Chapter 397: Trouble Has Come

July 13.

Saturday.

He's Medical Clinic.

A middle-aged man in his forties, thin and gaunt, entered the consultation room with his number.

Doctor He, I'm back again.

The middle-aged man sat opposite He Chang, giving a wry smile.

Mr. Li, how have you been feeling lately?

He Chang smiled.

The middle-aged man surnamed Li shook his head, 'I still vomit after eating, Doctor He. Is my tumor getting out of control?'

The middle-aged man's name is Li Gui.

He was diagnosed with stomach cancer a year ago, and it's already at an advanced stage.

Coming from a not-well-off family, he chose traditional Chinese medicine treatment.

According to the hospital's previous plan, part of his stomach was to be removed.

He would also need to undergo chemotherapy and radiation.

Just the medical expenses would cost several hundred thousand.

Not to mention he doesn't have that much money for treatment.

Even if he underwent surgery, he would most likely not survive.

In fact, turning to traditional Chinese medicine was, for him, a last resort.

By drinking herbal medicine to keep things under control, he could live as long as he could.

Anyway, since he's going to die, why spend so much money on the hospital, suffering himself and burdening his family?

So he came to He Chang's clinic to get a prescription and has been drinking herbal medicine for nearly a year.

The effect was slight, but the cancer cells in his body continued to spread.

His body kept growing thinner.

He Chang took Li Gui's pulse, then looked at his eyes and tongue coating.

He asked about recent symptoms.

After a moment of silence, He Chang had a sudden flash of inspiration.

Perhaps he could use that prescription.

So he picked up his pen and wrote down a prescription.

The prescription consists of quite ordinary herbs; dozens of them cost less than two hundred yuan.

Seeing He Chang write a prescription, Li Gui said, 'Doctor He, I also know this illness can't be cured; if I can delay it a day, that's a day. Please give me more painkillers.'

He Chang replied lightly, 'This is a new prescription I saw a few days ago in an ancient book; perhaps it will work for your condition.'

You shouldn't despair now; you need to stay optimistic and positive. Think differently: since you're going to die anyway, instead of frowning every day, it's better to spend your last days happily. Don't you agree?

Li Gui nodded with a smile.

Then he widened his eyes, 'Did you just say this is a secret formula?'

He Chang laughed, 'Yes, I'm not deceiving you; this prescription was unearthed from an ancient tomb. It records several cured cases, and your symptoms resemble those described in the book...'

Li Gui took the prescription, happily went to get the medicine.

Not only Li Gui.

The patients coming after felt that, compared to before, He Chang now had a smooth, effortless touch.

Earlier patients' symptoms had left him puzzling for a long time.

Now recalling the medical texts, he felt a sudden enlightenment, as if a blockage had cleared.

He Chang knew his medical skill had improved again.

Of course, this sudden enlightenment feeling came entirely from years of accumulation.

He Chang finished seeing the dozens of patients registered at the clinic half a day earlier than before.

Afterwards, he still felt an unsatisfied yearning.

Then he thought of his friends in his circle.

Taking advantage of the time left today, he had Guo Yanqiu drive him to meet an old friend.

The last time He Chang left, Lin Feng had asked Old He to look after Guo Yanqiu, and Old He certainly remembered.

Guo Yanqiu is smart and eager to learn; He Chang has already come to regard her as his personal disciple in his heart.

When teaching Guo Yanqiu, he is more conscientious and patient than before.

In the future, he will also need to rely on this disciple to pull connections and go to Lin Feng's place to consult medical secret manuals.

If he mistreats Guo Yanqiu, this girl will go complain to her brother-in-law, and thereafter he might well be barred from the door.

Old He is also only human; naturally he cannot escape worldliness.

Old He's old friend in the traditional Chinese medicine circle is a woman in her sixties named Huang Lian.

Huang Lian takes good care of herself; she looks youthful.

In the small Sihe Courtyard, pots of simmering herbal medicine are filled everywhere.

Compared to Old He's clinic, Huang Lian takes the high-end route, specializing in treating women and adjusting the bodies of wealthy ladies.

Over these years, Huang Lian has earned a lot of money, but she has also spent a lot.

Many penniless patients in the hospital are helped by Huang Lian fronting the money for their treatment.

The Brocade Flag hung at her home is more numerous than that at Old He's clinic.

When Old He brought Guo Yanqiu inside, he quietly told Guo Yanqiu that she could consult Madam Huang, who is an expert in regulating qi and blood.

Guo Yanqiu nodded.

A moment later, the two saw Ms. Huang.

Old He introduced Guo Yanqiu, exchanged a few polite words, and then started chatting.

As they talked, a dispute arose.

In the end, neither could persuade the other.

"You say my argument lacks basis; I tell you, my view is what the seniors have summarized."

"Who summarized it?"

"The books don't say it, but it is recorded."

"Bring it to me, let me see!"

"It's not with me."

"Hehe! Keep bragging! I tell you, many ancient medical texts now are forged, and many are incomplete copies. The ancients were flawed in this way; fearing they'd teach disciples to starve their masters, each generation kept a trick, and by keeping it, they eventually lost the essence."

"I saw it in the Yongle Encyclopedia!"

"What?"

A little after four in the afternoon, Lin Feng welcomed the second old Chinese doctor.

In fact, during this period, Lin Feng already had a list in his hand.

As long as a Chinese doctor is famous, he knows them all.

Seeing Ms. Huang Lian, Lin Feng recognized her at a glance and said warmly, "Ms. Huang, I've long admired your reputation!"

"You know me?"

Huang Lian was a bit unaccustomed to Lin Feng's enthusiasm.

Lin Feng chuckled and said, "Does Guo Yanru know? She's my girlfriend; she has been there to see."

"So it's Guo the boss!"

Huang Lian naturally knew Guo Yanru.

After a few polite exchanges, Huang Lian was fortunate to enter Lin Feng's Shufang.

Then, just like Old He last time, after seeing the medical records in the Yongle Encyclopedia, they became engrossed.

Old He was the same as last time.

He felt embarrassed to have Guo Yanqiu bring him over every day to read.

This time he finally found an opportunity.

In fact, provoking a dispute with Huang Lian and then bringing up Lin Feng's Yongle Encyclopedia was the purpose.

The two sat together, reading the medical book while discussing.

Lin Feng also sat nearby, interjecting now and then.

Then, it left the two stunned,

Lin Feng's remarks were incisive.

Because an entire medical volume was memorized by Lin Feng.

During their debate, Lin Feng also learned a lot.

Paper cannot contain fire.

First were Old He and Huang Lian.

A few days later, several more senior elders visited.

There were also some guys Lin Feng labeled as "only know how to make money, lacking virtue,"

or those friendly with Han Guo or Xiao Rizi, all were turned away at the gate.

Subsequently, news spread that Lin Feng possessed the complete Yongle Encyclopedia set.

Lin Feng simply shut the door and thanked no guests, seeing no one.

Opportunities to make money arrived, but likewise, trouble came to the door.

July 18.

A middle‑aged man and his companion appeared at the Da Men.

The six exuded an extraordinary aura.

They seemed like scholars, yet also like people of high rank.

One of them, with a slight frown, spoke with an accent clearly bearing Xiao Rizi's linguistic style.