Chapter 916: So awkward~

"What are you muttering about? I waited for you for a long time and you didn't come back."

Liu Yin saw her son enter the room and nagged: "I thought you ate in the outer courtyard."

"It was Brother Zhu."

Li Xuewu smiled bitterly: "He pulled me to chat for a while, talking nonsense."

Saying this, he washed his hands and said to his father, who was holding Li Shu and eating: "Wait a while, please take a look; don't let it be some kind of depression."

"Oh, how did it become like this?"

Liu Yin also felt it was strange, signaled her son to sit at the table to eat, and said: "Didn't see anything wrong these few days, how did..."

"Eat."

Li Shun was very calm, signaled Li Xuewu, and he was picking vegetables for Li Shu in his arms.

Li Shu was a big rascal; the small snacks she was fed by everyone before the meal made her almost full, and now she was just making a fuss.

Seeing whoever was eating deliciously, she would pester her grandfather to pick it for her, and only swallow it after eating one bite and finding it delicious, otherwise she would spit it out.

Children are like this; they can't eat much at the table, purely wanting to gain a sense of participation and recognition.

The table on the ground was for the children of the family, and the table on the kang was for the elders; according to seniority, they were clearly divided.

The only special ones were Li Shu and Li Xue.

Li Xue wasn't home, and Li Shu became the overlord.

Regarding the fact that her little aunt wasn't home, Li Shu didn't miss her like her grandmother did; one aunt in this family was enough.

If her little aunt really came back, the degree of restriction on her in Grandma's house would have to be raised by more than one level.

Little aunt is bad, not only teasing her, but also snatching her food and deliberately making her angry.

If it were anyone else, as long as she complained to her great-grandmother or grandmother, she would win, but only the little aunt wouldn't.

She also gradually knew that one mountain cannot hold two tigers in this family.

In the Li family, according to the old Northeast customs, the unmarried girls were the two of them, and both were noble aunts.

What to do if the aunts fight? Of course, distinguish between the big king and the small king to be considered finished.

At the current stage, Li Shu couldn't beat her little aunt, but her temper was stubborn and she didn't want to be the small king, so she could only fight repeatedly and never give up.

"Second Brother."

During the meal, Li Xuecai was eating particularly deliciously holding his rice bowl.

One was the home-cooked meal, the second was the atmosphere at home, and the third was the taste of Mom.

Because of his longing for home life and food, he took the initiative to call Second Brother and asked somewhat hesitantly: "Can Dad and I come down now?"

Li Xuewu looked up at him, sized up his somewhat cautious expression, and smiled: "Where do you want to come down to? Aren't you home now?"

"I mean..."

"Eat."

Before Li Xuecai could say more, Ji Yuxiu picked up a chopstick of vegetables and put it in his bowl, reminding him not to speak anymore.

Li Xuecai looked at her with some grievance, his eyes full of confusion, and didn't move his chopsticks.

Clearly, there was nothing wrong, so why did he still have to stay on the mountain?

Of course, accompanying his father and taking care of his father on the mountain was what he should do, but his father couldn't stay on the mountain forever either.

When would the days of not being able to go home even once a month come to an end?

He was asking his second brother, who was also the one in the family who grasped the situation best and was most trusted.

But Second Brother hadn't said anything yet, so why didn't Ji Yuxiu let him speak?

Ji Yuxiu saw his aggrieved appearance, holding his rice bowl and looking at her pitifully without moving his chopsticks, let out a long sigh, not knowing how to explain.

Li Shun fed Li Shu, glanced at the third son, didn't say anything, but the blame in his eyes made Li Xuecai lower his head.

Zhao Yafang got up to help Li Shun add a bowl of rice, but took the initiative to open her mouth to explain for Li Xuecai.

"Xuecai, things are a bit troublesome."

She added rice for Li Xuewen, sat back in her chair, signaled Li Xuewu's side, and said: "Your second brother is in a dilemma; it's because something happened in Magic City again, and the radio broadcast the news this morning."

Hearing the eldest sister-in-law say this, Li Xuecai looked up at his second brother first, then at Ji Yuxiu.

He saw his second brother's indifferent appearance and didn't feel very surprised; after all, his second brother's status was getting higher and higher, and his temperament was getting more and more steady.

From Ji Yuxiu's face, he could see some helplessness and worry.

"... Is it true?"

"How much nonsense are you talking?"

Li Shun, sitting on the kang, frowned and looked at his son, scolding: "Your butt is getting itchy, you can't sit still for a moment, and you still want to sit in the hall?"

"Dad..."

Li Xuecai looked at his father with some disappointment, put down the rice bowl in his hand, and felt that nothing tasted good.

Ji Yuxiu took a cup of warm water for him, walked behind him, pinched his shoulders, and persuaded softly: "Anyway, your school isn't starting, so what if you slow down for a few days?"

"I just want to stay at home."

Li Xuecai looked at his second brother, paused, and said: "Besides, the mountain is so cold, Dad..."

"Don't talk nonsense."

Li Shun stared at Li Xuecai and scolded: "If you have the heart to learn medicine, stay quietly on the mountain and squint with me."

"If you don't want to learn anymore..."

He said this, signaled his second son's direction, and said: "Get rid of this troublesome identity as soon as possible, don't take yourself as some proud son of heaven, and let your second brother arrange work for you early."

After speaking, he turned back, picked up his chopsticks and slammed them on the table, saying: "Whether it's going to the workshop or sweeping the street, I won't stop you."

"Dad..."

Li Xuecai wanted to say more, but was held back by his mother's eyes.

Gu Ning saw the little brother-in-law's embarrassed expression and poked Li Xuewu under the table.

Li Xuewu didn't feel anything, only giving her a reassuring look when Gu Ning was about to frown.

Gu Ning didn't understand the actual situation very well, and many things were hard to decide or explain.

But she knew that as long as Li Xuewu agreed, it wouldn't be difficult to arrange a learning condition for the little brother-in-law to return home.

It looked like Li Xuewu didn't agree, preferring to let Li Xuecai follow his father up the mountain and be separated from Ji Yuxiu, rather than arranging it for him.

If you want to talk about being cruel, she is the sister-in-law, and Li Xuecai is Li Xuewu's biological brother.

What should be arranged and taken care of should be proposed by Li Xuewu, or arranged directly.

But now Li Xuewu didn't speak, and his father-in-law and Ji Yuxiu were both of this attitude, so she wasn't easy to say anything more.

Harmony brings prosperity; Gu Ning thought so. From the moment she entered the room, she saw her mother-in-law paying more attention to the little brother-in-law.

After all, he was the youngest son and was on the mountain; this family was all up to Li Xuewu, and she didn't want to make her mother-in-law embarrassed by bringing this up to Li Xuewu.

Li Xuewu had already explained to his mother that the third brother's situation was suitable for grinding on the mountain.

Besides, regarding the third brother's identity, don't say he was a university student; even in the Chinese Medicine Hospital, and even among all the doctors in Beijing, who was really safe and sound?

They wanted to drive all the doctors to the countryside and realize the great goal of universal medical care as soon as possible.

But this unrealistic fishing out of the pond fell into reality, which meant that some students in medical colleges would also be assigned down in advance.

Just think, those who graduated from primary school can be dentists, let alone students in medical colleges.

Learning medicine with his father is better than finding a way out by writing novels like someone else.

If the eldest brother was in the third brother's position, he wouldn't have arranged it like this.

But with Li Xuecai's personality, especially the way he lacks any real sense, if he's just wandering around at home, there's no telling when he might wander into trouble.

The person who understands you best is mostly the person who cares about you; although the words spoken by family members aren't pleasant, they are all sincere.

Li Xuecai was also stifled on the mountain; he didn't know how many ants were in the village, but he was afraid he had checked how many people were on the mountain many times.

Looking at the cars entering and leaving the training ground, he always thought about being as free as them one day.

Actually, if Li Xuewu were to say it, he was still a university student; didn't he understand that freedom is relative?

Freedom is unfreedom, and unfreedom is freedom.

This lunch was eaten in Li Xuecai's depression and the helplessness of the whole family.

After dinner, Li Xuewu didn't wait for his father to speak, pulled the dejected Li Xuecai out, and found a place to talk to him alone.

The afternoon sun was still warm, but Li Xuecai's heart was cold.

Following his second brother past the hanging flower gate, it looked like they were going to the room he had in the east courtyard, and his heart felt even more sour.

Clearly, it was said to be the house built for him, but now his object had moved in, and he hadn't lived there for a few days.

Li Xuewu just walked towards the east courtyard and didn't enter the door of the east courtyard; Ji Yuxiu lived there, and it would be very embarrassing if it wasn't convenient.

Passing the gatehouse, Li Xuewu glanced inside and saw no one, but the fire stove was burning, so he pushed open the door and signaled Li Xuecai to follow him in.

During the day, this place was mostly a place for old ladies to sew shoe soles and chat; at noon, they had to go home to prepare food, after all, today was Sunday.

Usually, it wouldn't be empty, because those who work eat in the factory, and those who don't earn money at home eat two meals.

Besides, this Sihe Academy only needs to be on duty at night, and it doesn't matter during the day; just remember to close the door when going out.

Don't think about the fire stove; there must be a game in the afternoon, and it was probably some old lady from the front or back courtyard watching paper cards here.

Paper cards is a common name, different in various places, but not too different; it's just long, hard paper surfaces printed with the 108 generals from Water Margin.

Li Xuewu flipped through the wooden drawer by the window, and inside was exactly this kind of paper card.

Li Xuecai had no heart to observe how this gatehouse was, and as soon as he entered the room, he sat on the kang and stared blankly.

Li Xuewu glanced at him, reached out and gently pulled his head, and asked with a smile: "Lost your soul?"

"... No~"

Li Xuecai pursed his lips, looked up at his second brother, and said: "I know what you want to tell me, I know everything."

"Hmm, you are a university student, what don't you know."

Li Xuewu nodded, pulled out a chair and sat down, with his back to the window, looking at his third brother and saying: "Just a little unwilling, and a little depressed, and then there's the dissatisfaction with me."

"No~"

This time he answered very firmly and quickly; he didn't dare to be dissatisfied with his second brother, and if he said something wrong, a slap might come over.

If he was really beaten by his second brother, don't say his parents wouldn't stand up for him, he might even lose face in front of Ji Yuxiu.

He really didn't dare to pull his second brother's tiger whiskers; being a younger brother counts for nothing, even the eldest brother was beaten by his second brother early on.

Li Xuecai hadn't seen many people with sour faces, but it was rare to see someone like his second brother who would hit people as soon as a sentence was wrong.

Of course, that was all in the past; now his second brother is a good second brother, and hasn't beaten him since he came back.

It's just that sometimes when his second brother stares, he still can't help but tremble.

Especially last time at the Jiaodaokou police station, his second brother held that long gun and piled it on that person's hand; he still remembers his second brother's ferocity.

So being called out by his second brother for a private chat, his heart was also beating like a drum; he had already surrendered as soon as he went out, deciding to obediently follow his father up the mountain to learn medicine.

And being brought here by his second brother, he only had one goal, which was not to be beaten.

Because before, his second brother was like this; he would never beat him at home, always finding a place where no one was around to clean him up.

After cleaning him up, if he dared to go home and complain, he might be blocked somewhere else and beaten again.

Li Xuewu also saw that his brother was afraid of him, and didn't even dare to look him in the eye.

"Letting you go up the mountain, on one hand, is for Father; his personality isn't suitable for working in the city."

"I have to work, it's not convenient to take care of Father."

Li Xuewu looked at his third brother and said: "I know you want to talk about eldest brother; you saw eldest brother could go home, and it seems like nothing happened, right?"

Li Xuecai secretly looked at his second brother; clearly, his thoughts were known by his second brother.

He was also embarrassed at this moment, and really thought of this point while eating.

If eldest brother was fine staying at home, why not swap with him?

Li Xuewu took out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it, putting the cigarette box on the table.

Blowing a puff of smoke, he sized up his brother again, and explained: "Not letting eldest brother go up the mountain, one is so that he can contact academics at any time under the mountain, so he doesn't lose his skill of eating."

"The second is that the supervision station needs him, and several projects about to be launched by the Steel Rolling Mill also need eldest brother to participate."

Saying this, Li Xuewu tapped the table with his lighter and said: "Eldest brother is honest and dutiful, and there is no problem; I have to arrange a way out for him, right?"

"Just like you."

Li Xuewu pointed to the third brother Xuecai again and said: "Letting you follow Dad to learn medicine with peace of mind is the same as arranging eldest brother to go to the supervision station."

"The last reason for not letting eldest brother go up the mountain, think about it carefully yourself."

Li Xuewu put down the lighter in his hand, took a puff of smoke, and tapped it on his heel.

Li Xuecai nodded his lowered head and said: "Just now Yuxiu told me, eldest sister-in-law's pregnancy."

"You, what kind of good fortune did you cultivate for several lifetimes."

Li Xuewu pointed at his third brother and said: "If you weren't my biological brother, I wouldn't have introduced Yuxiu to you no matter what."

Li Xuecai could hear his second brother's emotion, looked up at his second brother and said: "I know."

"What do you know?"

Li Xuewu looked into his eyes and said: "Not letting you go down the mountain, another reason is that you don't even have Yuxiu's heart and maturity! Understand!"

He glanced at his brother with a look of hatred for his lack of ambition, raised his hand to signal the direction of the house, and said: "You must admit, although Yuxiu didn't go to university, she understands things in society better than you."

"Hmm, I know."

Li Xuecai was only submissive in front of his second brother; he didn't dare to say no, let alone offer opinions.

Li Xuewu took another puff of smoke and said: "I don't need to tell you how your classmates are doing now; you know their situation very well."

"Think about it, if you really stay at home, can you guarantee you won't provoke them, but can you guarantee they won't come to you?"

"Think about it again."

Li Xuewu pointed to the courtyard and reminded softly: "Do you think no one in our courtyard wants to harm you, harm our whole family?"

"No need for more, as long as you go out a few times with those classmates or friends, someone will surely involve our whole family from you."

"Do you believe it?"

"I know, Second Brother."

Li Xuecai wasn't stupid; he just lacked social experience, as well as understanding and experience of life.

If he were really stupid, he couldn't have been admitted to university in this era.

It was precisely because he could be admitted to university that his understanding of life was not as good as his second brother, a university dropout.

"Don't complain about Yuxiu."

Li Xuewu flicked the ash and told his brother: "If she had other thoughts, how could she live here? Which girl is so willing to give up herself?"

"If it weren't for caring about you, how could she persuade you to study more and grind more? Only when you become talented will your future days be good."

"If love lasts for a long time, why should it be morning and evening? Don't you even have this point of view on love?"

Li Xuewu talked through his brother, and seeing that he understood, he reached out and gently patted his face, laughing: "Have patience for love, and even more confidence and determination."

"Thank you, Second Brother."

Li Xuecai's haze scattered, and he also laughed, feeling his second brother's change, and he also took the initiative to joke: "Still Second Brother's love experience is rich."

"..."

Li Xuewu regretted it a bit; he should have used some force when patting his brother just now.

Li Xuecai didn't dare to give him a chance to make up for it, and ran away as soon as he said this.

Outside the window, he could still hear his conversation with Ji Yuxiu; the young couple started their intimate relationship from the words "Did Second Brother hit you?", which left Li Xuewu speechless.

Perhaps it was because Li Xuecai said that Second Brother wasn't in the east courtyard but in the gatehouse, and their conversation could be heard, so Ji Yuxiu's voice disappeared.

She also knew how big a blow her suspicion was to Second Brother, and she was already embarrassed to pull Li Xuecai to the east courtyard.

Li Xuewu smoked, both angry and amused, but his face was mostly satisfied.

Harmony brings prosperity; everyone understands the truth, but when there are many people in the family, someone must understand first and do it first.

The brothers have all started families and established careers; there is no need for their father and mother to worry about this kind of relationship handling.

Even if Li Xuewu didn't stand up to solve it, the eldest sister-in-law would find Li Xuecai and Ji Yuxiu to talk together.

This cigarette hadn't been finished yet when the gatehouse door was opened again.

"Finished talking?"

"Dad, why didn't you lie down for a while?"

Li Xuewu saw his father enter and stood up hurriedly, throwing the cigarette butt in his hand and stepping on it.

Li Shun sized up his son, waved his hand, signaled him to sit, and he himself sat on the kang.

"Sent your great-grandmother to the inverted room; your mother and the others are talking."

Explaining to his son, Li Shun's gaze was always wandering on his son's face.

On the mountain, Li Shun missed home, but was most worried about this second son.

In the past, this kid was naughty, and his heart was always hanging with him.

But now his son is successful, and his heart still can't be put down.

Everyone envies him for having a good son, young and high-ranking, powerful and talented; this envy, in his view, is a heavy burden on his shoulders.

This family is all supported by the second son; the eldest son's arrangement, his and the third son's placement—the pressure is all on the son alone.

Leaving the women's army at home, the son still has to take care of them.

But in his view, the situation outside is murderous, and the son is high-ranking; isn't it high and cold?

In the past, he was the sky of the family; the head of the family wasn't for showing off, but for protecting the family and wife and children.

Now the son is more and more capable, but it makes him, the father, add burden and trouble to his son.

When dividing the family, it was said that they would live separately; if the second son doesn't care about the family, what does it matter?

When he saw his son call the third son out just now, Li Shun felt both comforted and warm in his heart.

An incompetent old father tires his son to suffer more.

He isn't good at expressing fatherly love and has never shown tenderness in front of his children in his whole life; today the whole family reunited, and he drank a few more cups of wine, so he seemed to have a lot to say at this moment.

Li Shun started from when he was young and followed his father to learn medicine, telling the old stories he rarely mentioned to his children.

Li Xuewu saw his father had a rare interest in talking, so he became a listener, nodding and echoing from time to time.

A few figures flashed outside, and gazes were cast into the gatehouse; they were the boys who burned the fire kang and prepared to play cards.

They never thought that after playing cards in the morning, they were prepared to play in the afternoon, and during the time they went home to eat, the gatehouse was occupied.

If it were the old ladies in the courtyard, these boys would either call them grandma, or tease them and ask them to leave.

But Li Xuewu was sitting in the room, so how would they dare to show their faces.

Usually, they avoid him, so going to the gatehouse to share a room is just sick!

So Li Xuewu's gaze swept over several figures appearing and disappearing, and he didn't make any moves, still listening.

Li Shun was also drunk, feeling the whole family reunited today, seeing his sons harmonious, and thought of his own childhood brotherly friendship.

His heart was thinking of his old father, and also thinking of his relatives scattered in various places.

The closest brothers are one in the south and one in the north, and he misses them so much, let alone his old mother.

Some time ago, his son got married, and his second and third brothers came home to visit relatives, which almost made his old mother sick.

People are old; no matter how great the children's achievements are, what they miss most is filial piety before the bed.

Comparing this, his sons are all gathered in front of him, mostly thanks to his second son.

Thinking of this, Li Shun let out a long sigh, rarely reaching out to pat his son's knee, and nodded: "You are good, you are good."

"Dad, be more broad-minded."

Li Xuewu saw his father's emotion and persuaded softly: "There is much wind and rain in the world, but there is still a late sunny day; everything will pass."

"Hmm, I know."

Li Shun patted his son's hand and nodded: "I'm not complaining, just talking, talking about my heart."

The father and son looked at each other in silence for a while, with many words in their hearts that couldn't be said, and didn't need to be said.

The old father understands his hardship, and he understands the old father's contribution; this family is fatherly and filial, brothers are harmonious, relatives are worry-free, so what is there to complain about?

The warm gatehouse was quiet for a while, and Li Xuewu took the initiative to mention his father's work: "The warm shed on the mountain is set up, right?"

"Hmm."

Li Shun also organized his emotions according to his son's train of thought and nodded slowly: "Burned before the frost, and did it together with the vegetable shed."

This matter was mentioned by Li Xuewu to Qi Yaowu; they had experience in planting lightless vegetables in the mine cave, and it was just right to dig warm sheds to engage in off-season vegetables this year.

Compared to planting in the mine cave, the options for warm sheds are more.

Not only is it needed for the Chinese Medicine Hospital's medicinal material cultivation project, but the training ground and station on the mountain also need it.

The reclamation area must first achieve self-sufficiency, and then achieve profit; this step-daughter of the Third Regiment can't compare with the biological son, but can't degenerate either.

Li Xuewu went to the Third Regiment less, but his concern for that side didn't decrease.

The construction of the vegetable greenhouse area on the mountain was decided by him, and investment was made through the training ground and recycling station. Because the Chinese Medicine Hospital had projects, it also invested capital.

The Third Regiment used reclamation power to complete the first phase of the greenhouse area construction before autumn.

The mountain doesn't lack fuel; that small coal kiln is really borrowed.

The missing bricks were burned by the Red Star Village brick kiln, and the missing cement, glass, and greenhouse plastics were materials purchased under the mountain.

Multi-party coordination and joint efforts led to the little achievement on the mountain; if planting is proper this year and a bumper harvest is achieved, then next year will increase efforts to develop the reclamation area.

Most of the manpower of the Third Regiment is stationed on the mountain, and the training intensity is very high; continuous in-depth research on urban combat, anti-terrorism, anti-hijacking, and other training subjects has increased the pressure on logistics.

Qi Yaowu can see the rapid growth of the team on one hand, and worry about the consumption of logistics on the other, which can be said to be both father and mother.

Fortunately, the Third Regiment has many fathers and mothers, including Wang Xiaoqin and Li Xuewu who changed into the local merger, all have ability.

Especially since Li Xuewu's father is still on the mountain, many projects are planned by Li Xuewu from the first perspective and first-hand data.

Listening to his father talk about many things on the mountain, and comparing them with the information fed back from the training ground and the Third Regiment, Li Xuewu made up for the homework of not going up the mountain for research because he was busy recently.

"Need to discuss with you."

Li Xuewu moved his chair closer to his father and opened softly: "You also know that the pharmaceutical project cooperated by the Steel Rolling Mill, Third Regiment, Chinese Medicine Hospital, and other units is unfolding."

"There is another situation you might not know: the Steel Rolling Mill and Hong Kong's Wufeng Bank will cooperate to build three food processing plants in Beijing."

"This is a large cooperation framework, and the content includes but is not limited to food-related."

Li Xuewu looked into his father's eyes and said very seriously: "Hong Kong's market, including the export market, is a great opportunity."

"Why is your factory so aggressive?"

Li Shun frowned slightly looking at his son and said: "Taking such a big step, aren't you afraid of tearing your balls?"

He thought that the Steel Rolling Mill itself is a heavy industry enterprise, so how did it start engaging in the food industry with one stick here and one stick there.

The project on the mountain is understood,

What Li Shun is worried about is that under the current grand situation, the attitude toward the outside world isn't exactly friendly, and the cooperation his son mentioned isn't based primarily on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital as its foundation and goal.

He is an honest and upright man; as someone from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, using the hospital's support to conduct projects on the mountain, he naturally has to think about his own unit.

From his son's words, it isn't hard for him to understand: the Steel Mill intends to leverage Hong Kong capital to establish a factory in Beijing and look toward overseas markets.

If it is considered an honor for Traditional Chinese Medicine to go global and sell well overseas in later generations, for Li Shun himself at this moment, there is nothing glorious about it.

Our own people haven't even fully benefited from this welfare yet; how can we prioritize supply to overseas markets just for greater profit?

"What are you all thinking?"

Although Li Shun had been drinking, his mind was clear. He looked at his son and pressed, "What are you trying to do?"

"If I say it's to make money, you'll think I'm too utilitarian."

Li Xuewu looked at his father and said earnestly, "But if I say it's for the future of Traditional Chinese Medicine, will you think I'm making up excuses to deceive you?"

"If you have something to say, say it. Why the cover-up?"

Li Shun sized his son up, nodded, and said, "I believe you."

With just that one sentence, Li Xuewu felt reassured and began to explain things to his father.

The Steel Mill is linked to units like the Third Guard Regiment and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, and on the other side, it is cooperating with the Wu Feng Hong to set up an assembly-line pharmaceutical factory. It may look like capital chasing profit, but it is also a way of occupying the market.

In his explanation to his father, Li Xuewu emphasized the future of Traditional Chinese Medicine, including the future of traditional medicine, and even used Western medicine as a comparison.

Li Shun listened earnestly to his son's unorthodox ideas without interrupting.

Just like his answer to his son a moment ago, he believed his son was neither a fool nor a madman.

The current status of Traditional Chinese Medicine is no different from Western medicine, but since Western medicine entered the mainland in the last century, the therapeutic superiority it has demonstrated has been changing people's perceptions.

Take surgery, for example; ancient times also had such medical means, but in modern times, Traditional Chinese Medicine rarely uses them.

Western medicine's breakthroughs in these methods are something Traditional Chinese Medicine cannot reach.

In the promotion of Western medicine, there are even those who spare no effort to trumpet and praise it. This is certainly the progress of science and technology, but it has also set up obstacles for the development of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Mr. Liang, one of the Six Gentlemen of the Hundred Days' Reform, once used his life to defend Western medicine.

His kidneys had no issues; according to historical records, it was merely bacteria at work. Traditional Chinese Medicine could have treated it, and antibiotics could have treated it too.

Truth be told, the one who performed the surgery was a top surgeon at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, a man of superb medical skill. You really can't blame him; the problem lay entirely in the initial diagnosis.

When Mr. Liang saw that his kidneys were smooth and disease-free, how did he act in the face of his students' righteous indignation?

He told them not to publish it in the papers, not to sue, so that Western medicine, which had just entered the country, would not die with him.

Li Shun comes from a family of doctors; his father was once a physician who ran his own clinic, and there is still a plaque in the house proving their past glory.

His understanding of Western medicine came after he entered the hospital and truly encountered cases. Facing his son's worries, he had personal experience.

So when Li Xuewu used reverse thinking to deduce the future of Traditional Chinese Medicine from marketization, Li Shun had to nod.

"Building the factory is the target; inheritance is the root."

Li Xuewu said softly, "People in the world mostly chase profit. If one day they lose their rice bowl, how many people will be able to settle down and study Traditional Chinese Medicine?"

Li Shun tilted his head slightly, his brows furrowed tightly. He said, "You see so far ahead, yet you can barely take care of your own family. This burden is quite heavy, and you aren't a doctor yourself, so why seek out your own suffering?"

"I am a man who chases fame and profit; where would I see suffering?"

Li Xuewu smiled, ignoring his father's worry, and defended himself, "If everyone could truly afford Traditional Chinese Medicine, that would count as a small achievement of mine."

Li Shun looked at his son, a faint smile appearing on his face, and asked, "So, what do you want to do?"

"Prescriptions."

Li Xuewu said earnestly, "Those prescriptions in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital—I know you can get them out."

"Taking them requires rules."

Li Shun didn't mind his son's wording; he straightened his posture and looked at his son, waiting for the rest.

Li Xuewu nodded in agreement, "You request the prescriptions according to the needs of the project, and I guarantee that the Steel Mill will fully respect the rights and interests of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital in the cooperative project."

Li Shun glanced at his son and reminded him, "This is official business."

"It is exactly official business."

Li Xuewu nodded earnestly to confirm, "The situation is difficult, and the circumstances are becoming increasingly tense. If we don't act now, those prescriptions..."

"I understand."

Li Shun interrupted his son, stood up while holding the edge of the kang, and replied, "You just wait for the news."

This was the first time his father had agreed to his request so readily. Li Xuewu looked at his father's back, speechless for a moment.

Perhaps he felt that his son had matured, was methodical in his actions, and was much more reliable, so he didn't need to worry anymore.

Or perhaps it was his words just now that touched his father, making him willing to set aside his pride, break the rules, and seek out those precious but neglected prescriptions.

These medical prescriptions were collected in large quantities during the "Donate Medicine and Prescriptions" movement in the fifties. This time, upon his son's request, Li Shun really intended to take these materials to the mountain together.

The situation in the city was shocking enough just from what he had heard; he didn't dare think too much about it, let alone the fact that his son had found a place for these treasures that could benefit the public.

He was getting on in years, and his son still had the heart to do something for Traditional Chinese Medicine; what was he afraid of?

Do it, damn it.

"I'm not sick."

Sha Zhu looked at his wife and sister with helplessness and amusement.

He had just woken up in the afternoon when he saw Uncle Li sitting in front of his kang.

His wife was standing to the side with her big belly, her eyes full of worry, while his sister was whispering something to Uncle Li.

"I really don't have any problems."

Seeing that no one in the room was paying attention to him, Sha Zhu emphasized it again and looked at Uncle Li to confirm, "Uncle, my body is perfectly fine."

"Hmm, I know."

Li Shun's expression was also very calm; he didn't show much seriousness. He had already taken Sha Zhu's pulse just now.

He had just woken up, and his heart was beating fast, so naturally, he couldn't take it again.

However, Li Shun had long since integrated the methods of looking, listening, asking, and feeling the pulse into his daily communication.

He nodded in response to Yushui's explanation and calmed Sha Zhu's emotions. Li Shun began to talk about what had happened in the courtyard during the time he was away.

It was just casual chatting. Sha Zhu was a bit hesitant and guarded at first, but seeing that Uncle Li wasn't using needles or prescribing medicine, he let his guard down.

He was naturally willing to chat; especially since Uncle Li, whom he rarely saw, had come to his house, he started rambling about everything.

From the departure of Old Biaozi to the death of Yan Jiecheng, and then to Liu Guangtian from the back courtyard being transferred to the Northeast, many families in this courtyard had changed.

Sha Zhu's house was in the main room of the middle courtyard, a person who listened to everything; he was idle all day and could hear all kinds of gossip.

Li Shun also checked his health while chatting with him. Before Sha Zhu had finished talking about the back courtyard, he had already written the prescription.

"Nothing serious, just a bit of liver fire."

Amidst Sha Zhu's astonishment and the tension of Diliya and Yushui, he said bluntly, "It's just that you meddle in too many idle affairs."

"..."

Sha Zhu was still questioning whether he was sick or not, never expecting Uncle Li to give him such a critical blow.

"I told you he was just idle."

Yushui was also trying to comfort her brother in her own way; she seemed dissatisfied, but in reality, she was persuading him not to overthink.

"Say less. Go carry the case for Uncle."

Diliya patted her sister-in-law gently, telling her not to say any more. She looked at Sha Zhu with concern and gestured toward the implication in Uncle Li's words.

Reminded by her sister-in-law, Yushui took the initiative to carry the medicine chest for Uncle Li and left the inner room while Sha Zhu was still stunned.

"Uncle, my brother is..."

Once they were out the door and into the courtyard, further away from the house, Yushui finally asked.

Li Shun waved his hand and said, "Nothing serious, just overthinking and over-worrying, leading to stagnant liver fire."

As he spoke, he tapped his own temple and reminded Yushui, "That's why I said he's idle. Just find him more things to do, and he'll be fine."

"He really scared me."

Yushui said with lingering fear, "He was rambling in my room until midnight last night. I thought my mother had possessed him."

"Don't talk nonsense~"

Li Shun knew about this, but he never talked about it. A doctor is also a disciple of Confucius; the Master did not speak of strange phenomena, feats of strength, rebellion, or spirits.

"Get the medicine for him in a while. Remember to let him drink it at night after it's brewed; it will calm his spirit and clear his mind. Just observe him for a few more days."

"You still need to find him something to do."

Li Shun looked at Yushui and exhorted, "Don't let him be idle."

"Got it, Uncle, I understand."

Yushui nodded and replied, "It just so happens that my sister-in-law isn't convenient, so all the work at the store can be left to him."

She was really willing to go all out. Yushui wasn't afraid of tiring her brother. After sending Uncle Li home, she turned around and went to find Xiaoyan.

I don't know how she arranged it, but the store gained a free, strong laborer. Not only did they not have to worry about overusing him, but his family members were even quite happy about it.

Li Xuewu watched Sha Zhu being ordered around by Xiaoyan and the others, standing in the south-facing room with Shen Guodong and laughing.

"Wu Ge, there's something I have to tell you."

Shen Guodong couldn't help but rub his forehead and said with a suppressed smile, "Seeing Da Qiangzi was sending messages this way, but they were intercepted by Zhao Lao Si."

"When did this happen?"

Li Xuewu frowned slightly at his appearance. The Jicheng matter had just settled; he didn't want to bring the fire to Beijing.

The disposal of Zhang Wanhe had nothing to do with these bandit second-generation kids in Beijing; Li Xuewu had no intention of harming their wives and children.

"I heard it was Brother Da Chun who wrote the letter first."

Shen Guodong scratched his chin and explained, "I don't know how he heard about the Jicheng matter, but he wrote to Seeing Da Qiangzi."

"The letter said, 'I didn't expect that thick-browed, big-eyed Seeing Da Qiangzi would also betray the boss; how despicable and shameless.'"

"And in Seeing Da Qiangzi's reply, it was a different story."

"Seeing Da Qiangzi complained that it was Brother Da Chun who betrayed Zhang Wanhe first. He was also very aggrieved and cursed Brother Da Chun for making false accusations."

Shen Guodong looked at Li Xuewu quite strangely and asked, "Wu Ge, did you know about this?"

Li Xuewu remembered the trap he had set for Seeing Da Qiangzi in Jicheng; it seemed he really had told him that Brother Da Chun and the others had already defected to him.

This... how awkward~

Regarding the war of words between Brother Da Chun and Seeing Da Qiangzi, what could he say?

"Hmm, I don't know!"