Rebirth 1977 Great Era

Chapter 818 A Weekend Gathering: The Russian Apprentice's First Needlework (Two Chapters Combined)
Old Hu remarked that it was fortunate he found Fang Yan, otherwise things would have been much more complicated later.

Then he hurried back to contact people. It was just the beginning, and there was still time to get everything done.

In the dialect-speaking region, it's about going back to school.

I have classes to attend this afternoon.

After arriving at school, Fang Yan went to her dormitory before class even started.

Right now, everyone in the dorm is gathered together, discussing their plans for a get-together over the weekend.

The person in charge of this matter was Xiao Chengzhi.

His family already owned a courtyard house belonging to his grandfather. Although his second uncle's family also had a share, a place was reserved for his father.

Xiao Chengzhi meant that they should simply go to his courtyard house every weekend.

When he brings back a sheep, we'll all have hot pot together.

We can also make a pot of mutton offal soup, enough for so many people.

Although he didn't become the class monitor, he was still the first person in the dorm to treat everyone to a meal.

When he saw Fang Yan arrive, he asked Fang Yan if she wanted to come.
"I won't go, I have things to do this weekend," Fang Yan said to Xiao Chengzhi.

Upon hearing that Fang Yan was not going, Xiao Chengzhi immediately said:
"It would be much less meaningful if you didn't go."

Fang Yan thought for a moment and said:

"Why don't you all come to my house? I'm planning to invite Hosseini and his group, as well as Chu Qiaonan. My partner will also be there, so we can talk about equity then."

Fang Yan originally wanted to find an opportunity for them to have a get-together at his home.

After all, once you're all in the same boat, you're bound to meet and interact more. These people will definitely be taking the postgraduate entrance exam with him again in September, and their relationship will definitely become even closer then.

Relationships need to be cultivated little by little.

At this moment, Meng Jimin, a long-time friend of dialects, said:
"Let's go to Lao Fang's house then. His house is big, and he's a good cook."

“I agree!” Wang Zhijun nodded and said.

The silent type always manages to do something unexpected.

After he agreed, Fang Yan looked at Xiao Chengzhi, Cheng Baogui, and Li Zhengji.

asked:

"Now half the people in the dorm agree! What do you guys say?"

Li Zhengji said:
"Then I agree."

Cheng Baogui was also quite curious about the dialect at home, and he said:
"I agree."

Xiao Chengzhi was now completely stunned and said:

"Then... I have no objection either."

After all, going to a dialect-speaking family's house isn't just about eating; it's also about discussing their investment plans, which are all related to money.

Therefore, Xiao Chengzhi ultimately had no choice but to give up on discussing this matter.

Fang Yan nodded and said:

"Alright, ask Deng Nanxing, Zhang Yanchang, Yang Jingxiang, Du Heng, Yan Yifan, and the others. Those who want to come can come too. We'll just have lunch, and you can do whatever you want with the afternoon."

Upon hearing Fang Yan say this, Xiao Chengzhi's spirits lifted, and he said:

"Then let's have lunch at your place and have dinner at my place tonight."

Li Zhengji said:
"No need, I still need to go home. With Brother Fang's arrangement, I can go back this afternoon."

Wang Zhijun said:
"Yes, me too."

"..." Xiao Chengzhi was speechless.

Cheng Baogui, a native of Tianjin, glanced at Xiao Chengzhi and said:
"How about I visit your house again next week?"

Xiao Chengzhi said:
"That's a deal, don't change your mind later!"

The others nodded in agreement:
"Don't worry, I definitely won't change my mind."

……

After staying in the dormitory for a while, it was time for afternoon classes.

They began their afternoon classes using dialects.

It was another sharing session, and it was clear that everyone's expression had improved significantly.

I'm not sure if my medical skills have improved, but my experience points from lecturing on the podium have definitely increased.

The next lesson is on "Processing of Traditional Chinese Medicine".

In this class, Professor Jin Shiyuan called Fang Yan up to talk about the medical cases mentioned in the textbook.

Since they were all composed by the local dialect itself, he spoke them even better than Jin Shiyuan.

There's nothing we can do; he's the author.

There was even a Meng Jimin who was a key person responsible for compiling the book.

After finishing his explanation of the dialect, Professor Jin Shiyuan felt there was nothing more to add, mainly because he had covered everything comprehensively. Then, Professor Jin Shiyuan simply began to tell his own story with authentic medicinal herbs.

At the age of 14, he became an apprentice at Fu You Pharmacy in Beijing.

In 1945, he worked at BJ Yicheng Pharmacy, wholesaling raw medicinal materials.

In the field of Chinese medicine quality identification and evaluation, he created the academic concept of "five phenomena and seven origins", which can accurately identify the authenticity, counterfeit, superior and inferior quality of Chinese medicinal materials and whether they are "authentic".

Similarly, in terms of traditional Chinese medicine processing theory and techniques, we must accurately grasp the relationship between processing and alteration of medicinal properties and clinical efficacy, and emphasize traditional standards and quality.

If this bigwig hadn't appeared in the dialect, he would have been the editor-in-chief of "Traditional Chinese Medicine Processing" three years later.

So there's a lot of useful information to share.

Even listening to dialects felt incredibly beneficial.

The stories are packed with practical knowledge, and this teaching method is quite popular with students.

Some people like to remember things by recounting stories.

For example, if you tell him the process and effects of processing pig hooves, he won't remember it if you just say it directly. But if you tell him a story about processing pig hooves in a local dialect, he'll remember it immediately.

Sometimes, poor memory might simply be due to not being able to find the key points to remember.

Some people just can't memorize things by rote; they can only memorize through story points. These people are more focused on logic and have their own thoughts.

The ability to memorize dialects by analogy is actually a logical process. One must first understand the meaning before one can memorize it, but the system simplifies this logical process.

After the class, everyone had formed a memory of the key points and remembered the knowledge that Professor Jin Shiyuan had mentioned very clearly.

Next up is a political and ideological class. Once today's lesson is over, we're done.

Then it was time to go home from school.

When Fang Yan went to drive to the Huaxia Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute next door, he found that Old Cheng was waiting for him there.

"What's going on?" Fang Yan asked Old Cheng.

Old Cheng said to Fang Yan:

"It's about Zhou Zuoyu's apprentice that you mentioned. I happen to be free this weekend and plan to meet him in person."

Fang Yan came to his senses. After the last incident, he had called Old Cheng to talk about it.

Now that Master Cheng intends to personally meet Zhou Zuoyu's top student, Fang Yan is naturally happy to oblige. After all, Master Cheng has dedicated his life to the study of acupuncture, and in some aspects, his insight is certainly superior to Fang Yan's. Fang Yan then nodded and said:

"That's great! We're having a family gathering this weekend. Not only will Chu Qiaonan be there, but quite a few other people will be too. You'll get to know our classmates and a few international students as well."

Old Cheng frowned slightly and asked:

"Foreign students? Who are they?"

He said in dialect:

"From Cuba, Yugoslavia, Poland, and East Germany. The one we finalized the deal with this time is the one from Yugoslavia."

Old Cheng didn't participate in the negotiations; he only heard Vice President Zhao Xiwu mention it briefly. Hearing the dialect spoken, he nodded in agreement.

"Oh, okay then," Old Cheng nodded and said.

As he finished speaking in his dialect and was about to get on the bus, Old Cheng asked again:

"By the way, how did your negotiations go?"

Fang Yan thought for a moment and said:
"Overall, things went smoothly. We completed the production line inspection at noon today, and they've already started preparing the payment. However, Lao Hu and I discovered a small problem: we need to sign some additional contracts and prepare some documents. We might have to trouble our superiors a little."

Upon hearing this dialect, Old Cheng said:

"They're involved too, so it's their turn to be in trouble."

Fang Yan laughed. Indeed, most of the benefits go to the country, so it's only natural to seek their help.

Fang Yan opened the car door and asked Old Cheng:
"Would you like me to pick you up this weekend?"

Old Cheng shook his head:

"No need, it's only a little over two kilometers, I walked here."

Fang Yan got into the car and said to Old Cheng:

"Alright, I'll be looking forward to your arrival this weekend."

Old Cheng nodded, then gave Fang Yan some instructions:

"Drive slower on the road, your car sounds like a cow bellowing when you drive."

Fang Yan said with a smile:

"Okay, I'll drive slower."

"Alright, let's go!" After saying that, Old Cheng helped Fang Yan close the gull-wing door.

Then he waved to Fang Yan and stepped aside. Fang Yan started the car, and with a roar from the engine, he drove out of the gate.

There will be more people at home on weekends, so I'll have to go shopping for some things later.

Now my eldest sister is in school, my wife is pregnant, and my mother works all day long. We still have to buy things ourselves.

After parking his car, Fang Yan walked out of Xiehe Hospital and headed home. Just as he reached the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Street, he saw Sofia's Stypton car parked in front of his house.

It's been a long time since they last came.

When I got home, I found them in the yard, where Anton and his junior apprentice Zhao Zhengyi were talking about traditional Chinese medicine.

The discussion was about the well water in the courtyard.

Fang Yan overheard Zhao Zhengyi saying to his senior brother An Dong, "Well water is hot in winter, so it should be considered yang; cool air coming out of the well in summer should be considered yin."

Sofia, standing to the side, clearly couldn't get a word in edgewise, because she hadn't grasped this stage at all.

When Anton and the others saw Fang Yan return, they immediately greeted him.

"Master!"

"Master, you're back!" Anton and Sophia greeted each other in dialect.

Fang Yan said to them:

"long time no see."

Then he led them into the main hall. Anton was still very concerned about the issues Zhao Zhengyi had raised, so once inside, he asked Fang Yan for his opinion.

Fang Yan told Anton:

"This statement has some merit, but from the perspective of the Yin-Yang theory in Traditional Chinese Medicine, it cannot be divided so simply and absolutely."

"Generally speaking, in winter, the outside is cold and the well water is relatively warm, which contrasts with the surrounding environment and can reflect a 'yang' characteristic, namely warmth, upward movement, and activity. In summer, the outside is hot and the well is cool, which contrasts with the high temperature and can reflect a 'yin' characteristic, namely coldness, downward movement, and stillness."

"However, Yin and Yang are relative and dynamic concepts, and they have relationships such as mutual transformation and interdependence."

"The properties of well water cannot be simply categorized as either yang or yin based solely on its behavior in winter and summer."

"Well water is underground, nourished by the earth, and has a yin nature. Its temperature is relatively stable, but it shows different hot and cold characteristics when compared with the external environment in different seasons. At the same time, this hot and cold characteristic is only a direct feeling and cannot be completely equated with the strict yin-yang attribute classification in traditional Chinese medicine theory."

"Therefore, the idea that well water is hot in winter and belongs to Yang, while well water emitting cool air in summer belongs to Yin has a certain intuitive rationality. However, we cannot simply use this to clearly define their Yin and Yang attributes. We need to understand and analyze them more comprehensively and deeply from the overall theory of Yin and Yang in traditional Chinese medicine."

The other three apprentices reacted differently upon hearing this. Anton asked Fang Yan:

"Master, a few days ago I treated Aunt Natasha's rheumatism. She would be in excruciating pain before it rained. I chose to treat her at noon when the sun was at its strongest, using acupuncture at Yanglingquan. Could this be considered using Yang to overcome Yin?"

Fang Yan was taken aback and asked:

"You've been giving injections to other people?"

Anton nodded:
"Yes, Aunt Natasha is our neighbor. She has severe rheumatism and knows that I am studying medicine, so she wants me to help treat her."

It was clear that Anton was a little uneasy.

Fang Yan didn't judge whether he was right or wrong, but simply asked him:
"So how do you feel about the results?"

Anton thought for a moment, then honestly replied:
"The effect wasn't particularly good, but it was still effective."

Fang Yan said to him:
"Your theory is generally correct, but there are still many details that need to be done well. She has chronic rheumatism, so it's impossible for her to be cured just by having one acupuncture treatment. She needs to combine it with many other treatment plans."

"Moreover, it's not enough to just stick the silver needles in; you also need to feel the qi (vital energy) and use specific techniques."

Fang Yan took the silver needles out of his wrist.

He said to Anton:

"Locate Yanglingquan on your own leg, and tell me how you inserted the needle."

Anton took the silver needle from Fang Yan and then said:

"To locate the Yanglingquan acupoint, the patient should be seated or supine with their knees bent at 90 degrees. Below and on the outside of the knee, you can feel a protruding bone, which is the head of the fibula. Below and in front of the head, there is a noticeable depression. This depression is the Yanglingquan acupoint."

Fang Yan nodded, "This kid has a pretty good memory."

Then he saw Anton locate his Yanglingquan location, and then he said:

"I just inserted the needle like that."

Fang Yan said to him:
"The needle insertion angle was 5 degrees off, and the Qi of the Gallbladder Meridian makes a bend here."

"Here, gently twist the needle handle as if you were unclogging a water pipe, and insert the needle in the direction of the flow of Qi."

"After the needle is inserted, you will feel as if a fish has taken the bait, and a red ring will appear around the needle on your skin."

Upon hearing the words spoken in dialect, Anton obediently followed them.

When he first stabbed it in, he felt nothing and immediately wanted to pull it out.

Fang Yan said to Anton:

"When the acupuncture fails to obtain the Qi, some methods can be used to promote the Qi to be obtained. The angle and depth of the acupuncture can be adjusted appropriately, and techniques such as lifting and thrusting to replenish and reduce, and twisting to replenish and reduce can be used to stimulate the Qi of the meridian."

"You can also wait a little while, leave the needles in for a moment, and at the same time let the patient relax and do some appropriate limb movements or adjust breathing to promote the conduction of Qi and achieve the effect of obtaining Qi."

Anton did as instructed, and moved the needle slightly. Sure enough, he felt something different. However, it didn't feel like a fish biting the hook. Instead, a surge of heat rose from the acupoint, and there was a feeling of tightness under the needle, as if the needle was being gently sucked in. The needle also trembled slightly.

These weren't there before.

Anton glanced at his acupoints and, sure enough, a red ring had appeared. He exclaimed with delight to Fang Yan:

"Master! I've got it! I've got it!"

"I've never felt this way before when I had injections."

After the dialect showed Anton what the correct needling technique was, it also taught him simple tonifying and reducing techniques, which Anton treasured.

Then Fang Yan told him:
"Is your neighbor, Aunt Natasha, in the worst pain between 15 PM and 17 PM?"

Anton asked in surprise:
"Master, how did you know that?"

The dialect explanation is as follows:
"This is because dampness is rampant when the bladder meridian is in power. You think noon is pure yang? In fact, yin has already arisen! Inserting acupuncture before the yang transforms into yin at 9-11 am is like adding ice to boiling water. It can warm and unblock without harming the body fluids. Next time, you can insert acupuncture at 9-11 am, when the spleen is in charge of transporting and transforming water and dampness. The effect will definitely be better than inserting acupuncture at noon."

Anton nodded repeatedly after hearing this.

Then Fang Yan took out some mugwort floss and handed it to him:
"After acupuncture, apply moxibustion with Atractylodes lancea moxa sticks to the Heding acupoint until the skin becomes flushed."

Fang Yan said to him:
“Bring Aunt Natasha to my clinic for a follow-up appointment this weekend. I want to see the adjustments you’ve made to your technique.”

Anton nodded quickly:

"Okay Master!"

Anton asked:

"Master, aren't you going to prescribe medicine?"

Fang Yan shook his head:
"No need for now. I'll teach you when you come for your follow-up appointment."

Fang Yan thought for a moment, then said:

"Actually, it's time to teach you some new things. If you have time, come here every afternoon at five o'clock to learn with your junior brother."

“Okay!” Anton was overjoyed to hear that Fang Yan would start teaching him every day and readily agreed.

Fang Yan then turned to look at Sophia beside him. Sophia certainly couldn't keep up with the learning pace, but just because she wasn't good at traditional Chinese medicine didn't mean she wasn't good at martial arts. So Fang Yan extended an invitation to Sophia as well:
"Sophia, if you'd like to come, you can come for your morning exercise."

Sofia had thought she had no chance, but then a glimmer of hope appeared, and her eyes lit up. She nodded and said:
"Yes! Yes, Master!"

"I can come in the morning without any problem. I also do my morning exercise every day."

Fang Yan asked Sophia:
Can you get here by six o'clock?

Sofia said:
"Yes, it won't take long to drive here."

He said in dialect:

"Okay, I'll wait for you tomorrow morning."

After speaking, he looked at Anton:

"Anton, you're welcome to come too."

Anton immediately revealed a pained expression. If he was to arrive at six o'clock, he would have to get up at five o'clock, which was indeed a bit difficult for him.

However, after thinking about it, he finally said:
"I can try."

He didn't make any absolute statements, so that if he couldn't get up later, he could still back out.

He only has the motivation to get up if he is taught medical skills in the morning; he really feels he can't do just getting up to practice boxing in the morning.

It was only then that he realized his junior brother Zhao Zhengyi was truly monstrous.

They can keep up with the pace.

……

That evening, Fang Yan invited them to stay for dinner.

Then I found out that they came here because they felt they had learned a lot at home and had many questions to ask, so they came here.

After the meal, Fang Yan answered their questions about the problems they encountered in their studies.

Anton's question was, of course, about traditional Chinese medicine, while Sofia's question was about martial arts.

Fang Yan discovered that his two apprentices, whom he had left to their own devices, were actually quite hardworking.

They are at least studying every day; these are questions that cannot be asked without in-depth study.

This is why they can work so hard and diligently even without supervision. I don't know whether to say they are of noble character or to say it's due to the upbringing of the Russian Bachukaev.

After explaining these issues, Fang Yan discovered that their learning progress was actually quite good.

There will be no problem studying with Zhao Zhengyi next. We just need to explain some things to them in dialect. Of course, they can also exchange ideas with each other.

Fang Yan then told them to go back first and see them again tomorrow morning.

After seeing off his two Russian apprentices, Fang Yan went to his study and continued reading his medical case notes for more than two hours.

He was so engrossed that a bunch of medical cases popped into his head.

Then I went to sleep, completely satisfied.

The next morning, Sofia and Anton arrived at the door around 5:50 a.m.

They arrived earlier than Lao Hu and Lao Fan.

Sofia was full of energy, while Anton looked utterly dejected.

Then Lao Hu and the others arrived.

While doing his morning exercise, Fang Yan chatted with Lao Hu about what he had done the day before.

Yesterday, Lao Hu took all the things mentioned in the dialect to the higher-ups for help.

Fang Yan once said that the world was just a makeshift operation, and he was absolutely right. They had forgotten about this themselves, assuming that Lao Hu was an expert and that everything would be fine. Luckily, Fang Yan had said something, otherwise it would have been really embarrassing if the goods had been detained at the port of Belgrade.

However, the higher-ups reacted quite quickly, immediately forming a special team to handle this matter. Old Hu didn't need to worry about it anymore; they had dedicated personnel to do it, and they were determined to make sure it was done perfectly.

In addition, regarding the coordination between canneries or pharmaceutical factories for vacuum freezing technology, the Ministry of Health simply dispatched a pharmaceutical factory in Beijing to specifically handle the matter.

They were so domineering that Lao Hu didn't know what to say. They used someone else's machine and then made the other party come over to connect with them.

Old Hu was afraid that people would spit into his medicine.

I plan to send some things there, and also continue to send telegrams to Japan to ask them to bring back the relevant equipment. It's not good to always ask for help; I need to have it myself to feel secure.

Using a small traditional Chinese medicine factory in Japan, it's actually quite easy to purchase equipment directly under an American identity. After all, the Japanese don't really check American goods very much. You can go to Singapore, make a detour, and then land in Tanggu.

It should take about a month to complete.

By then, the factory will be mostly completed, and the production line can be moved in.

Fang Yan felt that Lao Hu's arrangements were pretty good.

Then I asked him about the movie "Reversal of Life".

Old Hu slapped his forehead and said:
"I almost forgot about that! Their film crew has their opening ceremony at 8 a.m. today. Let's go take a picture!"

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

There will be an extra chapter later.

(End of this chapter)