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

The bus traveled on the highway for more than five hours, and the scenery outside the window gradually changed from the gentle and delicate scenery of the Jiangnan water towns to a rough and intense landscape.

The terrain began to undulate, and the distant mountains appeared dark blue-green, radiating visible heat waves under the blazing midsummer afternoon sun.

The air seemed to thicken, and even with the air conditioning on in the car, you could feel the scorching heat coming from outside.

"This is Jiangdong, truly living up to its reputation as a 'furnace'." Li Chengjie wiped non-existent sweat from his forehead and sighed as he looked out the window.

"I've heard that Jiangdong Province has particularly rich resources of traditional Chinese medicine, and there are many hidden masters among the people."

Zeng Yunhui flipped through the materials he had prepared in advance: "This place has historically been a distribution center for medicinal herbs, and many traditional Chinese medicine families have passed down their skills for hundreds of years."

Yu Shiyun asked curiously, "Director Chen, which hospitals will we mainly visit during our trip to Jiangdong?"

Chen Yang opened his eyes from his rest and said, "The First Affiliated Hospital and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiangdong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as several specialized hospitals."

“However, unlike the scattered provinces, the TCM ecosystem in Jiangdong Province is more diverse, and we may also come into contact with some private TCM institutions.”

Xia Hongliang raised an eyebrow: "A private TCM organization? That sounds interesting."

Zeng Yunhui said, "There has always been a saying in the Jiangdong TCM community that there are three factions: the academic school, the hospital school, and the folk school. The folk school is indeed full of hidden talents, but we must also be wary of the mixed bag of good and bad."

Chen Yang gave Zeng Yunhui an approving look and added, "Zeng Yunhui is right. The characteristic of Jiangdong traditional Chinese medicine lies in this diversity and hybridity. One of the purposes of our trip is to gain a deeper understanding of this ecosystem, to extract its essence and discard its dross."

As they were talking, the bus slowly drove off the highway and into Jiangzhou, the capital of Jiangdong Province.

Unlike the refined elegance of the provincial capital of a scattered province, Jiangzhou gives people a first impression of being bustling and full of vitality.

The streets are wide and bustling with traffic. The tall camphor trees lining both sides of the road cast dappled shadows under the blazing sun.

Everywhere you look, there are signs for traditional Chinese medicine—from the grand “XX Hall National Medical Center” to the simple “Old Chinese Medicine Massage”, and signs for various medicinal herb wholesale markets. The air seems to be filled with a faint aroma of Chinese herbs.

"What a strong atmosphere of traditional Chinese medicine!" Yu Shiyun leaned against the window, watching intently.

The bus eventually stopped at a hotel near the First Affiliated Hospital of Jiangdong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

As soon as everyone got off the bus, a wave of heat, carrying a humid atmosphere, hit them, instantly making them drenched in sweat.

"This weather... is much hotter than buying in bulk." Xia Hongliang tugged at his collar.

The person who came to greet us was Liu Zhentao, the vice president of the First Affiliated Hospital of Jiangdong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a middle-aged man around fifty years old, slightly overweight, and with a friendly smile, along with several middle-level cadres from the hospital.

"Welcome, welcome! Director Chen, I've heard so much about you!"

Liu Zhentao warmly greeted Chen Yang and shook hands with him: "You must be tired from your journey. It's a bit hot in Jiangdong, but the people here are even warmer!"

Chen Yang responded with a smile, "Dean Liu, you're too kind. Thank you for the arrangement."

After exchanging pleasantries, Liu Zhentao arranged for everyone to check into their accommodations.

The hotel was nice, but what surprised everyone even more was that each room was equipped with local herbal tea and heat-relieving herbal packs.

"These are our hospital's own 'Qing Shu Yi Qi Yin' tea bags, as well as mosquito repellent and sachets. Please use them first, as there are many mosquitoes in Jiangzhou in the summer," the staff member explained carefully.

After settling in, Liu Zhentao hosted a welcome banquet that evening at a distinctive restaurant near the hospital, featuring local medicinal cuisine.

During the meeting, Liu Zhentao introduced the general situation of the TCM community in Jiangdong Province, which was similar to what Chen Yang and his group had previously known, but more specific.

"Our Jiangdong traditional Chinese medicine is indeed divided into several parts."

Liu Zhentao took a sip of tea: "The college and affiliated hospitals are the main force, following the path of modern TCM education. The TCM hospitals in various cities and counties are the main force. But the most distinctive part is the folk TCM sector."

"There are several types in folk tradition..."

Liu Zhentao listed them off with great familiarity: "One type is the family tradition, those who are truly skilled, like the 'Lin Family Bone Setting' in the west of the city, which has been passed down for seven generations and is unparalleled in treating bone injuries; another type is the 'folk healers' who started from humble beginnings, accumulating experience through hard work at the grassroots level, and their skill levels vary greatly; and then there's another type..."

After a pause, Liu Zhentao lowered his voice: "They use the guise of traditional Chinese medicine to do some mysterious things, and even swindle money and harm people. There have been many crackdowns in recent years, but the wildfire can't be extinguished."

Chen Yang listened attentively and asked, "What is the relationship between traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in folk medicine and those in academia or hospitals?"

Liu Zhentao smiled wryly: "Well... it's complicated to explain."

"Those within the formal system sometimes look down on the 'unorthodox' methods used by the people, thinking they are unscientific and unregulated; while some experts in the folk school look down on the academics, thinking they are just talking theory and can't cure real diseases. There is not much communication between them, and there is even a sense of competition between them."

Xia Hongliang interjected, "Are there any masters who are both famous among the people and recognized by the formal system?"

"Have!"

Liu Zhentao's eyes lit up: "For example, one of the leading figures in the Jiangdong traditional Chinese medicine community, Elder Han Jimin."

"Old Han came from humble beginnings. In his youth, he traveled from village to village practicing medicine. Later, he was specially invited to the Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Now he is a national master of traditional Chinese medicine in our province."

Chen Yang naturally knew Han Jimin. He was once ranked sixth on the system's list of famous doctors, and now he is seventh. He is a very accomplished traditional Chinese medicine doctor.

Before Chen Yang broke into the top ten of the list of famous doctors, only three of the top ten were not in the capital or the central government, and Han Jimin was one of them.

"Not only is Dr. Han highly skilled in medicine, but what's even more commendable is his continuous efforts to promote the exchange and integration between traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and academic institutions. It's a pity that the old man is getting on in years and has been living a secluded life in recent years, rarely making public appearances," Liu Zhentao continued.

Chen Yang seemed to be deep in thought.

If I can visit this Mr. Han during this trip to Jiangdong, I might have some unexpected gains.

The welcome banquet concluded in a harmonious atmosphere.

Liu Zhentao said that tomorrow's itinerary includes visiting the outpatient department and specialty departments of the First Affiliated Hospital, and a small case discussion meeting has been arranged.

Back at the hotel, Chen Yang called a short meeting with the team members.

"As you all have heard today, the situation in the Jiangdong TCM community is more complex than in the scattered provinces. Here, we must not only learn humbly, but also remain vigilant and think independently."

Chen Yang advised, "Especially if you come into contact with folk Chinese medicine practitioners, you should view them dialectically, neither blindly following nor looking down on them."

Everyone nodded seriously.

After the meeting, Xia Hongliang did not go back to his room immediately, but instead strolled to the hotel lobby and chatted with the receptionist on duty.

Xia Hongliang has an outgoing personality and is good at socializing. He quickly learned a lot of "unofficial information" from the local guys.

"Brother, I heard there's a pretty famous 'Grassroots Medical Association' in Jiangzhou?" Xia Hongliang asked curiously, offering a cigarette.

The receptionist took the cigarette, his eyes lighting up: "Oh, you even know about this? The 'Grassland Medical Association' has been around for quite a while. Every month on the fifteenth, they hold a competition in the old street behind the City God Temple. It's like a 'competition arena' for folk Chinese medicine practitioners in our area. Who has real skills and who's just pretending? Go up there and you'll find out. It's quite a lively event!"