This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

"Both of you are doing this for my daughter’s sake, so please calm down," Wu Shengnan’s father stepped in to mediate. "Doctor Du, after hearing what you just said, have you already figured out how to treat my daughter’s current condition?"

When Li Jianwei heard Wu Shengnan’s father speak, he quietly breathed a sigh of relief, while Director Chen, frustrated, closed his mouth. The two of them temporarily stopped their ’exchange’ and turned their gazes to Du Heng.

But Du Heng didn’t appreciate Wu Shengnan’s father’s mediation.

The main conflict earlier was with Director Chen. However, if Wu Shengnan’s father had spoken up at the beginning, none of this would have happened. Why let it escalate to the point where the three of them argued so fiercely, dropping all pretenses?

You can play your balancing act, but using it on me? I’m not happy about that. Besides, your family was the one who invited me today, and now you’re letting me take the heat? Who taught you such habits?

Li Jianwei had managed to suppress Du Heng’s initial anger, but the young man’s fiery temper had been stoked. Now, he didn’t care whether the other party was a high-ranking leader or not. Shedding the earlier familiarity he had shown upon entering, he replied with a cold face, "Yes, I have some ideas."

"Can you please share your ideas, Doctor Du?" Wu Shengnan’s father, undeterred by Du Heng’s coldness, said enthusiastically, "Look, several experts are here. Let’s discuss it together."

Du Heng’s mouth twitched slightly. "Mr. Wu, I’ll be talking about traditional Chinese medicine therapies. Would you even understand?"

Wu Shengnan’s father was stunned. He hadn’t expected this attitude from Du Heng, so different from the many experts he’d dealt with previously.

However, a man like him was adept at handling such situations. He understood after a moment’s thought. "I may not understand, but Director Chen, Dean Wang, and Director Li are here, aren’t they? They’re all experts. They’ll surely understand."

The smirk on Du Heng’s lips widened. Suppressing his earlier anger didn’t mean he’d let it go. He wasn’t the type to simply turn the other cheek.

And since he was already displeased with Wu Shengnan’s father, why would he spare Director Chen, who had just been ordering him around arrogantly and trying to throw him out?

He immediately turned to Director Chen and Dean Wang. "Esteemed experts, my prescription contains rhizoma ligustici. Do you happen to know its uses?"

Director Chen and Dean Wang exchanged a look. Seeing Du Heng’s mocking expression, the anger they had suppressed due to Wu Shengnan’s father’s intervention flared up again.

Yet, they didn’t dare to lash out. The question was posed because Wu Shengnan’s father had called them experts and suggested they discuss it. Du Heng’s question was, ostensibly, part of that discussion. How could they dare to show their anger?

"You don’t know?" Du Heng smiled. "What about dragon’s blood? Do you know its uses?"

As Du Heng posed another question, their faces turned livid with anger. But they were helpless, forced to endure Du Heng’s mockery.

Defeated, Director Chen mumbled, "I already said I don’t understand traditional Chinese medicine."

"Oh, so you don’t. Allow me to enlighten you. Rhizoma ligustici is used for activating blood and alleviating pain. So, is it acceptable for me to use this herb?"

The two were furious. Du Heng knew they didn’t understand, yet he deliberately made them lose face. They also silently cursed Wu Shengnan’s father; if not for his suggestion, they wouldn’t be suffering this ’humiliation’. But could they dare to show it? They didn’t. Not even with a look.

"The name ’dragon’s blood’ might make you think it comes from an animal. Heh. Actually, it’s a resin from the fruit of the Dracaena tree, and it’s used for activating blood and dispersing blood stasis."

Du Heng paused briefly after explaining.

Just as Director Chen and Dean Wang thought the ordeal was over, Du Heng spoke again. "Well, if you two are ignorant of the medicinal properties, surely you know about dosages, right?"

That remark almost made them cough up blood.

This kid was so insidious! Knowing they were unfamiliar with traditional Chinese medicine, he deliberately asked about dosages, clearly intending to make them look like fools.

Ignoring their murderous glares, Du Heng turned to Wu Shengnan’s father. "Mr. Wu, as you can see, I was willing to discuss it. However, it seems these two experts are... somewhat lacking. So, there’s nothing more to be done on that front."

Somewhat lacking? Director Chen felt his vision dim, the suppressed anger threatening to erupt. Du Heng was throwing Director Chen’s own earlier words right back at him. Worse, leveraging Secretary Wu’s presence, Du Heng left him no room to refute.

To be criticized by such an upstart! It’s infuriating!

Wu Shengnan’s father hadn’t expected Du Heng to be so unyielding, giving no quarter.

Just as he was about to speak, Du Heng continued, "Besides, Mr. Wu, treating illness with traditional Chinese medicine differs from Western medicine. Every doctor has their own ideas, approaches, and thus, their own prescriptions. Therefore, I generally don’t discuss my prescriptions with other doctors."

Wu Shengnan’s father was dumbfounded. He had assumed Du Heng was slighting the two experts and expressing dissatisfaction with his, Mr. Wu’s, earlier handling of the situation. He never imagined Du Heng wouldn’t give him any face either. Amidst his frustration, a flicker of curiosity about this young man sparked within him.

Angry? Who was he, and who was this young doctor? Was there any need to be angry? Besides, he needed Du Heng’s help, and Du Heng had previously done their family a great service. There was even less reason for anger. This was just a young man’s typical fiery temper, venting dissatisfaction over what had just happened.

"In that case, I’ll ask one last question: what are the consequences if Doctor Du’s treatment is ineffective?"

"Not much."

These words made Wu Shengnan’s father frown slightly. He could overlook the earlier attitude, but this statement caused a flicker of displeasure deep within him.

Du Heng continued, "With my prescription, you’ll see results within two days. Two days won’t significantly alter the situation. If it truly doesn’t work, then whatever amputation is deemed necessary now can still be performed two days later. It won’t require amputating a single centimeter more, nor will it save a centimeter less."

Wu Shengnan’s father’s eyes narrowed. During the earlier consultation, he had gathered all the experts he could, both present and via video. After they examined the scans and heard the reports, their opinions were unanimous: amputation. He knew then that there would be no miracles. Deep down, he had already begun to accept amputation as the outcome. Now, Du Heng was offering hope—the only doctor to do so. Suddenly, Wu Shengnan’s father realized he had no other choice but to trust Du Heng.

Taking a long breath, he sat up straight. Speaking earnestly as a father, he said to Du Heng, "Doctor Du, I’m entrusting my daughter’s health to your care. Please, tell us how you wish to proceed with the treatment."

Everyone assumed the matter was settled and they would move on to the next step. However, Du Heng’s subsequent words stunned them all once more. Even Li Jianwei, standing beside him, felt Du Heng’s audacity was boundless. Yet, he also felt a profound sense of satisfaction, even more so than when he himself had confronted the directors earlier.

"I’m sorry, Mr. Wu, but I cannot treat Wu Shengnan here."

"Why?" Wu Shengnan’s father’s eyes twitched. He suddenly felt this young man was rather arrogant.

"Firstly, I am not qualified to prescribe treatments at the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou. My medical license is registered for Central Lake and the Provincial First Hospital. If I were to prescribe treatment for a patient here, I would be violating medical regulations and would be subject to penalties."

Wu Shengnan’s father frowned, his voice grave. "Who would dare report you?"

His use of "dare" instead of "would" underscored his authoritative presence.

Du Heng said nothing, merely glancing towards Director Chen and Dean Wang across the conference table.

That single glance sent a shiver down their spines, and the same thought echoed in their minds: This brat is utterly ruthless!

Du Heng didn’t give them a chance to explain. Catching Wu Shengnan’s father also looking towards the two directors, a slight smirk touched Du Heng’s lips again. However, he quickly suppressed it and continued, "Furthermore, I just had a disagreement with Director Chen. He doesn’t understand traditional Chinese medicine well, so I wouldn’t trust this hospital to prepare the decoction correctly."

Damn it! This isn’t just undermining us; he’s trying to completely destroy us! This kid is blatantly showing his distrust! After hearing this, what will Secretary Wu think of us? That we’re incompetent? Or that this kid is just being high-handed?!!!

Any nascent good impression Wu Shengnan’s father had of Du Heng was instantly obliterated by these two successive provocations. Now, his face dark, he asked, "Then, what is Doctor Du suggesting?"

"Transfer her to another hospital," Du Heng stated his objective plainly. "Transfer her to the Provincial First Hospital. There, I can treat her without constraints."

Wu Shengnan’s father hesitated, glancing from Director Chen to Du Heng. "But what if Doctor Du’s treatment is ineffective, and surgery is still required?"

"Mr. Wu, surely you don’t think only they are capable of performing an amputation?"

Hearing the mockery in Du Heng’s tone, Wu Shengnan’s father frowned once more.

"Among all orthopedic procedures, amputation is the least technically demanding. An amputation below the shoulder or hip is merely a Level II surgery. Mr. Wu, if you agree, I can take Wu Shengnan back to my Health Clinic right now and perform this surgery myself."

With these words, Du Heng seemed to be exploiting Wu Shengnan’s father’s ignorance on the matter. The first two statements were accurate, but the last was pure bluster.

Forget Level II surgeries; I’d be lucky if I could perform Level I orthopedic surgeries competently right now. For instance, I can handle basic procedures like wound debridement, reduction of fractures and dislocations, and applying plaster casts. However, when it comes to multi-finger amputation, tendon sheath cyst removal, surgery for stenosing tenosynovitis, or general skin grafting, I’m completely in the dark. I’ve never even witnessed such surgeries, let alone performed them.

Thinking about this, I suddenly realize I seem to be tackling things backward. Others learn from basic to advanced, but I’m going from advanced to basic. For comminuted fractures and displacements that typically require Level III or IV surgery, other doctors would need to operate, whereas I can use purely manual bone setting and reduction techniques. Yet, for these fundamental Level I surgeries, I’m utterly clueless—not even at an apprentice’s level. It’s quite bizarre. However, as a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, it seems no one really focuses on whether I can perform these basic surgical procedures, which is a slight relief. Still, I feel I must rectify this shortcoming as soon as possible. After all, mastering these skills shouldn’t be too difficult for me now.