Chapter 375: Chapter 375: Treating the Root Cause

Only a few dozen, and many people won’t sell?

After hearing this, Li Xu understood.

After all, living conditions were much better now.

It wasn’t like the seventies or eighties, when families who raised chickens couldn’t even bear to eat them.

Still, a few dozen would be just enough.

Li Xu thought for a moment and said, "Price isn’t an issue. I can pay several times the market rate. Also, tell them I only want the Chicken Gallbladder. They can keep the meat for themselves as an extra bonus."

Hearing this, Wang the Third’s spirits lifted. "Doctor Li, that’s a brilliant move. Leaving the meat and only taking the Chicken Gallbladder... they’ll definitely be willing now."

Early the next morning, Wang the Third set out again.

With Li Xu’s "high price plus keep the meat" strategy, the results were, as expected, phenomenal.

"What? You only want the Chicken Gallbladder, and we get to keep the meat?"

"Whoa, where else would you find a deal like this? Third, you can take my old hen."

"My rooster is available, too! It’s been free-range for years, so its Chicken Gallbladder must be potent."

As soon as the villagers heard the offer, they all expressed their willingness to sell.

After all, while free-range chicken was a rare delicacy for them, the chance to sell a chicken at a high price and still get to keep all the meat was a windfall—a deal almost too good to be true.

Besides, once they sold the chickens, they could always raise more.

In less than half a day, Wang the Third had bought over forty genuine free-range chickens.

After slaughtering them, he removed the Chicken Gallbladders.

"Doctor Li, I’ve got all the Chicken Gallbladders ready for you. When would you like me to deliver them?"

Wang the Third asked.

"If you have time today, you can bring them to my clinic."

"Of course I have time. I’ve been bored with nothing to do lately. I’ll bring them over this afternoon."

"Thank you."

Li Xu hung up the phone and continued seeing patients.

In the afternoon, Wang the Third delivered the Chicken Gallbladders.

Li Xu gave him some wild game he had brought back from Qinling.

Wang the Third left, overjoyed.

Not long after, Wang Xiufang arrived, pushing Ai Shengbing in for a follow-up appointment.

Compared to the skeletal, ghastly pale, and near-death man who had first arrived seven days ago, Ai Shengbing’s condition was now a world of difference.

Although he was still thin, his complexion was no longer a deathly pale but now had a hint of color.

The pained groans in his breathing were also gone.

Most importantly, a flicker of hope had ignited in his eyes.

A rare smile also appeared on Wang Xiufang’s face, though she was still a little worried.

After all, her son’s pleural fluid had only decreased; he was still a long way from a full recovery.

"Dr. Li, we’re here for the follow-up."

Wang Xiufang said, "My son is much better now. The fluid in his chest is completely gone, his shortness of breath has eased a lot, and he can even get a good night’s sleep."

Ai Shengbing gave Li Xu a weak nod, his face filled with gratitude.

Li Xu walked over.

He took Ai Shengbing’s pulse.

While it was still deep and fine, it was no longer as weak as before, possessing a new touch of resilience.

He had Ai Shengbing open his mouth to examine his tongue.

The tongue coating was still white and slippery, but the paleness had lessened, and the tongue itself was slightly redder than before.

"Very good. The first stage of treatment has shown significant results."

Li Xu nodded in satisfaction. "The patient’s pleural fluid has completely disappeared, and the shortness of breath and palpitations have also clearly improved. This indicates that the previous symptoms of phlegm-fluid retention have been mostly resolved."

"Thank you, Dr. Li! You’re truly a Divine Physician!"

Wang Xiufang was very emotional.

Li Xu did not get complacent.

’The next phase of treatment is the most critical part.’

Based on the information he’d received and Ai Shengbing’s latest condition, Li Xu wrote out the prescription for the second stage of treatment.

The formula he had prescribed before was based on the "Tingli and Jujube Decoction for Lung Purification" and "Linggui Shugan Decoction" from the *Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet*. It was combined with herbs like Ginseng, Astragalus Root, and Agrimonia Pilosa, with the main goal of purging the lungs and promoting diuresis, warming the yang to transform fluid retention, and resolving the fluid buildup in the chest cavity and pericardium.

When the patient first came in, his symptoms manifested as chest tightness, shortness of breath, and palpitations—the superficial signs of "phlegm-fluid retention."

Therefore, Li Xu followed the principle of "treating the symptoms in an acute case" and first addressed these life-threatening superficial issues.

In the previous formula, not a single herb was included to "soften hardness and disperse nodules" or directly attack the tumor.

Now that the superficial symptoms were resolved, the fluid retention was well under control—if not completely gone—and Ai Shengbing’s body had recovered slightly, it was time to switch to "treating the root cause when the condition is stable."

Second Prescription:

Astragalus Root, Ginseng, Fried Atractylodes, Poria Cocos, licorice, Danggui, Chuan Xiong, Rehmannia Glutinosa, raw white peony, cinnamon, ginger, Large Dates, fried hawthorn, fried medicated leaven, fried malt, fried rice sprout, Knotweed, Mountain Yam, Agrimonia Pilosa, raw chicken gallstone...

Also for seven doses.

This prescription seemed complex, but its underlying logic was clear.

As he handed the prescription to Song Sisi, Li Xu explained patiently, "This formula is a treatment plan for after the fluid retention has been resolved. It targets the patient’s current deficiency of both qi and blood and his extremely emaciated state, while simultaneously beginning to attack the tumor. This formula is a modification of the Ten-Complete Great Replenishing Soup.

"Astragalus Root and Ginseng greatly replenish Primordial Qi, while Fried Atractylodes, Poria Cocos, and licorice strengthen the spleen and benefit the qi.

"Danggui, Chuan Xiong, Rehmannia Glutinosa, raw white peony, and cinnamon nourish the blood and warm the yang.

"Used together, these herbs can greatly replenish qi and blood, harmonize yin and yang, and help the patient’s constitution recover as quickly as possible."

Song Sisi took the prescription and examined it closely. Noticing many herbs that weren’t in the previous formula, she listened to Li Xu’s explanation even more attentively.

"Considering the patient has been bedridden for a long time, his spleen and stomach functions are weak, and his digestion and absorption are poor. So, I’ve added herbs to strengthen the spleen and stomach—fried hawthorn, fried medicated leaven, fried malt, and fried rice sprout. Combined with Mountain Yam, these can aid digestion, relieve stagnation, and enhance the transportive and transformative functions of the spleen and stomach."

Li Xu continued, "The herb Knotweed guides the medicinal properties upward, allowing their effects to better reach the lung lesion. We’re keeping Agrimonia Pilosa because it can both tonify deficiency and stop bleeding, which is very suitable for the patient’s current condition of qi and blood deficiency with possible pulmonary hemorrhage."

When he reached the key point, Li Xu paused intentionally and pointed to the "raw chicken gallstone" on the prescription:

"The most important herb is this raw chicken gallstone.

"It has the effect of softening hardness and dispersing nodules, allowing it to attack the tumor. Furthermore, it does so without damaging the body’s vital qi and also has the function of strengthening the spleen and stomach.

"When a patient’s body is relatively weak, raw chicken gallstone is an excellent choice for an herb to attack a tumor."

Wang Xiufang listened from the side. Although she didn’t understand the specifics, she loved hearing him explain. ’His words just sound so reasonable,’ she thought.

"Thank you, Dr. Li. Thank you so much."

Wang Xiufang’s confidence grew even stronger.

Song Sisi also understood Li Xu’s intention.

The previous formula was to "treat the symptoms," resolving the most urgent problems.

This current formula, however, was to "treat the root cause." While replenishing the vital qi, it began to target the lung cancer lesion itself.

She quickly prepared the herbs, handed the seven-day supply to Wang Xiufang, and once again reminded her of the instructions for decocting and taking the medicine.

Wang Xiufang took the packages of herbs and left the clinic with Ai Shengbing.