A Woman from Jiangnan
A Woman from Jiangnan
"It is hard to say. He has enjoyed the reputation in Miao for decades. Under that prestige, he must have some skills," Sang Guzi said. "Although Wang Yao is pretty young, I have seen his extraordinary ability. I have talked with him more than once. I have rarely seen someone like him with so rich knowledge in Chinese medicine."
"Under the prestige? Is it overstated?" San Jimin said.
"No, curing diseases and saving lives depends on knowledge and ability rather than others. If his ability was not enough, he could have deceived people for a short while but not for long. If he did not have the ability, he would not be able to enjoy a good reputation for decades. On the contrary, he became more famous with time," Sang Guzi said.
He had been practicing medicine for decades. He was very clear about his field. Treating people and saving people depended on true ability.
"One is heard of while the other is seen," Sang Jimin said. "Hey, what do you think if there is a day when they get together? What would happen?"
Sang Guzi was silent for a while. "They shouldn't meet each other."
They were people who lived in simple places and rarely went out. One was in the south, and one was in the north.
"If, I said if," Sang Jimin said.
"I don't know, but it would not be harmonious," Sang Guzi replied.
"A fight between masters," San Jimin said.
Sang Guzi did not continue the conversation.
After sending away two people, Wang Yao closed the door of the clinic and returned home.
"What is going on?" Du Mingyang had small notes on his forehead.
"Playing cards." Du Mingyang smiled.
"I have bad luck this afternoon and always lose," he cheerfully said.
"Do you?" Wang Yao asked.
"Want to play?" Du Mingyang asked.
"Ah, forget it, I will watch it." Wang Yao smiled, picked up the teapot, and poured water for them.
He watched his brother-in-law intentionally lose the game. He sighed. It was not easy to be a son-in-law trying to make a father-in-law happy, but it could not be too explicit.
"Did your friends come?" Du Mingyang asked.
"Yes, Mr. Sang," Wang Yao said.
"Hey, that old doctor?" Du Mingyang asked.
"Yes, a respectable old man," Wang Yao said.
In the afternoon, the family did not do anything else. They were happy at home playing poker and laughing.
"Hey, time flies fast!" Zhang Xiuying looked at the dark sky outside.
"Well, good times are always short!" Du Mingyang smiled.
"Well, you play some more while I'll do some cooking," Zhang Xiuying said.
"I can help." Du Mingyang hurriedly got up.
"No need," she said.
There had been a lot of food in the morning, most of which hadn't been eaten. She just heated it up for the evening and fried two vegetarian dishes.
"You don't have to do so many dishes," Du Mingyang said.
"It's not much. Enjoy dinner." Zhang Xiuying smiled. The more she looked at him, the more she liked him.
After dinner, the family gathered to watch TV and chatted. Wang Yao went up the mountain at 9 p.m. He still had something to do. He needed to boil down a drug for Mr. Wu in Jing.
After the disease reached a certain level, there was pain that could only be alleviated. Corydalis, white peony, licorice, octagonal tung… As an analgesic, the drug was simple but effective.
Wang Yao had used the prescription to treat Zhou Wukang.
The medical herbs he needed were available, as well as the octagonal paulownia, which was planted in the herbal field.
The medicine was slowly boiled down by the small fire. The medical fragrance floated everywhere.
Outside the house, the wind blew gently. The lights went out. Night shrouded the mountain.
Suddenly, there was a faint voice. The dog walked up from the kennel. The goshawk fluttered on the branches and seemed to be rising into the sky. A black shadow peeped out of the grass.
Wang Yao was lying in bed. He opened his eyes. What just happened?
He had an unclear feeling. It almost felt as if the mountain was moving. When he listened carefully, there was no sound. The mountain had recovered its calm.
In the morning, the sun rose, as usual. Wang Yao went down the mountain early. After eating at home, he went to the clinic.
Wu Tongxing did not come, but a woman came in. It was Gu Yuanyuan from Jiangnan Water Town.
"Hello, sir." Her voice was soft like the rain in Jiangnan.
"Why did you come?" Wang Yao was a little surprised.
"Secretary Wu can't come over because of some business. He sent me to get the medicine," Gu Yuanyuan said.
"Oh, here is the medicine." Wang Yao took out the medicine.
"What about the fee?" she asked.
"$10,000," Wang Yao said. Half octagonal tung was worthy of that price.
Gu Yuanyuan paid without saying anything. She asked, "When will you be free to go to Jing?"
"I have no such plan for the time being," Wang Yao said.
"OK, what else does Mr. Wang need me to do?" Gu Yuanyuan asked.
She was like a shy neighbor girl.
"I don't need anything. Thank you," Wang Yao said.
"Goodbye then," Gu Yuanyuan said.
Her main purpose for coming was to get the medicine. Her other purpose was to ask if Wang Yao had time to go to Jing, which was arranged before she came. Of course, if there were other needs, she would report them so the Wu family could show up to coordinate.
"Have a safe journey," Wang Yao said.
Before leaving, she deeply bowed to him.
"Why are you doing that?" Wang Yao hurriedly waved his hand. An invisible gas poured out and held her up.
"Thank you for speaking to me last time. He has never come to me again," Gu Yuanyuan said.
"It is nothing. As long as he doesn't bother you again," Wang Yao said.
"I am going to get married May 1. If you have time, please come to Jing to have a drink," Gu Yuanyuan said.
"OK," Wang Yao said. "Congratulations."
"Thank you," she said.
While Gu Yuanyuan was leaving, she met Wang Ru coming into the clinic.
"Hello." She found this ruddy-faced woman always stared at her, so she became shy as she greeted her.
"Ah, hello, did you come to see the doctor?" Wang Ru asked.
"No, I came to get medicine," Gu Yuanyuan said.
"Where are you from?" Wang Ru asked.
"Jing," Gu Yuanyuan said.
"Hey, how old are you?" Wang Ru asked.
"Ah?" Gu Yuanyuan had a blank look.
"Sister." Wang Yao's voice came from the house. He had heard their dialogue at the door.
"Nothing, nothing." Wang Ru smiled and went into the house.
"Oh, that girl is pretty, and she looks like a virtuous wife," Wang Ru said.
"She will marry on May Day, a few months earlier than you," Wang Yao said.
"Ah, that's a pity," Wang Ru said.
"Not a pity. She has her other half. For that reason, she even refused the temptation of a wealthy person. She is an assertive woman," Wang Yao said.
"It's useless to talk about that. I will marry your brother-in-law in October," Wang Ru said. "What about you? Did you break up with Tong Wei?" At the clinic, she seemed to have restored to her original character when with her brother.
"Yeah." Wang Yao nodded.
For a few months, they hadn't called or send each other messages. They had no contact. What did that mean other than breaking up?
"Do you have a new girlfriend?" Wang Ru asked.
"No," Wang Yao said.
"What type do you like? Long hair? Tall figure?" Wang Ru asked.
"Sister, I think your main energy should be on your marriage with my brother-in-law. If possible, you could have a child. Our parents like children very much. You can give them a few first," Wang Yao said.
"Give them a few? What do you think I am, a sow? A few children!" Wang Ru shouted.
"What is it?" Du Mingyang came in from the outside.
"None of your business," Wang Ru said. "Do you have a suitable girl in your workplace to introduce to Xiao Yao?"
"Ah?" Du Mingyang was stunned. "No problem. I will go back and take a good look."
...
In People's Hospital in Lianshan County...
"Doctor, what happened to him?" A middle-aged woman was in a hurry.
Her husband went up the mountain in the morning to herd sheep, but he came back early and said that he was uncomfortable. He had a high fever, which was not treated. He had not taken it seriously. Suddenly, he was unconscious, which scared her. She quickly brought him to the hospital.
"Don't worry, let's give him a check," the doctor said.
They first used an antipyretic plug and let the patient's family physically cool him. Some of the results of the tests would take a while to come out.
"High blood pressure. Low pressure is 140. High pressure is 180. Heart rate is 95," the doctor said. "Is this your husband?"
"Correct," the woman said.
"Does he have a medical history of heart disease?" the doctor asked.