That day, a young man in his thirties came to Tianyitang Pharmacy. He first walked from department to department in the outpatient area. In the consultation room of Lin Fengyi, Wu Qiguang, Zhang Jiafang, and others, he stared blankly at the room full of patients, observing Lin Fengyi and others treating patients with a complicated expression. Then he sighed and went to another consultation room. He then went to the pharmacy. This man's unusual behavior attracted the attention of Tianyitang's security department, so they sent people to monitor him.
After walking around the open areas of the Tianyitang Pharmacy building, this person unexpectedly squatted in a corner and started crying inexplicably. The more he cried, the more agitated he became, and the louder his voice grew. Only then were he taken to the security office for questioning by the security department.
At first, the security personnel thought this person was either mentally unstable or had some kind of mental problem. However, when he pulled out a thick stack of certificates from his bag, they were all astonished. This man, named Sun Xuefeng, was actually a PhD in Traditional Chinese Medicine from a prestigious university. Another piece of identification made the security personnel treat him differently: a membership card from the "China Federation of Folk Traditional Chinese Medicine Development Associations." Although the holder of this card wasn't an employee of Tianyitang, they were considered a member and treated with respect.
"Mr. Sun, what's going on here...?" the security personnel asked, bewildered.
Sun Xuefeng calmed her emotions and said, "When I saw Tianyitang just now, I felt that this is a real TCM hospital. You know, I've been studying and working in TCM for nearly twenty years, but I've never truly treated patients using TCM techniques. The TCM hospital I work for doesn't need TCM doctors like me; everything there has been Westernized. You're not allowed to continue doing work that doesn't bring benefits. So, halfway through, I switched to Western medicine, ending up neither fully proficient in TCM nor Western medicine. In this environment, few people continue to uphold the principles of TCM, and I've lost most of the knowledge I originally learned. I feel ashamed! I used my TCM doctorate to conduct so-called research, defrauding the government of funding—it's all just a charade." There was no practical use for it. But everyone was doing it, and if you didn't, you wouldn't have food to eat. I drifted through most of my life like that, confused and aimless. It wasn't until I learned about Tianyitang and joined the 'China Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Development Associations' that I truly saw hope for traditional Chinese medicine again. So I decided to come to Tianyitang to see for myself whether traditional Chinese medicine still truly existed in modern society. Seeing those elderly TCM doctors diagnosing patients, I was truly moved. Wasn't this once my dream? Why had I given it up? Tianyitang had preserved a truly pure land for traditional Chinese medicine. How could I not be moved and feel ashamed! I made up my mind: I would apply to Tianyitang, even if it was just as a cleaner, sweeping and dusting every day, I could feel the genuine warmth of the atmosphere there.”
It was because Sun Xuefeng's title as a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine was so prestigious that the security department directly led him to Jiang He, the administrative director of Tianyitang. Jiang He was also surprised after hearing the details. In Tianyitang, only Shui Mingyang, a surgeon, held a doctorate in Western medicine. In fact, among all the renowned doctors in Tianyitang, there was no one with a doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Therefore, he introduced Sun Xuefeng to Tang Yu.
After listening to Sun Xuefeng's further explanation, Tang Yu was moved by his spirit of rediscovering traditional Chinese medicine.
When the news reached Song Hao, he was particularly moved. He had worked hard all his life, striving to reach the level of a doctorate, only to find his knowledge useless – a profound tragedy. Fortunately, Sun Xuefeng was quick to realize his mistake and rediscovered his direction in life. Sun Xuefeng's experience is not an isolated phenomenon, but rather a widespread one. (Further details are unnecessary; this is just a brief overview.)
Through statistical analysis of the membership data of the "China Federation of Folk Medicine Development Associations," Song Hao discovered many TCM practitioners with specialized skills. While not omnipotent healers, these individuals were renowned for their expertise in treating specific diseases, achieving results that sometimes even put experts and professors in large hospitals to shame. He was amazed, realizing that true TCM lay among the people, and only by uniting these dedicated practitioners could the art of medicine flourish in this era. Therefore, Tianyitang (Heavenly Medicine Hall) widely recruited these extraordinary individuals, establishing specialized TCM departments in its various branches. Tianyitang, in turn, allowed these like-minded physicians to see the future and hope of TCM, and its inclusive spirit, embracing practitioners from all over the world, further boosted its development momentum.
Forty-three properties and flavors, and their meridian tropism.
Tianyi Group originally had two large-scale traditional Chinese medicine research institutions. Although they focused on drug development, they possessed some of the world's most advanced research equipment and had consistently been at the forefront of research on Chinese herbal medicine. After collaborating with Tianyitang, it was natural for them to merge with Tianyitang's original research department to form the "Tianyitang Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Center." However, regarding modern research on Chinese herbal medicine, Song Hao, Qiu Ru, Zhang Jiafang, Tang Ji, and others proposed a direction and principle for the "Tianyitang Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Center": modern research on Chinese herbal medicine cannot solely rely on modern technology to study its components and determine the function and efficacy of a particular herb. This is because traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes cold, hot, warm, and cool properties, as well as the nature and meridian tropism of herbs. Furthermore, different processing methods can lead to different, even contradictory, medicinal effects. Specialized research is required in this area. Modern technology can only isolate the chemical components of a drug, but cannot discern the intensity of its aroma or its natural properties. The mysteries of these roots and bark can only be studied separately. Medicine is about intention, and the use of medicine is no exception; it cannot be generalized based solely on modern research conclusions. This is because many Chinese herbal medicine research institutions, both domestically and internationally, have strayed further and further into this misconception, gradually deviating from the essence. To truly promote and develop these traditions, we must genuinely continue them; otherwise, we will only produce superficial "results," or even go astray.
That day, Song Hao was in his office discussing the future development of Tianyitang Beauty Salon with Luo Feiying.
Tang Yu called excitedly, "Song Hao, are you free? If you are, please come to Teacher Wu's clinic. I'll let you see an extraordinary person. He can actually feel the effects of a certain medicine on his body after taking it. It's truly amazing!"
"Oh! There are such extraordinary people! I'll be right there." Song Hao said hurriedly, surprised.
Song Hao and Luo Feiying then arrived at Wu Qiguang's acupuncture clinic. Tang Yu and Lin Fengyi were there, excitedly discussing something with Wu Qiguang. A somewhat reserved young man sat in a chair nearby.
Through Tang Yu's explanation, Song Hao finally understood the whole story. The young man, Tao Zelong, worked on a construction site in the county town and had come to Tianyitang with a fellow villager who was ill. While with Lin Fengyi, he casually mentioned that he experienced strange reactions in certain parts of his body after eating, such as numbness or throbbing. His words caught Lin Fengyi's attention, and upon taking his pulse, Lin Fengyi found a strange "penetration" in Tao Zelong's pulse. Increasingly curious, Lin Fengyi led Tao Zelong to Wu Qiguang, who confirmed that he was a "meridian-sensitive person." Based on Tao Zelong's description of his strange physical symptoms, he was instructed to chew and swallow small amounts of several kinds of traditional Chinese medicine. A few minutes after consuming dried ginger, Tao Zelong said he felt a slight throbbing sensation in certain parts of his abdomen and arms. Upon closer examination, Wu Qiguang was surprised to find that these were precisely the areas where the spleen, stomach, heart, and lung meridians ran, and dried ginger also entered these four meridians. They then had Tao Zelong try several other medications, most of which were compatible with his physical sensations, and his experience with these medications was about 80-90% consistent with their meridian tropism. This unexpected discovery greatly surprised Wu Qiguang, Lin Fengyi, and Tang Yu.
After listening, Song Hao exclaimed in surprise, "How the ancients discovered and defined the properties and meridians of medicinal substances has always been a mystery. Could it be that they relied on the human body's own perception? Was this how Shennong tasted hundreds of herbs? But it's impossible for one person to taste all the medicines in the world!"
Wu Qiguang said, "In any case, the ancients were able to define the meridians of Chinese herbal medicines, and perceiving them through the human body is one way to do so. It also proves the existence of meridians. 'The inner landscape is the pathway, which can only be seen by looking inward.' It is impossible for all medical practitioners to have that kind of cultivation, but there are people who are naturally sensitive to meridians and can feel their existence. Tao Zelong is exceptionally gifted, especially in his sensitivity to medicines, which can be miraculously reflected in his meridians. This is consistent with many of the records in medical books, and it should also provide some evidence."
Song Hao nodded and said, "This is a change in Qi! When studying traditional Chinese medicine and meridians, we should focus on the concept of 'Qi' and then differentiate it with Yin and Yang. That makes things much easier. People's sensitivity to 'Qi' is the most direct and rapid."
Song Hao then asked Tao Zelong, "What do you do for a living? How much is your monthly salary?"
Tao Zelong said, "I can earn more than a thousand yuan a month working on a construction site in the county town."
Song Hao asked, "Would you like to work at Tianyi Hall?"
Tao Zelong asked blankly, "I don't know how to treat patients, so what can I do here?"
Song Hao laughed and said, "You are sensitive to Chinese medicine and can specifically reflect this on the meridian pathways, allowing you to determine the meridian to which this medicine belongs. You are a rare talent! Our Tianyi Hall is preparing to specially hire you to work at the Chinese Medicine Research Center, with a monthly salary of ten thousand. Don't worry, we are not using you for drug experiments, but rather to further verify the accuracy of the meridian tropism of medicines determined by the ancients under safe conditions."
Upon hearing this, Tao Zelong exclaimed with delight, "Really?! I...I agree!"
Wu Qiguang laughed and said, "The few 'meridian-sensitive people' that our acupuncture department found are all working at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Center so that we can study the mysteries of meridians. You are more special than them and should be treated like a treasure."
With a sigh, Lin Fengyi shook his head and said, "The ancients have already discovered and proven the existence of things, and we still have to verify them. It's hard to say whether we've made progress or fallen behind."
Song Hao smiled and said, "All our research must start from the source. We must know not only what it is, but also why it is. This is the true meaning of our research on traditional Chinese medicine and the mysteries of human life. The ancients told us about their great discoveries, and we must understand the mechanisms behind them in order to convince modern people. Otherwise, if this veil of mystery is not lifted, it will be difficult for the great traditional Chinese medicine to shine."
"Song Hao is indeed Song Hao; he thinks more deeply and further than we do!" Wu Qiguang said with admiration.
On this day, accompanied by Liu Tian, Song Hao inspected the construction sites of Tianyitang Beauty Salon and Tianyitang Traditional Chinese Medicine College.
"Song Hao!" Liu Tian laughed, "Tianyitang is developing so fast! It already has a pharmacy, a pharmaceutical factory, and the Wansongling Herb Garden. Now it's starting a major construction project to build the Tianyitang Traditional Chinese Medicine Beauty Salon and the Traditional Chinese Medicine College. I think you're going to turn the entire Baihe Town into the 'Capital of Traditional Chinese Medicine'."
Song Hao said, "To truly revitalize traditional Chinese medicine, there must be a base for the development of traditional Chinese medicine, with huge funds and talents from all walks of life to ensure the concrete and serious operation of this matter. Otherwise, it will only be empty talk for a hundred years."
"Traditional Chinese medicine has been a hollow slogan for a century. Before the establishment of Tianyitang, only a few veteran TCM doctors were maintaining this awkward situation nationwide. If Tianyitang hadn't risen to the challenge, after those true veteran TCM doctors passed away, the existence of TCM would truly be just a name without substance. It would merely be a cultural legacy for future generations to admire." Sun Xuefeng walked over.
"Teacher Sun!" Song Hao quickly stepped forward to greet her.
"President Song, I need to discuss something with you," Sun Xuefeng said.
"Let's talk back in the office then," Song Hao said.
“Let me say it here, just a few words,” Sun Xuefeng said. “I’ve already told some of my classmates and friends about what I’ve seen and heard at Tianyitang. Most of them, like me, had lost faith in traditional Chinese medicine. After hearing my story, they all expressed their desire to come to Tianyitang to develop their careers. President Song, we are all ‘partially talented’ graduates from academies, with little practical knowledge. But we have a certain foundation and a deep affection for traditional Chinese medicine. I think that as long as we are mentored by the truly renowned doctors at Tianyitang, we can all become excellent traditional Chinese medicine doctors in a short period of time.”
"Teacher Sun is right!" Song Hao nodded and said, "You all could have become outstanding TCM doctors, but you've all been hindered by the current Westernized environment. The development of TCM requires creating our own unique atmosphere, which requires our collective efforts. Tianyitang desperately needs talents like Teacher Sun. You are already like gold, but you haven't been tempered by the real fire, so you can't apply what you've learned. Let your friends come; Tianyitang will welcome them with open arms. You should have become the backbone of TCM development!"
"Having found Tianyi Hall, we've finally found our home," Sun Xuefeng said excitedly.
That evening, Song Hao called A Long, who was far away in Dali, Yunnan, to inquire about the search for the scriptures. A Long told Song Hao that he and Shi Yun were using their spare time to search every inch of the old house, but they hadn't found anything yet. Song Hao told A Long not to worry and to search patiently. Song Hao's longing for the eighty-six ancient medical books of the *Linglan Secret Canon* was growing stronger every day; he hoped to find them as soon as possible so that he could see the true expositions of ancient sages on medicine. More importantly, the discovery of these scriptures would make a significant contribution to the true rise of traditional Chinese medicine in this era.
One day, the young lama Naga Longlin from Kumbum Monastery in Qinghai arrived at Tianyi Hall, there to study acupuncture in his personal capacity. He was warmly received by Song Hao and placed in Wu Qiguang's acupuncture department. At Song Hao's request, Naga Longlin demonstrated the "Dulong Needle" method to everyone, leaving them amazed. Naga Longlin's arrival marked the beginning of exchanges between Tianyi Hall and ethnic minority medicine. Special therapeutic techniques from Tibetan, Mongolian, and Miao medicines were gradually adopted and studied by Tianyi Hall, and incorporated into the ethnic minority medicine research department of the "Tianyi Hall Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Center."
One day, a special case was transferred from the Luo family branch of Tianyitang, which was headed by Li He, and caught the attention of the Tianyitang Acupuncture Research Institute. A patient surnamed Wang suffered from consumptive disease, feeling weak and listless. He had consulted renowned doctors in several provinces, all of whom declared it incurable, leaving the physicians at a loss. Later, he came to the Luo family branch of Tianyitang, where Li He examined him and diagnosed him with a terminal illness, incurable by acupuncture and medicine. The patient pleaded, saying that if Tianyitang refused him again, there would be no doctors left in the world! Li He was moved by this plea and recalled ancient cases of using moxibustion to reverse difficult and incurable diseases. He prescribed a moxibustion formula, selecting several key acupoints, and instructed the patient to perform the moxibustion at home. Three months later, the patient's family returned to thank him, overjoyed, reporting a miraculous effect; the patient had recovered eighty percent! His terminal consumptive disease had been saved by moxibustion.
After reviewing the case, Song Hao remarked, "The wonder of traditional Chinese medicine lies in its remarkable therapeutic effects, rather than in its seemingly mundane methods."
Therefore, the Tianyitang Acupuncture Research Institute was instructed to establish a separate "Moxibustion" research department, working closely with the Luo family branch and the Dou family branch of the Golden Needle School to independently research moxibustion techniques. Six months later, significant results were achieved, and the techniques were promoted throughout all acupuncture departments of Tianyitang. Moxibustion became as popular as acupuncture, and even surpassed it in treating special and difficult diseases that could not be treated with acupuncture or medication.
Tianyitang Acupuncture Research Institute is a branch of Tianyitang Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Center. It extensively collects, organizes, and explores various unique acupuncture techniques from the folk, and some of these techniques have been applied clinically.
Besides bee stings, there are also a series of unique folk acupuncture techniques using needles, including weasel needles, stick needles, wooden (bamboo) needles, dermal needles, electric plum blossom needles, roller needles, hollow needles, air needles, fire needles, warm needles, wax needles, electric needles, magnetic acupuncture points, magnetoelectric needles, magnetic pole needles, autologous blood needles, acupoint embedding needles, small needle knife needles, python needles, intradermal needles, and laser needles.
The remarkable acupuncture techniques for different parts of the human body include: ear acupuncture, head acupuncture, face acupuncture, eye acupuncture, nose acupuncture, mouth acupuncture, tongue acupuncture, neck acupuncture, nape cluster acupuncture, spine acupuncture, abdomen acupuncture, hand acupuncture, foot acupuncture, foot elephant acupuncture, hand elephant acupuncture, wrist and ankle acupuncture, and corresponding point acupuncture, among other unique acupuncture techniques for different parts of the body.
In the study of acupuncture techniques, we have integrated various methods from ancient and modern times. In addition to Wu Qiguang's "Ice and Fire Divine Needle" and Song Hao's own "Thunderbolt Needle Technique" which is not easy to popularize, we have also conducted extensive research and sorting out various acupuncture techniques circulating among the people. Due to the large number of techniques, they will not be listed one by one for now.
The Luo branch, led by Li He, invented a type of "ice needle." It was discovered by Dou Wei, from the Dou family of the Golden Needle School, in an ancient acupuncture book. The book recorded that ancient people used frozen water to create tiny "ice needles" for treating illnesses. The needles were inserted into selected acupoints, and the ice melted within the acupoints. For a short time, the cold nature of the ice was used to treat heat-related illnesses, compensating for deficiencies in traditional medical techniques. In ancient times, this "ice needle" method could only be used in the northern winter. However, due to the brittle and easily broken nature of the tiny ice needles, it was not very practical.
Inspired by this, Dou Wei improved upon the method, adding a purified medicinal solution prepared with appropriate medications. This solution was then drawn into a specially designed syringe and frozen. The solution was then slowly injected into acupoints in this ice-water mixture, providing a prolonged and intense cooling effect. Convenient and effective, it differed from simple acupoint injection methods. In treating certain febrile diseases, it proved remarkably effective, achieving the dual benefits of acupuncture and medication. Later, the method was reversed: the appropriate medicinal solution was heated and injected into acupoints to treat cold-related conditions, with similar results. This method resembled the "fire needle" technique of some practitioners but was not entirely the same. To a certain extent, it replaced the "ice-fire needle" technique, which only Wu Qiguang and Song Hao could perform on ordinary needles.