Incurable Traits

At the end of Tung Han dynasty, there was plague everywhere. A doctor CHEE and his family escaped to Chukzhoug. CHEE and his son TOR practised doctor on street. A famous doctor KING used a red string to feel a girl’s pulse. TOR admired him very much. Because CHEE did not teach TOR medical art, he requested KING to be his master. A swindler PU cheated KWAN YU’s neighbor LAM. KWAN argued with PU but was sent to prison. On the other side, TOR realized KING’s eldest daughter MIU was his fiancee. However, MIU did not have good impression on him. TOR then threatened her to introduce him to KING to be apprentice. KWAN had beaten PU seriously but TOR saved him. TOR promised KWAN that he could cure LAM in order to exchange PU’s life. After several tests, TOR was able to be KING’s apprentice. When TOR was curing LAM, he noticed pestilence was spreading quickly.

TOR intruded into KING’s study and peeped at medical books. KING was angry and asked district magistrate to lock him in prison. KWAN came and could not find TOR. He demanded KING to cure LAM. After checking LAM’s pulse, KING recognized TOR’s word was true. He ran away immediately but MIU realized it. She bailed TOR out. CHEE found that two schools of medical theory might cure pestilence. In medical cottage, an official told KING to cure his father’s pestilence within two days. KING found it was difficult. Meanwhile, TOR came and asked to teach him the theory of typhus. KING promised if TOR could find a method to cure pestilence. Sound of gong and drum was coming from TOR’s room, everybody thought TOR was able to get the method.

KING’s two younger daughters LAN and WAI got two pigs for TOR as experiment, but they could not find him. The official’s father was dead and KING blamed on TOR. MIU believed TOR was not faithless. KING was worried the official would revenge on him. PU instigated him to play a lousy act about the god of plague, which villagers believed that donation could stop plague. With CHEE’s help, TOR, MIU and KWAN were able to find a special herb as an ingredient of a prescription. LAM’s pestilence was finally cured. On the other hand, the wicked plot of KING and PU.

PU thought he had pestilence. He therefore returned money to villagers hoping TOR would cure him. Due to poor business, KING and his family moved to Loyang. Moreover, CHEE wanted TOR to enter the imperial medical college in Loyang. He also told him that CHO CHO had saved him before. KING, CHEE and others stopped at Hsuchang. KING’s friend NG treated KING and his family. NG admired MIU very much. MIU asked TOR to write her love letter. TOR studied hard at home and NG chased after MIU. MIU did not see TOR for several days. She was worried and visited him. TOR was writing her love letter but it was just like a prescription. PU showed it to others. MIU was embarrassed but was happy with it.

MIU convinced TOR to work in KING’s medical cottage for their future. One day, TOR delivered medicine and passed by imperial medical college. He went in and was misunderstood as assassin. Fortunately, CHO was an understanding person and let him out. TOR also noticed CHO had hidden disease. On the street, TOR met CHO again and claimed he could cure him. However, CHO laughed away. TOR felt that he was lack of development and determined to leave. MIU borrowed money from NG helping TOR to set up his business. However, TOR always offered free medication, which put him into economic difficulty. Later, KING even came to demand TOR to repay him money. TOR then understood MIU’s grievance.

NG’s friend LEUNG also admired MIU, but she only loved TOR. TOR practised doctor outside. CHO’s adopted daughter TING and his son CHUNG looked for consultation, PU puff-recommended his homemade medicine. He quoted a price unreasonably. TING thought TOR was a quack doctor too. TING and CHUNG went to a ferry for fun. CHUNG was clever to repress the spirit of a western region envoy. CHO appreciated. Suddenly, CHUNG was seized with cramp. Since childhood, CHUNG had asthma. Though CHO had looked for famous doctors, it was in vain. KING made MIU believed TOR had gone to brothel. He even shut her up and compelled her to marry LEUNG. TOR realized and brought MIU away from home. KING and MIU declared to break off the father and daughter relationship.

The wedding of TOR and MIU was simple and very warm. MIU hoped TOR could enter the imperial medical college. She therefore looked for help from district magistrate who requested for a golden tripod. In the house of Prime Minister, CHUNG’s sickness was broken out again. The imperial doctor WEN was having acupuncture for him. Suddenly, CHO heard that there was assassin and he investigated immediately. Meanwhile, he met TOR who was coming to accuse the district magistrate of corruption. However, CHO neglected him because of headache and TOR was beaten cruelly. In a lane, TOR met KWAN who in fact was the assassin working for LAU PEI. They were happy to see each other again. CHO called for a medical conference. CHO’s hope of entering the medical college was rekindled. CHUNG begged TING to bring him outside when he was still alive. They met TOR.

TOR was trying to go aboard to Sanhsiang. He looked for a corpse of an old man in order to study CHUNG’s disease. However, TING and CHUNG occupied the ship. TOR used tricks to go with them. On the other hand, MIU took risk to have consultation in a brothel so as to earn a living. TOR arrived Sanhsiang. TING then realized they were being cheated. She was angry and walked a different way from TOR. However, she and CHUNG fell into a hole. TOR tried to save them and at the same time, he discovered the corpse. From the medication the old man taken, TOR got some idea. On the way of rescue, TING was almost buried alive. Fortunately, TOR was able to save her. TING had a good impression on him. In order to buy the golden tripod, MIU promised to go roaming with a brotheler SIU to earn fifty taels. However, TOR met them.

MIU lied that SIU was her brother who he talked crazily due to his sickness. SIU pitied her. After getting a reference letter from district magistrate, MIU and TOR went home to celebrate KING’s birthday. Unexpectedly, SIU also came and disclosed his secret with MIU. Next day, KING had a birthday banquet at home. MIU knew her mother was sick and determined to go home again with TOR. Meantime, WEN came and invited TOR to attend the medical conference. Everyone was surprised. In the conference, TOR pointed that CHUNG’s lung had a hole, which incurred the disease. CHO admired very much and WEN was jealous. TOR felt that PU and AH had to put their medical theory into practice. He therefore let them to manage the medical cottage. The first day TOR went to the imperial medical college, he was treated honorably. TOR’s younger sister YUK was suitable for marriage, MIU tried to match for her.

PU guessed AH loved YUK. He encouraged him to reveal to YUK. In his study, TOR thought of having an operation to cure CHUNG. He found YIU to be his experiment who did not fear pain. However, YIU withdrew after recognized TOR was going to dissect his tummy. PU revealed to YUK on behalf of AH but was misunderstood by YUK. Moreover, YUK admired PU more when he was drunk and drove away YIU bravely. TOR got an idea from PU’s drunkenness and made medicine, which CHUNG could have no pain during operation. TOR and TING went to Szechuan and found Datura for medicine. Meanwhile, WEN also studied to use mercury to cure CHUNG.

In Szechuan, a Miao witch caught TOR and TING when they gathered medical herbs. They were to sacrifice to the God of Snake. In a hut, TING told TOR that CHO was the murderer of her real father. During the sacrifice, KWAN saved them. On the other hand, WEN used a criminal to be his mercury test hoping to find a method to cure CHUNG. YUK was making shoes for PU to show her love. PU was afraid AH might revenge on him, he tried to stay away from her. KING knew TOR was highly appreciated in the college. He therefore tried to be on friendly relation with MIU. CHO thought TOR betrayed him of going to Szechuan. He sent KING, YUK and others into prison. LAN scolded MIU severely. TOR and TING were planning to leave Szechuan.

In KWAN’s camp, a spy’s identity was disclosed. The spy put the allocation plan of soldiers and horses into TING’s bag. TING counterfeited KWAN’s hand order and escaped with TOR. However, KWAN’s son PING had been waiting for them. PING wanted to find out the allocation plan, but there was only a landscape painting. KWAN apologized and let them leave. KING, MIU and others were sentenced to execution. Fortunately, TOR returned on time and saved CHUNG at last. Everyone was free from danger. TOR refused CHO’s reward. He took over the post of supervisor of the imperial medical college. Besides advocating that everyone should be equal, TOR revoked all those deadly rules. The college regained vitality. WEN was jealous and angry. In TOR’s house, YUK sent her handmade shoes to PU. AH swore to find out whom YUK admired.

PU tried to make use of YUK to raise himself to a high position. He made her believed AH was cursing on him. YUK did it. CHO was studying military situation and was seized by headache suddenly. TOR gave him acupuncture and let him rest. On the other hand, NG was afraid of being drawn into trouble by TOR who might be accused of disclosing military secret. He therefore stayed away from LAN. Because of his sickness, CHO didn’t fall into SUEN KUEN’s trap. He trusted TOR afterwards. Everyone then tried to flatter TOR again. NG and WEN’s son CHIH visited TOR. LAN only forgave NG if he helped to wash and cure all the beggars. Meantime, WAI had good impression on CHIH. PU was hurt again. YUK thought AH did it. She scolded him and disclosed PU was the one she loved.

Though AH had told YUK about PU’s evil act, YUK stilled loved him. TOR was invited to a gathering. KING, YUK and others joined him as well. However, they knew little about court manners and incurred disgrace. They were embarrassed. CHO went to TOR’s home to learn the rule of breath suppressing, but its slow movement bored him. CHO rewarded TOR with luxury house and servants. MIU and others were excited. TING and TOR followed CHO going to the front. There were a lot of wounded soldiers. TOR reproved CHO to cease fire. However, the soldiers supported CHO. On the other side, MIU and others lived extravagantly. The gap between MIU and TOR was becoming bigger and bigger.

KING suggested MIU to make a gold painted tablet to raise spirit of TOR. MIU agreed reluctantly and same as TOR. In order to make TOR happy, MIU thought of a just act to help the poor. TOR saved a person’s life and was late to stop CHO’s headache. Though CHO understood him, TOR was unease. The fund-raising act started. MIU helped the poor by throwing the food and the poor children were looking at them hungrily. TING came and blamed MIU of not fulfilling the aim of the just act. TOR returned home and had the same comment. MIU left angrily. CHO demanded TOR to stay at the college so as to concentrate to cure his disease. TOR was annoyed. MIU therefore arranged a boat trip to cheer him up. However, TOR lost his temper and left.

A woman had measles. TING brought her to see TOR. With an excuse of inviting MIU and others to tea, TING made them leave home. TING had left a hairpin. MIU was suspicious of it. In the imperial medical college, CHO asked TOR to produce poison killing the enemy. TOR refused without a second thought. TING mediated and TOR promised to delay the time. MIU and TOR recalled their happy moment. TOR found MIU had changed a lot and there was a great gap between them. TOR was in despair. TING and TOR were studying ‘Wu Chin Play’, which was very good for health. During their practice, they had physical touch. MIU saw it and was shocked.

TING and TOR were always together and there was rumor about them. CHO therefore betrothed her to TOR and took MIU as his adopted daughter as well. As a result, he could further control of TOR. For the sake of TOR’s safety, TING promised to marry him. On behalf of MIU, LAN set TING up to bring shame to her. Luckily, TING was able to escape from it. There was rumor that SUEN KUEN would use affinity with KWAN in order to strengthen his army. CHO immediately recruited all strong men to join his army. TOR was reluctant to see it and promised CHO to produce the poison soon. At the same time, TING suddenly brought TOR to discuss some counter-measures with KWAN. Later, CHO got some news that KWAN and KUEN broken up. TING then convinced TOR to stop recruiting soldiers. CHO agreed but TING still worried of the future.

CHO was compelling TOR. He even asked the emperor to appoint TOR be ‘the Minister of War’ leading the army. TING noted CHO’s wicked plot and was worried. MIU and TOR went to thank god. TING followed them. On the way, TING had stomachache. TOR brought her to a restaurant and looked after her tenderly. There were three military officials, who sneered at TOR being like a slave to his wife. CHO introduced TOR to his subordinates, who were those three officials in the restaurant. They requested CHO to appoint another ‘Minister of War’. TING understood TOR would have misfortune and arranged his family to escape. She informed KWAN to help. CHO received TOR to produce poison. TING cheated that they were going back to home village to worship ancestor. TOR finally made the poison and gave it to CHO. He ran to the pier secretly and joined his family. However, they were discovered by CHO and were in danger.

KWAN brought them away from danger, but TING was caught by CHO. KWAN settled TOR and his family in Hsiangyang. KING and others still had complaints. TOR was worrying of TING but he could do nothing. He went to KWAN’s camp to cure the wounded soldiers. MIU tried to help him but was refused. KWAN and CHO’s son YAN started fire. KWAN was hurt by poisonous arrow. TOR cured him by scraping away the poison. YAN also retreated the fighting line. CHO was seized with headache again. He killed all students in the medical college. Only NG and CHIH were able to escape. They went to KWAN’s camp for help and reunited with KING and others. MIU decided to have hardship with TOR, whom was touched. However, TOR determined to leave them behind and rescued TING.

TOR would cure CHO’s serious headache if CHO could promise his three conditions. TING determined to leave for the sake of MIU and TOR. On the other side, MIU went back to Hsuchang to reunite with TOR. TOR and his students compiled ‘Tsing Nang Book’ for descendants. Meanwhile, KWAN was killed. CHO suspected TOR would kill him. He therefore locked him up and ordered to burn his books. Before sending to prison, TOR returned home and met MIU. TOR rewrote ‘Tsing Nang Book’ and gave it to MIU. WEN used tricks to get the book. MIU therefore burned it. Fortunately, AH was able to keep the chapter of ‘Tieh Ta’. At the same time, TOR was exhausted and died. As time went by, MIU and TING were able to bring the chapter of ‘Tieh Ta’ and ‘Wu Chin Play’ to light.