Rebirth 1977 Great Era

Chapter 892 Mysterious and Unfathomable? Is Otsuka Keisetsu an ally? (Bonus Chapter for Monthly Tickets)

"If we follow the folk saying, then it is necessary to have someone who has been infected by the cause and effect of the disease."

"But there is no intuitive way to determine whether a person is involved in karmic consequences."

"Moreover, what you can feel may not be felt by others. In fact, this saying is just a folk rumor. You yourself are not sure whether your feeling at the time was true or false."

"So, to be honest, I really don't know how to do testing right now."

Old Cheng spoke to Fang Yan.

Fang Yan nodded.

At this moment, Old Ren picked up the needle, examined the cracks on it, and said:
"Folk rumors aren't necessarily all inaccurate; look, these needles really did split into four pieces."

"These all occurred after being used on just one person."

After a pause, he continued:
"Moreover, it's hard for us to find these kinds of patients, but we have a lot of them in Fangyan."

"Those who seek his treatment are basically those who couldn't get better abroad."

Upon hearing what Elder Ren said, Elder Cheng replied:
"But look at him, so lively and energetic, does he look like he's been infected with illness?"

Old Ren was taken aback, looked at Fang Yan, and said:
"That doesn't seem like it..."

Old Cheng said:
"Therefore, I don't think this folk rumor is necessarily accurate."

"If the theory itself is wrong, then there is no need for us to study it."

After he finished speaking, he paused and then said:

"Besides, research projects at the institute have to be reported. How am I supposed to report this? If I do, won't they accuse me of promoting feudal superstition?"

I finally understand the dialect; that's the root cause.

Given Mr. Cheng's sensitive position, he must be extremely cautious about such unfounded and superstitious matters.

As an academic researcher, Professor Cheng should naturally adopt a scientific skepticism toward folk metaphysical claims such as "pathogenic qi rising upwards" and "cause and effect transfer."

Of course, he also believes there is a logical contradiction, just as the treatment of a large number of patients with dialects has not affected them, and the research institute's projects need to be reported and approved, and such "feudal superstition" content is difficult to pass official review.

After all, Fang Yan has treated so many people without being affected by the illness, and they are still alive and kicking. This completely proves that the cause-and-effect theory is invalid.

If the cause-and-effect theory is not valid, then this so-called "pathogenic qi" is meaningless.

Academic research institutes have always been rigorous in this regard, especially when it comes to such mysterious and esoteric matters.

At this stage, the conditions do not yet allow for open research.

But then again.

Looking back now, Fang Yan realizes that the chill she felt at the time might not have been an illusion.

Moreover, the four needles did indeed crack after being used.

Fang Yan thought for a moment and said to Old Cheng:
"Then let's discuss this privately. If it's true, wouldn't this Heavenly Craft Needle be able to protect many doctors?"

Upon hearing the dialect, Old Cheng waved his hand:

"Sigh, even if it's real, not many people can actually use this Heavenly Craft Needle. The manufacturing process is a major hurdle. It's not just about the selection and processing of the jade; the needle itself also has its own intricacies."

"These are all handmade and cannot be mass-produced. It would be good if a few doctors could use them. It will only be possible if the processing technology improves and mass production becomes possible."

"Moreover, some doctors don't even understand the concept of Qi, and they can't pinpoint the acupoints accurately, so you can't find the cause and effect in them at all."

"..." Fang Yan was speechless.

That's true; you need to be quite capable to bear the consequences of your actions.

If someone can't even figure out how to insert a needle properly, using a top-notch needle will be a waste of time.

In other words, even if the rumors are true, ordinary doctors would find it difficult to trigger the "cause and effect" due to their lack of technical skills, and Professor Cheng believes that this project has limited research value.

"Alright, take the Heavenly Craft Needle back. I don't understand it here." Old Cheng handed the Heavenly Craft Needle to Fang Yan.

He couldn't understand anything about metaphysics.

Fang Yan thought that perhaps he should ask Lao Fan.

Or perhaps this Taoist doctor knows something.

When it comes to exploring the unknown, dialects still maintain a considerable amount of curiosity.

There must be a reason why this needle could be made and has been passed down for so long.

Fang Yan put the needle away and didn't dwell on the matter.

Then he took out the acupuncture bronze figure and handed it to Old Cheng. "Acupuncture bronze figure?" Old Cheng looked at the bronze figure curiously.

He said in dialect:

"It was a gift from a patient's family. This is a bronze acupuncture figure from the Sugiyama school of acupuncture, dating back to the Edo period in Japan. Inside, there is also a handwritten copy and a secret acupuncture technique manual."

As he spoke, he used the cracked Heavenly Craftsmanship Needle to press the mechanism on top, then twisted off the bronze figure's head, took out the book inside, and handed it directly to Old Master Cheng:
"This collection contains fragments of acupuncture manuals from the Muromachi period of Japan, which incorporate the textual research content of our 'Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion,' records of improvements to the 'Sugiyama School' acupuncture method in Japan, clinical applications of extra points, and practical cases of the acupuncture examination system during the Edo period."

Upon hearing this, Old Cheng immediately became interested, took the book, and began to peruse it.

Old Ren, standing to the side, asked Fang Yan:

"Have you finished reading?"

Fang Yan shook his head and said:
"No, I only saw some clinical applications. I feel that his Sugiyama-ryu acupuncture technique is just average, slightly inferior to our acupuncture technique."

At this moment, Old Cheng said:

"Actually, it's not without its advantages. His needling technique is very simple, without many skills or techniques. It's all about simplification, which is conducive to promotion and application. At that time, the government's policy was to allow more people to use acupuncture."

"Think about it, it's not an easy thing to make it available to more people."

"I feel that they are intended to be used as introductory teaching materials to help people who have never been exposed to acupuncture get started quickly, and then promote other more complex techniques."

"Didn't he write it? 'In the third year of the lenient administration, the way of acupuncture will not perish.' This means that the way of acupuncture should be improved and simplified so that it can remain among the people."

Upon hearing this, Fang Yan suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

He slapped his thigh!
Said:

"No wonder!"

"Huh? What do you mean, no wonder?" Old Cheng was a little confused, not knowing what the dialect meant.

He said in dialect:

"No wonder their acupuncture books don't have any explanation of 'deqi' (the arrival of qi), contraindications, or needle retention time. So that's why!"

Ren Yingqiu, who was standing to the side, realized what was happening and said:

"You mean...simplification!"

"Yes!" Fang Yan nodded.

"The acupuncture techniques were deliberately simplified, but it was oversimplified, just like the simplified characters of today, which went too far."

Mr. Ren nodded repeatedly, "That makes sense!"

Case solved!
On the contrary, the Sugiyama school, which existed from 1336 to 1573, is simplified just right.

This period, in terms of time, refers to the late Yuan Dynasty and most of the Ming Dynasty in China.

So this simplified acupuncture technique is indeed quite valuable for reference.

Next, Fang Yan, Mr. Cheng, and Mr. Ren used this topic to discuss some applications that this book could bring.

Clearly, everyone thought of promoting it to the general public, that is, publishing the above content so that more people can use a simplified and appropriate acupuncture version and start using acupuncture.

Similarly, if the use of needles increases in the general public, the craftsmanship of processing silver needles will inevitably follow suit, and sooner or later it will involve the mass production of Tiangong needles.

We chatted for ages, but ended up going in circles.

After everyone finished chatting, Fang Yan remembered what happened to Otsuka Keisetsu over the weekend.

So I told Mr. Cheng, who had been to Japan, about it.

"Otsuka Keisetsu wants to see you?" Old Cheng was somewhat surprised.

Fang Yan nodded and said:
"Well, I didn't want to go at first, but the dean said it was a matter of national diplomacy. I thought about it and he was right. I might as well go and talk to them about the Chinese books in the Imperial Household Agency's Library and Mausoleum Department. I'd like to see how sincere they really are."

Old Cheng said to Fang Yan:

"Yes, your idea is actually quite feasible. This person has a very high status in Japanese traditional medicine. He can directly read books in the Imperial Household Agency's Archives and Mausoleums Department. The last time we borrowed the 'Imperial Medical Prescriptions Collection,' it was Professor Tamagawa who approached him. The borrowing was able to proceed smoothly, and overall, it was he who promoted and helped us."

"Huh?" Fang Yan was taken aback. So they were allies after all?

P.S.: I still owe you 24000 words after finishing this chapter.

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

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

(End of this chapter)