In the hospital ward, Gao-Yuan and Han Dai exchanged a glance, their expressions equally grim.

Han Dai asked Gao-Yuan, "I’ve heard you have extensive experience treating severe adenoviral pneumonia in children. How many critical cases like this have you treated before?"

"Too many to count," Gao-Yuan replied.

Han Dai was taken aback. He pressed further, "What’s your success rate?"

"Two deaths," Gao-Yuan said calmly, "all the others recovered and were discharged."

A derisive scoff escaped from a nearby nurse.

Both men turned to look at the nurse, who folded her arms and walked away with an air of disdain, leaving Han Dai somewhat embarrassed. He hadn’t expected this young doctor from the countryside to boast so brazenly.

Gao-Yuan, for his part, was unfazed.

“Dr. Gao-Yuan, are you here?” A voice called out from the hallway.

Both men turned to see a bustling group approaching, led by Director Yuan Hai himself.

Director Yuan stepped forward and enthusiastically shook Gao-Yuan’s hand. “Dr. Gao-Yuan, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you from Comrade Han Zhang. He mentioned not only your outstanding medical skills but also your genuine care for the people and your willingness to serve them.”

Gao-Yuan glanced over at Wang Hanzhang, who returned a faint smile.

Gao-Yuan politely replied as he shook the director’s hand, "Director Wang is too kind. I’ve merely done what any doctor should do."

Director Yuan nodded. “We’re all gathered upstairs, waiting for you to share your treatment insights. What brings you here to the ward?”

Gao-Yuan looked past Yuan Hai to the group of doctors and specialists following him. Some were from the city hospital, while others were traditional medicine experts from private clinics. Their skeptical gazes rested on him, and he could sense their doubts.

“I believe it’s more effective to combine theory with practice,” Gao-Yuan replied. “Instead of a dry lecture, why not discuss real cases on-site? That way, everyone can see, hear, and assess firsthand.”

“Oh?” Director Yuan raised an eyebrow.

The group of doctors immediately understood what Gao-Yuan was implying. The young doctor intended to demonstrate his skills right before their eyes.

They exchanged glances, their inner thoughts evident: Bold move!

To perform in front of the city's top experts required both skill and confidence. A misstep could invite criticism and ruin his credibility. Yet, they also knew this was the best way to prove one’s abilities. In medicine, skill always spoke louder than words.

Wang Hanzhang and Director Li felt the weight of the situation. It was a clever idea, but if it failed, the consequences would be humiliating. How could they continue the meeting or share their experiences afterward?

Director Yuan hesitated briefly before looking to Wang Hanzhang for guidance. Seeing Wang’s determined nod, Yuan decided to proceed. “Very well,” he said to Gao-Yuan, “show us what you can do. Let us know if you need any assistance.”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“Thank you,” Gao-Yuan said, turning to the child patient.

Han Dai followed closely, ready to assist. He had no time to overthink the risks; his focus remained on helping the child.

The patient’s parents approached Han Dai anxiously, explaining their concerns, while Gao-Yuan began his diagnosis. Meanwhile, the group of doctors gathered to observe.

The child remained feverish and sweatless, with cold extremities, labored wheezing, a hoarse voice, and obstructed phlegm. His complexion was pale, with slight cyanosis around the lips. His breathing was irregular, his tongue red and coatingless, and his pulse slippery and slightly rapid.

After completing his examination, Gao-Yuan stood silently in thought while the doctors whispered among themselves. Despite their curiosity, no one approached him directly, choosing instead to keep their distance.

After finishing his discussion with the parents, Han Dai walked over to Gao-Yuan and asked, “Dr. Gao-Yuan, the child’s condition is critical. His lungs show extensive consolidation, breathing is severely impaired, and he’s experiencing heart failure. What’s your treatment plan?”

The room fell silent as all eyes turned to Gao-Yuan.

After a brief pause, Gao-Yuan replied, “The sweating method—expelling the pathogen by inducing sweat.”

“What?” The crowd was stunned, especially the traditional medicine practitioners.

Han Dai looked at him in disbelief. “You’re going to use the sweating method?”

Gao-Yuan nodded firmly.

An elderly doctor from the back spoke up, his voice skeptical. “Dr. Gao-Yuan, surely you must be joking?”

Gao-Yuan turned to the man and recognized him as Wan Rensheng, a renowned traditional medicine practitioner in the city. He responded, “I wouldn’t dare joke in front of you, Dr. Wan.”

Wan Rensheng frowned. “Then why propose the sweating method at such a critical juncture?”

“Because it is precisely the right time for it,” Gao-Yuan answered.

Wan Rensheng leaned on his cane, scrutinizing the young doctor before glancing at his colleagues.

One of them muttered, “Perhaps this rural doctor’s skills aren’t up to par after all.”

Wan Rensheng considered for a moment before addressing Gao-Yuan again. “Young man, The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon states, ‘Sweating is appropriate within three days; after three days, purging is required.’ This child has been ill for over 11 days and is on the brink of collapse. How can you still consider inducing sweat? Have you forgotten the teachings of the ancients?”

“Of course not,” Gao-Yuan replied. “However, the three-day rule is a general guideline, meant to remind us to time our treatments appropriately. It doesn’t mean every case must adhere strictly to three days. Dr. Wan, with your decades of experience, surely you don’t base every prescription on that rule alone?”

Wan Rensheng was momentarily taken aback, surprised by the young doctor’s sharp retort.

The room grew tense as the other doctors frowned at Gao-Yuan’s audacity.

Although displeased, Wan Rensheng replied calmly, “Treatment must indeed vary with each patient. Yet, with the child’s red tongue and rapid pulse indicating lung yin deficiency, how can you justify using the sweating method?”

Gao-Yuan explained, “Though the tongue and pulse suggest yin deficiency, the child’s lack of sweat, cyanotic lips, laboured breathing, and obstructed phlegm point to wind-phlegm blocking the lungs and trapping the qi. In this case, urgent measures must be taken to expel the pathogen and open the lungs. Treat the symptoms first when time is critical.”

Wan Rensheng shook his head. “Young man, you are bold indeed. Knowing the child is critically ill, you still propose inducing sweat. Do you not fear making the situation worse?”

Director Yuan looked to Wang Hanzhang for reassurance.

Wang Hanzhang, accustomed to Gao-Yuan’s unconventional methods, nodded confidently at the director, signalling that there was no need to worry.

The child’s parents, however, were visibly distressed.

Facing Wan Rensheng’s criticism, Gao-Yuan remained composed. “Among the eight traditional treatment methods, why is the sweating method listed first? Not just because external pathogens often begin at the surface, but because inducing sweat is crucial to expelling such pathogens. As long as external symptoms persist, the sweating method remains valid—even in critical or life-threatening cases. Who dares to say it cannot revive the hopeless?”

His words left the room in stunned silence.

Han Dai exclaimed, “A bold claim—reviving the hopeless with the sweating method!”

Wan Rensheng stared intently at Gao-Yuan. “Such grand words. I’ll be watching closely to see how you perform this miracle.”

Knowing further debate was pointless, Gao-Yuan turned to the assistant and said, “Prepare the prescription!”