Hua Xia, the capital.
The Liu and Xue families, traditional Chinese medicine houses with a history of over a hundred years, along with the National Master of Medicine recipients Liu Pingyi and Xue Dongshan, found themselves notorious overnight, becoming public enemies.
Liu He, the Vice Chairman of the Chinese Medicine Association, a young talent lauded by his peers in the capital's TCM circle as comparable to, or even surpassing, Wan Yunting, was currently spending his days in a detention center.
His second uncle, Liu Yuan, third uncle, Liu Yong, and even his father, Liu Guotao, were not spared. Investigations revealed Liu Guotao had used his authority within the hospital to arrange for trusted associates to be hired. Furthermore, it was exposed that Liu He's father had extramarital affairs with several female doctors, leading to his immediate suspension by the hospital.
The Xue family faced a similar fate. Xue Dongshan's second daughter, Xue Chunyan, had exploited her position to suppress the medicinal herb market, particularly targeting herb growers. She had acquired herbs at low prices and exported them abroad at high markups for profit. She had since fled to the island nation.
In the past two days, the Liu and Xue residences had been swarmed by people they had exploited, demanding repayment. Their gates had been battered down, forcing Liu Pingyi and Xue Dongshan to secretly flee to the Gu residence to escape the uproar.
On Heping Street, the signboards of Chunrentang and Liupintang, two medical clinics, had been smashed.
Tian Xiangrong's Yushengtang, Zhang Shunchang's Shunhetang, and over a dozen other medical clinics, all affiliated with the Liu and Xue factions, had been implicated.
Consequently, over a dozen medical clinics on Heping Street had closed their doors, their future uncertain.
Only the clinics of Tongrentang remained open, but their business was dismal. No one sought their medical services, leaving them deserted and in dire straits.
Following the explosive media revelations of the heinous scandals involving the Liu and Xue families, the entire nation was in an uproar, and the entire Hua Xia Chinese medicine community was subjected to a barrage of public opinion.
Earlier, Wan Yunting had regained popularity after successfully treating the British ambassador with traditional Chinese medicine, which had also boosted public recognition for the entire field.
However, the subsequent downfall of the Liu and Xue families, practitioners of Chinese medicine, instantly shattered any lingering hope the public had in the practice.
The capital's TCM circle was in a state of desolation. TCM practitioners had become the target of public ridicule. News and online platforms alike were filled with scornful remarks, labeling Chinese medicine as fraudulent and undeserving of existence.
Concurrently, Western medicine practitioners stepped forward, with some publicly denouncing TCM and asserting that Western medicine represented the future of medical treatment.
These widespread criticisms of TCM went viral on news and online platforms, causing its reputation to plummet. TCM practitioners dared not speak out, fearing online backlash.
In recent days, Gu Yuanbai and others had been urgently convening meetings of the Chinese Medicine Association to discuss how to stabilize the current chaotic situation within the organization.
It was evident that the capital faction, represented by the Liu and Xue families, constituted the majority of the Chinese Medicine Association members. Their downfall had implicated numerous members.
Professors from the Capital University of Chinese Medicine, such as Chen Jiadong and Yuan Jingguo, had become targets of online attacks, causing many to remain silent and hide within the university.
Gu Yuanbai had not made any public statements in the past two days, recognizing the futility of doing so in the current climate. However, the charges of defamation against him had been cleared.
According to investigations, the parents who had reported Gu Yuanbai to the Ministry of Education and called for the abolition of TCM classes were instigated by Liu He and his associates.
The National Health Commission had only instructed Gu Yuanbai to stabilize the current chaotic situation of the Chinese Medicine Association.
While the capital's Chinese Medicine Association was in disarray, not all provincial Chinese Medicine Associations across Hua Xia were experiencing similar turmoil. The vast majority of the presidents of the national associations recognized Gu Yuanbai as their chairman.
The only dissenting voices came from the capital faction, namely the Xue and Liu families of the capital.
Therefore, Gu Yuanbai's priority was to stabilize the capital's Chinese Medicine Association. Fortunately, with the assistance of Shen Tonghe, Wei Datong, and Meng Kang, who were all in the capital, stabilizing the association was achievable.
As for the negative public opinion towards Chinese medicine, it was currently fierce, and they could only address it after some time, once the public outcry subsided.
However, Gu Yuanbai understood that this storm would not easily pass, as the Gu family, the true power behind the capital faction, Gu Shiren, was still a factor.
In the backyard of the Gu residence.
Gu Shiren, dressed in a Tang suit, sat in a chair, his aged face grim. Behind him stood his daughter-in-law, a plump and charming woman with a captivating demeanor, wearing a red embroidered qipao, massaging his shoulders. She cast her gaze upon Liu Pingyi and Xue Dongshan, who were seated before Gu Shiren.
After two days, the two men appeared to have aged by twenty years, their fallen and destitute appearance eliciting only sighs.
"Elder Gu, our families are completely ruined this time. Please, you must think of a way to save my son and grandson," Liu Pingyi pleaded, his face etched with desperation.
"Yes, Elder Gu, you know people in high places. Please speak to them for us. We can't let our sons all be imprisoned," Xue Dongshan also implored.
Gu Zichen, seated beside Gu Shiren, chuckled as he ate pastries before his grandfather could speak. "Going in is their own doing!"
Xue Dongshan and Liu Pingyi stared blankly, turning to look at Gu Zichen. The young man, who usually exuded a friendly aura, now displayed a look of unrestrained arrogance. He continued, "I warned Liu He and the others long ago not to act so brazenly. Now look at them, all locked up."
"This..."
Hearing Gu Zichen's words, Liu Pingyi and Xue Dongshan grew anxious and turned their gaze to Gu Shiren. He waved a hand at his grandson and then said with disappointment, "I can't save them now."
"But Elder Gu, will you just watch as everyone is imprisoned?" Liu Pingyi's heart was in turmoil; Gu Shiren was their only remaining reliance.
Those who had been friendly with them before now avoided them like the plague, making it impossible for them to help Liu He and Xue Tonghua.
"Baga, do you want my grandfather to be imprisoned as well?"
Suddenly, Gu Zichen slammed his teacup onto the table, scolding Liu Pingyi and Xue Dongshan.
The two elders were taken aback by Gu Zichen's outburst. Was this how a junior should behave?
Moreover, why was he cursing in Japanese? Was he Japanese?
However, Gu Shiren and Gu Zhongtang made no move to stop Gu Zichen. Gu Zhongtang then said, "Elder Xue, Elder Liu, it is no longer suitable for you to remain in the capital. I will arrange for you to go abroad!"
Xue Dongshan and Liu Pingyi's faces stiffened, and they looked at Gu Zhongtang standing beside them. "Go abroad? To where?"
Gu Zhongtang smiled. "Elder Xue, your second daughter Xue Chunyan is in the island nation. How about I send you there to temporarily lie low?"
Xue Dongshan knew his second daughter had gone to the island nation some time ago. Fortunately, she had fled quickly, or she would have been caught.
"What are you still contemplating?"
Gu Shiren glared at them. "Stay in the capital? Given the current state of your families, do you still expect to make a comeback?"
Xue Dongshan and Liu Pingyi frowned and lowered their heads in thought.
Gu Shiren added, "Also, gather your families' ancestral precious ancient prescriptions and take them to the island nation. Otherwise, Gu Yuanbai might seize all your family's possessions, and you'll have no one to cry to."
Gu Zhongtang maintained a wry smile on his face. "Indeed, at least by taking them out, you can preserve your families' ancestral heritage."
Xue Dongshan and Liu Pingyi found this reasoning sound. They exchanged glances, nodded, and gritted their teeth. "Alright, we will go to the island nation to lie low temporarily, and return after things have calmed down."
Seeing that they had finally agreed, Gu Shiren smiled and nodded. "Then you should prepare tonight."
Xue Dongshan and Liu Pingyi nodded and took their leave.
Watching their dejected figures depart, Gu Zichen sneered, "Two old fools. Once they're in the island nation, won't they obediently hand over everything!"
Gu Zhongtang smiled, then expressed his concern, "Father, if things continue like this, it might affect us too!"
Mentioning this, Gu Shiren's old face darkened, and his eyes narrowed sharply. "To prevent any accidents, we must prepare in advance!"
"Understood."
Gu Zhongtang nodded. Gu Zichen said, "Grandfather, isn't there still Tan Jianlin? Are we still afraid of not being able to defeat Gu Yuanbai?"
Gu Zhongtang shook his head. "Zichen, you don't understand. Even if Gu Yuanbai falls, there is still Wan Yunting!"
Gu Zichen's expression faltered. He nodded in understanding, realizing that Wan Yunting was backed by one of the five great families of the capital, the Kong family alone, which was beyond their ability to contend with.
"Speaking of Wan Yunting, I haven't seen him much recently!"
Gu Zichen then said in surprise, "With such a major event occurring, given Wan Yunting's personality, it's unlike him to stand by idly, isn't it?"
Gu Zhongtang turned to Gu Shiren, also puzzled. "Wan Yunting should come forward to help Gu Yuanbai, but why haven't we seen him lately?"
Gu Shiren was also perplexed. "Is he still in the capital?"
Gu Zichen replied, "It seems that a while ago, the news reported that his family was visiting the Forbidden City. He should still be in the capital, right?"
Gu Zhongtang frowned and shook his head. "Given his style, he wouldn't stand idly by when such a significant event happened to Chinese medicine. Therefore, I suspect Wan Yunting might not be in the capital!"
Gu Shiren's old eyes lit up. "Send someone to investigate and find out if Wan Yunting is in the capital or if he has left. Find his current whereabouts as soon as possible!"
"Alright, I'll send someone to inquire..."
Gu Zichen stood up. He also wanted to see if Wan Yunting was still in the capital. If not, he could notify them to eliminate Wan Yunting!