Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Chapter 262 Elder Dan Treats Illness Again

Late June in Beijing was already unbearably hot. Cicadas chirped incessantly in the trees.

Around nine o'clock in the morning, two black Volga sedans quietly turned into the alley and stopped in front of Lin Yan's courtyard house. Several comrades in white shirts got out of the first car, glanced at both ends of the alley, and then opened the door of the second car.

Mr. Z was wearing a light gray Zhongshan suit, made of thin fabric, which looked quite neat. His complexion was better than before, but as he got out of the car, his right hand still unconsciously leaned towards Sister Deng beside him. Sister Deng helped him with a concerned expression.

"Is this the place?" The man looked up at the maiden courtyard, its entrance unassuming and unassuming.

"Yes, that's the address Xiao Yan gave me. Mr. Dan is staying here to recuperate." Sister Deng responded softly, then turned to the head guard and gently instructed, "Keep your voice down, don't disturb the neighbors."

The courtyard gate was ajar. Lin San, who had been waiting behind it, immediately opened it and respectfully let the group in. From the outside, it looked ordinary, but once inside, the scene was completely different. Several old locust trees, their branches and leaves lush and dense, provided ample shade, keeping the summer heat out. The flowers and plants in the corner were meticulously tended, and a large vat held water lilies, with several goldfish swimming freely beneath. The entire courtyard was quiet, save for a gentle breeze carrying the subtle, bitter fragrance of unidentified herbs, a scent that soothed the soul.

Old Master Dan was sitting in a rattan chair under the eaves of the main room, slowly fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan. Today he was wearing a moon-white summer cotton short jacket, his silver hair was neatly combed, and his face had a rosy glow, making him look reassuring.

Upon seeing the guest enter, he put down his palm-leaf fan, stood up unhurriedly, a gentle smile on his face, and clasped his hands in greeting: "Honorable guest, I am sorry for not welcoming you properly."

Mr. Z quickened his pace, extended his left hand, and grasped Mr. Dan's hand: "Sir, it is we who have disturbed your peace and quiet. It's so hot outside, and we've troubled you."

"Not at all, please come inside and sit down. It's too hot outside." Old Dan led the two of them to the main living room, where Lin San had already prepared cool tea and laid out several light snacks.

The living room was bright and clean, with a hardwood couch by the window covered with a straw mat. After a few pleasantries about the weather and their journeys, the conversation turned to the main topic.

"My arm has been a chronic problem for a long time," Mr. Z said quite frankly, gently rubbing his right shoulder and elbow with his left hand. "When I was young, I accidentally fell off a horse. I didn't take it seriously then because I was young, but now that I'm older, it starts acting up from time to time. Lately, I've been working on documents for a long time, and it's even more difficult to lift it up. It feels like there's a tendon stuck inside, it's sore and swollen."

Sister Deng added from the side, her tone full of heartache: "The pain is especially bad after a change in weather or after a long day of work, and I can't sleep well at night. I've seen many doctors, but the effects are always inconsistent."

Master Dan nodded, his expression calm: "If you don't mind, sir, please allow me to take a look."

He helped Mr. Z to sit comfortably on the tatami mat, then moved a small stool over and sat down beside him. He first carefully examined the shape of Mr. Z's right shoulder, then gently massaged the surrounding muscles and tendons with his palm, asking as he did so, "Is it sore here? Or swollen here? How does it feel down to your elbow?"

After clarifying the situation, he extended three fingers and placed them firmly on the patient's right wrist pulse, slightly closing his eyes to examine it carefully. After a moment, he switched to the left hand.

After a while, he released his grip and slowly said, "Sir, your injury falls under the category of 'fall and stumble injury' in medical books. Years ago, the blood stasis remained in the meridians and didn't completely dissipate. Over time, this obstruction of qi and blood naturally caused pain. In addition, your daily overwork depletes your qi and blood, and your muscles and bones don't receive enough nourishment, resulting in a situation of 'deficiency in the root and excess in the branch.' Looking at your pulse, your right hand is deep and thready, and somewhat hesitant, indicating poor qi and blood circulation, as well as some deficiency in the liver and kidneys. Therefore, this arm is not only difficult to lift, but it also worsens when exposed to cold or when you are tired."

He used Chinese medicine terminology, but he explained it in a simple and easy-to-understand way, so Mr. Z and Ms. Deng could both understand him.

"The old gentleman's diagnosis is accurate," Sister Deng quickly asked, "Then... can it be cured?"

Old Master Dan stroked his silver beard, his tone resolute: "It can be treated. However, this old injury is like a rusty lock; it cannot be forced. It must be slowly moistened with oil. In my opinion, it needs to be done in three stages. It cannot be rushed. It will probably take about three months to stabilize the root cause."

"The key to the first month is 'unblocking'. Using acupuncture and massage techniques, along with a few doses of blood-activating and stasis-removing herbal decoctions, we can first clear the blocked pathways and dissolve those long-standing stagnations, which will greatly reduce the pain."

"By the second month, we need to focus on both 'unblocking' and 'tonifying'. While continuing to unblock, we should also use some medicines to strengthen muscles and bones and regulate qi and blood, so that the damaged muscles and bones can gradually regain their strength."

"In the last month, the focus is on 'strengthening the foundation.' Use some formulas to nourish the liver and kidneys to solidify the foundation. I will also teach you a few simple guiding exercises to practice regularly to help the circulation of qi and blood, making it less likely to relapse in the future."

He looked at the gentleman earnestly and said, "This treatment is like simmering over a low flame; it's all about stability. If we use strong medicine to speed things up, I'm afraid your body won't be able to handle it, and it might even make things worse."

The gentleman listened attentively, and then laughed heartily: "What you say makes sense, sir. Recovery from illness is gradual, so we'll do as you suggest. I still hope this arm can serve the people for a few more years!"

Having agreed on the plan, Master Dan retrieved an antique-looking needle pouch. He chose long, slender, and gleaming silver needles, and with lightning speed, before the patient even felt the pain, the needles were already firmly placed on the acupoints of Jianyu, Jianliao, and Quchi. As he inserted the needles, Master Dan's fingertips dipped slightly, subtly channeling a wisp of vital energy along the needle tip into the depths of the acupoints. Like the finest spring water, it quietly nourished and dissolved the deep-seated blockages.

Mr. Z immediately felt a comfortable warmth spreading from the needle tip, and the stubborn soreness and tightness in his arm eased up considerably, as if ice and snow were melting away.

After removing the needles, Master Dan used massage techniques to gently knead along the outside of his arm, from his shoulder to his wrist. His palms were warm and dry, and his pressure was deep yet just right. Between his fingers, he subtly infused his vital energy, slowly loosening the stiff tendons and ligaments.

After the treatment, Mr. Z had a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead, but his complexion was even more rosy. He tried to raise his right arm, and although it was still far from being able to move freely, the heavy and sluggish feeling that caused his whole body to be affected by a single movement had been greatly reduced, and his entire arm felt much lighter.

"Oh, sir, your hands are really..." He stretched his shoulders, his face full of surprise, "Relax! I've never felt so relaxed! It feels like a heavy burden has been lifted off my shoulders."

Seeing this, Sister Deng was so happy she didn't know what to say, only repeatedly exclaiming, "That's wonderful, that's wonderful..."

After the treatment ended, Lin San served freshly brewed herbal tea.

Master Dan carefully gave instructions: "Sir, this illness requires 30% treatment and 70% recuperation. When you work at your desk in the future, remember to stand up and move around every half hour, turn your neck, and shrug your shoulders to improve blood circulation. Next time I come, I will teach you a few specific exercises. They are very simple, and if you persist in doing them, they will be very beneficial."

Mr. Z agreed to everything, chatted about everyday matters, asked Mr. Dan if he was comfortable living in Beijing, and then got up to take his leave.

Old Dan and Lin San escorted the group to the courtyard gate. Only after watching the two cars slowly drive out of the alley and disappear into the summer greenery did Old Dan let out a soft sigh of relief.

The two arrived at the entrance of the north wing of the third courtyard. "Young master, we have not failed you!"

Lin Yan leaned out of the window. "Elder Dan, I'll be troubling you these next few months! With you here, I can finally go out and have some fun!"

Old Master Dan could only smile wryly, "It is my honor to be able to help the young master."

"Elder Dan, I can hear you cursing me in your heart!" Lin Yan suddenly closed the window.

Outside the window, the cicadas are still chirping; summer is far from over.

Volume Two Completed