Episode 009: Hua Tuo in Distress, Bian Que Takes Action, Helplessly Wielding the Whip to Command the Monkey

This negotiation has become difficult, as the patient did not die in the hospital, nor during the treatment process, and does not meet the criteria for applying for a medical malpractice assessment. The hospital suggested that the patient's family conduct an autopsy to first determine the cause of death before discussing other matters. However, the patient's family firmly demanded that the hospital "hand over the culprit" and occupied the emergency room with the body. According to the law, an autopsy can be enforced to disperse the troublemakers, but the police did not want to provoke a large-scale public conflict and temporarily did not assist the hospital in taking coercive measures. Meanwhile, the situation at the outpatient building of Jinghua Hospital was chaotic.

The voice of the deceased's daughter-in-law was somewhat choked with emotion, and she was the only one present with traces of tears on her face. With a hint of concern, she said, "Will this commotion make things worse? ... The person is already gone; it would be better to let him rest in peace ... "

The troublemakers immediately removed the slogans at the hospital entrance, the deceased were sent to the morgue, and the unconscious living individuals were admitted to the hospital. At this moment, the kind young man appeared again with Qu Yimin. Qu Yimin had remained silent, and it was the young man who spoke: "Doctor Qu is magnanimous and does not hold grudges, willing to treat the three of you. However, you must provide a written apology, compensate for the damaged items at their market value, and those who assaulted must turn themselves in at the police station. After all, it is merely a public security violation and not a serious matter. Once that is settled, we can discuss treatment, and you will also need to sign a civil compensation agreement... As for the deceased, the responsibility does not lie with the hospital, and Doctor Qu has never treated him, so you should first conduct an autopsy."

The deceased's sister-in-law sneered, "Are we afraid of making a big deal out of this? This is in a hospital, where a death is of utmost importance. Dear sister-in-law, this is for your own good"

Officer Yu regained consciousness that morning, and Professor Qu prescribed medication for his recovery. The illness came swiftly and departed just as quickly; by the next day, Officer Yu was able to get out of bed and walk as usual, ready to be discharged and return home for recuperation. Officer Yu's family was immensely grateful to Professor Qu, Qu Yimin, Mei Xi, Director Wang, and other lifesavers, particularly feeling deep remorse towards Director Wang, who had lost a front tooth. It remains unclear how they privately expressed their apologies and compensation to Mei Xi.

Remarkably, shortly after the medication was administered, the patient ceased to struggle and move restlessly. After a while, the pulse slowed and the breathing became steady, and the patient lay there making faint sounds, drifting into a drowsy sleep. At this time, the sky was already dimly lit, and everyone let out a sigh of relief. Professor Qu waved his hand and said, "The emergency situation has stabilized; there is no need to remain in the emergency room. Let us transfer to the internal medicine ward. Immediately arrange for a full-body examination, especially a brain scan to check for any signs of bleeding. If there are no other complications, with proper care, there should be no major issues... Xiao Wang, you should also go to the dental department later."

Professor Qu pondered and said: "There are illnesses that can be treated and those that cannot. I understand in my heart that this person can be treated. If I do not use medication, it will be dangerous for him. Rest assured, I am confident; do not overthink it."

These words were all heard by Mei Xi, who was sitting nearby eating noodles. With a sullen expression, he said nothing and settled the bill before leaving the small restaurant. After this group had eaten and drunk their fill and left the restaurant, they had just turned the corner of the street when they heard three crisp sounds in the air. Before they could react to what was happening, they saw the deceased's cousin, the cousin's brother-in-law, and the deceased's wife's cousin all fall to the ground, instantly losing consciousness.

People must eat, yet this group does not want to give up their "position" in the emergency room. After dark, a few individuals remain to keep watch while the others go to a small restaurant next to the hospital to eat, all the while complaining as they dine

Meixi said with some surprise: "So you have already been to the hospital to see the deceased?"

At that moment, Mei Xi knocked on the door and walked in, asking, "Teacher Qu, what happened?"

The family took the patient away, and the next day, a large group of people stormed into Jinghua Hospital carrying a corpse. It turned out that the patient had an incident the previous night, and it was unclear how the family had handled the situation; in any case, the patient had died. This family was from the suburbs, with a large extended family and many relatives and friends. They arrived at the hospital carrying banners that read "Life is treated like grass," "Incompetent doctors harm people," and "Return my loved one," among others. They smashed the glass and computers in the emergency room and specifically demanded to find the young woman with the surname Qu to hold her accountable for the death. This family was from the suburbs, with a large extended family and many relatives and friends. They arrived at the hospital carrying banners that read "Life is treated like grass," "Incompetent doctors harm people," and "Return my loved one," among others. They smashed the glass and computers in the emergency room and specifically demanded to find the young woman with the surname Qu to hold her accountable for the death.

Officer Yu smiled and did not publicly expose Mei Xi's act of begging at the train station. Instead, he patted him on the shoulder and said, "You are indeed a student of Traditional Chinese Medicine University; you should be in your second year, right? Thank you! If you encounter any issues or difficulties in the future, be sure to give me a call." He left his contact information with Mei Xi

This scene attracted many onlookers, including several patients waiting in line for registration and the families of hospitalized patients. Two doctors were beaten to the point of bleeding, and Qu Yimin wanted to step forward to explain, but others advised her to leave the hospital through the back door. The hospital reported the incident to the police, who, although they arrived quickly, found the situation difficult to handle and merely suggested that the hospital negotiate a resolution with the patients' families

There were two people nearby laughing mischievously, whispering, "Can that young doctor afford it? He won't sell himself, will he? The girl is quite pretty; it would be nice if we could take advantage of her a bit."

From morning until dusk, the family of the deceased finally put forth their demands: a compensation of 600,000. If that girl surnamed Qu cannot afford it, the hospital must pay. The hospital had no justification to agree to this condition, and out of consideration for Professor Qu, it was also inappropriate to immediately throw Qu Yimin under the bus. However, the attitude of the patient's family was very resolute; if their demands were not met, they would not remove the body, hanging a banner reading "Disregarding Human Life" at the entrance, leaving the hospital to ponder how to continue operating.

Qu Yimin heard the sound of the stream and raised her head, wanting to speak, but tears flowed down uncontrollably. Zhang Xiaoning replied, "That group of scoundrels insists on 600,000, leaving the deceased in the emergency room and even protesting outside the hospital with slogans... Xiaomin, don’t cry, I know it’s not your fault. Those people are unreasonable; it’s just 600,000, right? I’ll take care of it for you, and later we can slowly settle accounts with them. I don’t believe we can’t deal with them. Don’t worry, everything is on me."

Meixi let out a breath: "Since that's the case, it will be easier to handle. Then, please do me a favor, old sir." Meixi whispered a few words beside Professor Qu, and the old and the young privately discussed something. In the end, Professor Qu sighed and said: "Alright, let's do it as you suggested."

The younger brother of my cousin's wife, who is also the brother-in-law of that cousin, took a sip of wine and said: "With long hair and short knowledge, since a price has been set, one must naturally ask for more. How can a person die in vain! ... ... No, tomorrow I will call the newspaper and the television station to summon the reporters. Let's see if they dare to hold their ground any longer"

On the spot, a doctor shook his head in disapproval: "The medicine of tigers and wolves, it is better not to use it. If it has an effect, that is to be expected; if problems arise, no one will understand you"

Regarding the matter of the fourth brother this time, they must not be let off lightly; they should suffer greatly, if not to the point of death. I believe that six hundred thousand is still too little; if they do not relent by tomorrow, it will be one million!" The person who said this had the loudest voice, and he was the deceased's cousin

Zhang Xiaoning: "However, allowing those people to continue causing a disturbance will have an even worse impact. We must first deal with the current situation, and we can address the remaining issues later."

Outside the emergency room, I encountered a "kind-hearted" young man in a white coat. He glanced at the three unconscious individuals and exclaimed, "Oh no, this is serious! Hurry and find someone to treat them; it will be too late if we delay!"

Professor Qu is not present, and Director Wang firmly refuses to admit the patient. After all, the patient shows no external injuries from the physical examination, only exhibiting signs of mental agitation. It is normal for the emergency department not to admit the patient, so they are transferred to the neurology department for a comprehensive examination, but no conclusive findings are made, leading to a request for the patient to be transferred to another hospital. Qu Yimin casually remarked, "The symptoms are the same as those of the patient from the day before yesterday; could we try Da Chengqi Decoction as well?"

After speaking, Mei Xi turned to leave. Qu Yimin wanted to follow but was stopped by Professor Qu. The old man called out to Mei Xi from downstairs: "Kid, I know you might have a way, but don't go too far. After all, the person has lost their loved one. I also made a mistake in this matter; there were some things I didn't clarify when treating them that day... Come here, I have something to tell you." He leaned close to Mei Xi and whispered a few words.

Originally, this matter had passed, and everything was quite satisfactory, but no one expected it would lead to enormous trouble. The person who got into trouble was Qu Yimin. That night, Mei Xi used the fainting whip to extinguish the shadow and told Qu Yimin that she need not be afraid for three days. However, Qu Yimin was still somewhat worried, so Mei Xi accompanied her for two more nights. By Monday, Qu Yimin was no longer on night duty, and Mei Xi, having classes, could not always be with her. It was precisely on this day that an incident occurred. That night, Mei Xi used the fainting whip to extinguish the shadow and told Qu Yimin that she need not be afraid for three days. However, Qu Yimin was still somewhat worried, so Mei Xi accompanied her for two more nights. By Monday, Qu Yimin was no longer on night duty, and Mei Xi, having classes, could not always be with her. It was precisely on this day that an incident occurred

Mei Xi glanced at the people in the room, sighed quietly, and said: "Old Master, Teacher Qu, you need not worry. Leave this matter to me, and by this time tomorrow, I will have it all sorted out, and any issues will be resolved."

Just then, the patient's family members overheard. Two elderly women and a burly man nearly knelt down, pleading and asking what had happened to Qu Yimin. Qu Yimin had no choice but to explain the events from the day before. At first, she was hesitant to disclose the prescription for the purgative decoction, but she could not withstand the desperate pleas of the patient's family, so she eventually revealed it, while repeatedly emphasizing the dangers associated with this prescription.

... ...

By the afternoon of the second day, the troublemakers could no longer hold back and brought three patients back to Jinghua Hospital, requesting Mr. Qu Zhengbo to intervene and save them. The response received was: "Professor Qu is not in Beijing and it is quite difficult for him to return in the next few days. However, it is not a problem; Professor Qu's granddaughter, Dr. Qu Yimin, is also capable of treating them. But you have greatly offended Dr. Qu and the hospital, so you will have to handle it yourselves."

Mei Xi only heard this news after the afternoon class, and was immediately very worried about Qu Yimin. He searched for her in the hospital, school office, and dormitory, but she was nowhere to be found. He then went to Professor Qu's pharmacy laboratory. Upon arrival, he found that Qu Yimin was indeed there, and Professor Qu had also returned from out of town. There was another person in the laboratory, who was Zhang Xiaoning.

Qu Yimin's eyes were red, clearly having cried. She sat there in silence, ignoring Zhang Xiaoning's soft words of comfort beside her. Professor Qu, unusually, did not lose his temper; his expression was as dark as water, and he spoke calmly: "Yimin, do you now understand why traditional Chinese medicine rarely treats acute conditions nowadays? ... Before the introduction of Western medicine's blood transfusion and anti-inflammatory techniques, traditional Chinese medicine indeed had significant weaknesses in treating open wounds and acute infections. However, many acute conditions are not untreatable ... But in the current environment, if treatment fails, it is difficult to explain, which is why many doctors avoid acute cases. Before the introduction of Western medicine's blood transfusion and anti-inflammatory techniques, traditional Chinese medicine indeed had significant weaknesses in treating open wounds and acute infections. However, many acute conditions are not untreatable ... But in the current environment, if treatment fails, it is difficult to explain, which is why many doctors avoid acute cases. ... You have all heard the story of Bian Que visiting Duke Huan of Cai, right? Why did Bian Que have to flee overnight in the end? Even in the past, doctors were often reluctant to prescribe treatment in many situations."

Qu Yimin stood up and took a step forward, grabbing Mei Xi's arm: "Do you have a solution? What can you do?"

There is no issue with the apology or compensation; however, three of the instigators who injured the doctor are unwilling to turn themselves in at the police station. This time, Mei Xi does not need to worry, as she simply left with Qu Yimin, maintaining a stern expression. Not long after the incident, those three individuals were persuaded by their relatives and friends to go to the police station and confess. During this time, some people saw that Qu Yimin did not save the person on the spot and attempted to create a disturbance, but they were firmly stopped by the current leader of this group, who is also the deceased's cousin.

Professor Qu furrowed his brow and said, "This is not a matter of money; I could scrape together 600,000 if I had to. But that's not the point. Have you considered the consequences if we resolve it this way?" He is right; this is indeed not just about money. If we settle this matter in such an unclear manner, it will be impossible to clarify things again.

Meixi: "I’m sorry, but I cannot say anything yet. However, please rest assured that I will not do anything immoral, and I will resolve this matter to your satisfaction... You have helped me a lot, so let me help you this once... Now go wash your face and take a good rest"

The deceased's surname was Chi and his given name was Gong. He was originally a thug from the outskirts of Beijing, having lived as a bachelor for over thirty years. Last year, he married a woman from another region, and the couple set up a stall at a local agricultural market to make a living, managing to get by. Chi Gong's cousin ran a small factory in the suburbs, and their family was relatively large, possessing some local influence. The recent disturbance at the hospital was instigated by his cousin and his wife, who rallied a group of people.

Waking up three people is merely a matter of extending a hand, yet Mei Xi did not simply reach out to awaken them all at once. Instead, he created a tense atmosphere and took a full two days to 'treat' them, making the process appear exceedingly perilous. This young man, despite his youth, is a seasoned veteran well-versed in the art of fatigue manipulation. Such antics are purely a matter of streetwise tactics, referred to in technical terms as 'dragging fatigue'.

Everyone naturally wanted to ask the young man for clarification. The young man glanced around furtively and whispered: "This is called syncope. The longer the fainting lasts, the more dangerous it becomes. If not promptly revived, it can lead to disabilities, and after three days, the person may become a vegetative state. I heard that only Professor Qu Zhengbo from the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine can treat it, but that might not be certain. You should hurry and find someone to try. I am a student of Professor Qu, so I know this, but don't say I told you... Oh, by the way, the little doctor you extorted is Professor Qu's granddaughter."

Officer Yu was taken aback upon seeing Mei Xi. Due to his professional sensitivity as a police officer, he recognized Mei Xi and hesitantly asked, "Are you ... ... ?"

Meixi did not wait for him to finish speaking and replied with a smile: "It's me, Officer, we meet again."

The remaining individuals were suddenly in a panic and hurried to the hospital. Which hospital to go to? Right next door is Jinghua Hospital! The emergency room is already occupied by them. Upon arriving at the hospital, they rushed to find a doctor, and Director Wang's response was: "Since our hospital treats lives with such disregard, how can we treat any illness? Go somewhere else."

Rescuing someone is quite simple. In the ward, close the door, leaving only Mei Xi and Qu Yi Min, the two "doctors". Mei Xi then strikes the patient with a whip, and they awaken. The fainting whip in the monkey whip is truly remarkable; striking the side of the head behind the ear can induce fainting, while using the same technique on the corresponding spot on the other side can bring a person back to consciousness. In fact, it doesn't matter if they don't awaken immediately, as they will naturally regain consciousness after three days without any permanent harm. However, the patient's family is unaware of this and would never dare to wait for three days. The fainting whip in the monkey whip is truly remarkable; striking the side of the head behind the ear can induce fainting, while using the same technique on the corresponding spot on the other side can bring a person back to consciousness. In fact, it doesn't matter if they don't awaken immediately, as they will naturally regain consciousness after three days without any permanent harm. However, the patient's family is unaware of this and would never dare to wait for three days.

The group of people was somewhat bewildered by what was said, half believing and half doubting, and they carried the patient out. However, upon arriving at another hospital, the patient could not be revived. Doctors at each hospital recommended transferring the patient, and many even suggested directly going to Jinghua Hospital to give it a try. It is unclear whether this was due to some insider information or if the patient truly could not be revived.

After the medicine was prepared, it was brought over, but the patient was still bound hand and foot, struggling on the operating table, in a state of delirium. Professor Qu instructed Mei Xi to help the patient sit up and pry open his jaw to administer the medicine. With his right hand, he applied pressure on the patient's back, prompting the patient to involuntarily swallow. After consuming only a small portion, the patient vomited the medicine back up. Professor Qu asked Mei Xi to wipe the corners of the patient's mouth clean and continue administering the medicine.

Professor Qu: "As soon as I returned to Beijing, I went to the hospital. Amidst the crowd, I saw the face of the deceased. Although the autopsy has not yet been conducted, the cause of death can be inferred with about seventy to eighty percent certainty; it should not be related to Yimin... However, given the significant impact on the hospital, it is imperative to rectify the situation"

A bizarre and tense night has passed, during which Mei Xi's act of compassion saved the life of a police officer named Yu Xian. Many people only marvel at Professor Qu's exceptional medical skills, yet they are not fully aware of the risks the elderly gentleman undertook. Looking at the clinical characteristics of the patient, the situation was dire, with a rapid onset that posed a constant risk of critical illness. Director Wang's objections were not without reason; it is the physician's duty to heal, and failure to do so is a fault of the physician. It is not uncommon to face blame, insults, and even physical assault, and in severe cases, one may bear legal responsibility, highlighting the significant risks involved. Nevertheless, a physician possesses the heart of a parent, and Professor Qu also has confidence in his medical skills.

After making the arrangements, I called the patient's family over and advised them: "The patient is temporarily out of danger, but a comprehensive examination is still needed. If there are no other ailments, he will regain his senses once he wakes up. The medication I administered will temporarily affect his appetite; during this period, you can use a ginger and jujube decoction to help regulate his spleen and stomach. As for the medicinal wine, it should not be consumed any longer. In the future, do not use folk remedies without proper diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, your spouse has damaged Dr. Wang's front teeth; please ensure that he personally apologizes and makes amends once he wakes up"

On that day, Professor Qu was not in Beijing, as he had gone to another city to participate in an academic exchange event. In the afternoon, an emergency patient arrived, exhibiting symptoms identical to those of Officer Yu's illness from that day, but the situation was even more critical. Professor Qu had previously mentioned that this condition was extremely rare, yet it was indeed strange to encounter two cases in the emergency room of Jinghua Hospital.