Watching Hu Qiang’s young face contort with intense neuropathic pain during each treatment session, and hearing his suppressed, pained groans, Xu Ze couldn’t help but secretly feel immense admiration for him.
He could imagine how agonizing this pain must be. Pain caused by direct nerve stimulation could be several times, even over ten times worse than pain from external injuries…
And this kind of pain couldn’t be controlled with painkillers. Because this painful stimulation was a crucial means of promoting nerve recovery, Hu Qiang had no choice but to endure it like this.
Skillfully, Xu Ze inserted a syringe filled with neural repair stimulant fluid through the lumbar intervertebral space into the spinal canal, injecting it quickly. Before the medication could take full effect, he swiftly inserted a silver needle.
He had learned a small lesson over the past few days. After several days of treatment, Hu Qiang wasn’t completely immobile like before. Now, his muscles could contract somewhat.
So, during the last treatment session, after the neural repair fluid was injected, the severe pain caused the muscles in Hu Qiang’s lower back to contract strongly. Due to this muscle tension and contraction, Xu Ze had found it difficult to insert the silver needle into the lumbar intervertebral space. Unable to project his internal energy outward, Xu Ze had expended great effort, trying every method possible, before finally managing to insert the needle.
Therefore, this time Xu Ze was prepared. After injecting the fluid, he quickly inserted the silver needle into the lumbar spinal canal before the medication’s effects fully kicked in, beginning the bioelectric energy impulse therapy on Hu Qiang.
After these several sessions, Hu Qiang’s nervous system had recovered significantly. Xu Ze could feel that during the bioelectric energy impulses, the previously blocked nerves were much clearer now compared to before. It seemed the treatment was achieving the desired effect. After a few more sessions, it should recover to the level of an average person.
Performing bioelectric energy impulse therapy consumed a considerable amount of energy. Although it was somewhat draining, seeing Hu Qiang’s condition gradually improve through his efforts filled Xu Ze with a deep sense of satisfaction.
As the effects of the neural stimulant repair agent gradually subsided, the look of pain on Hu Qiang’s face also faded. Xu Ze gently pulled out the silver needle and had the nurse help Hu Qiang lie flat.
Watching the nurse carefully wipe the sweat from Hu Qiang’s face, Xu Ze smiled and asked, “How do you feel? Could you handle it?”
Hu Qiang, who had previously been completely unable to move, now managed a slight nod. He looked at Xu Ze, his mouth moving with difficulty, and to everyone’s delight, uttered two words: “Thank… you…”
Hearing these two words, everyone was stunned. Team Leader Li looked at Hu Qiang with great excitement and surprise, “Hu Qiang… You can speak?”
A look of surprise also appeared on Hu Qiang’s own face. Although he had felt his fingers and other parts could move slightly after the last few treatments, being able to speak was an unexpected joy. He opened his mouth and managed a few more words. Though still not entirely clear, everyone understood them: “Team Leader… seems… I can…”
“You really can talk!” Several of Hu Qiang’s comrades, who were nearby, rushed over joyfully, surrounding him, their faces beaming with excitement.
Seeing the excited faces of his comrades around him, a faint smile appeared on Hu Qiang’s face. His right hand trembled on the bed, and then, slowly, he lifted it.
“Ah… His hand can move, his hand can move too…” Hu Qiang’s comrades stared wide-eyed, watching his right hand lift off the bed surface. After a moment of stunned silence, they cheered excitedly.
Watching this scene, Xu Ze smiled faintly. His efforts had not been in vain…
“It can move… it really can move…” Team Leader Li looked at Hu Qiang’s raised hand, his eyes full of emotion and excitement. He then turned to Xu Ze, who was standing nearby with a smile, and tightly grasped his hand, “Mr. Xu… Mr. Xu… Thank you, truly thank you. You’ve saved our soldier…”
“You’re welcome… It was nothing, really…” Xu Ze said with a light laugh. “As long as Hu Qiang can be cured, I’m very happy. That means my efforts weren’t wasted…”
Hearing Xu Ze’s words, Team Leader Li was also very pleased. He looked at Xu Ze gratefully, “Regardless, you are our great benefactor. Every soldier is a precious asset of our country. They have given so much for the nation. No matter what, we must do everything we can to ensure they retire safely and in good health.”
“Team Leader Li, we share the same sentiment,” Xu Ze was deeply moved by these words. He nodded with a smile, “These soldiers have given their all for the country. We naturally cannot let them leave with regrets. If you need help in the future, please don’t hesitate to contact me anytime…”
After speaking with Team Leader Li, the other soldiers also gathered around, eagerly shaking Xu Ze’s hand one by one, expressing their gratitude for healing their comrade.
Seeing these simple, honest soldiers so happy about their comrade’s recovery, a touch of emotion flashed in Xu Ze’s eyes. He smiled and nodded…
Time passed day by day. After the tenth session of that intense pain, Hu Qiang let out a relaxed sigh, easily reached out and took the towel offered by the nurse to wipe the sweat from his face. He looked at Xu Ze gratefully, “Mr. Xu… I’ve really put you through so much… If it weren’t for you, I’d probably be lying here for the rest of my life…”
“Heh… Don’t mention it. I’m just glad you’re recovering,” Xu Ze smiled. “After this treatment, you just need to slowly start limb exercises on your own. There’s still hope for you to return to your previous condition!”
“Really?” Hu Qiang looked at Xu Ze excitedly. “Mr. Xu, can I really get back to how I was before?”
“Yes… there’s hope. It mainly depends on your own exercise. If you persist, it’s entirely possible to recover fully within a year or two!” Xu Ze explained, “Because I’ve basically repaired your nerves. But the functional recovery isn’t something I can help with directly. That part is up to you.”
“Okay! Thank you so much!” Hu Qiang said excitedly.
After dinner, Xu Ze was walking slowly around the base. Team Leader Li walked beside him, smiling, “Mr. Xu… I never imagined you’re not only proficient in acupuncture but also so knowledgeable in modern medicine. Most people wouldn’t even know what neural stimulant repair fluid is…”
Hearing Team Leader Li’s probing words, Xu Ze paused, then chuckled.
“Heh… I’m actually studying clinical medicine myself, with some exposure to neurology. As for the neural stimulant repair fluid, I just happened to learn about it. If I didn’t know this stuff existed… I really wouldn’t have been confident about curing Hu Qiang,” Xu Ze explained with a smile.
“Oh… The Xi’an Biochemical Research Institute sent a message the other day, inquiring how we knew about their research on the neural stimulant repair fluid. I told them a senior leader mentioned it, and left it at that…” Team Leader Li said with a faint smile.
Xu Ze nodded, smiling, “That’s fine… This research is very confidential, highly classified… It’s best if I’m not involved. Otherwise, an investigation would be troublesome…”
“Heh… It wouldn’t be too much trouble, especially with Old Li backing you… And any investigation would be handled by us, we wouldn’t cause you any trouble…” Team Leader Li assured him.
Xu Ze nodded, “Let’s not talk about this anymore… As long as you don’t think I’m a foreign spy, Team Leader Li…”
“Haha… How could that be?” Team Leader Li laughed heartily, looking at Xu Ze frankly. “You helped us capture that spy, preventing a major intelligence leak… You recovered a huge loss for the country, and then you went to great lengths to cure our soldier. How could we suspect you? It’s just that higher-ups require a report on special talents like you…”
“Heh… Procedures are necessary, Team Leader Li. If needed, go ahead and file a report. I don’t mind,” Hearing this, Xu Ze smiled nonchalantly.
He really didn’t care. At the very least, any investigation would find absolutely nothing wrong with him. Moreover, given the debt Team Leader Li felt he owed him, and his trust in Old Man Li, the investigation wouldn’t be too troublesome or pursued relentlessly.
Once a clean report was filed, coupled with the influence of Old Man Li and Old Man Tang, he wouldn’t have to worry about anyone or any organization targeting him in the future.
Hearing Xu Ze’s words, Team Leader Li felt relieved. Originally, Xu Ze hadn’t done anything wrong. However, due to the concerns raised by the Xi’an Biochemical Research Institute and the regulations regarding files on special individuals within the State Security, a report was necessary.
Since Xu Ze had no objections, he would conduct a brief investigation, prepare a report for the archives, and that would be that…
“Xu Ze… what exactly have you been up to? You cured someone, and now State Security needs a report on you?” Old Man Li looked at Xu Ze with a curious smile.
“Nothing much… It’s just that treating that soldier required a specific drug. That drug is only available at the Xi’an Biochemical Research Institute… But the thing is still under research and experimentation, it’s top secret… So the Xi’an institute raised some questions…” Xu Ze shrugged, explaining casually.
“Oh… I see…” Old Man Li nodded, then looked at Xu Ze, “So, your source of information isn’t a problem, right?”
“No problem!” Xu Ze understood what Old Man Li meant. Since the drug’s details were top secret, Old Man Li needed to be sure about the source. If it had been leaked through some channel, that would be a major issue.
Hearing Xu Ze’s confident reply, Old Man Li felt relieved. He nodded with a smile, “Good… No problem is good… State Security shouldn’t be an issue either.”
Sure enough, the State Security report was clean. Xu Ze’s personal file was entered into a certain top-secret archive. From now on, anyone trying to investigate Xu Ze would only be able to access his most basic information… Furthermore, any further investigation into Xu Ze would require very high-level authorization.
This actually spared Xu Ze a lot of potential trouble…
Old Man Li’s cough, after more than half a month of treatment, was also very well controlled. He basically hadn’t experienced any significant coughing fits anymore.
However, due to his many years of chronic bronchitis, he still occasionally had very slight coughs.
Xu Ze inserted silver needles into nine acupoints, continuing to channel bioelectric energy, stimulating the points, and further clearing the lung meridian. After such a long period of treatment, a significant pathway had been opened up in Old Man Li’s lung meridian. With smoother lung energy flow, those persistent, non-stop coughing fits naturally ceased.
After the treatment, Xu Ze gently held Old Man Li’s right thumb, channeling bioelectric energy through the ring on his own right index finger into Old Man Li’s Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian for another inspection.
The bioelectric energy traveled from Shaoshang (LU11) and Lieque (LU7), up along the arm, directly into Yunmen (LU2). This time, Xu Ze found his bioelectric energy flowed basically unimpeded. However, between Yunmen (LU2) and Tianfu (LU3), although clear, it still wasn’t perfectly smooth.
The stagnant cold energy in this area, despite over half a month of treatment, had dissipated considerably, but it still clung near the lung meridian. According to Xu Ze’s estimation, if not regularly cleared over the long term, this stagnant energy would inevitably block the lung meridian again. The only solution for now was to perform clearing treatments at regular intervals until Xu Ze advanced to the third level.
If he reached the third level and its powerful bioelectric energy, Xu Ze was confident he could completely disperse this stagnant cold energy. But for now, he could only maintain the current state, preventing the stagnant energy from further blocking the lung meridian.
However, Xu Ze was relatively satisfied for now. Continuing like this, after a few more treatments for Old Man Li before he returned to Xing City, he wouldn’t be too worried. In the future, once a week would be enough to maintain the current condition.
After checking the lung meridian, under Old Man Li’s hopeful gaze, Xu Ze smiled and said, “Grandpa Li, the situation is very good now. The stagnant cold energy is clearly under control. After a few more days of treatment like this, we can reduce it to once a week…”
“Oh? Once a week? Will once a week be enough to control it?” A flash of joy appeared in Old Man Li’s eyes as he looked at Xu Ze.
Xu Ze nodded, smiling, “Once a week will be enough to control it. With my current ability, this is the best I can do. Maybe next year… probably before the second half of next year, I’ll have a way to completely cure you.”
“Good, good, good! That’s truly wonderful!” Old Man Li slapped the table excitedly, “Finally, I can get rid of this problem that little devil left me with!”
After saying that, Old Man Li looked at Xu Ze with a smile, “Xiao Ze… helping your Grandpa Li solve such a big problem, I really must thank you properly. Go on, tell me… what would you like? Grandpa Li will give it to you.”
“Grandpa Li… This is what I should do. There’s no need for thanks… You’re being too polite!” Seeing Old Man Li’s serious expression, Xu Ze chuckled, “Besides, it’s not completely cured yet…”
Hearing this, Old Man Li laughed, “Isn’t it just a matter of time? Xiao Ze… Don’t stand on ceremony with Grandpa Li. If you want something, just say it. Grandpa Li rarely makes an offer like this, you know…”
Seeing Old Man Li’s insistence, Xu Ze swallowed. He knew the weight of Old Man Li’s words. As long as he asked, unless it was something like stars from the sky or the moon from the water, he could probably get it…
But he wouldn’t just ask for something casually and waste such a good opportunity. Old Man Li’s promise was better saved for later. At the very least, him owing a favor would definitely come in handy someday.
So, Xu Ze smiled and said, “Grandpa Li, there’s really no hurry. Right now, besides your acupuncture treatment, we need to start some other treatments too.”
“Other treatments?” Old Man Li raised his eyebrows, puzzled, “Hasn’t it gotten much better already? Why add other treatments?”
Xu Ze explained, “Grandpa Li, although the blockage in your lung meridian from the stagnant cold has been cleared significantly, your chronic bronchitis is still there… We should probably start some anti-infection treatment as well. That way, your lungs can gradually get better and better…”
“Oh… I see. Alright then, you take a look…” Regarding his health, Old Man Li didn’t dare be negligent. He quickly smiled and said, “Let’s get it sorted out properly now, to avoid trouble later.”
“Okay then…” Xu Ze smiled, then turned to Dr. Jiang, who was standing nearby, “Dr. Jiang, could I borrow a stethoscope, please?”
Hearing Xu Ze’s request, Dr. Jiang quickly fetched a stethoscope and handed it over with both hands. He now held Xu Ze in high regard. When he first met Xu Ze, he had been quite dismissive of such a young doctor. But after Xu Ze treated Old Man Li for just a few days, and Old Man Li’s coughing fits stopped occurring, he couldn’t help but feel deep respect.
After all, Old Man Li had suffered from this illness for over ten years. All sorts of specialists had seen him without curing him. Yet Xu Ze, in just a few days, using only a silver needle, had completely controlled Old Man Li’s condition. To him, it was truly miraculous.
After thanking Dr. Jiang, Xu Ze took the stethoscope and carefully listened to Old Man Li’s lungs. Old Man Li had had this lung problem for a very long time. Clearly, the breath sounds in both lungs were somewhat diminished, and there were some slight rales, indicating not only chronic bronchitis but probably some emphysema as well…
After listening carefully for a few minutes, Xu Ze smiled and said, “Grandpa Li, let’s go with an IV drip. We’ll use some antibiotics and medication to improve lung function. After a few days of treatment, it should be mostly fine…”
“An IV? Another IV?” Old Man Li frowned, reluctant at the idea. “I haven’t had an IV for years…”
Seeing Old Man Li’s unwilling expression, his white eyebrows furrowed, Xu Ze laughed, “Grandpa Li, the effects of traditional medicine and acupuncture aren’t as quick as an IV drip for this… Using antibiotics directly via IV will control the infection in your lungs faster, which is good for your lungs.”
Hearing this, and seeing Dr. Jiang and the others nodding in agreement nearby, Old Man Li had no choice but to nod reluctantly, “Alright, alright… I’ll listen to the doctor… We’ll do whatever Doctor Xiao Ze says… Haha…”
Seeing Old Man Li agree, Xu Ze smiled and nodded. He then turned to Dr. Jiang, “Dr. Jiang, you’re most familiar with Grandpa Li’s medical history… Could you brief me on his previous medication usage?”
“Of course, Doctor Xu… I’ll report on the Chairman’s medication history.” Hearing Xu Ze’s question, Dr. Jiang immediately stood straight, responding as formally as if receiving an order from a superior, nearly saluting.
Dr. Jiang was an old military doctor who had been with Old Man Li for a long time, so when it came to official matters, he was extremely serious.
“When the Chairman first fell ill over ten years ago, our military hospital initially treated it as chronic bronchitis. At that time, we used first-generation Cefazolin sodium, combined with Oxacillin and Erythromycin for anti-infection treatment…”
“The treatment effect wasn’t good back then. Later, we switched to Ceftazidime and Kitasamycin… After a period of treatment, there was some effect, but soon after stopping the medication, the Chairman’s condition returned to its original state…”
“At that time, the doctors at our military hospital held consultations, and later also invited professors from several hospitals in Beijing for joint consultations. Through bacterial culture and drug sensitivity tests, we selected Azithromycin and Cefoperazone sodium for treatment, but the effect was still not ideal…”
“Finally, after exhausting all options, we resorted to central cough suppressants… For the past six or seven years, he hasn’t used many medications.”
Listening to Dr. Jiang’s report on the medication history, Xu Ze nodded and asked, “So, no potent antibiotics have been used in the last several years?”
“Doctor Xu… The Chairman hasn’t used any significant antibiotics since he even stopped taking cough suppressants!” Dr. Jiang stated with certainty.
“That’s good…” Xu Ze smiled, nodding with satisfaction. “As long as no strong antibiotics have been used recently, we should be able to control the infection by selecting some reasonably effective antibiotics now.”
“Theoretically, that should be the case…” Dr. Jiang still felt apprehensive, recalling the extensive medication discussions from years past. So, he was still somewhat uncertain about Xu Ze’s assertion. Even though the Chairman wasn’t coughing much now, could ordinary antibiotics really handle it?
Seeing Dr. Jiang’s hesitation, Xu Ze smiled slightly and said, “It’s alright. Let’s choose Cefoperazone Sulbactam combined with Azithromycin…”
“The Chairman hasn’t used antibiotics for many years, and the medications used back then weren’t particularly advanced by today’s standards. It should be controllable.”
“Just these two?” Hearing Xu Ze’s choice, Dr. Jiang hesitated. Back then, they had tried many drugs without success. These two were basically the same as before. Would it work?
Xu Ze nodded confidently and smiled, “Cefoperazone Sulbactam is better than Cefoperazone sodium alone. Combined with Azithromycin, it should be sufficient…”
