Chapter 348: Chapter 348: Punishable Malice

When Li Yang and Lin Xiaoyu arrived at Li’s Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic, the waiting room was filled with patients, all waiting in an orderly fashion.

Li Xu, dressed in a simple white coat, was in his consultation room, taking a patient’s pulse and making inquiries with a focused expression.

They waited for a while.

After Li Xu finished with one patient, he took a short break.

Lin Xiaoyu went up to greet Li Xu and introduced Li Yang to him.

"Dr. Li, this is Reporter Li Yang from the news agency. Reporter Li, this is Dr. Li Xu."

Li Xu stood up, smiled, and extended his hand to Li Yang. "Reporter Li, a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you."

Li Yang quickly shook Li Xu’s hand and said excitedly, "Dr. Li, the pleasure is all mine! I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. Your paper in *The Lancet* is a true honor for Dragon Country’s medical community." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

After some pleasantries, Li Xu invited them to rest in the back courtyard.

He saw a few more patients before starting the interview.

"Dr. Li, your recent paper in *The Lancet* has caused a huge stir. Everyone is curious—how were the Lianhua Suanzaoren Granules developed? And what exactly are their effects?"

Li Yang turned on her voice recorder and eagerly asked her first question.

Li Xu lifted his teacup, moistened his throat, and began to speak. "The development of the Lianhua Suanzaoren Granules was actually based on a deep understanding of the pathogenesis of H1N1 influenza, combined with an innovative application of traditional Chinese medicine theory. It doesn’t just target the virus directly. It focuses more on regulating the body’s own immune functions and fundamentally improving one’s constitution to achieve recovery from the flu."

He went on to detail the formulation principles of the Lianhua Suanzaoren Granules, explaining the unique properties of each medicinal ingredient and how they work synergistically to produce antiviral, heat-clearing, and detoxifying effects, while also boosting qi and supporting the body’s natural defenses.

He used simple, accessible language to explain the complex pharmacological concepts in a way that was easy to understand.

"As for its efficacy, just as the clinical data in the paper shows, the Lianhua Suanzaoren Granules have demonstrated a significant advantage in shortening the duration of H1N1, as well as reducing fever, coughing, and other symptoms. Moreover, it has an excellent safety profile with virtually no side effects," Li Xu said confidently.

"Then... what are your thoughts on the Lianhua Granules?"

Li Yang seized the opportunity to ask a question of widespread public concern.

Li Xu answered bluntly, "Regarding the Lianhua Granules, they aren’t completely ineffective, but they primarily target wind-heat type common colds. For the current H1N1 influenza, their therapeutic effect is indeed limited. You could even say they’re the wrong tool for the job."

"In TCM pattern differentiation, H1N1 influenza often falls into the category of ’pestilential qi.’ The pathogenic evil is profound, and simply clearing heat and detoxifying is not enough. You also have to support the righteous qi while expelling pathogens, and diffuse the lungs to calm wheezing."

He explained in detail why the Lianhua Granules were not the correct treatment and how the Lianhua Suanzaoren Granules were a better fit for the pathogenesis of this year’s H1N1 outbreak.

"And what do you have to say about the comments from experts like Academician Zhang Lin, who have publicly dismissed all Chinese patent medicines and even disparaged the Lianhua Suanzaoren Granules?"

Li Yang pressed on.

This was undoubtedly the most explosive question of the interview.

Generally, when it came to colleagues, especially seniors in the field, many people would speak euphemistically.

Some would even make a prior arrangement with the reporter to avoid such questions.

But Li Xu was not euphemistic in the slightest. "With Academician Zhang Lin’s level of knowledge, it’s impossible for him not to know that the Lianhua Granules are the wrong medicine for H1N1. To know this and still promote them so aggressively, while using the opportunity to dismiss all Chinese patent medicines and even slander the Lianhua Suanzaoren Granules... his intentions are damnable."

The moment he said this, both Li Yang and Lin Xiaoyu were stunned.

For a junior member of the medical community to sternly condemn a senior, and with such a direct and sharp accusation, was extremely rare in the medical world.

Li Xu’s words would undoubtedly become the most eye-catching highlight of her report.

Li Yang was inwardly ecstatic.

She knew that once these words were published, they would cause a massive uproar, but they would also expose the true faces of certain experts who disregard the facts for personal gain.

’This is what a real journalist should do.’

The interview concluded in a tense and exciting atmosphere.

Li Yang was extremely satisfied. Not only had she landed a massive, exclusive story, but she might also be introducing a true Divine Physician to the entire nation.

However, from holding the same posture for so long, a dull ache spread across her shoulder.

She unconsciously rubbed her shoulder.

"Reporter Li, is your shoulder bothering you?"

Li Xu noticed her small movement.

"Yes, Dr. Li. I’ve probably been working too hard lately. My shoulder is incredibly stiff."

Li Yang gave a wry smile.

She often went to massage parlors to relax, but the results were always lackluster.

"Since you’re already here, why don’t you let me take a look?"

Li Xu suggested with a smile.

Hearing this, Li Yang’s eyes lit up.

’This is a chance to be treated by the Divine Physician himself!’

It was an offer she couldn’t refuse.

’This is also the perfect chance to see if Lin Xiaoyu’s previous report was true.’

"Then I’ll have to trouble you, Dr. Li."

She sat up straight, exposing her shoulder.

Li Xu walked behind Li Yang and gently placed his hands on her shoulders.

His fingers seemed to possess a special kind of magic.

With just a few kneads, Li Yang felt a pleasant, tingling numbness spread from her shoulders, and her once-stiff muscles instantly relaxed considerably.

Then, Li Xu’s technique became even more exquisite.

He kneaded, pressed, pushed, and grasped. Each movement was precise and targeted, reaching the very root of the pain.

Li Yang squinted her eyes in comfort, an irrepressible moan escaping her lips.

"Oh my god... Dr. Li, this feels amazing. It’s so much better than any of those massage parlors. I feel like the pain in my shoulder is already gone." Li Yang was shocked.

She had never experienced such a miraculous massage technique before.

A little over ten minutes later, Li Xu withdrew his hands.

Li Yang moved her shoulder and discovered that the dull ache had actually vanished, replaced by an unprecedented sense of relief.

She felt as if her shoulder had been given a new lease on life, becoming light and nimble.

"Dr. Li, you’re truly a miracle worker."

Li Yang praised him from the heart.

Li Xu smiled humbly, then took out two patches of Musk Bone Strengthening Ointment and handed them to Li Yang. "This is an ointment I prepare myself. The ingredients are rare, so naturally, the price is a bit steep."

"How much?"

"One thousand per patch."

The Musk Bone Strengthening Ointments on the market use artificial musk, but he uses natural musk, which is far more effective.

After understanding this, Li Yang paid without hesitation.

Li Xu offered to treat the two of them to a meal.

Li Yang politely declined. "Thank you for the kind offer, Dr. Li, but with the H1N1 flu running rampant, the sooner this report gets out, the better. I’ll be working overtime tonight, and after my editor-in-chief reviews it, it can be published tomorrow."

"Alright. I’ll treat you both next time there’s an opportunity."

Li Xu saw the two of them off.

「Back at the hotel.」

Li Yang applied one of the ointment patches to her shoulder.

Then she opened her laptop and began organizing the day’s interview.

She worked so diligently that she lost all track of time.

By the time she finished, it was already past ten at night.

She subconsciously moved her shoulder.

Previously, whenever she stopped after working for several hours straight, her shoulder would be incredibly sore.

But now, not only was there no pain, it felt remarkably comfortable.

Even the rest of her body felt significantly more relaxed.

’This ointment really works wonders!’

...