Rebirth 1977 Great Era

Chapter 1150 Dialects Unravel the Mysteries of the Medical Exam, Summer Vacation Begins (Two Chapters Combined)
The group chattered away, making everyone in the dialect class hold their breath.

They know the abilities of these people. Everyone says it's difficult, so when they encounter the same level of difficulty in their re-examination, will they be able to pass?
This made most of the people at the scene feel uneasy.

While everyone was discussing the matter but couldn't reach a conclusion, they gradually turned their attention to the dialect.

Because they saw that Fang Yan looked thoughtful and kept thinking about the problem.

You know, I rarely see him with such a thoughtful expression when I'm seeing a doctor.

They certainly wouldn't believe that he was stumped by these questions; everyone felt that he must be pondering some other issues.

Just then, Song Jianzhong couldn't help but ask Fang Yan:
"Brother Fang, is there anything you'd like to say?"

Fang Yan was taken aback, then came to his senses and said:
"I'm wondering what the examiner's thought process is?"

"The examiner's line of thinking?" Everyone looked at each other, not quite understanding what Master Fangyan was trying to say.
At this moment, one of the students from Jiangsu said:

"Isn't it obvious? The examiners' approach is to shut out the majority and select a small number of people who meet their requirements."

Fang Yan shook his head:
"No, I meant something deeper..."

He hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped. Several people present had been in contact with the dialect for a long time and probably understood what the dialect was trying to express.

Meng Jimin then said:

"Are you trying to analyze the underlying logic behind the questions by guessing the teachers' intentions?"

These words immediately stirred up the quiet crowd.

The purpose of this study is to analyze why these known questions are set in this way.
Besides keeping most people out, what other purpose do they want to achieve? If it's just about making things difficult, these questions probably won't pass the Ministry of Health's review.

After a brief pause in their discussion, Fang Yan picked up a teacup from the table, took a sip of tea, cleared his throat, and said:
"Don't panic, everyone. As we know now, the students from Jiangsu have explained the questions in great detail. Don't be stumped by these seemingly tricky questions. I think it's actually a good thing... At least we can guess the examiner's thought process and have some idea of ​​what to expect."

Upon hearing Fang Yan's words, everyone looked at him curiously.

When everyone is confused, the use of dialects can actually calm everyone down.

After all, apart from him, it seems that no one else has many positive ideas right now.

Fang Yan walked to the blackboard in the conference room, picked up the chalk and drew a big circle on it. Everyone in the room shut up and stared at Fang Yan, wondering what he was going to do.
Even the Jiangsu test-takers, who were feeling down after their exams, were drawn to the dialect.

At this moment, all that could be heard was a dialect:
"Let's break down the approach to these questions. First, they emphasize the classics, but don't test rote memorization. Take the question on the *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage), for example. It gives you a medical case and asks you to match it with the original text and analyze the mechanism. This tests whether you can apply what's in the book to living people. The question on differentiating water-heat diseases in the *Jinkui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber) tests whether you can identify the core differences from similar symptoms. What does this show? Rote memorization of the text is useless. You have to chew up the classics and make them your own."

He then drew a vertical line:
"Secondly, in addition to being clinically relevant, one must also understand 'why it is treated this way'. During the interview, the question about the differences in the processing of Jianglongteng was not really meant to be difficult, but rather to test whether 'the use of medicine can be adapted to local conditions'. Lingnan is humid, so the processing may focus on dispelling dampness; the Central Plains is dry, so the preservation of its properties may be emphasized. Behind this is the adaptation of medical principles to the region. What the interviewer wants is someone who 'knows not only what it is, but also why it is.'"

"Of course, it is an objective fact that we did not take into account that the candidates have never been to Lingnan. However, I think that as long as the answer is close to the question, it should not lose many points. After all, it is not that the answer is wrong, but that it is not in-depth."

Hearing the dialect spoken, the Jiangsu student who had been complaining earlier looked much better.

The dialect analysis makes sense!
At least I answered, and I didn't answer incorrectly.

The chalk, written in a local dialect, quickly sketched several key points on the blackboard. Finally, the chalk tip paused on the three characters "Medical Classical Chinese" and the speaker said:

"Thirdly, it's about building a solid foundation. Classical Chinese and clinical practice must be interconnected. For example, the question 'All dizziness and vertigo belong to the liver,' translation is the basics. Explaining 'diao' (掉) means trembling and 'xuan' (眩) means blurred vision tests your understanding of the classical meaning. Finally, combining it with clinical practice to explain the syndrome of internal liver wind forces you to turn the text into a living symptom. This is just like when we diagnose a patient, after observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation, we have to connect the pulse, tongue coating, and pathogenesis. It's the same principle."

At this point, he turned to look at everyone:

"As for the preferences of the question setters, the answer is hidden in the question just now. The generation of Yue Lao and others have always emphasized 'classics as the foundation and practice as the soul'. They are afraid that young people will lose the legacy of their ancestors, and they are also afraid that they will not know how to treat patients after learning the theory. Therefore, the questions not only delve into the details of the classics, but also get into the practical application of clinical practice, and also take into account the regional characteristics. After all, the roots of traditional Chinese medicine are planted in the local soil and water."

One student couldn't help but ask:
"So how should we deal with this? It feels like there's so much to learn..."

Fang Yan put down the chalk, thought for a moment, and then said:
"Based on the intelligence we have so far, I think the best approach is to focus on the big picture and not the details, and to address the underlying principles rather than the specific problems."

Upon hearing his words, a few people's eyes lit up, while most looked confused.

Fang Yan picked up the chalk again, tapped it on the blackboard, and said:
"Everyone has already memorized most of the classic texts. Even if there are some parts you haven't memorized, there's no need to memorize them by rote or rush to memorize them. For example, the mechanism of syndrome changes after sweating, vomiting, and purging in the Treatise on Febrile Diseases, and the core differential diagnosis points of various miscellaneous diseases in the Golden Chamber. If you understand these thoroughly, you should have no problem with today's written test. Spend half an hour every day reading a passage of classical medical texts and memorize the meanings of commonly used words, such as the word 'diao' from earlier. As for clinical medication, think more about 'why the medicine is used in this way in this place.' For example, Lingnan is humid, so their medicine tends to be clearing and purging, while the Central Plains is cold, so their medicine tends to be warming and purging. If you understand these principles thoroughly, you can also follow the logic when you encounter unfamiliar questions."

He dropped the chalk, stepped down from the podium, and walked into the middle of the crowd:
"Don't forget, we see patients here every day and deal with real-life cases. The Jiangsu student just mentioned 'excessive sweating damaging Yang' and 'differentiation of water retention diseases.' Didn't we encounter a similar patient last month? Matching the experience in the clinic with the classics is much more useful than blindly doing practice questions."

"To be honest, this exam was difficult partly to weed out people, but more importantly, to select people who can truly shoulder the responsibility of traditional Chinese medicine."

"Everyone who has made it to the interview stage has studied the Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic and experienced countless pulse diagnosis techniques. Don't be intimidated by a few questions."

“I think what the examiners want to see is not a ‘generalist’ but a TCM practitioner with ‘roots and soul’. The roots are in the classics, and the soul is in clinical practice.”

He paused after speaking:
"Don't look so gloomy, relax. I think as long as we bring out our usual medical skills and show our understanding of traditional Chinese medicine, that will be enough."

After the conversation, the tense atmosphere dissipated considerably, and some people began to look down at their notes, muttering, "The variant symptoms in the Treatise on Febrile Diseases..."

Some people encouraged each other:
"Yes, we practice every day, what's there to be afraid of?"

Fang Yan knew that his words had been useful once the atmosphere at the scene finally calmed down.

Then he thanked the Jiangsu traditional Chinese medicine doctors who had brought the news:

"Thank you all so much for coming all this way to talk about these things today."

Fang Yan bowed to the Jiangsu examinees and said:
"These details about the questions are crucial for our upcoming interview preparation. We appreciate it that you came to explain them to us right after the exam."

It was only then that the people who were encouraging each other realized that they should indeed thank the first batch of examinees for the information they had brought back.

Fang Yan glanced at his watch. After talking and analyzing for a while, it was already five o'clock. So he turned to Xie Chunrong and said:
"Chunrong, take these students to the cafeteria. They've been running around all afternoon and must be hungry. I'll sign a note asking the cafeteria to make some stir-fries and ask the chef if they know any Jiangsu cuisine..."

Upon hearing Fang Yan's words, several Jiangsu examinees said to him:

"Dr. Fang, you're being too kind. It makes us feel embarrassed..."

Fang Yan smiled and said to the group:

"Don't be shy, make yourself at home."

Seeing that someone was about to refuse, Fang Yan pressed down on his arm:

"Oh, we're both studying traditional Chinese medicine, so there's no need for such formalities. Elder Zhu is a relative of mine, and Nantong Hospital has also provided me with a lot of support in the development of the 'Exceptional Heart-Saving Decoction.' Now that you've arrived in Beijing, you've even given us firsthand information about the exams. What is this small gesture of hospitality?"

He specifically looked at the examinee who was stumped by the "crossing-the-river dragon vine" (a type of vine used in traditional Chinese divination):

"Especially you, it's not easy to even get a general answer to that question. After the re-examination, let's find some time to have a good talk about the processing of medicinal materials in different regions. I'll also give you a copy of our local 'Traditional Chinese Medicine Processing' then."

His words were both thoughtful and warm, blending politeness with genuine care, which deeply moved the Jiangsu examinees and relieved much of their fatigue and tension from the previous exams.

By the time they took these people to the cafeteria for dinner, Fang Yan and the others should have been off work by then.

Fang Yan said to the class:
"The exams don't start until today, the 6th. We still have several days before the exams. We'll get the latest updates and summaries every day, so don't feel pressured. Go back and get some rest."

Everyone agreed after hearing this.

Then the meeting ended and everyone went home.

Fang Yan then tidied up and went to the inpatient floor. There had been quite a few patients admitted these past few days, so he had to come and take a look.

The people here are talking about the entrance exam for postgraduate studies in Traditional Chinese Medicine today.

This is still a hot topic. Even people who are not taking the exam are concerned about today's situation. Some people have already received the news and know that today's exam content is very difficult.

We're discussing today's topic right now.

Upon seeing Fang Yan arrive, everyone greeted him and asked if he had heard about today's exam content.

After responding to the people who gathered around him, Fang Yan presented the question and asked him to answer it.

Many hospitalized patients and their families in the corridor heard the noise outside and came out one by one. They found that everyone was testing their dialect skills and became interested to see if they could answer the questions in dialect.

Even medical staff who don't take exams find today's questions difficult. I wonder if these questions will still be considered difficult in Fang Yan's hands.

Fang Yan was surrounded by a crowd, blocking the front of the nurses' station. There were layers upon layers of people surrounding him. Seeing their enthusiasm, he could only smile, pick up the paper and pen on the table, and quickly draw a simple diagram of the pathogenesis before explaining:
"Take the question about excessive sweating in the Treatise on Cold Damage, for example. The patient has a Taiyang disease, and the Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) is the correct way to induce sweating. However, the sweating is excessive. Taiyang governs the exterior, and sweat is the fluid of the heart. Excessive sweating damages the heart's Yang, so the patient experiences palpitations and tremors. When the Yang Qi is deficient, it cannot transform Qi and promote the flow of fluids, so urination becomes difficult. This corresponds to the original text, 'If sweating occurs in Taiyang disease and then leaks continuously, the patient will feel aversion to wind, have difficulty urinating, and experience slight stiffness in the limbs, making it difficult to bend or stretch. Gui Zhi Jia Fu Zi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction with Aconite) is the main treatment.' The core is 'Excessive sweating damages Yang, and the Yang Qi is not consolidated.' Once this mechanism is explained thoroughly, the answer will become clear."

After the first question was explained, some people understood it while others were still completely confused.

Didn't you say the problem was difficult?

Why is the answer so simple when it comes to dialects?
Then, Fang Yan mentioned the water-related illness described in the *Jinkui Yaolue* (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet). He marked three points on the notebook on the table and said:

"Swelling of the body to the point of being no bigger than a finger, with an abdomen like a drum, and no aversion to wind, indicates 'normal edema,' which is due to spleen and kidney yang deficiency; facial swelling with fever and yellow urine indicates 'wind edema,' where wind evil attacks the exterior, causing dampness to stagnate and transform into heat; swelling below the waist with aversion to cold and cold limbs indicates 'stone edema,' which is mostly due to kidney yang deficiency. The key to differentiation is to look at the location of the swelling, whether there are signs of heat, and whether one is afraid of cold. If you grasp these points, you won't get confused."

He spoke in a concise dialect, intending to finish his sentence and then quickly get on with his business.

Finally, when discussing the ancient medical text, "All dizziness and vertigo belong to the liver," he picked up a pen as an example:

"'Diao' refers to the trembling of the pen, corresponding to limb tremors; 'Xuan' refers to seeing the pen pen as if it were spinning, corresponding to dizziness. There are three types of internal liver wind: liver yang transforming into wind, which is like dizziness and hand tremors due to high blood pressure; extreme heat generating wind, which is like high fever and convulsions; and yin deficiency causing wind, which is like tremors after a long illness and physical weakness. By combining these clinical examples, we can connect the ancient text with the symptoms."

He broke down the complex problem clearly in just a few words, and the medical staff nodded in agreement.
"So that's how it is! After the director explained it, it all became clear, just like seeing a doctor." Fang Yan put down his pen.
"Actually, it's just about treating classic texts as 'medical case studies' and analyzing exam questions as 'patients.' That's what we do every day; it's not difficult."

After he finished speaking, he said, "Okay, that's it. If you don't understand, ask someone who does. The head nurse on duty today will do rounds with me."

After saying that, Fang Yan began her work before leaving work.

An elderly Chinese woman, supported by her daughter, stood in the corridor. Only after Fang Yan had walked away did she turn to her daughter and say:

"This Dr. Fang is really capable... I was completely baffled by that question just now, but he explained it clearly in just a few words."

The daughter nodded:
"Exactly, I don't know how their brains are structured?"

A family member from the next ward poked their head out and chimed in:

"Not only is he quick-witted, but he also has a good temper. So many people were surrounding him asking questions, but he wasn't impatient at all. Some doctors would have chased them away long ago."

This remark drew murmurs of agreement from several family members of patients in the next room.

"He's more reliable than those gray-haired old doctors!"

“I’ve spent a lot of money abroad, but I’ve never met such good doctors.”

At the end of the corridor, an elderly man, leaning on a cane, slowly made his way along. Hearing this, he couldn't help but interject:
"You didn't see how accurate he was when he was giving me acupuncture! I said my left arm was numb, and he found an acupoint below my right knee, and it felt better immediately after I inserted the needle. This isn't something you can do just by reciting a book; you have to really understand where the patient is hurting and where there's a blockage."

The head nurse followed behind Fang Yan, listening to the subtle compliments, and couldn't help but smile. Seeing that Fang Yan didn't turn around, she whispered:

"Director, your prestige is truly earned. You'll definitely get first place in the exam."

Fang Yan didn't stop walking, she just smiled faintly:
"Then I'll lend you some good advice."

……

Fang Yan returned home, and the house was bustling with activity. Kindergartens in Beijing had already started their summer vacation. Not only was Zhengyi Mingzhu at home, but her brother-in-law's children were also on vacation. Although she had heard that they would be adding short-term military training and red education activities later, in line with the characteristics of military education, the children were currently on vacation.

As soon as the holidays start, they clamor to come and play here in the dialect area.

Even though they've been back for a semester, the two children still prefer being outside.

The main reason is that they were used to living in Guangdong when they were young. There are many rules in the military compound, and they just can't get used to it.

During dinner that evening, Fang Yan asked his mother:

"Didn't my second sister say she was coming back? She didn't send a telegram saying when she would arrive?"

The old woman said:

"She didn't send it. You know her temper; she knows her own plans."

"Moreover, it's difficult to buy tickets for transportation. Train tickets and bus tickets need to be purchased in advance at the station or school's ticket office. Especially for long-distance students like her, they definitely need to queue up several days in advance. She might not have been able to buy any yet."

He said in dialect:

"No, Fudan University might assist with group ticket purchases, I estimate it should be in the next few days."

"Anyway, there are only a few trains from Shanghai to the capital."

In addition, in those days, food was rationed with food coupons. National food coupons could be used in other places, while local food coupons were only valid in the local area. Some students had to get the food coupons they needed for the holidays from the school cafeteria, or exchange them for national food coupons for use when going home or on the way. This would probably take some time.

Fang Yan turned to look at the older sister who had driven back after dinner and asked:

"Big sister, your holiday must be coming soon, right?"

The eldest sister, Fang Jie, said:

"Today is the final exam day. I've finished all the basic courses for my major. Tomorrow morning I have a required political theory class on dialectical materialism and historical materialism. After the exam, I'll clean up, organize my personal belongings, and return the borrowed books in the afternoon."

"Then, some majors and classes in the school will arrange for some students to do short-term practical tasks. Science and engineering students will go to factories to participate in technical resources, while liberal arts students may participate in local research. Some students will also be organized to participate in campus renovation activities. After completing these tasks, they will leave the school."

He asked in dialect:

"What about you?"

The eldest sister said:

"We're fine, but our return to school is being moved up because they say we have a mission."

The dialect suddenly became clear.

"By the way, when are your postgraduate entrance exams? I saw in the newspaper that they've already started," the brother-in-law asked Fang Yan while eating.

He said in dialect:

"We are in the fifth batch, and we will take the exam on the 10th."

The older brother-in-law asked:
"How about it? Are you confident?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he was kicked by his wife, Ye Yun.

"What are you saying?" Ye Yun said to him reproachfully.

The brother-in-law looked completely bewildered, not knowing what he had said wrong.

Ye Yun glared at her husband, whose mouth was stuffed with steamed buns, and said:

"He is the director of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, the only TCM physician designated by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the director of the research institute of the Chinese Medicine Research Institute, the recipient of the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Medal of the General Logistics Department of the People's Liberation Army last year, and an invited doctor for the August 1st Army Day of the Military Region this year. You ask him if he has confidence?"

"Cough cough... cough cough cough..." The brother-in-law finally realized what was happening and coughed repeatedly, choking on his saliva.

"Cough cough... I'm sorry... cough cough... I didn't realize it!" The brother-in-law apologized to Fang Yan while coughing.

Everyone was at a loss for words, neither laughing nor crying. The family had no confidence in anyone but Fang Yan.

Fang Yan was amused and quickly waved his hand:

"I'm embarrassed by what you said, sister-in-law. There are no absolutes when it comes to exams. Whether the questions are difficult or not, and whether you perform well or not, all depends on your condition on the day."

My brother-in-law finally caught his breath and picked up his enamel mug to drink some rice porridge.
"I was confused. I should have asked what rank you were aiming for."

"My master is definitely number one!" Little Zhao Zhengyi was the first to stand up and support Fang Yan.

Fang Yan smiled and ruffled his hair.

……

The next day, early this morning, Fang Yan received a message from the school that regular classes would also be starting their summer vacation.

The first piece of news was about the final exams. Other classes had to take them, but the students in the elite class of Fangyan had to take the postgraduate entrance exam, so they were exempted from them.

The second piece of news is that many students in the international program are preparing to return to their home countries, with the majority being from the Philippines. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and everyone is starting to prepare to go home.

Hosseoué, who has a good relationship with the dialect, doesn't plan to return to Cuba; he will stay in China.

As for the others, Jan Novak from Czechoslovakia, Anna from Poland, Milos from Yugoslavia, and Karl Schneider from East Germany were all going back to their home countries.

Before leaving, they invited Fang Yan to a gathering and dinner at their usual spot, the Moscow Restaurant.

Fang Yan agreed, saying she absolutely had to go.

They said they would definitely arrive that evening and would also prepare gifts for them.

Next, Fang Yan went to work in the morning and spent the afternoon summarizing her experiences while waiting for news from the second batch of students who were taking the exam.

Today, there were even several people from other places who came to listen to the class. Everyone's mind is not at ease right now, and only here in the dialect area is there a learning atmosphere.

At 4 p.m., they received today's exam content again.

The first question in the written exam was about the Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic. It gave us the sentence "The kidney is the organ of strength, from which skill and dexterity arise." We not only had to translate it, but also had to explain in clinical terms what kind of "strength" and "skill" kidney disease would affect. For example, weakness in the lower back and knees was considered a "strength" disorder, and trembling fingers were considered a "skill" impairment.

The *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage) examines the diagnosis and treatment of "Yangming disease, characterized by thirst, dry mouth and tongue," presenting two case studies: one of simple thirst, and the other of thirst accompanied by constipation. The examiner is required to differentiate between "excessive heat in the Yangming Qi level" and "Yangming bowel obstruction," and also to explain the mechanisms of using Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) and Chengqi Tang (Purgative Decoction).

All of these are equally tricky.

Although the topic was completely different from yesterday's, the core idea was indeed the same as what the dialect said, and the pattern he described seemed to be correct.

PS: The basic chapter of 6000 words has been updated.

(End of this chapter)