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

Upon arriving in the bulk province, it was drizzling.

The bus traveled through the misty rain of Jiangnan, the moist air carrying the fresh scent of earth and vegetation.

Unlike the dry, biting winds of the north, the winds here are gentle, carrying the unique warmth of a water town.

The province is economically developed and has a profound cultural heritage of traditional Chinese medicine. Throughout history, it has produced many famous doctors and formed influential academic schools such as the Wu School of Medicine and the Menghe School of Medicine.

The traditional Chinese medicine practice here has both classical inheritance and sparks generated by its collision with modernization. Of course, there may also be more rigid sectarianism and more hidden interest chains.

"We've saved money on bulk orders," a student said softly, his voice filled with anticipation.

Yu Shiyun looked at the picturesque scenery outside the window, her eyes sparkling: "I heard that the Suzhou-style traditional Chinese medicine here uses light and gentle medicine and emphasizes harmony, which is very different from the style we have encountered before."

Zhuang Qiwen remained composed, but his eyes revealed a keen interest: "The land shapes its people and nurtures its medicine. I hope to see something truly unique."

Xia Hongliang stretched his neck: "I hope we can encounter a few tricky cases to test our learning outcomes."

Listening to the discussions of the students behind him, Chen Yang smiled slightly: "The Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine is our first stop on this trip. It is an academic stronghold of the Wu School of Medicine. Everyone should observe, listen, and ask questions, but more importantly, think independently. Don't blindly follow superiors or books; follow the facts."

"Yes, Director Chen!" everyone responded in unison.

The vehicle drove into the bustling city center and finally stopped in front of the impressive outpatient and emergency building of the Affiliated Hospital of the Provincial University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

At the hospital entrance, a welcoming line was already waiting.

Leading the group was Wu Yongping, the hospital's executive vice president and director of the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Wu Yongping was about fifty years old, slender, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and a well-fitting suit without a tie. He had a refined and scholarly air about him, with a perfectly measured smile on his face, but his eyes behind the lenses were sharp and cautious.

"Director Chen, you must be tired from your journey. Welcome to our institute, all you talented medical professionals." Wu Yongping stepped forward and shook hands with Chen Yang. His tone was gentle, his words precise, carrying the typical politeness and distance of a Jiangnan intellectual.

"Our hospital's doctors were so excited to hear that Director Chen and your team were coming."

As Wu Yongping shook hands with Chen Yang, he smiled and said, "It is a great honor for our hospital to be able to communicate with outstanding students from the Xinglin Competition."

"Dean Wu, you're too kind. We're the ones who've come to bother you."

Chen Yang responded with a smile, and he could sense the pride and scrutiny hidden beneath the other person's politeness.

Wu Yongping is one of the contemporary successors of the Wu School of Medicine. He enjoys a high reputation in the TCM community in Henan Province and even nationwide. His academic status is far superior to that of the deans in Hebei Province and Zhongzhou.

Especially for Chen Yang, who possesses the system, he is well aware of Wu Yongping's level. Wu Yongping is fifty-two years old this year and ranks 78th on the system's list of renowned doctors.

In terms of skill level, Wu Yongping is on par with Chen Yang's mentor, Wu Yaolin.

A medical expert who is in his early fifties and ranks among the top 100 in the country is naturally very arrogant.

Moreover, Wu Yongping is different from Zhuang Qiwen. Zhuang Qiwen has always lived in the countryside and is young, only in his forties, so he doesn't have a good understanding of himself. Wu Yongping, on the other hand, comes from the Wu family and had been in contact with many famous doctors when he was young.

"The accommodations have been arranged in a hotel near the hospital, and the conditions are acceptable. Please settle in and rest first, and we will arrange the visit and exchange in the afternoon." Wu Yongping was organized and meticulous in his work.

The reception was still very high-level, but Chen Yang was keenly aware that behind the "high-level" reception was a condescending observation based on academic confidence.

The people from the bulk province weren't afraid; rather, they were more like, "Let's see what brilliant ideas you Kyoto people have."

The afternoon visit confirmed Chen Yang's idea.

The hospital has a strong atmosphere of traditional Chinese medicine. Patients are constantly coming and going at the clinics. Doctors are careful in their consultations, medical records are neatly written, the pharmacy is large, and the quality of the medicinal materials looks to be excellent.

Especially in the "Wu School of Medicine Specialty Clinic", several senior experts are seeing patients, their words and actions revealing profound scholarship and composure.

"Our Wu School of Medicine traces its origins back to the Ling Su and questions Zhang Zhongjing, with particular emphasis on the theory of spleen and stomach. We use medicines gently and mildly, advocating the principle of 'the kingly way has no quick fixes,' focusing on regulating the Qi mechanism and taking a gradual approach." Wu Yongping personally accompanied and explained, his tone filled with unquestionable confidence and pride in his lineage.

Zhuang Qiwen, Yu Shiyun, and others listened attentively, nodding from time to time.

The academic thought of the Wu School is a self-contained system and indeed has its unique aspects.

However, during their visit to the ICU and some departments with a strong Western medical focus, Chen Yang's team still discovered some familiar problems.

The integration of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine seems to be not going smoothly. In the treatment of some critical illnesses, traditional Chinese medicine plays more of an auxiliary and conditioning role, lacking cases of leading the way and turning the tide.

Moreover, the indications for the use of some expensive traditional Chinese medicine preparations and injections are too broad.

At the small discussion session after the visit, Wu Yongping asked with a smile, "Director Chen, students, what are your impressions of our college after the visit? Please feel free to share your insights."

Wu Yongping's gaze swept over the crowd, finally landing on Chen Yang with a hint of challenge.

Just as Zhuang Qiwen was about to speak, Chen Yang gestured to him with his eyes to calm down.

Chen Yang knew that it was not a good idea to show off his talents as soon as he arrived here.

Not only is the province economically developed, but its medical care is also quite advanced, with many famous traditional Chinese medicine practitioners.

In terms of the number of people listed on the system's list of renowned doctors, the province of Sanzhuang ranks among the top.

It's worth noting that in some provinces, there might not be a single renowned doctor on the list, but in some less developed provinces, there are as many as seven or eight renowned doctors on the list.

"Dean Wu is too modest."

Chen Yang calmly replied, “Your hospital has a strong academic atmosphere, and the inheritance of the Wu School of Medicine is admirable. There are many aspects that we can learn from in depth. We have come here with a learning mindset and hope to absorb the essence of Wu School’s academic knowledge.”

Chen Yang's humble attitude gave him face, and Wu Yongping's smile became more genuine, but the scrutiny in his eyes did not completely disappear.

"Director Chen, you're too kind. Frankness is key in academic exchange. We've arranged a discussion of several challenging cases tomorrow, and we'd appreciate your guidance, Director Chen and your esteemed students," Wu Yongping said, emphasizing the word "guidance."

"Let's learn from each other." Chen Yang nodded with a smile.

The first day of contact ended in an atmosphere of superficial harmony but with undercurrents lurking beneath.

Everyone understood that the real clash would unfold in tomorrow's discussion of challenging cases. Beneath this gentle, watery Jiangnan region lay academic reefs no less treacherous than those in the north.