Everything was ready, and even the proverbial east wind was no longer lacking. After the “resurrection” incident, without any carefully planned publicity, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) had already sparked a wave of discussion across London.
Add to that the formidable medical skills of the TCM delegation—each member a renowned expert from millennia-old schools or distinguished medical families—and the three-day free clinic held at the Royal College of Medicine of Great Britain was naturally a resounding success.
The arrival of Chinese medicine more than doubled the usual foot traffic at the Royal College. From early morning until late afternoon, the dozen or so members of the TCM delegation barely had a moment’s rest.
Whether it was Tui Na (Chinese therapeutic massage), acupuncture, or cupping therapy, every technique offered the Westerners a completely new experience. They might have heard about these practices online before and had a vague understanding, but experiencing them firsthand was truly a first.
Previously, they had considered these methods to be witchcraft—unscientific and potentially harmful to the body. But after witnessing Jiang Fei and Cui Xiuping work together to revive a patient who had been clinically dead for half an hour, they became firm believers, no longer afraid in the slightest.
Especially when, after treatment, the hidden ailments in their bodies showed significant improvement, they couldn’t help but exclaim in amazement, saying that in the future, they would definitely seek out TCM practitioners more often.
They also noticed one thing: TCM and Western medicine are fundamentally different.
Generally speaking, Western doctors retire at a certain age and no longer see patients. But they observed that two of the doctors in the TCM delegation had surpassed the historical age limit and could already be considered elderly.
Yet both were full of energy and possessed remarkable medical expertise.
From this, it was clear that TCM truly places greater emphasis on nurturing health and is a more holistic form of medicine.
This is not to say that TCM surpasses Western medicine, but at least in certain aspects, Western medicine cannot compare. This medical tradition, passed down for thousands of years, seems just like ancient China itself—possessing unique and mystical charm.
Watching TCM flourish and thrive, there were naturally those who were deeply dissatisfied behind the scenes, itching to expel the delegation—people like Dean Clayderman, for instance.
But they could only look on helplessly, harboring their thoughts in vain, with no practical means to stop TCM’s progress.
Not to mention that the TCM delegation had Prince Charles’s personal protection, ensuring no one could play any tricks. Even without the Prince, after a series of remarkable demonstrations, TCM had already won public support, making it no easy task to smear its reputation.
Three days later, the free clinic came to a successful close.
Although the delegation’s renowned doctors had been busy and somewhat fatigued during those days—having not worked so hard in a long time—their spirits were high, and they left London with smiles on their faces.
They were overjoyed!
For thousands of years, TCM had been passed down through generations, yet it had not been able to compete with Western medicine, which had only developed over the past century or so. Worse still, its situation grew increasingly dire, leaving little room for survival, nearly suffocating under the pressure.
Now, at last, there was an opportunity for TCM to go global, to shine brightly in Western countries, and to successfully win over the masses, earning their trust and reliance. This was nothing short of a monumental achievement.
For the long-term development of TCM, it was almost as significant as a “resurrection” and deserved to be recorded in history.
And to be able to participate in such a great endeavor and contribute their own strength—even if it meant hardship and exhaustion—what did it matter?
Three days was nothing!
Even if it meant striving for three months, three years, or even thirty years, there would undoubtedly be many TCM practitioners with noble medical ethics and deep devotion who would willingly do so.
Thus, the members of the TCM delegation—including the over-sixty-year-old Grandmother Sun from the Fire God School—asked Jiang Fei, as they left London, if they could stay longer and be given more tasks. Their old bones could still handle the strain; they weren’t afraid of hard work!
But Jiang Fei refused, insisting that most of the delegation return to China, leaving only him and Cui Xiuping behind for now.
Having the TCM delegation give lectures at the Royal College of Medicine and then conduct a free clinic at the Royal Hospital to boost its popularity was already the maximum effort Prince Charles could make, and many were secretly displeased.
Though Prince Charles never said anything to Jiang Fei, Jiang Fei knew that the Prince had put in tremendous effort and endured pressure from various quarters to support TCM.
If the TCM delegation refused to leave after three days and continued to stay at the hospital, what would the Royal Hospital do?
They certainly wouldn’t agree!
After all, they couldn’t just let the delegation treat the Royal Hospital as their backyard, coming and going as they pleased, using their platform for free advertising, right?
The three-day free clinic had already left a good impression and built a solid reputation in the minds of many Londoners. That was enough.
Reputation and impressions form a virtuous cycle—they ferment over time, growing larger and better. Eventually, with London as the center, they would spread outward in all directions.
What came next depended on Jiang Fei, Cui Xiuping, and the TCM Association to devise new strategies to solidify this victory and plan for further expansion.
For that, Jiang Fei and Cui Xiuping had to discuss and decide together.
The first step was still to seek help from Dean Capon of the Royal College of Medicine.
After the free clinic ended, rather than waiting for Dean Capon to visit them, Jiang Fei and Cui Xiuping went to see him themselves. Their goal was to have the TCM Association take the lead in establishing a dedicated TCM program at the Royal College!
What was the most crucial factor for TCM to gain a foothold in the West?
Roots, of course!
And what was most important for roots?
Doctors!
TCM practitioners are the very foundation for TCM to thrive and expand abroad.
But to establish a foothold in the West, the TCM doctors needed weren’t just Chinese practitioners. If only Chinese TCM doctors traveled thousands of miles to London, it would have some effect, but it would be limited and wouldn’t fundamentally solve the problem.
To address the root issue, they needed to establish a TCM program at the University of London—and perhaps even a dedicated TCM university in the future!
This university wouldn’t just recruit Chinese students but would welcome all Western students who wanted to study medicine. That way, many Westerners would become TCM practitioners, truly integrating TCM into the Western world.
This principle is akin to what Emperor Qin Shi Huang did after unifying the six states—standardizing writing, vehicles, and track widths to eliminate differences and achieve complete integration.
Dean Capon wasn’t a profit-driven person; he was essentially a pure doctor or a teacher at heart. He held no parochial prejudices and didn’t see TCM’s introduction to the West as a threat to his interests. As long as TCM was genuinely beneficial and scientifically sound, he wouldn’t reject it.
Moreover, he had already considered establishing a TCM program at the Royal College. So when Jiang Fei and Cui Xiuping personally approached him with the proposal, he agreed without much hesitation or deliberation.
Of course, while Dean Capon didn’t worry about his own interests, he wasn’t entirely without concerns.
He clearly understood that TCM had its unique wonders and strengths, but it could never replace Western medicine or shake its foundation—which was why he agreed so readily. If TCM could supplant Western medicine, he might not have been so accommodating.
Dean Capon’s straightforward agreement pleasantly surprised Jiang Fei and Cui Xiuping. After expressing their gratitude, they began considering which TCM Association doctors would be suitable to serve as teachers in London.
This wasn’t particularly difficult either. Among the TCM Association’s renowned physicians, many were already professors at key medical universities across China. For instance, Yu Qingsong, a professor at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine—who had crossed paths with Jiang Fei early on and even had some friction with him—was still teaching a couple of courses and supervising graduate students.
So finding qualified teachers wasn’t a problem.
The trickier part was figuring out which doctors were willing to leave their homeland and work in London. Relocating abroad in their later years to a completely unfamiliar environment was no simple decision for anyone.
Ideally, the teaching doctors would also have good English skills to avoid language barriers in the classroom.
TCM is a highly specialized field.
Many doctors have their own set of professional jargon, and if someone else translates it—no matter how fluent they are—the meaning often gets lost or distorted.
Fortunately, this wasn’t urgent. Establishing a TCM program at the Royal College would take time, so they could search gradually.
After setting up the TCM program at the university, the next step was to open TCM clinics.
This was equally essential for TCM to gain a solid foothold in the West.
Jiang Fei, Lin Moli, and Cui Xiuping had already discussed the clinic plans. Since Jiang’s Medical Clinic was already moving in this direction, with Jiang’s Pharmaceutical Company supporting its development, it was clearly the most suitable choice.
Though there were many strong TCM hospitals in China, none had successfully expanded overseas.
However, the initial plan Jiang Fei and Lin Moli had discussed—to open just one clinic—needed adjustment. The new plan was to open at least three clinics in the first phase!
As for the shortage of doctors, they could select outstanding younger disciples from the three millennium-old schools and various TCM families, ensuring an ample supply.
Jiang Fei and Lin Moli also took the initiative to make concessions: for the overseas Jiang’s Medical Clinics, the TCM Association would participate in their establishment, and Jiang Fei and Lin Moli would no longer hold full equity. They would allocate 30% of the shares to the TCM Association.
With that, everything fell into place.
All plans were now on track and being implemented. Jiang Fei and his companions left London and returned to China. Barring unexpected events, TCM would continue to improve, gradually increasing its global influence.
As for Jiang Fei, he could finally consider stepping down from his heavy responsibility as President of the TCM Association.
Just thinking about it brought an almost constant smile to his face.
By nature, he was lazy and preferred leisure to busyness. His appointment as TCM Association President had been entirely unexpected, thrust upon him by circumstances beyond his control.
Now that he could finally shed that burden, Jiang Fei was overjoyed. In the future, he would only need to occasionally care about TCM’s development and step in when necessary—but as for meetings and decision-making, none of it would concern him anymore.
“You’re happy, aren’t you? Now that TCM is on the right track, you can resign as President.”
On the flight back to China, Lin Moli asked with a knowing smile, as if she could read his mind.
“Of course I’m happy,” Jiang Fei admitted without any embarrassment. He reached forward and patted Cui Xiuping on the shoulder, grinning. “Xiuping, from now on, the monumental and noble task of promoting TCM and managing the Association falls to you. You’ve been my assistant for so long—you probably know the President’s job better than I do. This position is tailor-made for you!”
Cui Xiuping didn’t object. He just glanced back at Jiang Fei.
Not because he was eager to be President or valued the position highly. He simply knew that even if he opposed it, it wouldn’t make a difference.
Jiang Fei wouldn’t change his mind just because he objected.
So all he could do was offer a wry smile.
This President really was unreliable!
“You won’t have much to do from now on, will you?” Lin Moli tilted her head, her bright eyes fixed on him.
Jiang Fei stretched lazily, clasping his hands behind his head as he glanced at a pretty flight attendant passing by in her uniform. “That’s right. Finally, I can go back to Dao Village, raise my eagles, walk my dogs, and enjoy a leisurely life! What a peaceful life…”
Lin Moli teased, “Since you find it too peaceful, why not come back and take over Jiang’s Pharmaceutical Company… and Jiang’s Medical Clinic too? Whether it’s me or Bai Ruoxi, I’m sure we’d both be happy to hand over the reins to you.”
Jiang Fei quickly waved his hands, shaking his head. “No way! Don’t even think about it. If I came back to take over, it’d look like I don’t trust you or that I’m second-guessing everything. To show off my magnanimity as a man, I’d better just let go and trust you both!”
