Chapter 102: The Battle of Doctors!

Qin Luo’s meaning was clear. The delegation of doctors from Tiansen University could come to listen to his lecture in the classroom, but they must stand while listening.

He would not, out of courtesy to these international guests or to uphold the reputation of his own country as the "Land of Etiquette," force his students to stand and give up their seats for them.

If these students learned well, they could promote and carry on traditional Chinese medicine. But what could those visitors do even if they mastered it? Qin Luo disliked doing thankless tasks. He certainly wouldn’t go out of his way to be overly accommodating to others who showed cold indifference.

Guo Renhuai, as if hearing something unbelievable, struggled to suppress his anger and said, “Teacher Qin, it is an honor for our school to receive the Tiansen University delegation. How can we let our guests stand while listening? Such a thing would be laughed at if it got out.”

“My students can stand, so why can’t they? I welcome their visit because it gives them a clearer, more direct understanding of Chinese medicine. By learning from each other’s strengths and weaknesses, Western and Chinese medicine will one day be integrated,” Qin Luo replied.

“But I respect their professionalism in Western medicine, and I ask that they respect my role as a teacher in the classroom. If they wish to listen to my lecture, they must abide by my classroom rules. In this classroom, their identity is that of students only,” Qin Luo said without fear.

“Qin Luo, you—”

“If you insist on this, my lecture will end here,” Qin Luo interrupted.

Guo Renhuai’s face darkened to an extreme degree, wishing he could openly clash with Qin Luo on the spot.

He wanted to immediately take the delegation to another classroom, but no other teachers were prepared either. Giving a meaningless lecture might ruin the visit.

Moreover, if he took the delegation away like that, he would not only lose face in front of this class but also have no way to explain to the delegation.

“What’s going on here, Director Guo?” a middle-aged man in the delegation asked, his expression grim.

Because of Tiansen University’s dual status in academia and medicine, and the high rank of this delegation, the Ministry of Education had sent a department head to accompany them. Unexpectedly, they were given the cold shoulder here.

“Because there are too many students, we might not have enough seats,” Guo Renhuai said embarrassedly.

Having been scolded by higher-ups, Guo resented Qin Luo deeply but was powerless against such a stubborn man. The last time he tried to fire him, the ensuing chaos almost caused him great risk.

Unless Qin Luo resigned voluntarily or committed a serious mistake, there was no way to punish him.

“Didn’t you arrange this in advance?” the middle-aged man glared fiercely at Guo Renhuai, lowering his voice. Even in front of the delegation, they had to maintain some dignity and not lose their temper publicly.

“No problem. We’ll just stand and listen. We should respect the teacher’s decision,” said a man with a long, thin face and somewhat sparse hair.

He appeared to be in his forties, wearing a well-fitting suit and thick glasses for severe myopia. Stern and serious, he spoke excellent Mandarin, though his tongue stumbled slightly on rolled ‘r’ sounds.

Everyone understood what he said.

He then explained his decision to his colleagues in English.

The others looked surprised, some showing anger. They hadn’t expected to be treated this way.

Previously, when visiting other medical schools in China, they had been warmly received.

Their hosts not only reserved the front row for them but also placed bottled water and writing materials on the desks beforehand.

Their hospitality was meticulous and highly satisfactory. Yet today, they were asked to stand while listening.

This Chinese man—he wasn’t being brotherly enough. Not nearly brotherly enough.

But since the delegation leader had made the decision, they could say nothing. One by one, they stood at the back of the classroom, waiting for the young, somewhat excessive teacher’s lecture on the elusive subject of Chinese medicine.

Qin Luo nodded appreciatively to Dr. Jack, the delegation leader from Tiansen University, grateful for his understanding.

Truly cultivated people understand the importance of respecting teachers and the Way. If rank and power overshadow knowledge and reason, the country is in grave danger.

Although there were more foreign friends present, Qin Luo was not prepared to immediately alter his teaching approach or curriculum because of their arrival. He would not repeat past lectures to seek enthusiastic interaction from students, nor would he reveal his best lessons prematurely, which might disrupt their learning progress. Unless a follow-up class connected the material, the students would fall behind.

Since he was teaching “Chinese Medicine Diagnostics,” Qin Luo preferred to combine theory with practice. Clear reasoning made it easier for students to remember.

“For example, if the limbs are lethargic, appetite decreases, and the chest feels full, this may be a symptom of ‘Great Qi Sinking’—”

“Teacher, I have a question,” Dr. Jack raised his hand.

“Please, go ahead,” Qin Luo smiled. This foreigner was quite eager to learn.

“What does ‘Great Qi Sinking’ mean? What exactly is ‘Great Qi’? Is it heavy breathing? Or a strong wind?” Dr. Jack asked earnestly.

The students burst into laughter. Although many didn’t understand the term either, they knew it wasn’t what the foreigner suggested.

Qin Luo waved for silence and looked at Dr. Jack. “Let’s consider this: what in the human body supports the operation of the five viscera and six bowels? What keeps these organs fixed in the thorax so they don’t fall out?”

“In our classic text, the ‘Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders,’ there is a passage: ‘The five viscera and six bowels, the great channels and small collaterals, cycle day and night without rest, relying on the Great Qi in the chest to coordinate among them.’ Within the body exists a certain Qi in the chest, responsible for the lungs’ respiration, supporting the whole body and invigorating the spirit. This is the Great Qi, also called Essence Qi. Essence, Qi, and Spirit—none can be lacking.”

“But how do we sense this Qi?” Dr. Jack’s pale yellow eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

“Through the pulse’s rhythm, the heartbeat—you can feel the presence of this Qi,” Qin Luo said.

“But those are just natural bodily reactions. Why call it the Great Qi? Teacher, do you have other ways to demonstrate it?”

Qin Luo smiled. “Of course.”

He glanced around the classroom and asked, “Who brought a needle case?”

“I did,” said Wang Jiujiu, still seated in the front row.

“May I borrow it?” Qin Luo smiled at her.

Wang Jiujiu unzipped her bag and took out a delicate needle case, passing it over.

Her bag seemed like a treasure chest, with phone, wallet, MP3, tea, needle case—anything one might need, she could produce.

Their fingertips brushed lightly as Qin Luo took the case. Wang Jiujiu felt a spark, quickly withdrawing her hand, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

Last night’s intimate embrace lingered in her mind, and meeting again today made her a little shy yet sweetly delighted.

Thanks to her efforts, their relationship had finally moved forward.

Qin Luo opened the needle case, took out a 1.6-inch filiform needle, disinfected it with alcohol, then stepped down from the podium toward Dr. Jack.

“Doctor, do you have dry mouth, tongue discomfort, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or difficulty speaking?” Qin Luo asked with a smile.

Dr. Jack paused, then nodded. “Yes.”

Having just arrived in Yanjing, he was not used to the dry, warm climate and had become inflamed upon arrival.

But how did Qin Luo know?

This must be the “inspection” of the four diagnostic methods in Chinese medicine. Yet, where did this symptom manifest?

“In Chinese medicine, we classify body constitution into Yin and Yang, and further into heat and cold syndromes. Dr. Jack has a heat syndrome,” Qin Luo explained. “If you don’t mind, I can treat you now. Through this treatment, you can also experience the presence of this Qi.”

“Is this the acupuncture of your Chinese medicine? I’ve heard it’s incredible. I’d love to try it,” Dr. Jack said without fear, even using the word “try” as if acupuncture were a delectable Chinese delicacy.

“Please take off your suit jacket, and give me your hand,” Qin Luo instructed.

Dr. Jack handed his notebook to a colleague, removed his jacket, and extended his arm.

“Please undo your cuff buttons.”

Cooperating promptly, Dr. Jack unbuttoned his shirt cuffs.

Qin Luo rolled up the sleeve to reveal his hairy arm.

He pressed lightly with his hand, then swiftly inserted the silver needle.

A female professor from Tiansen University saw the slender needle pierce Dr. Jack’s arm and screamed “My God!” in fright.

Yet when she opened her eyes and saw Dr. Jack focused intently on the needle’s movement, showing no sign of pain, she was amazed.

How could such a sharp object cause no pain?

If the wrong acupuncture point was struck, it would be very painful. But if the correct point was found, it would not only be painless but quite comfortable. Qin Luo would never make such a basic mistake.

With two fingers pinching the needle, Qin Luo gently massaged it, guiding the tip deeper.

“Do you feel it?” Qin Luo smiled.

“Feel what?”

“The Qi—a cool sensation flowing through your arm,” Qin Luo prompted.

Dr. Jack concentrated and then exclaimed joyfully, “Ah, I feel it! I feel its presence! It’s like a cool little snake slithering through my arm. Amazing! Is this the Great Qi?”