novelraw Chapter 242
Chapter 242
Chapter 242: Rolling Life and Death
It was already good enough that the government did not charge the common people; they actually even subsidized the people’s money!
No matter which dynasty or era this happened in, it would be an incredibly shocking matter.
Anyone who heard of this would first react with disbelief—everyone who came to see the doctor for free was like this.
But their final result was often a slap in the face.
So what if they didn’t believe it?
As long as one personally went to Yiqi Hall, personally held the medicine in their hands, personally faced a situation similar to what the doctor said, then the truth would eventually be made public.
The saying “one tells ten, ten tells a hundred” applies here: if the free consultations and government subsidies were not true, and if they were not so shocking, this news wouldn’t have spread quickly among the people.
It could be said that now, within a fifty-li radius around the entire city, about eighty percent of the people knew about this matter.
The old man was among the remaining twenty percent. His name was Gouwai, and he had no surname.
He lived in a small village deep in the mountains and, although he had been ill for a long time, because of poverty, he didn’t dare to come down the mountain to see the doctor; he could only live day by day.
Gouwai had a granddaughter he found at the foot of the mountain, and to save a dowry for her, this time he came down the mountain. Originally, he planned to sell some rabbit skins he had carefully saved to a wealthy family in the small town to exchange for some money. But on his way back to the village, he heard some news.
A piece of good news that might let him live longer, that might let him hold on until the day his granddaughter got married.
——Outside the capital city, there is a doctor who treats patients for free!
Treat patients for free!
The old man was stunned when he heard this.
In his whole life, after his parents died, he lived alone in the most remote corner of the village. The farthest place he had been was the small town.
There was only one doctor in the town. The doctor ran a very small pharmacy. Although small, no one dared to offend him; even the wealthiest families, who seemed the most powerful in their eyes, dared not disrespect that doctor.
In the old man’s view, the doctor was honorable; seeing the doctor required a lot of money, which he could not afford.
The person who said the doctor outside the city treated patients for free had already gone far away. Gouwai stood still and thought for a long time, and in the end, he almost cried.
He wanted to see the doctor!
Who goes through life without ever getting sick!
In the past, for minor illnesses and misfortunes, without money, he just endured it on his own and lived through it. But now, with such a weak body, how much longer could he accompany his little granddaughter?
The child was still so young; if he were gone, how long could the child survive?
If the doctor was compassionate enough to treat patients without charging money, this heaven-sent opportunity, no matter how far it was, he had to try!
He wanted to live.
For himself, and for his little granddaughter.
So, in the end, Gouwai came.
After walking for four days—from day until night, from the end of the line to in front of the doctor—he nervously stretched out his hand, anxiously watched the doctor write, and finally listened to the government subsidy explanation. Gouwai ultimately covered his face and wept.
“Wuu, wuuu…”
The thin, dark old man suddenly cried. His cloudy eyes squinted, tears streaming down the furrowed face, washing away the dust, leaving two clear tear streaks.
Tan Lin looked at the old man with pity but said nothing, only sighed softly.
He was used to it.
These days, he had seen too many crying faces.
Every crying face was different, but the unspoken words in every person’s sobs were essentially the same.
As a doctor, Tan Lin did not want to say sweet words; he knew that what he could do was cure every patient who came.
—
One patient left, and the next continued to come.
Like Doctors Shi and Doctors Yu on the other side, Tan Lin was also tirelessly treating patients.
At the city gate, the Left Court Judge, who had barely survived the endless stream of patients, was now expressionless, gazing at them.
Behind him stood a group of medicine boys, who all had pale faces as they looked at the scene.
Some muttered and shook their heads, “No, this really won’t work.”
Some nodded in agreement, “That’s right, I think I won’t make it either.”
Some quietly stepped back, “My chest hurts; if this continues, I think I’ll have to lie down too.”
The white-haired Left Court Judge said nothing, but in his heart, he wildly praised those few medicine boys.
“Right! So right!”
Helping disaster victims in Daichuan Commandery had already cost him half his old life. Finally, taking advantage of traveling time to rest a bit—how could he come to Qian Commandery and not even get to rest, having to continue working?!
When thinking about the Wise King saying that the free clinic was Tan Lin’s idea, the Left Court Judge was so angry that his teeth itched.
He wasn’t saying that Lord Tan was bad—truly, doctors have kind hearts, and with the Wise King’s support for free consultations, this would definitely become famous and praised everywhere, but could someone let this old bone rest just a bit?
Huh?!
He was an old man!
No matter how angry he was, after standing and watching at the gate for a while, the Left Court Judge finally sighed deeply and proceeded forward with the medicine boys.
Doctors were in short supply; more hands meant they could close up stall sooner.
Tan Lin was surprised by the Left Court Judge’s participation.
After all, they had only arrived that morning, tired from traveling, yet instead of resting, they chose to come help with consultations. This showed the court judge’s merciful and compassionate heart!
Tan Lin greatly admired him, and when greeting the Left Court Judge, he did so politely and respectfully, “Greetings, Your Honor. Your compassionate heart, this humble servant truly admires immensely. From now on during consultations, this servant will surely learn well from Your Honor!”
Left Court Judge: ?!
The Left Court Judge smiled and nodded, putting on the manner of a good teacher and friend, “Lord Tan speaks too highly. As fellow Imperial Physicians, we should set an example for all physicians under Heaven. Lord Tan’s compassionate heart as a doctor commands this official’s great admiration as well.”
The court judge nearly held his breath.
It was bad enough that he was about to be rolled into labor and death, but now, in front of everyone, Tan Lin publicly praised his old bones?
What was Tan Lin’s intention?
This was clearly trying to wear him out!
Seeing the number of people still waiting to be treated, the court judge wished he could just close his eyes and lie down already.
Tan Lin said seriously, “Yes, Your Honor’s intentions, this servant fully understands. Please rest assured! I will not fail your trust!”
Left Court Judge: …
Was this young man truly not understanding, or pretending not to understand?!