stjorthotic Chapter 1294 Chen Yang's Transformation (Part 2)
Chapter 1294 Chen Yang's Transformation (Part 2)
“When faced with a feverish patient, modern medicine sees white blood cells, viral load, and inflammatory factors; traditional Chinese medicine sees the battleground between ‘righteous qi’ and ‘pathogenic qi’ (exterior, interior, and half-exterior/half-interior), and the stagnation or reversal of ‘qi’.”
"Are these two contradictory? No, they are complementary perspectives. Just like to see a mountain clearly, you need both geological analysis (microscopic) and observation of the mountain's terrain and weather (macroscopic)."
Chen Yang's analogy was both simple and ingenious, prompting many students to nod slightly and show expressions of sudden understanding.
"Secondly, its 'use' lies in dealing with complexity and uncertainty."
Chen Yang continued to elaborate, his thinking clear: "Many chronic diseases, functional diseases, and psychosomatic diseases have complex causes and unclear targets, which often leave modern medicine struggling to cope."
"The flexibility of TCM's 'syndrome differentiation and treatment' is precisely what makes it adept at finding order in such chaos, improving symptoms and quality of life by adjusting the body's internal environment (qi, blood, yin and yang, and the relationship between the internal organs), and even creating opportunities for the body to repair itself."
Chen Yang glanced around: "This is not to deny modern medicine, but to clarify our irreplaceable piece in the medical puzzle."
In the audience, Chu Yiyun sat with Wen Xiuping and Song Luojun, while Xiao Jingyun and An Yunfan sat not far away.
As Chen Yang delved deeper into his explanation, Chu Yiyun leaned forward slightly and whispered to Wen Xiuping beside him, "It's been a while since we last met, and Xiao Chen has improved even more. This is no longer just about medical skills; it's about understanding the very essence of traditional Chinese medicine. His understanding of traditional Chinese medicine is deeper and more thorough."
"Yes."
Song Luojun nodded slowly and continued, "Most people who study traditional Chinese medicine know a little about its history, but very few can truly grasp its essence and extract its underlying principles. What Xiao Chen said has already transcended the level of 'technique' and reached the realm of 'principle.' It's rare, truly rare."
Song Luojun's tone was filled with undisguised admiration.
Xiao Jingyun also turned to An Yunfan and whispered with emotion: "To be able to elevate from 'medicine' to 'Tao' shows that Xiao Chen's understanding of traditional Chinese medicine has truly reached a different level. What he pointed out is precisely the 'backbone' that is most lacking in current TCM education."
An Yunfan watched Chen Yang intently on the stage and nodded in agreement: "He showed these children that what they are learning is not just a skill, but a complete world with roots and soul."
Yes, as his medical skills continue to improve and his understanding of the essence of traditional Chinese medicine deepens, Chen Yang's vision and perspective are also constantly broadening.
If it were half a month ago, he might not have been able to explain this principle so systematically, but today, it came naturally.
"Finally, and most importantly,"
Chen Yang's voice became deep and powerful, as if carrying a thousand pounds of weight: "Its 'use' lies in reminding us of the essence of medicine."
"Medicine is not only a science, but also a study of humanity. The concepts of 'harmony between man and nature,' 'unity of body and mind,' and 'prevention of disease' contained in traditional Chinese medicine constantly remind us that we cannot only see the 'disease' but also the 'human being,' we cannot only focus on 'treatment' but also neglect 'prevention,' and we cannot sever the connection between man and nature and society."
"In today's world of rapid technological advancement, where we sometimes 'see things but not people,' this is a precious humanistic calibration that is relevant to the original intention of medicine."
After he finished speaking, the auditorium fell silent; you could hear a pin drop. The only sounds were the scratching of pens on paper and the clear, excited beating of young hearts.
Chen Yang didn't mention a specific case, but it was as if he had opened a giant window for them to gaze at the vast starry sky of traditional Chinese medicine.
What they experienced was no longer dry and isolated fragments of theory, but a flowing, vibrant river of wisdom.
And they themselves are standing on the banks of this river, about to become the new trendsetters. An unprecedented sense of belonging and mission is quietly rising in the hearts of many.
"Having understood 'my way' and 'what is its use',"
Chen Yang concluded by speaking in a calm yet powerful tone: “Only then can we better consider the third question—'Where to go?' This is a question that our generation, especially those of you here today, must answer and put into practice over the next few decades.”
"How can we uphold our core values while simultaneously pursuing open innovation? How can we breathe new life into ancient wisdom within a modern context? This requires our collective wisdom, courage, and commitment."
After speaking, Chen Yang turned around again, erased some of the writing, and wrote down the next topic:
"Upholding Tradition and Innovation: The Tension and Vitality of Traditional Chinese Medicine"
The new title suggests that the discussion will move to a deeper level.
"We just talked about 'Tao' and 'Application'. Now let's talk about the most core pair of relationships in the development of traditional Chinese medicine."
Chen Yang stated clearly at the outset: "Many people believe that 'upholding the orthodox' means adhering to the classics and not changing a single word; while 'innovation' means abandoning tradition and starting from scratch. This is a misunderstanding and a separation."
Chen Yang shook his head slightly, rejecting this simplistic either-or view.
As he spoke, Chen Yang turned around and drew a clear and beautiful spiraling figure on the blackboard with chalk.
"The true inheritance and development of traditional Chinese medicine is more like this 'spiral.' 'Correctness' is the unchanging core axis..."
Chen Yang pointed to the central axis of the figure.
"...what we just talked about are unique ways of thinking, dialectical logic, and humanistic spirit."
“And ‘innovation’ is a new loop that is explored, extended and formed outward around this axis in the specific context of each era.” His finger slid along the spiral line. “The axis ensures that we do not stray from our roots, and the extension of the spiral gives our era vitality.”
The metaphor was so vivid and profound that many students immediately began to draw the spiral in their notebooks.
Chen Yang gave an example: "When Mr. Wu Jutong wrote 'Treatise on Febrile Diseases,' he established the Three Jiao Differentiation and used many prescriptions that did not exist in Zhang Zhongjing's time. Isn't that 'innovation'?"
As he spoke, Chen Yang looked down at the audience and, without waiting for a response, continued, “It is a tremendous innovation! But the foundation of his innovation comes entirely from the pathogenesis theory of the *Neijing* and Zhang Zhongjing’s diagnostic framework. He used the language and medicines of the new era to solve the problem of the prevalence of febrile diseases in the new era. This is a perfect example of ‘upholding the orthodox and innovating’.”
Upon hearing this, many students in the audience had an enlightened look in their eyes, realizing that innovation does not come from nowhere.
Then, Chen Yang shifted the topic to the present, his tone becoming more pragmatic: "So, in our time, where is the space for 'innovation' in traditional Chinese medicine?"
"First, there is the need for more refined and standardized diagnostic and treatment techniques."
"Our predecessors were limited by conditions; pulse diagnosis relied on the feel of the fingers, and the dosage of medicine was based on rough estimates. We can use modern technology to study pulse imaging instruments to make pulse diagnosis information more objective, and study drug chemistry and pharmacokinetics to make prescriptions more precise and safe. This is not Westernization; it is to elevate the 'craftsmanship' of traditional Chinese medicine to 'precision science,' and it is an innovation in technological tools."
Some students who were interested in modern technology became visibly excited, feeling that they had found a point of convergence.
It's clear that Chen Yang's topic is too sensitive.