The Baos' pharmaceutical company merged with the company that Long Xiao was about to establish. In the following days, Long Xiao and Lin Xuan visited Bao's Pharmaceutical extensively. With the help of Bao Tie and Bao Erhu, they took over Bao's Pharmaceutical's factories and medical institutions.
After a thorough understanding of Bao's pharmaceutical factory, Long Xiao immediately ordered the three factories owned by the Bao family in Donghai to suspend production on three lines for renovation. Ten days later, they would start producing "Scar Removal Cream."
The two pharmaceutical factories that Lin Xuan had originally bought to produce "Scar Removal Cream" also accelerated their renovation progress and were scheduled to start production in ten days.
"Beauty Pills" were already selling well in Donghai. Due to their scarcity, the black market price had soared to exorbitant levels.
Long queues formed in front of the factories producing "Beauty Pills." Hospitals, pharmacies, and pharmaceutical companies began to lobby the factory's management at all levels to secure larger supplies of "Beauty Pills."
Previously, selling medicine relied on salesmanship; now, it was a fierce competition to sell. Fights and arguments were common outside the factory gates every day.
Lin Xuan wanted to expand the production of "Beauty Pills," but Long Xiao disagreed. Long Xiao did not want to turn "Beauty Pills" into cheap commodities, thus earning money not from the rich, but from ordinary people who were vain.
Although Long Xiao was confident in the efficacy of "Scar Removal Cream," he had not found anyone with scars to test it on, and thus lacked convincing evidence.
After several busy days, most of the necessary tasks were completed, and Long Xiao decided to rest for a day. After his morning exercise, Lin Xuan drove away, and Long Xiao went to Xinglin Medical Hall alone.
Setting up a tea table under a tree at Xinglin Medical Hall, brewing a cup of tea, and quietly contemplating the flow of vital energy around him was the best form of rest for Long Xiao.
As soon as Long Xiao sat down, Xue Meiqin arrived with a tea set and a kettle, lit the red clay stove, and began to brew tea for Long Xiao.
Xue Meiqin's tea art was exquisite, her movements graceful. Watching her prepare tea was a pleasure in itself.
The water boiled, Xue Meiqin washed the cups, took the tea, and completed her series of actions. Just as she poured water into the teacups, someone bypassed the crowd of patients queuing for consultations and walked towards Long Xiao and the others.
"Good tea, it seems I've arrived at just the right time," the newcomer said with a hearty laugh.
Long Xiao looked up and saw Sun Sizu approaching him with a smile, carrying a gift box.
Upon seeing Sun Sizu, Long Xiao quickly rose to greet him.
"Elder Sun is back in Donghai," Long Xiao said with a smile.
Sun Sizu sat opposite Long Xiao and said, "I just got off the plane. Long Xiao, I plan to stay with you for a while. You don't mind, do you?"
Sun Sizu was known as the "Medicine King" of this era. His medical skills in Donghai were on par with Li Yizhen and Hua Xianfeng, earning him the title of one of the three great physicians of Donghai.
While personally pouring water for Sun Sizu, Long Xiao replied, "Of course, I don't mind."
Sun Sizu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "Good tea. Hehe, Long Xiao, I won't stay with you for free. I'll work for you to earn my food and lodging."
"No need. You are the Medicine King of Donghai. Please, stay with us without any worries. I can still afford your living expenses."
"No, I must work to earn money, otherwise, that old fellow Li Yizhen will find out and say I'm freeloading," Sun Sizu insisted.
Xue Meiqin recognized Sun Sizu. Hearing that he intended to see patients there, she happily said, "Boss, please agree. With the Medicine King seeing patients here, we're bound to become famous!"
Sun Sizu must have had a reason for coming to Xinglin Medical Hall. Since he didn't elaborate, Long Xiao didn't press the matter and decided to let him stay first.
Bao Tie, Zhang Eryong, and Chen Meijia arranged a room for Sun Sizu in the backyard and another room in the front yard, where they hung a sign that read "Medicine King's Consultation Room."
Long Xiao and Sun Sizu were drinking tea under the tree. Mi Tianfu and Mingyue busied themselves. As it neared noon, Long Xiao went to the backyard to check on Xin Sihai, and Sun Sizu followed.
After a few days, Xin Sihai's complexion had improved significantly.
Long Xiao took his pulse, checking his internal condition.
The diffused tumors had halved, and the remaining ones had also shrunk considerably.
The stagnant areas of vital energy in his body were gradually clearing, and the flow of life force within him became smooth. Based on his current condition, complete recovery would take less than a month.
Watching Long Xiao take his pulse, Sun Sizu was puzzled. Long Xiao's fingers were not even touching the pulse points, and he couldn't figure out how Long Xiao was diagnosing him.
"Uncle Xin, your illness will be cured in less than a month," Long Xiao said with a smile.
Sun Sizu asked curiously, "Long Xiao, what illness does this old gentleman have?"
Long Xiao explained Xin Sihai's condition to Sun Sizu. Sun Sizu looked at Long Xiao in disbelief and asked, "You can cure late-stage cancer?"
Long Xiao nodded and replied, "Is late-stage cancer difficult to cure?"
"Of course, it's difficult. Those who claim to cure cancer nowadays are only treating early and mid-stage cases. No one can treat late-stage cancer."
As he spoke, Sun Sizu stepped forward to examine Xin Sihai's pulse. He found that Xin Sihai's body was indeed improving.
On the table were the medicine bowls that Xin Sihai had drunk from that morning. Sun Sizu picked up an empty bowl and sniffed it. "I've treated similar patients and prescribed the same medicine, yet I couldn't cure them. Why?"
Long Xiao knew why Sun Sizu couldn't cure late-stage cancer patients.
Ordinary illnesses could be cured with a single prescription. To cure late-stage cancer, the medication had to be adjusted constantly based on changes in each patient's condition. Only by continuously targeting the evolving illness could a cure be achieved.
Treating complex diseases with Traditional Chinese Medicine is a dynamic process. The prescription and dosage must be determined by considering the four seasons, five vital forces, dietary habits, as well as the patient's age, constitution, and gender. One prescription cannot treat all individuals with similar conditions.
The question was difficult to answer, so Long Xiao replied, "This matter is very complex. We can discuss it slowly when we have time."
Sun Sizu put down the medicine bowl. Just as they were about to leave, Xin Sihai suddenly knelt before Long Xiao with a thud and pleaded, "Divine Doctor Long, please save Yi Fei."
"Don't do that, get up quickly," Long Xiao said, trying to help Xin Sihai up.
Xin Sihai insisted on kneeling. "Divine Doctor Long, although Xin Yi Fei acts worse than an animal, he is my only son. I beg you to save his life. I, Xin Sihai, am willing to be your servant and repay your kindness."
Long Xiao knew that if Xin Yi Fei wanted to remain in Donghai, he would eventually seek him out.
"Alright, I'll help him. Now, please get up."
After helping Xin Sihai up, Long Xiao inquired about Xin Yi Fei's situation.
Ever since Long Xiao unleashed his fury at the Ji family's estate, Xin Yi Fei had been relentlessly pursued by the Ji family, the Dragon Year organization, and Japanese warriors.
He had been hiding in Donghai, suffering multiple injuries and narrowly escaping death on several occasions.
In his desperation, Xin Yi Fei thought of Long Xiao at Xinglin Medical Hall.
Long Xiao was the most powerful person he knew in Donghai. Although he didn't know if Long Xiao would help him, in his moment of utter despair, he called his father to try his luck.
Initially, Xin Sihai refused to help, even disowning Xin Yi Fei as his son. Xin Yi Fei pleaded with his father multiple times, telling him that if Long Xiao didn't help, he would surely die even if he escaped Donghai.
Even a fierce tiger doesn't eat its cubs. Xin Yi Fei eventually moved Xin Sihai, who agreed to help him by pleading with Long Xiao for protection.