This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

The meal was made by Zuo Liangliang’s wife.

A bowl of noodles topped with minced meat, a plate of red sausage, a plate of plain sliced pork, accompanied by red chili oil, garnished with two large heads of garlic, and a few drops of vinegar—it instantly evoked the feeling of home.

Du Heng didn’t hold back, happily eating two large bowls before putting down his chopsticks with satisfaction.

Watching Wu Buwei still slurping his noodles, Du Heng leaned back, stretched his waist, and prepared to let his meal digest.

The morning’s treatment and the prescribed medicine had already been marked as effective by the system.

5/1000

The additional successfully treated case was likely for Sir’s paralysis, meaning Du Heng’s approach and prescribed medicine for paralysis were correct.

The Old Lady’s data hadn’t been recorded yet. Du Heng guessed it was because she hadn’t taken her medicine.

Du Heng was confident about his diagnosis of the Old Lady’s condition and the ”Three Dispersers Beverage” he had prescribed for her.

However, the way he had seen patients and administered treatments this morning was definitely not feasible. Seeing only two patients in an entire morning would frustrate anyone.

To sum up the problems: First, the treatment was too complicated. For example, in the case of Sir’s hemiplegia, acupuncture was indeed a way to speed up recovery, but only if the treatment was continuous. The current issue was that I don’t have the time, nor is it convenient for me to visit Sir daily for acupuncture. A single session was no different from no acupuncture at all. Therefore, that day’s acupuncture treatment had been largely pointless. Although technically correct and potentially effective, it had been meaningless and a waste of time.

Second, house-to-house inspections. This was because I myself had been too simplistic and idealistic in my thinking. When a doctor made a house call, time was wasted traveling. Upon arrival, more time was wasted on pleasantries. Once the examination and treatment began, explaining fees and how to obtain medicine wasted even more time.

Du Heng accepted the cup of tea that Zuo Liangliang’s wife had prepared and said, ”Thank you.”

His gaze then started to drift towards Zuo Liangliang.

Du Heng now deeply regretted refusing Zuo Liangliang’s suggestion that morning. If he had agreed then to use the loudspeaker to notify the villagers to gather at the Village Committee for scheduled check-ups and treatment, it wouldn’t have become so troublesome.

Sigh, I’m still too young, too inexperienced. Du Heng thought, feeling a bit embarrassed about wanting to bring it up.

But this issue couldn’t be allowed to drag on; it wouldn’t be good for anyone in the long run. The 50,000 yuan subsidy already had me on edge; I wished I could complete the required number of tasks immediately. Staying in the village long-term and disturbing Zuo Liangliang and his wife daily would weigh on my conscience and make me lose face. Wu Buwei too, a young man and not even a permanent Health Clinic employee, having him tag along suffering out here every day—he was bound to get resentful eventually. Rebellion was only a matter of time. When that happened, I’d be left alone, and things would slow down even more. Then there was Li Qingde, who wouldn’t stand for it. Failure to complete the task within the stipulated time would be negligence on Li Qingde’s part, significantly impacting his transfer. So, to a large extent, if I was too slow, I’d have to endure Li Qingde’s incessant nagging, which would be even more annoying.

So, after much thought, Du Heng decided that saving face wasn’t an option right now; he had to speak up.

”Mr. Zuo, I’m really sorry for refusing your suggestion this morning.”

”It’s fine. You were just thinking of the ordinary people, being considerate of the old men and women.”

Du Heng gave an awkward smile. ”It’s because I’m too young and didn’t understand your kind intentions, Mr. Zuo. This morning’s situation made me realize a lot; your suggestion was really for my own good.”

Zuo Liangliang was quick on the uptake and immediately understood Du Heng’s meaning.

He wasn’t the type to gloat over Du Heng’s embarrassment, nor did he need Du Heng to beg. After all, as long as he remained a village doctor and received that subsidy, he would undoubtedly need Du Heng’s help in the future.

Zuo Liangliang laughed heartily and said outright, ”How about this? I think checking patients one by one like this morning is too time-consuming. Why don’t I ask the village party secretary to notify everyone to come and line up at the Village Committee entrance? It’ll be much faster that way.”

”Is there enough time?” Du Heng didn’t hold back. Since Zuo Liangliang was offering him a way out, it would be too pretentious of him to remain reserved.

”There’s enough time. We have chat groups now, and the village has loudspeakers. In less than half an hour, all the hamlets in the entire brigade will know.”

”Thank you, Mr. Zuo.”

Zuo Liangliang stood up and headed out. ”You two have some tea. I’ll have your auntie show you to a room to rest in a bit. I’m going to find the village party secretary now.”

As Zuo Liangliang left, Du Heng felt much more relieved.

Meanwhile, Wu Buwei, as if possessed by the spirit of a model student, had just finished eating and had already pulled out his ”Treatise on Febrile Diseases” to read.

His thinking was simple: just follow his Senior Brother’s lead. As long as he assisted his Senior Brother well, he didn’t need to worry about anything else.

Seeing Wu Buwei so engrossed in his reading, Du Heng didn’t disturb him and took out a copy of ”Treatise on the Causes of Various Diseases” from his bag to read as well.

Reviewing the old to learn the new; one had to read more and constantly compare it with the knowledge in one’s mind. Through integration and comparison, one gained new insights every time. For instance, the prescription he wrote for Sir’s hemiplegia that morning was formulated by comparing the knowledge in his mind with the cause of the illness and the properties of the medicinal ingredients. If this had been in the past, he wouldn’t have had a clue where to start, at most prescribing something like the Four Agents Decoction or some Chinese patent medicines. Formulate his own prescription? Not a chance.

The two of them read with focus. Zuo Liangliang’s wife didn’t disturb them; she brought them some melon seeds and candy, then hurried off to look after her young son, who had just returned from school.

Zuo Liangliang left quickly and returned quickly. Of course, the village’s support was also swift. He had barely stepped back into the courtyard when the loudspeakers on the roof of the Village Committee building began to broadcast.

”Attention, villagers! Starting from 2 p.m. today, Doctor Du from the Health Clinic will provide free check-ups and treatments for everyone at the Village Committee. Listen carefully: free check-ups and treatments! Put your work aside for now and participate actively.”

The crackling loudspeaker blared the announcement four or five times in a row, making one’s ears ache.

Still, Du Heng thought the effect was good. With that volume, at this time of day, pretty much everyone at home would hear it.

”See? I wasn’t even back home yet, and the announcement had already started,” Zuo Liangliang said, having returned.

”Thank you for the trouble, Mr. Zuo.” Du Heng put his book away.

”Don’t be so formal. This is for the good of our fellow villagers, after all.”

Du Heng smiled politely. ”Mr. Zuo, when there are more people this afternoon, we’ll still need to trouble you for help.”

Zuo Liangliang took off his thick cotton-padded jacket, sat down in front of Du Heng, and said readily, ”I’m at your disposal.”

”Here’s my thinking, Mr. Zuo. When we start this afternoon, patients will go through you first. You can help take their blood pressure and register them. Then, have Buwei confirm their family information and fill in any missing details. Once he’s done, he can send them directly to me, and I’ll examine them and write prescriptions. How does that sound?”

Zuo Liangliang had no objections and agreed on the spot.

However, according to this arrangement, he and Du Heng would be separated.

Du Heng’s ability to diagnose and prescribe based on syndrome differentiation that morning had truly opened Zuo Liangliang’s eyes. Actually, he wanted to sit beside Du Heng and learn how he diagnosed patients. For a village doctor like him, improving his skills was a difficult endeavor. This was clearly a great opportunity; examining and treating dozens, perhaps even hundreds, of people would surely allow him to learn something. However, Du Heng’s arrangement wasn’t wrong. After all, Wu Buwei was clearly his disciple, so giving him a bit more consideration was understandable.