My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 35 The Three Immortal Paths of Medicine

Liu Feng did not deceive Hua Tuo; he did indeed obtain a medical appointment letter from Big Ear Brother.

"Congshi" refers to an assistant official or clerk, also known as "Congshi Yuan," who was an assistant official to the governor during the Han Dynasty.

The vast majority of officials were directly subordinate to the governors, holding relatively high positions. They were given copper seals and yellow ribbons, and received a salary of 100 shi (a unit of grain), making them proper bureaucrats. Moreover, they served the governors and prefects closely, making it easier for them to be promoted.

In particular, the four positions of Assistant Administrator, Chief Clerk, Chief Administrator, and Chief Clerk are the top positions among all positions, and any one of them is highly sought after.

Although medical practice is not included in this list, it is still a profession, and one is entitled to a copper seal and yellow ribbon.

Hua Tuo was somewhat tempted.

This is not true that Hua Tuo was blinded by favor when meeting officials.

In fact, a few years earlier, Hua Tuo had even been recruited by Huang Wan, the governor of Yuzhou, which was likely his starting point in the medical field.

This time was different. Not only could Hua Tuo's wish to serve in government be fulfilled, but he was also put in charge of medical skills, which was perfect for him.

Hua Tuo did indeed say that he regretted pursuing a career as a physician as a scholar, which made it impossible for him to serve as an official.

However, considering the character's emotions and deeds, this statement is actually an expression of emotion, similar to the sentiment that if I had studied hard and not played games back then, I could have gotten into a good university and found a good job.

In reality, most people who express this sentiment may not truly regret it. After all, the joy that games bring is real, and many people may still feel nostalgic about games even after they grow up.

Judging from Hua Tuo's deeds, medicine was to him what a game is to someone who enjoys games.

Even if he were to give up his medical skills to become an official, he might not be able to truly let go of them.

“Mr. Yuanhua, I intend to build a hospital in Xuzhou.”

"Hospital?"

Hua Tuo murmured the name, seemingly lost in thought.

"Yes, it is a hospital."

Liu Feng further explained: "This is a place for physicians to pass on their medical knowledge and teachings, a courtyard for cultivating true physicians for the Han Dynasty."

"Passing on medical knowledge and teachings?"

Hua Tuo was shocked because Liu Feng's words were too grand and ambitious.

"Not bad!"

Liu Feng declared emphatically, “People often think that medicine is a minor art, but this is a great misconception! Shennong tasted hundreds of herbs and made great contributions to heaven and earth, which is why he was able to be made a saint. Today, doctors are inheriting Shennong’s great achievements, carrying on the past and forging ahead into the future. How can it be considered a minor art?”

"In Feng's plan, medical professionals should also serve as hospital directors, compile teaching materials for the hospital, and establish the principles of medicine."

“In the past, during the Spring and Autumn Period, Shusun Bao, a minister of the State of Lu, debated with Fan Xuanzi, a minister of the State of Jin, about what it means to die without being forgotten.”

Fan Xuanzi believed that his ancestors had been nobles since the Yu, Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, with a distinguished family line and an unbroken line of descendants, which he considered "immortal".

Shusun Bao disagreed, replying that this could only be called "hereditary emolument" rather than "immortality."

True immortality lies in three things: first, establishing virtue; second, establishing merit; and third, establishing words. These will endure through time; this is what is meant by immortality.

"Master Yuanhua, based solely on these words, Doctor Shusun Bao is worthy of being granted the title of saint!"

Hua Tuo, standing before Liu's cover, was dumbfounded, his ears ringing and his vision blurred from listening.

So he directly lifted the lid of the soup pot and poured the chicken soup into Hua Tuo's mouth. "Sir, your mission is to achieve three immortalities! To establish medical ethics, to establish medical achievements, and to write a medical book!"

Hua Tuo was completely dumbfounded. He had never known that medicine could be such a profound and noble art, even a continuation of Shennong's work. But after hearing Liu Feng's explanation, he felt it made perfect sense. Who could deny that Shennong was the progenitor of medicine?
Who can deny Shennong's status as a sage?

How can a physician who has inherited Shennong's work be considered to be practicing a lesser path?
Hua Tuo felt his blood boiling. A sense of lofty mission and a fulfilling ambition mixed together, brewing into a cup of wine that he was willing to drink himself into oblivion and never wake up again.

At this moment, Liu Feng solemnly invited Hua Tuo, "Master Yuanhua, would you be willing to help me revitalize the art of medicine and revive it into a great path?"

Hua Tuo felt a surge of scalding heat rise from his lungs and soar into the sky, prompting this fifty-something-year-old man to shout, "I am willing to die for you, my lord!"

"good!"

Liu Feng revealed a genuine smile; these were his true feelings, not just empty words to deceive Hua Tuo.

After all, Liu Feng believed in doing things openly and honestly, based on mutual consent. He simply offered the other party a price they couldn't refuse.

Next, Liu Feng spent a full half hour describing to Hua Tuo his envisioned medical system, including how to establish hospitals, how to recruit students, how to divide subjects, and how to teach according to aptitude.

However, the division of subjects here is simply divided into internal medicine and surgery.

Hua Tuo readily accepted this, after all, he was the only surgical master of his time and a pioneer in the field of surgery.

Unfortunately, Hua Tuo's teachings were not passed down, which is a loss for the entire Chinese nation.

Widow Cao is largely to blame for this!
Hua Tuo listened quietly to Liu Feng's description at first, but later on, he asked one question after another, leaving Liu Feng somewhat overwhelmed.

Liu Feng felt that the Hua Tuo of today was completely different from the Hua Tuo of before their conversation.

Although Hua Tuo had a somewhat otherworldly and elegant demeanor, his inner nature was more like a stagnant pool, calm and undisturbed.

Hua Tuo, however, now seemed to have broken through the mountain wall and was rushing down, possessing inexhaustible energy that he wanted to release.

Hua Tuo has come back to life.

****************************************
On this day, Liu Bei had just woken up when his attendant reported that the young master was already waiting outside for an audience.

"Ok?"

Liu Bei was taken aback for a moment, then said with displeasure, "Since it's Feng'er who's here, why didn't you announce it earlier?"

The attendant explained, feeling wronged, "We wanted to report to the lord, but the young master stopped us, saying that the lord was busy with official duties and needed to rest. He said he would be fine in a little while."

Hearing his attendants' explanation, Liu Bei's anger subsided by half, but he was still worried about his son and said with displeasure, "It's freezing cold right now, and the outer room is far less warm than the inner room. If he catches a cold, you will all..."

Liu Bei was a kind and generous man, and he wouldn't kill people indiscriminately like Cao Cao.

He waved his hand: "Oh, never mind, you all go and invite the young master in."

The attendant, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, hurriedly turned around and went out to fetch someone.

Soon, Liu Feng walked in, carrying a pile of silk books.

Upon seeing Liu Feng, Liu Bei's eyes lit up. He beckoned to him and said, "Feng'er, come quickly and sit down by the stove to warm yourself up."

Liu Feng stepped forward, placed the silk scroll beside him, and then bowed deeply to Liu Bei.

"Father, I humbly ask you a question."

(End of this chapter)