Chapter 4, Bashan Medical House

Becoming an apprentice in a pharmacy differs from learning other crafts, as there are distinctions between studying "Confucian medicine" and "business." If one chooses to study Confucian medicine, it is essential to first read the Confucian classics such as the "Four Books" and "Five Classics" for several years to establish a solid cultural foundation. Under the guidance of a teacher, one then studies medical texts, ensuring a strong foundation for solid learning. As the saying goes, "A scholar studying medicine is like catching chickens in a cage," which illustrates this principle. Subsequently, one assists the teacher in consultations, learning how to diagnose illnesses, prescribe remedies, and dispense medicine. After practical experience, if one wishes to graduate and open their own practice, it requires at least ten to eight years of diligent effort. If entering a pharmacy is merely viewed as a business to learn, it is much simpler, but one must still grasp a certain level of medical knowledge. "The master leads you to the door, but the learning is up to the individual," relying on one's own understanding.

Until the afternoon, Mo Can had only gathered a few herbs such as Angelica, Bupleurum, and Burdock, totaling less than twenty or thirty plants, while the apprentices of Xinglin Hall had mostly filled more than half of their medicine baskets

The three of them left Xinglin Hall in disappointment, realizing that their pursuit of a medical career had failed, and it seemed they could only go to the blacksmith alley in the northern part of the city to learn some minor skills

"What?" Su Niang asked in confusion

The southwest gate of Dali City is a wealthy area, which includes the Dali Prefectural Government, the Military Preparations Office, the Dali Examination Hall, and the Civil and Military Temple, all located in this vicinity. In contrast, ordinary residences, various artisans, and small vendors are concentrated near the northeast gate

The old Mo couple was overjoyed upon hearing the news, repeatedly expressing their gratitude

Shabashan nodded in agreement

"Are you here for a consultation?" A long-robed elder emerged from behind the counter, his face lined with wrinkles, his eyes bleary, and a tuft of goatee on his chin. When he spoke, his uneven yellow teeth were visible.

Mo Can sat by a clear stream, filling his stomach with dry rations and drinking the stream water. The apprentices from Xinglin Hall often went up the mountain to gather herbs, but they were naturally not as skilled as he was. However, having been born into a family of hunters, he was accustomed to the hunting stories told by the adults in the village since childhood, so he thought it would be better to catch something to take back.

When the simple girl came to the city to sell vegetables, she often brought some fresh produce along, and took a glance at Mo Can. Seeing that her son was getting along well with Xia Bashan, she felt reassured.

The business of a pharmacy is generally divided into selection, winnowing, drying, cutting, pounding, and hanging in bundles

All purchased Chinese herbal medicines require further processing. Impurities must be removed, dust and small debris should be sifted out, and those that do not require sun exposure should be air-dried and shade-dried. In addition, most pharmacies prepare medicines according to the "formulation" method. Specifically, the whole herbs are first crushed using a medicinal knife and a foot-operated iron mill, then formed into water pills or honey pills, and finally, the honey pills are sealed tightly with wax paper, referred to as wax paper sealing.

Across from "Xinglin Hall," at the street corner, there is an inconspicuous little shop. The mottled blue brick walls and the roof are overgrown with a few clusters of weeds. Under the eaves, an iron ring is connected to a wooden fish-shaped medicine sign. A dirty little plaque hangs above the door, inscribed with the words "Bashan Medical House"

Mo Can carried a medicine basket, brought some dry rations, and quietly followed behind the medicinal herb gathering team of Xinglin Hall, holding a small herb hoe.

During the Qing Dynasty, the handicraft industry in Dali was quite prosperous, with numerous shops lining the streets, including Iron Street, Copper Street, Gold Leaf Street, Sheep Butchering Alley, Chicken Selling Alley, Fish Market Entrance, Bamboo and Wood Dali Stone, and various other types of shops. Many children from impoverished families went there to work and learn skills, gradually becoming masters over time, which ensured their livelihoods.

The Cangshan Mountains span a radius of one hundred miles, hosting a multitude of medicinal herbs such as Angelica sinensis, Bupleurum, Aconitum, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Scutellaria baicalensis, Arisaema, Pinellia ternata, as well as Rhodiola rosea and saffron. Occasionally, hunters may also catch musk deer, clouded leopards, or black bears. The prices for musk, leopard bones, and bear bile sold in the city are exceedingly high, only large establishments like Xinglin Tang can afford to purchase them, a thought that the Shaba Mountain area cannot even entertain.

"Alright." Su Niang looked at Mo Can with a bitter smile and helped the old Mo walk over.

In the nearby cool and damp thicket, a faint rustling sound was heard. Clear five-toed footprints were left on the muddy ground by the water, with the third toe in the middle being particularly long. Mo Can knew that these belonged to a pangolin, whose scales can be used for medicinal purposes and are quite expensive. Pangolins move slowly and generally only come out at night to forage for termites; it is rare to see them leaving their burrows during the day, mostly just to relieve themselves. This creature is clean and would never dirty its own nest.

Taking advantage of his good mood, Mo Can suggested that they go up the mountain more often to gather herbs to compensate for the shortage of medicinal materials in the shop. Xia Bashan thought this was a good idea and readily agreed.

In the morning, Mo Can saw more than ten apprentices gathered in front of the Xinglin Hall across the street. The older ones were in their early twenties, while the younger ones were about the same age as him, all carrying medicine baskets, seemingly preparing to go up the mountain to gather herbs

"What deposit is needed?" the old man raised his beard and said indignantly, "Those so-called famous doctors across the street only ask for money to recruit apprentices. I only care about character and do not require a deposit."

"Hmm, the body is quite sturdy, it can be tried." The old man's gaze fell upon Mo Can.

At Xiabashan, they caught a pangolin, and he repeatedly praised, "The people from Bashan Medical House are indeed superior to those from Xinglin Hall; I did not make a mistake in my judgment." Immediately, they slaughtered it and stewed a full pot of meat, while the scales were hung up to dry for medicinal use

"Sir, there are not many herbs left in the store, and I would like to accompany you to gather some more," Mo Can pointed towards Mount Shaba and said.

Mo Can returned to his room and continued to practice the abdominal reverse breathing technique as described in the book. For some time now, he had felt a significant increase in his lung capacity, and today he did not feel tired while climbing the mountain. However, he still spoke unclearly when he closed his mouth, indicating that he had not yet reached the right level of proficiency

He climbed upstream along the stream, while attentively listening to the sounds in the grass by the bank, and soon made a discovery

"Mother, the one across the street is also a medical clinic," Mo Can pointed to that small shop.

"Sir, do you accept apprentices here?" Su Niang asked cautiously

In the following six months, whenever the weather was good, Mo Can would go to gather herbs, starting on the north slope and gradually venturing further over the mountain pass to the west slope. The west slope around Cangshan has the most medicinal herbs, but the mountains are high and the roads treacherous, with cliffs and many poisonous insects and fierce beasts, making it a place rarely visited by people. Sometimes, Mo Can would be gone for two or three days, but each time he returned, he came back fully loaded, bringing back a considerable amount of precious Cangshan fritillary, Gastrodia elata, snow lotus, as well as cordyceps and saffron. The medicine cabinet in Xiaba Mountain gradually filled up, and the business at the Bashan Medical House also began to improve.

Do you think this child is capable

"Apprentice?" The old man was momentarily taken aback, sizing up the other person, and then slowly said, "I could use an extra pair of hands in my shop"

Every evening at dinner time, after a drink, Xiabashan would invariably start complaining, repeatedly blaming the Xinglin Hall for stealing his business. As the wine flowed and he became more tipsy, he would begin recounting tales of his youthful adventures in the world and some extraordinary stories from the realm of folk medicine, which Mo Can listened to with great interest

Sigh, Mother does not have that much deposit. " Su Niang sighed

Yes, the maiden replied cautiously

The medical hall is located on West Gulou Street, featuring a朱红色大门 (vermilion gate), with a horizontal plaque reading "Xinglin Hall" embedded under the eaves. It is said that the proprietor is named Zhao Hongru, over fifty years old, hailing from a family of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, renowned for his exceptional medical skills, and referred to as "the foremost Confucian physician of western Yunnan"

In the evening, Shabashan, with a flushed face from drinking, picked up a rosy piece of meat and casually hummed a tune: "Pangolin, Wang Buliu, the woman eats and the milk flows, oh dear."

"Is this child here for the apprentice interview?" The accountant behind the counter glanced at Old Mo and asked Su Niang.

Early the next morning, Mo Can entered the city with a burden on his back. The old Mo couple accompanied him all the way to the village entrance. Su Niang, gazing at the child's receding figure, could not help but shed tears.

In the Bashan Medical House, there were only the two of them. Each day, apart from attending to Xia Bashan's daily needs, serving tea, handling the night pot, and performing various chores such as washing vegetables, cooking, and washing dishes, they spent the remaining time learning the business of the pharmacy

Since becoming an apprentice at the pharmacy, Mo Can has gained some understanding of traditional Chinese herbs, but this is his first time going up the mountain to gather medicine. Usually, he stays close to the medical quarters, so being able to go outside for some fresh air greatly lifts his spirits

"Is a deposit required?" Su Niang asked hesitantly

From this day forward, Mo Can officially began his apprenticeship.

The person scrutinized Mo Can carefully, then nodded and said: "Did you bring the deposit?"

All apprentices are required to pay a deposit of twenty taels of silver, as this is the established practice

Mo Can jumped over and picked it up, weighing at least five or six pounds; it was an adult male pangolin. After placing it in the medicine basket, Mo Can happily descended the mountain, while the pangolin remained curled up and motionless throughout the bumpy ride

The Mo family of three entered the city through the South Gate, carrying a bamboo basket. The shops on both sides of the street were lined up in succession, and the flow of people was bustling and lively, creating a very vibrant atmosphere

Do not be cruel

As they entered the highland shrubbery, the herbs began to increase gradually. The apprentices of Xinglin Hall spread out in all directions to search, and Mo Can blended in among them, unnoticed by anyone

Old Mo leaned on his wooden stick, gazing blindly across, and softly said: "Damn it, let's go take a look; perhaps the deposit required over there is less."

Upon hearing this, the simple girl was taken aback; even if she were to refrain from eating and drinking and sell vegetables for an entire year, she would not be able to save up twenty taels of silver

Mo Can is meticulous and efficient when it comes to work, quickly getting the hang of things, and Xia Bashan is very satisfied

In the city, most pharmacies consist of a front hall and a consultation room at the back. Patients first enter the inner consultation room for diagnosis, and after the prescription is written, they take it outside to settle the payment and collect the medicine

Hanging above the main hall is a portrait of the renowned Eastern Han physician Zhang Zhongjing, with couplets inscribed: "Saint among physicians, Ancestor among prescriptions." The walls on both sides are filled with wooden cabinets and medicine containers, housing a vast array of rare medicinal materials, making it the largest medical hall in Dali City

I, Old Man Shabashan, own this medical establishment. What is the name of this child?

That evening, Su Niang cooked several dishes, and Lao Mo had a few sips of liquor. Mo Can was studying medicine in the city, and the whole family was very happy. Su Niang repeatedly advised Mo Can to listen to the shopkeeper's words wherever he went, to study diligently, and that in the future, he would become a doctor, and life would no longer be a worry.

He stealthily tracked the creature, and the dark brown pangolin seemed to sense danger. Just as it was about to burrow into a hole, Mo Can quickly grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it. The pangolin, under attack, immediately curled up, using its hard scales to defend against the enemy

***

In his early years, Xia Bashan was a wandering physician in the jianghu. Later, due to a medical mishap that resulted in a patient's death, he was pursued by enemies and had no choice but to flee to Dali Ancient City in western Yunnan, where he opened a clinic. Due to his mediocre medical skills, there were few patients seeking his services, resulting in very little income, barely allowing him to make ends meet. Consequently, the clinic not only lacked precious medicinal materials such as ginseng, deer antler, and tiger bone, but even the stock of common and inexpensive herbs was limited.

Someone from the Mo clan mentioned that the largest medical hall in the city, "Xinglin Hall," is recruiting apprentices, and Mo Can can give it a try. The old Mo couple also believes that studying medicine is a good idea; becoming a doctor in the future would at least ensure a worry-free life.

On this day, the old Mo couple took Mo Can to the city to sell vegetables, and at the same time, they brought their son to the medical clinic for an interview

Upon entering, one is greeted by a wall embedded with a shrine, housing a kindly-faced clay sculpture of a thin old man, who holds several medicinal herbs in his hand. On either side are couplets inscribed: "In front of Jiuli Mountain, the dragon seeks medicine; on the Eight Treasures Stone, the tiger seeks elixirs." It was later learned that the old man is none other than the Medicine King, Sun Simiao.

Tell him to come tomorrow. Shabashan readily agreed