Rebirth 1977 Great Era

Chapter 1024 The Humidity of Hong Kong, Old Tang's Test? (Bonus Chapter for Monthly Tickets: 3K Chapters)

Fang Yan placed his fingertips on Old Tang's wrist pulse and began to examine Old Tang's tongue.

The tongue is dark red with a thin white coating that appears slightly moist, and red spots are faintly visible on the tip.

The pulse under three fingers is slightly wiry and slippery, especially on the left Guan position, like a light knife scraping bamboo.

The right cun-guan point is slightly depressed.

"By the way, I was diagnosed with rheumatism before, and after using your medicine, I feel that I'm basically cured. How does it feel now?" Old Tang asked Fang Yan.

He said in dialect:

"Judging from the tongue, there is still moisture."

After speaking in the dialect, he quickly analyzed the situation in his mind.

A dark red tongue indicates blood stasis or internal heat.

Based on Professor Tang's long-term experience in high-pressure intelligence work, it is suggested that stagnation of Qi leads to poor blood circulation, and prolonged stagnation can generate heat.

A thin, white, slippery tongue coating indicates that dampness remains in the body, which is consistent with a history of rheumatism. Dampness is sticky and difficult to remove.

The presence of red spots on the tip of the tongue indicates an excess of heart fire, which is likely related to prolonged excessive thinking and mental stress.

The left Guan position corresponds to the liver and gallbladder. A wiry pulse indicates liver qi stagnation, while a slippery pulse suggests internal phlegm and dampness. A pulse that feels like lightly scraping bamboo indicates that liver and gallbladder dysfunction has affected the circulation of qi and blood, leading to a tendency for qi stagnation and blood stasis.

The right cun position corresponds to the lungs, and the guan position corresponds to the spleen and stomach.

A deep pulse indicates spleen and lung qi deficiency, impaired water metabolism, and is related to long-term overwork and qi depletion.

Then, Fang Yan said to Old Tang:
"Your condition is caused by long-term high-pressure work, which leads to stagnation of liver qi. Stagnation of qi causes blood stasis, which in turn generates heat over time. Spleen dysfunction leads to internal retention of dampness, and qi deficiency results in insufficient propulsion. Therefore, you experience lower back pain from prolonged sitting. In addition, residual wind-dampness has not been cleared up and combines with blood stasis, obstructing the meridians. So, although your rheumatism symptoms have been relieved, your lower back pain still recurs."

"Then what should we do?" Old Tang asked.

He said in dialect:

"Don't worry too much, it's not a big problem. I'll prescribe a formula for you to soothe the liver, strengthen the spleen, promote blood circulation, and eliminate dampness."

"Then we'll use bone-setting techniques and acupuncture to treat you."

"Good!" Old Tang had great trust in Fang Yan's methods.

Next, Fang Yan found Tang Lao's pen and paper on the table and began to write.

The recipe is:
柴胡12g、白芍15g、枳壳10g、党参20g、茯苓30g、白术15g、桃仁9g、泽兰12g、丹参15g、桂枝6g、薏苡仁30g、甘草6g。

Since it was meant to be seen by others, Fang Yan also wrote down his recipe ideas:

Bupleurum, white peony root, and immature bitter orange peel soothe the liver and relieve depression.

Bupleurum soothes the liver and regulates qi, while white peony softens the liver and relieves pain, targeting the wiry pulse on the left Guan position.

The bitter orange peel enhances the effect of regulating qi and improves the dark red tongue caused by qi stagnation and blood stasis.

Codonopsis pilosula, Poria cocos, Atractylodes macrocephala, and Coix lacryma-jobi (a modified version of the Four Gentlemen Decoction to strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness)
Codonopsis pilosula is a better substitute for ginseng for long-term use, and when combined with Atractylodes macrocephala, it can strengthen the spleen and stomach.

Poria cocos combined with coix seed enhances diuresis and is effective for those with thin, white, slippery tongue coating.

It improves the spleen and lung qi deficiency indicated by the deep pulse at the right cun and guan positions.

Peach kernel, Lycopus lucidus, and Salvia miltiorrhiza promote blood circulation and eliminate dampness.

Peach kernel breaks up blood stasis and removes blood clots, while Lycopus lucidus invigorates blood and promotes diuresis; together they resolve the mutual binding of dampness and blood stasis.

Danshen cools the blood and promotes blood circulation, while also addressing the heat and stagnation caused by the red spots on the tip of the tongue.

Cinnamon twig and licorice root promote the flow of Yang energy and regulate Qi.

Cinnamon twigs warm and unblock the meridians, helping Yang Qi to promote the circulation of fluids.

Licorice harmonizes the effects of other herbs and relieves spasms and pain.

As I write this, Fang Yan suddenly remembered something.

"Isn't there someone here specifically responsible for your health? I might as well talk to him directly."

"Tell him about some things that you need to pay attention to in your daily life."

"Take this agarwood for example. It's nice, but there's no need to burn it all the time..."

Since the Tang and Song dynasties, agarwood has been an essential item on the desks of literati and scholars.

The characteristic of agarwood that "does not rot or become infested by insects, and becomes more fragrant with age" is often compared to the virtues of a gentleman.

For example, Li Yu of the Qing Dynasty used agarwood as a metaphor for people in his "Idle Thoughts": "Among all things, the one that sinks in water is the most fragrant. It is not only named for its fragrance, but also for its self-encouragement of chastity. Even after being burned by a fierce fire, its fragrance becomes stronger. How can any other fragrance compare to this?"

Su Shi once wrote, "Agarwood is used as a torch in the courtyard, and the incense is mixed together. How can it compare to a small fire, with smoke rising and soft songs playing?" This describes the elegant scene of burning agarwood. The Ming Dynasty book "Xiang Cheng" further details the methods of decocting and fumigating incense, elevating the appreciation of incense to a spiritual experience of "tranquility, elegance, purity, and harmony".

Old Tang waved his hand:

"Oh dear, I don't like the smell either. I only brought it out to burn today because I knew you were coming. I thought you would like it..."

After saying that, he immediately extinguished the agarwood.

"..." Fang Yan was speechless, after all that, he still couldn't get used to the smell.

I lit it for myself.

Fang Yan said to Old Tang:
"Then please bring the person in charge of health over, and I'll talk to him about the precautions."

Old Tang pointed to Xue Zhen, who was walking back:
"Your fifth senior brother is in charge of my health. He knows traditional Chinese medicine and has also learned martial arts. He is a high-end talent. In Hong Kong, his public identity is that of a Chinese medicine doctor. He also runs a high-end private clinic that caters to wealthy people."

After pausing, he lowered his voice and added:
"...Business is just not very good."

Fang Yan was speechless. Apart from himself, all the other senior brothers were only mediocre practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine?

He pinched the bridge of his nose and said to Old Tang:
"Please lift your clothes and lie down on the sofa. I'll give you a massage first."

"Okay!" Old Tang smiled and did as instructed, quickly lying down on the sofa.

Fang Yan began massaging him. At that moment, Xue Zhen arrived, paused slightly upon seeing the scene, and then said:

"I heard that my junior brother even became an apprentice of Old Madam Luo. Is this the Luo family's bone-setting technique?"

"Mm." Fang Yan nodded.

While giving Tang Lao a bone-setting massage, Fang Yan gave Xue Zhen the doctor's instructions: "Fifth Brother, this is the prescription. Peach kernels and Lycopus lucidus should be added 15 minutes after the decoction boils, otherwise prolonged boiling will destroy the efficacy; cinnamon twigs should be wrapped in gauze before boiling to prevent too much of the pungent components from evaporating. Remember, this medicine should not be taken on an empty stomach... Bupleurum and Citrus aurantium can irritate the gastric mucosa, so avoid eating mung beans and radishes for an hour after taking the medicine."

Xue Zhen nodded, holding the prescription: "Understood."

Fang Yan continued to instruct: "Add a moxa cushion to the seat to warm and unblock the bladder meridian. For acupuncture, the main acupoints are Liver Shu, Spleen Shu, and Yaoyangguan, with Taichong to clear liver fire and Yinlingquan to dispel dampness. When retaining the needles, moxibustion should be applied to Mingmen to tonify kidney yang. By the way, don't let Old Tang stay up late recently, and he should also avoid raw and cold seafood to prevent aggravating dampness."

Old Tang hurriedly declared, "I don't eat seafood! I only love my hometown food." Fang Yan glanced at him and said, "You should also give up spicy Hunan cuisine, lest it fuel your internal heat."

Old Tang was speechless. His earlier words of loyalty now sounded like walking into a trap. He could only sigh helplessly, "You're trying to crush my hopes..."

After the dialect massage was finished, acupuncture was performed on Mr. Tang according to the previously mentioned acupuncture method.

After Xue Zhen wrote down all the precautions for speaking the dialect, he then said:

"The investigation has been arranged. Next, we need to disguise Fang Yan and the others, change their clothes and cars, and then they can leave."

Lying on the sofa, Mr. Tang said:
"Okay, let the others go change clothes and disguise themselves first. Fang Yan will help me with that here."

Xue Zhen nodded and invited Deng Cai, Wang Feng, Li Chong, and Le Miao to go together.

"Do I need to put on makeup and disguise myself too?" Le Miao asked.

Old Tang said:
"It's safer to just change the color. You can just wipe it off when you get back."

Fang Yan said to Le Miao:

"Go ahead, listening to Old Tang is the right thing to do."

Le Miao nodded and followed Xue Zhen and the others to change clothes and put on makeup.

At this moment, Old Tang suddenly asked Fang Yan, "What exactly is your relationship with that girl from the Le family?"

Fang Yan was taken aback for a moment, then said frankly, "We're just friends."

Old Tang raised an eyebrow and chuckled: "I don't think so."

Fang Yan scoffed, "Then what do you think it resembles?"

"A lover?" Old Tang chuckled slyly. "A man who isn't a bit of a womanizer in his youth is a fool—back in my day, I was quite famous on Avenue Joffre in Shanghai..."

Fang Yan shook his head: "I don't have your flirtatious spirit."

Old Tang suddenly stopped smiling and said seriously:
"Honestly, what do you think about the Yue family girl joining our team?"

Fang Yan looked at the moxibustion on the acupoints on Old Tang's back and said:

"Want to hear the truth?"

Old Tang nodded:
"Of course!"

He said in dialect:

"I don't think she's suited for this job."

"How so?" Old Tang asked curiously.

He said in dialect:

“Having spent time with her, I’ve discovered that she’s inherently a man who seeks stability.” Fang Yan carefully chose his words. “Being a secret agent requires the mental fortitude to walk a tightrope at any moment, but she even hesitates to get harassed by street thugs. When a beggar on Temple Street tripped over a car, her hands trembled for three minutes.”

Old Tang was silent for a moment, then nodded and said:
“You’re right. The Le family has been in business for generations, and they’ve never had anyone who would risk their life.”

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly changed the subject:
"However, I think you're very suitable. You should take my place. Hong Kong is a great place where you can live a very carefree life."

After saying that, he pointed to the coastline of Repulse Bay.

Fang Yan was taken aback, then smiled wryly:
"Don't try to sweet-talk me. I'm better suited to sitting by a medicine jar and smelling herbs. If I really wanted to do intelligence work..." He pointed to Repulse Bay outside the window, "When I was being followed just now, my first instinct was to take the other person's pulse. Do you think that would work?"

Old Tang laughed heartily:
"I don't believe you. Are you just indirectly praising yourself as a compassionate doctor?"

“I wouldn’t go so far as to brag about myself,” Fang Yan shrugged. “But to say I was tempted…” he suddenly lowered his voice, “If I were truly greedy for wealth and luxury, when those American agents caught up with us, I could have just eased off the gas, and I’d probably be sitting by the pool in Beverly Hills by now, believe it or not?”

Old Tang was taken aback at first, then smiled and said:

"I believe you! Of course I believe you! You little rascal..."

He shook his head:

"Very well, we each have our own path. You guard your medicine shop, and I'll enjoy my life in the martial world. We'll arrive at the same destination by different routes."

Hearing what Old Tang said, Fang Yan breathed a sigh of relief.

Then the two chatted for a while, mentioning that Representative Huo was getting married the next day and that Old Tang would be attending.

The two inquired about the gifts prepared.

Old Tang planned to give away one of his own collection cars. He and Mr. Huo lived close by and had a very good personal relationship. In addition, he was also very wealthy, so it was not surprising that he would give away a car.

As for the self-written health care book that Fang Yan wanted to give as a gift, Old Tang felt it was alright.

It's a thoughtful gift, and although it looks cheap, it seems like the most valuable thing.

Health is priceless.

Especially after witnessing medical treatment using dialects, Representative Huo knew how much this thing was worth.

After chatting for a while, the person who had gone to change clothes and disguise also came over.

Fang Yan sized up Li Chong, Wang Feng, Deng Cai, and Le Miao, almost not recognizing them—

Li Chong, dressed in a floral shirt and high-waisted jeans, with a pair of gleaming pointed leather shoes, looked exactly like a sous chef at a Mong Kok tea restaurant.

Wang Feng tucked his navy blue polo shirt into his khaki casual pants, styled his hair, and with his tall stature, he looked every bit the mixed-race high-flyer in a Central office building.

Deng Cai was the most outrageous, wearing a light gray suit with a pink tie, his hair styled in a slicked-back, shiny style, and clutching a crocodile handbag, looking just like a jewelry salesman from Causeway Bay.

What surprised Fang Yan the most was Le Miao—she removed her light makeup, changed into a mint green floral dress, paired with a white knitted cardigan, changed her hair into big waves, and changed her earrings to freshwater pearl studs.

Her original student-like demeanor has been replaced by a soft, wealthy air, making her look like a movie star at first glance.

Compared to the disguise techniques based on dialects, this person's disguise relies more on costumes.

It's not that it's bad, it's just that dialects are simpler and faster, while those that rely on costumes are slower.

At this moment, Old Tang said to Fang Yan:

"Alright, you can go too. We're about the same size, so you can just wear the suit I ordered."

PS: After finishing this chapter, I still owe everyone 85000 words.

That's all for today, please come early tomorrow.

Lao Feng is working hard to write tomorrow's code.

(End of this chapter)