Rebirth 1977 Great Era

Chapter 1173 Is this for war? A tacit understanding to speed things up (Two chapters combined)
Everyone responded in unison, their voices sounding as if they could lift the roof off.

Although conditions in later generations are much better in every way, Fang Yan felt at this moment a feeling he had never had in his previous life: confidence and a sense of mission in traditional Chinese medicine.

Everyone agreed that this was an event that would be remembered, and believed that what they had done was very meaningful.

Although traditional Chinese medicine has been impacted, the situation is not as severe as it was in later generations. Now, people can unite as one.

The deadline of the "August 1st tribute" also required such a large team to complete the transformation of ancient books in a short period of time, which at the same time strengthened the sense of collective honor.

With everyone focused on a common goal and with institutional safeguards in place, this is ultimately a very rare historical opportunity.

Fang Yan knew that luck was on his side today.

This can be considered a step that changes history. Others may not have realized it yet, but from the perspective of dialect, this feeling is there.

……

Next, as instructed by Vice Dean Zhao Xiwu, Fang Yan began to divide everyone into groups.

Dialect studies break down ancient text research into three main groups:

The group consists of three parts: the Ancient Books Collation Group (identifying the authenticity of texts), the Pharmacological Analysis Group (understanding the properties of medicinal materials), and the Clinical Adaptation Group (determining practical prescriptions).

Then, each group selected each subgroup, clarifying that each subgroup should focus on two major goals: prevention and treatment of tropical diseases in the south and medical care for military jungle and mountain operations, just as the professors in Guangzhou focused on "rapid battlefield solutions".

Dialects require the continuation of the concept of using local materials.

He plans to recreate the scene from his time at Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine.

This revision aims to allow everyone to fully utilize their abilities and skills, resulting in a more detailed and comprehensive version.

This place is full of professionals, many of whom were transferred from the south to Beijing. They have an impression and experience of the various mountainous and jungle areas in the south.

These impressions and experiences made them very adept at their work.

Dialects flowed between the groups. Having just finished answering the proofreading group's question about the name "foreign medicine", he was pulled by the pharmacology group to look at a mimeographed "Toxicity Table of Southeast Asian Herbal Medicines".

"Director Fang, look at the record of 'blood-sealing throat,' isn't it the same as our 'arrow poison tree'?" He had just nodded when another heated discussion came from the clinical team. It turned out that Wang Mianzhi's "military heatstroke prevention formula" based on ancient books had been confirmed by doctors who had returned from overseas aid missions to have been used in the jungles of Vietnam and had a longer-lasting cooling effect than Western medicine.

Fang Yan went over to ask and found out that among the people who came this time were medical staff who had previously worked in Vietnam.

At the time, I was in charge of teaching the local team, and of course, I learned a lot about the local jungle from them.

Upon hearing that such a talent existed, Fang Yan quickly inquired whether there were any other people with similar experience at the scene.

This question actually yielded several results.

These individuals have experience providing medical assistance in Vietnam. They not only understand the local environment but also have a clear understanding of the local customs, illnesses, and corresponding treatments.

Prior to 1978, this region not only provided them with a large amount of supplies, equipment, and engineering support, but also continuously dispatched multiple medical teams.

These people are members of the medical team.

The dialect made me feel like I had found a clearer goal.

To put it simply, the thing he made was designed to deal with the mountainous jungles of Vietnam.

Dialect organizations are now focusing their manpower and energy on this aspect.

The experts present were not stupid; they quickly realized the impact of dialects in this regard.

Some people have already thought about the recent situation with the monkeys.

However, there has been no word of it yet, and it's quite obvious that Fang Yan is making some kind of preparation by doing this.

The thought of making a gift for August 1st further confirmed everyone's guess.

Fang Yan is busy here.

In the corner, Grandpa Lu Donghua didn't join the crowd. He just sat by the window, flipping through the "Overseas Chinese Pharmacy Account Books" donated by Lin Wenfeng. Occasionally, he would look up at the busy crowd with a smile on his lips.

When a young researcher came to ask about the "medication habits of doctors in Southeast Asia during the Guangxu era," he immediately perked up and shared what he knew. Although the old man's medical skills were not very good, he had a lot of books at home. When it came to things related to local affairs, he was much more experienced than the average young person. His words made people nod in agreement.

As noon approached, a faint scent of ink and herbs filled the conference room.

The collation team initially compiled twenty prescription records that differed from those in ancient Chinese books, the pharmacology team marked five northern varieties that could replace tropical medicinal materials, and the clinical team produced the first draft of the "Emergency Diagnosis and Treatment Manual for Tropical Diseases in Traditional Chinese Medicine".

As Zhao Xiwu watched the progress bar constantly updating on the blackboard, he suddenly remembered what Fang Yan had said about what he had accomplished in a single day at Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine. At the time, he had found it somewhat unbelievable, but now, the focus on everyone's faces and the light in their eyes spoke volumes.

……

Before they knew it, it was lunchtime. Fang Yan glanced around and saw that many people were still working and discussing seriously. Calling everyone to lunch at this time would definitely interrupt many people's train of thought. So, after considering it, Fang Yan said to Vice Dean Zhao Xiwu:

"Dean, could you please ask the cafeteria staff to bring lunch to us? Many people here are still very enthusiastic about their work, and at this time, no one wants to have their train of thought interrupted."

Zhao Xiwu followed Fang Yan's gaze and swept across the room. He saw the old experts in the collation group comparing handwriting around a desk lamp, the people in the pharmacology group discussing the reference diagrams repeatedly, the blackboard of the clinical group being filled with prescription compatibility diagrams, and even several old experts from the central health care group gathered together, arguing heatedly about the contents of the ancient book.

"Of course, of course!" The old dean nodded immediately, then turned to his assistant and instructed:
"Tell the canteen to prepare more steamed buns and soup, and send them over in large basins. Also, cook two pots of mung bean soup to cool us down. Tell the head chef to make sure it's enough to fill us up and keep us full, so the comrades can grab it and eat it right away!"

Just as the assistant was about to leave, Fang Yan added:
"Tell them not to shout when they deliver it."

I'm genuinely afraid that the cafeteria cook's shout will disrupt everyone's train of thought.

With the support of Zhao Xiwu as the leader, it wasn't long before the canteen staff pushed in food carts. Large bowls of braised pork with potatoes, stir-fried vegetables, and tomato and egg soup were steaming hot. The corn on the cob in the bamboo baskets was golden yellow, and the freshly steamed buns were soft and white.

Just as required by the local dialect, they came over, put down their things, and left quickly without calling out to everyone to have lunch.

Fang Yan also went over to those who had free time and told them to get their own food.

It was only then that everyone realized it was lunchtime.

I glanced at my watch and found it hard to believe.

Time really flies!
However, no one was polite. Those who had free time immediately went to eat. Most people came back as soon as they got their food, and sat at the table with their bowls, eating their rice while pointing at the ancient books and discussing them.

Some people simply gathered together, eating and discussing, which had a unique charm.

Fang Yan saw his master, Jiao Shude, and Qin Bowei huddled together, discussing improvements to the "military heatstroke prevention formula" over a bowl of mung bean soup:

“The comrades who are providing foreign aid just mentioned that Vietnamese people like to make lemon leaf tea. Could we add mint to the recipe? It's refreshing, invigorating, and easy to carry.”

"Hmm...that's feasible," Qin Bo nodded. "Peppermint is cooling in nature, and when combined with gypsum, it perfectly neutralizes the heat and humidity of the tropics. Have the pharmacology team test the dosage, making sure it's not too much..."

"Hey?! Fang Yan, why haven't you eaten yet?" At this moment, Jiao Shude asked Fang Yan when he saw that Fang Yan had nothing in his hands.

The dialect responded:
"I'm not hungry yet, Master, you all eat first."

Speaking in dialect, they went to other places. Seeing this, Qin Bowei said to Jiao Shude:
"This young man seems to take this mission very seriously!"

Jiao Shude nodded.

Then, people at the scene gradually noticed that everyone was eating lunch, but not everyone was actually eating lunch.

Instead, only a portion of the people went.

These people haven't finished their business yet and don't want to disrupt their train of thought. Luckily, Fang Yan had prepared this backup plan; otherwise, many of them would probably have lost their tempers if he had invited everyone to dinner earlier.

When the last group of people started eating, Fang Yan finally got her food and started eating at the back of the line.

While he was eating, he overheard someone saying something nearby:
"The ledger indicates that 'quinine' should be taken with rice wine, which contradicts the advice in 'Wenbing Tiaobian' to take it with rice water."

He replied casually in dialect:
"Southeast Asia is hot and humid with severe miasma, so yellow wine is more effective at delivering medicine! Rice water is a method from our Central Plains..."

Upon hearing this, the people who had been discussing the matter suddenly realized what was going on.

At this moment, Vice Dean Zhao Xiwu, who had already finished eating, came over and said to Fang Yan:

"This morning's progress was good. The ancient text collation group identified 20 Southeast Asian prescriptions that differ from those in domestic medical texts, such as the 'Anti-Malaria and Plague-Avoiding Powder' formula improved by Penang physicians during the Qing Dynasty, which I think is very valuable. In addition, the pharmacology analysis group completed the labeling of northern alternatives for 5 tropical medicinal materials, 3 of which have herbal toxicity and need further research. The clinical adaptation group produced the first draft of the 'Emergency Manual for Traditional Chinese Medicine in Tropical Diseases,' integrating Vietnamese foreign aid experience and clarifying herbal alternatives for malaria and dengue fever. Finally, there was a breakthrough discovery: foreign aid doctors verified that the 'banana leaf wet compress method' recorded in ancient texts is effective for tropical ulcers, which we just discussed and has been incorporated into one of the core solutions."

As he stuffed something into his mouth, Fang Yan nodded and said:
"Thank you for your trouble, Dean!"

"Let's keep up the good work this afternoon!"

Zhao Xiwu smiled and nodded, then went to get Fang Yan a bowl of soup.

After writing in the dialect, he took small sips of the drink. Actually, he was already hungry, but he wanted to be the first to go.

Those who practice martial arts naturally expend a lot of energy, so it would be a lie to say they aren't hungry.

Fang Yan ate three bowls of rice in one go before he could fill his stomach.

When the other dishes ran out, Fang Yan ended up eating rice soaked in soup, but everyone else was full and got back to work.

Fang Yan had just put down his chopsticks when Chen Keji pulled him to the table.

On the unfolded "Borneo Chinese Medical Records", the record of "wild kudzu treating arrow poison" is circled in red pen, and a picture of a dried leaf is drawn next to it.

“Look at this description,” Chen Keji said, pointing to the yellowed pages, “it matches the characteristics of ‘Gelsemium’ here, but the dosage is almost twice as high.”

"Dr. Wei, who was sent to Vietnam for medical assistance, said that the kudzu vines in the Vietnamese jungles are more poisonous. I wonder if this is due to regional differences?"

Fang Yan tapped the image with his fingertip:

"I'll ask Professor Jin Shiyuan to compare the samples of Gelsemium elegans in China."

"In addition, the clinical team needs to add a 'regional toxicity difference warning' so that the dosage must be adjusted according to the region where the troops are using the drug."

After saying that, Fang Yan called Professor Jin Shiyuan over to solve the problem as soon as possible.

With their work finished here, new activity began on the clinical team's side. Wang Mianzhi was holding a hand-drawn map and gesturing with several doctors who had been sent abroad for medical assistance.
"This is a map of the jungle distribution in Cao Bang Province, Vietnam. The red circles mark areas with high incidence of malaria. Our 'Artemisia annua formula' needs to be adjusted according to altitude. For every 300 meters increase in altitude, the dosage of Artemisia capillaris needs to be reduced by one qian (approximately 3 grams), and replaced with the vines and leaves of the local 'Guojianglong' (a type of vine)."

One doctor said:
"But in ancient books, 'Guojianglong' is used externally to treat bruises and sprains. Could there be any risks if it is taken internally?"

At this moment, Ms. Tu walked over and took over the conversation.

“Some time ago, our research institute’s pharmacology graduate students tested and found that the ethanol extract of *Smilax china* has antimalarial activity. The toxic components are concentrated in the rhizome. We only need the leaves, which, when combined with licorice, can neutralize the toxicity.”

She pointed to a newly posted note on the blackboard, "This is a newly compiled 'Table of Contraindications for Medicinal Herbs,' please refer to it."

Upon hearing this, Fang Yan suddenly remembered something.

Vietnam is a long and narrow country, and the local dialects and geographical conditions of the battlefields at that time had not yet been taken into account.

He asked those who had been to Vietnam:

"Which comrade has been to Cao Bang, Lang Son, Lao Cai, or Quang Ninh provinces and learned about the local situation?"

As soon as he finished speaking, several hands immediately rose in the back row of the clinical group.

Dr. Wei from the medical aid team stood up and said:

“I spent two years in Gaoping. The mountains there are high and the forests are dense. The water in the streams looks clear, but it actually harbors malaria parasites. When the rainy season comes, the mosquitoes can carry people away. I wonder what Dr. Fang needs to know?”

Fang Yan thought for a moment and said:
"It includes the local topography, wildlife distribution, main areas of population concentration, dietary habits, folk remedies, and sanitation conditions..."

Dr. Wei counted on his fingers, his voice carrying a familiarity with the jungle:

"Gaoping has many karst mountains, and the caves are more numerous than stars. They are so damp inside that you can wring water out of them. If the soldiers go in to take shelter from the rain, their joints will definitely ache the next day. The local mountain people treat this problem by boiling dried 'Guoshanlong' vine in water and using it to fumigate and wash. Our clinical team can add this method to the list of 'common jungle diseases'."

After hearing him finish speaking, Fang Yan nodded, then suddenly realized something was wrong and said:

"Wait, who said the soldiers were going in?"

Everyone: "..."

Everyone's not stupid, but Dr. Wei was the first to bring it up.

“What I mean is… if our soldiers go in!” Dr. Wei changed his mind.

Nodding in dialect:

"That's a good hypothesis, let's continue!"

Everyone was speechless, but this was necessary. There was still no official news, and anyone who talked nonsense about starting a fight would be held accountable, especially with so many people involved.

Dr. Wei paused, glanced at the map of China hanging on the wall, pointed to the south on the map, and then pointed to a river valley that ran across it:
"There are bamboo rats in the bamboo forests along the Blackwater River, which carry plague bacteria. I met a hunter there before who fell ill after being bitten. The locals used crushed gallnuts to treat the wound. Although it looks rough, it can indeed stop the bleeding and disinfect."

"What about your eating habits?" Fang Yan pressed.

"I love eating raw marinated fish!" chimed in another doctor, Dr. Zhang, who had also been to Lang Son.
"Even in the barracks, they like to eat raw vegetables with fish sauce, a habit that makes them very susceptible to dysentery. The ancient book says that 'pomegranate peel boiled in water' is particularly effective in treating diarrhea and dysentery. But we have to remind the soldiers to add a handful of fried rice when they drink it, so that it can protect their stomachs and also serve as dry rations to stave off hunger."

After saying that, he changed his mind and said:
"That's just a hypothetical situation!"

Fang Yan scratched his head and said, "Okay, let's just leave it at that."

Dr. Wang, who had just returned from Quang Ninh Province, frowned: "Quang Ninh is by the sea, and many fishermen suffer from athlete's foot, with their toes rotting and oozing pus. The locals use a decoction of 'sea pine bark' to soak their feet, and they also drink water boiled with 'red cardamom' for internal and external treatment. However, sea pine bark is prone to mold in damp areas, so we have to teach the soldiers to dry it over charcoal before storing it."

Dr. Li, who has been to Lao Cai province, added:
"The old street is close to Yunnan, and there are many Dai people there. They treat sprains and bruises by pounding up sour grass and mixing it with alcohol. It works faster than our safflower oil, but it has a strong smell and attracts mosquitoes. This point needs to be clearly marked so that the soldiers don't use it during ambushes."

The more you talk about it, the more obvious it becomes.

Fang Yan coughed softly, reminding them to tone it down a bit.

Next, we began to further investigate the situation in a targeted manner.

Having these things delivered first will definitely increase the survival rate significantly.

They even wanted to incorporate some local guerrilla warfare first aid responses into their dialects, secretly writing some things in.

Enhance adaptability to military scenarios, prioritize solutions that are quick to take effect and easy to carry and store, and consider special battlefield needs such as concealment (e.g., odor warning) and energy replenishment (e.g., fried rice).

Multiple verifications were conducted by combining ancient records, the practical experience of doctors who provided overseas aid, and modern pharmacological analysis.

That afternoon, Fang Yan and the others put in a lot of effort in this area, and the others also began to adjust their direction at the same time, because judging from Fang Yan's attitude, everyone had caught on.

Although the dialect didn't explicitly say it, the matter is now clear.

Now the sense of purpose is much clearer.

If their results could be put to use, they would be extremely useful, so everyone worked even harder, and when it was time to leave work at 5 p.m., no one left.

Each of them was determined to produce results as quickly as possible before they would give up.

It was already seven o'clock, and the cafeteria had delivered dinner again. Fang Yan noticed that one of the older professors looked tired, so he quickly discussed it with Vice Dean Zhao Xiwu and called a break, telling him to eat and go back to rest, and continue tomorrow.

However, some young researchers volunteered to complete their work in one go before leaving.

The main problem is that I've already got this line of thought, but I might forget it again tomorrow.

They didn't even bother to eat; they insisted on finishing before calling it a day.

Since everyone was so enthusiastic, Zhao Xiwu didn't say anything. He told everyone not to overwork themselves, and then those who were supposed to eat should eat, and after eating, they should go home and rest.

Fang Yan stayed with everyone, and by 7:30, Lao Hu had arrived. He was quite surprised to see that they were going to work all night long.

Although there are only a dozen days left until August 1st, is it really necessary to do this?

"Almost done, we'll be wrapping up soon!" Fang Yan said to Lao Hu.

With fewer people around, Fang Yan joined them to solve the problems they were facing, and his efficiency improved significantly.

Some things that require repeated reading of classical texts can be explained directly by him.

Efficiency increased significantly.

So when people in the local dialect say they'll finish work quickly, they're not just joking.

After about ten minutes, the staff gradually started to finish work. Fang Yan said goodbye to them and then packed up.

"You guys are really enthusiastic about your work!" Old Hu was still a little confused, looking at the results posted on the blackboard and feeling that the efficiency was frighteningly high.

Are you planning to compete with the Guangzhou side?
After finishing tidying up, Fang Yan went back with Lao Hu.

After checking the wards tomorrow morning, these people will continue working here.

When they got home, everyone was waiting for him to start the meal.

Fang Yan hadn't eaten either, so as soon as he got back, he quickly called everyone to start eating.

While eating, he explained to everyone what he had been doing that day.

Of course, he didn't fully explain why everyone was so enthusiastic.

I'm just telling everyone that this is the first time so many top-notch TCM doctors from the capital have gathered together, and there are even people from the Central Medical and Health Care Group.

It was actually larger in scale than when the Imperial Medical Prescriptions were compiled.

It's even larger than the editorial board of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia; their editorial board doesn't have as many people as the Central Medical and Health Care Group.

Everyone remarked that the two large-scale projects organized by the dialect group were comparable to the entrance exams for postgraduate studies in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

That's indeed the case when you calculate it.

Another aspect of the secret formula research institute's expansion is the nationwide recruitment of personnel.

It is quite large in scale and affects a lot of people.

Unbeknownst to many, dialects have become a force that can influence the fate of many people.

Although it seems he has only just passed the postgraduate entrance exam, his staff is growing rapidly, and he is also receiving increasing attention from the Ministry of Health.

Without realizing it, I've grown quite distant from my siblings.

It was like riding a rocket.

My second sister previously felt that if she worked hard, she could find her benefactor in Shanghai and soar to great heights, once again standing shoulder to shoulder with Fang Yan.

I don't think that way anymore.

She really couldn't do those kinds of things that the third sister did.

……

Time flies, and it's already July 20th.

This day was the National College Entrance Examination in 1978. Fang Yan and his colleagues had a rare day off, mainly because many of their family members were taking the exam and they wanted to cheer them on.

Of course, dialects are no exception. This time, I was accompanying my old friend, Director Chen, to take the entrance exam for the Beijing Film Academy.

In addition to sending him to the exam, they also represented the Capital University of Chinese Medicine and its research institute, as well as Peking Union Medical College Hospital, to provide medical support to the various examination venues.

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

(End of this chapter)