Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor Gao-Yuan

The knowledge Gao-Yuan shared was actually learned from the Militia Training Manual, although this book wouldn't be published for several more years. Later, during large-scale militia training, everyone followed the guidelines from this manual.

Thus, Gao-Yuan had taken advantage of an information gap.

Cao Xinjian immediately dared not waste time and said, "Comrade doctor, please explain."

Gao-Yuan relayed the information he remembered to Cao Xinjian, and his memory of these topics was particularly vivid. It wasn't just the militia that needed training on how to prevent and respond to these modern weapons—barefoot doctors like him also had to be trained in these areas.

If these new weapons exploded, doctors like them needed to know how to treat the victims, prevent further damage, and protect the lives and health of the people.

In his previous life, Gao-Yuan had undergone professional training for this. He was well-prepared.

Gao-Yuan explained everything he remembered to Cao Xinjian.

Before long, Cao Xinjian's eyes widened with amazement.

"Are you... really a doctor?" Cao Xinjian stared at Gao-Yuan in disbelief.

Gao-Yuan asked in return, "If I'm not a doctor, then what am I?"

Cao Xinjian replied, "Even if you told me you were a military research expert, I'd believe you!"

Gao-Yuan laughed. "You're too kind, Officer Cao. These are just some preliminary suggestions. You can submit them for further discussion and strive to develop a better plan from this."

"Great, great!" Cao Xinjian nodded eagerly. Holding the densely written papers, he was thrilled. "These are invaluable, practical suggestions! Thank you so much, comrade doctor."

Cao Xinjian excitedly extended his hand for a handshake, saying, "You've not only cured my illness but also helped me tremendously. I'll organize this information and send it for review. By the way, comrade doctor, I still don't know your name."

"I'm Gao-Yuan, a new doctor at the joint clinic."

"Gao-Yuan?" Cao Xinjian found the name familiar.

Gao-Yuan nodded, then said, "Don't forget to take your medicine. I have other things to do, so I'll head back now. If you need anything, come to the joint clinic."

With that, Gao-Yuan left.

Cao Xinjian murmured to himself, "Gao-Yuan... Gao-Yuan..."

The more he repeated the name, the more familiar it sounded, and suddenly he frozen. "Gao-Yuan?"

He quickly glanced toward the entrance, but Gao-Yuan had already disappeared.

Back at the joint clinic, both Liu Sanquan and Li Shengli were present.

"Doctor Gao," they greeted him.

Gao-Yuan nodded. "You're both here. No rounds today?"

Li Shengli replied, "During the busy farming season, we do rounds every three days. Today is a rest day."

"Has the clinic been busy?" Gao-Yuan asked.

Li Shengli answered, "There have been quite a few patients lately. Many people have been catching colds. Oh, Doctor Gao, I wasn’t quite sure about the diagnosis and treatment for one patient earlier. Could you take a look?"

Li Shengli handed over his medical notebook for Gao-Yuan to review.

Liu Sanquan, curious, stretched his neck to listen quietly.

Just as Gao-Yuan opened the notebook, a woman entered, carrying a child. She looked around at the doctors and asked, "Is Dr. Zhao Huanzhang here?"

The doctors shook their heads.

She asked again, "Is Dr. Shen here?"

Again, they shook their heads.

Looking troubled, the woman said, "Only you two are here."

Liu Sanquan and Li Shengli were momentarily taken aback. What kind of remark was that?

Gao-Yuan asked, "What's the problem?"

The woman, cradling her child, whispered, "My child has a fever."

"Bring the child here; let me take a look," said Gao-Yuan.

The woman, clearly worried, asked, "And you are...?"

"I'm Gao-Yuan, a new doctor here," he replied.

The woman hesitated, "My child is very delicate. Whenever he gets sick, it's difficult to handle. He vomits whatever he eats, and getting him to take medicine is a struggle. If the fever doesn’t go down after a few doses, it’s a serious problem. That’s why I wanted to see an experienced doctor. When will Dr. Zhao and Dr. Shen return?"

Li Shengli replied, "Dr. Zhao Huanzhang is away for training and won't be back for two days. As for Shen Congyun, don’t count on him."

"Why not count on me?" a voice suddenly sounded from outside the door.

Shen Congyun slowly entered with his hands tucked into his sleeves, leaning against the doorframe with a lazy expression.

Seeing him, Li Shengli grew angry again. "Do you know what time it is? You’ve slept until now? Do you think your bed has some kind of treasure?"

As the two were about to start arguing again, Liu Sanquan quickly shrank back, stepping aside.

Shen Congyun nonchalantly scratched his ear with his pinky and continued looking lethargic, letting Li Shengli rant without offering any defense.

Just as Li Shengli was about to hurl more insults, Gao-Yuan interjected, "He’s been up for a while."

Li Shengli was puzzled. "He’s been up? Then why didn’t he come to the clinic? Was he out earning extra on the side?"

Gao-Yuan replied, "He was practicing his skills."

Li Shengli, still confused, asked, "Practicing skills?"

Gao-Yuan nodded. "No physician who treats external injuries with their hands neglects their training."

Hearing this, Shen Congyun, who had been leaning against the doorframe, raised his drooping eyelids and looked at Gao-Yuan.

Li Shengli, still not understanding, asked, "What do you mean, practicing what?"

Gao-Yuan explained, "He’s practicing a method from the Yizhi Chan school known as the Twelve Postures of the Yi Jin Jing."

At this, Shen Congyun, who had been lounging against the doorframe, suddenly stood up straight, looking at Gao-Yuan in surprise. "How do you know all this?"

Li Shengli and Liu Sanquan also turned their attention to Gao-Yuan.

Li Shengli asked, "What is Yi Jin Jing?"

Gao-Yuan answered, "The term 'Yi' means to change, and 'Jin' refers to tendons, muscles, and the points where they connect to the bones. The method involves using techniques to stimulate and alter these areas to heal the body. Traditional massage and bone-setting doctors all practice this, and most of them train in the Yi Jin Jing. Different schools have variations, but the core principles remain similar."

"Oh." Li Shengli nodded, though he didn’t fully understand.

Just then, the child in the woman's arms began to cry.

Gao-Yuan turned to Shen Congyun and said, "Dr. Shen, since this woman specifically asked for you, it’s time for you to step in."

Shen Congyun interlaced his fingers and slowly stretched them. He glanced at Gao-Yuan and said coldly, "Watch closely, then."

"Put the child on the examination bed," Shen Congyun instructed.

The woman, still holding her child, hesitated. "Dr. Shen, could you please prescribe something gentle? My child is still very young and has a weak constitution. Medicine is three parts poison, and I'm afraid he won’t be able to handle it. He vomits easily, so anything too bitter will be difficult for him."

Shen Congyun replied, "Don't worry. No medicine is needed. I'll treat him to a massage alone."

Li Shengli burst out laughing, "This old fellow is talking nonsense again."

Gao-Yuan nudged him and shook his head, signaling him not to speak out of turn.

Shen Congyun shot a glance in their direction but said nothing. He retrieved a thermometer and checked the child's temperature—38.5°C.

He then cradled the child's head, studying him closely.

Curious, Li Shengli asked, "What is he looking at?"

Gao-Yuan explained, "For a child this young who can’t speak, even slightly older children find it difficult to accurately describe their symptoms. That’s why pediatricians in ancient times called pediatrics the 'silent art.' Also, young children often can't have their pulses checked."

"In pediatric medicine, two of the traditional diagnostic methods—pulse-taking and inquiry—are omitted. Thus, visual diagnosis becomes the most important. The Secret Techniques of Pediatric Massage states, 'When examining children, first observe their spirit and complexion. Older children may also have their pulses checked.' So, you first check the spirit, then the complexion. Only children over three years old can have their pulse diagnosed."

Li Shengli nodded, then asked, "Oh, and what is he doing now?"

Seeing Shen Congyun massaging the child’s index finger, Gao-Yuan replied, "For a child this young, their qi and blood are insufficient, and their meridians are not fully developed, making pulse diagnosis impossible. However, the finger vein diagnosis technique uses the veins on the index finger, which is connected to the Lung Meridian of the Hand-Taiyin channel."

"This technique, known as pediatric finger vein diagnosis, divides the index finger into three sections: Wind, Qi, and Life Gates. If the vein reaches the Wind Gate, the illness is mild. If it reaches the Qi Gate, it’s serious. If it reaches the Life Gate, it’s very critical."

“Of course, that’s just what the ancient texts say about cases that are beyond treatment. In reality, there’s always a chance for recovery. Even if the fingerprint reaches the life gate, we must do everything in our power to save the patient. We absolutely cannot give up and certainly cannot turn the patient away.”

Li Shengli nodded, a serious expression on his face as he absorbed Gao-Yuan’s words.

At that moment, Shen Congyun, who was still observing the child’s finger veins, glanced over at Gao-Yuan and let out a quiet scoff.

The term Yi Jin Jing in martial arts novels likely borrowed from this medical concept. While practicing the Yi Jin Jing won’t grant someone the ability to perform incredible feats like flying or vanishing, it does help stimulate the meridians and acupuncture points, aiding in quicker recovery for patients. And that, in itself, is already a great blessing.