In the ancient and bustling capital of Chang'an, the glory of the Great Tang Dynasty was evident in every corner. On one side of the city stood a grove of apricot trees, which in spring burst into a sea of blossoms, their fragrance filling the air. Within this grove stood a simple yet dignified medical clinic, a place carrying countless hopes and traditions—a corner where Lin Yue upheld the principles of traditional Chinese medicine TCM.
Lin Yue, the healer who had returned from maritime trade and weathered the storms of court coups, stood in the clinic's courtyard, gazing at the apricot grove with profound emotion. Through the trials of time, she had come to deeply understand the weight of TCM's inheritance—a mission that rested heavily on her slender shoulders.
"Master, we're here!" A silvery voice broke the courtyard's tranquility. A group of young medical maidens, cheerful as birds entered. At the front was Zisu, petite yet vibrant, her bright eyes sparkling with dynamism, her love for TCM burning like a fiery flame. Behind her was Fuling, composed and introspective, always lost in quiet thought, meticulous in her work. On ordinary days, she would often hold a medical book, immersed in the ocean of TCM knowledge.
"Girls, today we'll start with the basics of 'observing, listening, inquiring, and palpating' to refresh our knowledge," Lin Yue said with a smile, her eyes full of expectation. She knew that a solid foundation was the most fundamental skill for a TCM practitioner—only with a strong base could one go further on the medical path.
Zisu stepped forward eagerly, her eyes shining with excitement. "Master, let me try first!" She imitated Lin Yue's demeanor, focusing intently on diagnosing an elderly patient who had come for a consultation. She carefully observed the old man's complexion, examined his tongue, leaned closer to listen to his breathing, and softly asked about his diet, sleep, and daily habits. However, due to her lack of experience, while she had some insights in judging the condition, there were many inaccuracies.
Lin Yue stepped forward and patiently pointed out her shortcomings. "Zisu, when observing, don't just focus on the complexion's hue—pay attention to subtle texture changes, which often reflect deeper internal issues. When inquiring, ask more detailed questions to fully understand the patient's condition and make an accurate diagnosis."
Zisu nodded humbly, her eyes firm as she secretly vowed to study harder and live up to her master's expectations. Fuling, meanwhile, held a pen and paper, carefully recording every word Lin Yue said. She opened a thick medical book and compared it with the recent case, pondering its mysteries.
"Master, I read in a medical book that there are different formula combinations for spleen and stomach weakness. How do we choose in practice?" Fuling looked up, her eyes filled with a thirst for knowledge. Lin Yue smiled with approval. "Fuling, it's good that you're thinking in combination with medical texts. Although different formulas target spleen and stomach weakness, they differ in drug dosage and the pairing of 'sovereign, minister, assistant, and envoy' herbs. This requires comprehensive judgment based on the patient's specific situation, such as age, constitution, and duration of illness. Only then can we prescribe the most suitable medicine."
Under Lin Yue's meticulous guidance, the medical maidens made rapid progress. They not only grew more skilled in medicine but also deeply absorbed Lin Yue's medical ethics. For poor patients, they would voluntarily reduce or waive fees; for elderly patients with limited mobility, they would deliver medicine to their homes and carefully instruct them on usage. Their kindness and care brought warmth to patients and won praise from the people.
Yet peaceful days were short-lived. One day, an epidemic suddenly broke out in the city, infecting many commoners. The patients suffered from persistent high fever, incessant coughing, and great pain. Upon hearing the news, Lin Yue immediately led the medical maidens into intensive rescue efforts. They worked day and night, setting up large cauldrons in the clinic to boil medicinal soups. The maidens shuttled between wards, diagnosing patients and attending to their daily needs.
However, traditional prescriptions were ineffective against this epidemic, and the patients' conditions did not improve, causing great anxiety. Looking at the suffering commoners in their beds, Zisu felt deep compassion. "Master, is there nothing else we can do?" Lin Yue frowned, deep in thought. "Perhaps we need to innovate based on traditional formulas, adjusting the medication according to the epidemic's characteristics."
Inspired by Lin Yue, the medical maidens sprang into action. Fuling buried herself in the clinic's library, consulting numerous ancient texts to find records of similar epidemics, hoping to draw inspiration from ancient experiences. Zisu stayed in the pharmacy, repeatedly testing different drug combinations, carefully recording the types and dosages of herbs and the patients' reactions after taking them. Despite their exhaustion, they worked day and night with one belief: to find a cure for the epidemic and save the people.
After nearly a month, they finally developed a new formula. Lin Yue and the medical maidens cautiously administered the new medicine to a small group of patients, waiting nervously for results. Time seemed to stand still as everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on the patients. Then, a miracle occurred: the patients' symptoms gradually eased, their fever subsided, and their coughing stopped.
"We did it! We succeeded!" The medical maidens cheered, their eyes brimming with tears of excitement. They hugged each other, celebrating this hard-won victory. Lin Yue looked at them, filled with pride. "Excellent disciples, this is your achievement. You've brought hope to the people with your wisdom and hard work."
After the epidemic, Lin Yue placed greater emphasis on cultivating the medical maidens' innovative thinking. She encouraged them to leave the clinic, go deep into the folk communities, collect various traditional folk remedies, and exchange ideas with different healers. In this process, the maidens not only broadened their horizons but also integrated different medical concepts into TCM. Through continuous exploration and experimentation, they breathed new life into TCM while inheriting its traditions.
As time passed, these young medical maidens gained fame in Chang'an. With their superb medical skills and noble medical ethics, they won the trust and affection of the people. Some excelled in gynecology, solving difficult problems for many women and becoming guardians of female health; others made great achievements in pediatrics, treating every young patient with tenderness and patience, much loved by children.
Lin Yue, meanwhile, remained in the apricot grove, silently cultivating generation after generation of TCM talent. Often watching the busy figures of the medical maidens, she would sigh with emotion: "The inheritance of TCM is like the torch in the apricot grove, passed down from generation to generation, never extinguished."
Across the land of the Tang, TCM continued to advance through the efforts of these young medical maidens. New formulas were constantly developed, and treatment methods became more diverse. Traditional Chinese medicine, through inheritance and innovation, glowed with new vitality, safeguarding the health of the Tang's commoners.
The story of Lin Yue and the medical maidens became a shining tale in the history of Tang medicine, inspiring future generations to constantly explore the mysteries of medicine and strive unremittingly for human health.