Chapter 30

"It's not a hospital, call me Uncle Gao!" Gao Xinhuai corrected.

Xu Chunliang smiled and said, "Uncle Gao, you should have waited for me to come back. I've been practicing acupuncture lately, and you can experience my skills."

Gao Xinhuai said to Xu Changshan, "Uncle Xu, this kid wants to practice on me!"

Xu Changshan laughed heartily, "Young people want to improve, we must support them, right?" He had already completed the acupuncture and removed the fine needles. Then he used a No. 2 moxa stick to perform a first-degree moxibustion on the Dazhu, Jianwaiyu, and Jinggu acupoints.

Gao Xinhuai didn't pay for the treatment, and even if he offered, Xu Changshan wouldn't accept it. Of course, he didn't come empty-handed; he brought two bottles of fifteen-year-old Honghua Lang, knowing that Old Mr. Xu enjoyed it.

Xu Changshan picked up a towel to wipe his hands and said, "You guys chat, I'll prepare a few dishes. We'll have a drink tonight."

Gao Xinhuai said, "No need, no need, I'll eat at home later."

"If you go back, don't come to Huichun Hall anymore."

Gao Xinhuai understood his temperament and had to agree.

Xu Chunliang brewed him a cup of Taiping Houkui tea and waited by the side.

Gao Xinhuai lay on the bed, "I heard you've been doing very well recently. Director Zhou has already applied to keep you in the Medical Affairs Department."

Xu Chunliang smiled, "The Medical Affairs Department is a place of conflict. There are always people causing trouble. It's much quieter in the electrician's class."

Gao Xinhuai laughed heartily, "Young people need something to do. Do you really want to do nothing every day?"

When the time was right, Xu Chunliang helped him remove the moxa sticks. Gao Xinhuai moved his head, neck, and limbs, feeling no pain at all. He had to admit that Old Mr. Xu was indeed skilled.

Xu Chunliang deliberately said, "We have a ready-made Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) department in our hospital. Director Zhu Mingyuan is even the vice president of the Dongzhou TCM Association. Why don't you go to him?"

Gao Xinhuai understood his intention, trying to get him to admit that Zhu Mingyuan was not as good as Xu Changshan. Although Gao Xinhuai thought so, he couldn't say it; he had to support the experts in his own hospital.

"I'm used to it. Since I was young, whenever I had any health issues, I always came to your grandfather. I've developed a psychological dependence on him."

"You mustn't let anyone outside know you come to Huichun Hall for treatment. Otherwise, they'll think even the hospital director doesn't trust his own hospital's medical skills, which would show how poor Changxing's level is."

Gao Xinhuai laughed and scolded, "Sly one, don't forget you're also part of Changxing. You should have a sense of collective honor. Who buries their own hospital?"

"I'm not burying our hospital, Uncle Gao. There's no one else here, just tell me the truth, how does Old Zhu compare to my grandfather?"

"Experience is very important in TCM." Gao Xinhuai essentially admitted that Xu Changshan was better than Zhu Mingyuan, but he didn't say it outright.

Old Mr. Xu treated Gao Xinhuai as a distinguished guest, genuinely grateful. If it weren't for Gao Xinhuai's idea, his precious grandson would still be at home. Since Xu Chunliang joined Changxing, he had undergone a remarkable transformation, almost like a rebirth. Regardless of Gao Xinhuai's motives, he had done a great favor, a favor that deserved deep gratitude.

Seeing the table full of delicious dishes, Gao Xinhuai sighed, "This is too much, Uncle Xu. If you spoil my taste, I won't be able to eat at home anymore."

Xu Changshan smiled, "If you like it, come over every day to drink with me. Uncle can afford it."

Xu Chunliang filled their glasses with wine.

Gao Xinhuai toasted Old Mr. Xu first, drank two cups of wine, and then Xu Changshan asked when his father would return. Gao Xinhuai's father, Gao Jianguo, was an old friend of Xu Changshan's and had gone to Beijing to visit his daughter two months ago. Old Mr. Xu missed his old friend after two months of separation.

Gao Xinhuai said, "My dad wants to come back, but my sister won't let him. She insists he stay for a few more months and return after the National Day parade."

Xu Changshan said, "I thought he met a pretty old lady in Beijing and forgot to come back."

Gao Xinhuai laughed, "I wish he could find a companion. My mom passed away early, and he raised us siblings alone, sacrificing his own life. Thinking about it, we owe him so much."

Xu Changshan drank a cup of wine and said, "It's okay. You two are both successful and filial."

"Your three children are more successful than us and are also filial."

"Filial? It's harder to see them than visiting a prisoner." Xu Changshan was upset about this, slamming his wine glass heavily.

Gao Xinhuai realized he had said the wrong thing and quickly tried to make amends, "Chunliang is great. Not many grandsons are as close to their grandfathers as he is."

Mentioning Xu Chunliang, Xu Changshan's face lit up. His grandson was becoming more and more sensible and was willing to learn medicine, showing a high aptitude in the field. He finally had a successor.

Xu Changshan sighed, "Everyone raises their children hoping they will be smart, but I was misled by intelligence all my life. I only wish my child could be foolish and simple, living a life without disasters and reaching a high position." This was Su Dongpo's "Washing the Son" poem, widely known.

Xu Changshan recited this poem with deep feeling. His children were all highly educated and considered successful by others, but the more capable they were, the farther they were from him. Sometimes, Xu Changshan envied ordinary children who, though not highly educated, worked in ordinary jobs, but whose parents could see them whenever they wanted.

He could only hope to see his children during holidays, and sometimes, due to their busy work, they wouldn't even come back for the New Year. This made him feel like seeing them was as difficult as visiting a prisoner.

Without his grandson's company, Xu Changshan couldn't imagine what his life would be like. He might have long given up and closed Huichun Hall.

Hearing this poem, Gao Xinhuai also felt a deep sense of emotion. His daughter was very excellent, unlike Xu Chunliang, who failed the college entrance exam four times. His daughter graduated as the top science student in Dongzhou and was admitted to Tsinghua University. However, she wouldn't return to Jiangzhou to work after graduation. She planned to pursue a master's and a doctorate, and even go abroad. Old Mr. Xu's regret today might be his future situation.

Watching Xu Chunliang pour wine for Old Mr. Xu, Gao Xinhuai felt a bit envious. How nice it would be if his daughter could be by his side.

Xu Chunliang talked about how he was learning medicine from his grandfather. The country had recognized the significant problems in the development of traditional Chinese medicine and was increasing support.

The TCM apprenticeship system was a good policy. With this policy, Xu Changshan could officially take his grandson as a disciple and pass on his skills. However, the formal procedures were very complex.

They needed a "Traditional Medicine Apprenticeship Contract," a "Hospital Teaching Consent Certificate," the apprentice's ID and educational credentials. The teacher also needed four certificates: a physician qualification certificate, a practice certificate, a title certificate, an ID, and a copy of the medical institution's practice license with an official seal, as well as a notarization, all of which were essential.

Gao Xinhuai handled all these procedures. Initially, Xu Changshan wanted his grandson to join the TCM department at Changxing Hospital and even planned to collaborate with Changxing Hospital to open an expert clinic, personally teaching his grandson. However, after Gao Xinhuai's advice, he decided to let go. In hindsight, this decision was extremely correct.

Young people would eventually become independent. Managing them too much might not be good for their growth.

Although Xu Chunliang's work at the hospital was gradually becoming regular, Old Mr. Xu still felt some regret. He hoped his grandson would become a doctor, and working in administration at the hospital didn't seem like the right path.

Xu Changshan said, "Xinhuai, when can Chunliang join the TCM department?"

Gao Xinhuai thought the old man had already let go of this matter, but he was still thinking about it. Xu Chunliang didn't have a physician qualification or practice certificate, so he wasn't qualified to be a doctor. Wasn't administrative work good? Hadn't the kid already adapted to the Medical Affairs Department?

Gao Xinhuai said, "He has to wait until he completes his studies and passes the 'Apprenticeship Exam.'"

"Isn't that three years?"

"Chunliang is young, he has plenty of time." Gao Xinhuai looked at Xu Chunliang and said, "You must study hard. The 'Apprenticeship Exam' isn't easy. It tests basic theory and practical skills, and there's also a TCM clinical defense."

Xu Chunliang had little interest in the 'Apprenticeship Exam.' His skills didn't need to be proven by an exam. The people responsible for the TCM clinical defense were the likes of Zhu Mingyuan. How could they be qualified to be his examiners?

Xu Chunliang said, "Uncle Gao is right. I have plenty of time, no rush."

"The most important thing is to learn real skills." There was something Gao Xinhuai hadn't mentioned. Even if Xu Chunliang passed the 'Apprenticeship Exam,' it would only be equivalent to a junior college degree. He would need to complete a year of internship and then take the assistant physician exam. After five years as an assistant physician, he could take the practicing physician exam. The path to becoming a doctor is long and arduous.