This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

Du Heng suddenly turned his head and looked coldly at Director Qian. ”Young man, young man, young man! Did I eat your family’s bread or something, for you to be so fixated on me? I’m here to agree with the seniors. *I* am not capable. So, *you* do it. If you’re so skilled, come on, *you* take a look.” As he spoke, he even stepped back, gesturing with both hands for Director Qian to come forward.

For a moment, the entire room was silent. No one had expected Du Heng’s reaction to be so strong. This time, it wasn’t just a matter of disrespect; it was a direct slap across the face.

But unexpectedly, when Director Qian saw Du Heng’s strong reaction, he didn’t get angry or flustered. ”What’s wrong, young man? Humiliated and enraged? Can’t I even talk about you?”

”Humiliated and enraged? From where did you get that idea?” Du Heng sneered. ”And another thing, you have no right to criticize me. Who do you think you are to talk about me?” Director Qian had provoked Du Heng repeatedly, and Du Heng truly couldn’t stand it anymore. In all his time in Jinzhou, while some people had indeed angered him, this was the first time he had encountered someone so petty, who pursued him relentlessly with such a clear intent to suppress him.

Hearing Du Heng’s words, ”who do you think you are,” Director Qian almost lost his composure. But after taking a deep, steadying breath, and before Director Wu could step in to smooth things over again, he sneered and said, ”Young man, it seems all you’ve got left is a sharp tongue. We asked you here to find a solution, not to agree with someone else’s opinion. If it was just for agreement, there are plenty of young people in the Capital, far more outstanding than you, who could do that.”

Du Heng retorted with an equal sneer, ”And where did you hear that I don’t have a solution? Are you a roundworm in my stomach? How could you possibly know what I haven’t even said yet?”

As soon as Du Heng said this, both Director Wu’s and Cao Binghe’s eyes lit up, and they abruptly forgot about trying to smooth things over. Director Lan also couldn’t help but look at Du Heng, eager to hear what he would say next.

But Director Qian seemed not to understand and continued on his own, ”Young man, don’t be stubborn, and don’t try to put on a brave face. Of everyone present, apart from Xiao Cao who is about your age, the others are much older than you. What’s wrong with them offering you a little guidance? You’re still young, with a long road ahead. There’s no need to be so volatile, like you’re a stick of dynamite ready to explode at the slightest provocation.”

Shit, has he changed his style and approach? Is he planning to attack me using morality and traditional values to elevate himself?

Du Heng remained perfectly still, not even his facial expression changing, only his eyes moved, scanning Director Qian up and down. ”Does being older automatically give you the right to instruct others? Is it your place to lecture me? Besides, while I might need guidance, I certainly don’t need *your* unsolicited advice.”

Cao Binghe looked at Du Heng in surprise. During their three months of contact last year, Du Heng had given him the impression of being a modest and polite person. Today’s unyielding, aggressive state was something he couldn’t associate with Du Heng at all, yet it was happening right before his eyes. But he seemed to have forgotten that Du Heng, for the past year, had been the head of a hospital, a man who held the entire institution firmly in his grasp. In any case, with a year of such experience, his temperament was bound to have changed somewhat. Environment, circumstances, experiences—a year was enough to change many things. Moreover, Du Heng himself was the type who yielded to soft persuasion but not to force. Now that someone was deliberately picking a fight, how could he possibly tolerate it? Not to mention it was Du Heng—strong, young, and a former boss. How could he possibly tolerate such criticism from others, especially from someone not even in his field? That was even more unbearable.

Du Heng’s tough attitude this time truly infuriated Director Qian. He felt that his dignity as an elder, a senior, and an expert had been mercilessly trampled by Du Heng.

However, at the same time, Director Wu and Director Lan both looked anxious and said in unison, ”Director Qian, can you let Doctor Du finish?” One voice was slightly softer, the other slightly firmer. The duet of their voices instantly cooled Director Qian’s temper a bit.

Before Director Qian could speak again, Director Wu looked eagerly at Du Heng. ”Doctor Du, did you just say your diagnosis is the same as everyone else’s?”

Du Heng shifted his gaze from Director Qian to Director Wu. ”Yes, my diagnosis is a weakness of the spleen and kidney causing unfavorable qi transformation, with turbid evils blocking the triple burner. It’s a syndrome of evil reality and positive deficiency, a major block and repulsion disease.”

Upon hearing Du Heng’s diagnosis, Director Wu’s brow furrowed deeply. ”This is basically similar to our diagnosis. But the problem now is that we have tried various treatment approaches, and as you have seen, none of them have worked. Are we using the wrong medication?” Director Wu shook his head. Thinking about his own prescription, and the prescriptions of the seniors, he felt it was impossible. If one person made a mistake, it might be conceivable, but for an entire group to be wrong, that would be preposterous. If they were truly wrong, then the field of traditional Chinese medicine might as well be declared finished.

He didn’t believe it, and Du Heng then affirmed his thought. Du Heng said, ”The prescription is correct, and the method is also correct.”

”Nonsense!” Director Qian couldn’t hold back again. And it wasn’t just him; Director Wu and Cao Binghe also found it hard to restrain themselves. The method is right, the medication is right, yet there’s no effect? Such a treatment process doesn’t exist in this world!

Du Heng instinctively wanted to retort, but this time Director Wu spoke first, ”Doctor Du, I’m a bit confused by what you mean. Can you please explain?”

”The reason is quite simple: Deficiency does not accept supplementation.”

”’Deficiency does not accept supplementation?’” Director Wu’s brow furrowed even tighter. The issue Du Heng mentioned had been repeatedly confirmed during their consultation. And specifically because of this issue, they had already made adjustments to the medication. ”Doctor Du, you’ve just seen the medical records. You should know that the experts invited for the consultation already prescribed the minimum possible doses of medication. That’s precisely why this has dragged on for so long.” Director Wu shook his head and continued, ”Deficiency does not accept supplementation... I’m afraid that doesn’t explain this problem.”

Du Heng wore an expression that said, ’I knew you’d say that.’ ”Director Wu, the problem indeed lies in Professor Lan’s extreme physical weakness. In the early stage of intestinal obstruction, Professor Lan experienced diarrhea like flowing water, and it persisted for several days. This indicates that Professor Lan was dehydrated. Diarrhea itself signifies gastrointestinal exhaustion, and the dehydration further aggravated the kidney water insufficiency. Although he was later rehydrated, and this situation eased, the underlying kidney water insufficiency was never fundamentally treated. Furthermore, during the treatment for diarrhea, the medication used was harsh and potent. While it controlled the diarrhea, it burdened his body, leading to further weakness of the liver and spleen. In this situation, any medication given to Professor Lan, regardless of type or dosage, would actually be a burden. It wouldn’t achieve any therapeutic effect; instead, it would increase the load on his gastrointestinal system. The viscera and various organs simply lack the strength to absorb the medicinal properties. Even if they manage to absorb a little, they lack the power to metabolize and utilize them.”

Saying this, Du Heng lifted the blue folder in his hand. ”And I just reviewed this. In the initial stages of treatment, the medication dosages for Professor Lan were those for a normal person. By the time the issue of ’deficiency does not accept supplementation’ was truly realized, it was already the third or even fourth round of treatment. Under such circumstances, Professor Lan’s body simply couldn’t withstand such aggressive treatment.”

Director Wu understood, but at the same time, another question arose in his mind. He asked eagerly, ”So, if we follow this line of reasoning, does it mean that no medications can be used, regardless of the dosage?”

Du Heng didn’t speak, only nodded gently.

Beside them, Director Lan listened to their exchange, and seeing Du Heng’s final nod, his heart turned cold. He’s sick, the method is correct, but the medicine is useless... this... this... isn’t this just waiting for death?

Director Wu had also started to panic, but then he caught sight of Du Heng’s calm expression, and suddenly, a sliver of hope rekindled in his heart.