This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

This question left everyone in the room at a loss for words.

Their current studies focused mainly on pathological mechanisms, with only a small portion dedicated to memorizing and analyzing famous doctors' formulae. To be honest, when it came to the actual properties of traditional Chinese medicine, those in clinical practice really couldn't keep up. The study of medicinal properties and pharmacology had now entirely shifted to the Pharmacist Major. They had all learned only the most superficial and basic concepts. They might be able to instantly state the benefits of Ginseng, but this prescription contained herbal medicine, insect medicine, and mineral medicine—their knowledge reserves hadn't reached that depth. Even if they knew something, it was only a partial understanding. To directly state the common properties was truly asking too much of them.

If given some time to consult books and think it over slowly, they could summarize it, but not right now. There was simply too much, and it was too complex.

Li Jianwei had only asked, not expecting them to answer. He knew his Students' capabilities better than they themselves did. His purpose in asking was to instill in them a bit of ambition and shame. Du Heng wasn't much older than them, yet he possessed such extensive knowledge. In contrast, these Students couldn't even grasp basic pharmacology, let alone write prescriptions; they ought to feel ashamed. If they could turn that shame into the courage to strive and catch up, that would be even better.

"Mineral medicines and insect medicines share a common characteristic: they attack toxins and resolve nodules, all targeting tangible accumulations formed from toxins. Moreover, these are all highly toxic substances. Supplemented with other herbal medicines for detoxification, they also have hemostatic and tissue-regenerating effects. It's a case of killing two birds with one stone."

Although the Students, Gu Ping, and the others didn't know the pharmacology of the other Medicine Ingredients, they understood Li Jianwei's explanation and nodded. They all resolved to look up the characteristics of these medicines as soon as they returned.

Just when everyone thought the matter was concluded, a struggling Student asked Li Jianwei a truly frustrating question, "Teacher, if the main point of this prescription is to attack toxins and resolve nodules, wouldn't ingredients like Radix Ginseng, oyster, Red Ginseng, and others affect the properties of the other medicines in the formula?"

Li Jianwei looked deeply at this Student, a sudden thought arising: this one was unteachable.

"Have you seen a war movie?" Li Jianwei didn't answer the Student's question, instead posing a seemingly unrelated query.

"Yes." The Student was a little confused, not understanding what Li Jianwei meant.

Li Jianwei continued, "Then, have you seen the aftermath of a war? Can you describe it?"

"Ruins and devastation."

"Exactly. After a war, isn't the battlefield destroyed? It's the same with this prescription. Such potent medicine aggressively attacks the lesion site within the body. Do you think the body can withstand that without suffering any damage? Can it remain unscathed? Radix Ginseng and similar ingredients are there to repair the battlefield. If the battlefield is destroyed before the war is over, then what's the bloody point of fighting?" Li Jianwei even let slip a curse as he explained.

Yet this Student seemed quite stubborn, apparently not noticing Li Jianwei was on the verge of losing his temper. He continued to ask bluntly, "In that case, wouldn't the medicinal properties of these Medicine Ingredients conflict with each other?"

Li Jianwei drew a deep breath. He had the impulse to expel this Student. What on earth was this Student learning? Was he just memorizing textbooks without thinking?

"Count how many different types of Medicine Ingredients are in this prescription."

The Student, earnest as ever, actually bowed his head and began to count, murmuring softly, "One, two, three..."

"Teacher, there are twenty-two types. If Honey counts, then twenty-three. Including sophora wood ear and cutch, it's twenty-five."

This time, not only was Li Jianwei speechless, but everyone else present was also at a loss for words. They all stared dumbfounded at this Classmate. They had always known this Classmate was straightforward, but wasn't this taking straightforwardness too far?

Li Jianwei's anger was doused by the string of numbers, and he suddenly felt deflated. "If you understood medicinal compatibility sufficiently, you would realize something. When so many Medicine Ingredients are prescribed, some are auxiliary; they are added to balance the properties of the primary ones. These auxiliary ingredients themselves aren't for treatment, but they enable the main Medicine Ingredients to exert their respective effects without conflict."

The Student finally understood and nodded with an earnest expression. "Thank you, Teacher. I understand now."

Li Jianwei felt utterly powerless.

Each field has its specializations, and traditional Chinese medicine is also moving towards greater precision. However, TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment is based on a holistic assessment. This 'holistic' view refers not only to the human body's five viscera and six bowels but also to the formulation of prescriptions and medication. But these Students of his currently focused only on syndrome differentiation. When prescribing, they used either Verified Prescriptions or directly opted for Chinese patent medicines. Their understanding of the prescription itself was practically nil. In that case, what was the difference between them and machines? In fact, they were even worse than machines; at least machines rarely made mistakes.

"After this, each of you is to write an analysis report on this disease record and prescription. It will count as your final exam for this semester." Finally, Li Jianwei assigned everyone Homework.

The moment Li Jianwei finished speaking, the faces of the several Students present turned ashen. In their hearts, they 'kindly' greeted the Classmate who had asked the questions, and his family too, of course. Du Heng mentally joined the ranks of those complaining. Li Jianwei had reviewed his prescriptions twice, and as a result, the Students were given Homework twice! They hadn't even finished last week's Homework on gastric atrophy, and now there was another on gastric lesser curvature cancer, which was also to be their final exam. Was there any justice in the world?

Xu Pinglin paid no mind to the Students from the Chinese Medicine Department. He glanced back at his attending Physician and Gu Ping. Seeing they had no further questions, he bid Li Jianwei farewell.

After returning to the Department and getting the prescription signed, he took it to Xue Yiwen.

"Your prescription has been written by Doctor Du."

"Can I be discharged then?" Xue Yiwen asked, his voice tinged with excitement. He had already given up on himself; now, all he wanted was to return to his wife and Child.

"You can be discharged, but I still suggest you remain hospitalized. Take a few more doses of the medicine. If there are no issues after that and you still wish to be discharged, you can then go home and continue taking your medicine there."

Xue Yiwen looked slightly disheartened. "So, I have to stay for a few more days?"

Xu Pinglin considered for a moment. If the toxic side effects of this medicine weren't neutralized, five days should be enough to observe them. "Stay for another five days. If there are no other problems by next Tuesday, you can go home."

Xue Yiwen knew Xu Pinglin was doing this for his own good. He wasn't the type to be ungrateful for such kindness, so he nodded and agreed.

Seeing Xue Yiwen nod in agreement, Xu Pinglin also felt a sense of relief. Although he had just heard Li Jianwei explain that the toxic side effects in the prescription had been neutralized and shouldn't cause any problems, as the Department Director and Du Heng's friend, he still felt uneasy about letting the Patient take such a potent prescription home. Without verifying it himself, a sliver of worry always remained in his heart.