From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor-Chapter 346 - 321: Wish Fulfilled

Lu Qi and Yu Li also came over to lend their support, and the scene in front of them was a bit beyond their imagination.

Lu Qi said to Xu Chunliang, "Not bad, you even got a popular TV host to come over."

Yu Li whispered, "Su Qing is really beautiful, even more so than on TV. Xiaoxu, what’s your relationship with her?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "Friends."

Lu Qi said, "Impressive, you only make beautiful friends."

Yu Li pinched his arm, "Don’t you dare learn from him."

Lu Qi honestly said, "I’d love to, but I can’t."

Just then, Gu Houyi came over, and Xu Chunliang quickly went to greet him. Gao Xinhua also came over; he was in charge of hosting the official guests today.

Zheng Peian, the star of today’s event, hurried over, "Dean Gu, it’s great that you could make it."

Gu Houyi laughed, "I didn’t come for you. I specifically came today to congratulate Mr. Xu on taking on a new apprentice."

Gao Xinhua laughed, "Isn’t it the same thing? The new apprentice is Zheng Peian, and he’s from Changxing Hospital."

Gu Houyi turned to Zheng Peian and said sincerely, "Peian, you’ve grown up. It’s time to settle down, study hard with Mr. Xu, and strive to excel in your craft."

Gu Houyi’s impression of Zheng Peian was that he was not focused on his main responsibilities. When Gu Houyi was the dean at Changxing, Zheng Peian took several years off without pay to do business outside. If he had put that energy into his work, he would have been promoted long ago.

Zheng Peian said, "I’ll follow Dean Gu’s guidance."

Gu Houyi then asked Xu Chunliang, "I heard your elderly care hospital on Weishan Island fell through again?"

Xu Chunliang said, "For big matters like this, you should ask Secretary Gao. I’m just the errand boy."

Gao Xinhua scolded him playfully for being a sleuth, then invited Gu Houyi inside for tea. Gu Houyi greeted Xu Changshan and then sat down with Gao Xinhua to have tea together.

Gao Xinhua briefly explained the situation on Weishan Island. Gu Houyi said, "If the city has decided on a plan, then it’s hard to deal with. Everything must be considered for the greater good. Opportunities don’t wait for anyone, and the longer the delay, the more variables arise. What a pity!"

Gao Xinhua knew what he was lamenting. After all, back then, it was Gu Houyi who put in the effort to secure Weishan Island Hospital. He was strategizing in the fields of healthcare and elderly care back then, but he lacked financial support.

Although Gu Houyi hadn’t been gone long, Changxing had undergone tremendous changes, and it’s still unclear whether these changes are good or bad.

Gao Xinhua inquired about Gu Houyi’s recent situation. Gu Houyi told him that the Kangjian Elderly Care Hospital had started trial operations, but things weren’t ideal, probably due to their high fees. A standard bed costs about fifty thousand yuan a year, and if a couple rents a room, it’s one hundred thousand.

This makes many ordinary working-class people wary. Gu Houyi also mentioned to the investors that Kangjian’s pricing was somewhat incompatible and that they are currently adjusting according to the specific situation in Dongzhou City, but no final solution has been reached yet.

Gao Xinhua said, "I’m sure you’ll make Kangjian successful."

Gu Houyi laughed, "Xiaogao, being a secretary has surely affected you. You talk like a pro now."

Gao Xinhua laughed, "Dean Gu, I’m not just saying polite words. I’m telling the truth. I’ve been your assistant for so many years, and nothing you’ve wanted to achieve has failed."

Gu Houyi sighed, shook his head, and said, "What I really wanted to do during my tenure was to build the second phase of Changxing, but I couldn’t achieve it before I left."

Gao Xinhua said, "Nothing is perfect in this world." He glanced at Xu Chunliang, who was talking passionately with Su Qing, and couldn’t help but sigh internally. This kid was really popular with the ladies. He should tone it down a bit. Didn’t he know that he and Pei Lin were being talked about?

Gao Xinhua wanted to remind Xu Chunliang, but he felt it wasn’t his place. He trusted Xu Chunliang not to mess up. Zhao Feiyang had been in a bad mood lately, likely because of these rumors.

Xu Chunliang gave a pack of cigarettes to Director Liu to share with everyone. The mentorship ceremony was set to begin at 10:18 a.m., and the TV station staff were all in position.

There was a speech from a leader scheduled, and Xu Chunliang had arranged it for Gao Xinhua. Gao Xinhua invited Gu Houyi to speak, but Gu Houyi firmly refused, as he had already retired. In such occasions, he preferred not to make appearances. Gao Xinhua then asked Lu Huachun, the president of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, to speak, but Lu Huachun felt that since Zheng Peian was from Changxing Hospital, Secretary Gao should make the speech, so Gao Xinhua had no choice but to accept.

Ding Si came to Xu Chunliang and told him that the noon banquet was arranged at the Joy Building next door.

Xu Chunliang nodded and reminded Ding Si that he was in charge of paying for the banquet today and that Ding Si shouldn’t do anything behind his back. Ding Si understood what Xu Chunliang meant and promised he wouldn’t. The banquet was priced at 600 yuan per table, but he quietly added 1,288 yuan per table.

Ding Si was very skilled in these tricks. It wasn’t to curry favor with Xu Chunliang; he genuinely admired Xu Chunliang now. After taking the secret formula Xu Chunliang prescribed, he and his wife were finally cured of their long-standing infertility. Now the seed had already taken root and sprouted, waiting to bear fruit. The gratitude for this new life was something he’d repay for a lifetime.

The mentorship ceremony officially began, hosted by Su Qing. After a refreshing and inspiring opening speech, the leaders were invited to give their addresses.

Gao Xinhua began with a customary weather forecast, then said loudly, "Traditional Chinese Medicine is an important part of Chinese civilization and has made indelible contributions to the prosperity and flourishing of the Chinese nation. For thousands of years, Traditional Chinese Medicine has been passed down mainly through master-apprentice models, practical teaching, hands-on experience, and practice, allowing the invaluable experiences accumulated from long-term clinical practice to be passed on from generation to generation, forming a vibrant culture of mentorship and nurturing numerous outstanding practitioners who uphold and develop the essence of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Today marks the significant occasion of Director Zheng Peian, the lead of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Changxing Hospital, taking on a new mentor. It’s also a great day for the esteemed National Medical Master Mr. Xu to accept a new apprentice. On behalf of Changxing Hospital and the Dongzhou medical community, I extend my warmest congratulations and sincere wishes to both of them!"

He paused just at the right moment, and the audience responded with enthusiastic applause. At this moment, Gao Xinhua saw Pei Lin coming over with Zhu Mingyuan, the director of the Chinese Medicine Department. Zhu Mingyuan was invited by Zheng Peian, as he was the director of the Changxing Chinese Medicine Department. Even if Zheng Peian didn’t like him, he still had to show courtesy.

As for Pei Lin, no one invited her. She hadn’t discussed the matter with Zhao Feiyang, which resulted in Zhao Feiyang having Lin Yansheng, the Director of the Hospital Office, send a flower basket on his behalf. Pei Lin also sent a flower basket, with both of their names inscribed on it, leading to the situation where it seemed Zhao Feiyang sent two baskets.

Wearing traditional Chinese attire, Xu Changshan led Zheng Peian in performing three bows facing the east.

First bow: To Chinese civilization, for the blessing of the ancestors.

Second bow: To the sage’s teachings, transcending time and space.

Third bow: To seeking knowledge and self-cultivation, for governance and harmony.

Then, Xu Changshan took a seat before the portrait of the founder, and Zheng Peian respectfully presented his apprentice’s card and offered the six ceremonial gifts to his teacher.

The six gifts included celery, symbolizing diligence and studiousness, with excellence coming from hard work.

Jerky, as prescribed by Confucius for the apprenticeship ceremony, to express the disciple’s sincerity.

Longan, symbolizing the perfection of virtue.

Red dates, symbolizing early success in examinations.

Red beans, symbolizing good fortune.

Lotus seeds, with a bitter core, symbolizing heartfelt teaching.

Next was serving tea to the master as part of the apprenticeship ceremony.

Zheng Peian finally fulfilled his wish, bowing three times with loud thuds.

Xu Changshan picked up the ruler and tapped it on Zheng Peian, symbolizing discipline.

One tap on the head, admonishing the disciple to stay clear-headed, dedicated, and sociable.

A second tap on the shoulder, symbolizing the disciple’s burden of responsibility and inheritance of the teachings.

A third tap on the body, reminding the disciple to be principled and measured in actions.

Of course, it wasn’t a real strike, just a symbolic tap.

In the mentor’s return ceremony, Xu Changshan gave a copy of "Xu Clan’s Treatise on Miscellaneous Diseases" to Zheng Peian. This classic was previously a Xu Clan secret, and giving it to Zheng Peian also represented Xu Changshan breaking from old conventions, an important step in promoting Xu Clan’s medicine to society.

After the apprenticeship ceremony, Xu Changshan gave a sincere speech in which he laid out five hopes for Zheng Peian and all Chinese medicine practitioners.

First is to inherit Chinese culture. Use traditional Chinese medicine as a key to unlock the treasure trove of Chinese civilization and let it shine more brilliantly.

Second is to inherit the essence of the classics. Classical Chinese medicine is the wellspring of innovative development, a summary of medical practice experience over generations. He hopes the younger generation will deeply study the classics, adhere to the principles, and follow the development patterns of Chinese medicine.

Third is to pass on clinical expertise. Traditional Chinese medicine is an applied science, and clinical practice is its foundation. Young practitioners should value clinical experience, engage in it repetitively, and summarize their mentor’s academic ideas and diagnostic and treatment principles in their apprenticeship.

Fourth is to embody the spirit of innovation. Innovation is the lifeblood of Chinese medicine’s development, essential for modernization, and the pathway to its globalization. The development of Chinese medicine should be integrated with modern science and technology.

Fifth is to inherit the virtues of great physicians. In clinical practice, always center around the patient, treat them with equity, and commit to healing. Strive to be proficient and virtuous healers. After the ceremony, Xu Chunliang invited everyone to Joy Building for a meal.

Zheng Peian was in high spirits due to this happy occasion, busily offering cigarettes and wine to everyone.

Li Jia Kuan and Liu Shanmin did not miss the opportunity to toast Elder Xu.

Liu Shanmin said, "Mr. Xu, in my heart, you have always been my teacher."

Li Jia Kuan expressed that he felt the same way.

Xu Changshan was delighted, saying they should feel free to discuss any difficult medical problems with him in the future. The elder, with his vast experience, saw through their intentions to become his apprentices.

After accepting Zheng Peian as a disciple, Elder Xu suddenly became more open-minded about passing on family knowledge. His three children did not pursue medicine, and among the grandchildren, only Xu Chunliang was involved in the medical field. Though this young man was clever, he had a restless spirit and seemed uninterested in the family’s medical practice. He couldn’t let the ancestral medical skills perish under his watch, could he?

By accepting Zheng Peian as a disciple, Xu Changshan did break with tradition, and once that rule was broken, he began to consider that promoting the Huichun Hall’s medical skills might not be a bad thing. However, Elder Xu was still very cautious about accepting disciples, requiring long-term evaluation before making a decision.

Although Xu Changshan hadn’t known Liu Shanmin for long, he greatly appreciated him. Liu Shanmin was self-taught, and his current level, achieved purely through the analysis of his medical cases, was proof of his ability. Ability was one thing, but the most important factors were medical ethics and character. Xu Changshan planned to observe him carefully for a while.