Chapter Ten: The Arrogant Qi Gang
Wednesday morning.
Hong Chen answered a call from the Liu family and arrived at the pharmacy.
“All the paperwork is done. I’ve already had the missing routine medicines restocked. You can reopen at any time,” said Old Master Liu, who had come personally and was seated at a round table, handing transfer documents to Hong Chen. Standing behind him was a middle-aged man, his bodyguard and driver.
“Old Master, thank you for coming in person. Much appreciated,” Hong Chen replied, flipping through the papers briefly and nodding in satisfaction. With offices closed on weekends, it had only taken two working days to finalize everything. The Liu family’s efficiency was impressive.
“It’s only right. If anyone should thank someone, it’s this old man thanking you. My grandson has suffered from congenital heart disease since birth, always frail and sickly. It’s been a constant worry for me, fearing some accident might happen. Now, not only has he recovered, but my heart is at ease as well…” Old Master Liu’s smile was as radiant as chrysanthemums. He glanced at his watch and steered the conversation, “By the way, the old doctor from the other day—his surname is Qi—is a long-time friend of mine. He’ll be coming today to thank you personally. Also, his grandson runs three pharmacies and wants to discuss cooperation with you. What do you think?”
Hong Chen’s eyes flickered. He hadn’t intended to manage the two pharmacies personally but rather merge them into the Hongcheng Group. Acquiring more pharmacies would lay the groundwork for future development. Now, with someone seeking collaboration, it felt like water delivered to a thirsty man.
“I’m open to discussion.”
“I’ll give him a call. He should be here soon.” Old Master Liu took out his phone and made the call.
Five minutes after the call ended, a Passat pulled up outside the pharmacy. Out stepped an elderly man and a young man. The elder was the doctor who had treated the Liu family’s grandson.
“Divine Doctor Hong, your prescription was miraculous. After just three days, not only is my back pain gone, but my legs feel stronger than ever,” the old doctor beamed, his complexion glowing, seeming several years younger than just a few days prior.
“Old Qi, just call me ‘friend.’ I don’t dare claim to be a divine doctor,” Hong Chen replied with a modest smile and greeted them. The old doctor pointed to the young man and introduced him: “This is my grandson. He studied Traditional Chinese Medicine, just like me, and after graduating from the provincial hospital, he opened three pharmacies.”
Old Master Liu interjected at the right moment: “Old Qi used to be the director of the TCM department at the provincial hospital. Now retired, he’s still a specially invited TCM expert at both the provincial hospital and Qing City Hospital. His second son is now the deputy director of TCM at the provincial hospital, and this is his eldest grandson, Qi Gang—a true TCM family.”
“Grandpa Liu, Uncle Guang.” Qi Gang greeted Liu and his companion with a warm smile, but as his gaze shifted to Hong Chen, the smile disappeared, replaced by a cold, indifferent tone: “So you’re the so-called divine doctor who gave my grandfather that folk remedy. You’re indeed young and promising.”
Everyone could sense the hostility in Qi Gang’s voice. The old doctor frowned and scolded, “Qi Gang, mind your attitude. You think that just because your Health Hall has gained some reputation, you can walk around with your nose in the air?”
Qi Gang replied nonchalantly, “Grandpa, you gave one of our pharmacies to him as a thank-you gift. As long as you think the prescription was worth it, I have no objection. But asking my Health Hall to cooperate with his pharmacy, and even expecting me to learn from him, isn’t that taking a joke too far?”
The old doctor’s face hardened. “Hong Chen’s medical skills surpass mine.”
Qi Gang said nothing further, staring at the ceiling with a look that said he didn’t believe a word.
Old Master Liu, seeing this, frowned. “Qi Gang, I know you’re skilled among your peers, but remember, there’s always someone greater out there.”
Qi Gang sighed and shook his head. “Grandpa Liu, I have nothing against him. He offered a folk remedy, and my grandfather did feel some improvement. By rights, I should thank him and have no issue with giving a reward. But my grandfather wants me here to discuss cooperation, which concerns the reputation of Health Hall—and my own.”
“Enough!” the old doctor barked. “Are you saying I’m deaf and blind now?”
Seeing his grandfather angry, Qi Gang became more subdued. After a moment’s contemplation, he nodded reluctantly. “Grandpa, since you insist, I won’t say more. His two pharmacies, plus the one given as a thank-you, can carry the Health Hall brand, but if he wants to consult as a physician, he must pass my test. Otherwise, if something goes wrong, the consequences will be dire.”
At the heart of it, he simply didn’t trust Hong Chen’s medical skills. Hong Chen was too young; when Qi Gang was Hong Chen’s age, he hadn’t even qualified for hands-on practice.
People judge others by their own standards, especially someone like Qi Gang, who is quite proud of his abilities.
Hong Chen finally spoke after a long silence. “I’ve heard of Health Hall, but its reputation doesn’t seem as widespread as Zhongbao Hall.”
Qi Gang’s eyes flashed sharply. “Zhongbao Hall is second to none in the entire south. Its founder was Grandmaster Mo’s senior disciple. The branch in Qing City is overseen by Grandmaster Mo’s disciple’s disciple. I admit, Zhongbao Hall’s fame exceeds Health Hall’s, but my medical skills are not inferior to theirs.”
He praised the other, then compared himself—implying that Qi Gang’s skills were outstanding.
Hong Chen smiled playfully and shook his head. “If you’re on par with Grandmaster Mo’s disciple’s disciple, then your skills aren’t all that impressive.”
“Arrogant!” Qi Gang snapped, earning a stern glare from the old doctor, who then said humbly, “Friend Hong, please don’t mind. My grandson’s perspective is limited.”
Qi Gang retorted, “Grandpa, I started learning medicine from you at eleven. It’s been twenty years. He’s just in his early twenties, at most studied medicine for ten years. You told me yourself—ten years in TCM is only entry-level.”
The old doctor looked embarrassed, for those were indeed his words. If he hadn’t witnessed Hong Chen cure the Liu family’s grandson and personally experienced the prescription, he would have felt the same as Qi Gang, perhaps even more stubbornly.
“If you’re not interested in cooperation, let’s drop it. Honestly, I don’t much care for the Health Hall brand,” Hong Chen said, causing Qi Gang’s expression to darken as he pressed, “Health Hall has been open for four years, and I’ve personally cured six hundred seventy-one people. Its reputation is well earned. If you look down on it, I’d like to see just how skilled you really are.”
Hong Chen waved dismissively. “No need. I’m not that free.”
“Hmph, are you unwilling, or unable?”
“Provocation doesn’t work on me.”
“Then let’s make a wager. If you beat me, I’ll become your disciple and give you another pharmacy. If you lose, you return the thank-you gift, and your two pharmacies become mine. What do you say?”
“No deal. You want to be my disciple, but I never agreed to accept you. You’re betting one pharmacy against my three. Is that fair?”
“You… fine, I’ll wager two pharmacies against your two. Do you dare accept?”
“Old Qi, let’s just drop it,” Hong Chen looked to the old doctor, whose expression was conflicted. He knew his grandson’s temperament too well; at this point, no matter how he intervened, Qi Gang would force the issue, if not today then tomorrow.
“Friend Hong, forgive my grandson’s arrogance. Why not teach him a lesson for me? Three pharmacies—one as a thank-you, the other two as tuition,” the old doctor finally said, gritting his teeth.
“All right, let him gain some insight for his ‘tuition.’” Hong Chen was not one to drag things out. Showing his skills for two extra pharmacies was a good deal. He stood and walked outside.
Old Master Liu and the others, unsure of his intentions, followed.
“That uncle collecting trash over there—his left calf is atrophied. Can you treat him?” After walking to a fork in the road, Hong Chen looked around and pointed out a scruffy man sorting empty bottles nearby.
Qi Gang followed his gaze, glanced at the man’s exposed left calf, then approached and spoke with him face-to-face. The man stopped his work and rested his leg on a large stone.
Qi Gang, unfazed by the dirt, examined the noticeably thinner calf with both hands. After a moment, he took out a five-inch silver needle and gently inserted it, pausing for half a minute before withdrawing it slowly.
“How does it feel?” he asked.
The scruffy man walked a few steps; though still limping, the severity had lessened. A hint of joy appeared on his face. “Much lighter.”
The old doctor also checked the leg and said nothing, but his gaze toward Qi Gang carried some satisfaction. That was about the best result he could achieve with his needlework.