Chapter 4: Change

"Would you allow us to record this prescription, sir? It would be of great help in refining our medical skills back home."

Chen Kang’s question interrupted Su Chen’s wandering thoughts.

Su Chen waved his hand dismissively. "It is merely a highly effective remedy for reducing swelling; you may take it if you wish. This recipe is called Musk Bone-Strengthening Ointment. It is primarily used for rheumatism, joint pain, lower back pain, neuralgia, muscle soreness, sprains, and contusions. It is for external application only and must not be ingested."

The men quickly produced paper and brushes to record the formula. Within moments, they had transcribed it, clutching the papers as if they were holding precious treasures.

However, almost immediately, the fifty-year-old Chen Kang began to tremble. He clutched the paper, weeping uncontrollably, muttering, "Why?"

Su Chen, curious, was about to ask what was wrong when Zhou Taifu stopped him and whispered in his ear: "Chen Zhiwei is from Shu. It is often damp and rainy there. His parents suffered from rheumatism in their later years. Whenever the wind blew or the rain fell, or the cold set in, they were in agonizing pain. Unfortunately, there was no effective remedy to treat it; they could only take some analgesic decoctions daily. In the end, they could no longer bear the torment and both hanged themselves."

Hearing Zhou Taifu's explanation, Su Chen couldn't help but sigh. Although he had never suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, he could imagine the kind of torture it was, given the fate of Chen Kang’s parents. Chen Kang’s murmurs were likely directed at why such a remedy hadn't appeared sooner.

Su Chen sighed, stood up, and reached out to support the swaying Chen Kang. He comforted him, "Doctor Chen, please do not grieve. Since ancient times, rheumatism and joint pain have not been incurable diseases. I suspect your parents’ condition had been neglected for too long, allowing it to spread throughout their entire bodies, which is why it became unbearable."

"While this ointment of mine cannot perform miracles, if applied consistently over a long period, it can lead to a complete cure. If you encounter such patients in the future, you must urge them to use it regularly."

As a physician himself, Chen Kang understood these principles. He had simply been overcome by the memory of his parents' tragic death, causing him to lose his composure. Hearing Su Chen’s earnest words, his emotions calmed. He wiped the tears from his eyes, tucked the paper away, and bowed. "Thank you for your guidance, sir. I hope to learn more from you in the future."

Su Chen waved his hand, insisting he was unworthy of such praise. But just as the pleasantries ended, Chen Kang’s tone shifted.

"I wonder, sir, do you possess any other effective prescriptions? Might I be so bold as to ask for your instruction?"

As soon as he said this, Zhou Taifu chided him loudly: "Chen Kang, what is the meaning of this? The master gave you the Musk Bone-Strengthening Ointment because he recognized your modest contributions to the state. Why are you being so insatiable?"

Su Chen was also curious why Chen Kang would suddenly ask for more prescriptions. Wasn't it said that the ancients valued humility and knew when to stop?

Chen Kang did not back down. Instead, he said with a serious expression: "I lost my parents in my youth and vowed to become a physician. For over twenty years since, I have visited famous doctors in search of effective cures, never wavering in my resolve even amidst the chaos of war. Yet, over the years, I have obtained very few effective remedies. I have stood helpless before patients more times than I can count, watching them suffer until death, just like my poor parents. Sometimes, in the middle of the night, I can still hear their cries."

"Because of this, I dare not be the least bit complacent. Studying by candlelight has become my norm, yet there are times when I am willing but lack the means."

"Therefore, I implore you, sir, to bestow more prescriptions to relieve the suffering of the people."

This speech struck Su Chen like a heavy hammer. He, too, had learned medicine from his grandfather since childhood; while it had been arduous, it was nothing compared to Chen Kang’s experience.

The reason he could surpass them in medicine was not just the difference in eras, but primarily the teachings of his grandfather. Ultimately, it was through inheritance that one could innovate and develop. Without that inheritance, could he really surpass these "ascetics" who possessed such pure hearts?

For a moment, Su Chen’s mind was in turmoil. He had thought that by coming to the Tang Dynasty, he could live a life of leisure under the protection of the Crown Prince. He hadn't expected that Chen Kang’s words today would stir his soul and make him feel the heavy burden imposed by the era.

Perhaps he should start looking for the meaning behind his arrival in the Tang Dynasty!

Su Chen breathed heavily, sitting quietly on his chair, his mind racing.

After a long while, he exhaled a long breath and looked at Chen Kang with a touch of admiration. "Doctor Chen, I admire your persistence. But my medical knowledge is rather eclectic; it would be difficult to explain clearly in a short time."

Seeing that Su Chen hadn't immediately refused, Chen Kang’s face lit up. He quickly said, "How about this: could you spend a few days every month teaching at the Imperial Medical Bureau?"

Su Chen stroked his chin. Somehow, the image of Li Chengqian’s sour face appeared in his mind. He instinctively shook his head. He didn't like the palace, but not wanting to explain, he said, "I am a bit strange; I need concrete examples to explain things clearly. If I were just to lecture, I fear I might end up spouting nonsense."

Hearing this, Chen Kang looked dejected and bowed his head in thought.

"How about this? I plan to open a medical clinic in the Chang'an market. I might be too busy to handle it alone, so you all could take turns sitting there. If we encounter issues, we can discuss them together."

Su Chen made this suggestion because he was certain that after these men reported back, Li Chengqian would surely find work for him. Rather than letting the prince make the arrangements, it was better to take the initiative himself, which might also save him from having the prince plant people around him.

Hearing Su Chen’s suggestion, the men all agreed. After inquiring about the opening date, they concluded their morning conversation.

Three days later, Su Chen’s clinic opened smoothly, and the doctors, including Zhou Taifu, arrived as agreed. Su Chen was full of joy, but when he saw Li Chengqian’s carriage, his smile vanished.

"Why, looking at your face, it seems you aren't very happy to see me?"

Li Chengqian got out of the carriage and saw Su Chen’s sudden change in expression, letting out a cold snort.

Seeing Li Chengqian, Su Chen felt a phantom pain in his backside. He instinctively reached back to touch it and said ungraciously, "If you are here to apologize for what happened the other day, I might welcome you. Otherwise, don't bother!"

Li Chengqian was stunned. It was common for this brother-in-law to be disrespectful in his presence, but he usually maintained a degree of reverence. However, in their last two meetings, he had noticed something unusual about Su Chen—a sense of pride.

Li Chengqian didn't dwell on it, however. He simply patted Su Chen on the forehead and laughed, "Nonsense. I am the Crown Prince, the future Son of Heaven. I am never wrong, nor can I be wrong. Even if I were, there is no reason for me to apologize."

Listening to Li Chengqian, Su Chen couldn't help but roll his eyes, thinking that Li Chengqian was still too green—his way of handling people didn't even measure up to his father, Li Er.

Li Er could swallow his pride in the face of Wei Zheng’s questioning and openly admit to the killing of his brothers, which showed his breadth of mind and boldness. But Li Chengqian fought over everything, terrified of suffering the slightest disadvantage. With this temperament, it was no wonder he would eventually fight to the death with Li Tai.

Since Li Chengqian had come in person, Su Chen could only grumble and couldn't very well throw him out. He took him on a tour of the clinic.

Within a few minutes, however, Su Chen couldn't stand it anymore. Li Chengqian wasn't here to congratulate him; he was clearly here to find faults—complaining that the clinic was too small to be impressive, that the stored herbs weren't as complete or of as high quality as those in the palace, and even criticizing the fact that the doctors were "lured" away from the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Su Chen had enough. He sat down in his chair, crossed his legs, and said, "If you are here just to spout useless, nitpicking nonsense, I won't entertain you. Plenty of people are willing to say nice things; you are not indispensable."

Seeing Su Chen frustrated, Li Chengqian felt inexplicably better.

Three days ago, when the three doctors he sent to test Su Chen returned to the palace, they had submitted their resignations. When asked why, he discovered it was so they could join Su Chen’s clinic. By yesterday, the Imperial Physician Zhou Taifu, who was responsible for the Eastern Palace, had also resigned for the same reason.

Su Chen’s actions were no different from poaching the Eastern Palace’s staff. How could Li Chengqian endure that? That was why he had come today to annoy Su Chen.

However, that was only one reason. Another was that he had received news from the north, and the situation had become thorny!