Chapter 6, True Medicine
In the realm of the Seven Absolute Meridians, can the "Fish Soaring Meridian" be treated with Gastrodia Elata? The true remedy for the condition of heart qi deficiency, as recorded in the "Essentials of the Absolute Meridians," is indeed Gastrodia Elata.
At this moment, Mo Can had returned to his room, quickly took down the old Tianma from the beam, cut off a few slices with a small knife, and hid them in his hand as he returned to the front hall
Mo Canxin secretly thought to himself, whether the "Essentials of Severing Meridians" is effective will soon be revealed in a few days
"If the Xinglin Hall does not provide treatment, then my father has even less hope..." A middle-aged man said with a sobbing tone. Mo Can recognized that this man was Hu the butcher from Yangxiang Alley.
Xiabashan hurriedly approached the old man to check his pulse. The pulse at the cun, guan, and chi positions was present, neither floating nor sinking, and was gentle yet strong, indicating that he indeed showed no signs of illness. He couldn't help but feel puzzled; after all, it was merely a common ancient remedy for nourishing the heart and qi. Could it truly have such miraculous effects? However, at that moment, he humbly said, "It was just a small effort; treating illnesses and saving lives is the fundamental duty of a physician."
This Xinglin Hall's Zhao Hongru is the most renowned physician in Dali City; if he cannot cure a disease, then it is certainly beyond medical treatment
During dinner, Xiabashan picked up the wine jug and for the first time did not complain about Xinglin Hall.
***
Mo Can was pondering that it was probably due to not using the "real medicine"
From time to time, Mo Can would buy a chicken or a duck. During dinner, he often asked some strange and bizarre questions, and Xia Bashan, having food and drink, did his best to provide answers. Later, when Mo Can expressed a desire to learn how to take pulses, he readily agreed, and whenever a patient came, he would let him try taking the pulse.
Amidst the crowd, there were murmurs of discussion, with one person stating: "If even the foremost Confucian physician of western Yunnan cannot cure it, how can a mere pharmacy owner do so?" The crowd agreed with this sentiment. However, there were dissenting voices, with another person retorting: "One might as well treat a dead horse as if it were alive."
Hu Da, upon hearing this, hurriedly said: "Mr. Xia, Mr. Zhao Hongru from Xinglin Hall has also said the same. I wonder if there is still a chance for salvation at this moment"
Xiabashan helplessly said: "Very well, if the illness cannot be cured, do not blame me. Please follow this old man inside to write a prescription and prepare the medicine"
Behind them, someone carried a fat sheep covered with a red cloth and brought it forward. Hu Da said, "Old Divine Doctor Xia, to express our gratitude for healing my father, we have specially brought this fat sheep as a token of our appreciation"
Xiabashan nodded and said: "Indeed, I am Xiabashan."
"Father, I understand your meaning." The butcher Hu pulled on the reins of the horse, called for everyone to clear the way, and led the cart to the front of the Bashan Medical Hall. He asked the elder doctor Xia Bashan, who was peering out at the door, "Are you the elder doctor Xia?"
Thank you, thank you. A glimmer of hope reignited in Hu Da's eyes
Shabashan stood at the door, looking at these people with confusion
"What? It's healed..." Xia Bashan was astonished upon hearing this. What is going on? That is the Seven Absolute Pulse.
"Mo Can, prepare the medicine." Xia Bashan is calling him
The elderly man on the cart stared intently at Mount Shaba, his gaze filled with anticipation
"Gastrodia elata, parrot beak and navel, dotted ring pattern toad skin, pacify the liver, extinguish wind, and stop dizziness." Mo Can murmured softly.
At this moment, Mo Can stood silently by the side, his hands and feet cold. He finally realized that "Jue Mai Yao Lue" was real, and that "true medicine" could indeed cure the world's incurable diseases
Hu Da left with hope, carrying the medicine bag, while the onlookers outside the pharmacy gradually dispersed
"Hehe, I cannot refuse such kindness, I cannot refuse such kindness. Have them carry it into the kitchen," said Xiabashan happily.
"Divine Doctor of Summer, my father's terminal illness has been cured by you." Hu Da expressed his joy with a deep bow.
Sir, what illnesses require the use of Gastrodia elata?
Xiabashan shook his head: "Your father is gravely ill, and at this moment, it is too late."
The "Essential Points of the Vital Path" records the regions where forty-nine types of genuine medicinal herbs are produced, most of which are located in remote and rugged mountains, dense forests, and marshy areas with scarce human population. These places are rife with venomous insects and fierce beasts, and if one were to rashly venture in, it would surely be a one-way trip.
At this moment, the elderly man lying on the stretcher had a look of urgency in his eyes
Mo Can is in the pharmacy preparing medicine for patients, well-versed in the compatibility principles of "monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy." Among them, the main medicine is called "monarch medicine," while the other auxiliary medicines are referred to as "minister" and "assistant," which together form a comprehensive therapeutic effect
Zhao Hongru, known as the "First Confucian Physician of Western Yunnan" from Xinglin Hall, upon hearing of this matter, made efforts to obtain the prescription. After reviewing it, he was even more perplexed, as he could never understand how a common Tianma Decoction from the Ming Dynasty formula by Fang Xian, titled "Remarkable Efficacy Good Prescriptions," could cure the incurable condition known as heart cessation.
The butcher lowered his head and looked at the old man, continuously stamping his feet and shedding tears
I am Hu Da, a butcher from Tu Yang Alley, and I would like to ask you to take a look at my father's illness
Indeed, the medical ethics of that Xinglin Hall are quite poor. People began to discuss among themselves
Hu Da, upon seeing this, fell to his knees on the street with a thud and pleaded, "Please, save my father"
"Old Master Xia, I have specially prepared a small gift today to come and express my gratitude." A person stepped out from the crowd and said with a smile.
In the evening, Mo Canyi lay on the bed, taking out the book "The Art of Mushi's Ventroloquism" and opening it. Indeed, in the areas smeared with chicken blood, dense fluorescent small characters appeared. As she read line by line, the book not only detailed the pulse manifestations of the Seven Absolute Pulses but also provided methods for treatment, which required the use of "true medicine." What is "true medicine"? The book states that there are a total of forty-nine types of true medicine in the world, with medicinal properties categorized into the five flavors of pungent, sour, salty, bitter, and sweet. True medicine serves as the "monarch medicine," complemented by two categories of ordinary medicines known as "minister" and "left envoy," which can cure the corresponding symptoms of the Seven Absolute Pulses.
The text appears to be incomplete or consists solely of symbols. Please provide a complete sentence or phrase for translation.
Mo Can took advantage of this opportunity to secretly reach out and grasp the old man's wrist, silently noting the pulse of the fish soaring vein in his heart.
Mr. Zhao said, your father is at the end of the Seven Absolute Meridians, his vital energy has been completely depleted, and it is difficult for him to survive until tomorrow. Alas, it would be better to return home and hastily prepare for the funeral affairs
This, then, indicates that there are distinctions in human character, as well as differences in medical skills. I have always held a certain disdain for the Xinglin Hall. Xia Bashan can finally vent his private grievances, feeling greatly pleased.
After several days, there are very few pieces of the old Tianma left, and for convenience, they have all been sliced thin. "True medicine" is rare and hard to come by; after such a long time, only this one piece has been collected. What should be done in the future
Five qian of Gastrodia elata, one fen each of Notopterygium incisum, ginseng, cinnamon heart, Atractylodes macrocephala, ephedra, and apricot kernel, along with one piece of Aconitum carmichaelii. First, prepare three doses of the medicine, decoct in water for oral administration. If there is improvement, continue with the medicine.
In a traditional pharmacy, there are generally over a hundred drawers for storing medicinal herbs, known as "yaodou". Each drawer is divided into three compartments, each containing different types of Chinese herbal pieces. The names of the herbs are labeled on the outside of the drawers, and apprentices must memorize the names of hundreds of herbs in order from right to left, and from top to bottom within each drawer, ensuring that the sequence is not disrupted. Once they have memorized the names, they can easily locate the herbs by looking at the prescription without having to search randomly with a scale.
Xiabashan focused his gaze and realized that it was indeed the old man, Yuxiangmai, from the carriage three days ago. Now, his complexion was rosy and his voice was loud, completely unlike a terminally ill patient
"Hmm, not bad," came the approving voice of Xiabashan from behind.
Is it the small pharmacy across the street? Hu the butcher asked
Three days later, the sound of drums and music suddenly echoed through the streets. Mo Can rushed out to see what was happening and noticed a group of people playing instruments as they made their way towards the Bashan Medical Hall, with the butcher Hu Da leading the procession.
He realized through this matter that since all diseases in the world ultimately stem from the seven vital organs: heart, liver, spleen, stomach, lungs, kidneys, and large intestine, he only needed to find the seven types of "true medicines" in the "Essentials of Pulse Diagnosis" to cure them all. As for common ailments, there are plenty of doctors in the world, so he deemed it unnecessary to spend time learning about them himself
The news that Hu Da, the butcher's father, had been cured of a terminal heart disease that even the "First Confucian Physician of Western Yunnan" could not treat, spread rapidly and soon reached every corner of Dali City. Patients seeking medical attention came in an endless stream, including critically ill patients with severe conditions, all of whom were cured without exception. The reputation of Bashan Medical House soared, attracting doctors from Sichuan and Guizhou who came to learn from it.
"Why not go to the doctor next door, perhaps he has a cure?" A voice of an elderly person suggested from the crowd, which was actually Mo Can secretly mimicking the old man's tone using ventriloquism. Although it was only eighty percent similar, no one noticed.
Generally speaking, for conditions such as dizziness, blackouts, convulsions, rheumatic pain, and hemiplegia, Tianma can be used as the primary medicine. This medicine has a sweet taste, a neutral nature, and enters the liver meridian
"Old Master Xia, you are truly a divine physician..." Hu shouted from a distance.
Hu Daba waved his hand and retorted in a coarse voice: "That is not necessarily the case. Zhao Hongru of Xinglintang, who falsely claims to be the 'First Confucian Doctor of Western Yunnan,' actually stood by and did nothing in the face of death. Compared to your esteemed medical ethics, he is simply in a different realm altogether.
A crowd had gathered in front of the Xinglin Hall, seemingly discussing something. Xiabashan instructed Mo Can to run over and take a look.
Hmm, let me first take your pulse. " Xia Bashan said, stroking his beard, as he leisurely followed Hu Dala to the front of the carriage. At this moment, the group of people at the entrance of Xinglin Hall had gathered around to watch the excitement.
Sigh, life and death are determined by fate, it is better to accept one's destiny. Others are also offering consolation.
Mo Can secretly mixed the slices of old Tianma into the eight medicinal ingredients weighed with a scale, divided them into three packages, and handed them over to Hu Da
At the foot of the stone steps of the Xinglin Hall, a horse-drawn carriage is parked, with an elderly man lying on the cart. His complexion and skin are a dark bluish-black, as if smoked, his eyes are wide open yet dull and lifeless, and his mouth is agape, unable to speak
In the twelfth month of the lunar calendar, the atmosphere of the New Year gradually thickens within Dali City
Mo Can opened the medicine box, grabbed a handful of Tianma slices, and brought them to his nose to smell; there was almost no scent. In contrast, his own old Tianma had a faint fragrance. It seems that the "real medicine" is indeed incomparable to ordinary drugs
Xiabashan placed his fingers on the wrist of the elderly man in the car, and after a moment, he turned pale and said: "Your father's pulse is faintly discernible, like a fish swimming in water; this is precisely the pulse of the Seven Absolute Pulse, indicating a complete depletion of vital energy."
Ah, I hope they won't come looking for trouble.
Mo Canhe closed the book, yawned, and burrowed into the quilt
"The root of the seven absolute ailments cannot be treated at all," said Xiabashan decisively
Hu Da remarked, "After my father took his medication, he was able to speak on the first day, get out of bed on the second day, and today he is in good spirits and has fully recovered"
All true medicines either grow on the peaks of high mountains or hide in the crevices of deep valleys, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth for over a thousand years, thriving day and night without rest, gathering the five foul odors of fishy, rancid, rotten, charred, and fragrant. Poisonous insects lurk nearby, and fierce birds guard the area, for it is said that since ancient times, all things possess a spirit, mutually giving rise to and overcoming one another; be it humans, beasts, or plants, none are exempt from this. Upon reading this, Mo Can gradually understood that the so-called 'true medicine' refers to herbs that have grown for over a thousand years, which are certainly incomparable to ordinary medicinal materials. His own old Tianma might very well be the 'true medicine' mentioned in the book.
Mo Can, standing behind the crowd, hurriedly spoke in ventriloquism: "The medical practice of Xinglin Hall is not good, and the medical house of Bashan may not be incapable of treatment. 'A dead horse is treated as a living horse,' even if it cannot be cured, one cannot blame the old doctor Xia."
Mo Can was moved when he heard the phrase "the pulse of the seven extremes is absent, and the heart's energy is extinguished." Why not try the efficacy of the old Tianma according to the prescriptions in "Essentials of Pulse Diagnosis"? After all, this old man is bound to die if not treated.
"This is indeed the Bashan Medical Hall," Mo Can replied in a low voice.
Of course, of course, it is just that it cannot be cured. Doctor Xia has already done his utmost, and we will never blame you for it