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Traditional Chinese Medicine

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Volume One: The World of Traditional Chinese Medicine - The Acupuncture Bronze Man, Chapter One: Healing Heart with Blood.

As the ancients said: "If you can't be a good prime minister, then be a good doctor."

Traditional Chinese medicine has existed since ancient times. It is not merely a medical practice, but also a study of the relationship between humanity and nature. It possesses the profound mystery of the Tao that can be spoken of, yet is not the eternal Tao. Precisely because of this, it has been cloaked in a veneer of "superstition" by modern people and almost entirely excluded from science.

Let's set aside our sentiments for now and begin the story.

This is a small town called Baihe Town. Surrounded by green mountains, with the Baihe River flowing eastward. Wansong Ridge lies to the southwest, and a stone arch bridge spans the Baihe River. It is truly a place of outstanding people and abundant resources; during the Ming and Qing dynasties, it produced more than a dozen top scholars (Zhuangyuan). Even in modern times, several prominent provincial officials hailed from Baihe Town. This small town boasts numerous historical sites, including Guanghe Temple in the south, a Song Dynasty building, and Niangniang Temple in the north, relics from the Tang Dynasty. The town also has many ancient houses, each with its own unique style. Coupled with its simple and honest folk customs and warm hospitality, it has recently developed into a well-known tourist attraction.

In Baihe Town, there was a traditional Chinese medicine clinic called Ping'an Hall, staffed by an old doctor named Song Heng, courtesy name Zihe. This Song Zihe was a renowned traditional Chinese medicine doctor in the area, well-versed in medical texts and proficient in internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, and acupuncture—a truly all-around medical master. Patients came not only from the local area but also from other provinces and even beyond. His treatments were often remarkably effective, and his reputation grew daily.

Song Zihe's medical skills came from his family; the Song family was a lineage of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, and it produced a legendary figure: Song Zihe's grandfather, Song Jingchun. Do you know how the notorious traitor Yuan Shikai died? Legend has it that it was related to this Song Jingchun. Song Jingchun practiced medicine in Beijing, and even worked at the renowned Tongrentang Pharmacy, enjoying high renown in the city. The Song family possessed a secret ancestral technique—the Nine Needles of Resurrection—capable of bringing the dying back to life. It is said that once, while traveling in Shandong, Song Jingchun encountered a drowning man. His family found him downstream two days later. Although his body was not yet decayed, he was lifeless, and everyone assumed he was dead, busy preparing for his funeral. Song Jingchun happened to see him, exclaimed, "He can still be saved!" and then used the Nine Needles of Resurrection, miraculously reviving the man. This caused a sensation, and rumors spread that Song Jingchun possessed the ability to bring the dead back to life. It was only because the drowning person was not meant to die completely that Song Jingchun was able to save him with his divine acupuncture; otherwise, the truly dead person could not have been saved.

At that time, China's political situation was chaotic, with warlords carving up the country. To maintain the overall stability, Sun Yat-sen, the Father of the Nation, relinquished his rightful presidency to the rising star Yuan Shikai, hoping Yuan could reverse the current chaos. However, Yuan Shikai, after only a few days as president, felt unsatisfied and dreamed of becoming emperor. This sparked nationwide condemnation and rebellion, leaving Yuan Shikai in constant fear and anxiety on the throne. Overwhelmed by anxiety and anger, he fell ill. His physicians were extremely busy, prescribing various remedies, but none worked, leaving them helpless.

Left with no other option, they had to seek out another renowned doctor. The imperial physicians sifted through all the famous doctors in Beijing, narrowing it down to five, and ultimately choosing Song Jingchun. Upon receiving the imperial decree, Song Jingchun was intrigued. Ignoring the potential nationwide condemnation he might face, he gladly went.

Upon entering the Forbidden City, Song Jingchun met the large-headed "emperor." After examining him closely, he presented a prescription, saying, "Take ten doses of this prescription, and the emperor's health will be guaranteed!" With that, he accepted the imperial reward and left the Forbidden City with a sly smile.

Because the doctors were from outside the palace, the imperial physicians dared not prescribe medicine for the emperor without careful consideration. They first examined the prescription and found it consisted entirely of cooling and heat-clearing herbs, which suited Yuan Shikai's sudden onset of anger. Reassured, they proceeded with the prescription. Strangely enough, after taking two doses of the medicine prescribed by Song Jingchun, Yuan Shikai's condition improved significantly, and he was greatly pleased, awarding him a hundred taels of gold. At this time, rebellions broke out across the country, all demanding an end to his usurpation of the throne. Yuan Shikai, regaining his spirits, mobilized his troops and began to quell the rebellions.

Just over eighty days after Yuan Shikai became "Emperor," and exactly after he finished taking those ten doses of medicine, he suddenly flew into a rage, vomited several liters of blood, and died. Popular rumor circulated that this usurper died of anger, but little did people know there was another reason. The prescription given by Song Jingchun contained a hidden trick. Although the listed herbs were all meant to clear heat and reduce internal fire, a subtle change occurred during the decoction process. The effect of clearing heat and reducing internal fire was transformed into calming and suppressing internal fire, temporarily containing the inner fire within the body, building up to erupt after ten doses. When anger was aroused, the fire would surge directly to the brain, inevitably leading to death. Song Jingchun, audacious enough, used this opportunity to eliminate this usurper through the hands of a doctor. His medical skills were also extraordinary; the subtle changes in the combination of the herbs in the prescription reversed their effects, making them lethal to those whose condition was unsuitable. Even Yuan Shikai's "imperial physicians," skilled in medicine, could not see the mystery behind it. The essence of medicine lies in saving and killing lives.

With Yuan Shikai's death, his remaining supporters scattered like birds and beasts, and no one pursued Song Jingchun's responsibility. Meanwhile, Song Jingchun had already fled with his family to Baihe Town to live in seclusion. This kind of legend belongs to the category of unofficial historical accounts and may not be credible; readers should not attempt to verify its authenticity. It is written here simply to illustrate one point: medicine can not only save lives but also save a nation. Although Yuan Shikai ultimately failed to gain power, as long as he lived, he would inevitably wreak havoc on China.

Medicine is a skill that can save or kill; it all depends on how it is used. Killing a villain to heal the world is not necessarily a bad thing.

Now, let's talk about Song Zihe, who had a son named Song Qiang. Song Qiang studied medicine under Song Zihe and they jointly managed the Ping'an Hall. At the age of twenty-three, he married a woman, and the couple were deeply in love. She was also very filial to Song Zihe. The three of them, spanning two generations, lived happily together. However, tragedy struck. Less than a year into their marriage, Song Qiang was involved in a car accident and tragically died at such a young age. The driver who caused the accident fled the scene and disappeared without a trace. Losing his son in middle age was a devastating blow to Song Zihe. He endured immense grief and arranged his son's funeral. His daughter-in-law returned to her parents' home. Being a young widow, she couldn't bear the loneliness and remarried six months later. Fortunately, she had no children, so Song Zihe let her go.

From then on, Song Zihe lived alone in Ping'an Hall. The pain of losing his son had left him heartbroken and disillusioned. He rejected well-meaning advice to remarry and postpone his children's marriage, devoting himself entirely to medical research and treating patients. However, the lack of a successor to his medical skills became a deep worry for Song Zihe, so he wanted to take on an apprentice. Several young men were introduced by acquaintances, but none of them met Song Zihe's standards, as they were not suited for medicine. The art of medicine is not something anyone can learn simply by wanting to. Especially learning traditional Chinese medicine, even entering the field is difficult, let alone mastering it. Being able to endure hardship and be willing to learn is one aspect, but a certain talent is also required—that is, comprehension. The current state of traditional Chinese medicine is worrying, with a lack of successors, because very few people can truly understand it. Nowadays, many people study theory for a few days, memorize a few prescriptions, and obtain a diploma through bribery or other means, then begin to peddle their knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine. The presence of such quack doctors has directly damaged the reputation of traditional Chinese medicine and is one of the reasons why people have gradually lost trust in it.

Because Song Zihe was very strict about accepting apprentices, preferring quality over quantity, the number of people recommending him gradually decreased. Even a relative introduced by Director Zhang of the county hospital, a top graduate from a nationally renowned medical school hoping to learn some of Song's medical skills, was rejected outright by Song Zihe after just one glance. Song Zihe also secretly observed several groups of medical students interning at the county hospital, but unfortunately, none met his standards, leaving him shaking his head in dismay. This shows how difficult it is to find a truly excellent TCM practitioner; it's difficult for an apprentice to find a master, and it's equally difficult for a master to find an apprentice—perhaps it requires a certain fate.

Chapter Two: The Mysterious Couple

Everything in the universe has its contradictory duality, and this is especially true for humans, the most intelligent of all beings. The waxing and waning of one drives the change and development of things. Extremes lead to reversals, and only by maintaining a balance between the two within a certain range, a balance of yin and yang, can the normal development of nature or the health of the human body be based.

One evening, a year after Song Qiang's death in a car accident, Song Zihe, having finished a busy day, closed the door of Ping An Tang and was about to rest after dinner when he suddenly heard the sound of brakes outside, followed by a series of urgent knocks on the door. Song Zihe knew that a patient with a sudden illness must have come; otherwise, they wouldn't be knocking on Ping An Tang's door so late. This kind of thing happened often and wasn't anything unusual.

When Song Zihe opened the door, he was taken aback. A young couple stood outside, their attire and demeanor clearly distinguished them from ordinary families. The woman held a three- or four-year-old boy in her arms, her face showing anxiety; the child must be sick. A small car, a high-end imported one, was parked not far from the door. In the 1980s, anyone who could afford such a car was someone of considerable status.

"Are you Dr. Song? Our child fell ill on the road and has been unconscious. Two hospitals we passed by refused to admit him. Someone recommended you, as you specialize in treating difficult and complicated diseases. Please, sir, save his life! This child is only a little over three years old!" the man said anxiously.

"Come in and let me see what's going on!" Song Zihe hurriedly ushered the couple into Ping An Hall.

After the woman placed the child on the bed in the examination room, Song Zihe stepped forward to examine him closely and was taken aback. The child's pulse was steady, his breathing even, showing no signs of illness, only that he remained unconscious as if in a deep sleep. What a strange illness, and what a kind-looking child! A thought stirred in Song Zihe's heart. If this unfamiliar child were the young Song Qiang, he would be incredibly adorable. Thinking of this, Song Zihe felt a pang of pain in his heart.

"When and how did this child fall ill?" Song Zihe asked, frowning.

“Three hours ago, this child seemed to have caught a cold. After eating two pears, he fell into a deep sleep and wouldn’t wake up,” the man hurriedly replied.

"Where did these pears come from? Are there any more?" Song Zihe asked.

"I bought these on the way here. These were the only two I had, and the kids ate them both," the man said.

“This child has been poisoned!” Song Zihe said definitively.

"Poisoned!?" The couple looked at each other in shock.

"But don't worry, there's no danger to his life. It's just that the poison seems to be a mild form of sedative, causing the child to be temporarily unconscious. It's nothing serious. How could a pear produce such a sedative-like poison? That's strange!" Song Zihe said, puzzled.

The man's expression subtly changed.

"Please wait in the outer room for a moment. I need to give the child acupuncture. He should wake up in about half an hour," Song Zihe said.

The couple listened with complicated expressions, thanked him, and left. The man gestured to the woman with his eyes, and after a moment's hesitation, she followed him out the door.

"Brother Nian, do we really have to do this?" the woman asked, tears welling in her eyes.

"Sister Miao!" the man said with deep humility, "The matter has already been decided, so there's no going back on it. We were forced to do this, and it's just that Hao'er has suffered."

"I'm sorry!" The man sighed, hugged the woman, and said guiltily, "It's just that you and your child..."

The woman couldn't help but sob.

The man's resolute expression also carried a hint of sadness as he gazed at the hazy night sky, seemingly lost in thought.

Inside the clinic, Song Zihe selected several acupoints to stimulate the boy's mind and senses, then inserted needles into them. The boy was fine, but for some reason, he had been slightly drugged. Stimulating the acupoints with needles would wake him up shortly.

Just then, the sound of a car starting up could be heard outside, and it sped away.

"Huh? Why did they leave?" Song Zihe was taken aback when he heard this. He rushed out to look, but the couple was nowhere to be found. There was no one or their car. They had indeed left.

The couple left without saying goodbye, leaving Song Zihe puzzled. He stood at the entrance of Ping'an Hall for a while, then shook his head and went back inside, thinking that the couple might have gone to buy something and would be back soon.

There was a package on the table in the room, clearly left by the couple. Song Zihe was startled, a sense of foreboding creeping in. He hurriedly opened it and found several sets of clothes for a little boy, and on top of them, a thick wad of banknotes, worth at least ten thousand yuan. This was a huge sum at the time, equivalent to a ten-thousand-yuan household. Tucked among the banknotes was a slip of paper; when Song Zihe unfolded it, he saw it read:

Doctor Song:

My husband and I have urgent business to attend to, and our child is ill and cannot be brought along. We would be very grateful if you could take care of us for a while. We will repay you handsomely in the future!

"So they kept the child!" Song Zihe exclaimed in surprise after reading it.

The couple's arrival was suspicious; they left behind ten thousand yuan in cash and their child, clearly a pre-planned move. What could have happened to cause them to leave so hastily, neglecting even their own child? This unexpected turn of events left Song Zihe deeply puzzled.