Chapter 265: An Invitation from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association

Chen Qingdi said to the practitioners on Medical God Island, "Medical skill only shows its value in application. There’s no point in just holing up in a lab doing research. From now on, everyone from the Island Master and Guardians down to the ordinary disciples will all go out among the people to practice medicine and do good deeds."

As for those who were unable to work, the two elderly ladies, Lin Zhongxue and Mrs. Wen, both remained on the island.

Shen Mingyue, however, returned to the country with Chen Qingdi. After reaching Jinghai, the couple reunited for one night before Chen Qingdi went directly to Wulin City.

He bought a simple little house by West Lake and opened a rather modest clinic.

He didn’t use his real name, either, opting for the alias Chen Qing.

Fortunately, he was originally the Divine King’s Imperial Physician and had rock-solid connections within the medical system. Coupled with the Divine King’s support, going incognito was quite easy, and an identification document was soon arranged for him.

Not only that, but the Divine King also ordered the two War Gods, Jia Mu and Yi Wood, who were stationed far in the east, to secretly look after him.

The Divine King also knew that if he had Chen Qingdi stay by his side in Kyoto, he would certainly enjoy glory and riches, but it would be a waste of his lifetime of divine medical skills.

Rather than that, it was better to let him use his medical skills to benefit the people of the nation. After all, if anything came up in the future, they could contact him through a direct line and call him back at any time.

Chen Qingdi had all three medical practice certificates properly arranged.

He named his clinic Huipu Clinic, and his prices were exceptionally conscientious. He only charged for the cost of materials, plus a twenty percent consultation fee.

For a typical illness that might cost several thousand at a major hospital, his treatment would not exceed five hundred.

For some who couldn’t afford the medicine, he would even adopt a half-sell, half-giveaway approach.

Since he wasn’t short on money and was only doing this to give back to society, his clinic was often the busiest.

Then one day, he received an invitation.

It was from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association. The chairman of the association in Wulin City, a man named Li Wanjin, had sent Chen Qingdi an invitation as a sign of respect.

The invitation was worded in very high-minded terms, affirming Mr. Chen Qing’s contributions to the patients of Wulin City during this period.

The association wished to recruit such a rising star, and therefore specially invited him to a banquet.

Chen Qingdi also felt that it wouldn’t be good to have a falling out with his peers, so he accepted the invitation and went to the banquet.

At the banquet, Chairman Li Wanjin introduced Chen Qingdi to many of the leading figures of traditional Chinese medicine in Wulin City.

Needle King Shen Yizhen, Moxibustion King Ai Sanzhu, Cupping King Duan Wuya, Master of Cold and Warmth Wang Zaiying, and Daoyin Master Zhao Wuqin.

There were also many other luminaries from all over Wulin City. They drank and chatted cheerfully while admiring the scenery of West Lake.

Just then, Shen Wanjing spoke up.

"Mr. Chen, your skills are simply divine. If there’s anyone who can compare to you, it could only be the legendary Emperor’s Physician from Medical God Island. May I ask what your relationship is with him?"

Chen Qingdi smiled faintly. "We all came from the same family five hundred years ago. I am of humble birth, and my master was an unknown. I am not worthy of being compared to such a legendary figure. You’re all too kind."

Shen Wanjing smiled slightly and didn’t take his words to heart. He simply spoke very politely.

"For Mr. Chen to join our Wulin City Traditional Chinese Medicine Association is an honor for the association."

Chen Qingdi cupped his fist in his other hand and performed a circling bow.

"Thank you all for your kindness. I am endlessly grateful. I hope that we can all work together to benefit the patients of Wulin City."

At that moment, a previously unnoticed figure sitting nearby stood up.

"Mr. Chen, for you to be half-selling, half-giving away your services and for your clinic not to have gone bankrupt yet is truly a miracle."

Chen Qingdi smiled calmly. "I wear simple clothes and eat simple meals, and I find life to be wonderful. Besides, the money I collect is just enough to keep the clinic operational. It’s hardly a miracle."

The man slammed his hand on the table and shot to his feet.

"You, with the surname Chen! You can play the saint by yourself, but you can’t drag everyone else down into your foolishness. We all have children and families to support! We have no interest in joining your nonsense. We called you here today just to inform you of one thing."

Chen Qingdi glanced sideways at him.

"And what might that be?"

The man said viciously, "It’s this: you will raise your medicine prices to the level approved by our Traditional Chinese Medicine Association. You are not allowed to give away Chinese medicine like this, and you are not allowed to provide your medical services for free!"

Chen Qingdi sneered, "And who might you be?"

The man straightened his back, puffing out his chest.

"I am the Hall Master of Ten Thousand Herbs Hall. My humble surname is Jia, my given name is Yao, as in ’glory,’ and my courtesy name is Hua Tuo!"

Jia Yao, Jia Huatuo!

’Just from that name, you could tell this guy was no good.’

Chen Qingdi became even more blunt. "Then let me ask you, how much is a box of Lianhua Qingwen capsules at your place?"

Jia Yao sneered, "Everything from Ten Thousand Herbs Hall is a premium product! One hundred and nine per box!"

Chen Qingdi’s eye twitched. Before the three-year special period, this medicine cost only a few yuan per box. During that period, it was around sixteen or seventeen.

’That price was already sky-high. And yet, at his Ten Thousand Herbs Hall, they were actually selling it for one hundred and nine? Were they even letting the common people live?’

He snorted. "That is an unreasonable demand. I’m afraid I can’t comply!"

Jia Yao snorted.

"This isn’t up to you. This is the price uniformly set by our Wulin City Traditional Chinese Medicine Association. If you sell for less, that’s malicious competition, and I can report you to the authorities and have you investigated!"

Chen Qingdi sneered, "What you’re doing is malicious price-gouging and hoarding for speculation. If anyone should be investigated, it’s you profit-obsessed people first!"

Jia Yao pointed a trembling finger at Chen Qingdi. "So you’re choosing the hard way instead of the easy way?"

Chen Qingdi turned his head to look at Chairman Li Wanjin.

"Chairman Li, is this your intention as well?"

Chairman Li hemmed and hawed for a long moment before finally saying, "Chen, your heart is in the right place, but you’re too radical. If you keep giving away medicine like this... traditional Chinese medicine is already in a precarious position. If we can’t turn a profit, everyone will just have to close up shop. Actually, we raised the prices to protect traditional Chinese medicine. And of course, the money we collect will all be given back to the patients in the future!"

Chen Qingdi was utterly baffled by this line of reasoning.

"And how do you plan to give back to the patients?"

Li Wanjin chuckled. "Actually, our association has launched a new initiative. Before, we always charged the full price for medicine. But now, it’s buy one box, get three free! During promotional events, we might even do buy one, get ten free! But the spots are limited, and the offer is only valid for a few hours!"

Chen Qingdi sneered. "Absurd!"

Seeing that Chen Qingdi was so uncooperative, Chairman Li dropped the facade.

"You, with the surname Chen, I’ve tried being nice a hundred times, but you, you little brat, are as stubborn as a mule! Since you’re choosing to be unkind, don’t blame me for being unjust."

Chen Qingdi looked at him. "And how do you plan on being unjust?"