As Chen Lan walked, she pondered the matter of taking on a disciple. She felt it would be best to have a clear discussion with all the children at home about this apprenticeship in medicine. What if other children also wished to learn medicine? Chen Lan believed that talent wasn't the most important thing; what mattered most was personal interest and passion.
Chen Lan decided to have a good discussion with her mother about this matter later.
The outcome of their discussion, as expected, was that her mother readily agreed. Her mother strongly supported Chen Lan's idea, smiling as she spoke softly, "Lan'er, you are absolutely right! While innate talent is important, diligence is paramount. Isn't there an old saying, 'Diligence can compensate for lack of talent'?"
After mother and daughter reached an agreement, it was time for dinner. After the meal, Chen Lan and her mother called their two younger brothers and their seven children into the small study for a meeting.
Chen Lan cleared her throat and got straight to the point, "I've called you all into the small study today to seek everyone's opinion on something. Doctor Guo in our valley is looking for disciples. Let's see who among you is willing to sign up and tell us your reasons for wanting to participate."
After speaking, Chen Lan looked at the group of children, both young and old, with a serious expression.
Jia Hui, seeing her mother looking at her, waved her hands repeatedly, "Mom, I don't want to learn. That stuff is too difficult; it gives me a headache just looking at it."
Chen Lan wasn't particularly surprised by Jia Hui's refusal to study medicine. She then said, "You all need to think carefully. As Jia Hui said, learning medicine is very challenging. Reading medical books is a tedious and boring task, and understanding and mastering it is even more difficult! How about this: those who wish to study medicine, take a step forward. Those who do not, take a step back."
As soon as Chen Lan finished speaking, led by Jia Hui, more than half of the children stepped back. Only Wen Kai, Wen Qi, and Jia Yao remained in front.
Chen Lan then asked, "Jia Yao, you want to study medicine. Tell me your reasons for wanting to learn."
Jia Yao scratched his newly trimmed crew cut and said, "Mom, do I really have to give a reason? I don't have any particular reason. I just like it."
Chen Lan nodded, "Hmm! Liking it is a reason. If you like it, you must be passionate about it and persevere. Don't give up halfway."
Jia Yao grinned and replied, "Mom, I understand. Your son will definitely stick with it."
Chen Lan continued, "Wen Qi, what about you? Why do you want to study medicine?"
Wen Qi chuckled and said, "Big sister, I just find it so amazing. Those roots, flowers, plant leaves, and nectar can all cure illnesses, and they have different effects. Like Mom, her cough that she's had for many years was cured by drinking linden flower tea and honey. Big sister, I want to study medicine. I want to know the mysteries within."
Chen Lan hummed, "Curiosity and a desire to explore the mysteries of traditional Chinese medicine is a very good reason."
Chen Lan looked at Wen Kai and asked, "Wen Kai, what's your reason?"
Wen Kai's small face was serious. "Big sister, I don't have any particular reason. I just don't want it to be a situation where, when Mom and you are sick, the whole family is helpless and can only resign themselves to fate. If I learn medicine well, we won't have to worry about you two getting sick again."
This little warm-hearted remark moved Chen Lan deeply, and her mother also shed happy tears.
Since Wen Kai and Jia Yao agreed to learn medicine from Doctor Guo, along with Wen Qi who also wanted to learn, a formal apprenticeship ceremony was definitely necessary. Although it was now a new era, proper etiquette should still be observed.
So, Chen Lan asked, "Mom, what should we prepare for this apprenticeship ceremony?"
Her mother thought for a moment and said, "In the past, when taking on a disciple, there were six gifts. The six gifts referred to dried meat, celery, lotus seeds, red dates, longan, and red beans."
Chen Lan could hardly believe her ears and asked, "Mom, just these six things? Aren't they a bit too ordinary? There's nothing special about them!"
Her mother smiled and replied, "What special thing do you want? These six gifts are given for their symbolic meaning. They signify the disciple's gratitude to the teacher, their willingness to receive the teacher's earnest guidance, and their resolve not to disappoint their teacher's kindness, ensuring future success."
Chen Lan then inquired, "Mom, what do these six items symbolize?"
Her mother cleared her throat and explained, "Celery symbolizes diligence and a thirst for knowledge; lotus seeds represent the teacher's painstaking efforts in education; red beans naturally symbolize immense good fortune; red dates, of course, signify achieving success early..."
After hearing her mother's explanation, Chen Lan thought that regardless of the value of the gifts, they represented a disciple's heartfelt sincerity towards their teacher.
She then said, "Mom, Doctor Guo is a medical practitioner. He would surely love ancient medical books. I remember when we were clearing out the pawnshop's storeroom, there was a whole box of medical books. I didn't understand them at the time and didn't look closely, so I just packed them all up and put them with my father-in-law. Why don't we give a medical book to Doctor Guo? But I don't know which one would be best!"
Her mother smiled, "I didn't expect those things to be useful after all, Lan'er. Why don't you bring out that box, and we can open it to see? If we can pick out a rare edition to give to Doctor Guo, that would be even better."
Chen Lan then used her mind to open the system's warehouse, located the wooden box, and brought it out, placing it before her mother. Her mother reached out, opened the wooden box, and began to carefully select.
Chen Lan casually picked up a book and glanced at its title, "Bencao Sibian Lu" (Herbal Medicine Debate Records). She flipped through it, but couldn't understand it, so she put it back in the box. She then took out another ancient book from the box. Its title was "Yifang Lun" (Discussion of Medical Prescriptions). Chen Lan felt this book would be suitable. These were ancient prescriptions for treating illnesses and saving lives; Doctor Guo would surely like them!
Chen Lan then went to Doctor Guo's clinic and informed him that her brother Wen Kai, her son Jia Yao, and Qi Yujie were willing to study medicine.
She then spoke with some hesitation, "Doctor Guo, I have a humble request. My other brother, Wen Qi, also wishes to learn medicine from you. If you feel he doesn't have the talent for it, you don't need to pay him special attention. He can learn as much as he can. What do you think, is that okay?"
Doctor Guo chuckled, stroked his goatee, and said, "There's no need for that. It's rare that he wants to study medicine, so let him join. As the saying goes, it doesn't matter if you're herding one sheep or a flock; whether you get enough to eat depends on yourselves."
Chen Lan was overjoyed. She never expected Doctor Guo to be so agreeable. She had thought it would take considerable effort to persuade him. She then showered him with effusive praise and, from the cloth bag she carried, took out the book "Yifang Lun" and handed it to Doctor Guo with both hands.