Time Travel: The Best Doctor in Ancient Times

Chapter 60: Chapter 32 The Old Woman Sells Squares_2

Old Lady Lau, upon hearing his words, recalled how Doctor Hu had always been stingy and skeptical. She asked doubtfully, “Really?”

“Of course, when have I, Hu Yihai, ever deceived anyone?” Hu Yihai patted his chest to assure her.

After a moment of consideration, Old Lady Lau hesitantly extended her hand, holding a prescription she was about to hand over to Hu Yihai.

The people nearby, seeing this, became displeased, thinking to themselves that it was just free medicine preparation, which they could do as well!

So, those who were closest, with sharp eyes and quick hands, intercepted Old Lady Lau’s outstretched hand, and said eagerly, “Old Lady Lau, think it over. Our medical halls can also prepare your medicine for free. Take your prescription and come with us. From now on, we’ll handle whatever medicine you need.”

Having said that, they sought the support of the crowd. One individual didn’t dare to oppose Chief Hu by himself, but the power of a crowd was hard to resist. Regardless of whether Lady Changsheng could practice medicine and treat diseases, they certainly wanted to see that prescription.

Sure enough, the crowd unanimously nodded in agreement.

With a large group of people pulling and tugging on the street, they naturally attracted groups of passersby to stop and watch.

Gu Changsheng, clutching his belly, leaned on the door panel, laughing so hard that his eyes disappeared. Oh my, this bunch of fools were really impatient. Presumably, having someone parade outside all day had gotten them anxious. Finally, there was a chance to enter, and it attracted them all.

This gathering of doctors was like a live advertisement!

The people around found the situation entertaining, while Gu Changsheng and his companions were engrossed in watching from the door panel.

Old Lady Lau, holding the prescription in her trembling hands, shook it a bit and looked around at everyone before she stammered out, “Lady… Lady Changsheng… said, this prescription… is based on the medical book left by her grandfather; you all… can see it…”

Upon finishing, she unfolded the prescription, with the side bearing the writing facing everyone, for them to examine.

The crowd immediately sprung into action, jostling and jockeying for position, each person eagerly trying to get a glimpse of the moving prescription.

The scene was like someone holding out a bone with a pack of drooling dogs behind them, Gu Changsheng thought, amused by his analogy. Then, pointing outside the door, he said to the three people beside him with great enthusiasm, “Look at that. Don’t they just resemble dogs that have seen a bone, or cats that have smelled fish?”

The people glanced at Lady Changsheng, who was laughing undignifiedly, and, unable to bear the sight, turned back to peer through the doorway.

You know, it did indeed resemble the picture she had painted quite fittingly!

“This is a well-formulated prescription. I have previously treated Old Lady Lau for her condition; she indeed suffers from chronic cold-induced leg pain.” Elder Xu, standing outside the crowd, stroked his long beard, having memorized the prescription with just a glance—an easy task for doctors who dealt with medicinal herbs every day.

“Indeed, this is the very prescription needed to treat chronic cold-induced leg pain!” exclaimed a doctor well-versed in treating this ailment, “The use of Angelica sinensis here is truly exquisite. Having the effect of enriching and regulating blood, in this prescription, it perfectly balances the strong properties of the other herbs without losing efficacy. Excellent formula! Excellent formula! Indeed, it reflects Elder Gu’s consistent approach of gentle nourishment and conditioning!”

“Although I’m not skilled at treating this condition, I also find the medication to be extremely mild, undoubtedly a good remedy for the illness,” added another doctor as he rapidly nodded in agreement.

It was indeed one of Elder Gu’s formulations; they had not misjudged.

The group of doctors outside busily discussed the prescription and deliberated on its medicinal properties.

Another group of onlookers pointed at the group of doctors, clueless about the discussion.

Gu Changsheng, leaning on the door panel, pointed and laughed at the crowd outside, his face alight with a mischievous grin.

After a while, Old Lady Lau looked back at the firmly shut door of the medical hall and then, with trembling hands, held up another piece of paper, “I have… another prescription here…”

The doctors paused their discussions and turned to Old Lady Lau with puzzled looks.

She continued even more hesitantly, with her head bowed, “This was prescribed to me by Lady Changsheng. My family is poor, we have no silver for medical treatment or medicine, no silver for food… if you… if you want to see it, then… then give me… give me some silver…”

The doctors were unimpressed; they were only interested in Elder Gu’s prescriptions. As for Lady Changsheng, what could a green girl possibly have to offer that was worth anyone’s silver? To think she dared ask for money, even seemingly valuing her prescription more highly than Elder Gu’s?

Seeing the lack of interest from the crowd, Old Lady Lau hurriedly conveyed what Gu Changsheng had taught her, “Lady Changsheng said, the prescription you viewed was based on what her grandfather taught; it’s specifically for poor people like me, who have no silver. It’s a good prescription too but avoids using several expensive herbs. Lady Changsheng modified the prescription. This paper contains two prescriptions, one for the wealthy and one for the poor.”

Gu Changsheng nodded from her position on the door panel, relieved that Old Lady Lau had managed to relay the message correctly. She had been concerned that the old woman might deviate from the script.

In his lifetime, Elder Gu often treated the poor, although he proposed different prescriptions for rich and poor. Yet, he didn’t record much about the medicine used for the wealthy. Now she, following Elder Gu’s intentions, had completed the prescription. Damn it, wasn’t she brilliant?

The doctors instantly erupted into noisy debate.

“One prescription for the wealthy, another for the poor?” One doctor shook his head in disbelief, “With the same herbs available, how could there be a different prescription?”

“Exactly, Old Lady Lau, you wouldn’t have gone mad with poverty, trying to fool us for some silver, would you?” another displeased doctor remarked.

“I wasn’t aware that providing treatment and medicine had to differentiate between the poor and the wealthy. Didn’t the lady say that the Great Doctor of the Masses treats illnesses without regard to social status?” a young doctor inquired, scratching his head. He had been quite impressed by Lady Changsheng’s speech on The Great Healer’s Way, but now it seemed they were judging based on one’s status?

The debate continued unabated, with conflicting opinions and a cacophony of voices.

Old Lady Lau looked from one person to another, growing anxious. She raised the prescription in her hand high and mustered all her strength to shout, “Do you want to see it or not? If you want to see it, hurry up with the money. My little grandson is still waiting for me to come home and cook!”