Song Hao's level of attention to the Tianyitang Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Center is consistently surprising. He not only provides the center with an annual research grant of 100 million yuan, but also mandates that renowned doctors from Tianyitang headquarters and its branches dedicate time each year to guiding the center's work. These doctors bring their clinical insights, which are then compiled and organized by the center's staff. The research not only studies the medical experiences of the ancients but also incorporates modern advancements in traditional Chinese medicine, resulting in a comprehensive exploration of the field. Ancient Chinese medicine has undergone the most concrete and complete integration of ancient and modern approaches within the Tianyitang Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Center.
Tianyitang Beauty Salon has also achieved remarkable results. Through accurate segmentation of different groups and constitutions, the Tianyitang Traditional Chinese Medicine Beauty Expert Team has successfully developed a series of oral Chinese herbal beauty conditioning agents to comprehensively regulate the body, restoring health and beauty. Combined with facial treatments, this allows beauty-loving women to confidently radiate in public.
Most beauty products that were once popular both domestically and internationally offered only temporary cosmetic enhancements, creating a beautiful appearance in public. However, once the makeup was removed, unless one was naturally beautiful, their true appearance was revealed, sometimes even becoming "unbearable to look at," making them hesitant to appear in public. Tianyitang's internal and external beauty products, on the other hand, ushered in a new era of beauty that restores natural beauty. Tianyitang Beauty Salon has gradually become another pillar industry of Tianyitang, no less important than Tianyitang Pharmaceutical.
Tianyitang has gradually explored a development model suitable for traditional Chinese medicine in modern times and has embarked on a distinctive development path.
That day, Song Hao and Zhang Jiafang came out of the pediatric ward after making their rounds and ran into Kong Fei.
"Mr. Song, Mr. Tang is with a guest waiting for you in your office," Kong Fei said.
"Oh!" Song Hao replied, then greeted Zhang Jiafang and returned to his office.
Upon entering, Song Hao was taken aback. He saw Tang Yu talking to someone he knew; it turned out that the guest was Qi Yannian.
"Hello, Mr. Qi!" Song Hao still politely stepped forward and shook hands with Qi Yannian.
"Mr. Song... Mr. Song!" Qi Yannian smiled awkwardly.
“Mr. Qi, when there’s no one else around, please call him Song Hao,” Tang Yu said with a smile, seizing the opportunity.
"Alright!" Qi Yannian smiled gratefully.
Forty-four-day medical warehouse
Chapter Forty-Four: The Heavenly Physician
Song Hao neither confirmed nor denied it. The cooperation between Tianyitang and Tianyi Group had already given Qi Yannian a legitimate reason to enter and leave Tianyitang, and to meet directly with Song Hao.
"Song Hao, I've come to Tianyi Hall today to discuss something extremely important with you," Qi Yannian said solemnly.
"Oh!" Song Hao responded casually, and with Tang Yu pulling him along, he sat down opposite Qi Yannian.
Tang Yu brewed a pot of Longjing tea, poured tea for the father and son, and then sat down beside them to ease the awkwardness between them when the time was right.
"For business matters, Mr. Qi can just talk to Tang Yu directly; she has the right to decide everything," Song Hao said calmly.
Qi Yannian ignored Song Hao's cold attitude and said seriously, "The matter I'm talking to you about is not a current business matter, but it is related to the future development of Tianyitang and Tianyi Group. That is to find the 'Tianyi Treasury' which is as rich as a country! This is a matter of great importance, so please allow me to explain it slowly."
"Heavenly Medicine Treasury!" Song Hao and Tang Yu were taken aback upon hearing this.
Qi Yannian took a sip of tea and then said, "This matter was originally a secret of the Tianyi Sect, the predecessor of the Tianyi Group. You should know something about the Tianyi Sect, right? In the past, it was the head of all medical sects, and its medical skills and secret methods were unparalleled in the world. Unfortunately, under my leadership, coupled with many other factors, its glory has faded, and it has become a purely profit-driven commercial group that emphasizes medicine over medical treatment. This is really contrary to the original intention of the Qi family ancestors to help the world and save people when they founded the Tianyi Sect. Fortunately, due to various opportunities, you created the Tianyi Hall, which emphasizes both medicine and medical treatment, and you have managed to pull the Tianyi Sect back from the right path of medicine. Your achievements today make me feel guilty, but also very gratified."
With a sigh, Qi Yannian continued, "That was back in the late Qing Dynasty, when the head of the Tianyi Sect, your great-grandfather Qi Liang, was in charge..."
At this point, Qi Yannian paused slightly, and seeing that Song Hao had no reaction, he continued, "Back then, your great-grandfather cured Empress Dowager Cixi of a stubborn illness, making the Tianyi Sect famous throughout the court and earning them a generous reward. Hence, the Tianyi Sect was also known as the Imperial Physician Sect. Later, a Mongolian prince named Duduer suffered from a serious illness and specially sent someone to invite your great-grandfather to travel to Outer Mongolia to treat him. Your great-grandfather cured Prince Duduer's stroke and convulsions with Angong Niuhuang Wan. Upon hearing the news, Mongolian princes and nobles came to ask your great-grandfather to treat their illnesses. So your great-grandfather and the members of the Tianyi Sect used their medical skills to cure many difficult and complicated diseases. To thank your great-grandfather, Prince Duduer and those Mongolian princes and nobles promised that the Tianyi Sect could take whatever was available on the Mongolian grasslands."
"Your great-grandfather then said that as a physician, he did not seek gold or silver, but only some good medicine that could cure diseases and save lives! On his way here, he saw herds of cattle everywhere on the Mongolian grasslands, some of which occasionally produced bezoar, and he also saw musk deer everywhere, which must be rich in sachets. If he could obtain these two medicines, he would have no other desires. At the same time, he told Prince Duduer that the miraculous medicine that cured his illness, Angong Niuhuang Wan, had bezoar and musk as its main ingredients. Prince Duduer and the other Mongolian princes and nobles did not take it seriously, because for the herders on the grasslands, only sick cattle were likely to produce these yellow stones that were useless to them. Hunting musk deer was also a leisure activity for them. Both things were easy to obtain."
"Prince Duduer obtained the formula for Angong Niuhuang Wan from your great-grandfather, saying he wanted to collect a large quantity of the ingredients from the formula and then present them to the Tianyi Sect as a token of gratitude for saving his life. Your great-grandfather said that there was no need to ask for the exact ingredients listed in the formula; he only needed the four most valuable ingredients: bezoar, musk, rhinoceros horn, and cinnabar. Prince Duduer then asked how much he wanted, and your great-grandfather jokingly replied, 'The more the better!' Prince Duduer responded, 'No problem, just collect a few cartloads of each later and have the Tianyi Sect come and collect them.' Your great-grandfather heard this but simply laughed it off and didn't think much of it. At that time, there were matters to attend to within the Tianyi Sect, so your great-grandfather returned to the interior from Outer Mongolia."
"Later, the political situation became turbulent. The Qing Dynasty collapsed, the Republic of China rose, and China fell into chaos. Internally, warlords fought amongst themselves, while external powers eyed China covetously, all wanting to carve it up. Your great-grandfather forgot his promise to the Mongolian prince, as the Tianyi Sect faced a critical moment of life and death. To protect the Tianyi Sect from the domestic turmoil, your great-grandfather had already begun implementing a plan to relocate the sect overseas. Until one day, people from Outer Mongolia came to your great-grandfather, bringing news that surprised and delighted everyone in the Tianyi Sect." That Mongol prince, Duduer, and the Mongol nobles who had received favors from the Heavenly Medicine Sect actually collected and purchased a large quantity of bezoar, musk, rhinoceros horn, and cinnabar for the sect. It turns out that after your great-grandfather passed away, a massive campaign of slaughtering cattle for stones and hunting musk deer for musk began across the Mongolian grasslands and continued for several years. The extraordinary efficacy of Angong Niuhuang Wan (a traditional Chinese medicine) also led Prince Duduer to highly praise it, and he planned for your great-grandfather and the Heavenly Medicine Sect to prepare a batch for him, to be passed down to future generations for emergency use. Therefore, he and those Mongol nobles spared no effort... The herders in each territory were ordered to slaughter diseased cattle, and hunters to hunt musk deer herds to obtain large quantities of bezoar and musk, which were then collected and gathered at Prince Dudu'er's residence. At that time, there was no concept of protecting wild animals on the Mongolian steppe, making the musk deer herds, which lived there, targets for hunting. Prince Dudu'er also collected rhinoceros horns and cinnabar from Mongolian princes and nobles, gifts from the court and merchants visiting Mongolia. He even paid merchants exorbitant sums to purchase rhinoceros horns and cinnabar for him. This led many caravans to bring large quantities of rhinoceros horns and cinnabar... The cinnabar was transported to Mongolia for profit. The messenger also brought samples of the four precious medicines. The bezoar was top-grade natural bezoar; the musk was the musk kernel after the shell was removed, and it was still a top-quality granular product; the cinnabar was also of superior quality, "mirror-like" and "bean-shaped" cinnabar, bright red and translucent, with no impurities; the rhinoceros horn was a whole rhinoceros horn transported from South Asian countries and Africa, and the sample weighed several kilograms. "Do you two know how much of each of these four precious medicines Prince Duduer has collected?" Qi Yannian then closed his eyes and asked.
"How much?" Song Hao and Tang Yu answered in unison. They were both stunned by the question.
Qi Yannian slowly said, "There are as many as 1,400 kilograms of bezoar, 180 kilograms of musk, 275 whole rhinoceros horns, and 9,600 kilograms of cinnabar. Even in the hands of major pharmaceutical merchants, these medicines are measured in grams, but in Prince Dudu'er's possession, they are counted in hundreds of kilograms. It's unbelievable! This is a treasure trove that is richer than a country, and its value is beyond estimation. It was prepared by Dudu'er to be given to the Heavenly Medicine Sect, hence the name 'Heavenly Medicine Treasury'!"
"So many!?" Song Hao and Tang Yu were shocked. These four kinds of medicines were already extremely precious, but the sheer quantity was unprecedented, a treasure trove that had never been seen before.
Qi Yannian continued, "Your great-grandfather was utterly shocked upon hearing this. He never imagined that a casual remark from years ago would be taken so seriously by Prince Duduer. He told the messenger that the four medicinal samples he brought were already priceless, and he dared not covet the vast quantity of medicines that could rival the strength of a nation. The messenger, however, said that their prince respected the Tianyi Sect's superior medical skills, and thus prepared this batch of medicines as a gift, fulfilling his promise from years ago. The Mongols value integrity, and this was also a sign of respect for friends. Furthermore, these four medicines were already prepared; others would benefit nothing from them, only the Tianyi Sect could make good use of them. Your great-grandfather knew this matter was of great importance and should personally go to..." Prince Duduer explained that this was the most abundant collection of bezoar and musk ever gathered in the world, enough for the Heavenly Medicine Sect to use for centuries. However, the Heavenly Medicine Sect could not easily accept such a generous gift. Furthermore, the sect was currently entangled in internal and external affairs and could not immediately travel to Mongolia to discuss the matter with Prince Duduer. Caught in a dilemma, they told the messenger to return first, and that the Heavenly Medicine Sect would go to Mongolia later to discuss the takeover of the medicine storehouse with Prince Duduer. They repeatedly emphasized the importance of properly sealing and preserving the bezoar and musk to prevent the release of their aroma. The messenger acknowledged and departed.
"In the days that followed, your great-grandfather began selling off the assets of the Tianyi Sect, trying to raise as much money as possible before accepting that batch of valuable medicines. Otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to accept such a generous gift. But things didn't go as planned, and the situation suddenly changed. Under the manipulation of the Soviet Union, Outer Mongolia broke away from the then Nationalist government and declared independence. The tense situation made it impossible for the Tianyi Sect to enter Outer Mongolia to receive that batch of valuable medicines. At the same time, the domestic situation was also changing, putting the Tianyi Sect in a dilemma. Even more unfortunately, your great-grandfather was overworked and old at the time..." He grew weak and eventually fell seriously ill. Just then, Prince Dudu'er of Mongolia secretly sent someone to tell your great-grandfather that due to the turbulent times, he had secretly buried the valuable medicines in a hidden place within his territory. The messenger also brought a treasure map, allowing the Heavenly Medicine Sect to excavate it themselves when the opportunity arose. Your great-grandfather, upon seeing this, felt somewhat relieved. He then ordered the Heavenly Medicine Sect to expedite its plan to relocate overseas. During this time, your great-grandfather unfortunately passed away. The Heavenly Medicine Treasury buried in Outer Mongolia thus became a source of longing for generations of members of the Heavenly Medicine Sect.
"The disciples of the Heavenly Medicine Sect later moved overseas to develop their businesses. Due to various factors, they never had the opportunity to search for the buried Heavenly Medicine Treasury in Mongolia. Later, I took over the Heavenly Medicine Sect, renamed it the Heavenly Medicine Group based on the current situation, and expanded into the domestic market. At the same time, I invested in and established a company in Mongolia, intending to use it as a foundation to search for the Heavenly Medicine Treasury. However, in the past twenty years, I organized six large-scale treasure hunts, consuming a great deal of manpower and resources, but all ended in failure. The location where Prince Duduer buried the Heavenly Medicine Treasury was never found, and several..." The expedition team perished unexpectedly. To prevent the discovery and theft by outsiders, the treasure map was drawn very obscurely, without clearly marking the location of the Heavenly Medicine Treasury. However, your great-grandfather knew the exact location as soon as he saw the map; we don't know what kind of tacit understanding existed between him and Prince Duduer. Unfortunately, before his death, your great-grandfather was unable to clearly instruct the Heavenly Medicine Sect members on this secret. Although we, the descendants of the Heavenly Medicine Sect, possess this treasure map, we cannot decipher its mysteries, resulting in six unsuccessful searches.”
"I've organized another expedition to search for the Heavenly Medicine Treasury, a large-scale search in Mongolia. This is the last time; if we don't find it, I'm prepared to give up. This time, I've specially invited Gu Xiaofeng from the Life and Death Gate to help us. It's Gu Xiaofeng and his Life and Death Gate's last act of assistance. The reason I'm seeking you out is because of something Gu Xiaofeng said that fortune favors the destined. I've searched six times without success; it seems the Heavenly Medicine Treasury is not meant for me. He said that you, Song Hao, are currently very successful and must be a person of great fortune, perhaps the Heavenly Medicine Treasury is meant for you. So I'd like to invite you to join this final expedition. Of course, Gu Xiaofeng was just joking; we shouldn't take it seriously. You just need to go with the team; consider it a trip to Mongolia, and assist Gu Xiaofeng in leading the expedition."
"Is that so!" Song Hao exclaimed, intrigued. Curiosity is an irresistible human desire. He glanced at Tang Yu, who was already beaming with excitement.
"The Tianyi Medicine Treasury is of great significance to Tianyitang and the Tianyi Group, not only because of the sheer quantity of its four precious medicines, which are worth a fortune comparable to that of a nation. More importantly, apart from cinnabar, which can be bought with money now, the other three are extremely scarce. Finding the Tianyi Medicine Treasury would solve Tianyitang's production needs for these three medicines for the next hundred years. There is another important significance to this as well. Traditional Chinese medicine is inherently faster than Western medicine in emergency situations, but the lack of good medicines has been a problem. As you know, bezoar has the effects of opening the orifices and clearing phlegm, calming wind and relieving convulsions, clearing heat and detoxifying; musk has the effect of opening the orifices and refreshing the mind; and rhinoceros horn has the effects of clearing heart heat, cooling blood and detoxifying. These are all irreplaceable by other medicines. They are also the main ingredients of the famous ancient prescriptions such as Niuhuang Angong Wan, Zhibao Dan, and Suhe Xiang Wan. Traditional Chinese medicine pioneered emergency treatment. Finding the Tianyi Medicine Treasury will allow us to utilize these precious medicines to demonstrate the emergency treatment capabilities of traditional Chinese medicine."
"This expedition is based on new clues discovered on that treasure map, and new discoveries made after years of geological surveys in that area. That's why I decided to search again. This expedition requires the participation of our own people. I originally wanted to participate in this final expedition myself, but the Tianyi Group's overseas offices urgently need me to return to handle some matters. So, you and your Aunt Du will be returning to the United States soon. Therefore, I'm asking you to represent me in this expedition. The expedition team's vehicle will come to Tianyi Hall to pick you up in the next couple of days, and then you'll cross the border from Inner Mongolia into Mongolia. The main members of this expedition team are the same as before, led by Gu Xiaofeng. There will be someone to meet you after you enter Mongolia."
"Mr. Qi, it's fine if we don't find the Heavenly Medicine Treasury during this expedition, but if we do find it, will the local authorities allow us to transport such a valuable batch of medicines back smoothly?" Tang Yu asked at this moment.
"Good question!" Qi Yannian nodded and said, "We have already made preparations in this regard. We have also reached an agreement with the local government of Mongolia. They know that we are looking for a treasure, but they don't know what we are looking for. So the agreement stipulates that if we find the treasure, the treasure inside will be split equally with the local government, and the non-metallic items will belong to us. Don't worry, I have arranged everything. As long as you find the Heavenly Medicine Treasury, your mission will be completed. The rest will be handled by someone else. The Heavenly Medicine Treasury will be transported back to China intact and legally delivered to the Heavenly Medicine Hall. You can send a few more people from the Heavenly Medicine Hall; the number is up to you."
Song Hao had no reason to refuse. Could the miraculous Heavenly Medicine Treasury truly contain such a vast quantity of four precious medicinal materials: bezoar, musk, rhinoceros horn, and cinnabar? Especially considering the scarcity and exorbitant prices of genuine natural bezoar, musk, and rhinoceros horn in the current medicinal market, such a quantity was nothing short of a miracle. Furthermore, possessing these medicines would be of great significance in comprehensively implementing emergency medical programs using traditional Chinese medicine, leading to a renewed understanding of traditional Chinese medicine among the world. Because these medicines were expensive and genuine, several highly effective new drugs from Tianyi Hall had not been put into large-scale production. With this batch of medicine from the Heavenly Medicine Treasury, it could truly supply Tianyi Hall's production needs for a century.
Qi Yannian saw the excitement in Song Hao's eyes and knew that he was looking forward to the expedition. He smiled inwardly, then stood up and said, "That's all for now. You guys get ready, and then the expedition team will send a vehicle to pick you up. I'll go first."
After seeing Qi Yannian off, Song Hao and Tang Yu returned and calmed down from their earlier excitement.
"This matter is rather bizarre. Furthermore, the Tianyi Group has searched six times without success. What will this operation yield?" Song Hao said.
“That’s true, but one thing is certain: the Heavenly Medicine Treasury is real, and its value is incalculable, it’s an astronomical figure. We still can’t see the treasure map, and for some reason, even with the map we haven’t found the Heavenly Medicine Treasury. It’s possible that the treasure hunters sent out by the Heavenly Medicine Group made a mistake. After we meet Gu Xiaofeng, we’d better re-examine that map,” Tang Yu said.
Volume Three: The World of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Chapter Forty-Eight: The Era of Great Traditional Chinese Medicine
There is a condition known as "autumnal melancholy," characterized by a person who is habitually melancholic and rarely expresses joy. Whenever the autumn wind blows, and leaves fall and flowers wither, the sight evokes sorrow and a secret grief, leading to a poignant urge to weep, almost uncontrollably. This is caused by weakness in the five internal organs and a scattered spirit that cannot be firmly anchored. Treatment should involve administering ginseng and astragalus, avoiding the seasons of autumn and winter, moving to a warm and comfortable place, and gradually regulating the body. ——————Excerpt from *Tianyitang Medical Cases*
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Tang Yu said, "Didn't Mr. Qi say he would handle everything? All we need to do is bring the expedition team back to China."
Excited by the discovery of the Heavenly Medicine Treasury, Song Hao and Tang Yu stayed up all night, discussing how to prevent any unforeseen events. At dawn, they finally managed to rest briefly in each other's arms.
Around noon, they suddenly heard someone knocking on the door outside the earthen fort. When Song Hao and Tang Yu climbed the earthen wall to look, they saw that Liu Shijie, Wang Peitong, Zu Quan, and Ning Guo had returned. Zu Quan and Ning Guo were being helped by Liu Shijie and Wang Peitong.