The old scholar was originally a scholar named Chang Youcai named Haotian in the late Qing Dynasty. Chang Haotian, who was well-educated in poetry and calligraphy, caught up with the decline of the dynasty and could have continued to take the civil service examination, but the country abolished the imperial examination system. Therefore, Chang Haotian was very depressed at that time, but seeing the chaotic national situation, he had to go home and work in farming.
The old scholar looked at Wu Yugang, this extremely smart child, as if he had returned to his youthful reading days.
The old scholar said to Wu Yugang: "Very good! Let's read through these books and you will gain something."
Wu Yugang reads the old scholar's books like a charm every day. Time flies so fast. Wu Yugang is six and a half years old. He has read through the old scholar's collection of books and has begun to learn and imitate them. The old scholar also imparted his knowledge to Wu Yugang.
One day, Wu Yugang came home. After dinner, I was reading a book in my arms.
My mother came over and asked, "What book are you reading?"
Wu Yugang said: "'A Dream of Red Mansions'."
Mother asked: "Then what did you read?"
Wu Yugang said: "It is better to have a capable child than to have a rich family."
Mother smiled and said: "That's right. So how are you doing in the old scholar's book?!"
Wu Yugang said: "I have read all the books of the old scholar. I have memorized many Confucian classics. I have also dabbled in other schools, but the old scholar only has so many books. This "Dream of Red Mansions" was written by the old scholar's son from the city. I brought it back, but I haven’t read it, so I took it to read.”
His mother said: "That means I have finished learning the knowledge of the old scholar!" Wu Yugang nodded.
At this time, his father Wu Ming said from the side: "If a boy wants to settle down and make a living in the world, he must have a craft or something, and he can't just live by working hard."
Wu Yugang asked: "Then what should I continue to learn?"
The mother asked: "Then what do you like?"
"What I like most is playing." Wu Yugang said.
The parents were amused by Wu Yugang's words.
My father smiled and said, "How about you go and learn from an old Chinese doctor."
Mother also asked from the side: "Do you like to treat people? Treating diseases and saving people is a good thing."
Wu Yugang nodded and said: "That's fine, the old gentleman doesn't have anything to read anyway."
Early the next morning, Wu Ming and his wife brought Wu Yugang to say goodbye to the old scholar. The old scholar said reluctantly: "This kid is really smart. He might as well learn something else. He will have a future."
Wu Yugang said: "Sir, I will come back to see you later." After bidding farewell to the old scholar, Wu Ming, his wife, and Wu Yugang came to the home of the old Chinese medicine doctor in the village.
It turned out that Wu Ming's wife felt a little unwell a few days ago, so she came to see a doctor at the old Chinese medicine doctor's house. After a check, Wu Ming's wife had another child. Maybe it’s the good luck brought by Wu Yugang!
Wu Ming accidentally chatted with an old Chinese medicine doctor and said: "You are so old and you don't have a helper apprentice?"
The old Chinese medicine doctor said: "My daughter is married, and my son is also treating people in the city. He asked me to go to the city, but there is no doctor in this village in the wild mountains. How can I do it?"
Wu Ming said: "What if I find you an apprentice?"
The old Chinese medicine doctor smiled and said: "How can you have such a good apprentice? Learning medicine also depends on your own intelligence and hobbies. Not everyone can learn to be a doctor in the butcher shop, but you are the only ones in the village. Wu Yugang from home is very smart.”
Wu Ming was secretly happy: "Then if Wu Yugang is asked to become a doctor with you, will you accept him?"
The old Chinese medicine doctor said: "As long as he is willing to learn, I will teach him. However, learning Chinese medicine is hard and tiring. What do you and your wife think?"
Wu Ming and his wife said happily: "There is nothing wrong with doctors treating diseases and saving people. They can solve the problems of the villagers. What hardships do we, rural people, have to fear? It is a good thing."
The old Chinese medicine doctor nodded and said, "That's good!"
The old Chinese medicine doctor's home is on a hillside in the village. In villages in the mountains, the villagers are usually scattered in the mountains. Old Chinese medicine practitioners are no exception.
This house on a hillside has a single door and courtyard, surrounded by tall trees, with pines and cypresses blocking out the sky.
Entering the courtyard, I saw only two courtyards and five tall houses. There were some rare flowers and plants planted in the courtyard. Wu Yugang looked at everything here.
The old Chinese medicine doctor was reading in the room in the front yard. When he saw Wu Ming and his wife bringing Wu Yugang, he came out to greet them.
Wu Ming and his wife said: "I brought the child to you. From now on, his future will be left to you."
The old Chinese medicine doctor looked at Wu Yugang and said with a smile: "It's nothing, as long as he is willing." At this time, Wu Yugang had grown a lot taller, a head taller than the average child, with a slender figure yet strong, exuding a worldly look. There is little organic aura and elegance.
The old Chinese medicine doctor pulled Wu Yugang over and asked, "Are you willing to learn Chinese medicine?"
Wu Yugang said: "It doesn't matter whether you want it or not. It won't hurt to learn more."
After sending Wu Ming and his wife away, the old Chinese medicine doctor pulled Wu Yugang into the room and said, "It is very beneficial for young people to learn more knowledge. Having more skills is not a burden. But do you understand medicine?"
Wu Yugang shook his head and said, "Not sure!"
The old Chinese medicine doctor said meaningfully: "Doctors are kind-hearted!"
Wu Yugang asked: "What is benevolence?"
The old Chinese medicine doctor said: "Benevolence means being honest, having a conscience, and treating patients with the same patience as parents treat children. This is the most basic moral requirement that a doctor should have. Do you understand?" Wu Yugang nodded silently. Head down.
As he said that, the old Chinese medicine doctor took out a book from his side and said to Wu Yugang: "This book is the "Huangdi Neijing", which is the earliest theoretical and clinical knowledge of Chinese medicine. Beginners can also start from here. You have to read it carefully. You must also treat people in a practical manner, and you must not be careless. Any mistakes may cause medical accidents and human lives.”
Wu Yugang felt at this time: Medicine is heavy and the responsibility is hard to imagine.
The old Chinese medicine doctor looked at Wu Yugang who was in a daze and said: "It's not difficult, but you have to be familiar with the relationship between the body's meridians and organs first. There is still a lot to learn in the future, and there are many things that can be learned in depth!" Wu Yugang smiled.
The old Chinese medicine doctor said: "In the future, you will have to learn about Pumai, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and prescribing, which are all very important."
Wu Yugang asked: "Then how to learn?"
The old Chinese medicine doctor said: "First read this book familiarly, and then slowly explore it through practice, and I will teach you."
Wu Yugang felt that he had met a good teacher, because according to what he learned from conversations among the villagers, many apprentices had to go through a lot of hardships, and no master could easily teach any apprentice the true skills from the beginning. (To be continued)