Chapter 97: The Passage of Time

Xu Chunliang knew his drinking capacity was poor and did not actively encourage him. After a few drinks, Li Jiakuan indeed became excited, first recounting the past when he met Zheng Peian, then talking about the lectures given by Old Master Xu in the past. From the details of his conversation, it was clear that Old Master Xu had a significant influence on him.

Xu Changshan smiled and looked at him. Li Jiakuan mentioned that he remembered the lecture, which took place at the end of the 1990s, over twenty years ago. However, Xu Changshan did not remember Li Jiakuan at all, which was normal, as there were hundreds of people attending the lecture, and Xu Changshan did not deliberately try to get to know anyone.

Li Jiakuan said that he still remembered the topic of Old Master Xu's lecture that day, which was about the efficacy and usage of Cordyceps sinensis. He held Cordyceps sinensis in high regard and still used it regularly.

Xu Changshan couldn't help but sigh. In the last century, the overall social environment was more friendly towards traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and its recognition was relatively high. Major hospitals had TCM wards, and the combination of TCM and Western medicine was popular for a time. However, the survival space for TCM has been continuously compressed, and its situation is not optimistic. Many people no longer believe in TCM, and some even equate it with feudal superstition.

Zheng Peian strongly agreed. He believed that the phenomenon of favoring Western medicine and belittling TCM was not due to the speed of effectiveness but rooted in the imperialist desire to undermine China.

Gao Xinhua laughed and said that Zheng Peian was politicizing the medical issue.

Zheng Peian argued that any social phenomenon could ultimately be linked to politics. The ideological differences between the East and West mean that each has its strengths, and they should learn from each other and seek common ground. However, while the Chinese can view Western medicine fairly, Westerners have always looked at Chinese traditional medicine through a biased lens. The cultural differences are just a surface excuse. Many Westerners pretend not to understand, even though they know TCM is effective. They still try to defame and undermine it, attempting to crush TCM and destroy Chinese culture, which is a form of cultural aggression. They have already gained the upper hand in this silent war.

Li Jiakuan agreed, mentioning a movie he had seen called "Gua Sha," which tells the story of an elderly Chinese doctor living abroad who is sued for child abuse after performing gua sha on his grandson. The film highlights the cultural differences and the deep-seated prejudice of Westerners against Eastern culture.

Zheng Peian continued, "Since the 1990s, negative reports about TCM have increased. Under this propaganda, people increasingly believe in Western medicine and belittle TCM. Now, although there are TCM hospitals in every city and county, they have become places that sell dog meat under the sign of a sheep."

Li Jiakuan sighed, agreeing that in the county TCM hospital where he worked, Western medicine was the main treatment, and TCM had been marginalized, a fact that could not be denied.

Gao Xinhua also felt that the public opinion trend in recent years was wrong. Before Western medicine entered China, the survival and prosperity of the Chinese nation were supported by TCM. TCM is not perfect, but neither is Western medicine.

In recent years, the status of TCM in China has declined, but neighboring countries still value it. For example, in Japan, traditional Chinese medicine (Kampo) is a significant part of the pharmaceutical industry. South Korea, known for its plagiarism, has copied everything from the "Huangdi Neijing" to the "Bencao Gangmu," from acupuncture to moxibustion, claiming it as their own and even changing Li Shizhen's nationality.

Gao Xinhua was particularly annoyed by South Korea, and just mentioning it made him angry.

Xu Chunliang said, "This proves that TCM is a good thing. If it weren't, even thieves wouldn't bother with it."

Xu Changshan agreed with his grandson, saying that everyone knew TCM was a treasure of China, and they were trying to steal it and claim it as their own. His gaze swept over the faces of the three men, and he said meaningfully, "The promotion of TCM depends on you young people."

Gao Xinhua immediately shook his head, "I can't do it. I'm an outsider and too old. The responsibility of promoting Chinese medicine should be given to the young."

Zheng Peian echoed, "Yes, it should be given to Chunliang."

Li Jiakuan also nodded, "Director Xu will surely surpass his predecessors."

Xu Changshan felt that their words were all flattery. Even if his grandson was smart, he had started too late. TCM requires accumulation, and while surpassing his predecessors was possible, it was not certain. From what he could see, the hope was not great, and Xu Chunliang clearly had other aspirations.

Old Master Xu did not know that two of the three had seen Xu Chunliang's medical skills but could not reveal it due to special reasons.

Zheng Peian, although not knowing the extent of Xu Chunliang's medical skills, knew about his pranks on Lin Yougang and was quite impressed by his abilities. He believed that talent was very important.

Xu Chunliang said, "You seniors are too irresponsible, always pushing things onto me. Where was this humility when we were drinking and eating?"

Everyone laughed. Gao Xinhua wrapped a piece of braised pork in perilla leaves and praised it, noting that Zheng Peian's cooking was indeed excellent, and he had used many Chinese herbs in the dishes.

Li Jiakuan had never eaten this way before. In his hometown, perilla leaves were common, but no one ate them.

Xu Changshan asked Xu Chunliang to educate everyone about perilla leaves, as a small test of his recent studies of the "Pharmacopoeia."

Xu Chunliang, without hesitation, began to explain.

In ancient times, perilla leaves were called "ren." The phrase "the passage of time" (shiguang renran) actually refers to perilla leaves. After the Song Dynasty, the common name "ren" was replaced by "su" to make it more understandable, but the character "ren" is still used. In the "Book of Songs," "Xiao Ya - Qiao Yan," it says, "The soft wood is ren, planted by the gentleman." Here, "ren" refers to perilla leaves.

In "Da Ya - Yi," it says, "The soft wood is ren, woven into silk." This also refers to perilla leaves.

There is a story about a person who casually scattered perilla seeds and left. When he returned, the perilla had grown lush and filled the yard, making him realize how time had passed unnoticed, just like the flourishing perilla.

Everyone was immersed in Xu Chunliang's explanation, reflecting on how they had gone from young, passionate youths to middle-aged, even somewhat油腻 (oily) adults.

Zheng Peian sighed, "How to get rid of the oil? Only through the passage of time. Everyone, eat more perilla leaves to cut the oil."

Gao Xinhua gave Xu Chunliang a phone number, which was for the Xianhong Farm on Weishan Island. The farm's owner, Tong Guangsheng, was his comrade, and he had already asked him to take care of his nephew.

Xu Chunliang felt this was unnecessary, as he was going there for official business, but he couldn't refuse Gao Xinhua's kindness and wrote down the number.

Li Jiakuan, deep down, felt somewhat inferior, always worrying that others would look down on him as a county doctor.

He mentioned that he had already bought a house for his son in Nanjiang. He had gone there a few days ago and bought a three-bedroom, two-living room apartment in Lijiang Yaying for over three million yuan. To him, his son was his pride, and being able to provide for his son's education and help him settle in Nanjiang was a great achievement.

Zheng Peian laughed, "It seems your county TCM hospital is quite profitable. Brother, if you have any good business opportunities, you should help me out."

Li Jiakuan said, "My wife and I live on a fixed salary. This time, I was able to buy the house thanks to Xiao Xu."

Everyone was curious. Did Xu Chunliang have that much influence?

Xu Chunliang laughed and said Li Jiakuan was flattering him, and he didn't have that much power.

Li Jiakuan seriously said, "I was able to buy this house because Miss Mo called General Jiang, who gave me a 30% discount, saving me nearly a million yuan."

Xu Chunliang said, "That's your relationship, not mine."

"Who says it's not related? If it weren't for your relationship with Miss Mo, how would she have helped me?" Li Jiakuan almost revealed that Xu Chunliang had saved Luan Yuchuan on the high-speed train but quickly corrected himself.

Old Master Xu, who was particularly interested in such matters, asked, "Who is Miss Mo? How old is she? Is she beautiful?"

Li Jiakuan laughed, "She is very beautiful. You should ask Xiao Xu; I think they are quite a good match."

Gao Xinhua chimed in, "This kid is impressive. He went to Nanjiang and found a girlfriend. I feel a bit strange about it."

Zheng Peian, looking at the issue from a different angle, noted that not many people could save a million yuan, indicating that Miss Mo was either wealthy or influential. A million yuan was a significant amount of favor.

Xu Chunliang realized that Li Jiakuan, once drunk, couldn't keep his mouth shut. If he drank more, who knew how many secrets he would reveal.

Li Jiakuan had drunk a lot and, after saying something wrong, realized he should leave. He excused himself, saying he didn't want to disturb Old Master Xu's rest and needed to return early the next day.

Zheng Peian, seeing that he was half-drunk, offered to drive him back to the hotel.

Xu Chunliang saw Gao Xinhua out. Gao Xinhua, with no problem with his drinking capacity, told Xu Chunliang not to bother and that he would call a taxi.

Xu Chunliang insisted on calling a good taxi, seeing him off, and giving him a bottle of mineral water for the ride. Despite his youth, he was very considerate.

As the taxi started, Gao Xinhua had a sudden thought. This kid was really good. If he could be matched with his daughter, but he quickly dismissed the idea. His daughter didn't know Xu Chunliang, and in her eyes, he was a failure. Besides, his daughter planned to stay in the capital.