As soon as Cao Binghe entered, he quickly apologized, "I’m sorry, Doctor Du. All of the Teacher’s traditional Chinese medicine medical records are at our Department. I’m not familiar with the on-duty doctor here, and I was uncomfortable using his computer. That’s why it took so long."

Du Heng shook his head, unconcerned, "It’s fine. It gave me some time to think."

With that, Du Heng looked towards the blue folder in Cao Binghe’s hand. "Is this what I wanted?"

Cao Binghe quickly handed the folder to Du Heng. "Yes, these are the documents. They contain detailed diagnoses and medication records."

"Hmm, I’ll take a look first," Du Heng replied perfunctorily, then lowered his head to examine the provided materials.

Just as he suspected, all the diagnoses in the folder were much the same; or rather, everyone just phrased their conclusions differently. The main difference lay in the medication. There were many variations, but these weren’t errors in direction, merely differences in emphasis.

Some medications focused on strengthening the body’s defenses, intending first to address the problem of a weak spleen and kidneys.

Some medications were mainly to tonify qi, aiming to clear the triple burner and restore the ascending and descending functions of the Triple Burner Qi Mechanism.

Another therapeutic approach involved using medication to break stagnation and promote downward drainage, directly tackling the problem of intestinal torsion.

These approaches were different, so naturally, the methods of medication also differed. There was nothing wrong with this; it was quite normal.

Many TCM Masters, due to their differing medical philosophies, had developed different points of emphasis, gradually forming numerous schools. Some said there were Four Schools; others claimed Seven Schools, Eight Schools, or even Twelve Schools. However, the commonly accepted classification recognized eight major schools: the School of Cold Injury, the School of Cold and Coolness, the Yishui School, the School of Expelling Evil, the School of Earth Tonification, the School of Nourishing Yin, the School of Warm Tonification, and the School of Febrile Disease.

Du Heng’s current philosophy and techniques leaned heavily towards the School of Febrile Disease. His syndrome differentiation focused on Yin and Yang, and he preferred using large amounts of aconite, dried ginger, cinnamon, ephedra, and other medicines restricted by the Pharmacopoeia. But he wasn’t entirely of the School of Febrile Disease; he also incorporated aspects from the Cold Injury, Expelling Evil, and Earth Tonification schools.

Another classification divided traditional Chinese medicine into just two major schools: the classical remedies school and the contemporary methods school. The primary distinction was that the classical remedies school centered on syndrome differentiation through the six channels and primarily used Prescriptions for cold damage. The contemporary methods school, on the other hand, focused on syndrome differentiation of the Zang-Fu organs and the flexible use of medications and prescription combinations. The classical remedies school emphasized the six channels, while the contemporary school valued the Zang-Fu organs. One prioritized using Prescriptions, the other, prescribing specific medications. Medication from the classical school was swift and potent. When faced with emergencies, if the medication was appropriate, the effects were immediate, yielding rapid results. The contemporary school’s approach to medication tended to be more gentle, primarily aiming for safety.

Currently, most practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine belong to the contemporary school, which is why the public holds the stereotype that traditional Chinese medicine is slow to take effect. However, these are merely classifications based on differing philosophies, eras, and understandings, and have no bearing on right or wrong. Given the numerous classifications in traditional Chinese medicine, treatment approaches would naturally vary in emphasis, so differences in medication are understandable. But the current problem is that regardless of the approach, none have shown any effect at all. This has become the biggest issue.

Seeing Du Heng remain silent and thoughtful for a long time, his brow furrowed, the group felt a growing sense of unease. "Doctor Du, have you figured out a solution?"

Du Heng took a shallow breath, and just as he was about to speak, he caught sight of a few figures appearing at the entrance out of the corner of his eye and paused.