"But I remember reading that scientists have said as long as you keep a fixed sleep schedule and get eight hours of sleep, it doesn't matter if you stay up late."
Zhang Yu recalled seeing this information while researching for a script, and he even noted it down at the time.
Lu Jiu laughed, "Did the scientists also say that you can plant crops in winter and harvest them in summer, since the ripening time of rice is the same regardless."
Zhang Yu was at a loss for words, "How could experts be that foolish? Of course, you have to plant crops according to the seasons; even I know that common knowledge."
Lu Jiu said, "You mentioned that crops have to be planted according to the seasons, so why isn't sleep the same way? Sticking to a fixed schedule for enough hours of sleep—the day-night reversals where people sleep during the day and are active at night—can that really be harmless in the long run?"
Zhang Yu scratched his head, "But crops are plants; can they be compared to people?"
Lu Jiu replied, "Of course, there's a difference. However, the principles of survival follow the processes of spring growth, summer growth, autumn harvest, and winter storage. Human beings are inevitably influenced by nature. Take winter, for instance; if you don't know how to keep yourself protected and you're always outside playing, exposing yourself to wind and cold, you'll surely get febrile illnesses in spring."
"Our body's five viscera and six bowels don't work 24 hours a day. They have their own schedules. If you make them work overtime after their hours, their efficiency is low. Imagine if you went to work every day without tasks and then got loaded with a bunch of work after hours—how would you feel? Over time, wouldn't you blame the company? Would you slack off during your daily routine?"
Zhang Yu found it humorous, "Dr. Lu, your analogy is quite vivid. If it's really as you described, then there are indeed issues. However, I saw an experiment where someone stayed healthy even after several years."
Lu Jiu replied, "That's because previous scientific research couldn't identify the conditions described in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In the realm of science, conditions like Qi deficiency and blood deficiency aren't considered illnesses but suboptimal health. The type of sleep pattern you mentioned wouldn't seem problematic because instruments only detect organic changes."
"With scientific advancements, modern medicine also advocates that people should sleep before eleven at night; it's beneficial for hormone secretion and metabolism. After eleven, no matter how regular you are, it's not helpful."
"In my opinion, you can trust data for many things, but when it comes to health, you must trust your own body. Remember, blind faith in science is also a kind of superstition."
The conclusions drawn from past medical experiments were indeed similar to what Zhang Yu mentioned. However, as times progress, modern medicine continues to update its previously erroneous studies, though due to information overload, many people are unaware of these updates—even some doctors in hospitals.
That's why it's said that there's no end to learning in medicine.
However, there's a difference between studying Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine. The former requires constant falsification, so it's necessary to be on the cutting edge of medical research and papers; otherwise, your knowledge becomes outdated.
The latter requires spending significant time thoroughly studying the classics. After thousands of years, books like the Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor, Shennong's Materia Medica, and the Treatise on Cold Pathogenic and Warm Pathogenic Diseases have yet to show any errors. To this day, strange diseases can still be effectively treated using theories from thousands of years ago.
Lu Jiu also noticed that modern medical research seems to indirectly confirm the rationality of TCM.
For example, the previous invisibility of meridians made people think the meridians system in TCM was a sham. Still, modern medicine has used scientific methods to invalidly prove the existence of meridians.
And the scientist who conducted this experiment is none other than Chinese scientist Professor Zhu Zongxiang, who utilized percussion sound detection and skin impedance methods for experimental analysis.
The first method used a pointed rubber hammer and a medical stethoscope to percuss along traditional meridians vertically. The sound would amplify upon hitting the meridian line, forming points of high vibration. When these points are connected, they match the traditional meridian lines.
The second method employed low-frequency pulse power to vertically scan the traditional meridian lines with detection electrodes. The resistance would suddenly drop upon touching the meridian line, creating a low-resistance point. Connecting these points into a line matched the traditional meridian lines.
Both experiments reached the same conclusion, naturally proving the human body does indeed have an invisible and peculiar meridian line consistent with ancient descriptions.
Besides meridians, Qi has also been substantiated. However, this is mostly done by foreign teams. In recent decades, research teams from many countries have come to Huaxia to study these aspects. As for the final data results, Lu Jiu wasn't very clear.
"Dr. Lu, do you have research into Western medicine too?" Zhang Yu asked.
"Knowing a bit of everything doesn't hurt," Lu Jiu laughed.
"Alright, then I'll do as you say and see if an early sleep schedule improves work efficiency," Zhang Yu chuckled.
"Fine, then the follow-up session is done," Lu Jiu agreed.
After scanning the code to pay the consultation fee, Zhang Yu noticed Lu Mountain watching his computer screen intently, wearing pink headphones, "Hey, what's Grandpa Lu watching so seriously?"
Lu Jiu laughed, "He's watching medical videos."
Zhang Yu was amazed, "Incredible! At his age, he's still learning. Wow, Dr. Lu, have you watched that popular TCM drama recently?"
TCM drama?
Are there still people making TCM dramas now?
Lu Jiu was also quite surprised.
Since childhood, he's only known two cinematic TCM works: the movie and the TV series The Miracle Doctor Xi Lai Le.
These two are the most accurately depicted TCM works. Outside of them, there aren't any other TCM film or TV works, whether due to inability to produce or lack of market.
"What's it called?" Lu Jiu asked.
"The Old Waves," Zhang Yu paused, "If you haven't watched it, Dr. Lu, I suggest you don't."
"Why, is it poorly done?" Lu Jiu laughed.
"It's not about how well or poorly it's made. It's the type of show that's disgustingly offensive to anyone," Zhang Yu struggled to hide his dislike, "Dr. Lu, for example, imagine you're not in medicine, just delivering food after finishing trade school. And now, a Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital professor wants to take you as a disciple and teach you TCM because you're a descendant of the Lu Family with an authentic TCM bloodline. Plus, they're paying you to learn. Do you think this can happen in the TCM world?"
What?
Bloodline!?
Lu Jiu was taken aback.
Seeing Lu Jiu's expression amused Zhang Yu, "Dr. Lu, you think it's ridiculous too, right? I was shocked when I saw it. This is not writing about TCM; it's an insult to TCM."
Lu Jiu smiled, "As a descendant of a TCM family, there's indeed a responsibility to inherit medical skills. But my grandfather always said, 'The Way is not far from man, medicine doesn't knock on doors—curing and teaching require being sought by others. The things given away, others won't value or appreciate.'"
"In my father's generation, only my uncle studied medicine, and my grandfather didn't teach the others any medical skills. If he didn't even teach family, let alone outsiders."
"As for the bloodline, I learned meridian charts at five, acupuncture at seven, Shennong's Materia Medica at ten, the Treatise on Cold Pathogenic and Warm Pathogenic Diseases at fourteen, and the Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor at sixteen. It wasn't until twenty-six that I earned a medical license. It took twenty years to barely treat patients. If a mere 'bloodline' could suffice, TCM wouldn't have struggled to persist."
Anyone who's studied TCM knows that while learning health maintenance is easy, achieving the skill to heal and save lives is extremely challenging.
No matter how gifted you are, you need to spend time learning and have sufficient passion to grasp life-saving knowledge amidst tedious study.
"That makes sense. Current dramas should focus on growth, not turning the protagonist into a drifter in the early stages. First, it was soldiers, now TCM, who knows what's next!" Zhang Yu exclaimed indignantly.
Lu Jiu smiled, "But you guys are around."
Zhang Yu waved it off, "Come on, scripts by lesser-known writers like me won't sell. Plus, the final payments are always delayed. I've decided to try my hand at online novels in the coming days to see if I can make a name."
Lu Jiu nodded, "Work is work, but don't neglect your health. Should you feel any discomfort, come see me."
"Got it, I'm off, Dr. Lu," Zhang Yu said, standing up.
"Take care," Lu Jiu waved him off.
TV dramas...
Unlike Zhang Yu's indignation, Lu Jiu wasn't that angry.
In an economy driven by attention, where eyeballs are resources, emerging TCM dramas sparking discussions aren't Lu Jiu's main concern anymore.
Furthermore, Lu Jiu noticed online that several cities have begun integrating TCM into primary and secondary schools, and the government even started regulating Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinics' scale for future years across various provinces and cities.
All signs indicate an increased focus on TCM by the state, which greatly pleases Lu Jiu as a member of the TCM community.
[Patient Tian Ke, Liver stagnation recovery progress 9%, Qi deficiency recovery progress 40%, symptom recovery exceeds one-tenth, activating basic reward, would you like to receive it?]
Tian Ke.
Who is that?
Lu Jiu pondered for a moment; he didn't recall seeing a patient named Tian Ke yesterday. However, looking closely at the symptoms, Lu Jiu came to realization.
It's that online friend prescribed more than forty medicinal ingredients.
Seems like the prescription worked.
[Receive!]