen Congyun continued to grin obsequiously. ¡°I¡¯m just worried you¡¯ll leave without telling me.¡±


    Veins bulged on Gao-Yuan¡¯s forehead. This absurd behavior reminded him of his past life, particularly his time in prison. Except, not even in prison had anyone shadowed him so obsessively!


    It wasn¡¯t just annoying¡ªit was exasperating. Shen Congyun¡¯s relentless hovering had dredged up memories Gao-Yuan had long since buried. He clenched his fists, on the verge of losing control. If it weren¡¯t for his aversion to filth, he might¡¯ve hurled something from the outhouse at the old man to drive him away.


    ¡°Get out!¡± Gao-Yuan roared.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be mad, don¡¯t be mad. I¡¯m leaving, I¡¯m leaving,¡± Shen Congyun placated, backing away with a nervous chuckle.


    ¡°And shut the door!¡±


    Shen Congyun hurriedly leaned back in and closed the outhouse door behind him.


    ¡°Hah¡­¡± Gao-Yuan exhaled heavily, struggling to regain his composure. It had been a long time since someone had made him this angry.


    But as his anger simmered down, it was replaced by resignation. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he let out a wry chuckle. Shen Congyun had been transformed from a lazy, aimless old man into this hypervigilant companion, all thanks to him. Karma, it seemed, worked in mysterious ways.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    To Shen Congyun¡¯s credit, he had contributed significantly during the recent adenovirus pneumonia outbreak. He¡¯d even gone to the isolated village of Huo Township alone, a brave act worthy of acknowledgement.


    But while Shen Congyun had hoped for a hero¡¯s welcome upon his return, he received nothing of the sort.


    In hindsight, it made sense. While he had treated patients in Huo Township, the more critical cases were sent to Zhangzhuang for treatment. Who deserved more credit: the person treating regular cases or the one saving critical patients?


    Furthermore, the village¡¯s health workers had carried those critical patients through treacherous mountain roads for an entire day and night to seek help. And in a time when health workers were being championed, their sacrifices naturally drew more attention than anything Shen Congyun had done.


    On top of that, when the city was at its breaking point with the epidemic, it was Gao-Yuan who had stepped in and turned the tide. Gao-Yuan had met with city leaders, promoted collaboration between traditional Chinese and Western medicine, and developed effective treatment plans.


    Everything¡ªthe recognition, the gratitude, the praise¡ªhad revolved around Gao-Yuan.


    And Shen Congyun? He hadn¡¯t even been a footnote.


    The bitter truth had shattered Shen Congyun¡¯s confidence. The lesson he¡¯d learnt was simple: never leave Gao-Yuan¡¯s side again. Even if it meant tailing him to the ends of the earth.


    By the time Gao-Yuan finished and stepped outside, he found Shen Congyun waiting anxiously at the door.


    The sight almost made Gao-Yuan choke on his breath. In both of his lives, he¡¯d never encountered someone this clingy.


    Rubbing his hands together, Shen Congyun asked, ¡°Dr. Gao, what are your plans for later?¡±


    Gao-Yuan shot him a glare. ¡°I¡¯m planning to visit the Yan family and have a proper chat with Yan Qiao.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Shen Congyun was visibly taken aback by the response.


    ¡°What? Are you planning to follow me there too?¡± Gao-Yuan asked with mockery in his tone.


    ¡°I-I¡­¡± Shen Congyun stammered, clearly conflicted.


    With a derisive snort, Gao-Yuan walked away.


    As Gao-Yuan exited the yard, Shen Congyun panicked. ¡°Wait, wait! You¡¯re really leaving?¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯ve got the guts, then keep up!¡± Gao-Yuan retorted from the gate, a note of challenge in his voice.


    Shen Congyun¡¯s legs trembled as he watched Gao-Yuan disappear down the road. His voice cracked with desperation. ¡°Is there a big leader visiting today?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Gao-Yuan¡¯s voice drifted back.


    But Shen Congyun couldn¡¯t believe it. He had already missed out twice before and refused to let it happen again. He wanted to chase after Gao-Yuan, but his legs felt as though they were weighed down with lead.


    ¡°Damn it, damn it!¡± Shen Congyun pounded his legs, trying to will them into action. But they refused to cooperate.


    ¡°Come on, Shen family legs¡­¡± he muttered through gritted teeth. The memory of all his hardships over the years ignited a fire in him.


    With a roar, he finally forced his legs to move, stumbling forward in a desperate sprint.


    ¡°Dr. Gao! Wait for me!¡± Shen Congyun¡¯s cries echoed through the street, a pitiful wail that turned heads.


    ¡°Is Shen Congyun all right?¡± Wan Jinliang asked as he stepped outside to see the commotion.


    Li Shengli shook his head. ¡°He¡¯s gone mad.¡±


    <hr>


    Yan Family Residence, County Seat


    Standing before the Yan family¡¯s imposing gate, Shen Congyun broke into a cold sweat. His knees almost buckled. Turning to Gao-Yuan, he stammered, ¡°We¡¯re¡­ actually here?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Gao-Yuan replied.


    Shen Congyun wiped his sweat nervously. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we wait outside? You know, until the big leader arrives?¡±


    ¡°I told you, no leader is coming today,¡± Gao-Yuan said firmly.


    ¡°Hah,¡± Shen Congyun laughed weakly, clearly unconvinced.


    ¡°Are you coming in or not? Because I am.¡± Without waiting for an answer, Gao-Yuan stepped forward and knocked on the gate.


    A young boy answered. ¡°Who are you looking for?¡±


    ¡°Please inform Dr. Yan Qiao that Gao-Yuan and Shen Congyun have come to visit,¡± Gao-Yuan said politely.


    ¡°You¡¯re Dr. Gao-Yuan?¡± The boy¡¯s eyes lit up with astonishment.


    Gao-Yuan nodded.


    The boy glanced behind Gao-Yuan and asked hesitantly, ¡°And that¡¯s the old bastard Shen, right?¡±

 Episode 109: Yan Xun

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    Hearing this, Gao-Yuan turned to look at Shen Congyun behind him. He hadn''t expected that this old fellow would have such a distinct title in the Yan family.


    Shen Congyun¡¯s face was flushed with embarrassment, his head hanging so low it almost touched the ground.


    The young boy glanced at Gao-Yuan, then at Shen Congyun, before turning back to Gao-Yuan and saying, "Doctor Gao, please wait a moment. I¡¯ll go and inform them."


    As he finished speaking, the boy dashed toward the entrance. After taking just two steps, he turned back abruptly and said, "Doctor Gao, my name is Yan Xun."


    Gao-Yuan nodded at him and said, "Yan Xun, got it. I''ll remember that."


    Upon hearing this, the boy¡¯s face lit up with excitement. With a cheer, he dashed inside with even greater enthusiasm.


    Gao-Yuan smiled nostalgically as he watched Yan Xun¡¯s retreating figure. Then, he turned to look at Shen Congyun, whose head was now so low that it seemed he was trying to bury it in the ground.


    Soon enough, Yan Qiao appeared at the entrance, accompanied by a group of people. The crowd was so large it seemed to darken the doorway, and the atmosphere at the entrance seemed to grow colder.


    Yan Qiao squinted his eyes and leaned on his cane as he gazed at the two visitors. His tone was indifferent as he said, "Doctor Gao, your visit to our humble home catches us unprepared. I must apologize for our lack of courtesy."


    Gao-Yuan responded politely, "Forgive us for the intrusion. It¡¯s we who are disturbing you."


    After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Yan Qiao fell silent. He stood there, looking at them both, leaving them awkwardly stranded outside the door.


    Shen Congyun, drenched in sweat, dared not even lift his head. He could feel the piercing stares from the crowd opposite, as if they wished to devour him whole.


    Gao-Yuan hadn¡¯t expected Yan Qiao to be so brazenly inhospitable¡ªhe hadn¡¯t even invited them in.


    Just as the atmosphere became unbearably tense, Yan Xun spoke up. "Grandfather, Doctor Gao has come from afar. Shouldn''t we invite them inside for a seat?"


    The adults standing nearby turned black-faced. This boy really didn¡¯t know when to keep his mouth shut.


    Yan Qiao¡¯s expression froze for a moment, but he soon forced a smile and said, "Oh, how forgetful of me. Doctor Gao, please, do come in."


    Gao-Yuan smiled faintly and said, "In that case, I won¡¯t stand on ceremony."


    He stepped forward toward the entrance.


    As Gao-Yuan moved, Shen Congyun instinctively tried to follow. But before he could take a step, Yan Qiao¡¯s voice turned cold. "We Yan family invite guests into our home¡ªnot dogs."


    Shen Congyun¡¯s face flushed red with embarrassment.


    Gao-Yuan hadn¡¯t expected things to escalate so quickly at the door. He interjected, "Elder Yan, surely there must be a way to resolve the grievances between you two. This endless feud can¡¯t go on forever, can it?"


    Yan Qiao¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly as he turned to Gao-Yuan. "Doctor Gao, you¡¯ve intervened in our family matters several times before. Now, you¡¯ve even brought this man to my doorstep. What exactly do you intend to do?"


    Sensing Yan Qiao¡¯s rising anger, Shen Congyun became even more fearful.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    However, Gao-Yuan remained composed. Glancing at the bustling street and the passersby, he said, "Elder Yan, are you planning to discuss this matter here? Do you intend for the entire town to hear about the Yan family¡¯s internal affairs? I don¡¯t mind, but I wonder how you feel about it."


    Shen Congyun stole a glance at Gao-Yuan, astonished by his boldness.


    Even Yan Qiao¡¯s sons, standing nearby, couldn¡¯t help but be impressed by Gao-Yuan¡¯s audacity.


    Yan Xun¡¯s eyes sparkled with admiration.


    Yan Qiao¡¯s face twitched slightly, but as someone who prided himself on dignity and decorum, he certainly didn¡¯t want to cause a scene in public. Suppressing his dissatisfaction, he muttered, "Sharp-tongued."


    With that, Yan Qiao turned and walked into the house.


    The Yan family members followed suit, filing in one after another.


    Yan Xun was the last to enter. He turned back to Gao-Yuan and secretly gave him a thumbs-up.


    Gao-Yuan exhaled softly. The first hurdle had been cleared.


    "Let¡¯s go," Gao-Yuan said, beckoning Shen Congyun to follow.


    Shen Congyun hesitated, his voice trembling. "Maybe I should just leave..."


    Gao-Yuan found himself both amused and exasperated. This old fellow, who had been so stubborn before, was now genuinely terrified.


    He said, "You¡¯ve got to resolve your issues with the Yan family eventually, don¡¯t you? Your two sons are still inside. In your current state, you won¡¯t achieve anything. You¡¯ve always talked about reviving the Shen family. What will happen if you¡¯re gone and the Shen family disappears along with you?"


    Shen Congyun opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words.


    Gao-Yuan gestured for him to follow. "Come on."


    "Wait a moment." Shen Congyun suddenly stopped Gao-Yuan, hesitating. "Do you think there¡¯s a chance... that if I gained the favour of someone important, the Yan family might return my sons to me?"


    Gao-Yuan was speechless. This old man really hadn¡¯t changed¡ªstill a schemer at heart. "Rest assured, that¡¯s absolutely impossible," he replied.


    Shen Congyun¡¯s face froze.


    "If you don¡¯t go in now," Gao-Yuan warned, "I¡¯ll never meddle in your affairs again."


    Left with no other choice, Shen Congyun reluctantly muttered, "Fine, let¡¯s go in."


    The two of them entered the house.


    Yan Qiao gestured to his daughter-in-law. "Serve some tea."


    Before the revolution, the Yan family had several servants, as well as a coachman. But times had changed, and now all the chores were done by the family themselves.


    Shen Congyun shrank behind Gao-Yuan, looking like a child being dragged by their parent to apologize. The scene was absurdly mismatched¡ªif their roles were reversed, it would have seemed more fitting.


    The second generation of the Yan family gathered in the hall, while the third generation stayed outside in the courtyard. The only exception was Yan Xun, who had been allowed to remain inside, a clear testament to his favored status.


    After thanking them for the tea, Gao-Yuan addressed Yan Qiao directly. "Elder Yan¡ª"


    But Yan Qiao cut him off with a wave of his hand. "Doctor Gao, I respect your medical skill and admire your ethics, but that doesn¡¯t mean I fear you. This is my final warning: don¡¯t meddle in this mess. A man like him isn¡¯t worth it."


    Shen Congyun lowered his head further, picking nervously at his fingernails.


    Gao-Yuan calmly wiped a speck of dust off the tea table and said, "Elder Yan, some stains can be wiped clean. But if they¡¯re ignored, they¡¯ll remain forever."


    Shen Congyun glanced at Gao-Yuan out of the corner of his eye. Was he actually insulting someone?


    Yan Qiao fell silent, his face darkening. The scandal of Shen Congyun¡¯s betrayal had indeed tarnished the Yan family¡¯s reputation. If they didn¡¯t address it, that stain would never fade.


    After a long pause, Yan Qiao asked, "What do you propose?"


    Gao-Yuan responded earnestly, "I came here to solve problems, not create them."


    "Solve them?" Yan Qiao pressed. "How do you intend to do that? How much do you even know about his past?"


    "Just the basics," Gao-Yuan replied.


    "Fine," Yan Qiao said, his tone sharp. "Then let¡¯s settle the score. When this scoundrel was destitute and homeless, it was my family who took him in. How do you account for that debt? For ten years, he lived under my roof. How do you account for that?"


    "I married my daughter to him, and he abandoned her. How do you account for that? Using his status as my son-in-law, he tricked us into teaching him our family¡¯s exclusive medical techniques. How do you account for that? After learning them, he betrayed us, deserted my daughter and their children, and left the Yan family. How do you account for that?"


    "My daughter has been a widow for over a decade, and my grandchildren have endured mockery for just as long. How do you account for that? He opened a clinic using our family¡¯s techniques to profit for himself. How do you account for that? And he¡¯s disgraced my family¡¯s name. How do you account for that?"


    Yan Qiao slammed the table, his voice trembling with rage. "Every single grievance, Doctor Gao¡ªhow will you settle them?"


    Gao-Yuan turned to Shen Congyun, feigning surprise. "You did all that?"


    "Huh?" Shen Congyun froze, dumbstruck. What was that supposed to mean? Had Doctor Gao brought him into the wolf¡¯s den only to abandon him?

 Episode 110: Settling Accounts

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    Young Yan Xun hid in a corner, watching the two men intently.


    Yan Qiao asked suspiciously, "Are you saying you didn''t know about this before? Are you planning to stay out of it now?"


    Seeing that Gao-Yuan seemed reluctant to intervene, Shen Congyun became anxious. He cried out, "Dr. Gao, you can''t just leave me like this! You brought me here¡ªif you abandon me now, what am I supposed to do?"


    Gao-Yuan hesitated for a moment.


    Shen Congyun shouted urgently, "Don''t just listen to their side of the story! Yes, I was destitute back then and agreed to marry into their family. But at that time, their old patriarch was on his deathbed. The Yan family wanted to marry someone in to bring good fortune. I was brought in to bring them that fortune!"


    "For ten years, I ate and lived with the Yan family, but I didn¡¯t freeload. I worked hard! During the day, I helped in the pharmacy; at night, I washed clothes, scrubbed trousers, and did household chores. I was no better than a servant!"


    "And it wasn¡¯t wrong for me to leave the Yan family! From the start, I told them my name was Shen Congyun, and I was a descendant of the Shen family. I said I would someday revive the Shen family name, and they agreed to that. But after the old patriarch passed, they insisted on changing my surname to Yan and even forced my child to take their surname. They were the ones who broke their promise first! As for... as for learning the Yan family¡¯s medical techniques... yes, I did learn them."


    Hearing this, Yan Qiao was livid. He slammed the table so hard that the teacup wobbled and spilled water. "You wretch! A son-in-law who married into our family¡ªa useless thing like you! If we hadn''t taken you in, you''d have starved to death in the streets. Instead of being grateful, you turn around and bite the hand that fed you!"


    Yan Xun''s jaw dropped, as though he had just uncovered some hidden family secret.


    "Xun, leave now," Yan''s second son ordered, shooing him away.


    "Second Uncle, just let me listen a little longer," Yan Xun pleaded in a small voice.


    Yan''s second son waved him off with a stern face. "This is none of your business. Go!"


    Left with no choice, Yan Xun reluctantly walked to the door, glancing back repeatedly. Seeing that his second uncle was still staring at him, he finally stepped out¡ªbut not far. He stopped and eavesdropped from just outside.


    Shen Congyun, growing more agitated, pointed at Yan Qiao with trembling hands and said loudly, "You all promised! I told you I would only bear the surname Shen, never Yan!"


    "You!" Yan Qiao pointed a shaking finger at Shen Congyun, his vision going dark from rage, nearly fainting.


    "Father!" Yan¡¯s eldest son rushed forward to steady him.


    "Scoundrel!" Yan''s third son surged forward, ready to strike Shen Congyun.


    Gao-Yuan quickly intervened, "This is the New Society now. Aren¡¯t you afraid the Public Security Bureau will come knocking?"


    Given that old patriarchal families like the Yans were under heavy scrutiny by the authorities, they were terrified of crossing any lines and attracting trouble. For this reason, they confined themselves to verbal condemnations and rarely took any actual action.


    Yan''s second son hurried to restrain the hot-tempered third son.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Meanwhile, Shen Congyun, who had briefly plucked up his courage, shrank back again. He hid behind Gao-Yuan, nervously picking at his fingernails.


    Yan Qiao slowly regained his composure.


    "Are you alright, Elder Yan?" Gao-Yuan asked with concern.


    Yan Qiao closed his eyes, breathing heavily, refusing to acknowledge Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan understood perfectly well that the root of the conflict between Yan Qiao and Shen Congyun was that they were fundamentally alike.


    Shen Congyun was obsessed with restoring the Shen family''s reputation, with reviving the family name he held dear. Similarly, Yan Qiao was deeply invested in preserving the Yan family''s honor. His authoritarian, old-fashioned mindset was what had led him to insist that Shen Congyun adopt the Yan surname. In this way, the two were destined to clash.


    To resolve their differences, Gao-Yuan knew he had to address their shared concern: family honor.


    Seeing Yan Qiao ignore him, Gao-Yuan began speaking on his own. "Since Elder Yan has asked us to settle accounts, let¡¯s go through them one by one. You did indeed take Shen Congyun in, but he also brought good fortune to your family. So, that cancels out."


    "Ten years of food and lodging¡ªwell, even if you hired a servant, you¡¯d have to provide room and board and pay them wages. That¡¯s balanced as well. As for marrying your daughter and becoming a live-in son-in-law, marriage is a mutual agreement and shouldn¡¯t be accounted for. So really, the issues boil down to two: learning medicine and the divorce. Am I right?"


    Yan Qiao suddenly opened his eyes. He wanted to argue because, in his mind, Shen Congyun was a villain through and through. How could the accounts possibly boil down to just these two points? But the logic was irrefutable, and he could only grit his teeth and say, "Isn¡¯t that enough? Just the fact that he deceived us to learn our medical techniques is enough to warrant a thousand cuts!"


    Gao-Yuan feigned surprise. "Is it that serious?"


    "Of course!" Yan Qiao roared. "The secret to using high doses of Aconitum safely¡ªcan you just teach that to anyone? If someone came to steal or cheat, wouldn¡¯t you be furious?"


    "For stealing or deceiving? Of course, I¡¯d be angry," Gao-Yuan replied calmly.


    "Then don¡¯t preach what you wouldn¡¯t practice!" Yan Qiao snapped.


    Pointing a finger at Shen Congyun, Yan Qiao barked, "If you had any shame, you¡¯d stick to using your Shen family¡¯s external treatments to save lives and stay away from our Yan family¡¯s internal methods. But no, you¡¯re a shameless scoundrel!"


    Gao-Yuan turned to Yan Qiao. "Elder Yan, since what¡¯s done is done, why not think of a more suitable resolution?"


    "What kind of resolution?" Yan Qiao asked suspiciously.


    "Why not become family again? Then there¡¯d be no issue of stealing or deceiving medical techniques."


    Yan Qiao was stunned. "What did you say? You want me to accept this scoundrel as family again?"


    Gao-Yuan quickly explained, "You should consider your daughter. I¡¯ve heard a bit about her condition¡ªshe¡¯s bedridden now, isn¡¯t she? No matter how filial a son might be, it¡¯s still inconvenient for him to bathe his mother, clean her waste, or change her clothes daily. She needs someone to care for her, doesn¡¯t she?"


    This statement silenced the Yan family, who had been on the verge of erupting again.


    Shen Congyun glanced at Gao-Yuan and then lowered his head.


    Gao-Yuan continued to reason with them. "If this deadlock continues, it will only cause suffering for your family. It¡¯s hardly a dignified situation for the Yan family, is it?"


    Yan Qiao said nothing.


    Shen Congyun peeked at Gao-Yuan, sensing that the ¡°Gao Commissioner¡± persona was reemerging.


    Gao-Yuan added, "To be honest, your grievances don¡¯t even qualify as real grievances. From your perspective, Shen Congyun betrayed the Yan family. But Shen Congyun is a man of principle. Would you prefer an obedient, spineless son-in-law, or one who brings glory to the Yan family?"


    Yan Qiao frowned and studied Gao-Yuan. "Him? Bring us glory? It¡¯d be a blessing if he doesn¡¯t disgrace us!"


    "Shen Congyun left the Yan family with nothing, but within a few years, he had saved enough to buy property and build a modest life for himself. Doesn¡¯t that prove he¡¯s a capable man?"


    "He¡¯s skilled in both the Yan family¡¯s internal treatments and the Shen family¡¯s external remedies. He even served as the municipal mayor¡¯s personal physician for a time. Although that was a misstep, you can¡¯t deny his ability. An ordinary person couldn¡¯t achieve such things."


    "For you, is there anything more important than bringing honor to the Yan family? Let¡¯s not even compare him to outsiders¡ªcan you honestly say Shen Congyun is less capable than your own sons?"


    Yan Qiao glanced at his sons, who looked visibly awkward. Gao-Yuan had deftly turned the heat onto them.


    Finally, Gao-Yuan delivered his finishing argument. "Dr. Li Runyu is widely regarded as the best doctor in the county, but isn¡¯t your Yan family the true medical lineage of this area? Would you really be content to let Dr. Li overshadow you?"


    Yan Qiao¡¯s face twitched as he grappled with his pride and the truth in Gao-Yuan¡¯s words.

 Episode 111: Yan Qiaos Big Win

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    Gao-Yuan¡¯s words struck a nerve with Yan Qiao. The lack of talent in the Yan family had always been his greatest regret. It was this deep-seated pain that had fueled his fury when Shen Congyun broke away from the family years ago.


    When Shen Congyun first joined the family, Yan Qiao dismissed him as unremarkable, someone who could hardly make an impact. He hadn¡¯t cared whether the marriage was approved or not and had certainly never taken it to heart.


    But over time, Yan Qiao realized that Shen Congyun was more capable than any of his own sons. Now that the Yan family was teetering on the brink of having no successors, a person bearing the Yan surname was crucial to the family¡¯s continuity. A person bearing the Shen surname? That would make them an outsider.


    Thus, Yan Qiao could never allow Shen Congyun to revert to his original surname. Even if it meant breaking their initial agreement, Yan Qiao had no qualms. To him, what right did a live-in son-in-law have to make demands?


    How could he have anticipated that Shen Congyun would be so resolute, willing to leave the Yan family with nothing to his name, not even clothes on his back? That decision was the catalyst for years of enmity.


    Once again, Gao-Yuan¡¯s words struck at the heart of Yan Qiao¡¯s pain.


    Outside the door, Yan Xun¡¯s jaw dropped. This family drama was proving to be more exciting than any gossip he¡¯d ever overheard.


    ...


    Yan Qiao remained silent for a long time, finally regaining his composure. He said, ¡°I have a few conditions.¡±


    ¡°Please, go ahead,¡± Gao-Yuan replied.


    ¡°First, Xiaozhi must decide for herself whether she is willing to be with him,¡± Yan Qiao said firmly.


    ¡°Naturally,¡± Gao-Yuan agreed.


    ¡°Second,¡± Yan Qiao continued, ¡°if Xiaozhi agrees, this man must devote himself to her care and remain loyal, without any wavering.¡±


    Gao-Yuan turned to look at Shen Congyun, who quickly nodded in agreement.


    Gao-Yuan also nodded. ¡°Very well.¡±


    ¡°Third,¡± Yan Qiao said, ¡°I want you to personally treat Xiaozhi and see if there¡¯s any chance of her recovery.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s no problem,¡± Gao-Yuan agreed without hesitation.


    Yan Qiao¡¯s tone turned colder. ¡°But let me be clear: I will not acknowledge him as my son-in-law. He is to care only for Xiaozhi¡¯s daily needs. As for Yan Kuan and Yan Ren, they must keep the Yan surname and will always be part of the Yan family. They cannot change their names.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Shen Congyun grew anxious. The Shen family had no one left but him. If his two sons couldn¡¯t reclaim the Shen surname, his family line would truly be extinguished.


    ¡°Is there no room for negotiation on this matter?¡± Gao-Yuan frowned.


    Yan Qiao shook his head. ¡°You know our situation. The Yan family lacks heirs and talent. This entire household can¡¯t even compare to a single outsider like Li Runyu. Unless... unless you are willing to take Yan Xun as your apprentice and nurture him. Once he surpasses Li Runyu, Yan Kuan and Yan Ren can reclaim their original surname, and I will also recognize Shen Congyun as my son-in-law.¡±The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Gao-Yuan looked surprised.


    Yan Qiao swallowed hard after making this proposal, his determination evident.


    Outside the door, Yan Xun could barely contain his joy.


    Shen Congyun, on the other hand, was tense, unsure if Gao-Yuan would agree. Surpassing Li Runyu would require Gao-Yuan to share all his knowledge, which wasn¡¯t something most masters would willingly do, even with ordinary apprentices.


    ¡°This...¡± Gao-Yuan hesitated.


    ¡°This is my bottom line!¡± Yan Qiao declared firmly.


    Noticing Gao-Yuan¡¯s reluctance, Yan Qiao added, ¡°Yan Xun is a bright and respectful child. He looks up to you and would treat you like a father. He¡¯s nothing like this ungrateful bastard, Shen Congyun.¡±


    Yan Qiao¡¯s fourth son chimed in eagerly, ¡°That¡¯s right, Dr. Gao. From now on, you¡¯ll come before my own father. I¡¯ll make sure Yan Xun respects you first as his teacher, then as his father.¡±


    The other Yan brothers looked at the fourth with newfound admiration. He was truly willing to go all out.


    After a deep sigh, Gao-Yuan finally said, ¡°Alright, I agree.¡±


    Shen Congyun was moved to tears.


    Outside, Yan Xun couldn¡¯t help but leap with joy.


    Yan Qiao let out a long sigh of relief. ¡°As for Shen Congyun¡¯s misuse of the Yan family¡¯s medical techniques, as long as he doesn¡¯t practice internal medicine in the future, I won¡¯t pursue the matter further.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Shen Congyun was dumbfounded. He couldn¡¯t agree to this. His skills in external treatments were limited to massage, and without internal medicine, he wouldn¡¯t be able to practice effectively.


    ¡°Dr. Gao, you understand our circumstances. Every doctor in our area is responsible for the health of over ten thousand people. Dr. Shen cannot rely on massage alone,¡± Gao-Yuan explained.


    Yan Qiao¡¯s tone was resolute. ¡°The misuse of our family¡¯s medical knowledge cannot be overlooked.¡±


    ¡°What if we exchange skills?¡± Gao-Yuan suggested. ¡°Dr. Shen could teach his massage techniques to your family in return for the continued use of your internal medicine methods.¡±


    Yan Qiao immediately refused. ¡°External treatments are minor techniques. How can they compare to our family¡¯s internal medicine skills?¡±


    Hearing this, Shen Congyun¡¯s blood pressure spiked.


    ¡°Is there truly no room for negotiation?¡± Gao-Yuan asked, his brows furrowed.


    ¡°This is an ancestral skill,¡± Yan Qiao replied sternly. ¡°Would you casually share your secret method of using high doses of Wu Fu with others? If you¡¯re willing to share that formula with the Yan family, I¡¯ll allow Shen Congyun to continue using our internal medicine.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s outrageous!¡± Shen Congyun couldn¡¯t hold back.


    Gao-Yuan sighed and stopped him. Turning to Yan Qiao, he said, ¡°Fine, skill for skill.¡±


    The entire Yan family froze in shock.


    ¡°Are you serious?¡± Yan Qiao asked, his disbelief apparent.


    ¡°For Dr. Shen¡¯s sake, I¡¯m willing,¡± Gao-Yuan said.


    ¡°Dr. Gao...¡± Shen Congyun was moved to tears.


    Yan Qiao, too, was elated. While Yan Xun could learn these skills, Gao-Yuan¡¯s willingness to share the formula with the Yan family meant every member could benefit. This would ensure the family¡¯s prosperity for generations.


    ¡°Agreed. It¡¯s a deal!¡± Yan Qiao declared.


    ¡°An agreement between gentlemen,¡± Gao-Yuan replied.


    Yan Qiao raised his hand to swear an oath. ¡°I, Yan Qiao, swear that this formula will only be passed down within the direct lineage of the Yan family. It will never be shared with outsiders. Should I break this vow, may I suffer a gruesome death and have my grave desecrated!¡±


    ¡°Please, there¡¯s no need for such drastic words,¡± Gao-Yuan said, startled.


    Beaming, Yan Qiao grasped Gao-Yuan¡¯s hand warmly. ¡°Dr. Gao, please sit down! Someone, bring the good tea from my private collection. What is this poor excuse for tea we¡¯re serving?¡±


    The speed of his change in demeanor left everyone stunned.


    ¡°Tea can wait,¡± Gao-Yuan said. ¡°Let¡¯s treat the patient first.¡±


    ¡°Of course, of course. This way, please,¡± Yan Qiao said, leading the way enthusiastically.


    Yan Qiao¡¯s fourth son eagerly guided them forward.


    As Gao-Yuan and Shen Congyun walked side by side, Yan Qiao lagged behind.


    ¡°Dad, what was that all about?¡± Yan Qiao¡¯s eldest son asked.


    Glaring at him, Yan Qiao snapped, ¡°If any of you were half as capable, would I need to resort to such schemes?¡±


    His sons hung their heads in shame.


    With one last glare, Yan Qiao turned his gaze to Gao-Yuan¡¯s retreating figure, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. ¡°No matter how talented he is, he¡¯s still young and impulsive. Easy to sway with a bit of passion and righteousness.¡±

 Episode 112: I Want Everyone to Win

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    The second son asked, ¡°Dad? Were you acting on purpose today?¡±


    Yan Qiao replied, ¡°Of course. Do you think someone like Shen Congyun is worth my attention? The one I truly care about is Gao-Yuan. Since he dared to come here, he couldn¡¯t escape my trap. Now, not only will he dedicate himself to training Xiao Xun, but he¡¯ll also teach us his secret recipes. Could there be a better deal than this?¡±


    Yan Qiao felt triumphant. He sighed and added, ¡°Besides, Xiao Zhi¡¯s condition in bed truly needs someone to take care of her.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Yan¡¯s eldest son admired him and said, ¡°Dad, you¡¯re truly a master strategist.¡±


    Yan Qiao smirked and said, ¡°Don¡¯t be fooled by Gao-Yuan¡¯s exceptional medical skills. When it comes to scheming, he¡¯s still far behind.¡±


    <hr>


    Meanwhile...


    Shen Congyun couldn¡¯t stop wiping his tears.


    Gao-Yuan turned to him and said, ¡°Stop crying already. What will your son think if he sees you like this? Isn¡¯t it embarrassing?¡±


    Shen Congyun was so touched that his heart felt like it was breaking. He said, ¡°Dr. Gao, why are you so kind to me? I¡­ I really don¡¯t know what to say. From now on, if you tell me to go east, I won¡¯t head west. If you tell me to go south, I won¡¯t turn north.¡±


    Gao-Yuan chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s not that serious. But¡­ I do have a favor to ask of you, Dr. Shen.¡±


    Shen Congyun immediately looked at Gao-Yuan.


    Gao-Yuan said, ¡°I want you to serve as a training instructor for our health officers, specifically teaching your family¡¯s external treatment techniques.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Shen Congyun was stunned.


    Gao-Yuan spoke earnestly, ¡°I don¡¯t think like others who dismiss external treatment as minor tricks. On the contrary, it represents the essence of traditional Chinese medicine: simplicity, efficacy, and affordability. Especially in a country like ours, which is still struggling, external treatments are even more precious.¡±


    He continued, ¡°If a leader were to visit someday and witness these techniques, they¡¯d undoubtedly be impressed. That would be your moment to truly gain recognition. When it comes to external treatment, is there anyone better than you?¡±


    Shen Congyun was momentarily dumbfounded.


    Gao-Yuan added, ¡°Of course, the downside is that some of your family¡¯s techniques might spread outside. But on the other hand, if the Shen family¡¯s external treatments shine everywhere, wouldn¡¯t that be another way to carry forward your legacy? More people would learn about and remember the Shen family.¡±


    Shen Congyun raised his hand and said, ¡°Dr. Gao, you don¡¯t need to persuade me anymore.¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡± Gao-Yuan was taken aback.


    Shen Congyun replied, ¡°No matter what you say now, I believe you. Whatever you want me to do, I¡¯ll agree to it.¡±


    Gao-Yuan smiled, ¡°Thank you, Dr. Shen.¡±The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Shen Congyun, on the verge of tears again, said, ¡°It¡¯s me who should thank you. Ever since my family fell apart, I¡¯ve endured decades of disdain and cold treatment. Dr. Gao, only you have treated me with kindness, making me feel the warmth of family again.¡±


    Gao-Yuan sighed and said, ¡°If only the age difference weren¡¯t so big, I¡¯d adopt you as my godson just to let you experience fatherly love.¡±


    ¡°Get out of here!¡± Shen Congyun pushed Gao-Yuan playfully, caught between laughing and crying.


    Gao-Yuan smiled as well. Finally, the matter of Shen Congyun becoming a training instructor was settled.


    <hr>


    Gao-Yuan was already planning for three years down the line. By then, the country would enter a period of extreme hardship. People wouldn¡¯t even have enough to eat, let alone afford medicine. During such times, external treatments would become invaluable.


    If the health officers could diligently practice external treatments for three years, they would be of great use when the time came. Gao-Yuan wasn¡¯t just flattering Shen Congyun; he knew Shen had always wanted to catch the attention of influential figures. Three years later would be his opportunity.


    In a time when people couldn¡¯t afford healthcare, the fact that Shen Congyun had trained numerous health officers who could treat illnesses with just their hands would significantly reduce the burden on farmers and maintain their health in the simplest and most affordable way. How could such contributions go unnoticed or unpraised?


    Without today¡¯s events, Shen Congyun would likely never have agreed to this.


    In the previous timeline, Shen Congyun only taught Gao-Yuan for three days before hanging himself. Even at the brink of death, he refused to pass down all his external treatment techniques to others. That showed just how difficult it was to convince him.


    Now, at last, the situation had been resolved.


    Gao-Yuan glanced back. Yan Xun, that lively boy, was hopping along at the rear. Gao-Yuan couldn¡¯t help but smile. In this lifetime, he had finally taken this mischievous kid as his apprentice.


    Not only had he eased tensions with the Yan family, but he had also resolved the conflict between Shen Congyun and the Yan family. Gao-Yuan was deeply satisfied. As always, he preferred fostering unity over sowing discord.


    Oh, as for the secret recipe for using large doses of Aconitum...


    Well, it wasn¡¯t like he could publish it in a book or newspaper anyway. Otherwise, Gao-Yuan would have happily shared it with the entire nation¡¯s medical community for discussion. So, he really didn¡¯t understand why Yan Qiao was so adamant about swearing oaths. Was it even necessary?


    Looking ahead, Gao-Yuan thought about Yan Zhi. She was gravely ill. In the previous timeline, her condition had worsened over time, eventually leading to her death. Gao-Yuan remembered vividly how Shen Congyun had been devastated, losing weight rapidly over a single week.


    Later, Yan Kuan and Yan Ren had mentioned that their mother, Yan Zhi, had continued murmuring Shen Congyun¡¯s name even on her deathbed. Yet, the two brothers could never forgive him.


    Even after Shen Congyun hanged himself, they didn¡¯t come to see him. At that point, the Shen family truly had no successors.


    In that past life, Shen Congyun was already a scoundrel, but repeated blows drove him to complete despair, leading to his tragic suicide.


    In that story, no one won. Everyone lost miserably.


    <hr>


    Gao-Yuan glanced at Yan Qiao, who was struggling to suppress his laughter, and smiled himself.


    This time, Gao-Yuan didn¡¯t want things to end in chaos.


    This time, he wanted everyone to win.


    <hr>


    Yan¡¯s fourth son was now exceedingly polite to Gao-Yuan, considering him his son¡¯s teacher. Leading the way, he said, ¡°Dr. Gao, my younger sister Yan Zhi¡¯s room is just ahead.¡±


    Gao-Yuan exhaled deeply, steeling himself. He knew the real challenge was about to begin. Whether this story could have a perfect ending depended on whether he could save Yan Zhi¡¯s life.


    Gao-Yuan asked the fourth son about her condition, ¡°I¡¯ve only heard that she¡¯s gravely ill and bedridden. What exactly is her diagnosis?¡±


    The fourth son explained, ¡°It¡¯s atrophy, or what Western medicine calls myasthenia gravis. When she was eight, she started showing symptoms like drooping eyelids. It took our grandfather a whole year to gradually restore her health. Oh, back when he was alive, our family was quite capable. Things only went downhill later.¡±


    Gao-Yuan interrupted, ¡°Stick to the medical details.¡±


    The fourth son quickly replied, ¡°Yes, yes. After recovering, Xiao Zhi was no different from an ordinary person. But over the past few months, her condition relapsed. She¡¯s now completely bedridden, struggling to swallow, and today, even breathing has become difficult.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Shen Congyun grew anxious.