Chapter 84 Finally, he relented and agreed to accept her as a disciple.
Chapter 84 Finally, he relented and agreed to accept her as a disciple.
Chapter 84 Finally, he relented and agreed to accept her as a disciple.
I. Transforming Obsessions into Enlightenment in the Path of Medicine
In recent days, the two elderly traditional Chinese medicine doctors have repeatedly and earnestly visited the door to plead, and with the help of Murong Fangxiang, provincial government officials, and Su Wanjing, they have also been making good requests and persuading the other party.
Each kind word and sincere speech slowly seeped into Chen Shanhe's heart, gradually shaking his originally unwavering resolve.
He watched quietly day after day, witnessing firsthand how Zhou Deshan and Xu Jingming put aside the arrogance they had cultivated in the provincial capital's medical community over half a lifetime, and the reputation and qualifications they had accumulated throughout their lives.
He traveled around tirelessly, bowing his head and pleading, waiting quietly and persistently in the same place day after day, without ever backing down or showing any resentment.
Chen Shanhe's former stubbornness and refusal to admit his mistakes gradually melted away with each day's genuine expressions of emotion.
The coldness and determination of the past are gone, and the barriers in my heart have gradually softened and loosened.
In the stillness of the night, Chen Shanhe sat alone in deep thought, completely letting go of his initial concerns and preconceived notions.
With a calm and focused mind, I have come to understand the highest principle and fundamental truth of practicing medicine and saving lives.
A doctor spends his/her life learning and seeking enlightenment, pursuing his/her true self, regardless of age, social status, seniority, or reputation.
It is never true that the older one gets, the more refined one's medical skills become, nor that the longer one's seniority, the more one can comprehend the true essence of traditional Chinese medicine.
As long as one has a sincere heart, genuinely admires the medical profession, studies diligently, can see one's own shortcomings, know one's mistakes and reflect on them, and sincerely correct them, then one is worthy of being a doctor to wholeheartedly impart knowledge and teach skills.
He had previously worried that the two men were too old, and that their thinking had become rigid and difficult to change after decades of practicing medicine. He also worried that their late-life apprenticeship would attract gossip and rumors.
At this moment, all these distracting thoughts completely vanished without a trace.
His mind was now completely clear and lucid. The path of medicine is inherently unconventional, and there is no distinction of precedence or hierarchy in the pursuit of enlightenment and truth.
Even a young person can understand the great principles of heaven and earth, and an old person can calmly pursue their true self. As long as one's true self is upright and one's devotion to the Way is pure, one will not fail this rare bond between master and disciple.
Chen Shanhe's expression gradually returned to calm and tranquility, and all the entanglement, hesitation, and stubborn insistence in his heart completely dissipated.
At this moment, he completely let go of all his obsessions and made up his mind not to cruelly reject their sincere wish to become his disciples.
Poems as proof:
Obsession dissolves, leading to enlightenment in medicine.
A clear and pure heart transcends worldly noise.
Practicing medicine is not about age.
Only sincerity elevates one's character.
II. Actively seek out good news
After Chen Shanhe had a complete epiphany and made up his mind to take on disciples, he no longer had any hesitation or doubt.
He composed himself, took a calm and steady step, and set off to find Zhou Deshan and Xu Jingming, who had been patiently waiting for a reply for many days.
In the quiet courtyard, under the eaves, the two elderly doctors stood quietly as always, their expressions peaceful and serene, silently awaiting the final news.
The two remained obedient and patiently waited for Chen Shanhe every day, their brows still revealing a hint of unease. Their hearts were in turmoil, but they adhered to proper etiquette and never dared to approach Chen Shanhe in the slightest.
Zhou Deshan was looking down and reviewing medical principles when he inadvertently looked up and saw Chen Shanhe walking slowly towards him. He was slightly startled and quickly straightened up.
Xu Jingming immediately composed himself, his expression instantly becoming respectful and upright, and he subconsciously leaned forward, about to bow and pay his respects.
After being rejected time and time again, and patiently waiting for many days, the two had completely shed all the arrogance of their former status as renowned doctors in the provincial capital, and were now humble and gentle in their dealings with others.
I reflect on my medical principles daily and constantly adjust my mindset. I have long been accustomed to waiting humbly. Only deep in my eyes does a trace of expectation, which I dare not easily reveal, remain hidden. My heart is filled with unease, fearing that this time, I will once again be met with a cruel rejection.
Chen Shanhe walked steadily and slowly walked to the two of them, stopping firmly in front of them.
His expression was calm and composed, his face solemn and dignified, without the slightest hint of frivolity or casualness.
His gaze was calm and peaceful as he quietly looked at the two elderly men before him who had completely awakened and were wholeheartedly seeking the truth. Then he spoke slowly and steadily.
Every word was clear and distinct, spoken at a measured pace, with a steady and powerful voice, and every sentence was sincere, landing firmly on the tense hearts of the two people.
He frankly recounted everything he had witnessed in recent days, explaining the two men's sincere repentance and their unwavering pursuit of the true path of medicine.
He frankly stated that he had seen and remembered all the efforts and sincerity of the two, and had never overlooked them in the slightest.
Poems as proof:
He walked slowly to the courtyard and stood there.
I waited patiently for many days.
Once he opened his mouth, good news spread.
I will not fail the sincere devotion that binds us.
Third, loosen the purview to accept disciples.
Meeting the two men's tense, expectant gazes, Chen Shanhe spoke with a solemn and steady tone, slowly revealing his innermost thoughts.
He frankly explained why he had previously refused to accept the two men, his words clear and sincere.
The first reason they were reluctant to agree was that the two had been practicing medicine for decades, adhering to ancient methods and old prescriptions, and their outdated medical thinking was deeply ingrained and difficult to change.
Secondly, considering that the two had worked hard in the medical field of the provincial capital for half their lives and accumulated a very high reputation and public image, it would be inevitable that they would lower themselves to become disciples in their old age, which would attract gossip and ruin their reputation for half their lives.
But after observing them day and night for so many days, he had already seen through their genuine remorse and repentance, and he also understood their sincere desire to pursue the truth and seek the truth.
His gaze was open and honest, his tone calm yet resolute, as he slowly revealed the fundamental truth of medicine.
In the path of medicine, there is no distinction between young and old, high and low, or between those who learned the art first and those who were less skilled. To seek knowledge and enlightenment, one must rely solely on a sincere heart and a righteous mind.
Today, I will completely set aside my prejudices and agree to formally accept you two as my disciples.
In the years to come, I am willing to impart all the authentic medical principles of traditional Chinese medicine that I have studied and comprehended throughout my life, as well as the effective methods and techniques for strengthening the body's foundation, nourishing the vital energy, and treating diseases by diagnosing and treating them, without reservation.
He would even impart his own unique and profound medical principles, which integrated military strategy into the way of diagnosis and treatment, without holding anything back.
Zhou Deshan and Xu Jingming stood quietly in place, listening to every word of what was said. They were stunned for a long time, unable to recover.
Their eyes widened suddenly, their faces filled with disbelief and shock, and their eyes instantly welled up with tears, their emotions churning.
The anxiety, worry, disappointment, and unease that had been building up for days vanished completely at this moment.
The heavy weight that had been hanging over my heart for so long finally settled down. All the hard work of running around asking for help and waiting patiently for days had finally come to a perfect end.
The two felt an instant sense of ease and peace throughout their bodies, their hearts filled with unexpected joy that lingered for a long time.
Poems as proof:
He relented and agreed to accept disciples.
Cast aside prejudices and break free from worldly concerns.
In the art of medicine, there is no order of precedence.
Sincerity can impart true knowledge.
IV. Bow deeply in gratitude to the teacher.
Overjoyed and excited, their hearts were instantly filled with joy, and their faces were filled with barely suppressed happiness.
All the hard work of running around and pleading for days, and the torment of waiting patiently day after day, have now been worthwhile.
Their long-cherished wish was finally fulfilled, and the two could no longer contain the overwhelming gratitude in their hearts.
They quickly straightened their clothes and appearance, their expressions respectful and devout, and stepped forward to bow deeply to Chen Shanhe.
His waist was bent so earnestly, his posture humble yet solemn, more upright than any other time he had ever bowed.
After experiencing the disappointment of repeated rejections, they are now overjoyed at the end of their hardship, and their hearts are filled with gratitude.
Zhou Deshan's voice trembled slightly with barely concealed excitement as he spoke solemnly.
Many thanks to Master for granting our wish to seek the truth in our later years. I will definitely devote myself to diligent cultivation and live up to your kindness.
Xu Jingming nodded emphatically, his eyes filled with sincerity and determination, and then spoke respectfully.
From now on, we will definitely put aside our past learning, follow our master's teachings, and study medicine diligently without slacking off.
Completely abandon rigid old ideas, earnestly comprehend the great principle that medicine and military affairs share the same origin, and live up to the sentiment of passing on knowledge and teaching skills.
With the bow completed, the master-disciple relationship was established, and from then on, the two renowned doctors from the provincial capital formally became disciples of the young man from the countryside.
Poems as proof:
I bow deeply in gratitude to my teacher.
After hardship comes happiness.
From then on, he devoted himself to the cultivation of the Tao.
He kept in mind the spirit of medicine throughout his life.
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