Bringing the Railway to Daming

Chapter 337: The Disaster of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhu Biao's Diary [Please Subscribe]

Perhaps their knowledge and thoughts were ultimately limited by the times. After listening to Liu Kuan's words, Zhu Biao, Zhu Biao and others still found it difficult to imagine the role that "Diary of a Madman" played in that era.

It's just like if people in the south have never seen snow, it would be difficult for them to imagine the world covered in silver after the snow.

After another moment of silence, King Zhu Su of Zhou asked, "Son-in-law, could you tell me more about the Westernization of later generations?"

"Of course," Liu Kuan said. "I've already explained the reasons for Westernization—the disparity in national strength, along with a series of defeats and humiliating treaties, has severely undermined the confidence of the Chinese people."

"Those who want complete Westernization believe that China should not only follow Westerners in having short hair, wearing suits and leather shoes, but should even abolish Chinese characters and adopt an English-like alphabet."

Abolish Chinese characters?

Full use of alphabetic writing?

Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao and others all looked solemn after hearing this, and they truly realized that the crisis brought to China by the Western powers at that time was far greater than when the Mongols ruled China.

"Furthermore, some people at the time were extremely supportive of Western cultures and actively belittled traditional Chinese medicine, comparing it to witchcraft. This negative influence even continued after the establishment of the Xin Dynasty, preventing traditional Chinese medicine from developing and actually declining in quality over the next half century."

Chinese medicine?

As a prince who was interested in medicine, Zhu Su was stunned when he suddenly heard this term, and then he realized that this was probably the term used by later generations to refer to traditional Chinese medicine to distinguish it from Western medicine.

Then he couldn't help but say, "Our medicine has thousands of years of history and is extensive and profound. How could it be misunderstood as witchcraft by later generations?"

Liu Kuan said, "In fact, in terms of pure medical skills, the medical theories of later generations in the West are far inferior to ours. But Your Highness, don't forget that they have the support of advanced science and technology."

"At that time, the West was developing chemistry, biological sciences, and human sciences, which did clarify some medical questions and solve some difficult problems."

"For example, they dissected the human body and conducted research, figuring out exactly how many bones the human body has, what the internal organs look like, what the human blood vessels look like and how they differ from each other, and so on."

Hearing this, some people couldn't help but frown - most of the concubines and princesses covered their mouths, showing some disgust and fear; the princes who loved Confucianism, such as Zhu Chun and Zhu Bo, frowned, obviously confused and disgusted by the dissection of the human body.

Liu Kuan continued, "They used chemistry and biology to study pathology and purify drugs, and they obtained some very effective medicines, which people at the time called Western medicine."

"Western medicine is pure enough, and it adheres to the principle of treating the symptoms, so it works very quickly. Often, just a few pills can produce immediate results."

"Traditional Chinese medicine focuses on harmonizing yin and yang and regulating the five elements. It generally fights disease by repairing the body's own immune system, ultimately achieving the patient's recovery. However, the effects are often slower..."

"Wait!" Zhu Su stopped him. "Brother-in-law, our medical skills are not as slow to take effect as you say. There are many prescriptions that can also have immediate effects on certain diseases. Could it be that those prescriptions have been lost in later generations?"

Liu Kuan said, "I don't understand medicine, so there are indeed some inappropriate aspects of what I said, but the general meaning is correct."

"The most important thing is that there were so many Chinese doctors at the time, and most of them were mediocre. There were even some frauds who used the name of traditional Chinese medicine. The medical theory was difficult for ordinary people to understand, so when people compared it with Western medicine, it was naturally outdone."

"When the new dynasty was established in later generations and science was developed, and scientific methods were used to study traditional Chinese medicine, it became clear that the Western barbarians' theory of treating headaches with head and foot pains with foot pains was far inferior to ours."

"In fact, people later discovered that many diseases that Western medicine cannot cure can be cured by traditional Chinese medicine. Western medicine can also shorten lifespans, damaging vital energy, but traditional Chinese medicine is much better at this."

"Later, as the Xin Dynasty gained power, Traditional Chinese Medicine also experienced a resurgence. However, by then, there was no longer any mention of Western medicine. Instead, it was called modern medicine, which is based on modern scientific theories and technology."

After hearing what Liu Kuan said, Zhu Biao, Zhu Su and others looked better - it would be a pity if Chinese medicine was really cut off in the future.

Liu Kuan continued, "Although the plan of complete Westernization was not implemented, people at the time, especially some businessmen and scholars, did admire Western culture and advocated learning it."

"This has had a huge impact on our traditional Chinese culture, including literature, medicine, art, folk customs, beliefs, and so on."

"Of course, this impact is not entirely negative – our inappropriate traditional customs and harmful ideas have also been shaken and even eliminated by this impact."

"I won't give examples of some of the extreme cases, such as shaving one's hair and beard. Although the main purpose at the time was to learn from the West, it also had some practical uses."

"Compared to long hair, short hair is easier to maintain. In addition, for soldiers and workers, having short hair has even become a necessity."

Hearing this, Lao Zhu couldn't help but ask curiously: "How can you say it's necessary?"

Liu Kuan smiled. "Your Majesty, what do you think? Is it easier to wear an iron helmet with long hair in a bun, or is it easier to wear an iron helmet with short hair like I did before? In a life-and-death battle, is long hair better, or short hair?"

Old Zhu was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but say, "This little convenience is nothing compared to hair. Short hair has always been a form of punishment and a sign of criminality throughout the dynasties."

Liu Kuan did not refute Zhu's words because he had no intention of suggesting that Zhu change the Han hairstyle and clothing.

"Short hair is also easier to wash, which allows people to wash their hair more frequently and prevent bacteria from growing on their heads."

"As for workers keeping their hair short, it was mainly to facilitate their work. Many machines in later times were very sophisticated, and if long hair got tangled in them, they would easily break and could easily injure the workers."

"Therefore, for quite a while in later generations, not only did men wear short hair, but women also wore their hair below their shoulders."

Old Zhu asked tentatively, "Liu Kuan, you're not suggesting that we make Ming men have short hair, are you?"

"Of course not." Liu Kuan quickly explained, "I am simply stating that later generations chose to keep their hair short, not only due to Western influences, but also due to some practical needs."

Old Zhu nodded with satisfaction, "As long as you know what's going on."

Then he added, "Okay, it's getting late, and we've pretty much exhausted all the questions in these five videos, so I won't ask any more questions—let's play the movie."

"Yes."

Liu Kuan responded and picked up the tablet to play the prepared movie.

Zhu Biao and Zhu Di glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang thoughtfully. It seemed to them that something had been left unclear in the video, and Liu Kuan hadn't explained it. For example, what exactly was the ideology that Mr. Shou Chang was using to shape the Xinchao group? Was it a new Confucian school like the School of Mind, or something else entirely?
But the two men understood that there must be a reason why Liu Kuan did not take the initiative to explain and Zhu Yuanzhang did not ask.

It would be bad for them to raise questions now.

After Liu Kuan put the tablet back in its place, he said, "This time, I'm looking for an animated film about Nezha, called 'Nezha: The Devil Child Comes into the World'."

Nezha?

Zhu Yuanzhang was disappointed and couldn't help but ask, "Didn't you tell the story of Nezha during the New Year's song? Why did you find another cartoon to watch?"

Liu Kuan smiled bitterly and said, "Your Majesty, I can't find any other suitable films. Besides, this film's interpretation of Nezha's image is slightly subversive, and it also has some educational significance for children. It looks good."

Zhu Yuanzhang turned his head and saw that the children all had expectant expressions on their faces. Even the young princes like Zhu Xiongying were no exception. He said, "Okay, since everything is ready, let's play it."

Liu Kuan immediately touched the screen and played "Nezha: The Devil Child Comes into the World".

This is a movie that became a box office hit in later generations. Before Liu Kuan traveled through time, the cumulative box office had reached more than 5 billion yuan, so there is no doubt about its quality.

The content is both interesting, funny and tear-jerking.

After the animated film, which lasted more than two hours, was over, not only the royal children such as Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Quan, the concubines and princesses, but even Zhu Lao, Zhu Biao and others were still reminiscing about it.

Lao Zhu even commented with a smile, "I didn't expect this cartoon to be so good."

Zhu Biao said with emotion, "It's really good to watch, and it also has educational significance - although Nezha, by mistake, becomes the reincarnation of the magic pill and is born a demon, he is influenced by his parents and friends to turn evil into good, defying heaven and sacrificing his life to protect the people of Chentongguan, becoming a hero. It is truly admirable."

Zhu Yuanzhang stood up and took the opportunity to teach the younger princes and grandchildren, "Now that you've seen this movie, you should understand some truths, right? No matter what your nature is, whether you're naughty or well-behaved, smart or dull, as long as you are sincere and kind and determined to achieve success, you will achieve something."

Zhu Quan, Zhu Gaoxu and other younger princes and grandchildren immediately responded in unison, "Your sons (grandchildren) will remember your father's (grandfather's) teachings!"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction.

"Alright, let's end the movie viewing here for today. Biao'er, Liu Kuan, follow us to Fengxian Hall."

After hearing this, Zhu Di and others were surprised, but also felt it was reasonable - after watching movies during the previous Mid-Autumn Festival or New Year's Day, Zhu Yuanzhang would ask the older princes to go to the side hall of the Dashan Hall to discuss matters, but this time was an exception.

But considering some of the content revealed in the previous five song videos, Zhu Di and others felt that it was normal for Zhu Yuanzhang to talk to Liu Kuan about some confidential topics.

After Zhu Yuanzhang brought Zhu Biao and Liu Kuan into Fengxian Hall, he said to Li Gui, "You also go out and pass on my oral instructions to the guards outside the hall - without my permission, no one is allowed to approach within 50 meters of Fengxian Hall."

Li Gui was startled when he heard this, and replied "yes". He quickly left Fengxian Hall and closed the door behind him sensibly.

There are electric lights in the hall, so it won't be dark even when the door is closed.

According to the silent calculations of Li Gui and the guards guarding outside the hall, Liu Kuan stayed in Fengxian Hall for about an hour this time, and looked relatively calm when he came out.

As for what Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao and Liu Kuan discussed in Fengxian Hall, no one knew at the time...
night.

Chunhe Palace.

After taking a bath, Zhu Biao did not rest, but went to his study and asked the eunuchs and palace maids to guard outside the entrance.

Then he took out a book from a copper box.

The cover of the book was blank, but most of the pages inside were written in tiny regular script.

Zhu Biao ground the ink himself, turned the book to a blank page, and wrote a horizontal line of text with punctuation on it.

[In the 20th year of Hongwu, on the night of August 15th, the sky was clear.]

[Today I watched a movie at Dashan Hall again. My brother-in-law played a video of five songs and an animation.]

The five songs are titled "The Wind Rises," "Drowning," "What Can I Use to Keep You," "The Lone Hero," and "Dislocated Time and Space." The animation is titled "Nezha: The Devil Child Comes into the World."

After the movie, my father summoned me and my sister-in-law to the Fengxian Hall for a private conversation.

I asked if the videos for those five songs were from the same source.

My brother-in-law said these five song videos are from the same TV series, "Awakening Era," which tells the story of the pioneers of the new dynasty and other patriots who awakened and sought a way out for China.

Later, the Emperor asked his brother-in-law, "Mr. Shouchang, what ideas have shaped the new dynasty..."

About half an hour later, Zhu Biao put down his writing.

Only after the tiny handwriting on several pages had dried did he close the nameless book and carefully put it back into the locked copper box.

However, he saw that there were already more than a dozen similar books in the box, neatly stacked inside.

The book in Zhu Biao's hand was placed on top.

After locking the copper box, Zhu Biao sat in silence for a while before turning off the desk lamp.

The study fell into darkness. Zhu Biao stood up and walked away with the sound of footsteps...

　First update.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)