"Tianyi Hall also has a mouth and eye tonic?" Liu Benli asked in surprise. "That's impossible. How could Tianyi Hall have this secret recipe?"
“That’s also the question I want to ask Mr. Liu,” Song Hao said. “Is the formula for the Mouth and Eye Tonifying Powder in Mr. Liu’s hand truly a family heirloom, or did someone tell you about it? If Mr. Liu can tell me the true source of this formula, I will tell you the special processing method for this formula that our Tianyi Hall has mastered. As Mr. Liu has seen today, our Tianyi Hall’s Mouth and Eye Tonifying Powder does not irritate the skin, can prolong the duration of medication, and greatly increases the therapeutic effect.”
"This..." Liu Benli hesitated for a moment, then said, "It's alright to tell you the truth. It was told to me by an old doctor who traveled around the country more than ten years ago."
“This man’s name is Ding Fengjie!” Song Hao said.
"You... how did you know?" Liu Benli exclaimed in surprise.
"Our prescriptions really did come from the hand of Mr. Ding Fengjie!" Song Hao exclaimed with emotion. "Mr. Ding Fengjie is a friend of one of my Taoist masters. Mr. Liu, could you tell me about your acquaintance with Mr. Ding Fengjie?"
"Oh! Is that so? I was wondering!" Liu Benli said in surprise, "It was more than ten years ago. Someone in our village invited an old doctor from out of town to treat his family's illness. So, everyone in the village benefited, and those with sick family members all went to invite that old doctor. At that time, my mother suffered from rheumatism, and after everyone else had consulted him, I also invited that old doctor to our home to treat her. However, my family was poor at the time and didn't have the money to pay the consultation fee, but the old doctor refused to accept it and prescribed medicine for my mother, saying that it would cure her in a little over a month. I was extremely grateful, and to thank that doctor, I gave him the only medicine I had..." A hen that had laid eggs was killed to entertain an old doctor. The old doctor ate happily, and seeing my family's poverty, he gave me this prescription for treating facial paralysis, telling me that this prescription would ensure my lifelong comfort. He said it would be effective for anyone with similar symptoms. The old doctor's prescription saved my family; though not making us rich, it brought us modest wealth. Later, I thought, since this secret prescription is so effective, why not sell it to a large hospital and become wealthy? That's why I came to Tianyi Hall, and I never expected you to have this prescription too. Alas! I can't sell it! What a coincidence!
"Yes!" Song Hao laughed, "I didn't expect such a coincidence either, otherwise Tianyi Hall really intended to buy your secret formula, although Mr. Liu's price was a bit high. But for Tianyi Hall, it was worth it. Now that things have come to this, I can only apologize!"
"The Heavenly Doctor's Hall is full of hidden talents; I guess I've come to the wrong place," Liu Benli said helplessly.
"Hehe!" Song Hao laughed, "To ensure Mr. Liu's trip isn't in vain, our Tianyi Hall would like to provide him with some technical support for treating the facial paralysis caused by stroke. Besides giving you a special processing method to remove the toxicity of those poisons, you can also learn some corresponding acupuncture techniques and knowledge of internal medicine based on syndrome differentiation. Although you can treat a single ailment with a single prescription, it's almost always effective for newly contracted diseases, but for stubborn illnesses that have been present for many years, a comprehensive treatment is necessary to ensure success. It's also a kind of fate that our prescriptions both come from Mr. Ding Zoujie."
"This..." Liu Benli hesitated for a moment, then said, "If I can't sell the prescription, how can I have the face to stay any longer? You'd be lucky to find one case like that out of a hundred patients. If I can't treat such a troublesome patient after one attempt, I won't bother anymore. I'll just introduce it to your Tianyi Hall then, and I won't learn anymore. The current effect is enough for me. Anyway, you're very generous, and I still want to thank you. Even if the deal falls through, we can still be on good terms. If I obtain other secret prescriptions that your Tianyi Hall doesn't have in the future, I'll sell them to you then."
Seeing that this man, though ambitious for overnight riches, was also content with his current success and lacked ambition, Song Hao didn't press him further. He smiled and said, "Very well, if Mr. Liu ever acquires some extraordinary secret formula with remarkable effects, Tianyi Hall will certainly acquire it. To be honest, Mr. Liu." As he spoke, Song Hao pointed in the direction of Wansong Ridge and added with a smile, "Tianyi Hall is also collecting secret formulas and techniques from all over the world. We don't discard formulas because they are small, nor do we ignore techniques because they are insignificant. As long as they have special effects in treating certain diseases, that's fine. We also have some medical wonders that are ahead of their time, but because they are too advanced for this world to adapt to, we store them as a technological reserve."
"Alas! I thought that with this miraculous prescription I had, I could impress those old doctors at Tianyi Hall. I never expected it to turn out like this. Your Tianyi Hall is too unfathomable! I can't make this fortune. I should just go back to my hometown." After saying this, Liu Benli waved to Song Hao, shook his head and sighed, and left with regret.
"This prescription is enough to make you well-off, and it can even help you achieve more! But it's just not going to work out for you!" Song Hao shook his head as he watched Liu Benli leave.
Jiang He then came in and said with a smile, "President Song, I just saw that guy who sold the secret formula slink away. What kind of place is Tianyitang! How dare he come here to sell his little prescriptions and medicines? The things they think are so precious, Tianyitang has them all."
After reporting some of his work to Song Hao, Jiang He said, "Miss Luo was also ordered by President Song to investigate the situation of President Liu Tian's company. She gave me some information when she left."
"Any progress?" Song Hao asked.
“Mr. Liu’s company does business with a large company, but the information shows that that large company is backed by a large conglomerate. I’m investigating this, and I expect to have results in the next few days,” Jiang He said.
"And then there's He Chengzhong, who donated 15 million to Tianyitang. I always felt there was something unusual about that donation," Song Hao said.
Chapter Twenty-Six: Joining Tianyi Hall
That which is rooted within is called the divine mechanism; when the divine departs, the mechanism ceases. That which is rooted without is called the vital energy; when the vital energy stops, transformation ceases. Therefore, each has its own regulation, its own dominance, its own life force, and its own completion. Hence it is said: Without understanding the changes of the year and the differences in vital energy, one cannot speak of life and transformation. This is what it means. — *The Inner Canon of Medicine, Chapter on the Five Constant Principles of Governance*
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"All the information about He Chengzhong will be delivered in the next few days. Don't worry, Mr. Song. With the information Miss Luo gave me when she left, and combined with the information my people have gathered, everything will come to light. I'll report back to Song Hao once I have concrete news. There really is a problem here. Following Mr. Song's instructions, I tried several times to transfer the project payment that Tianyitang owes Mr. Liu to his company, but Mr. Liu just said there was no rush, and even strictly ordered his company's accountant to give us the account details," Jiang He said.
“If Liu Tian won’t tell me the truth, we’ll investigate ourselves. Who would be so generous as to invest fifty or sixty million in Tianyitang without wanting me to know?” Song Hao frowned, seemingly understanding something, but unsure.
"By the way, Mr. Song," Jiang He added, "Miss Luo and Tang Yu once suggested to me that we open Tianyitang Beauty Salon, using genuine traditional Chinese medicine for beauty and fitness. I think this is a good suggestion, and it also fits a modern trend. If Tianyitang Beauty Salon is established, it will become another pillar industry for Tianyitang. Traditional Chinese medicine beauty has a long history, and it's a natural beauty method using natural medicines, which should be accepted by fashionable young people. The R&D department is already developing related traditional Chinese medicine beauty products."
"Tang Yu and Yingying told me about this before. They're girls who like beauty, so let them do what they want. The pharmacy can provide technical support; they say acupuncture for weight loss is quite effective. Seeking beauty and fitness methods from traditional medicine should be a unique shortcut. We can first add a TCM beauty department to Tianyi Hall and enter a trial phase. Once it's established, we can build a Tianyi Hall beauty and fitness center. The desire for beauty and the aversion to ugliness is a human ailment! How can Tianyi Hall ignore it!" Song Hao said with a smile.
That day, Song Hao inspected several production workshops at Tianyitang Pharmaceutical Factory and listened to work reports from several factory directors before returning to Tianyitang. He had just sat down in his office when Tang Yu entered.
"Song Hao, the production license for 'Zhengxin Huonao Dan' has been issued, and we're preparing to purchase raw materials and start production soon," Tang Yu said happily.
"That's wonderful!" Song Hao exclaimed with delight. "This medicine will become a blockbuster product for Tianyitang in the future!"
The original formula of "Zhengxin Huonao Dan" comes from "Qifang Yanchao". It uses Gastrodia elata as the main ingredient. It is a new medicine for treating heart and brain diseases, which was improved by Song Hao, Song Zihe, Lin Fengyi, Zhang Jiafang and others after a year of clinical verification. Shui Mingyang, Wuchen, Wuyue and others also joined the research and development work. It is a miraculous formula that was discovered by the whole team of Tianyitang.
"Song Hao, there's something else I need to tell you. My dad and second grandfather are coming to Tianyitang tonight," Tang Yu said calmly.
Song Hao was taken aback, quite surprised. What were Tang Ji and Tang Qingshan doing at Tianyi Hall at this time? Song Hao recalled the days at Tang Manor, when the two had used both kindness and threats to obtain the supreme medical treasure, the Heavenly Saint Acupuncture Bronze Man. Fortunately, Tang Yu had secretly released him in time; otherwise, who knows what might have happened. Some things Song Hao only realized later. Now, Tang Ji and Tang Qingshan's abrupt visit to Tianyi Hall, like Luo Beiming, seemed to be after Ji Dongyang's miraculous prescription without medicine. If they were to demand someone from him, it would be difficult to deal with, especially with Tang Yu involved. Song Hao hesitated for a moment.
Upon seeing this, Tang Yu seemed to understand Song Hao's worries and smiled, saying, "Times have changed, so don't overthink it. Actually, my second grandfather and father have long felt guilty about what they did back then, and have repeatedly urged me to do my best to help you run Tianyi Hall well so as to make amends. I invited them to Tianyi Hall this time to discuss with you the matter of the Tang family of the Medical Sect joining Tianyi Hall. My second grandfather and father came together to express the Tang family's sincerity and apology."
"What! The Tang family of the Medical Clan is going to join Tianyi Hall!" Song Hao exclaimed in surprise. This was indeed a piece of good news that surprised him greatly.
“Yes!” Tang Yu smiled. “Tianyi Hall is at its zenith and has become a mainstay in the revival of medicine. My Tang family also wants to contribute to this grand cause. With the Tang family’s current strength and several hospitals, we can rename them as branches of Tianyi Hall, which will also serve as an example and foundation for Tianyi Hall to establish branches in various places in the future.”
"That's wonderful!" Song Hao exclaimed excitedly. "With the addition of the Tang family from the Medical Sect, Tianyi Hall will become even stronger. We had planned to establish a branch of Tianyi Hall before, but we didn't expect the Tang family to take the lead. Tianyi Hall welcomes like-minded medical sects to join us in revitalizing traditional Chinese medicine. This is the responsibility of all those in the medical field. Tang Yu, thank you for your support! I have even more confidence in the future of Tianyi Hall!"
Tang Yu smiled and said, "I've already discussed this with Grandpa and Teacher Lin, and they're all very happy, saying it's a great thing. Tianyi Hall embraces all medical traditions, which will further promote the development and growth of traditional Chinese medicine. Our Tang family joining Tianyi Hall is also to set an example, unifying medical practices across the world, and jointly utilizing Tianyi Hall's resources and advantages. More importantly, Tianyi Hall's development model is the most suitable path for the development of traditional Chinese medicine in the modern world, which will naturally allow various medical schools to flourish within Tianyi Hall. Tianyi Hall will play a leading role, driving the development and growth of the entire traditional Chinese medicine industry. Then, the great era of traditional Chinese medicine that we've always dreamed of will arrive sooner than expected."
"That suits me perfectly!" Song Hao said happily, "Actually, I had this idea when Tianyi Hall developed to a certain scale, but I didn't expect you to realize it for me ahead of time. Tang Yu, we really can understand each other perfectly."
Upon hearing this, Tang Yu blushed, lowered her head, and smiled, "Who else shares your sentiments? At most, it's just a coincidence."
Song Hao couldn't help but step forward and grasp Tang Yu's hands, saying excitedly, "Thank you. It was you who helped me build Tianyi Hall into what it is today, and it was you who gave the Tang family of the medical sect the courage and foresight to join Tianyi Hall, finally making Tianyi Hall a common cause for all medical practitioners. Good Tang Yu! To have you as a confidante, I have no regrets in this life!"
Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Shocking Change in Luomen
When a person is born, first essence is formed, then brain marrow is produced, bones form the framework, blood vessels nourish the body, tendons provide strength, flesh forms the walls, skin hardens and hair grows. When food enters the stomach, the blood vessels open, and blood and qi circulate.
The meridians are what determine life and death, treat all diseases, and regulate deficiency and excess; they must be kept unobstructed.
—The Inner Canon, *Ling Shu*, *Meridians*
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That evening, Tang Ji and Tang Qingshan, representatives of the Tang family of the Medical Clan, arrived at Tianyi Hall with several disciples. They were astonished by the scale of Tianyi Hall. Song Hao met with Tang Ji and Tang Qingshan, shaking hands and smiling to bury the hatchet. That night, Song Hao hosted a banquet, with Song Zihe, Lin Fengyi, Wu Qiguang, Zhang Jiafang, Ye Chengshun, Lei Heng, Shui Mingyang, and others in attendance. After Song Hao's introduction, Tang Ji and Tang Qingshan were particularly surprised. Tianyi Hall had gathered so many renowned doctors; it could be said to be the highest level of traditional Chinese medicine in the world today. The two secretly rejoiced, realizing that joining Tianyi Hall at this time was a timely and wise move. At the banquet, the guests and hosts chatted amiably, enjoying a harmonious and pleasant atmosphere.
The next day, Song Hao personally accompanied Tang Ji and Tang Qingshan on a visit to Tianyitang Pharmaceutical Factory and Wansongling Herb Garden, which surprised and impressed the two men once again.
After negotiations, on the third day after Tang Ji and Tang Qingshan arrived at Tianyitang, the two parties officially signed a cooperation agreement. The Tang family's pharmaceutical business was renamed Tianyitang, and the Tang family would continue to manage its operations. Tianyitang would provide support in various aspects, including medical technology and personnel, with Tang Yu coordinating matters between the two parties. However, in cases of difficult or complex illnesses, patients could be transferred to the Tianyitang headquarters in Baihe Town for diagnosis or treatment, or a team of experts from headquarters would be dispatched for consultation. Simultaneously, it was decided that Tianyitang would construct its second pharmaceutical factory in Tangzhuang.
When signing the agreement, Tang Ji said with a smile, "Actually, Tianyi Hall and the Tang family of the Medical Clan are no longer separate entities!"
Lin Fengyi, Wu Qiguang, and the others smiled knowingly upon hearing this.