Chapter 1193 - 1193: I want to hit two birds with one stone.

The fact that Bald Yang could successfully branch out independently was partly due to this reason. If Lan Changhua were still available for outpatient service two to three times a week, you would see if Bald Yang dared to bring up the matter of branching out, and if the hospital leaders would agree to it.

The third person affected was Cao Binghe. Although he was now successfully staying at Hao Pengyou, he had previously been an attending physician and an assistant to Lan Changhua. It wasn't that he held an extraordinarily detached position. However, with Lan Changhua as such a powerful backer, always visible and prominent, no one dared to criticize him, and Director Wu would also take care of him, intentionally or unintentionally. The most crucial point was that he could learn and progress every day.

But once Lan Changhua retired, his backing was gone. Although everyone still treated him as before, he felt a keen sense of loss. Moreover, he couldn't always consult Lan Changhua as before whenever he encountered something he didn't understand. The pressure of study and work almost suffocated him.

Fortunately, Director Wu still held some affection for him, and Du Heng also considered him a friend. It took him two months to adapt and accept the change. Nevertheless, he deeply missed those days of having a backer, someone looking out for him.

Of course, Lan Changhua felt much the same as Cao Binghe. Originally lounging on a chair at home, he immediately straightened up, an expression of barely contained excitement on his face after hearing the purpose of Cao Binghe's visit. However, the old man had been recuperating for a while and had also become more mindful of his dignity; he actually feigned reluctance, saying, "Ah, I'm old, and my brain is slow. If Xiao Du and Xiao Wu can't figure it out, I probably can't either."

Cao Binghe almost laughed at Lan Changhua's comical appearance. Though clearly eager, the old man insisted on putting on a bit of a show.

Cao Binghe smiled and said, "Teacher, please don't say that. Although Director Wu and Director Du are excellent, they still need your experience for guidance. The experience you've accumulated over decades is the most valuable asset; the two of them certainly wouldn't want you to just secretly take all that away."

"Ah, you say..."

"Enough, stop putting on airs. If you want to go, then go quickly. Don't let the young ones laugh at you." Cao Binghe was willing to offer a few more flattering words, but the old lady at home gave Lan Changhua no quarter whatsoever. Not only did she bluntly expose Lan Changhua's pretense, but she also grabbed his clothes for him. "Hurry up and put on your clothes. The young ones are still busy. They took time out of their lunch break to come and pick you up, so don't cause them any more trouble."

Lan Changhua felt he was losing face and, looking at his wife with some annoyance, said, "How could you..."

"Stop talking nonsense and go! I have things to do."

The old lady showed Professor Lan Changhua no deference at all, directly stuffing his clothes into his hands and pushing him out the door.

Once at the hospital, Lan Changhua looked nostalgically at everything. But when he arrived at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Internal Medicine Department, he transformed back into the familiar Professor Lan. Composed and reserved, yet with an undercurrent of warmth, he greeted everyone.

Inside the office, Du Heng briefed him on the patient's situation. "Professor Lan, what do you think we should do now?"

Lan Changhua's reaction was indeed as Du Heng had predicted. After Du Heng finished explaining the patient's condition, Lan Changhua immediately shifted into his professional mode. Without a word, he first picked up the patient's films to examine them, then moved on to the other examination reports. "Your diagnosis is not wrong; it's as accurate as before."

Lan Changhua first complimented Du Heng, joy crinkling the corners of his eyes. He was very pleased with the decision he had made before the New Year. This kind of talent should be performing on a bigger stage.

However, Lan Changhua quickly changed the subject. "Regarding the previous basic prescription, all the bitter, cold, and detoxifying medicines can no longer be used."

Du Heng nodded in agreement. "Indeed, that's the problem. The patient's condition itself is due to cold evil invading the body's Yang aspect, with damp phlegm and stagnant blood accumulating to form a mass. The bitter and cold detoxifying medicines in the prescription, if used now, would be more harmful than beneficial. But if we remove these medicines now, the basic prescription for combating the cancer would be rendered ineffective, and we'll have to reconfigure it."

As Du Heng spoke, his brows furrowed, and this was no pretense. Although he had considered this possibility before, he hadn't expected the patient's condition to change in just over ten days. This meant that while the broad framework he had previously designed didn't need to change, some of the specific details within it were no longer applicable.

"The patient's condition might accelerate, and the location is very dangerous. Not only is there less time for trial and error, but the opportunities for it have also significantly diminished."

Du Heng said worriedly, "Professor Lan, you have a wealth of experience; please help me vet this."

Although Professor Lan knew Du Heng's words were flattering, he enjoyed them immensely, a slight smile playing on his lips. Of course, he also believed that his own experience should be able to help.

"Xiao Du, tell me your thoughts. I'll do my best to help you identify any shortcomings and make improvements."

"Then let me explain my line of thinking." Du Heng coughed lightly. "Here's what I'm considering: the patient's illness is in the Governor Vessel, and it's severely affected by cold evil. So, I want to use raw astragalus, and it must be used in a large dosage to strongly tonify the primordial Qi, boost Qi to move blood, and gently warm the Governor Vessel."

Lan Changhua pondered for a moment. "Astragalus can tonify the Qi of the entire body and also has the functions of uplifting Yang, consolidating the exterior, expelling pus, and promoting tissue regeneration. Using it as the principal herb here is quite appropriate. But this heavy dosage you mentioned, how much are you planning to use?"

"250 grams."

"Half a jin?" Lan Changhua paused. "That's acceptable. Given the patient's condition, a potent dosage is essential. Alright, continue."

Hearing this, Du Heng went on, "Additionally, I plan to use a considerable amount of kudzu root, utilizing its ability to vent rashes and uplift Yang. It specifically targets the neck region, enabling the medicinal properties to penetrate the Governor Vessel and reach the spine. This further enhances the effect of promoting blood circulation and resolving blood stasis. It can also nourish and protect the spinal cord and help disperse the accumulated mass. With these two principal herbs, the rest will follow the previous approach: adding ingredients that transform phlegm, soften hardness, and erode and dissolve accumulations, supplemented by other medicines like arisaema, Changli Ginseng, and squirrel's droppings, ensuring the entire prescription combines attacking and reinforcing actions. This prevents damage to the spinal cord in the process of breaking down the tumor and dissolving the accumulation."

As Du Heng spoke, he carefully watched Lan Changhua's expression, ready to slow down immediately if he noticed anything amiss. His purpose in seeking out Lan Changhua today wasn't merely to get advice for himself. His true goal was to soothe the sense of loss in Lan Changhua's heart and help his health improve. If he spoke too quickly and the old man didn't understand, wouldn't that just crush his confidence? Speaking too fast wasn't good, but neither could he say everything himself, leaving no room for the old man to contribute; that would also make him feel useless.

In any case, the hook was set for Lan Changhua; it all depended on Lan Changhua's own skill and whether he could find it. If he couldn't find it, Du Heng would have to employ some other means to guide him.

However, Du Heng's worries were entirely superfluous. Lan Changhua, after all, was an old Chinese doctor with over fifty years of experience. He was an expert-level Chinese Medicine Doctor at Good Friend Hospital, a professor capable of easily securing international-grade projects. How could he fail to discern the subtle omissions in Du Heng's explanation?

So, after a brief silence during which he mentally reviewed everything Du Heng had said, he looked at Du Heng and asked with a puzzled expression, "The prescription is good, with both attacking and reinforcing properties. However, the patient's illness has entered the Governor Vessel and penetrated deep into the spinal cord. Are you sure that relying solely on kudzu root to deliver the medicine into the Governor Vessel isn't a bit insufficient? Additionally, if some of the hardness-softening medicines are decocted together with the tonifying medicines, their efficacy will be greatly diminished. So, how do you plan to address that?"

Lan Changhua had found all the hooks Du Heng had left. These were issues that someone with insufficient experience or a less than thorough understanding of pharmacology truly wouldn't be able to identify. Take Director Wu and Cao Binghe, for instance, who had been listening in all along. Director Wu sensed something wasn't quite right and was still racking his brains. Cao Binghe, on the other hand, simply thought Du Heng was incredible for formulating another tumor-treating prescription in such a short time.