Merchant and doctor

Chapter 2063 I have met Situ Jianqing in person

The "Flower Field Ghost Market" has a huge daily flow of visitors, and any news that gets out quickly spreads throughout the city and trade.

Over the phone, Bian Mu introduced the basic situation of several special patients he had recently treated. Western medicine has its own treatment methods, and Bian Mu could manage to treat them with some effort. However, if Liang Xiangyin and Sima Kui were not so secretive and revealed some special traditional medical concepts, unique medical techniques, secret prescriptions, etc., everyone would directly benefit in the future.

More importantly, in their old age, these fellow apprentices have made some contributions to the development of traditional Chinese medicine in China. Otherwise... wouldn't it be a bit of a regret to come into this world and leave nothing for future generations?

"Sima Kui owes you two lives, and Liang Xiangyin is now eating with you. Aren't you going to tell us your secrets? When you walk the streets, you're bound to pick up some江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry) airs, but too much of that isn't good for anyone. They've certainly taken a lot of detours in that regard, otherwise... there's at least one state-owned medical clinic in Lijin City that belongs to those two brothers. Are you trying to create some momentum for them on the outside? To provoke those two?" On the other end of the phone, Grandpa Yang immediately saw through Bian Mu's little scheme.

"I've been wanting to call you for a while, but I always felt that doing so might be a bit... so I..." Bian Mu sounded a little embarrassed on the other end of the phone.

In any case, artificially creating hype is indeed somewhat out of line with Bian Mu's usual style.

"Hehe... Compared to those senior figures in your field, you seem more gentle and refined. Your gentlemanly demeanor has actually had a significant impact on the TCM industry. As outsiders, my friends and I can see this quite clearly. In the long run, they can't match your unique advantages. However... when doing great things, one shouldn't be bothered by trifles! Although you've always upheld the ideal of healing the sick, running a clinic is also a business, isn't it? Sometimes, using necessary methods is harmless. So, I'll spread the word that the skilled practitioner who could perform the old-fashioned medical acupuncture has reappeared, and let's see how his fellow apprentices react." Over the phone, Grandpa Yang shared his views on the matter with great empathy and reason.

"Is it a bit inappropriate for a junior to do this..." Bian Mu still hesitated on the phone.

"So what! They've both suffered serious injuries. If it weren't for your timely rescue, who knows what would happen to them now! We've already talked about this, haven't we? They're both old and timid, with a strong sense of justice, the kind who won't act until they see the benefit! You've demonstrated exceptional clinical skills; even that guy, who's been around the block for most of his life, won't be able to fathom your depths. What if what you bring out is several levels below what you've already mastered? Wouldn't they be embarrassed?! Where would they put their faces?! Right? Losing face in front of a junior is a small matter; the key is that they have..." "That's all that's left. That guy twisted his back badly, it's worthless! Their lives after that won't be very interesting... When people get old, there has to be some fire burning in their hearts, and I'm the same. There has to be some hope, right?! Hehe... To use your young people's new phrase, the flame of hope must not be extinguished! I understand what you mean. I'll arrange some things afterward! If it can really play a role, it will be another option for the local traditional Chinese medicine practitioners!" On the phone, Grandpa Yang's words were quite profound.

"You've put my mind at ease a lot now... Thank you for your trouble!"

"We're all on the same side, no need to be polite! Besides, this isn't entirely your personal matter; it concerns the integrity of the local TCM industry. Everyone should put in the effort so that Lijin City's TCM development can once again take the lead in the country! By the way, I met Situ Jianqing when I was a teenager. He's a very unique person, quite different from the heads of these 'national' medical clinics."

Upon hearing this, Bian Mu's eyes lit up, and he appeared extremely excited.

"You actually encountered such a stroke of luck?! I always thought that Mr. Situ was just a legend..."

"Hey! Let me put it this way, you know Zhao Xicheng has an uncle, right?"

"I've even read his posthumous works! He was an extremely meticulous person, a very respectable senior! The old head nurse upstairs in my apartment building gets along quite well with Director Yuan, and they often chat about anecdotes about him." "Really? You seem to have a connection with everyone! It seems destined that you will be the one to carry the torch for certain figures in the local TCM community in the future! Dr. Yuan was actually half a disciple of Cao Qiling back then!" On the phone, Grandpa Yang suddenly revealed a very special piece of information.

Unexpected!

"But... judging by age, Director Yuan isn't that much younger than Cao Qiling, is he?"

"Absolutely! That's why Cao Qiling has always insisted on making friends through medicine and resolutely refused to drink the apprenticeship tea that Doctor Yuan kept offering. Speaking of which, Cao Qiling is quite a prodigy, proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting! Doctor Yuan is also a Go enthusiast. I remember... Doctor Yuan is at least an amateur 8-dan level. As for Cao Qiling... I heard he is considered a national master. The reason he doesn't participate in the various professional ranking exams in China is said to be that he is still several levels below his master, Situ Jianqing, in the art of Go!"

"Oh! Now that you mention it, isn't Situ Jianqing's chess skill almost miraculous?" Bian Mu exclaimed on the other end of the phone.

"Probably! In my memory, Situ Jianqing's eyes had a kind of piercing blue light, the kind that's cold and menacing. I was young back then, and if I accidentally met his gaze, I would feel a chill down my spine. After practicing traditional martial arts for a few years, it finally dawned on me that Situ Jianqing's skills were beyond what ordinary people could imagine. Now that I think about it, he must have reached at least the 7th rank in terms of 'atmosphere' back then!"

"so smart?!"

"Absolutely! He was definitely no ordinary person! Back then, a relative of mine fell and got injured. He was an electrician, and in those days, electricians had to climb utility poles all day long, which was considered working at heights. He was careless and fell from a high utility pole. He was extremely unlucky; not only did he break his bones, but the broken bone also pierced his lung. At that time, he had almost no pulse. He was taken to the Second Municipal Hospital, yes, the Second Municipal Hospital. After two or three days of this ordeal, he finally had a heartbeat again. However, the hospital said they had never seen such a complicated injury before, and the severity was too great. They couldn't handle it and asked my dad and the others to discuss which provincial-level tertiary hospital would be suitable for him. At this time, someone recommended that we could only seek help from Dr. Yuan for such critically ill patients. He had only been working for less than two years at that time. Dr. Yuan was kind-hearted and immediately accompanied us to find Situ Jianqing."

"And then?" Bian Mu quickly asked.

“The surgery was a traditional Chinese surgery. There was no sterile room, and no anesthesia was used. They just used some painkillers... something like ‘Li Shen San’ (a traditional Chinese medicine powder). Cao Qiling was assisting his master. I wasn’t very old at the time, and I was quickly sent outside. I have no recollection of how the procedure was performed.”

"You're cured?" Bian Mu asked hurriedly on the other end of the phone.

"Of course! Situ Jianqing is a legendary doctor, and his reputation is well-deserved! My relative is still doing well! He'll be 95 after the Spring Festival! That's about the right age. What's amazing is that after the cavity in his lung healed, there were almost no surgical scars, and the bones were set perfectly, as if they had never been broken. In any case, there were almost no aftereffects. Of course, the special and potentially fatal part of the surgery was mostly handled by the Second Municipal Hospital. In short, Senior Situ is truly amazing!"

Hearing this, Bian Mu remained silent for a long time.