Traditional Chinese Medicine Has a Successor

Chapter 28: Traditional Chinese Medicine Has Successors. In late July, Shanghai was unbearably hot and humid. Even though it was already evening and the sky was darkening, walking on the street, the steaming heat still made people sweat all over.

'We've arrived at the Public Security Family Compound. Anyone getting off?' 'Yes, yes, yes.' Zhu Liang squeezed out of the bus, covered in sweat, frowning and sighing in complaint: 'When will there be more buses on this road?

It's so crowded during rush hour.' This road not only had the Public Security Family Compound, but also the Post and Telecommunications Family Compound, the Bicycle Factory Family Compound, the Garment Factory Family Compound, and the Cake Factory Family Compound.

It was incredibly crowded during commuting hours, and even now, long after the end of the workday, it was still just as crowded. Zhu Liang was hot and tired.

He trudged dejectedly for a dozen meters to the gate of the Public Security Family Compound, listlessly greeted the gatekeeper, calling out 'Hello, Uncle Wang.' Uncle Wang stopped him: 'Liangliang, what did you do today? You've been going out early and coming back late these past two days.

Have you been dating a girl?' Zhu Liang shook his head: 'No, don't say that. Relatives came to visit, and my dad asked me to help out.' Uncle Wang teased: 'Oh, Liangliang has really grown up, knows how to receive guests.' Zhu Liang waved his hand and left.

He was too tired today to chat. When Zhu Liang got home, both his parents were there. He greeted them as he entered, sat down at the door to take off his outdoor shoes, and changed into slippers.

'Ah, comfortable. My feet have been stuffy all day, finally able to air out.' Zhu Liang's mother, Chen Si, saw him taking off his shoes and said, 'Stinky, annoying.

Go wash your feet.' 'Okay, I'm going.' The Public Security Family Compound was more spacious than other factory compounds. Every household had running water, so there was no need to go outside to wash up.

Zhu Liang not only washed his feet in the bathroom but also took a refreshing cold shower. 'You child, why are you taking a cold shower again?

Cold showers are bad for your health, you know?' 'I know, I know.' After the cold shower, his whole body felt cool. Zhu Liang wiped his hair with a towel as he walked to the dining table.

Seeing that his mother had set out three sets of bowls and chopsticks, he said, 'I'll eat.' Chen Si asked, 'Eat a little more?' Zhu Liang shook his head and sat down across from his father: 'I ate really well with the young lady and the others at Renmin Restaurant on Maple Street.

There was meat and vegetables, and I'm full.' Chen Si laughed: 'Who is the young lady? Who still calls a female comrade 'young lady'?

So old-fashioned.' 'Mom, you don't understand.' Chen Si snorted with laughter, glanced at Zhu Xing and Zhu Liang, and said, 'You father and son, one has lived in the city for over twenty years, the other was born and raised in Shanghai, yet you still talk like country folk.' Before the father and son could retort, Chen Si added, 'Hey, I don't mean to look down on country folk.

I'm just stating facts. Don't put a label on me.' Zhu Xing laughed: 'No one is putting a label on you.' Zhu Liang also laughed: 'Mom, when you say 'stating facts,' your pronunciation is so standard, not Shanghainese at all.' 'Who asked you to judge me?' Chen Si raised the end of her chopsticks as if to hit him on the head.

Zhu Liang leaned back in his chair to dodge. 'Pour me a glass of water.' 'Coming right up!' Zhu Liang went to the kitchen to pour hot water for his mother.

Seeing half a pack of chrysanthemum flowers on the shelf, he picked two wild chrysanthemum flowers and put them in the cup to steep. 'The water is very hot.

Drink it later.' 'I don't need you to tell me.' 'I care about you, I can't help but remind you.' Chen Si couldn't help but laugh, turned to Zhu Xing and said, 'Listen, your son knows how to care for people. He can start dating girls now.' Zhu Xing said, 'He'll be starting university in the fall.

After that, he'll be an adult. Whether he dates or not, and when, is his own business. We as parents don't need to interfere.' Chen Si wasn't as carefree as Zhu Xing: 'He's an adult in age, but I think he's still immature in handling things.

He still needs to learn a few more years from you, his father.' Zhu Liang sat nearby, listening to his parents talk about his future while they ate. After a few casual remarks, his father asked him, 'Did you meet the family head?' 'I did.' 'What is she like?' Chen Si asked.

'Your father said she's about your age?' Zhu Liang nodded. She was about his age, but as for her character, he didn't know her well and couldn't say casually.

'Is her personality good?' Zhu Liang didn't know how to answer. 'If you don't say, that means her personality isn't good?' Zhu Liang shook his head and spread his hands: 'The young lady's personality should be fine, but I feel she keeps a distance from people she's not familiar with.

She glanced at me casually, and I didn't dare to go up and talk to her.' Chen Si asked Zhu Xing, 'Is this what they call being mature for one's age?' Zhu Xing didn't see it that way: 'From what the clan members say, the young lady is a very imposing person. She's young, but she can hold her own in any situation.' 'So young and so formidable.

Is it because she's especially skilled? Good at medicine? Everyone else respects her?' 'Her medical skills must be good, otherwise she wouldn't have come to Shanghai to take the exam this time.' Chen Si thought about it and agreed: 'Zhu Xing, there are so many people in the Zhu Family who study medicine.

Why didn't you? If you had studied medicine, our family would be living in the City Hospital Family Compound on the street ahead.

The conditions there are better than here.' 'Look at you. Doesn't studying medicine require talent? Do you think you can learn it just by wanting to?' Zhu Xing didn't want to discuss this.

Reading between the lines, Chen Si teased Zhu Xing: 'You, a rough man, have always wanted your son and daughter to study medicine. I think it's because you wanted to learn but couldn't, so you put your hopes on your children.' 'You, since you know, why do you have to say it?' Zhu Xing said helplessly.

Chen Si ignored Zhu Xing and curiously asked her son: 'How are the medical skills of the Zhu Family?' 'Very impressive!' Zhu Liang recalled how Zhu Shouguang and Zhu Shouxin interacted with the other old Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors during the exam, and said, 'Those old TCM doctors couldn't stump them at all.

Whatever prescriptions or medical texts they mentioned, they seemed to know everything.' Zhu Xing was a bit proud: 'In terms of comparing prescriptions and medical texts, I doubt many families can surpass the Zhu Family. The Zhu Family's inheritance has never been broken.

The medical texts accumulated over generations are a tremendous wealth.' 'Really?' 'Mm. After the children of the Zhu Family turn six, anyone who wants to study medicine can go to the Zhu Medical Hall as an apprentice.

But before becoming an apprentice, they have to go to the Zhu clan to receive basic education from the old doctors. The Zhu clan's collection of books can't fit in three large houses.' 'Dad, how do you know?' Chen Si laughed: 'Silly child, your father must have also received that basic education.

Probably he wasn't as smart as others, couldn't keep up, and gave up.' Zhu Liang looked at his father and grinned, earning a glare. Crossing his legs, Zhu Liang said smugly, 'Ah, I guess I'm the one who surpasses the master.

I'm good at studying and have a good memory. Maybe in the future, I can go back and learn Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Zhu Family, combining Chinese and Western medicine.' 'You, focus on studying Western medicine well after you get into university.

You have no talent for TCM.' 'Dad, you're jumping to conclusions. How do you know I have no talent?' Zhu Xing said to Chen Si, 'When he was four, I used to ride my bike to take him to Dr.

Li's place on Wutong Lane every day. Do you remember?' Chen Si certainly remembered: 'To send Liangliang to listen to Dr.

Li's lectures, our family gave the Li family three jin of cured meat.' Chen Si said to her son, 'I remember you went for about seven or eight days. Then no matter how your father tried to persuade you, you wouldn't go anymore.

You said the other kids could recite the Tangtou Ge fluently, but you couldn't learn it and just cried.' Zhu Liang denied it: 'Impossible. I don't remember that at all.' Chen Si said disdainfully, 'That was three jin of cured meat.

The Three Years of Natural Disasters had just ended. Do you know how precious three jin of cured meat was? And that cured meat was sent by relatives from your father's hometown.

How could I misremember such a big thing?' Even after so many years, Chen Si still felt pained thinking about it and couldn't help cursing: 'You little brat, why were you so unambitious? You wasted my three jin of cured meat.' 'Did my eldest sister and second sister also study?' 'They were just as useless as you.' Zhu Liang rubbed his ears as if he hadn't heard: 'See, my sisters couldn't do it either.

It's all because Dad didn't inherit the Zhu Family's roots. It's not my fault.' The Zhu Family's skills weren't just in medicine.

The true heirloom skills of the Zhu Family were what Zhu Xing truly regretted not learning. After dinner, while clearing the table, Zhu Xing asked his son, 'When the young lady saw you, did she say anything?' 'What would she say?

When we met, the young lady only glanced at me. I couldn't even start a conversation.' Zhu Xing was completely disheartened.

His son not only had no talent for learning TCM, but also had no talent in that other aspect. Otherwise, the young lady wouldn't have ignored him.

Zhu Xing and his son were cleaning the house with the door half open. Chen Si was talking to a neighbor at the door, both speaking authentic Shanghainese.

If an outsider came, they would be completely confused. 'Dad, tomorrow I'll go to Maple Street again. Zhu Shouguang and the others have exams.

Zhu Fengqin and Er Gupo have nothing to do and will probably go out shopping. I'll take them.' Zhu Xing fished in his pocket, pulled out one yuan and three mao, and stuffed it into his son's pocket: 'Use it.' 'Thanks, Dad.' Zhu Liang didn't mind the small amount, but he wouldn't tell his father that his mother had given him ten yuan for expenses, plus food and sugar coupons.

He was quite well-off now. The next morning, Zhu Liang had breakfast and went to Maple Street, just in time to run into Zhu Fengqin and the others who were about to go out.

Zhu Fengqin saw Zhu Liang and happily waved: 'Why are you here? Didn't I tell you to rest for a couple of days? We can get together after the exams.' Zhu Liang jogged over and smiled: 'I had nothing to do at home, so I came to see if I could help.' 'Oh, you're so kind.

I was just telling Er Gupo that I wanted to go to the department store, but I was afraid the salesclerks would speak Shanghainese and we wouldn't understand.' 'The department store? There's one not far from Maple Street.

It's work hours now, so there won't be many people. If we go now, we won't have to squeeze.' 'Alright, let's set off now.

After shopping, Aunt Feng will treat you to braised pork for lunch.' 'Great!' Zhu Liang looked around and asked curiously, 'Did Zhu Shouguang and the others go to the exam?' 'Yes, they went early to prepare.' Zhu Fengqin had a lot to buy. For this big shopping trip, she carried a large cloth bag she had sewn herself.

'Let's go.' 'Okay.' While Zhu Fengqin and her group were at the department store, the Individual Medical Practice License exam was underway in the school next to the guesthouse. There were two parts: first a written exam, then a practical session of pulse diagnosis and prescription.

The written exam had a large number of questions, covering the 'Neijing,' 'Treatise On Cold Damage,' 'Bencao Jing,' and others. Even for those who wrote quickly, it would take at least two hours to finish.

There were over a hundred candidates in the exam hall. Zhu Shian was the youngest and also the first to finish. After finishing, she worried about Zhu Shouguang and Zhu Shouxin.

At their age, writing all these questions within three hours would be very taxing. Over a hundred people of all ages were in the exam hall, with invigilators all around.

After Zhu Shian finished writing and put down her pen, several invigilators stared at her. He Zhonghou walked over to Zhu Shian with his hands behind his back, picked up her exam papers, and saw that she had completed all dozen or so sheets.

He signaled with his eyes, asking if she wanted to check again. Zhu Shian shook her head. Once she wrote it, she wouldn't change it.

He Zhonghou collected her papers and told her to follow him out. Zhu Shian stood up. The other candidates looked at her.

What did this mean? He Zhonghou stood at the podium and said, 'Candidates who have finished can raise their hands to submit.' Everyone was shocked.

What? That little girl had finished? Zhu Shouguang and Zhu Shouxin lifted their chins slightly. Their Zhu Family head was naturally the most outstanding.

Zhu Shouguang straightened up a bit and thought to himself: I can't disgrace the Zhu Family's reputation either. I must finish as quickly as possible and submit, not fall behind.

Zhu Shian followed He Zhonghou out of the exam hall. He didn't let her leave but took her to the adjacent exam room. In the next room, twenty patients were waiting for her.

The patients, who had been brought from the hospital to assist with the exam, had been sitting around chatting about their conditions, expecting to wait until after lunch for the afternoon session. They didn't expect a candidate to arrive so early.

The patients sat in their seats waiting. The examiners in this room put down their teacups and gathered around curiously to look at Zhu Shian.

'Principal He, what's going on?' He Zhonghou said, 'This candidate has finished her written exam. I've brought her here for the practical.' What?

Finished? You must be joking. A dozen sheets of questions, all set by them. They knew the difficulty level. It was impossible to finish so quickly.

The examiners all looked at He Zhonghou. He Zhonghou said, 'Stop wasting time. Let's get started so we can produce the results.' 'Alright, if Principal He says so, let's begin!' An old man with silver-white hair asked Zhu Shian with a smile, 'Young lady, what illnesses are you good at?

Among these twenty patients, you can choose fifteen to diagnose and prescribe. A correct prescription earns two points; a neutral one earns one point; a wrong prescription deducts six points.

Total is thirty points, and you need at least twenty-five to pass.' Zhu Shian calculated in her mind. According to this, she could hardly afford any mistakes in the fifteen patients she chose.

One mistake and she would fail. Zhu Shian smiled and asked, 'If I prescribe for all twenty patients, will I get extra points for correct ones?' 'No extra points.' 'Oh.' The twenty patients sat in a row.

Zhu Shian didn't pick and choose; she started with the first patient. After she sat down, the examiners in the room gathered around.

Zhu Shian observed the patient. He was male, around his thirties. As she felt his pulse, she asked about his condition. The patient answered basic questions like age and occupation smoothly, but when it came to what was actually bothering him, he became shy and embarrassed.

The white-haired old doctor who had spoken earlier glared at him fiercely: 'Just say whatever it is. If you don't tell, how can the doctor prescribe?' 'Huang Daifu, how can I talk about this illness in front of a young girl?' 'Just say it when told.

You're here today to test these doctors. If you don't describe your illness properly, how can the doctor take the exam?' Hearing this, Zhu Shian guessed that the man was Huang Daifu's patient.

While the man spoke, Zhu Shian observed his tongue: red tip, thin yellow coating. His pulse was rapid and forceful. He had also mentioned thirst and irritability, all signs of heat syndrome.

Zhu Shian asked directly, 'Do you have any problems with urination?' Caught off guard, the man said awkwardly, 'Yes, a bit of a problem. I have blood in my urine.' The surrounding doctors laughed: 'Blood in urine is not a small problem.' 'Huang Daifu said it's not a big deal?' the man retorted.

Huang Daifu glared at him again: 'Don't speak unless the doctor asks you.' The man said 'Oh' and fell silent. Zhu Shian said, 'The pathogenic factor has invaded your kidneys, causing stagnation that turns into heat.

The heat damages the blood vessels, and the blood spills into the urinary tract, resulting in blood in the urine.' The man's face lit up. Yes, yes, that's exactly what Huang Daifu had said.

Zhu Shian picked up her brush to write a prescription, saying as she wrote, 'Your condition should be treated by cooling the blood to stop bleeding, and purging fire to relieve stranguria. Use Xiaoji, Oujie, Puhuang, and Shengdihuang to cool the blood and stop bleeding; then use Danggui to invigorate blood and resolve stasis; and use Mutong and Huashi to purge fire and relieve stranguria...' Zhu Shian's differentiation was clear, and the prescription she wrote had perfect sovereign-minister compatibility.

She used the Xiaoji Drink formula appropriately. After writing the prescription, Zhu Shian added, 'Actually, I am very skilled in Acupuncture.

This condition would respond well to Acupuncture.' The man quickly shook his head: 'I'll just take the medicine. I don't need needles.' Zhu Shian said 'Oh.' This man was not only shy but also afraid of needles.

He Zhonghou, Huang Daifu, and the others studied the prescription Zhu Shian had written. Some doctors checked the patient's pulse after reading the prescription.

They all nodded repeatedly. This prescription was correct and well-written. Although Zhu Shian had only seen one patient, the knowledgeable doctors present understood that she was not someone with superficial knowledge.

Several doctors noticed the signature on the prescription: Zhu Shian. No wonder she was the Zhu Family member recommended by Guoan.

After the first patient, Zhu Shian moved to the second, a woman in her forties. Her condition was easy to diagnose: she had external contraction of Wind-Cold, which should be treated by dispelling wind and clearing heat.

Prescribing Juhua Jueming San would be appropriate. Zhu Shian said as usual, 'I am good at Acupuncture—' Dama quickly said, 'I trust you.

Give me a few needles.' Huang Daifu quickly stopped her: 'No, there are still many doctors to see. Let them finish first, then you can be treated.' Zhu Shian smiled and said, 'You can be an examiner for the other doctors first.

After all the doctors have finished, if you still want me to do Acupuncture, come find me at the guesthouse next door.' Dama immediately agreed: 'I'll find you after I'm done here.' Zhu Shian got up and went to the third patient to take pulse and inquire. Several examiners followed her to see how she differentiated and prescribed.

He Zhonghou held the two prescriptions Zhu Shian had written and marked them with a red pen: two points each. Zhu Shian's differentiation was accurate, and she prescribed quickly.

She went through all twenty patients without a single mistake. Whether the illness was in the five viscera or the six bowels, whether it required regulating blood, dispelling wind, dispelling cold, purging fire, moistening dryness... all her prescriptions were accurate and appropriate.

Not only was she so skilled in differentiation and prescription, but she was also proficient in Acupuncture. A talent like hers, even among eighty-year-old doctors, few could match, let alone someone only eighteen.

If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes today, no one would believe it. After Zhu Shian finished the exam and left, the group of old doctors sighed, admitting that they had to accept their age.

'There are masters among the people. With the selection of this Zhu Shian, this Individual Medical Practice License exam has been worth it.' 'She's only eighteen.

As doctors, we all take care of our health. She can probably live another sixty or seventy years. Traditional Chinese Medicine has a successor.' Unfortunately, the Zhu Family's medical skills were passed down within the family.

If it weren't, and they could take her as a closed-door disciple, they would be overjoyed. Alas! The old doctors were both happy and regretful.