This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

Wang Qingpeng looked at the patient in disbelief. ”Did you just mention superstition?”

”Of course, I did,” the patient responded with a matter-of-fact expression. ”I sleepwalk around midnight every other day. Who could bear something so terrifying?

”I’ve consulted both Western and traditional Chinese medicine doctors, but no one has been able to explain why it occurs. If I don’t resort to superstition, what else can I do?

”At least it provides some psychological comfort.”

Seeing the convincing reason given by the patient, Wang Qingpeng was left speechless and could only turn to look at Du Heng.

To Du Heng, the patient’s actions were not surprising. He had encountered even more superstitious situations when working in Zhonghu Town. However, the patient is correct, Du Heng thought. A proper explanation is needed for why the condition strikes at 2 a.m.

He cleared his throat softly and explained in a moderate tone, ”In our traditional Chinese medicine, there is a branch known as Chronomedicine, termed the Stem and Branch Point Selection. It delves into the correlation between the circulation of a person’s qi and blood and time. It elaborates on when your body’s qi and blood flow through the corresponding meridians.

”And around 2 a.m., your qi and blood are circulated to the liver. At such a moment, the liver is enriched with qi and blood, and thus liver qi flourishes. Consequently, excess qi turns into fire. This is why a surge of liver qi leads to heightened liver fire. An abundance of fire causes mental restlessness, and heightened fire generates wind. When the wind is strong, it stirs. When it stirs, one wanders.

”This is the reason behind your midnight sleepwalking.”

The patient wore a sudden look of revelation. ”So, the crux of the problem is the excessive internal heat in my body! Damn it, this single issue has been a constant worry for my entire family for over a year, and it almost scared me to death.”

Du Heng chuckled without saying anything more. Saying too much could lead to suspicion of slandering peers, he thought.

At this time, Wang Qingpeng also spoke up, ”Doctor Du, I have a question.”

”Please ask.”

”Why does this patient both talk in his sleep and exhibit symptoms of sleepwalking?”

”Our theoretical system of traditional Chinese medicine says the liver stores the soul, the soul being our spirit. A disturbed soul leads to talkative dreams, and when the disturbance escalates, the soul can wander.

”This actually brings us back to what I just mentioned. When liver qi flourishes, liver fire proliferates, which disturbs the mind. This disturbance, the unsettled soul, manifests as chattering in your dreams. When liver fire grows, it gives birth to wind. When the wind is strong, it stirs, and thus one can wander. That’s the reason behind sleepwalking.

”Therefore, in conclusion, whether it’s talking in sleep or sleepwalking, the problem lies in the liver fire.”

Wang Qingpeng blinked. ”The problem has been identified, and you have used a potent medicine for relieving uneasiness of mind. Why did you just say you also need to use medicine to nourish yin and enrich blood?”

Du Heng didn’t rush to answer this question but instead, slowly gathered his thoughts before explaining, ”There’s a famous saying in traditional Chinese medicine: ’We must seek the root cause when treating a disease.’

”If we consider the patient’s restless spirit and liking for movement, using the strong medicine for relieving uneasiness of the mind is symptomatic treatment, but not the root cure. We need to understand, where does this restless fire and wind come from in the patient?

”If we don’t solve this issue, just calming the spirit would be akin to Western medicine prescribing sedative drugs. This would only treat the symptoms, not the root cause, leading to a recurring situation.

”The reason behind the fiery wind lies in yin deficiency and insufficient blood.

”As our medical practitioners have long concluded, yin deficiency results in flourishing fire.”

Du Heng’s explanation was clear and straightforward, rendering Wang Qingpeng silent.

To finish off, Du Heng added, ”As stated in the Inner Canon, ’We must strike at the root of the disease before addressing its symptoms.’ The treatment of somnambulism precisely exemplifies the correctness of this phrase.

”This statement can be generalized to apply to all conditions of restless spirits.”

As soon as Du Heng finished speaking, the sound of an applauding figure came from the entrance of the Hospital room behind them.

When Du Heng and Wang Qingpeng turned their heads, they saw Zhang Dewen, with the assistance of a student, lightly applauding. Behind Zhang Dewen, Kang Zhirong, having finished his tasks, had also returned.

”Doctor Du’s words sufficiently demonstrate his deep understanding and expertise in the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, as well as his demeanor as a master scholar,” Zhang Dewen said, slowly walking in. He continued, ”Moreover, Doctor Du’s unbiased and comprehensive medical skill perfectly embodies the holistic nature of traditional Chinese medicine. In this regard, I admit I am inferior.”

In the Hospital room, the old man praised Du Heng in front of so many people, which made Du Heng quite happy. But arrogance isn’t my style, he thought, so he quickly and humbly said, ”Sir Zhang, you’re speaking too highly of me.”

Zhang Dewen seemed to have let go of his resentment towards Du Heng, or perhaps he saw hope for his student’s recovery. His mood was greatly lifted, and a slight smile appeared on his face. ”This isn’t an exaggeration, but the truth.

”Based on the few cases I’ve witnessed recently, Doctor Du deserves such evaluation.

”Xiao Guan’s competition with you was rash, somewhat overestimating himself. I hope Doctor Du doesn’t take it to heart.”

Du Heng’s eyebrows twitched slightly, and he quickly looked at Kang Zhirong who stood at the very back.

As Du Heng’s gaze landed on him, Kang Zhirong nodded knowingly.

Seeing Kang Zhirong’s nod, Du Heng let out a sigh of relief. So, the statement has been issued, he understood from Zhang Dewen’s words. Moreover, it seems there are no major problems with it, he gathered from Kang Zhirong’s nod.

Zhang Dewen chuckled. ”Doctor Du, about your competition with Xiao Guan, it was down to Xiao Guan’s impulsiveness. We have issued a statement using Xiao Guan’s online account.

”However, the discussion about you hasn’t stopped. Our hospital’s Chinese Medicine Department has invited you. Can you participate in this exchange, Doctor Du?”

As expected, older people are shrewder, Du Heng thought. Such a large hospital wouldn’t issue an apology statement for an individual. Instead, they preserved their reputation using their own methods while also saving face for me.

Moreover, as the invitation was announced, it invisibly elevated my industry status. This acknowledges my level and serves as a recompense, he mused.

Du Heng chuckled lightly. ”Having a discussion with Sir Zhang is another opportunity for me to improve. This is something I am eager for; how could I refuse?”

This outcome works for everyone, Du Heng thought, very satisfied. Although my conflict was with Guan Bo, it actually involved Zhang Dewen and the hospital. Without those two, Guan Bo’s challenge would never have been approved by the hospital, nor could he have found volunteers in just one day. Therefore, when up against Zhang Dewen and Luqi Hospital, this is the best possible outcome. I’ve gained face and decent benefits. Plus, through the subsequent exchanges, I might even reap some more advantages. Why not? Backing off when the situation is favorable is the best choice. He wouldn’t stubbornly insist on a public apology just for show, gaining maximum face but no tangible benefits. That kind of thing was out of the question.

Upon hearing Du Heng’s response, the smile on Zhang Dewen’s face grew even wider. ”Have you finished your examinations here, Doctor Du?”

”I have finished.”

”How do you feel?”

”This final case of somnambulism is very interesting,” Du Heng laughed.

Zhang Dewen was slightly taken aback but quickly understood Du Heng’s meaning. So, the previous cases didn’t interest him, he realized. This piqued Zhang Dewen’s interest again. For these ten cases, I even provided off-field guidance to Guan Bo. I knew they were a bit challenging; I myself had a hard time with them and was somewhat uncertain, especially this last one, somnambulism, which I was most unsure about.

”Has Doctor Du already made diagnoses for all of them?”

Wang Qingpeng on the side quickly said, ”Doctor Du has made diagnoses for all ten volunteers. I have taken brief notes. Now, we are just waiting to go back and write up the corresponding prescriptions.”

”Since you have finished, let’s go back together to discuss and study these cases, so we can learn from Doctor Du’s understanding of these diseases and broaden our own knowledge.”

Zhang Dewen joked light-heartedly and then led the group back to his office.

Wang Qingpeng’s notes were brief. However, for the others present, it was not a problem to understand them in conjunction with the patients’ disease records. Apart from Kang Zhirong, the least experienced among them was an attending physician of traditional Chinese medicine. Moreover, with the explanations by Du Heng and Wang Qingpeng, understanding them was even less of a problem.