Rebirth 1977 Great Era

Chapter 1320 The Legend of the Hungry Fish, "I Don't Accept Red Envelopes" (Two Chapters Combined)
Fang Yan called to the older sister and the others to bring the dishes to the two large round tables in the main room.

The main hall was instantly filled with the aroma of food. Two large tables were piled high with dishes. The seafood alone had taken a lot of effort to prepare, and the plating was as exquisite as that of a restaurant, dazzling the eyes.

The braised carp in the center is the most eye-catching. The three-pound fish lies whole in a white porcelain plate, coated with a thick and clear sauce, as red and shiny as amber. It is sprinkled with bright green scallions and bright red chili pepper pieces, and the aroma of hot oil wafts straight into your nostrils.

The pickled fish soup next to it was refreshing, with snow-white grass carp slices soaking in the sour broth, garnished with golden pickled peppers and tender yellow pickled cabbage. A layer of clear oil floated on the surface of the soup, making it sour and appetizing. The milky white crucian carp soup was served in a large, rough earthenware bowl. The soup was so thick that it could cling to a spoon. It contained tender tofu and goji berries, and was sprinkled with finely chopped scallions. The aroma of the soup wafted up with the rising steam.

The crispy fish pieces are served in a specially made bamboo basket. The golden fish pieces are coated with sesame seeds and the outer skin is so crispy that it crumbles at the slightest touch. A small dish of salt and pepper dipping sauce is also placed next to them.

In addition, there are side dishes such as stir-fried seasonal vegetables, braised pork hock, and a platter of braised dishes, with a good balance of meat and vegetables and an appealing color.

"Please sit down, please sit down, don't be shy!" Fang Zhenhua greeted Director Liao and his son with a smile, and handed them chopsticks. "I've been wanting to invite Director Liao to my home for a meal for a long time, but you're always too busy. Today we've finally found the opportunity."

"I've been wanting to try the local cuisine for a long time," Director Liao said with a smile.

Fang Zhenhua said with a smile:

"Haha... This kid may not be good at anything else, but he's really good at cooking."

Director Liao criticized him:

"Excessive modesty is arrogance! Your dialect is just as good in other aspects as well!"

He knew all too well what level of dialect was.

Fang Zhenhua had just blurted it out without thinking. When he heard Director Liao's evaluation of Fang Yan, he realized what he had said and repeatedly said that Director Liao was too kind to Fang Yan.

Director Liao waved his hand and said to him:
"Fang Yan is like a secret weapon for our Overseas Chinese Affairs Office. He not only attracts overseas Chinese businessmen back to China, but he's also now my personal doctor. I should treat him well, both professionally and personally. There's no question of giving him preferential treatment..."

Fang Yan had just come from the kitchen and overheard Director Liao's words. Without stopping, he pretended not to hear and entered the house with a smile to greet everyone.

"The dishes are all ready, everyone, come and start eating!"

"The fish we caught today were all fresh from Shichahai Lake. They're incredibly fresh, especially this braised carp, which was stewed for twenty minutes to make it very flavorful."

As he spoke, he placed a piece of fish on the plates of both Director Liao and Liao Hui:
"Director Liao, Staff Officer Liao, please try it and see if it suits your taste."

Director Liao took the chopsticks, tasted a bite, and his eyes lit up immediately.

The fish melts in your mouth, the savory sauce and the freshness of the fish intertwining in your mouth, prompting an immediate exclamation:

"Great! This fish is incredibly tender, much better than what you get in restaurants. Fresh ingredients really do bring out the best flavor."

Then a hint of nostalgia appeared in his eyes:
"Speaking of which, the way this fresh lake fish is cooked is exactly the same as the habit in my hometown of Huiyang, Guangdong. We live by the water, and we've always valued freshness since we were little. Whether it's fish or shrimp, we insist on cooking it right after it's caught, without any delay."

He picked up a spoon and scooped half a spoonful of crucian carp soup. The warm, fresh flavor spread on his tongue, and his smile deepened: "Back home, we don't like to cook fish in complicated ways. We either braise it like you do, simmering it slowly with soy sauce and rock sugar, letting the sauce seep into the fish along its texture; or we just boil it in water, adding at most a couple of slices of ginger to remove the fishy smell, and you just enjoy the natural sweetness of the fish. If the fish isn't fresh, you can taste it as soon as you eat it, and the elders in the family will say it's a waste."

As he spoke, he picked up another piece of crispy fish. The crispy skin and tender meat inside created a striking contrast. He couldn't help but nod and say, "Your cooking skills are really on point. In our area, if we catch such fresh lake fish during festivals, it's the first dish at the banquet, more precious than chicken, duck, or goose. Especially these small fish that have just reached adulthood, the meat is tender and the bones are soft, so the elderly and children can eat them without worry. They're much more sought after than those ten- or eight-pound big fish."

Liao Hui, who was standing next to him, picked up a piece of crispy fish. The outer skin made a "crunch" sound when he bit into it, and the crispy crust crumbled. The fish meat inside was moist and juicy. Dipping it in salt and pepper added a layer of salty and fragrant flavor. He couldn't help but nod and say, "This taste is amazing. The outer skin is crispy but not hard, and the fish meat is still so tender. Director Fang's skills are really not to be underestimated."

As she spoke, she ladled out another spoonful of crucian carp soup. The soup was thick and flavorful, and the tofu had absorbed all the broth, becoming so soft and tender that it hardly needed to be chewed.
"This soup is delicious!"

Seeing that the two guests were enjoying their meal, everyone immediately started eating as well.

As the group ate and praised the food, Old Hu picked up a slice of fish from the sauerkraut fish and mumbled, "It wasn't a loss that the ten-pound big fish got away; this little one is so much more satisfying to eat!"

Fang Yan laughed out loud and poured tea for everyone: "Actually, there is a more refined way to eat this lake fish. If you prepare it in advance, the taste can be taken to another level."

"Oh? How do you eat it?" Director Liao became interested and put down his chopsticks to look at him. Liao Hui also stopped eating, his eyes full of curiosity, and even Fang Zhenhua and Zhu Guangnan next to him came over.

"It's called 'starving in clean water'," the dialect explained. "You put freshly caught live fish into clean water without feeding them and let them starve for more than ten days. During this time, you change the water once a day to let the fish empty the mud and debris from their stomachs, and the muddy smell on their bodies will also dissipate."

He paused, picked up a piece of fish, and continued, "When fish are hungry for a long time, they will burn off their excess fat, making the meat firmer and more tender. Also, because the internal organs and impurities are removed, it tastes sweeter and has no fishy smell at all. Whether it's braised or used in soup, the umami flavor will be more prominent."

"There's such a saying?" Zhu Guangnan was stunned. "I've eaten fish all my life and I only know that live fish are fresh. I never thought there was such a thing."

Liao Hui pondered, "That makes sense. Fish fillets are cleaned of impurities, so the taste is naturally purer. This method is quite extravagant. Starving for so long must mean losing a lot of meat, and the key is that you have to be patient."

"It's quite extravagant. You need a large fish tank and to change the water every day. Most people don't have the time or energy for that," Fang Zhenhua said.

"Only people who are particular about food can figure out this trick."

Fang Yan waved his hand: "I've never eaten it before. I only heard about it from the old chef. But the fish is fresh today. Even if it wasn't starved, it tastes pretty good."

Director Liao smiled and ladled a bowl of soup: "The taste is already top-notch today. If it had been starved as you said, wouldn't it be incredibly delicious to the bone? Next time, you'd better prepare it in advance so we can try this refined way of eating."

"No problem! Next time I catch a fish, I'll raise it in advance, and then I'll invite you over to try it." Fang Yan readily agreed.

The meal was very pleasant, and Fang Yan also got to know Director Liao's son.

After lunch, I took them back. In the afternoon, my younger brother also came back from his busy work. He had lunch at the publishing house. When he heard that Fang Yan and the others had gone fishing today and even caught a big fish, he insisted on going with Fang Yan and the others again.

However, Fang Yan still had to deal with some lock-related matters and send out a few telegrams in the afternoon, and then he had to visit the person who had suffered a stroke, so he didn't plan to go. He would let his younger brother and the others go instead.

The fishing time this morning was too short, and many people hadn't had enough fun, so they went again.

Around 3 p.m., Fang Yan finished his business and headed to Xiehe Hospital.

He should have finished another dose of medicine by now, and there should be some new changes in the situation. Fang Yan was thinking about Old Wang's condition this morning. The acute phase of ischemic stroke is the most critical, and the recovery status in the first 24 hours is directly related to the severity of the subsequent sequelae.

As soon as I entered the inpatient ward area, I saw Old Chen squatting by the corridor window smoking. When he saw Fang Yan, he immediately put out his cigarette and came over, his voice low but unable to hide his excitement:
"Dr. Fang, Old Wang is much better. He was just arguing with us about fishing!"

"You're still here with him?" Fang Yan asked, somewhat surprised to see Old Chen.

"I'm just at home with nothing to do. I'd be bored anyway if I went back. I'm not in the mood to go fishing right now, so I'll just stay here and watch over him."

Fang Yan nodded and praised him:
"You're a loyal friend!"

Old Chen was taken aback, then laughed heartily, clearly pleased:
"Hahaha... What's this..."

Then Fang Yan and Old Chen entered the ward.

On the hospital bed, Old Wang was leaning against the headboard. His complexion was much rosier than when he was at Shichahai that morning. It was no longer the pale and sickly look of his face, and his mouth was not so crooked anymore.

Upon seeing Fang Yan enter, he immediately raised his left hand. Although it still couldn't reach shoulder height, his arm swung more flexibly than in the morning, no longer limp and weak.

"Dr. Fang, look! I can raise my left hand this high now!" Old Wang's voice was full of surprise. He moved his left hand fingers again, and the previously curled fingertips could actually open slightly. Although it was not yet very nimble, it was much better than the stiffness in the morning.

"Oh, not bad!" Fang Yan said as he walked to the bedside and first put his hand on Old Wang's right wrist to take his pulse.

Although Old Wang's pulse was still rather thin, it was much smoother than in the morning. The sluggish and stumbling feeling had faded considerably, as if the previously blocked water flow had finally loosened.

He switched wrists, and the pulse became more symmetrical, no longer showing the distinct difference in strength between the left and right sides as it had in the morning.

"Stick out your tongue so I can see it."

He said in dialect. Old Wang stuck out his tongue as instructed. The tip of his tongue, which had been tilted to one side in the morning, was now basically in the middle. The light purple ecchymosis on the surface of his tongue had also faded, and the tongue coating was thin and white, without the thick and greasy feeling it had before.

"How are you feeling? Are you dizzy? Is your stomach still upset?" Fang Yan asked, gently pressing Old Wang's left cheek with her hand.

Although the left corner of my mouth, which had been drooping, has not yet fully returned to symmetry, it can now lift slightly, unlike in the morning when it was completely still. My left eye can also be opened a crack, and the wrinkles at the corner of my eye have become slightly raised.

"I'm not dizzy anymore! My stomach feels much better too. The nurse brought me some millet porridge at noon, and I finished it all without throwing up at all!" Old Wang's speech was clearer than in the morning, and less slurred. "My left side is still a little heavy, but it's much better than this morning. I even moved my bottom a little by myself just now!" His eldest son, who was on duty watching over him, quickly added:

"Dr. Fang, the nurse said the treatment at noon was very effective. We just tried it, and he can now grasp my hand with his left hand, whereas he had no strength at all this morning!"

Fang Yan nodded and then asked Old Wang to try to smile. Although there was still a difference in the width of the left and right corners of his mouth, at least the muscles on both sides could be moved. He bent down to examine Old Wang's left foot and gently ran his fingers along the sole. The toes could curl slightly, indicating that sensation in the lower limbs was also returning.

"The recovery is faster than expected." Fang Yan breathed a sigh of relief, her tone filled with certainty. "The medicine cleared the blocked blood vessels, and the decoction and meridian-clearing powder can regulate qi and blood circulation. In addition, the acupuncture in the morning cleared the meridians. With all these combined, the effect is evident."

He took a sea dragon needle from his canvas bag and said:

"Let's do a few more acupuncture to consolidate the effect, mainly to help regulate the blood and qi on the left side of the body."

This time, three acupoints were selected: First, the "Touwei" acupoint near the left temple of Lao Wang's head was needled. This acupoint can unblock the meridians of the head and improve blood supply to the brain; then, the "Quchi" acupoint on the left arm was needled to help restore the strength of the upper limbs; finally, the "Yanglingquan" acupoint on the left leg was needled to regulate the qi and blood of the lower limbs.

As soon as the needle was inserted, Old Wang exclaimed, "Oh! The soreness is even more pronounced than this morning, and it's shooting down my arm!"

"The tingling and numbness are correct, indicating that the Qi and blood are flowing to the left side." Fang Yan gently twisted the sea dragon needle, observing Old Wang's expression. "Consolidate it for another day tomorrow, and you can try to sit up and move around the day after tomorrow. Once it stabilizes next week, I will adjust your prescription and change it to Huangqi Chongteng Drink to help replenish your Qi and blood, and the strength on the left side of your body will gradually return to normal."

Old Chen watched from the side, nodding repeatedly:
"Dr. Fang is truly amazing! This morning I was worried that the old man was going to be paralyzed, and he's recovered so well in just half a day. He's more effective than any deity in a temple!"

Old Wang laughed and replied:

"Once I recover, my first fishing trip will be to Shichahai. I absolutely must catch that big fish that got away this morning. I'll also invite Dr. Fang to our house for a fish feast!"

Fang Yan put away her needlework and helped Old Wang cover himself with the blanket.
"Don't rush to eat fish, take care of your health first. Remember, avoid greasy food these days, drink more millet porridge and eat some soft noodles, and let your spleen and stomach rest."

Before leaving, Old Wang's eldest son insisted on giving Fang Yan a thick envelope.

"Director Fang, this is just a small token of our family's appreciation. If it weren't for you today, my father would probably be furious, and who knows what would happen by now! Please accept it!"

Fang Yan firmly refused, saying, "Treating patients is my duty; I cannot accept money."

"If you want to thank someone, thank Grandpa Chen. He was the first to find it today and then he just happened to come to me."

When Old Wang's eldest son saw Fang Yan push the envelope back, he hurriedly took half a step forward and stuffed the envelope into Fang Yan's arms again with both hands: "Director Fang, you're being too polite! We remember Grandpa Chen's kindness, but it was you who saved my dad's life! This money isn't much, it's just our family's sentiment. If you don't accept it, we'll really feel bad."

The envelope felt heavy in his hand; Fang Yan could feel the thickness of the banknotes inside. He gently pressed down on the other man's wrist, his tone sincere yet firm: "Comrade Wang, I understand your feelings, but if I accept your money, the nature of the matter will change."

"Besides, when I brought Grandpa Wang to the hospital this morning, you already helped me clean the stains on the car seat. I appreciate your kindness."

“That’s not the same! Washing the car is a small matter, but my dad’s life is a big deal! If you don’t accept it, I, as his son, will not feel at ease. If my dad finds out, he will definitely be angry with me.”

Old Wang, lying in his hospital bed, chimed in, his voice still a little weak but stubborn: "Dr. Fang, please accept it! Otherwise, I won't be able to recover properly! We old Beijingers believe in 'repaying kindness,' you saved me, I can't let you work for nothing."

Old Chen, watching from the side, couldn't help but advise, "Dr. Fang, their family isn't poor, and they're not trying to bribe us; they genuinely want to thank you. Why don't you..."

“Uncle Chen, it’s not about the conditions.” Fang Yan interrupted him, placed the envelope steadily on the bedside table, and smiled at Old Wang and his son. “If you really want to thank me, let’s go fishing at Shichahai after you get better. You can catch a couple more fresh fish, and I’ll come along to taste them. That’s better than anything else.”

The fact that Fang Yan accepted money from bridge merchants was approved by Director Liao and the Ministry of Health. In addition, he had secured so much investment for the country, so the higher-ups gave him the green light. But if it were someone from within the country, the situation would be different.

Collecting the medical fees that are due and then taking money from others is a matter that could be a big deal or a small deal. The concern is that someone might try to make trouble out of it, and Fang Yan doesn't want to cause trouble for himself over such a small amount of money.

Old Wang's eldest son saw that Fang Yan absolutely refused to accept the money, so he had no choice but to sheepishly put the envelope back in his pocket, then rubbed his hands together and said:

"Director Fang, your personality is truly admirable. My name is Wang Jianjun, and I am the dispatch director of the city's transportation company, in charge of dozens of trucks."

“We are a state-owned enterprise with a wide transportation network, and we know the districts and counties around Beijing very well. If you ever need to haul goods, transport people, or need a vehicle, whether it’s a minivan or a large truck, just let me know, and I’ll make sure to arrange it perfectly for you without any delays.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Fang Yan's eyes suddenly lit up. He had just been worrying about the vehicle needed for the free clinic.

When I discussed it with Lao Hu and Yue Lao before, we planned to transport medicinal herbs, medical equipment, and gifts to the villagers in the countryside. Our company's vehicles were obviously not enough, and we were thinking about whether to borrow a few vehicles from other units. These days, it is really not easy to borrow vehicles, especially multiple vehicles at once. Unexpectedly, this opportunity came to us.

"Hey, it's better to be lucky than early. Speaking of which, I actually have something I'd like to ask you for help with," Fang Yan said to Wang Jianjun.

Wang Jianjun was taken aback, but quickly realized what he meant and said:
"What is it, please?"

Fang Yan said to him:
"My teachers and students from the Capital University of Chinese Medicine, along with a foundation, are planning to hold several free clinics in rural areas around Beijing in the near future. We will need to transport medicinal herbs, acupuncture equipment, and supplies for the villagers, as well as transport doctors and students. We are in need of a few trucks that can carry both cargo and passengers."

Upon hearing this, Wang Jianjun said:

"Free clinic? That's a great thing! I have to help, and not just help, I have to help well!"

Without hesitation, he immediately asked, "Director Fang, could you tell me approximately how many vehicles we need? When will they be used? Which villages will we be visiting? I can mentally plan the dispatch schedule right now."

Fang Yan could tell from this manner that the person must be a powerful leader in the unit.

Fang Yan said to him:
"The village is still in contact with the school. It's probably a village in Changping or Shunyi that's not far from the city. You can go and come back the same day."

He spoke in a low voice:

"The supplies aren't particularly heavy, but they're quite bulky. The medicine boxes and treatment beds take up a lot of space, so we'll probably need a truck that can carry a ton of cargo. We'll also need two more trucks that can seat people, and there will be dozens of doctors and students in total. If we can gather... four or five trucks, that should be enough."

The dialect speaker originally wanted to say seven or eight vehicles, but after thinking about it, it was still too many. They could ask the relevant unit to allocate more.

"Four or five vehicles?!" Wang Jianjun was taken aback.

Seeing his reaction, Fang Yan immediately changed her tune:
"Two or three vehicles are fine too. I can also ask other units to dispatch them."

Wang Jianjun said:
"No, no, that's not what I meant. I was wondering if it's a bit too few? Our company has seven or eight Jiefang trucks sitting idle right now."

Upon hearing this, Fang Yan immediately said:

"Great! Can we bring all seven or eight?"

Wang Jianjun said:
“Sure! I’ll talk to the dispatch office tomorrow and have them do a special inspection, send out vehicles in good condition, and pair them with experienced drivers. They’re reliable on rural roads and know a lot of the village roads, so you won’t have to take a detour.”

Afraid that his dialect might sound too polite, he added, "Don't worry, this is a public service initiative. The fuel costs and driver's allowance will be covered by our unit, so you won't have to spend a penny. Just tell me the exact date we're leaving, and let me know a day in advance. I'll drive the car directly to the location you specify and wait there!"

Old Wang, lying in his hospital bed, nodded repeatedly as he listened, and smiled at Fang Yan:

"See? I told you my son is reliable! Now you don't have to worry about the car anymore, right?"

Fang Yan felt a weight lifted from her heart and thanked Wang Jianjun:
"Thank you so much! You've really helped us a lot. Otherwise, we would have had to look for a car everywhere, and we might have even missed the day of the free clinic."

"Don't be so polite with me!" Wang Jianjun waved his hand, his eyes full of sincerity. "You saved my dad's life, what's a little help like this? Besides, the free clinic is a good thing for the villagers, and we're honored to lend a hand."

"Once you've confirmed the time and place, just go to the transportation company and tell them my name, or have the nurse call me. I'll be there whenever you need me."

Fang Yan smiled and nodded in agreement.

Today we've solved one problem. Fang Yan immediately contacted the school, and now that we have a car, we can start the event in several locations simultaneously.

Time flew by and the day of the free clinic arrived. Fang Yan's class was the first to be assigned a spot.

The entire class, along with their teachers and some senior professors, boarded the car and headed towards the countryside.

PS: The 6000-word basic chapter is finished. I'll be heading home tomorrow and will start regular extra chapters again.

(End of this chapter)