Chapter 252 228: Good Doctor

Early Saturday morning, Xu Chunliang accompanied his grandfather to the Qingshan Mine.Dongzhou used to be a resource-based city. After the establishment of the country, Dongzhou, known as the "Hundred Mile Coal Sea," produced a cumulative 1 billion tons of coal, making a significant contribution to the economic development of Pinghai Province. The local industrial structure and people's lives all extended and thrived from coal.

However, with the depletion of coal, the once-pillar industries declined, and heavy industrial sectors like chemicals and metallurgy became unbalanced and overproduced. Negative issues continuously emerged, such as air pollution and land subsidence; infrastructure lagged, leaving many industrial and mining areas within the city.

Starting from 1882, Dongzhou dug wells and built mines, with more than 250 at its peak. The coal mining subsidence areas and quarrying pits became ecological scars on Dongzhou.

Like other resource-depleted cities, Dongzhou reached a turning point for transformation. Entering the 21st century, Dongzhou corrected its development concept and ushered in urban rebirth.

The Qingshan Mine also took advantage of local conditions and began to develop all-region tourism, utilizing the landforms of the subsidence area to build Qingshan Lake. The landscape was upgraded based on the subsidence area and has successfully attained a AAAA-level scenic spot designation.

However, many workers in the mine area are still struggling. They belong to the lower strata of society, and after the layoffs and buyouts, more than half of the workers who depended on the coal mines were pushed into society, having to face re-employment issues. Only a few succeeded, and most struggle to make ends meet.

Xu Changshan visits the Qingshan Mine nearly every now and then. Each time he brings a lot of Chinese medicine, which he freely provides to some old friends. Today was no exception; two large woven bags were full of Chinese medicinal materials. Xu Chunliang followed behind his grandfather, carrying the two large bags, looking much like returning migrant workers.

During a special period, Xu Changshan was sent here for reformation, and as a result, formed deep friendships with the locals.

Time flies. It's already been nearly fifty years. Many of the friends he knew back then have already passed away, and Xu Changshan is getting older and can no longer bring as much Chinese medicine as before. However, not as much is needed now.

When getting off at the Qingshan Mine Workers' New Village, they found that demolition was underway around them. With the city's continuous eastward expansion, this area was included in municipal planning. After the completion of the Qingshan Lake renovation project, many real estate developers acquired land nearby to develop residential buildings. A new round of construction is feverishly underway.

Xu Changshan looked at the buildings in the distance and sighed, "They're building houses everywhere. I just don't get it, what's the point of building so many houses? With the industrial and mining industries gone, where will the ordinary folks' income come from? Without income, where will the money to buy houses come from?"

Xu Chunliang smiled, "It's called industrial upgrading. If we don't mine, we can do something else."

Xu Changshan sighed. Back in the booming eighties, both sides of this street were full of small vendors doing business, and there were several restaurants extending over 200 meters. Now you can see the end of the street at a glance, and both sides are empty except for one breakfast shop that's still open.

The two of them came out early, and they hadn't had a chance to eat yet, so Xu Changshan suggested grabbing a bite there.

The old man ordered the local specialties of stuffed pancakes and mage soup. While these were sold in Dongzhou City too, they didn't taste as authentic as they did here.

As they were eating, an elderly man came in with his bird and, seeing Xu Changshan, rushed over to greet him: "Mr. Xu, you're here!"

The elderly man's name was Yangjianguo, a former local coal miner.

Xu Changshan laughed, "Old Yang, how's your health lately?"

Yangjianguo nodded repeatedly: "Ever since I started taking the medicine you prescribed last time, my stomach problems haven't flared up. You're truly a miracle worker."

Xu Changshan laughed heartily, and Yangjianguo bought some breakfast and came over to sit with them: "Mr. Xu, you're here to deliver medicine again?"

Xu Changshan said, "It's been a while since I came over. I was thinking of some old friends, so I came to visit. By the way, where's Old Lu, the one you often played cards with?"

Yangjianguo's expression dimmed: "He's gone."

"Oh? When did it happen?"

"Just after Mid-Autumn, at eighty-five. It was a joyful farewell."

Xu Changshan pursed his lips. Old Lu was his co-worker during his reformation, who took great care of him. He was also a long-term diabetes patient, living a difficult life. Xu Changshan regularly came over to treat him and deliver medicine. He hadn't expected to have parted ways with him this time.

Yangjianguo said, "There's really nothing to be sad about. We all have this day coming. Our Worker Village is now more than half filled with elderly; the young ones have all gone out to make a living. Who would stay in this dilapidated place? With so many elderly, funeral events are not uncommon..."

Before he finished speaking, the sound of speakers came from outside. Yangjianguo said, "Mrs. Wei passed away last night, remember her?"

Xu Changshan nodded repeatedly. Of course, he remembered. Mrs. Wei was a particularly kind person. During his reformation, she helped him with bedding and made cloth shoes. She had rheumatic arthritis, which he had helped treat, and he even brought medicine for her this time.

Xu Chunliang noticed his grandfather was greatly affected by the passing of two old friends, so he changed the subject: "Grandpa Yang, we noticed demolition going on around here when we came in. "

Yangjianguo nodded repeatedly, "That's right. Qingshan Lake has been rated a 4A scenic spot. They say this whole area has become a scenic area and that a Water Street and a Folk Village will be built. This entire area has to be torn down."

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Xu Chunliang smiled, "Then we can live in a new house."

"Can't afford it!" Yangjianguo shook his head, then remembered to inquire about the relationship between Xu Chunliang and Xu Changshan, thinking he was Xu Changshan's apprentice, but unexpectedly, he was his grandson.

Talking about his grandson, Xu Changshan was filled with pride and told Yangjianguo that his precious grandson is now the director of a branch of Changxing Hospital. Despite seeming indifferent to Xu Chunliang's position at home, he often praised him outside.

Yangjianguo praised, "A tiger born from a distinguished family, truly promising. Come to my place for lunch, shall we have a drink?"

Xu Changshan said he would head over after delivering medicine to his old patients.

The grandfather and grandson finished their meal and left first.

Xu Changshan originally intended to deliver medicine to two old friends, both of whom had died, which affected his mood. As he passed by Mrs. Wei's home, he looked from afar without approaching. Suddenly, he had the thought that the next time he comes, those old friends might all be gone; in fact, he wasn't even sure if he'd be able to come again.

Life is just like that; some people will always leave first. Xu Changshan also thought of Gu Houyi's invitation. Although the conditions were favorable, going there would mean constantly facing a group of elderly, and every so often confronting such situations. As a doctor, witnessing the death of people around him while being powerless must be a form of sorrow.

Thinking of this, Xu Changshan suddenly felt uninterested and told Xu Chunliang, "Chunliang, I don't plan to go to Kangjian Hospital."

Xu Chunliang was momentarily stunned. The conditions offered by Kangjian Hospital were quite favorable, and his grandfather had previously cooperated with them. Why the sudden change of heart? Xu Chunliang thought about it and quickly guessed that he must have been deeply affected by the deaths of his old friends today.

Elderly people living together can certainly take care of each other, but there's an unavoidable issue. Entering a senior living facility is entering a special environment, somewhat detached from normal society. More importantly, the age composition means they encounter death more frequently than they would within a family.

Xu Chunliang said, "If you don't want to go, then don't go. It's not like I can't support you. Besides, given your health, you don't need anyone to take care of you right now."

Xu Changshan pressed his lips together. His grandson's words comforted him deeply. Even though his children were not by his side and didn't understand him, his grandson truly cared and understood his thoughts.

Xu Chunliang said, "Anyway, you can't stay idle. How about helping Uncle Zheng with a little task?"

Xu Changshan immediately shook his head and said, "Don't even mention it. I won't cause you trouble."

As they passed by Building Six of the old dormitory, a person walked out. The man was tall and strong, carrying an old lady on his back; it was Zhou Meng, the forest ranger from Cyan Dragon Mountain.

Zhou Meng was carrying his mother downstairs to bask in the sun. Unexpectedly, he encountered Xu Changshan and his grandson, and excitedly said, "Mr. Xu, what brings you here?"

Xu Changshan smiled, "You live here?"

Zhou Meng said, "It's my mother's house." He set his mother down.

Since Zhou Meng got the Blood Circulation and Bone Nourishing Soup from Huichun Hall, the effects on his mother were significant. The old lady, who was very resistant to surgery, abandoned the idea entirely after her symptoms eased.

Although the old lady could walk now, Zhou Meng was still not comfortable with her going up and down the stairs, so he carried her each time.

Xu Changshan appreciated filial sons the most. Although he hadn't known Zhou Meng for long, he could tell that Zhou Meng was a devoted son.

The old lady's surname was Liu, and hearing that Xu Changshan was the old Chinese doctor who prescribed her medicine, she quickly expressed her gratitude. The common people had a very simple way to show thanks—by inviting the old doctor to their home for a meal.

Xu Changshan couldn't help but laugh, indicating he had just had breakfast. Since they had met, he inquired about Mrs. Liu's condition.

Mrs. Liu felt much better. Since taking the medicine as prescribed, the pain that tormented her had disappeared. Previously, she couldn't even get out of bed. She feared nothing except burdening her son. Zhou Meng, at thirty-two, still hadn't found a wife due to poor family conditions.

Afflicted with such an illness, she saw her son juggling work and taking care of her, which made Mrs. Liu deeply reluctant. She had previously considered death, thinking it would end everything and spare her child the burden.

Xu Changshan asked her to walk a few steps. The old lady's steps showed a clear discrepancy in leg length.

Typical symptoms of femoral head necrosis include hip pain and restricted movement; severe cases may result in unequal leg length, clinically referred to as a limping gait.

Femoral head necrosis is a commonly encountered clinical condition, generally difficult to treat, and more frequent among middle-aged and elderly people.

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