Chapter 808 - 777: Sleepless Night
Huang Gongxian had a brother named Huang Gongming, but Huang Gongming practiced medicine at Xingjia Slope. Initially, Zhang Boxu wanted to notify him to come back, but Huang Wanglin insisted it was unnecessary. Firstly, the father and son were not on good terms, so he might not come back. Secondly, even if he did come back, he wouldn’t be of much help.
Zhang Boxu nodded: "You don’t need to be too anxious. I’ve already asked someone to speak to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Administration; they can still be of help."
Huang Gongxian was taken aback. If the investigation team hadn’t explicitly told him that Xu Chunliang found someone to vouch for him, he would have almost accepted Zhang Boxu’s favor. However, no matter what, Zhang Boxu had indeed been helping him these past few days.
Huang Gongxian said, "Thank you, Senior Brother."
Zhang Boxu sighed and said, "We are brothers, sharing the same roots. There’s no need for such formal words. I advised you back then to be cautious with mass production of finished medicines. After all, there are many stages involved, and a mistake in any step could lead to adverse outcomes."
Unlike Huang Gongxian, who eagerly promoted the modernized factory production of traditional Chinese medicine, Zhang Boxu still adhered to traditional methods of medication. In his view, Chinese medicine was akin to the currently trendy pre-prepared dishes. No matter how beautifully packaged, they could not be compared to dishes personally cooked by a chef.
Chinese medicine emphasizes tailored treatments — every patient is different. What seems to be the same illness may require different medications for different people. There is no universal truth applicable everywhere, and the same goes for medication. The profound and mysterious essence of Chinese medical arts is something Western medicine cannot match.
The brothers’ viewpoints reflected a common phenomenon in the Chinese medicine community today. However, Zhang Boxu’s dedication to traditional medicine did not hinder Huang Gongxian from using modern pharmaceutical techniques to improve traditional prescriptions and expand Huiren Hall’s market reach.
Zhou Yiwen and his brother from Jizhou Renhe Hall were actually doing similar work. In today’s era, if you don’t find ways to capture the market, you risk being eliminated by it.
Xu Chunliang hadn’t returned to the hotel when he received a call from Che Shixiong.
As soon as the call connected, Che Shixiong impatiently asked, "Is what you said true?"
Xu Chunliang said, "Why would I lie to you? If you don’t believe it, just follow my prescription."
Che Shixiong asked, "Why are you helping me?"
Xu Chunliang laughed and said, "Che Shixiong, I am not helping you. I think that the owner’s wife has a kind heart, and it would be a pity if such a beautiful lady were to die young."
Che Shixiong still harbored distrust towards Xu Chunliang, but seeing Jin Xin Hui’s worsening condition, if she didn’t get treatment soon, her days were numbered. Although there was the option of a lung transplant, it was costly, and finding a donor was difficult. Even if all these issues were resolved and the surgery was successful, based on previous cases, Jin Xin Hui wouldn’t live beyond three years.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Xu Chunliang’s appearance finally offered a glimmer of hope, and whether true or false, Che Shixiong wanted to give it a try.
Che Shixiong hesitated and said, "I will bring her to see you tomorrow."
Xu Chunliang laughed heartily and then unexpectedly hung up the phone.
Che Shixiong felt both shame and anger. Shame at how he had allowed himself to resort to seeking help from Xu Chunliang, and anger at Xu Chunliang for using such means to humiliate him.
But shortly after, Xu Chunliang sent him a message. Upon opening it, it was a prescription listing: 300g of processed aconite root, dried ginger, raw dragon bone and oyster shell powder, calcined purple quartz powder, Goryeo ginseng, gecko tail, and other medicines.
Che Shixiong carefully read it from beginning to end and felt somewhat ashamed. It seemed Xu Chunliang was not a petty person. However, whether the prescription was genuine was still uncertain. Che Shixiong couldn’t be blamed for being suspicious; after all, Jin Xin Hui was the most important person to him, and he couldn’t afford any mishaps. Besides, he had always viewed Xu Chunliang as an enemy. Enemy turning friend was something he’d heard about but never experienced.
Che Shixiong initially thought of asking Huang Youlong to help verify the authenticity, but immediately realized this was not a good idea. Huang Youlong was very suspicious by nature, and if he showed him the prescription, he might suspect a secret liaison with Xu Chunliang, which would only cause unnecessary trouble.
Xu Chunliang sent another message, stating that the matter of treating the illness should be just between the heaven, earth, you, and me.
Che Shixiong stared at the phone screen, lost in thought. At this time, Jin Xin Hui approached from behind, carrying an ice pack to apply to his hands. She had long noticed the redness and swelling on his hands and guessed there must have been a confrontation between Che Shixiong and Xu Chunliang that night, but she didn’t bring it up, as men valued their pride.
Che Shixiong said, "Xu Chunliang and President Huang are not on good terms. He came today deliberately to cause trouble."
Jin Xinhui gently smiled, "President Huang has many opponents, but I find Mr. Xu to be quite the gentleman."
Che Shixiong said, "Him, a gentleman? He deliberately made me serve him, grilling meat the whole evening."
Jin Xin Hui laughed, "We run a business. If someone visits to spend money, it’s natural for us to offer our services."
Che Shixiong said, "He just gave me a prescription, saying it’s useful for your illness, but I don’t trust him."
Jin Xin Hui said, "Are you worried he would harm me?"
Che Shixiong nodded.
Jin Xin Hui, however, said, "I don’t think he’s that kind of person. If I’m not mistaken, you two were indeed in a conflict when I came looking for you, right?"
Che Shixiong pursed his lips, unable to hide the truth from Jin Xin Hui.
Jin Xin Hui helped him apply a cold compress on his swollen hand back, feeling a bit distressed, "Does it hurt?"
Che Shixiong shook his head, "That kid sure has a hard punch."
Jin Xinhui said, "Can you beat him?"
Che Shixiong sighed and said, "I’m not his match." He understood very well that even three of him wouldn’t stand a chance against the opponent; the saying goes, in the world of strength, there’s always someone stronger. Xu Chunliang made him realize that the force he always prided himself on was vulnerably weak in front of others.
Jin Xinhui said, "He can beat you, but still maintains his demeanor in front of me and helps you act, proving he considers your feelings."
Che Shixiong said, "That’s because he respects you."
Jin Xinhui couldn’t help but smile and said, "He and I have no ties, nor do I hold any prominent status or position, why would he respect me?"
"Because you are a woman."
Jin Xinhui said, "A man who respects women should have no issues with his character. I’d like to try his prescription."
Che Shixiong said, "Xinhui, I think this matter should be approached cautiously. Let me consult several renowned doctors before making a conclusion."
Jin Xinhui said, "If the doctors could judge the efficacy of this prescription, then my illness would have been cured. If they can’t judge it, why waste the effort? You mentioned Mr. Xu and President Huang don’t get along, so the fewer people know about this, the better."
Che Shixiong nodded; Jin Xinhui’s analysis was spot on. He handed the prescription to Jin Xinhui.
Jin Xinhui examined it closely from start to finish, finding that the prescription didn’t contain any particularly rare ingredients. These herbs could even be gathered from her residence without going to a pharmacy.
It’s said that a prolonged illness turns one into a good doctor. Over the years, she had tried every unconventional remedy; her home stored quite a bit of traditional Chinese medicine. The boldest part of the prescription was its use of aconite, with the amount of other herbs combined not exceeding that of aconite.
Che Shixiong said softly, "Recently, there have been many discussions about the toxicity of aconite, yet he used so much."
Jin Xinhui said, "He detailed the method of use."
In fact, Che Shixiong had already noticed that Xu Chunliang provided a detailed explanation of the medicine preparation method: gather the ingredients, add 2000 ml of boiling water, and boil rapidly for a quarter of an hour.
Jin Xinhui said, "This step is meant to remove the toxicity of aconite."
Che Shixiong said, "I’ve never seen such a method for taking medicine."
Xu Chunliang’s method of administration was also quite peculiar, involving simultaneous decoction and consumption, with three doses taken day and night, administering one to two spoons at a time, every ten minutes.
Che Shixiong believed there might be a possibility that Xu Chunliang was toying with them.
Jin Xinhui started coughing again, this time for over ten minutes before subsiding. Che Shixiong watched as her face, pale and blue, became tinged with a red flush due to the coughing, growing increasingly worried.
Jin Xinhui, while gasping, said, "I want to try it."
Che Shixiong said, "I’ll go get the herbs."
Jin Xinhui shook her head, saying, "These herbs are at home; no need to go out. We just need to measure and mix them carefully...cough cough..."
Jin Xinhui was sleepless that night. In fact, it had been a long time since she had a good night’s sleep; if not for her strong will, she would have given up long ago.
After preparing the medicine, she took it according to Xu Chunliang’s method, administering one dose every ten minutes.
Che Shixiong had no choice but to agree to her trying it. After the seventh dose, Jin Xinhui’s spasmodic cough and asthma finally subsided, and her previously cold upper limbs became slightly warm.
Recalling Xu Chunliang’s information, it was clearly noted: after the seventh dose, cough and asthma would stop. Che Shixiong was both astonished and delighted, realizing Xu Chunliang was indeed a remarkable person.
However, he still suspected that it might be a coincidence. Following Xu Chunliang’s instructions, medication was administered every half hour for another 100 ml. At one in the morning, Jin Xinhui finished two doses, feeling very fatigued and unexpectedly fell asleep in a daze.
Two hours later, Che Shixiong woke her up to continue taking the medicine. At dawn, all three doses were completed, and Jin Xinhui fell asleep again.
Che Shixiong didn’t dare close his eyes all night, fearing any mishap after Jin Xinhui took the medicine.
However, his fears didn’t materialize; it had been a long time since he saw Jin Xinhui sleep soundly like this. As he watched her peaceful sleeping posture, he suddenly remembered Xu Chunliang only gave them one day’s prescription. What should they do the second day?
Thinking about it, he felt unsettled and decided to wait for Jin Xinhui to wake up, prepared a bowl of soup noodles, and found her appetite had improved, as she finished the bowl clean.
Che Shixiong told Jin Xinhui she need not go to the shop today. He had an errand to run and they would discuss everything upon his return.
Jin Xinhui guessed that he was definitely going to find Xu Chunliang, just unwilling to admit it due to pride.