"Shanshan, Li Se, you're here." Huang Zhenguo smiled as he saw Li Se and Huang Shanshan. He no longer treated Li Se with his initial attitude; this guy was not simple. He didn't expect Li Se to be from a major family, as long as he wasn't too mediocre, and preferably someone who could help his daughter's career. That would be enough.
After Li Se and Huang Shanshan sat down, Huang Zhenguo introduced the man sitting opposite them as an old friend. This friend's wife had recently fallen ill, and that's why he had sought Huang Zhenguo's help.
"Uncle Dong, are the doctors at the hospital also helpless?" Huang Shanshan asked curiously.
"Not entirely. It's just that the hospital requires significant funds for treatment. I've invested all my money into the company, so I can't come up with that much. Especially those few attending physicians; without substantial red envelopes, they won't prioritize my wife's treatment. And it has to be at this time..." Wei Dong said with a troubled expression.
He had just injected a large amount of capital into his business, and at this very moment, his wife had problems. Otherwise, even if he had to sell all his assets, he would spend money on his wife. Now, he could only turn to an old friend.
Huang Zhenguo and Zhu Manyin were both overseas returnees, so their medical skills were beyond doubt. Shortly after arriving in the capital, several hospitals had extended invitations to them, and even the Western Medical Association had proactively invited them to join.
"Old Wei, how about this: we'll go to the hospital first to see the situation. If it can be treated, Manjin and I will certainly do our best," Huang Zhenguo said solemnly.
"Alright!" Upon hearing this, Wei Dong knew Huang Zhenguo had agreed.
"Shanshan, you can also witness the prowess of Western medicine later," Huang Zhenguo said to Huang Shanshan, and he also meant it for Li Se.
Undeniably, Li Se's background might not be simple, but he still firmly believed that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) had no future unless one became an imperial physician, which was too difficult.
Li Se, however, said dismissively, "Perhaps TCM can treat illnesses that Western medicine cannot."
Huang Zhenguo and Zhu Manyin did not refute. There was no need to argue, and they both scoffed at his words. If Western medicine couldn't cure a disease, how could TCM possibly do it?
"You should learn more about Western medicine," Huang Zhenguo said.
"Uncle, you should also learn more about TCM," Li Se replied with a slight smile.
Huang Zhenguo was taken aback, shook his head, and didn't argue with Li Se. The fact that Western medicine had developed to this point was proof enough; he didn't need to prove anything.
Soon, their group arrived at a private hospital. This hospital was quite large. Despite being a private institution, it enjoyed considerable fame in the capital because many important figures from the Western Medical Association received treatment there.
"So, it's this hospital," Huang Zhenguo smiled. "The director of this hospital extended an invitation to me, so this will be much easier."
Wei Dong felt even more relieved. Indeed, coming to Huang Zhenguo was the right decision.
The most crucial aspect of a hospital is its ample resources. This private hospital had gathered many renowned Western medical practitioners, attracting a large number of patients. However, correspondingly, the fees at this private hospital were higher than at ordinary hospitals!
In one of the hospital rooms, a woman lay on the bed, her complexion extremely pale and devoid of color. Her eye sockets were sunken, clearly indicating a severe illness.
Wei Dong handed the hospital's examination reports to Huang Zhenguo. "These are the results of the hospital's examinations."
"Leukemia?" Huang Zhenguo frowned. "Also known as blood cancer. The disease originates from mutations in the deoxyribonucleic acid within cells, leading to abnormal functioning of the hematopoietic tissues in the bone marrow. Bone marrow stem cells can produce tens of thousands of red and white blood cells daily. In leukemia patients, immature white blood cells are overproduced, hindering other bone marrow functions and reducing its ability to produce other blood cells. Leukemia can spread to the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, central nervous system, and other organs!"
"Has bone marrow matching been done?" Zhu Manyin asked.
"Mine is a match," Wei Dong sighed. "However, the surgery fee is substantial, which is why I asked Zhenguo for help."
"That depends on whether the hospital agrees. Even if I'm willing to treat, if the hospital doesn't consent, I'll be helpless without the medical equipment," Huang Zhenguo said.
"Zhenguo, let's contact the hospital first," Zhu Manyin suggested.
"Alright!" Huang Zhenguo nodded and made a call. Since the hospital had contacted him proactively, he had the hospital director's phone number.
"Uncle Dong, actually, TCM still has ways to treat leukemia," Li Se said at this moment.
"TCM?" Wei Dong was stunned, clearly having not considered TCM.
"You have a way?" Zhu Manyin frowned.
Li Se nodded. "TCM has advantages in treating leukemia. It strengthens the body and expels pathogens, treating the root cause. Leukemia is often categorized as fatigue, deficiency, and depletion, characterized by fever, anemia, bleeding, and enlarged liver and spleen, often caused by the invasion of toxic heat and deficiencies of the liver, spleen, heart, and kidneys. It is commonly due to yin deficiency and qi deficiency with internal heat and toxicity. The main treatment principle is to nourish yin, tonify qi, and clear heat and detoxify."
Zhu Manyin listened, bewildered. She truly didn't understand TCM's theories. She shook her head. "Let's forget TCM. For such serious illnesses, Western medicine is the way to go."
"Exactly!" Huang Zhenguo returned, having finished his call, and agreed with his wife. "Li Se, I know you're eager to save lives, but you can't be reckless. TCM has its limitations. You've met Shanshan's grandfather, haven't you? He could be an imperial physician, yet even he was helpless with this disease. He is considered the pinnacle of TCM. If even he couldn't do anything, it shows that TCM's limitations are indeed significant."
"TCM is not as simple as you think..." Li Se tried to argue further.
However, at that moment, footsteps were heard, and a middle-aged man entered. He happened to overhear Li Se's words and said with disdain, "TCM isn't simple? Heh, perhaps. TCM is indeed complex. You have to learn acupuncture points and memorize them, which is unreliable. Moreover, TCM is difficult to treat serious illnesses with, and the learning curve is high. If it can't treat serious illnesses, it deserves its decline. Western medicine is king!"
Li Se frowned. He was somewhat displeased with the middle-aged man's words and retorted coldly, "Heh, are you still Chinese? Have you forgotten your roots?"