Chinese medicine: from rural hospitals to top three hospitals in Kyoto

In Kyoto's summer, the air is filled with a humid, sultry heat, like a heavy, waterlogged velvet cloth pressing down on the hearts of everyone within it.

For the top 100 contestants gathered in Beijing for the finals of the "Yangshen Cup" Medical Competition, the sweltering heat was mixed with an indescribable tension and anticipation.

On the eve of the final, Zhuang Qiwen stood at the window of his hotel room, looking down at the river of light formed by the endless stream of car lights below.

The clinic in Hanping City, his wife's words of advice, Chen Yang's eyes full of trust and expectation... scenes from the past flashed through his mind.

Zhuang Qiwen took a deep breath, trying to calm his somewhat agitated emotions.

It feels like just yesterday that I first met Chen Yang. Back then, I was still indignant about injustice and confused about my future. It was Chen Yang's appearance that, like a sharp sword, cleaved through the gloom that shrouded me and pushed me onto this nationally watched stage.

"Xiao Jingyun..."

Zhuang Qiwen murmured the name: a renowned physician, the contemporary leader of the Xiao family of Qianzhou, a true pinnacle of medicine.

Zhuang Qi had heard of Xiao Jingyun's name when he first started learning medicine, but he never expected that he would run into Xiao Jingyun this time.

Zhuang Qiwen wasn't afraid of the challenge; rather, he was acutely aware of the gap between himself and such figures—not just in medical skills, but also in decades of experience, background, and reputation. However, he felt no cowardice; instead, a fire burned within him—he wanted to use his medical skills to prove Chen Yang's judgment correct, to prove that he, a doctor who had struggled from humble beginnings, could also shine brightly.

Meanwhile, in another room, Yu Shiyun was staring blankly at a yellowed handwritten copy of family medical records.

This was one of the most treasured possessions of Jishengtang, solemnly entrusted to her by her grandfather, Yu Dehai, before her departure. It contained unique ideas and secret formulas from their ancestors for dealing with difficult and complicated illnesses. Her hand gently brushed across the rough pages, feeling the weight of the family's expectations and heritage carried on them.

“Unqualified…unorthodox methods…” These words pierced Yu Shiyun’s heart like needles.

Yu Shiyun's personality is not actually strong. She studied medicine in elementary school and also liked traditional Chinese medicine. However, due to her poor grades in other areas, she could not attend a formal medical school. Although she took the qualification exam several times, she failed each time.

Yu Shiyun had always felt that she wasn't capable enough, but this time...

Director Chen Yang's exceptional permission was a great honor and a tremendous opportunity for her, but it also put her in the spotlight.

She knew she represented not just one person, but countless other practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine like herself, skilled in their craft but unrecognized by the mainstream for various reasons. She couldn't afford to lose tomorrow's final; at the very least, she couldn't afford to lose too badly.

Yu Shiyun clenched her fists, a resolute look flashing across her delicate face.

......

It was past eleven o'clock at night when the door to Chen Yang's study was pushed open.

Wen Manlu placed a glass of warm milk next to Chen Yang, looked at his slightly tired but sharp profile, and said softly, "Still thinking about tomorrow's finals?"

Chen Yang took the milk, held her hand, and smiled slightly: "It's nothing, it was all expected. I just didn't expect that Elder Xiao would be so impatient. He hasn't even shown his face yet, but he's already made a big fuss about it."

"A tall tree catches the wind."

Wen Manlu smiled and said, "The position you're standing in now is bound to attract all sorts of attention. What about Old Master Chu and Grandpa?"

"will not."

Chen Yang shook his head: "This is an academic debate, a clash of ideas. If they interfere, they'll only be at a disadvantage. Besides..."

Chen Yang paused, a confident glint in his eyes: "I also need a contest like this to let some people see clearly where the future of traditional Chinese medicine should lead."

"Don't you trust me a lot?" Chen Yang said with a smile.

Just then, Gao Anliang called: "Director Chen, I just received news that the list of judges for the final round has been slightly adjusted, with the addition of two senior experts. One is Professor Qiu Yimin from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, and the other is Professor Feng Huanzhang, the retired director of the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Both of them... are known for their 'rigor' and 'emphasis on standards'."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yang's lips curled into a meaningful smile: "As expected, they've come. They're here to support Elder Xiao and ensure that the banner of 'standardization' remains standing."

"Yes."

Gao Anliang nodded: "Moreover, I found out that the judge selected by drawing lots for the first part of tomorrow's final, 'Theoretical Analysis,' will be Professor Qiu Yimin."

Wen Manlu, who was listening intently from the side, looked displeased: "Didn't they consult with you, the chief judge, before adding new judges and selecting questioners by drawing lots?"

Chen Yang chuckled and patted Wen Manlu's hand, then held up the phone to Gao Anliang and said, "It's alright, within the rules, let him do as he pleases."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Yang looked at Wen Manlu again: "Precisely because I am the chief judge, there are many things that do not need to be discussed with me, such as adding judges, or drawing lots for the candidates, etc. After all, we need to ensure the fairness of the competition and prevent it from becoming a one-man show."

Of course, that's what they say, but in fact it's clear that Xiao Jingyun wasn't the only one who looked down on Chen Yang's qualifications. If it were Wen Xiuping or Chu Yiyun, who would dare to do that?

.......

On June 10th, the Kyoto National Convention Center was bustling with people, the atmosphere both solemn and enthusiastic.

The national finals of the "Yangshen Cup" Medical Competition officially kicked off here.

The huge venue was decorated like an academic hall. At the front was the judges' panel, with Chen Yang, as the chief judge, sitting in the center, flanked by Mo Xinzhi, Sun Zhiren, Li Liren, and others. The newly joined Qiu Yimin and Feng Huanzhang sat on the side, their faces serious.

Xiao Jingyun and An Yunfan, two top-ranked doctors on the list of renowned physicians, sat in the first row of the contestants' seats, attracting considerable attention.

Xiao Jingyun had white hair and beard, a gaunt face, and a sharp glint in his eyes, exuding an air of authority without anger.

Offstage, the top 100 contestants sat upright. Li Haofei, Liu Xi, and Wu Mengmeng sat together, exchanging whispers. Zhuang Qiwen sat alone in a corner, resting with his eyes closed. Yu Shiyun appeared somewhat nervous, her hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes.

The media area was already filled with cameras and microphones aimed at every corner of the venue, drawing attention from across the country and even overseas to the development of traditional Chinese medicine.

"Now I announce that the final of the first 'Yangshen Cup' Medical Competition has officially begun. Please welcome Director Chen Yang, the chief judge of the competition, to give a pre-competition speech." The host's voice rang out, and applause broke out in the audience.

Everyone's attention was fixed on Chen Yang, and all the cameras on site were focused on him.

Xiao Jingyun and An Yunfan both turned their gazes toward Chen Yang at the same time.

"Pfft! Pfft!"

Chen Yang adjusted the microphone, and the scene quieted down.