Chapter 340: Ready Whenever You Are

Chapter 340: Chapter 340: Ready Whenever You Are

In all his years of practicing medicine, Xin Ziqi had never been so embarrassed.

But after a moment of internal struggle, a physician’s thirst for knowledge ultimately won out.

"The symptoms of kidney deficiency aren’t limited to the two you mentioned. There’s also graying hair, hair loss, dizziness, blurred vision, a sensation of heat in the palms, soles, and chest, insomnia, vivid dreams, night sweats, and forgetfulness.

"These symptoms don’t just appear in men. Women, the elderly, and even children can experience them.

"So, is this medicine equally suitable for them?"

"Of course. Regardless of gender or age, as long as their condition falls under the category of kidney yin deficiency, the Six Flavors Rehmannia Pill can be used for treatment."

In fact, in modern times, the Six Flavors Rehmannia Pill was already a maintenance medication for many chronic diseases, such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes. Men and women alike could take it whenever they had symptoms of yin deficiency. This included children with developmental delays or adults suffering from mental overexertion.

The Miscellaneous Medical Works of Ming once stated: "Yin-nourishing medicine is indispensable from youth to old age."

As the progenitor of yin-nourishing and kidney-tonifying formulas, the Six Flavors Rehmannia Pill was a household name in modern times. One could only imagine how large its market could be.

"And as you can see, there are a total of six ingredients. Prepared rehmannia root, cornelian cherry, and Chinese yam—these three are tonifying. Poria, water plantain, and peony root bark—these three are draining. Three tonifying and three draining. The medicinal properties are quite balanced and mild."

’The reason it’s so mild is that this medicine was originally developed for infants and young children,’ Ji Huan thought, but she didn’t intend to elaborate on its background.

"Any other questions? If not, let’s move on to the next one."

Xin Ziqi shook his head, finally letting out a sigh of relief.

Of the two remaining formulas, one was "Yi Nian Jin," used to treat chest and abdominal bloating in children caused by internal heat and stagnation.

It had the effects of purging heat from the interior, replenishing qi and generating fluids, promoting digestion to resolve stagnation, and expelling phlegm to unblock the bowels. It could sweep away a child’s internal heat and stagnation, allowing the spleen, stomach, lungs, and other organs to function smoothly, and could completely resolve symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and excessive phlegm.

The last formula was an excellent heat-clearing remedy, the "Silver Qiao Detoxification Pill."

It was primarily used for wind-heat type common colds, characterized by symptoms such as fever, headache, dry mouth, cough, and sore throat.

Its ingredients were forsythia, honeysuckle, mint, schizonepeta, fermented soybean, burdock fruit, platycodon root, lophatherum stem and leaves, and raw licorice.

As the saying went, "Though one may lack a lover in a golden house, at least one has the Silver Qiao Detoxification Pill." In later generations, the Silver Qiao Detoxification Pill was an essential, commonly used patent medicine in every household. It was likely the first thing many people thought of when they caught a cold.

Its original name was actually Silver Qiao Powder, a classic formula created by the Qing dynasty physician Wu Jutong.

It was originally used to treat plagues caused by febrile diseases, so its medicinal properties were cooling in nature. This made it suitable for wind-heat colds. It was not suitable for colds caused by exposure to cold.

That’s right, colds were also divided into wind-cold and wind-heat types. The former was caused by cold, the latter by heat.

If the heat-clearing Silver Qiao Detoxification Pill was mistakenly used for a wind-cold type cold, not only would it be ineffective, but it would actually make the cold worse.

However, at present, many physicians didn’t make a clear distinction between the two, often treating febrile diseases with methods meant for cold damage disorders. This erroneous approach naturally just added fuel to the fire.

Therefore, before administering the Silver Qiao Detoxification Pill, one must clearly determine whether the patient’s cold is of the wind-cold or wind-heat type.

It also had a secondary use: treating hand, foot, and mouth disease in children caused by wind, heat, and dampness pathogens.

As for how to distinguish between wind-cold and wind-heat, and what hand, foot, and mouth disease was, Ji Huan inevitably had to spend a great deal of time explaining.

Xin Ziqi’s specialty was in bones and sinews. Although he was knowledgeable in other areas, he was not yet an expert. Thus, he took notes with exceptional care as Ji Huan explained.

When he had finally processed everything, he remained silent for a long time.

’What an absolute pity,’ he thought, ’that I’ll never have the chance to meet Ji Huan’s master.’

’At the same time, how incredibly fortunate I am to have met Ji Huan herself.’

These four formulas—each one clearly listed the medicine’s ingredients, ratios, preparation methods, typical symptoms for its use, precautions, and contraindications.

Their value was simply incalculable.

Even if they weren’t as shocking as the anesthetic, they were still enough to make anyone green with envy.

He pondered for a long time before speaking deliberately.

"I can accept these four formulas, but the profit-sharing ratio for the pharmacy workshop must be changed. Hear me out first. The Equipment Workshop will remain as we agreed, but for the pharmacy workshop, I will only take a thirty percent share. If you’re unwilling, then I cannot accept these formulas. If you agree, then arrange for someone to come over and manage the pharmacy workshop."

Ji Huan saw the resolve in his expression and knew his mind was made up. After a moment’s hesitation, she didn’t refuse.

Since Xin Ziqi had voluntarily taken a step back, she also made a decision in her heart. In the future, she would only participate in the management and operation of the pharmacy workshop. As for the Equipment Workshop, she wouldn’t be involved in its specific affairs, aside from auditing the accounts.

But as for who to choose...

"I’ll let you know when I find a suitable person."

"I await your word."

Xin Ziqi felt a weight lift from his shoulders. He folded the four formulas neatly and tucked them carefully inside his robe, over his heart.

Ji Huan asked, "Ping’an told me you’re planning to move Yide Hall back to Yeyang?"

"That Ping’an..." Xin Ziqi shook his head with a slight sigh. "Never mind. I do have such plans, but I haven’t made a final decision."

Ji Huan, however, felt that since Jishi Hall’s headquarters were in Yeyang, it was only a matter of time before Xin Ziqi returned there.

Although moving to Yeyang would be more advantageous for expanding the business of the pharmacy and Equipment Workshops, being right under Jishi Hall’s nose meant that the slightest sign of trouble would draw their attention, and they might even be targeted again.

At this, Xin Ziqi didn’t seem worried.

"Did I mention to you before that I’ve made the acquaintance of a benefactor? County Magistrate Pan’s young son accidentally cut his stomach, and I was the one who treated him. Because I used a local anesthetic, he didn’t feel much pain when I stitched him up, so he trusts me a great deal. I’ve been in charge of his recovery during this time as well."

’So that’s how it is.’

With Xin Ziqi now a guest of honor to the County Magistrate, no matter how domineering the Bai Family was, they would have to show some restraint.

However, she seemed to recall that the last time she took Ji Mingfang to Yide Hall, Xin Ziqi had said he’d met a benefactor from the capital. ’Did I remember that wrong?’

’Hmm, I must have misremembered.’

"I’m sure you’ve noticed that these four types of medicine target men, women, children, and the general public, covering almost everyone. While they can’t compare to the value of anesthetics, they are far more versatile and will be used more frequently, which means the profits won’t be small.

"The reason I’m bringing them out now is not only because Yide Hall is moving back to Yeyang, but also because the research, development, and clinical trials for the anesthetic are both time-consuming and expensive. The profits from the hand cream alone aren’t enough to support it, and the production cycle for medical equipment is quite long...

"So, let’s take a more roundabout approach. We can use these four medicines to pave the way, allowing us to accumulate capital and build our reputation without attracting too much attention."

Of course, "not attracting too much attention" was only relative to the anesthetic.

Once these medicines hit the market, their efficacy was proven, and they gained a good reputation, it would be difficult for other medical halls not to take notice.

The paradox was that since they had opened a pharmacy workshop, the more people who knew about their medicines, the better.

But a musk deer is killed for its musk, and a stag for its antlers. Without a powerful backer, all their efforts would be in vain.

Ji Huan had initially been hesitant, thinking she would first have Xin Ziqi produce and test the medicines, and then strategize about the right time to launch them.

After hearing that Xin Ziqi had befriended County Magistrate Pan, she felt more secure.

For an extra layer of insurance, Xin Ziqi made a suggestion—they should let Pan Jiadao secretly invest for a share.

Perhaps their Equipment Workshop and pharmacy workshop weren’t worth much at the moment, but that wouldn’t always be the case. After Ji Huan’s descriptions, he was well aware of how lucrative the pharmaceutical and medical equipment industries could be.

But there was a downside. What if, one day, Pan Jiadao’s appetite grew, and he was no longer satisfied with a ten percent profit share...

Ji Huan had clearly thought of this as well.

That was the difficult part.

’Unless you plan to stay in the countryside for your entire life, if you want a piece of the pie and want to achieve something, you have to dance with wolves.’

Xin Ziqi added, "Let’s not worry needlessly for now. I don’t think County Magistrate Pan is that kind of person. Next time I visit the Pan Mansion, I’ll find an opportunity to sound him out."

Ji Huan nodded. That was a good idea.

"Oh, right. About that wheelchair, it can actually be improved a bit more..."

Ji Huan offered some suggestions regarding the wheelchair’s seat width, backrest height, armrest height, and other accessories. For example, installing arm supports on the armrests or an attachable table to make it easier for patients to eat, catering to the needs of special patients.

"Also, comfort is paramount. Sitting in a wheelchair for long periods can cause discomfort, so we could add cotton cushions. However, that would be another investment, and our funds are limited right now. We can put that off for later. Alternatively, we could offer it as a bonus for bulk purchasers. If they buy a certain number of wheelchairs at once, we’ll throw in the cotton cushions for free."

Having said all that needed to be said, she remembered her promise to treat Guan Shan’s injury. Ji Huan paused slightly and said, "There’s also a personal matter I’d like to ask of you..."

Xin Ziqi noted everything down, asked a few more questions, and then took his leave.

Ji Huan watched the carriage disappear into the distance and stretched. ’This day is finally over.’