Chapter 609: Sharing a Secret (Part 1)
Chapter 609: Chapter 609: Sharing a Secret (Part 1)
Isaac Shawcross truly hadn’t expected Vera Xavier to have such an orthodox and correct understanding of traditional Chinese medicine. Her attitude alone was astonishing.
But then he heard her continue. "Mr. Daniel Judd began studying medicine at fifty. Before becoming a Divine Doctor, he was a great Confucian scholar. Mr. Donovan Lawson was similarly a man of vast learning. Steven Lawson, Titus Elmsworth, and all the other great masters of medicine who left their mark on history were, without exception, profoundly knowledgeable. In more recent times, the founder of the Ignis School, Mr. Sherman Jensen, was an Imperial Provincial Graduate. And while Mr. Simon Archer never passed the imperial examinations, he came from a family with a rich scholarly tradition. Then there’s Mr. Miles Yale, who was also a man of extraordinary learning."
"In contrast, look at the modern system for learning Chinese medicine. It has shifted from the ancient master-apprentice model to one where teachers uniformly lecture on theory. Exams have standardized templates and standardized answers. But for the same symptoms of a cold—a cough, headache, and fever—there are several different treatment methods based on diagnosis. There is no single correct answer. It’s not that I want to pass judgment on this teaching method, but I feel it’s better to learn Chinese medicine by following the ways of the ancients."
"Besides, at its core, Chinese medicine is fundamentally different from Western medicine. It requires a foundation of extensive clinical experience; you have to study medical theory and practice at the same time. In the early stages, you need a master to teach you the dialectical way of thinking through problems. That’s why I’ve decided to master Chinese Language and Literature first, and then go on to study Chinese medicine."
Isaac Shawcross was stunned into silence after hearing her out. He truly hadn’t imagined that this delicate-looking young woman could have such a profound understanding of Chinese medicine, let alone see the shortcomings in its modern pedagogy.
However, he felt she was oversimplifying things, so he threw some cold water on her enthusiasm. "You’re not wrong. Most of the great physicians of antiquity were indeed men of vast learning, but not every man of vast learning can become a great physician."
"I know that!" Vera Xavier said with a smile. "But if I’m going to study something, I want to study the best. Veridia University has the best Chinese Language and Literature program in the country, so here I am."
Isaac Shawcross’s gaze deepened as he looked at her. He asked, "So, have you decided where you’ll study medicine afterward?"
Vera Xavier spread her hands. "Mr. Shawcross, I’m still just a freshman. It will take at least two or three years for me to master Chinese Language and Literature. I still have time to think about it. Can’t we just take things one step at a time instead of being so greedy?"
Isaac Shawcross: "..."
Vera Xavier asked him, "When you called me over, I thought you were going to punish me. I was a little scared, actually. But you’ve asked me so many questions now... you’re not going to punish me, are you?"
Isaac Shawcross hadn’t called her over to punish her in the first place, so he shook his head and said, "You haven’t done anything wrong. Why would I punish you?"
"I thought you might have an issue with me teaching Susan Caldwell a lesson earlier," Vera Xavier said with a smile. "But it seems you don’t. That means you’re a man of principle, Mr. Shawcross. I have a deep and genuine respect for teachers with a solid moral compass."
Isaac Shawcross: "..."
He had been a teacher at Veridia University for many years, but this was the first time a student had ever praised him for having a "solid moral compass." ’Today’s students really are different from how they used to be,’ he thought. ’What on earth goes on in their heads all day!’
But Vera Xavier just smiled again and said, "If there’s nothing else, I’m going to go get some food. My classmates are still waiting for me, so I won’t keep you!"