This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

”Internal medicine doctors look down on you orthopedists, calling you carpenters whose work lacks technical skill, but you shouldn’t belittle yourselves. When has orthopedics not been a comprehensive discipline?”

Du Heng’s words struck a nerve with many people present, as they all fell within the scope of his criticism.

However, no one could really refute him.

Jin Zan’s bald head beaded with a little sweat. Looking at Du Heng, who was busy working, he said helplessly, ”Why are you like this? I was talking about your bone setting, not us.”

”So, bone setting isn’t orthopedics?” Du Heng grew even more annoyed. ”Does that mean only surgery with steel plates is orthopedics, and our bone setting doesn’t count? Am I dealing with modeling clay instead of bones, then? Besides, bone setting is a discipline within traditional Chinese medicine. It’s not magic, nor is it some esoteric art. It’s not as if I can just press a spot and have my force penetrate the muscles to directly set the bone.”

Jin Zan, thoroughly rebuked by his good friend, said awkwardly, ”Well, I just didn’t understand.”

”Not understanding doesn’t give you the right to talk nonsense,” Du Heng retorted mercilessly. ”You claim to be from Traditional Chinese Medicine Orthopedics, yet you don’t even know bone setting. How can you dare call yourself a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine Orthopedics?”

This remark didn’t particularly faze the others present, as they weren’t trained in traditional Chinese medicine. It made sense, though; how many traditional Chinese medicine practitioners would you find in a department specializing in spinal surgery? Thus, among everyone there, only Jin Zan was nominally affiliated with Traditional Chinese Medicine Orthopedics—and it was truly ’nominally’ only. Their surgical methods and techniques aside, even their medications were primarily Western medicine. During treatment, they might use things like electrotherapy and fumigation therapy, and apply some plasters of dubious efficacy. Regardless, as long as these methods were employed, they were considered part of Traditional Chinese Medicine Orthopedics. Who could argue? Only they themselves knew if that was truly the case.

Just as the atmosphere grew awkward, the nurse entered with the packaged medicine. Glancing at the silent crowd, she sensed something was amiss and quickly said, ”Doctor Jin, the medicine you prescribed has arrived.”

Jin Zan looked visibly relieved. ”Great, great, perfect timing!” he exclaimed.

He hurriedly took the medicine from the nurse and turned to Du Heng. ”Old Du, what now?”

Du Heng glanced at Jin Zan, thinking he might have flustered the man with his earlier harsh words. ”What now? Of course, have the patient drink it immediately.”

”Right, right! Drink the medicine, drink the medicine!”

Jin Zan gave an awkward smile and hurriedly began to tear open the medicine bag.

Du Heng glanced back, his hands never ceasing their work. ”Has the acupuncture Teacher you mentioned arrived yet?”

Jin Zan also looked back. ”Not yet. Don’t worry, it’ll take some time for the medicine to take effect. I’ll call him now.”

Jin Zan handed the medicine bag to the patient’s husband and then took out his mobile phone. But just as he dialed, a voice came from the doorway, ”No need to call, no need to call! I’m here!”

Everyone turned to see a thin, elderly man enter, waving a mobile phone in his hand.

”Little Jin, don’t call, I’m here,” the old man said, pocketing his phone. ”Little Jin, which one is Doctor Du Heng?”

The elderly man smiled as he scanned the faces in the room, his gaze finally settling on Du Heng.

Jin Zan quickly stepped forward. ”Director Yan, this is Du Heng.” Then, turning to Du Heng, he said, ”Old Du, this is the treasure of our Acupuncture Department, Director Yan Zhanren.”

Du Heng was about to stand up and greet the elderly man, but Director Yan gently pressed his shoulder down. Smiling, he observed Du Heng’s hands and said, ”No need to get up; continue your work. Are you performing soft tissue release for the patient?”

Du Heng glanced back at Jin Zan, then nodded with a smile. ”Yes, the patient’s arm is extremely swollen. Without performing soft tissue release to disperse the blood stasis, setting the bone would be too difficult, and the patient would endure too much pain.”

The old man nodded in understanding. ”The patient’s condition is indeed special. Anesthetic cannot be used, and we also have to consider the risk to the pregnancy if she becomes too tense. Meticulous care is certainly required.”

As he spoke, he looked at Du Heng and smiled. ”How many incense sticks did Li Jianwei burn to be lucky enough to take you as his disciple?”

It wasn’t surprising that Director Yan knew Li Jianwei, but Du Heng was slightly taken aback by the familiar way he spoke of him.

”Director Yan, you know my Teacher?”

”Of course, we’ve known each other for nearly thirty years,” Director Yan chuckled. ”Although we don’t work in the same hospital, we taught at the same school. That kid, Li Jianwei, might not be the best at treating patients, but he’s an excellent teacher. Anyway, the students he’s trained are all more skilled than he is.”

The corner of the old man’s mouth quirked. ”Back in March of this year, I heard you used guasha to treat a girl whose frostbitten foot was facing amputation. Your Teacher was bragging to everyone he met, saying he’d taken on an incredible student. He went on and on about your accurate diagnosis, your bold yet careful approach to medication, and your skills in acupuncture and guasha—he sang your praises endlessly. My ears practically grew calluses from hearing him go on about it! I’ve long wanted to meet this outstanding young man myself.”

Du Heng had never expected Li Jianwei to praise him so highly. Hearing Director Yan repeat those praises now made Du Heng feel a bit embarrassed.

”Alright then,” Director Yan said, looking at the patient who was now drowsy, his own expression becoming much more serious. ”For today, you direct me. Tell me where to insert the needles and how deep.”

”I wouldn’t dare presume. I’ll still need your guidance, Teacher Yan,” Du Heng replied respectfully.