Chapter 43

This greatly exceeded Gao Xin Hua's expectations. He had thought that Gu Hou Yi would never agree, but he actually did.

The two words "agree" were written with great skill by Gu Hou Yi. After all, he had practiced for several decades in his leadership position, and these two words were the ones he had written the most in his life. The saying "practice makes perfect" was indeed true.

Xu Chun Liang said, "Director Gao, could you please go to the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) department to borrow some equipment for me? I don't want to go back to get my needles."

Gao Xin Hua nodded. Since Gu Hou Yi himself had agreed, he naturally had no reason to oppose it. Even if he did, it would be useless. One was willing to try, and the other was willing to act; this old and young pair were not easy to deal with.

For some reason, he actually began to have some confidence in Xu Chun Liang. There was no need to go to the TCM department; when Zhu Ming Yuan was driven out, he hadn't even had time to take the equipment box, which contained all the necessary tools.

Xu Chun Liang asked Gu Hou Yi to lie down on the sofa, opened the equipment box, and his gaze became focused and determined.

Zhu Ming Yuan's acupuncture points were correct, but the order was wrong. The human body is a small universe, with each organ performing its own function. Each part is like a star in the universe, and these stars are not independent; they have invisible forces between them.

From the perspective of modern medicine, the human body requires the cooperation of multiple organs. For example, if you have a headache, it may not be a problem with your brain; shoulder pain could be due to gallbladder issues, and heel pain might be caused by gout.

Zhu Ming Yuan's mistake was to only look at the local area. To judge a doctor's skill, one must first see if they have a global perspective and can think one step ahead of others.

Taichong point is located on the top of the foot, on both sides, in the depression between the first and second metatarsal bones. It is an important acupoint on the Liver Meridian, where the water, dampness, and wind energy of the liver meridian rise upward. As one ages, this energy gradually diminishes. According to TCM, massaging this point can enhance male virility in men and treat menstrual disorders in women.

Gu Hou Yi had been feeling anxious and irritable recently, with excessive liver fire that had not been timely released, leading to the suppression of water, dampness, and wind energy, causing the Taichong point to become blocked.

Xu Chun Liang's acupoint selection was precise, and he inserted the fine needle half an inch deep, using a draining technique. The needle was quickly inserted into the skin and then rapidly pushed deeper to obtain the qi, then slowly withdrawn to the subcutaneous layer. When removing the needle, he gently pressed the point, rotating the left point to the left and the right point to the right, to drain the stagnant liver fire.

Acupuncture techniques are not monolithic but consist of multiple methods.

Seeing Xu Chun Liang insert the first needle, Gao Xin Hua's heart was half relieved. At least it proved that this young man knew acupuncture. As a member of a medical family, he had a deep family background. Even if he hadn't practiced himself, he had seen others do it. Perhaps he had truly inherited some of the skills from the old master, and even a fraction of that skill would surpass the boastful Zhu Ming Yuan.

Gao Xin Hua really didn't think much of Zhu Ming Yuan's medical skills. Although he had graduated from a prestigious university, he was all talk and no action, and his actual level was not impressive. The decline of the TCM department at Changxing Hospital was partly due to the overall environment, but mainly because of Zhu Ming Yuan's lack of ability as the department head.

A skilled acupuncturist can guide energy from yin to yang and from yang to yin, treating the left side with the right and the right side with the left, understanding the inside from the outside.

Xu Chun Liang then inserted the needle into the Liver Shu point, which belongs to the Bladder Meridian and is located on the back, 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the ninth thoracic vertebra. The area around it is innervated by the medial branches of the posterior rami of the ninth and tenth thoracic nerves, and the deep layer is innervated by the lateral branches. The posterior branches of the ninth intercostal artery and vein are also present. Inserting the needle here requires absolute precision; any deviation could damage the surrounding nerves and blood vessels, leading to severe complications.

Xu Chun Liang's technique changed again as he used the three-pronged draining method to insert the needle into the Liver Shu point. The first insertion was to obtain the qi, the second to nourish, and the third to fill. The skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscle layers were divided into three levels, and the needle was inserted shallowly, moderately, and deeply. These three levels were also referred to by the ancients as the Earth, Human, and Heaven levels.

Seeing Xu Chun Liang insert the needle into Gu Hou Yi's back, Gao Xin Hua felt a chill. If something happened to the boss, how would he handle it? He regretted not firmly stopping Xu Chun Liang from performing the acupuncture.

Gao Xin Hua was an outsider, but if Zhu Ming Yuan had been present, he would have been amazed by Xu Chun Liang's technique.

After inserting the needle into the Liver Shu point, Xu Chun Liang used the Fengyan technique to pull the needle backward with his thumb, while his left thumb and index finger tightly held the upper end of the needle handle. His right little finger's nail scraped the needle handle from bottom to top. Gu Hou Yi felt a tingling sensation at the needle point, followed by a warm sensation that quickly turned into a refreshing coolness, making him feel very comfortable.

Xu Chun Liang was using the Tiantian Liang method to clear heat and drain fire. This method combines the Xu Ji, Ti Cha, Hu Xi, and Kai He techniques. During the operation, the needle is inserted shallowly first, then deeply, with one insertion and three withdrawals, emphasizing lifting and light insertion, and following the six yin numbers.

The third needle was inserted into the Xingjian point, located between the first and second toes, at the junction of the red and white flesh. The water, dampness, and wind energy of the liver meridian pass through this point and most of it cools and descends to the ground, unable to become the upward-moving qi and blood of the liver meridian. Only a small part of the water and dampness absorbs heat and expands upward, exhibiting the fiery characteristic of rising heat, hence it belongs to the fire element.

Xu Chun Liang inserted the fine needle slightly upward into the Xingjian point half an inch deep. Gu Hou Yi felt a tingling sensation radiating to his foot, and his inner turmoil gradually subsided, no longer as irritable as before. This was because the stagnant liver fire had been successfully drained by Xu Chun Liang.

The final step was to select local points for acupuncture, including the Tingmen, Tinggong, Tinghui, Yifeng, Wangu, Taiyang, and Shuigou points, to promote the flow of qi and blood.

The Tinggong point is the meeting point of the Hand and Foot Shaoyang and Hand Taiyang meridians, belonging to the Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian. It is located on the face, in the depression between the ear screen and the mandibular condyle.

Xu Chun Liang inserted two needles into the Tinggong point, pressing the ends of his index fingers with his middle fingers and then flicking them precisely onto the needle handles, causing the needle handles to vibrate rapidly.

Buzz!

Gu Hou Yi heard a buzzing sound, and it felt as if two windows had been suddenly opened in his ears, allowing a cool breeze to flow in, and his hearing was instantly restored.

Xu Chun Liang smiled and asked, "Director Gu, can you hear me?"

"I can hear you!" Gu Hou Yi could speak freely, and the joy in his heart was indescribable. This young man was truly impressive!

Gao Xin Hua had witnessed the entire treatment process and now believed that Xu Chun Liang was a hidden talent, as evidenced by Gu Hou Yi's recovery.

Gu Hou Yi asked, "What time is it?"

Gao Xin Hua told him the time, and there was still one hour and twenty minutes before Gu Hou Yi's scheduled meeting with the Discipline Inspection Commission. Everything was still on track.

Xu Chun Liang asked Gu Hou Yi to remain calm and to leave the needle in the Xingjian point for twenty minutes. Gu Hou Yi's body was not in serious condition, but he should remember two things: to get plenty of rest and to avoid anger, as this could lead to a recurrence.

Xu Chun Liang had no reason to stay, so he got up to take his leave. Before leaving, he said, "Director Gu, I have a request."

Gu Hou Yi was taken aback. This young man had an ulterior motive; he had just treated him and was now making a request. Well, if he wanted to make a request, so be it; Gu Hou Yi was a man who repaid kindness.

Gao Xin Hua thought Xu Chun Liang shouldn't make a request; it was too practical. Even if he waited until after today, wouldn't it be better for him to help? Gu Hou Yi was a man who repaid kindness and would certainly remember this favor.

"I hope the two of you can keep today's secret. Although I come from a family with a deep medical background, I haven't yet obtained a medical license. If it weren't for my concern for Director Gu's health, I would not have acted rashly. My grandfather always taught me to be humble and low-key. If it weren't for my admiration for Director Gu's noble character, I would not have violated family rules and taken the risk of performing acupuncture. I hope the two of you can agree to this."

The two men thought he would make an excessive request, but it turned out he only wanted them to keep the secret. In fact, Gu Hou Yi didn't want others to know that the director of Changxing Hospital had been treated by a young man without a medical license. How could he face others if this news got out? Changxing Hospital would become a laughingstock. Xu Chun Liang's request was exactly what he wanted.

Gao Xin Hua thought this young man was truly good, talented and not seeking fame or profit. The TCM family was indeed well-deserved. However, he thought Xu Chun Liang was a bit too smooth with his flattery. The old master was upright and not good at this.

After Xu Chun Liang left, Gu Hou Yi dressed and slowly said to Gao Xin Hua, "Did you hear everything Xiao Xu said?"

Gao Xin Hua nodded. He knew that Gu Hou Yi didn't want this matter to be known. He smiled and said, "Director Gu, we should help this young man. You are truly a fortunate person, to recover so suddenly."

The corners of Gu Hou Yi's mouth also curved into a smile, and he softly said, "This young man is a good seedling. It proves that my decision to bring him into Changxing, despite opposition, was correct."

"If I had your foresight, I would be happy." Gao Xin Hua flattered him, but in his heart, he thought, "Old Gu, you are really taking credit. I was the one who brought Xu Chun Liang into Changxing; I was his patron."

Gu Hou Yi did not delay his meeting. He had no financial issues and admitted that Zeng Hongwen was his wife's niece, but he had not profited from the beauty center.

Everyone understood that Gu Hou Yi had played a key role in Zeng Hongwen's contract for the beauty center, but no irregularities were found during the bidding process. It was normal; even if he didn't say it, others would know about his relationship with Zeng Hongwen and would take care of her.

Despite this, Changxing Hospital was greatly affected. The second phase expansion project, which was about to start, was temporarily halted, and the higher-ups needed to re-review it to ensure there were no issues before proceeding. This indicated that Gu Hou Yi's reputation for integrity was being questioned.

The negative news about Changxing Hospital also affected the bank, which proposed to re-review their loan application, delaying the planned disbursement.

Gu Hou Yi's term was originally set to end in May of the following year, but due to the beauty center incident, the higher-ups suggested he take a position as director at the city's Science and Technology Association next month, which was a lateral move.

Gu Hou Yi realized that the second phase expansion project would not be initiated during his term, which was a significant blow to him. He had hoped to retire from Changxing, but now it seemed impossible.

Although the higher-ups hinted that he could apply for an extension of his retirement, the Science and Technology Association was a place where he could retire in name only, often referred to as the "Elders' Home," with many deputy-level officials just passing the time.

Counting the days, he had only half a month left before starting at the Science and Technology Association. The higher-ups gave him a half-month transition period, partly to save face and partly to allow the new director to adapt.

Yan Hui Yi, whom Gu Hou Yi had personally promoted, was not even considered for the position. The new director was very young, not yet forty.

After the conversation with the Discipline Inspection Commission, Gu Hou Yi returned to the hospital and locked himself in his office, smoking a whole pack of cigarettes before leaving.

He didn't ask his driver to take him; his home was not far from the hospital, less than a kilometer away.

It had been three days since the beginning of the End of Heat, but the weather was still hot. Gu Hou Yi felt a sense of melancholy as he stood in the hospital's small garden, looking at the outdated inpatient building that had stood in the bustling city for twenty-two years. When he was a young deputy director, the old director had entrusted him with the infrastructure project, and he had personally built this twenty-one-story building.

The twenty-one floors symbolized the twenty-first century. When the building was completed, it stood out among the five major comprehensive hospitals in Dongzhou. This building also symbolized the last glory of Changxing Hospital.

In the twenty-first century, Changxing Hospital was surpassed by other hospitals in various aspects, and its development seemed to have come to a halt. All the glory was frozen at the moment the building was topped off.

Gu Hou Yi's gaze fell on the construction fence in the southwest corner of the hospital, where the long-standing shantytown had been demolished. This was the blueprint he had drawn up, and in a few years, a modern inpatient building would rise, bringing a second renaissance to Changxing Hospital.

He knew he could not complete the building during his term, but he had hoped to lay the foundation for the second phase. Now, that hope was a luxury.

Next month, he would go to the Science and Technology Association, leaving him only half a month. Everything was too late. Six years of planning and effort, all his hard work, had come to nothing.

Gu Hou Yi looked at the lush camphor trees in the courtyard, thinking of the saying, "The previous generation plants the trees, and the next generation enjoys the shade." He had prepared everything carefully, but it would all be left to his successor, who would naturally inherit it, like making clothes for others.

Thinking of this, Gu Hou Yi felt a deep pain. He had valued Changxing so much, seeing it as his second home.

One misstep, and the whole game was lost. The storm caused by the beauty center had a greater impact on him than he had anticipated.

His phone rang, interrupting his thoughts. It was Dr. Zhao Yongsheng, the head of the Neurology Department, asking about his current health. Gu Hou Yi said he was fine.

His liver fire was still intense. Even as he went to explain the situation, he still had a burning feeling in his heart. He wanted to leave his last passion and energy at Changxing, but reality was reality. The moment he recognized the reality, that burning feeling instantly disappeared.

A few raindrops began to fall from the sky. Gu Hou Yi reluctantly left the hospital. Although he would return to Changxing the next day, he realized at that moment that Changxing no longer belonged to him. From now on, he and Changxing would drift further apart.

As he walked out of the hospital gate, night had fallen. Looking back at the lights in the inpatient building, it was like seeing a giant ship in the darkness.

Gu Hou Yi stood in the deepening night, and in a daze, the giant ship seemed to drift away from him. He felt like an old captain, powerless to do anything as the ship sailed away, leaving only bitterness and sorrow.

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