I placed the herbs into the clay pot according to their measured weights and took them to the water room to soak. The dust needed to be washed off first before adding water for decoction.
The water room had a gas stove, presumably fitted specifically for brewing medicine.
I tested the switch; it was functioning normally, and then I began washing the herbs.
A single dose of medicine required decocting three times. The resulting liquids were then combined and divided into three days' worth of portions.
The divine doctor's prescriptions were all for gentle tonics. It seemed Wu Guodong suffered from a deficiency of both qi and blood. The inclusion of *Zi He Che*, or placenta, was particularly noteworthy, being a potent tonic with remarkable efficacy in replenishing qi and blood.
Although tuberculosis is no longer considered an incurable disease today, Wu Guodong's constitution, suffering from dual deficiencies, meant that antibiotics could only prevent its recurrence. However, the extensive use of antibiotics often exacerbated the damage to his physical condition, leading to prolonged illness and a gradual decline in health.
In truth, his ailment had long since diverged from tuberculosis; it was merely a set of derivative problems.
This was the dilemma presented by Western medicine. While it could effectively kill harmful bacteria, it also indiscriminately eliminated healthy cells, leading to the paralysis of the immune system and the manifestation of various side effects.
For conditions like inflammation and infections, antibiotics were indeed life-saving. Before their advent, when these illnesses overwhelmed the immune system's ability to resist, death was often the only outcome.
Tuberculosis alone was a terminal illness at the time, with a near-one hundred percent mortality rate.
Due to their miraculous effects, antibiotics became a panacea for a period. Regardless of the ailment, several bottles were administered. Some unscrupulous doctors, driven by personal gain and exploiting their authority, prescribed them liberally to patients who didn't require them, leading to the abuse of antibiotics and the continuous development of antibodies within the body, nullifying the efficacy of the drugs.
Subsequently, more potent antibiotics were developed to combat infections that had already developed resistance, only for the body to generate new antibodies. This repeated cycle resulted in the awkward predicament of untreatable conditions.
Wu Guodong was a prime example. He used the best antibiotics to kill the tubercle bacilli, but in doing so, he also damaged his body. It was like trying to suppress one leak only to create another; the derivative diseases continued to inflict unbearable suffering.
Essentially, the human body, much like a machine, requires several key components for normal operation: a reliable engine, ample fuel, proper lubrication for all parts, and unhindered exhaust. With these elements in place, it can function smoothly, generate sufficient power, and propel the chassis it carries.
If the fuel is of poor quality, the lubricating oil fails, or the exhaust is blocked, will the engine not seize up?
The human body operates similarly. It relies on food and water for energy, akin to the engine's fuel. The internal organs function like the various working parts of the engine. Finally, the absorption of nutrients and the expulsion of waste complete the vital cycle.
Where did Wu Guodong's problem lie? His internal organs were initially compromised. In the process of repair and defense, a powerful restorative agent that damaged the engine's internal components was used. While the afflicted organs were healed, the agent corroded and damaged the entire body, leading to a catastrophic failure in its overall operation.
The hospitals were helpless against such a condition, leaving traditional Chinese medicine as the sole recourse for treatment.
The divine doctor, on the other hand, aimed to replenish his vital energy from the root cause, which, in scientific terms, meant enhancing his immunity, restoring his body's vitality, and repairing the damage inflicted by antibiotics and other medications.
As the water in the clay pot began to boil, a pleasant aroma of traditional Chinese medicine filled the room.
I reduced the flame, found a chair, and sat beside the simmering pot, keeping watch.
Wang Dong and the others were in the outer room, silent.
I stayed there until the medicine had been decocted three times. It was poured together and then divided into six large cups, representing a three-day supply, with two cups to be consumed daily.
I sealed each cup with plastic wrap and called for a guard, instructing him to place four cups in the refrigerator. The remaining two were for today's consumption.
It should be noted that the *Zi He Che*, or human placenta, was not boiled with the herbs. Instead, it was slowly baked on a tile until brittle, then ground with a rolling pin into a fine powder. Once the decocted soup cooled, the measured portions of *Zi He Che* powder were evenly sprinkled into it.
I carried today's two portions on a tray and asked the guard to escort me to the inner chamber so Wu Guodong could drink the medicine.
Today, he needed to consume the entire day's dosage at once. Tomorrow, he would drink it separately, one cup in the morning and one in the evening.
Wu Guodong was still chatting with the divine doctor. Seeing me enter, he, propped up on the bed, inclined his body slightly in a greeting.
I brought the medicine to his bedside. Kneeling on the bed, I gently lifted his head. The guard quickly brought a folded quilt to prop him up, allowing him to sit semi-upright on the bed, making it easier for him to drink the medicine.
I held the cup and slowly guided the liquid into his mouth. He drank very slowly, as if afraid of choking if he drank too quickly.
It took a long time for him to finish both cups of medicine. I patiently attended to him, ensuring he drank every last drop.
Looking at the empty cups, he said to me with effort, "Thank you!"
I replied, "General, I hope you recover quickly. If you have the opportunity, please visit the mainland, see the sights, and perhaps return to your hometown to fulfill your long-cherished wish."
He shook his head and said in a very small voice, "I cannot go back. My hometown will not welcome me, nor will they accept me. I will just live day by day here. I no longer harbor any other desires."
I even had the illusion that the Wu Guodong, who had killed people like flies, and the dying old man before me were not the same person. It even seemed disconnected from the assassins and attackers who had targeted me in waves.
There must be someone manipulating this situation, using his hands to eliminate me!
If such a person exists, then who could it be?
Wang Dong? Impossible. While he is malicious, he lacks the immense power to orchestrate the actions of such high-ranking core figures. This person must be a leader, someone on par with Wu Guodong.
I have two more days. I must make full use of these two days to uncover the truth.
Of course, I also need to guard against Wang Dong making another move.
At this point, the divine doctor stood up and said to Wu Guodong, "General, please rest after taking your medicine. My disciple and I will visit you again tomorrow."
Wu Guodong nodded, seeming reluctant, and with effort, waved us away.
I felt he wished to chat with me a bit longer. Perhaps my words had stirred memories of the past, making him sentimental.
Upon leaving the room, the military officer said, "Your accommodation rooms have been prepared. You two should return to your rooms first. I will fetch you later to have dinner in the mess hall."
It was already dusk. Ruili gets dark quite late; sunset is around nine o'clock.
My stomach audibly grumbled, likely stimulated by the mention of dinner by the officer.