novelraw Chapter 82 Gentle Persuasion and Tactful Advice
Chapter 82 Gentle Persuasion and Tactful Advice
Chapter 82 Gentle Persuasion and Tactful Advice
I. My heart is still uneasy as I search for fate again.
Zhou Deshan and Xu Jingming sought help from Murong Fangxiang one after the other, and even went to the residence of a high-ranking official to plead for her intervention.
The two influential intermediaries have already agreed to help persuade Chen Shanhe and relay his message tactfully.
Even with the double support, the two still felt uneasy and apprehensive, unable to completely let go of their worries and find peace of mind.
They knew very well that Chen Shanhe was born with a calm and steadfast nature, and his mind was always firm and unwavering. He would not be easily swayed by the words of others.
Even with Murong Fangxiang and high-ranking officials intervening to plead for him, it might not be easy to shake his initial decision not to accept disciples.
The two had long held a deep-seated desire to learn medicine from a master and comprehend the orthodox path of traditional Chinese medicine. After self-reflection and repentance, they could no longer let go of this desire.
To make up for the regrets of a lifetime of practicing medicine and to seek the true essence of medicine, they were unwilling to easily let go of any opportunity that presented itself.
On the way back, the two walked slowly side by side, once again avoiding the attention of others, and whispered to each other about their strategy.
After careful consideration, the two quickly decided on the most suitable candidate.
This person was Su Wanjing, who stayed by Chen Shanhe's side day and night, and was gentle, kind, and pure-hearted.
These days, Su Wanjing has witnessed all the changes in the two men as they traveled from Qinglong Town to the provincial capital, making house calls and consultations along the way.
It clearly witnessed their entire process, from their initial arrogance based on their qualifications, to their self-reflection after observing medical techniques, and finally to their repentance and desire to become apprentices.
Su Wanjing understands Chen Shanhe's true temperament and inner thoughts best. The two spend every day and night together, and she is the one who can speak softly and offer warm advice in his ear the most.
Compared to others' blunt and blunt attempts to plead for him, Su Wanjing's gentle and considerate words were more likely to slowly move Chen Shanhe and soften his unwavering resolve.
The two completely abandoned their status and pride as renowned doctors, shedding all their arrogance, and sincerely set off on their journey to seek out Su Wanjing for help.
Poems as proof:
The need for help from both sides remains uncertain.
My heart is filled with unease and restlessness.
Seeking a gentle and understanding partner again
I long for gentle words to dispel worldly ties.
II. Bowing low and reciting the initiation prayer
After making up their minds, Zhou Deshan and Xu Jingming walked briskly and successfully found Su Wanjing.
The two men immediately stepped forward, their expressions humble and respectful, their usual arrogance as renowned doctors from the provincial capital completely gone, their posture extremely low.
There was no longer any air of superiority in his eyes, only sincerity and genuineness, all the vanity and empty fame gone.
Su Wanjing was gentle and peaceful by nature, and always kind and gentle to others. When she saw the two elderly people walking together, she immediately stopped politely, stood still, and waited quietly for them to tell her purpose.
Zhou Deshan spoke slowly, his face filled with genuine sincerity and his tone humble and gentle.
"Miss Wanjing, we have come here today specifically to ask you for a favor."
"We have practiced medicine for half our lives, but we have been stuck in our ways, rigidly adhering to old and outdated methods, and our medical thinking has become inflexible and we have no idea how to adapt."
"After witnessing firsthand the extraordinary medical skills of Doctor Chen Shanhe, and after carefully listening to his profound truth that military strategy is integrated into medicine, we two have finally come to our senses and realized our own shallowness and ignorance."
Xu Jingming quickly stepped forward to take over the conversation, his eyes filled with determination and deep remorse. Every word came from the bottom of his heart, every sentence was sincere and heartfelt, without a trace of falsehood or pretense.
"We have come to realize from the bottom of our hearts that we have not mastered our skills and have a narrow vision, and we sincerely want to become disciples of Shanhe."
"I only want to devote myself to practicing the true way of traditional Chinese medicine and make up for the mistakes and shortcomings we have made in our medical practice over the past half of our lives."
"We have repeatedly bowed and knelt to plead with Shanhe, but he still refused us. Even though we have asked others to intercede on our behalf, we are still filled with fear and unease."
"You have been by Shanhe's side day and night, you understand his true nature and character best, and you have seen it all and know our self-reflection, change and repentance over the past few days."
"Today, we only ask that you, young lady, have a kind heart and understand that we are old, know our mistakes and repent, and are determined to follow the Way. Please give us a few gentle words of advice."
Poems as proof:
He bowed low and whispered his thoughts.
I regret the past year's mistakes.
Having weathered many storms, I seek the truth.
I earnestly hope for someone's pity.
Third, out of compassion, they responded to the requests.
Su Wanjing stood quietly in place, her eyes gentle and kind, patiently listening to the two old Chinese medicine doctors' heartfelt words.
He listened attentively throughout, his expression calm and composed, and he never interrupted the two of them.
She traveled thousands of miles from Qinglong Town to the provincial capital, making house calls and consultations along the way, accompanying him day and night. She saw and remembered every little detail.
She witnessed the entire transformation of their hearts, from initially being arrogant and prejudiced towards Chen Shanhe, who came from a rural background and was confident in his qualifications as a renowned doctor in the provincial capital.
From witnessing miraculous medical skills firsthand time and time again, which deeply shocked him, to reflecting on himself day and night, which led to profound repentance.
Completely setting aside the seniority and pride accumulated over half a lifetime, abandoning the haughty attitude, and wholeheartedly pursuing the entire process of becoming a disciple and learning.
Su Wanjing was kind and gentle by nature, pure and generous, and always treated others with tenderness and compassion.
Seeing the two elderly doctors' sincere and earnest expressions, their eyes filled with anxious anticipation, her heart softened completely.
She could see clearly in her heart that their deep remorse and unwavering dedication to learning were all genuine feelings from the bottom of their hearts.
There was no deliberate pretense or affectation, nor was it a spur-of-the-moment impulse.
Those who practice medicine dedicate most of their lives to their profession. At this age, they can still face their own shortcomings, reflect on their mistakes, and humbly pursue the true path of medicine. This kind of dedication is truly rare in this world.
Looking at the expressions of disappointment, trepidation, and anxiety on their faces, Su Wanjing couldn't bear it.
Unable to bear seeing their sincere and devoted love go to waste, only to be left with regret and melancholy in the end.
She lowered her head and pondered quietly for a moment. When she looked up, her expression was gentle yet solemn, and she slowly and gently nodded to the two of them.
She spoke softly and gently, and granted their request in person.
He promised that during his leisure time, when they were alone, he would gently and softly speak to Chen Shanhe, saying a few good words for the two of them, to fulfill their sincere desire for truth in their twilight years.
Poems as proof:
A gentle heart and kind nature reveal true feelings.
Seeing through the ups and downs of life helps one understand how to navigate life.
Unable to bear seeing my devoted love go to waste,
I nodded slightly in response to your request.
IV. Melting the Ice with Gentle Words
After Su Wanjing agreed, the two were overjoyed and bowed repeatedly to thank her, their hearts filled with renewed hope.
In the days that followed, Su Wanjing kept this entrustment in mind and sought out quiet and peaceful spare time.
Whenever she and Chen Shanhe were alone, she would soften her tone and speak gently to persuade him.
She never spoke harshly or tried to force Chen Shanhe to change his mind; instead, she spoke gently and calmly about the changes in Zhou Deshan and Xu Jingming.
They spoke of their daily self-reflection and repentance, their sincere willingness to relinquish their lifelong fame and status, and the old man's unwavering devotion to Taoism in his later years.
Each gentle word, spoken softly and slowly, resonates with human nature, and every word conveys understanding and goodwill.
Chen Shanhe listened quietly each time, his expression remaining calm, but the originally firm and resolute will in his heart was quietly stirred by subtle ripples.
This gentle persuasion, day after day, unlike the straightforward pleading of others, was like a warm spring breeze, gradually melting the hardened ice in his heart.
It gradually softened his originally unwavering resolve and subtly changed his initial thoughts.
Poems as proof:
Soft words lingered in his ear,
Slow down the stubbornness in your heart.
Over time, warmth melts away coldness and hardness.
The spring breeze quietly breaks through the ice and tide.