Chapter 10

（Thank you to book friends Laohu0123456, Wuxun Qunzhu, Youxia, wuaibjx, Shuyou33125235, Shuiyu Sen, Yinhuban Jingzhang, Xiao Sha Zou Yi Hui @ Baidu, Zui Ai Migan, Dongli Huowo, and others for your generous support. You are all my gods; especially thank L Han Gege for your generous Gold Alliance support. You are the first wise benefactor of "Miao Yi Hong Tu," and I will not let your encouragement go to waste.）

Xie Cheng was standing next to the door, and a slightly overweight man beside him asked in a low voice, "Director Xie, what’s the background of this kid? How dare he challenge Master?"

Xie Cheng smiled faintly and said, "He is the doctor who cured that foreigner a few days ago. Zhang Chao, don’t underestimate him just because he’s young; his medical skills are quite remarkable."

Zhang Chao sneered, "He looks to be just over twenty. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) relies on experience. How many patients has he seen? I suspect that his treatment of the foreigner was just a lucky guess."

A cold look flashed in Xie Cheng’s eyes, but he said, "Let’s not say too much. Dean Di is very astute and wouldn’t be easily deceived."

Zhang Chao suddenly remembered something and probed in a low voice, "I heard a rumor that Dean Di wants to appoint him as the head of the TCM department. I wonder if it’s true."

Xie Cheng smiled faintly and said, "The position of head of the TCM department should go to the most capable person. If he can prove his worth, why not let him take the position?"

Zhang Chao secretly gave Xie Cheng a thumbs-up and said, "Director Xie, you have a broad mind."

In his heart, however, he was secretly mocking Xie Cheng, thinking that Xie Cheng must be like an ant on a hot pan. After waiting for so many years, he still hasn’t been promoted from deputy to head, and now he’s being replaced by a young man. Isn’t it like a cooked duck flying away?

Xie Cheng knew Zhang Chao was using a provocation tactic, but he wouldn’t be easily manipulated. He gestured to a short and stocky doctor in the corner and whispered a few words to him.

The short and stocky doctor showed a yellow-toothed smile, stood next to Dean Di, and said, "Dean Di, I have a few words to say. Master is a towering figure in the TCM community of Huai Nan Province, while Dr. Su is too young. To put it bluntly, he’s not worthy of competing with Master. I think it’s more appropriate for us, his disciples, to step in."

The TCM doctors behind him also began to murmur, putting pressure on Dean Di.

Dean Di touched his nose and raised an eyebrow. With his domineering personality, he wouldn’t be swayed by the doctors’ gossip.

Su Tao glanced at the short and stocky doctor and said calmly, "Today is my first day at the TCM department, and everyone is still unsure of my abilities. Dr. Tang is highly respected. If his disciples want to challenge me, that’s fine."

On one hand, Su Tao was considering Dean Di’s perspective, and on the other, he wanted to let the TCM doctors personally experience his skills, so they could see the gap more clearly!

Tang Nanzheng nodded slightly, appreciating Su Tao’s attitude. The young man had enough confidence, but it remained to be seen if he had the skills.

Su Tao added, "However, treating patients is not a game. When diagnosing patients, I hope there are as few observers as possible. After all, it involves patient privacy, and having too many people around could affect the patient’s mood."

Dean Di was slightly taken aback, realizing that Su Tao was considerate. It was indeed inappropriate to have a group of TCM doctors watching from behind.

When Su Tao’s words reached Xie Cheng’s ears, a mocking smile appeared on his lips. Zhang Chao, standing beside him, said sarcastically, "He’s already nervous before the competition even starts. It seems he’s afraid of losing and doesn’t want many people to watch."

This remark drew laughter from others, mainly because Su Tao’s arrival was too high-profile. Although treating Vera was a big event in the hospital, most of the TCM doctors hadn’t seen it firsthand and thus didn’t trust him.

Dean Di waved his hand and said loudly, "During the diagnosis, only four people will be present: myself, Su Tao, Dr. Tang, and a TCM doctor chosen by Dr. Tang based on the patient’s condition. How does that sound?"

Tang Nanzheng stroked his long beard and smiled, "That’s feasible. It allows each TCM doctor to see Dr. Su’s skills without making the patient feel uncomfortable."

Xie Cheng heard this method of competition and a cold smile appeared on his lips. He thought Su Tao wouldn’t pass so easily.

First, Tang Nanzheng was familiar with the capabilities of each TCM doctor and would choose the right person based on their strengths. Second, this was a relay battle. Even if Su Tao was skilled, could he outperform the TCM department of Jianghuai Hospital? Third, with a top master like Tang Nanzheng present, Su Tao had no chance of winning.

Dean Di clicked the mouse, and the broadcast began to call numbers. A middle-aged man stepped forward, and Tang Nanzheng examined him, saying, "Let Dr. Zheng Long diagnose the patient."

Zheng Long was the short and stocky doctor, skilled in orthopedics, treating fractures, dislocations, injuries, and bone displacement.

Su Tao couldn’t help but admire Tang Nanzheng’s expertise. Before the patient even explained his condition, Tang Nanzheng could diagnose his needs through observation, demonstrating his rich experience and master-level skills.

The middle-aged patient lifted his T-shirt, revealing his shoulder. Zheng Long’s face changed slightly because the injury site was severely deformed, with red and swollen skin, indicating a serious bone displacement and possibly a fracture.

Zheng Long placed his hand on the patient’s shoulder, felt it, and shook his head, "We need to take an X-ray of the shoulder joint to determine the condition."

Zheng Long, trained in Western medicine, still relied on instruments and equipment. Tang Nanzheng shook his head slightly.

The middle-aged patient looked troubled and said in a foreign accent, "Will the X-ray cost a lot? I’d rather not do it. I’ve had sprains before, and after resting for a while, they usually get better."

He was particularly sensitive to the hospital’s various fees and immediately thought, "I won’t treat it, and you can’t extort money from me."

This left Zheng Long in an awkward position. Before he could treat the patient, the patient was ready to leave. He put on a stern face and deliberately intimidated the patient, "If you don’t want to lose your arm, go home and rest. Don’t blame me if you end up disabled without timely treatment."

Tang Nanzheng frowned at Zheng Long’s poor attitude but understood that Zheng Long was intentionally doing this to prevent the patient from avoiding treatment, sometimes using scare tactics to emphasize the severity of the condition.

The middle-aged patient, with a stubborn personality, cursed, "What a lousy doctor, cursing me. If I become disabled, so be it. I won’t treat it here."

Zheng Long’s face fell, thinking that the world was full of strange people, and today was his unlucky day, encountering a difficult patient.

The patient was about to put on his clothes and leave when Su Tao suddenly stood up, quickly approached, and placed his hand on the patient’s shoulder. With a quick pull and push, a crackling sound was heard. The patient didn’t have time to exclaim in surprise as Su Tao patted his shoulder and smiled, "My colleague was just teasing you. I’ve reset your bone. After you go home, apply some ointments, and you’ll be fine."

The patient’s face showed surprise, and he tentatively moved his arm, finding it normal. He said happily, "It’s really better, amazing."

As the patient left, Zheng Long’s face turned red with embarrassment. Without any judgment, Su Tao had won beautifully and even covered up Zheng Long’s mistake. The entire treatment process took less than ten seconds, and crucially, Su Tao didn’t require an X-ray, something Zheng Long couldn’t match.

Dean Di and Tang Nanzheng exchanged glances, both surprised by Su Tao’s lightning-fast technique, which even Tang Nanzheng couldn’t identify the origin.

Dean Di didn’t say much and continued to call the next patient.

This time, a young woman in her late twenties with a beautiful face and a slender figure stepped forward. Her blouse was low-cut, revealing a large expanse of white skin and a deep cleavage. She had a mole at the corner of her eye, adding a touch of charm.

Tang Nanzheng thought for a moment and said, "Let Dr. Zhang Chao diagnose her."

Zhang Chao was skilled in treating gynecological conditions and was well-known in Jianghuai Hospital, especially for treating infertility. It was rumored that Tang Nanzheng had passed him several secret formulas, which helped Zhang Chao establish a solid position in the TCM department.

By seniority and contribution, Zhang Chao had the same chance as Xie Cheng to be promoted to head, but his character was questionable, and he had a poor work style. A few years ago, he had an affair with a patient, which led to a scandal and a punishment. Despite this, Zhang Chao still enjoyed the benefits of a deputy head because gynecology was a common condition, and TCM was in high demand, making it a profitable field.

When Zhang Chao saw the young woman, his eyes lit up. She was very attractive. He reviewed her medical records, which showed she had been examined in the Western reproductive genetics department. He placed his hand on her wrist and asked, "How long have you been married, and is your marital life normal?"

The woman blushed and lowered her eyes, "Two years, about once or twice a week." She subconsciously crossed her legs, feeling uncomfortable answering such a private question.

Zhang Chao slowly withdrew his hand, touched his mouth, and thought for a moment, "From your medical records, there seems to be no problem with your body. The issue might be with your husband. I suggest you bring him in for a check-up. However, you’re not here for nothing. I’ll prescribe a decoction to help you. Take it at home, and it will benefit your health."

The woman looked disappointed, took back her medical records, and thought the conclusion was the same as the Western doctors.

Just as she thought the examination was over, Su Tao waved his hand and interrupted, "I have a few things to add."

Zhang Chao was slightly taken aback, his face showing displeasure. Tang Nanzheng remained calm, wondering if Su Tao had noticed something he had missed.

Su Tao asked slowly, "Do you often feel fatigued, dizzy, irritable, dry mouth, weak in the waist and knees, and irregular menstruation?"

The woman nodded quickly, "Yes, that’s why I suspected there was a problem with my body."

Su Tao smiled and said, "I suggest you avoid sexual intercourse with your husband for a month, then take the decoction I prescribe. After a month, limit your sexual activity to once a week. You will definitely have good news within three months."

Zhang Chao’s face turned red with anger, ready to refute Su Tao’s seemingly absurd advice.

Tang Nanzheng took the prescription Su Tao had written and thought the medication was precise, a clear formula for treating yin deficiency. He sighed, "Zhang Chao, you lack the subtle insight."

Excessive sexual activity is often thought to affect only men, but it can also impact women, affecting the central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and sympathetic nervous system. The woman’s pale face, dark eye sockets, and unsteady gait indicated that her condition was related to this.

The woman had said she had sexual activity once or twice a week, but it was likely exaggerated. Young people, in the early stages of intimacy, can be overly enthusiastic, leading to health issues. Su Tao didn’t want to say it outright but gently reminded the woman to be more restrained in the future.

Tang Nanzheng, seeing Su Tao effortlessly solve two patients’ problems, realized that Su Tao had at least ten years of medical experience. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to diagnose so accurately without taking the pulse.

In the adjacent consultation room, Xie Cheng saw Zhang Chao return with a sheepish look and asked in surprise, "Did you lose too?"

Zhang Chao nodded, "He’s indeed skilled, better than me. It looks like the head position will go to him."

Zhang Chao’s words were partly to stir up trouble and partly to make Xie Cheng uncomfortable. If he couldn’t be a deputy, neither should Xie Cheng.

Zhang Chao once suspected that his punishment was due to Xie Cheng’s behind-the-scenes machinations.

Subsequently, Tang Nanzheng called a few more doctors, and without exception, they were all impressed by Su Tao’s high-level medical skills after leaving.

Xie Cheng was called in by Tang Nanzheng and found that Su Tao had already started treating patients. There were four people in front of the consultation table. Su Tao held a silver needle and, with lightning speed, inserted it twice into the shoulder of the patient on the right. He then quickly moved to the two patients in the middle and inserted a needle into their coccyx. Finally, he inserted three needles simultaneously into the last patient’s head.

"Wow..." The four patients exhaled almost simultaneously.

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