Taoist Doctor - Chapter 41
Third Hospital = San Hospital
“What, you’re going back to China with him?” Arthur nearly jumped up.
They were now in Arthur’s residence in City L, a high-rise duplex in the city center.
Just moments ago, Jin Chuo Xian had informed Arthur of his decision. In this short time, he had already arranged for Zhou Jinyuan to become his primary doctor. Thus, he would soon return to China with Zhou Jinyuan.
“Perhaps Dr. Zhou is my chance,” Jin Chuo Xian glanced at Zhou Jinyuan. “He once divined with my writing.”
Arthur looked confused. “Divination? What’s that?”
After Jin Chuo Xian explained Chinese divination techniques and the practice of “divination through writing,” Arthur was stunned. Zhou Jinyuan was able to deduce so much from the writing Jin Chuo Xian produced?
Was he a doctor or a wizard? No wonder Arthur had always thought Chinese characters resembled runes; it turned out they did have similar functions.
Soon, he learned about Taoists, inheritors of a traditional Chinese religion. “So, he really is a wizard? He looks like a high school student!”
“You could think of it that way, though I graduated from high school a long time ago,” Zhou Jinyuan said as he approached, shaking his phone. “I just sent a message to Professor Mo.”
It was then that Jin Chuo Xian realized Zhou Jinyuan knew Professor Mo and that their relationship seemed at least somewhat friendly.
“Since he has also taken your pulse, I discussed the treatment approach with Professor Mo, and he agrees that I should take on your case,” Zhou Jinyuan explained.
Professor Mo had long been known for his remarkable skills; he certainly wouldn’t want to give up on a patient he couldn’t treat himself.
Jin Chuo Xian’s strong will to live, combined with Zhou Jinyuan’s exceptional medical skills, his careful use of medicine, and profound understanding of the I Ching, might allow him to extend Jin Chuo Xian’s lifespan to the greatest extent possible.
Chinese medicine does not have a unified approach for treating liver cancer. Some practitioners use methods to clear heat and detoxify, while others focus on activating blood and resolving stasis.
Therefore, the exchange between Professor Mo and Zhou Jinyuan could only be described as a discussion rather than guidance.
“Little shaman, don’t you use shamanic techniques to treat him?” Arthur asked half-jokingly.
Zhou Jinyuan was unconcerned and responded, “Of course I will—” He looked at Jin Chuo Xian. “Remember when I divined your writing and got a Jiǎn hexagram?”
Jin Chuo Xian certainly remembered; the impression was profound, and the hexagram’s meaning had cemented his decision to return to China.
Zhou Jinyuan continued in a foreign language, “In the Jiǎn hexagram, you should counter it with the Kūn hexagram because Kūn represents support from the southwest. The human body is like a small universe, with the spleen and stomach belonging to the Earth element, which corresponds to Kūn. Therefore, I will prescribe a formula to strengthen your spleen and stomach!”
Arthur’s mouth dropped open. “Does he make sense? Is there really such a ‘hexagram’? These principles? Jin, aren’t you just having poor appetite?”
Liver cancer patients often experience weight loss, fatigue, and loss of appetite. But explaining it through hexagrams was making Arthur more curious than ever, almost prompting him to learn Chinese characters.
Zhou Jinyuan smiled gently. The hexagram was just one aspect; as the Sage of Medicine said, for liver disease, you need to address the spleen, as it is the source of vitality. The spleen is fundamental to postnatal health and the source of qi and blood.
Liver cancer patients often have spleen and stomach dysfunction at various stages, so soothing the liver and strengthening the spleen would be crucial for treatment.
“You’re about to prescribe medicine? Can I see it?” Arthur asked, though he would surely not understand the prescription, “Earlier, you prescribed some medicine, is it for different symptoms?”
Zhou Jinyuan wrote the prescription and then recalled something. “By the way, I think I saw in the news that you’re bald…”
If he was truly bald, he might as well treat it.
Arthur’s face turned pale at the mention of “bald.” His blue eyes were full of resistance. “I’m not bald. Don’t listen to the media; it’s all rumors!”
He ran his fingers through his hair. “Look, it’s thick! No hair transplant could match this!”
Zhou Jinyuan examined him closely. “Hmm, some of it is quite fine. Is it newly grown?”
“Are you kidding? How could your eyes be so sharp?” Arthur stared at him, initially wanting to argue but then hesitating because Zhou Jinyuan was a healer.
“I’m being honest. I had some hair loss due to stress recently, but I’m not bald at all. My girlfriend insisted I wear a wig for photos, saying it looked better, and that’s how the media spread rumors about me being a young bald guy, saying my scalp was empty and I relied on hair transplants and wigs to look good…”
Before he could finish, Zhou Jinyuan nearly burst out laughing.
Even Jin Chuo Xian smiled slightly.
Arthur’s stress had eased since then, and his hair loss crisis had been resolved, though the rumors remained. It had even become a popular joke in Country B.
Nowadays, some comedians in talk shows wore wigs to imitate him or joke about it.
At this time, the medicine Zhou Jinyuan had prepared was delivered. The person who helped buy it had to run another errand to get the new medicine Zhou Jinyuan prescribed.
Zhou Jinyuan prepared a pain-relieving ointment mixed with honey and applied it to the pain area of Jin Chuo Xian’s body using gauze, after removing the three needles he had previously administered at the square.
It was already dinnertime, and Zhou Jinyuan was still busy. He called Zhao Yanyan to let her know he wouldn’t be home for dinner and would return later in the evening.
Zhao Yanyan asked what he was doing, and upon hearing it was for a patient, she did not press further. A good doctor always has patients wherever they go, even on a plane.
Arthur prepared a B-country style dinner, but Jin Chuo Xian had a poor appetite. It didn’t matter what style of cuisine it was; he wouldn’t eat much even if it were Chinese food. He had been forcing himself to eat these past few days, otherwise, he would lack the strength to sort his work.
Zhou Jinyuan observed for a while and said, “If you really can’t eat, just leave it for now and wait a bit.”
He had just started treating Jin Chuo Xian and had carefully examined his pulse and reviewed various Western medical test results.
His prescription focused on soothing the liver and regulating the spleen and stomach. Jin Chuo Xian’s vital energy was insufficient, so in addition to strengthening his health, it was important to address his current symptoms, such as difficulty eating and fever.
In the long term, it aimed to enhance Jin Chuo Xian’s immunity, improve metabolism, and extend his lifespan.
Therefore, if Jin Chuo Xian couldn’t eat right now, there was no need to force it, as it could affect his mood. The medicine could be taken later after it was prepared.
When the medicine arrived, Zhou Jinyuan used Arthur’s Western-style pot to brew the Chinese medicine.
Arthur silently took a photo, finding it quite magical…
He had never experienced acupuncture, let alone Chinese medicine.
…
The medicine was ready.
A bowl of dark brown, strongly aromatic, and peculiar-tasting herbal soup was held by Jin Chuo Xian, starkly contrasting with his pale white fingers.
But Jin Chuo Xian hesitated for only a moment before closing his eyes and drinking the entire bowl without wrinkling his brow.
Could it be that the taste wasn’t as bad as it smelled? Arthur curiously dipped his finger into the leftover medicinal liquid in the pot and tasted it, nearly spitting it out!
“How, how did you drink it?!” Arthur asked incredulously.
To put it bluntly, even with a strong will to live, how could one drink something without changing expression?
“It wasn’t that bad,” Jin Chuo Xian looked at the empty bowl. Initially, he found the taste unpleasant, and the strong medicinal flavor was intense, but after a few sips, it seemed quite easy to drink, and he finished it without realizing it.
“You’re not sick, so of course, you wouldn’t like it.” Zhou Jinyuan said flatly.
In the “Shang Han Lun” (Treatise on Cold Damage), terms like “Gui Zhi Syndrome” and “Chai Hu Syndrome” are used to directly refer to conditions for which specific medications are prescribed. This means that these terms represent conditions that should be treated with these particular formulas.
The classical prescriptions also include theories about body types, such as “Gui Zhi Constitution” and “Chai Hu Constitution,” suggesting that some patients’ constitutions are better suited for certain remedies, leading to quicker and safer results.
For example, a person with a medium or slim physique, with a complexion that is dark yellow or pale, lacking luster, and exhibiting symptoms such as significant emotional fluctuations, poor appetite, and cold extremities, is considered to have a typical Chai Hu constitution. Such a person would benefit from Chai Hu-based formulas.
Sometimes, individuals with a Chai Hu constitution find it easier to take Chai Hu-based medicines.
Jin Chuo Xian’s situation was similar. Zhou Jinyuan prescribed medicine based on his constitution and physical condition, specifically targeting his spleen and stomach, so he found it not particularly hard to take.
On the other hand, Arthur, who was in good health, felt nauseous after just a small amount of the medicine.
After listening to Zhou Jinyuan’s explanation, Arthur became more interested and asked about traditional Chinese medicine, whether it was used only by shamans, and the differences between Daoism and Buddhism, among other questions.
“It’s just traditional medicine. Many Daoists used to practice it, but it has mostly separated in modern times. However, I am more traditional; I’ve been a Daoist since childhood and also studied medicine. I have credentials recognized by the state, which distinguishes me from shamans,” Zhou Jinyuan explained for what seemed like the umpteenth time.
Arthur, impressed, said, “I would really like to participate if someone were to make a film about you. By the way, why are you in B Country?”
Was it truly fate that he met Jin in China and now reunited here? Perhaps Jin’s words were true; his fortune might indeed lie with Dr. Zhou.
“I came here to attend an acupuncture and pain management training course organized by the Acupuncture Association,” Zhou Jinyuan replied.
“Acupuncture, oh, acupuncture pain relief, I know about that. Are you very skilled in it?” Arthur asked. Cancer pain management is crucial, and while Arthur didn’t know much about the specialization in traditional Chinese medicine, he felt it was relevant to Jin Chuo Xian’s condition. Moreover, attending the course further demonstrated the small shaman’s high level of expertise.
“I could say that,” Zhou Jinyuan responded modestly, without mentioning his other specialties.
After Jin Chuo Xian finished his medicine and waited for more than half an hour, Zhou Jinyuan casually placed some pastries in front of him, suggesting he try some.
Arthur hesitated; Jin was having trouble with even regular meals, let alone snacks. Jin usually cooperated and would try to eat as much as he could, but if he couldn’t eat, there was nothing anyone could do.
Jin Chuo Xian initially intended to refuse, but with the pastries right in front of him, he found himself irresistibly drawn to them and ended up eating several pastries and drinking a bottle of milk.
Arthur was surprised, wondering what had happened.
Jin Chuo Xian ate five pastries and drank a bottle of milk, and seemed even a bit unsatisfied.
Zhou Jinyuan then stopped him, saying, “It’s getting late; don’t eat so much.”
Arthur realized Zhou Jinyuan had intended to stimulate Jin’s appetite.
The effect was faster than he expected.
“That’s great, my friend!” Arthur said excitedly, hugging Jin Chuo Xian. Regardless of the final outcome, he was happy to see Jin’s symptoms improve and his quality of life increase. He didn’t want his friend to suffer in pain.
“It’s getting late; I should go now. I need to check your pulse again tomorrow to see if we need to adjust the prescription,” Zhou Jinyuan said, noting the time.
This wasn’t a minor illness; it required long-term treatment. Jin Chuo Xian might develop new symptoms at any time. As Zhou Jinyuan had just started treating him, adjustments to the medication and dosage were necessary.
“Thank you, Dr. Zhou,” Jin Chuo Xian said, shaking hands with Zhou Jinyuan.
Today was the happiest day for him in nearly a year, as he had regained hope and determination.
“You’re welcome. Let’s keep encouraging each other,” Zhou Jinyuan said, as if he knew what Jin was thinking.
The battle against illness was a shared endeavor between the patient and the doctor, akin to fighting side by side.
—
Zhou Jinyuan left Arthur’s house with heightened senses, feeling that something was off, as if someone was watching from the shadows. However, the street was filled only with late-night pedestrians, and he didn’t think much of it, as Arthur’s assistant drove him back to the hotel.
Upon returning to his room, Dr. Xu, his roommate, was already asleep, so he quietly washed up and went to bed.
The next day, Zhou Jinyuan went to class on time. After yesterday’s demonstration, the students were eagerly anticipating today’s lessons. They had asked other teachers, but none could replicate the strong sensation Zhou Jinyuan had demonstrated.
Today, there would be both prearranged patients and an editor from a B Country acupuncture magazine.
A local acupuncturist, who had heard about the remarkable demonstration, wanted to see it for himself and hoped to record and publish the course’s content if it lived up to expectations.
The patient today was suffering from migraines, or vascular headaches, which had worsened over the past year. Despite various treatments, including injections and painkillers, the symptoms persisted. He had tried different acupuncturists and found some relief but was still seeking better solutions.
“I’ve tried conventional acupuncture on him without success,” one acupuncturist said, “Later, I also followed a suggestion from a Chinese colleague and tried acupuncture at several points, but it still didn’t help.”
Zhou Jinyuan glanced at the points mentioned, “Si Zhu Kong, Shuo Gu, Tai Yang? Fortunately, I can recognize them.”
Their identification of acupoints was not very accurate.
Zhou Jinyuan disinfected the patient’s bilateral Ye Feng points and started inserting the needles while explaining, “This is the Ye Feng point. Accurate identification of acupoints is crucial because this location affects the cervical sympathetic ganglia, thereby regulating vascular dilation and constriction. It helps improve his vascular headaches. If you insert needles elsewhere, how can it have an effect?”
He used Western medical terminology to help those less familiar with traditional Chinese acupuncture understand more clearly.
“Pay attention to my needle insertion angle—”
Everyone watched intently.
As Zhou Jinyuan inserted the needles, the patient immediately felt a strong sensation not only at the site but also extending to his throat!
The headache disappeared within minutes, and the patient was amazed to discover his sore throat had also improved.
“Doctor, did you also cure my throat? It’s been dry, but the strange sensation just now seemed to travel from my head to my throat, and now it’s no longer dry!”
Compared to the headache, a dry throat wasn’t a major issue, so the patient hadn’t paid much attention to it.
“Your main complaint and the sore throat are connected. The Ye Feng point belongs to the Hand Shao Yang San Jiao channel, and the throat is one of the areas this channel covers. The sensation follows the meridian, so it’s also improved.”
Zhou Jinyuan once again demonstrated the remarkable use of meridians and acupoints.
The atmosphere in the training class was high, and the magazine editor took numerous notes.
—
After class, Zhou Jinyuan answered many additional questions before leaving.
Arthur called him, saying he would come to pick him up for Jin Chuo Xian’s treatment. Since Arthur’s assistant was on leave, he decided to come himself.
“Zhou? Where are you? I don’t see you,” Arthur said on the phone. Soon, he saw Zhou Jinyuan and waved, so Zhou walked over. Seeing Arthur wearing a hat and sunglasses, it was clear he didn’t want to be recognized.
In B Country, Arthur was quite recognizable.
Despite this, a few people suddenly appeared from various corners, taking photos and asking questions, “Arthur, say hello! Can we ask you some questions?”
Arthur was startled, not understanding why these reporters were hiding. They had never been so reserved before; they usually followed him around. Now, they were being sneaky.
Rolling his eyes under the sunglasses, Arthur pulled Zhou Jinyuan into the car, letting him in first before saying, “Sorry, I’m here to pick up my friend. I’m on vacation, so there’s nothing much to say.”
“Don’t you know, Arthur? Does your ‘friend’ know that you’re looking for him?” the reporters asked, emphasizing “friend” with air quotes.
Arthur coldly replied, “What do you mean?”
These reporters seemed to suspect something about his personal life, which annoyed him. “The doctors and reporters always look for big news,” he thought.
“Arthur, was the treatment effective last night? What type of hair loss do you have?”
“Has your hair transplant failed, so you’re giving up completely?”
“What does your ‘friend’ say? Can he still help?”
The reporters asked questions in a flurry.
The questions were absurd, dragging up old topics about his hair. Arthur was infuriated, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not bald!”
The reporters exchanged glances, shrugged, and pointed to Zhou Jinyuan, who was already in the car, “Arthur, don’t be naive. We’ve already found out that the Chinese doctor Zhou Jinyuan went to your house last night.”
Arthur was nearly laughing with frustration. Zhou Jinyuan was just a doctor, and it was surprising he was recognized so easily. “Zhou is a doctor, but did you know he came to L City to attend an acupuncture pain management training course? He just finished his class right here!”
Of course, he couldn’t reveal Jin Chuo Xian’s situation, but at least he knew other details about Zhou Jinyuan.
The reporters looked at Arthur with mocking eyes, as if to say he had finally met his match.
“Come on, Arthur, we already know that Dr. Zhou is renowned in China for treating various types of hair loss, not just pain management. His associates also mentioned that he went out to see patients last night.”
Arthur: “?????!”