Acupuncture should begin with stabilizing the Yang and securing the outer layer. Once the condition stabilizes, treatment continues with replenishing Qi and nourishing blood, removing stasis, and unblocking the channels.

Choose points Guanyuan, Shenque, Zusanli (bilateral). Use large moxa cones separated by ginger slices for moxibustion on these three points, with no fixed number of treatments, stopping when perspiration is controlled and the pulse is strengthened.

If the patient shows improvement after acupuncture, you may suspend the previous treatment and select Hegu (right), Waiguan (right), Yanglao (right), Jianjing (right), Quchi (right), Fengshi (right), Huantiao (right), Yanglingquan (right), and Juegu (right).

All these points should be needled with balanced reinforcing and reducing techniques, once daily, with a retention of 30 minutes per session and Qi achieved every 5 minutes.

Actually, you should have noticed that the needle techniques for stroke patients are quite similar, without significant differences."

Ji Xiuwen, having followed Lu Xuan all along, despite not performing the procedures himself, has seen not just one but many cases and understands some of the intricacies.

"I've memorized it." He said.

While performing acupuncture on Zhou Hangyong, Lu Xuan continued to explain: "The Guanyuan acupoint is a meeting point of the Small Intestine Meridian on the Ren Meridian and the Foot-San Yin channels, and it's also the source of the Triple Burner Primordial Qi. Needling it can warm the kidneys and secure the outer layer;

The Shenque acupoint belongs to the Ren Meridian, associated with True Qi, and is also a primary acupoint for moxibustion in Returning Yang and Reversing the Pathology. Needling it can warm and strengthen the Primordial Yang;

The Zusanli acupoint is the He-sea point of the Stomach Meridian, and one of the four major points. Moxibustion here can strengthen the spleen and stomach, regulate blood and Qi, and facilitate the circulation of the meridians.

Using these three points together can thus increase the efficacy of needling rapidly.

Hegu acupoint is the Yuan-source point of the Large Intestine Meridian, and treatment can regulate Qi and Blood; Waiguan is the Luo-connecting point of the Triple Burner Meridian and intersects with the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, one of the Eight Converging Points, linking the Yang Wei Meridian. Needling it can disperse wind and activate the collaterals;

Yanglao is the Xi-cleft point of the Small Intestine Meridian, and needling can facilitate the circulation of Qi and Blood; Quchi is the He-sea point of the Large Intestine Meridian, and treatment can facilitate the flow of meridian Qi; Fengshi, when needled, can disperse wind and relax the muscles;

Huantiao is the intersection of the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian and the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian. Needling can dispel Wind Evil, benefiting the waist and knees;

Yanglingquan is one of the Eight Influential points. The Difficult Classic states: "Sinews meet at Yanglingquan," and needling can drain Liver Fire and relax the muscles and channels;

Whereas Zusanli is one of the four major points, moxibustion can strengthen the spleen and stomach, regulate blood and Qi. Needling harmonizes Qi and Blood, and facilitates the channels;

Juegu, one of the Eight Influential Points, "Marrow meeting at Juegu" as stated in the Difficult Classic, can dispel wind, reduce fire, and strengthen the muscles and bones. Jianjing, where the Gallbladder Meridian, Triple Burner Meridian, Stomach Meridian, and Yang Wei Vessel intersect, can regulate Qi and reduce phlegm, facilitating the channels and collaterals.

Using the above points together, with correct techniques after syndrome differentiation achieves complete success in treating hemiplegia."

Lu Xuan mentioned many acupoints, yet Ji Xiuwen, unfamiliar with acupuncture and understanding of acupoints only somewhat superficial, hardly recognized many of them.

Fortunately, when Lu Xuan mentioned these acupoints, he pointed out the positions with his finger and then explained their acupuncture effects.

Nonetheless, the information was so abundant that Ji Xiuwen struggled to remember it all at once.

Luckily, he had started recording earlier, allowing him to review and study more thoroughly later.

This experience also strengthened his resolve to learn acupuncture.

The art of acupuncture might be simpler than other practices in Chinese medicine, certainly less complex than internal medicine.

While needling, Lu Xuan explained swiftly, reaching thirty minutes soon. Lu Xuan removed the acupuncture needles one by one, then looked at Zhou Hangyong: "Try moving your lower limbs."

Zhou Hangyong unconsciously moved them slightly, realizing that the previously unresponsive lower limbs could now move a bit. He was overjoyed: "They can move slightly, though not much."

Seeing results, Lu Xuan also breathed a sigh of relief: "There is an effect, but one session isn't enough. Further acupuncture will be necessary for any hope of walking."

Saying this, Lu Xuan stood and addressed Ye Xiang: "Director Ye, we're done for today. I'll be back tomorrow."

Having witnessed acupuncture's magic before, Ye Xiang still couldn't help but be amazed. Hearing this, he nodded quickly: "Sure, I'll be here to wait for you tomorrow."

Lu Xuan shook his head: "No need, Director Ye, you've already covered the night shift and even stayed through the day. It's exhausting for anyone. You should get rest. Sui Zhao can find a doctor to accompany instead, as all patients know me now."

Ye Xiang indeed found it difficult to endure and didn't insist: "Okay, thank you, Dr. Lu then."

"No need to thank, it's all about helping patients recover sooner without suffering too much," Lu Xuan said without a hint of self-credit.

Finishing acupuncture on Zhou Hangyong, it was already ten at night.

Lu Xuan didn't linger at the Ninth Hospital and left with Ji Xiuwen by taxi.

Returning home, Lu Xuan looked for his salary card, sent its number directly to Ye Xiang, and after Ye Xiang replied to his message, he took a shower and went to bed.

...

At the Health Center, sitting duties are essentially constant.

Arriving at the breakfast shop opposite the Health Center in the morning, Lu Xuan met with Ji Xiuwen for breakfast. The two then headed to the Chinese Medicine department clinic.

The head of the laboratory department, Uncle, is always the first to arrive. When the two emerged from the second-floor elevator before eight, Wang Youqing from the laboratory department was already raising a hand in greeting.

"Morning, Uncle."

"Good morning."

The three exchanged greetings without much conversation.

Mornings were busiest, requiring clinic preparation and fetching water, or else time would be tight for anything but restrooms during working hours.

The two were early; Su Kenan had not yet arrived.

Lu Xuan prepared the clinic while Ji Xiuwen volunteered to fetch water.

When Ji Xiuwen returned with the water, Lu Xuan had finished setting up the clinic.

However, there really wasn't much to clean, as things were tidied up before leaving. Lu Xuan only needed to power the computers, log into the system for easy access when work started.

"I've bought the stuff, but the practice dummies are a bit too expensive, almost a thousand yuan, and not life-sized," Ji Xiuwen complained right after sitting down.

"You're quite fast!" Lu Xuan remarked, surprised.

"Of course!"

"To learn, one must be quick. After hearing so much from you, it's best to practice while it's still fresh or the trip to the Ninth Hospital would've been in vain."

Lu Xuan nodded with a smile and asked, "But are acupuncture models that costly?"

"That's already considered cheap."

Ji Xiuwen was frustrated: "Last night, I wanted to buy a life-sized one, but the price scared me away. My goodness, it's almost five figures."

Five figures…

Hearing the life-sized acupuncture model costs nearly five figures, Lu Xuan was a bit taken aback. No wonder Ji Xiuwen complained the moment he sat down—a sentiment he would share.

To observe acupoints and practice acupuncture, a life-sized model certainly is better, but the cost was prohibitively high for those freshly graduated.

"Once we have the money, we'll upgrade," Lu Xuan comforted.

...

Fourth floor.

The Dean's office.

Hu Meiqiao had just sat down to drink water when receiving a call from Shen Congli.

Seeing it was from Shen Congli, Hu Meiqiao answered without hesitation, asking with a smile: "Old classmate, how's it going?"

The person on the other end paused, then replied after a moment: "Meiqiao, are you so confident I'm calling about yesterday's matter?"

"The person I recommended is reliable. With your capabilities, Shen Congli, I'd never believe you couldn't handle this."

Shen Congli laughed, then earnestly said: "It's resolved, but you'll still need to inform Lu Xuan. If possible, I'll have the United South Chinese Medicine Association contact him to confirm clinic hours and other details."

"Sure, I'll notify Lu in a bit."

Hearing the matter was settled, Hu Meiqiao was relieved: "Thanks, old classmate."

"No thanks needed. I've looked into the person you recommended and found he has skills. I was surprised at how young he is." Shen Congli chuckled, initially stunned upon realizing Lu Xuan was only in his twenties, even suspecting Hu Meiqiao of pranking her.

However, upon further understanding, she realized how capable this young man named Lu Xuan was.

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