As soon as Gao-Yuan said these words, the attending doctors fell silent.

Then, the elder traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, Doctor Yanqiao, released Shen Congyun from his scrutinising gaze, stepped forward, and gravely asked Gao-Yuan, “Doctor Gao, are you threatening us?”

“Not at all,” replied Gao-Yuan with a faint smile. “It’s purely an academic discussion.”

With a slight nod, Doctor Yanqiao responded, “Since this is purely academic, then we’ll speak openly. Let’s keep it professional and not take offence.”

Gao-Yuan glanced over at Doctor Yanqiao, then at the visibly uncomfortable Shen Congyun, and finally turned to Zhao Huanzhang.

With a somewhat embarrassed smile, Zhao Huanzhang leaned in and whispered, “Doctor Gao, there’s quite a bit of history between Doctor Yan and Shen. He’s often critical of us, so please proceed carefully to avoid conflict.”

Gao-Yuan gave a subtle nod and replied to Doctor Yanqiao, "Please feel free to speak.”

Hearing this young man address him respectfully as “Elder Yan,” Doctor Yanqiao’s expression softened slightly as he began, “Chinese medicine’s understanding of blood disorders goes back a long way. The Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet specifically dedicate a section to blood disorders, with main treatments like Xiexin Decoction to drain heat and stop bleeding and Huangtu Decoction to warm the spleen and contain blood.”

He continued, “Zhang Jingyue, summarizing his predecessors’ views, noted that ‘blood disturbances are caused by heat and qi. Therefore, in treating blood disorders, one must drain heat or nourish qi to control bleeding.’ Essentially, the treatment of blood disorders lies in either cooling the blood or strengthening the qi.”

“Epistaxis, or nosebleeds, is usually caused by heat damaging the blood vessels, causing blood to flow recklessly. How, then, can Si Ni Decoction stop bleeding? With its ingredients like Aconite and Dried Ginger, both potent and warming, their effect is too intense, unsuitable for treating bleeding.”

As Doctor Yanqiao finished, several doctors in the crowd began to praise him, their voices filled with admiration.

The director observed the exchange without commenting. Since this was set up as an academic discussion, it wasn’t his place to interfere.

Although Li Runyu frowned, his understanding of traditional Chinese medicine and experience told him that Doctor Yanqiao’s reasoning was solid. However, seeing the calm expression on Gao-Yuan’s face made him uncertain. Though he held some resentment towards Gao-Yuan, he knew the young doctor was not someone to underestimate. With some hesitation, Li Runyu decided to step forward and examine the patient himself.

Shen Congyun was caught in a dilemma as Doctor Yanqiao stirred up trouble. With the director present, he felt helpless, anxiously pacing back and forth as his vision grew dark. This was a rare opportunity to impress the leadership, and he feared his former father-in-law might ruin it.

Leaning on his cane, Doctor Yanqiao eyed Gao-Yuan with a haughty gaze, saying, “Doctor Gao, won’t you explain?”

Zhao Huanzhang continued to whisper, “Doctor Gao, proceed cautiously.”

Gao-Yuan patted Zhao reassuringly, signalling he was fine. He began, “Doctor Yan cited classic texts, which is certainly admirable. The Yan family has rightfully earned its reputation as our county’s foremost medical family.”

Doctor Yanqiao merely gave a slight smile.

“But,” continued Gao-Yuan, “Doctor Yan just referenced Zhang Jingyue, who also creatively suggested that a deficiency of qi leads to cold. So, can’t the failure of qi to contain blood also indicate a cold pattern?”

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“This…” Doctor Yanqiao was momentarily taken aback.

The crowd fell into a collective stupor.

Seizing the moment, Gao-Yuan continued, “We often talk about qi and blood—qi representing yang and blood representing yin. Have we forgotten such a fundamental principle?”

Zhao Huanzhang started sweating, thinking, He’s really going all out.

Ignoring the other doctor’s changing expressions, Gao-Yuan continued, “You mentioned Zhang Zhongjing’s theories. Then you must also remember his twelve-character rule for treatment: ‘Observe the pulse and symptoms, know the opposing factors, and treat accordingly.’”

“You were standing at the back, merely hearing about a nosebleed and a mention of Si Ni Decoction. You didn’t even examine the patient. How can you make such a definitive conclusion without any diagnosis?”

A hush fell over the room.

Zhao Huanzhang pulled on Gao-Yuan’s sleeve, whispering, “Couldn’t you have phrased that more tactfully?”

In response, Gao-Yuan asked, “I could. But will he stop causing trouble after today?”

Zhao Huanzhang was speechless.

Everyone’s gaze shifted to Li Runyu, who had just finished his diagnosis of the patient.

Earlier, Doctor Yan had acted impulsively, driven by anger at the sight of Shen Congyun. Without understanding the situation, he had intervened, but he hadn’t expected Gao-Yuan to counter so firmly. Now, he found himself stuck.

Gao-Yuan added, “If you’re still unsure, Doctor Yan, perhaps we should ask the patient’s family. Did the bleeding worsen when they applied cold compresses to the child’s face and forehead?”

Immediately, Grandma Zhang exclaimed, “Yes, yes! Doctor Gao, you’re amazing! How do you know everything?”

While she was delighted, others felt uncomfortable.

Doctor Yan’s face twitched. He hadn’t expected this young doctor to go so far. Is he trying to ruin his chances of joining the Medical Association?

Gao-Yuan simply smiled and said warmly, “As Doctor Yan said earlier, this is a purely academic discussion. Let’s keep it professional and not take offence.”

Once more, Doctor Yan’s face turned ashen.

Moved to tears, Shen Congyun looked at Gao-Yuan with gratitude, marvelling that he would stand up to his former father-in-law for him.

At that moment, Li Runyu completed his examination. He rose and declared, “The patient’s symptoms, including cold extremities, fatigue, and pale lips and tongue, suggest a Shaoyin cold syndrome.”

Hearing this confirmation from Li Runyu, the highest-ranking doctor in the county, the room erupted into whispers.

Finally, Doctor Yan lost his argumentative edge. If he had taken a moment to examine the patient initially, he might have spotted the signs himself.

Li Runyu turned to Gao-Yuan and asked, “What’s your treatment plan?”

Gao-Yuan looked at his former rival with a gentle smile and replied, “Si Ni Decoction will suffice, no modifications necessary.”

Li Runyu raised an eyebrow. “What’s the dosage?”

Gao-Yuan responded, “One tael of aconite, one tael of roasted ginger, and seven maces of honey-fried liquorice.”

“H-how much?” Even Li Runyu stammered slightly.

Zhao Huanzhang’s eyes widened, as he had predicted that Gao-Yuan would propose such a bold dose of aconite.

Some of the other doctors looked on in disbelief.

Doctor Yan muttered in amazement, “Such audacity in one so young!”

Li Shengli scoffed and glanced between them with a look of disdain.

Cautiously, Zhao Huanzhang urged, “Doctor Gao, you must be careful. A large fire drains qi; too much heat may deplete qi further and lead to worse complications.”

Before Gao-Yuan could respond, Li Shengli interjected, “Doctor Zhao, you call that too much?”

“What? Isn’t it too much?” Zhao Huanzhang took it.

Li Shengli replied, “Not at all. Back in Huo Township, we once used nearly half a jin in a single dose.”

“What?” Zhao was bewildered.

Li Shengli elaborated, “That case was much more severe than this. The child here can still speak and sit up. The woman we treated was in postpartum haemorrhage and had lost almost a basinful of blood.”

One doctor in the crowd chuckled, “A whole basin? It sounds more like you’re butchering a pig. Who could survive losing that much blood?”

Li Shengli responded, “I thought she was dead. Her pulse was gone in both wrists, and even her foot pulse was almost nonexistent. Her family said she had been unconscious for over an hour, her body already cold. But after one dose of Doctor Gao’s treatment, she came back to life.”

Even Li Runyu couldn’t help but chuckle.

Doctor Yan, whose expression had been tense, was also drawn into laughter by Li Shengli.

For a moment, the clinic filled with joyful laughter.

Li Shengli looked around, unsure why everyone was laughing.

Without acknowledging their amusement, Gao-Yuan turned to Zhang Yuan’s family and said, “As you heard, I recommend using Si Ni Decoction.”

Grandma Zhang nodded eagerly, “We’ll follow your advice. Whatever you say.”

Gao-Yuan felt reassured by Grandma Zhang’s unwavering trust.

She then asked, “When will my grandson recover?”

Gao-Yuan glanced at her and replied, “With this minor issue, one dose will be more than enough to cure him.”

Abruptly, the laughter ceased.