Chapter 148 Clinic Opening

Chapter 148: The Medical Clinic Opens

Broker Tong was thrown into prison by the bailiffs for causing trouble. He cursed them as lackeys with foul language and arrogantly claimed that his uncle was the Deputy Magistrate. The gang of ruffians who followed him also acted as if they had nothing to fear, treating the cell like their own home.

Though the bailiffs were exasperated, they had witnessed Deputy Magistrate Tong's protectiveness over his own and, fearing trouble, reported the matter to Inspector Huang.

The crime of stirring up trouble could be serious or minor. Inspector Huang, though unafraid of Tong Ping, saw no need to fall out with him. He planned to scare Broker Tong and then release him, but he had the authority to temporarily detain those who caused disturbances; releasing them required Song Tingzhou’s approval.

When Inspector Huang went to the government office to see Song Tingzhou, he happened upon Deputy Magistrate Tong Ping slandering him in front of Song.

“County Magistrate, Inspector Huang, out of personal enmity against me, has unjustly imprisoned my nephew. This action not only targets me but also shows disrespect toward you!”

Standing outside the door, Inspector Huang’s anger flared. He had planned to let Broker Tong off lightly, yet the other had beaten him to the punch by filing a false complaint!

“Your honor, please see clearly. Broker Tong gathered thugs to smash another’s shop. I lawfully detained him; there is no personal grievance involved!”

Song Tingzhou turned his gaze from the newly arrived Huang Yizhen back to Tong Ping. “Deputy Magistrate Tong, do you have anything else to say?”

“Your honor, my nephew is innocent. He befriended a few hot-blooded young men and went to Rui Xiang Brokerage on business to seek an explanation. Unexpectedly, those youths came to blows. My nephew tried to stop them but was swept up in it.” Tong Ping effortlessly glossed over his nephew’s deeds, turning it all into the fault of a few ruffians.

By now, he and Huang Yizhen were still unaware that Broker Tong had also beaten an innocent citizen.

Song Tingzhou pondered for a moment. “Inspector Huang, you may leave.”

It seemed that even without his report, the newly appointed county magistrate had already inquired about the Tong family’s influence and was ready to let Broker Tong off lightly in deference to Tong Ping.

Inspector Huang had originally agreed with this approach, but seeing Song Tingzhou act accordingly nonetheless left a bitter taste. He was still young, and before the new magistrate arrived, he had harbored hopes of making achievements under him.

Now, it seemed no different from the previous magistrate.

Tong Ping, who had stayed behind, was overjoyed. “Your honor, I will certainly discipline my unworthy nephew strictly and tell him to stop associating with disreputable people.”

Song Tingzhou’s eyes were deep, revealing nothing. Tong Ping’s voice gradually slowed as he stood obediently to the side.

After a few moments, Song Tingzhou spoke slowly. “I hear the Tong family are famous landlords in Luyun Town, holding many fields throughout the region?”

Tong Ping grew restless. What did the county magistrate mean by this? Could he be hinting for the Tong family to offer gold and silver? Who knew he was greedy? Just a few days into office.

“Ahem.” He cleared his throat. “The family does own a few fields, nothing significant. But if your honor would be willing to handle this lightly, my family will prepare a generous gift to thank you.”

Song Tingzhou’s eyes darkened. “Oh? A generous gift?”

Tong Ping, believing he had guessed his superior’s intent, became even more smug. “We may not have much gold and jewelry, but a hundred acres of good farmland is within our means.”

How many acres of good farmland were there in all of He Mountain? And the Tong family was offering a hundred acres as if it were no big deal.

Song Tingzhou said calmly, “Take your nephew back first. The remaining ruffians have previous records. Bring them to trial tomorrow.”

Now that Song Tingzhou had just taken office, Tong Ping had been on his best behavior. Believing he had seen through the new magistrate’s true colors, he became even bolder. “Your honor, although those children are guilty, they are still young. I beg your honor for a lenient sentence.”

Song Tingzhou neither agreed nor disagreed. “I see. You may go.”

At the trial the next day, Huang Mama tearfully recounted the damage to her shop and her clerks’ injuries. However, Song Tingzhou only ordered Broker Tong and his gang to compensate her with silver, and did not impose any severe punishment.

Tong Ping and Broker Tong grew even more dismissive of Song Tingzhou, believing him to be just that—unremarkable. Their behavior became increasingly arrogant, returning to the days when He Mountain County had no magistrate, when the Tong family held all the power.

Meng Wan had bought the house and land, and before starting on the vacant lot, he brought the Miao family, who had been staying at an inn, back to the new courtyard. He had already planned what to do with the courtyard.

“Doctor Miao must have been getting impatient. I’ve been busy looking at houses and have neglected you all. Please forgive me.”

Meng Wan held this family of physicians in high regard. Not to mention other things, he would need Qing Xing’s help in the golden autumn of October.

Old Miao waved his thin, sun-darkened hand. “You're too kind. Our whole family is causing you trouble.”

What Meng Wan lacked now was people, not money. A small courtyard was no big deal. “You and your family can stay in the front yard first. I’ll have the street-facing side converted into a clinic for you and Qing Xing to practice medicine.”

They hadn’t moved yet partly because Song Tingzhou’s leg was still healing, and it was more convenient to stay at the yamen.

And partly because he needed to resolve certain matters first. He intended to buy the other house as well, connecting it with the empty lot in between. It was better to finish building before moving.

Xue Sheng had already hired workers to start renovations. After converting the street-facing wing, they would begin construction on the vacant lot between the two houses.

Of the Miao family’s children, aside from Qing Xing, the second oldest, A Xun, was only eleven, close in age to Chu Ci. The fourth child, Ren Dong, was mute. Meng Wan had Chu Ci go play with them during the day and come back home for dinner.

With this matter somewhat settled, Meng Wan focused on recuperating for over a month. His tendency to sleep too much gradually faded.

By mid-February, the conversion of the west courtyard’s wing was complete, creating a medical clinic and a pharmacy side by side.

Firecrackers echoed through the early morning streets as the Shian Medical Clinic and Shian Pharmacy opened simultaneously. To everyone’s surprise, the doctor at the clinic was a young female doctor, while the pharmacy was staffed by an old man and a bunch of children.

Doctor Miao handed the clinic over to his granddaughter and busied himself in the pharmacy.

Meng Wan printed a stack of flyers and hired street kids to distribute them. The flyers announced that the new Shian Medical Clinic would offer free consultations for the first three days. Regardless of age, gender, or status, anyone could seek treatment.

The murmuring about a female doctor stopped instantly. When the first hesitant elderly woman came forward, Qing Xing led her inside and drew the curtain. She diagnosed a gynecological disorder, prescribed medicine, and instructed her to go to the neighboring pharmacy.

When Xiaoji, the third Miao son, saw the patient was a woman, he attended to her himself. He was also a xiaoge, eight years old after the New Year, with a fair, delicate appearance, though one foot was lame.

He prepared the medicine according to the prescription and carefully explained how to boil and take the medicine, showing himself to be a meticulous child.

Seeing that someone had indeed consulted and bought medicine, others grew tempted. It was a free consultation; if the diagnosis was wrong, they simply wouldn’t buy medicine.

Gradually, more and more patients came. A Xun and Chu Ci, whom Meng Wan had sent over, assisted Qing Xing. If anyone caused trouble, Chu Ci, a sturdy half-grown boy, could handle it.

On the third day, when Qing Xing diagnosed a man’s chronic ailment, the line for consultations stretched from the clinic door to the street.

Suddenly, a young man carrying an elderly man on his back rushed over. “Is the doctor here really giving free consultations?”

A kind bystander replied, seeing his urgency. “Indeed, it’s a female doctor. My wife came the day before yesterday, and after a few doses, it worked.”

“My little grandson also felt better after taking the medicine.”

“Mine too.”

Others chimed in. Even though it was hard for a woman to practice medicine, her skills and lack of alternatives meant she still earned respect.

In the capital, no one dared consult Qing Xing, simply because there was no shortage of skilled doctors.

The anxious man, upon hearing that, pushed to the front. “Doctor! Please, save my father.”

Qing Xing, who was taking a pulse, stood up at his shout. “Please, everyone, make way.”

Someone who was about to have their turn became unwilling, blocking the door and refusing to move.

“Everyone can come to me for pulse-taking first,” A Xun said suddenly, pulling a chair over next to Qing Xing.

A female doctor was already surprising, but now a younger xiaoge was offering. No one took him seriously; no one moved.

At that moment, a commotion came from the end of the line. Xue Sheng was escorting Meng Wan over, carrying a silk banner.

"A Xun! Little miracle doctor! I finally found you." Meng Wan said excitedly.

Meng Wan was about to enter, but Xue Sheng shoved the man blocking the door aside. "My husband, the county magistrate's wife, is now pregnant. If anyone dares to jostle him, don't blame me for being ruthless."

The man who was pushed away had a bellyful of curses stuck in his throat, but upon hearing this, he swallowed them all.

Meng Wan walked in without obstruction and pointed to the man carrying the old man on his back. The man was stunned for a moment before coming to his senses and following. Qing Xing quickly led them into the inner room.

Meng Wan gave Chu Ci a wink, signaling him to follow. Qing Xing was just a teenage girl, and dealing with a man alone was risky; precautions had to be taken. Although Chu Ci was only a twelve-year-old boy, he was skilled in using poison.

After they left, Meng Wan slapped the brocade banner that was originally intended to decorate the front of Shian Hall down onto the table in front of A Xun. He said excitedly, "A Xun, little miracle doctor, you are truly amazing! I have been married to my husband for five years without a child, and now I am finally diagnosed with a slippery pulse. You are our family's great benefactor!"

At these words, everyone in the hall was astonished. This child could treat infertility!

Among the crowd, some exchanged glances, while others looked incredulous. But in this ancient society that valued offspring above all, a doctor who could treat infertility was a rare treasure. The person who had been blocking the door earlier, unwilling to let A Xun take his pulse, was shoved aside by those behind him. "Doctor A Xun, I'm not here for infertility treatment, just to have a routine check."

Someone who knew him teased, "Not treating infertility? Then why do you keep taking concubines one after another, setting them up like offerings?" The man's face turned red.

Although A Xun had no idea how he became known as the infertility doctor, he patiently began diagnosing the patients.

"Your kidney essence is depleted from overconsumption, leaving your essence chamber empty. Essence deficiency and marrow depletion lead to impotence. You have long lived in a damp and cold environment and indulged in cold drinks, so your yang energy is unable to resist the invasion of damp-cold pathogens, ultimately harming the root of the kidneys."

The man didn't understand any of this jargon, but seeing A Xun speak with such conviction as if he truly knew his stuff, he asked anxiously, "Then what medicine should I take, doctor? I'll buy it!"

A Xun replied, "You not only need to take medicine, but also need to abstain from indulgence in the future. Do not overindulge in bedroom pleasures, and avoid cold drinks. Come see me tomorrow afternoon, and I will prepare some Yougui Pills for you. Take them for two months and regulate yourself well. You might see results in a few months."

Upon hearing that it could actually be treated, the man was given hope, whether genuine or not. He left in tears of gratitude, insisting on leaving a consultation fee of several dozen copper coins.

A Xun didn't dare accept it, but after declining repeatedly, he accepted only six coins.

The rest of the people saw that although he was young, he was methodical. The complaints that had arisen when Qing Xing left gradually quieted down, and they quietly started queuing again.

Meng Wan nodded with satisfaction, left Xue Sheng there, and went into the inner room to check on the situation.

"Did this old man fall from a height?" Qing Xing asked the man who had carried him in after examining the patient's injuries.

The man nodded and said honestly, "My dad was laying hay on the roof of the livestock shed for a rich man. But his mischievous grandson pushed over the bamboo ladder my dad was standing on. My dad missed his step and fell straight to the ground. By the time I got there, he was already unconscious."

Qing Xing pursed her lips. "The injury isn't too severe, but given his age, his body isn't as strong as a young man's. Falling from such a height may have already injured his brain and internal organs, which is why he is unconscious."

She then asked the middle-aged man to help her examine the old man's spine and limbs. She sighed inwardly—the bones at the swollen and bruised spots were indeed broken. "For now, we must first treat the most urgent symptoms. We need to wake him up and save his life."

This would cost a considerable sum of money. Seeing the man in coarse clothes, wearing straw sandals in the dead of winter, with cracked and dry skin on his ankles, and the old man on the bed similarly dressed, she knew that this family could hardly afford such a fee.

Sure enough, the man rubbed his hands helplessly. "How... how much silver?"

Qing Xing showed him a number with her fingers. "These medicines are at cost price, not a single coin extra."

"I know, I know." The man had already seen doctors in his hometown, but they had all told him to prepare for the worst. Even here in the county town, no doctor dared to guarantee they could save him.

He had heard that Shian Hall was offering free consultations, so he came to try his luck. He knew that the amount Qing Xing mentioned was already extremely low.

But his family could barely make ends meet. Forget dozens of taels—they couldn't even afford one tael.

Meng Wan had been listening from the side. Suddenly, he asked, "Why didn't you seek compensation from that rich man's family?"