This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

After Cao Binghe had said all that, had he persuaded Kang Zhirong?

Of course not!

Kang Zhirong quickly followed with another question, ”Doesn’t modern medicine deserve any credit here?”

Cao Binghe did not dodge this question; instead, he replied very succinctly, ”Yes, certainly. The contributions of modern medicine cannot be denied. However, there are two points that must be clarified. The lower average lifespan in ancient China had two main reasons.

First, women in ancient times married very early, often at fourteen. In some dynasties, they could even marry at eleven. If a woman wasn’t married by sixteen, she would be gossiped about. Consequently, these women also began childbearing at a relatively young age. This early childbearing led to a higher incidence of difficult labor and infant mortality, which further lowered the average lifespan. Working at the Municipal Maternal and Child Health Hospital, you should understand this quite well.”

Cao Binghe’s emotions gradually stabilized, but his tone remained firm and steady. ”Even in such a social environment, the population in ancient times—barring war and famine—consistently remained above one hundred million. Is that not a credit to traditional Chinese medicine?”

Kang Zhirong thought for a moment, then slowly nodded. ”Yes.”

Cao Binghe finally chuckled. ”The arrival of the new era changed this harmful custom, reducing early deaths among young women and infant mortality. Isn’t this what improved the average lifespan of modern people?

The second point is the advancement in productivity and the invention of labor tools. In the old era, all labor production relied mainly on human and animal power. Engaging in high-intensity labor inevitably sapped a person’s vitality and shortened their lifespan. Now, with various labor tools and significantly increased productivity, human labor has been liberated, allowing people to rest, recuperate, and thus prolong their lives.”

This time, Kang Zhirong did not rebut but instead nodded in agreement again, which made Cao Binghe even more satisfied.

”So, while modern medicine deserves credit for the increase in modern lifespans, it’s not the most important or decisive factor. The greatest contribution of modern medicine is alleviating, or even resolving, the suffering caused by diseases, freeing people from the torment and discomfort of illness itself. It also allows people to die with a clear understanding of their condition.”

Cao Binghe’s face was resolute as he slowly said, ”However, these achievements cannot erase the contributions of traditional Chinese medicine to society. Therefore, those who are anti-Chinese medicine and defame it are either wicked or foolish.”

Kang Zhirong once again echoed Cao Binghe’s words, ”That’s right. Although some have indeed been harmed by certain incompetent TCM practitioners, I believe many more are driven by self-interest. I suspect a significant portion of them have definitely accepted foreign...”

”Xiao Kang, go out and ask the waiter for a pot of hot water,” Du Heng suddenly interrupted, cutting off what Kang Zhirong was about to say.

Kang Zhirong was slightly taken aback at first, but when he saw Du Heng’s expression, he immediately understood, got up, and walked out.

Lan Changhua merely chuckled lightly at this. ”Alright, let’s put the debate aside for now. Let’s return to our previous topic. Regardless of whether these people are foolish or wicked, their actions against traditional Chinese medicine will not change. And their opposition to traditional Chinese medicine isn’t just about chanting slogans; they’re definitely going to stir up trouble.”

With that, Lan Changhua turned to Du Heng with an intriguing look and asked with a smile, ”What do you think? How are they going to stir up trouble?”

Du Heng was suddenly taken aback. The issue of anti-Chinese medicine infuriated him, but he’d never considered how these people would actually go about opposing it. Could their opposition to traditional Chinese medicine just involve holding a meeting, having a meal together, and then posting a couple of photos?

Lan Changhua’s words made him pause. After thinking for a while, he hesitantly said, ”Are they going to attack me?”

”They will definitely cause you trouble,” Lan Changhua said very firmly. ”The purpose of their meeting is, first, to announce to society that people are working on this. Second, to determine a direction for their opposition. Third, to find a breakthrough point.”

As he spoke, Lan Changhua gently pointed a finger at Du Heng. ”Before this, you were the most suitable candidate.”

”Why?” Du Heng didn’t quite understand why Lan Changhua would say that.

”The reason is actually very simple. You’re famous enough—an internet celebrity with tens of millions of online fans. If they can bring you down, the impact will be explosive.”

Du Heng incredulously scratched his head. He had forsaken the readily available benefits of tens of millions of fans, nor had these fans attracted enough pathogens for him. Was this a case of ending up with all the trouble and none of the benefits?

Seeing Du Heng frown, Lan Changhua explained, ”Don’t be so quick to dismiss it. Once I explain my reasons, you’ll see if it’s true.

First, you previously hadn’t joined any associations, meaning an attack on you alone wouldn’t provoke a large-scale counterattack.

Second, your current platform is too small and lacks influence. Even if they attack you, your platform can’t offer any significant support.

Finally, in this era where GDP is paramount, your province, having the lowest GDP, wields little influence in its words and actions. Consequently, any support from your superior department or leaders would be negligible.”