Chapter 356: I will treat it

We met at noon the next day, and Zheng Yazhi told me a different story.

His first words were: Cruz is the benefactor of his family.

Mr. Zheng slowly recounted his life story to me:

In a slum on the outskirts of Cebu, the second-largest city in the Philippines, lives Zheng Yazhi and his family. He is considered the third generation of Chinese. Ever since his grandfather came to the Philippines, his grandfather and father have worked hard but have never been able to make a living.

After a few years of study, he was forced to enter the workforce early, working in the copper mine owned by Cruz's father. Initially, he and Cruz had no connection. Cruz was twenty years his senior, and by the time Zheng Yazhi was working at the mine, Cruz was already a professor at a medical school.

Once, a fire broke out in the copper mine's material warehouse. Zheng Yazhi discovered it in time. Although he was an ordinary warehouse clerk, he temporarily acted as the fire captain and performed outstandingly. He was appreciated by Cruz's father and promoted to the position of warehouse manager.

Later, Cruz met with Zheng Yazhi and strongly recommended Zheng Yazhi to his father. Zheng Yazhi continued to rise in the company, but this also caused controversy in the Cruz family.

Some in the family believed that Zheng Yazhi, a Chinese from a slum, should not be in management.

Cruz defied the crowd. He said the Chinese are very hardworking and able to endure hardships. Did you know that? China is developing, developing, did you know that?

With Cruz's support, Zheng Yazhi later became the sales director. During the ten years he was the sales director, China developed rapidly and the world copper price soared.

Later, Zheng Yazhi went out on his own and specialized in the copper business. During this period, China needed a large amount of imported copper, and he had an advantage because of his Chinese ancestry and his ability to speak some Chinese.

His identity was more easily recognized by Chinese businessmen. As a result, his business was unstoppable, and he gradually became an expert on China, and thus made his fortune.

I said, "Isn't Cruz running the family business?"

Mr. Zheng shook his head. "He is very successful in the medical and palmistry fields. He doesn't want to do these 'mundane things'. So the copper mine will be managed by his brother."

I nodded and said, "Since you're so determined to save Cruz, then after the meeting, you should return home and first convince Cruz to accept Chinese medicine treatment. If he agrees, I'll give it a try."

Mr. Zheng grabbed my hand and said, "That's great."

I said, "You have to make it clear that I don't have a medical license. I'm just a Taoist doctor. Even if I provide treatment, it must be done in secret."

Mr. Zheng said, "This is a last-ditch effort. If he agrees, I won't mind. Of course, since he doesn't understand the greatness and wonder of Chinese medicine, he might instinctively refuse. However, the pain of the illness might make him give up his obsession."

I said, "That's settled. You have more important meetings this afternoon, so I won't bother you."

The two shook hands tightly again.

In the evening, Mr. Zheng asked to meet with me again.

I chose a teahouse near Cuiyuan and invited him to have tea.

Mr. Zheng said: "I am increasingly convinced of your story of poisoning. This is because there is a famous Gypsy palmist in the Philippines named Langkustan.

Langku used to be very famous, but after Cruz became famous, Langku's popularity has been declining. This is because Cruz has one more skill than Langku: he is an outstanding Western doctor. He can not only read people's palms and give them guidance, but he can also treat people's illnesses.

I said, "The information you provided is very valuable. Gypsies are known for their witchcraft. By casting a spell on Cruz, he's killing two birds with one stone. He can make Cruz live in agony while also damaging his reputation."

Mr. Zheng slapped his thigh and said, "It has to be him. There's no one else. How about this, if you cure his illness, he will definitely give you a large sum of money. It's a lot of money."

Yes, I need the money. But even more importantly, I need to promote Chinese Taoist culture and Chinese Taoist medicine. Regardless of success or failure, I'm willing to give it a try.

I said, "The person who administered the poison was very malicious. After listening to your description, I know this kind of poison is called 'slow poison.' It will make the person's limbs weak, but they won't die immediately. The effect can last for three years or even five years."

"Why did he have to use the 'Slow Gu'?"

I said, “The other party is very smart. They want to use Cruz as a living specimen.

Look at that brilliant palmist, that famous Western doctor. Can he really read palms accurately? If he can't even read his own palms accurately, how can he heal others? He can't even heal himself.

His only strength is bragging.

If Cruz had died immediately, the specimen would no longer exist."

"Oh, sir, your analysis is truly insightful."

Mr. Zheng picked up the cup to drink tea, put it down and said, "Mr. Wan, let's make this agreement. Whether he agrees or not, you must be prepared to come to the Philippines.

You don't need a visa because the Philippines allows some specially qualified travel agencies to issue visas on arrival, allowing you to stay in the Philippines for 30 days.

After I got back, I asked my office to contact the travel agency. Even if you didn't have any companions along the way, the travel agency could tailor a visa on arrival for you alone.

Because, without Cruz, there would be no me. Cruz has a good impression of China. Of course, he has misunderstandings about traditional Chinese medicine, but that is another matter.”

I said readily, "Okay. I'm confident. I'll show you how powerful Chinese medicine is."

The next day, Zheng Yazhi left Shangzhou and flew back to China.

Mr. Xiong and Ms. Zhang Meizhu stayed, and Mr. Chen also shortened his trip, flying directly from Harbin to Shangzhou.

On the fourth day, Mr. Chen, I, Lao Xiao, and Zhang Qingruo accompanied them. We first visited Taiyi Temple, then the Bainiao Lake under construction, and then visited several other scenic spots in Shangzhou.

On the last day, we went to Chengye Building together. This is a giant shopping mall built by Shangzhou in Nanli Town, which is known as the tallest building in Shangzhou.

Mr. Xiong signed a contract at the meeting. His jewelry store will be located in Upstate, in the Chengye Building.

Mr. Xiong said, "Teacher Wan, do you think this business is worth doing?"

I laughed out loud: "This name is specially chosen for you, Chengye Building. Anyone from Xiamen can achieve great things."

Mr. Chen clapped his hands and said, "This explanation is perfect and auspicious."

Mr. Xiong was very happy and asked me to help him choose a floor. I helped him choose the third floor.

I said, "A building like this is too high up. People only come for a stroll and then have something to eat or drink. When they get tired, they need to find a place to rest. The first floor is not suitable because there are too many people coming in and out. The second floor is not suitable either because it can be put up or down."

Only the third floor is neither too high nor too low. People who go up there don't patronize the jade shop. People who come down feel that if they don't buy something, they will finish their shopping trip if they go down again.

Besides, jade is quite valuable, so I wouldn't buy it while I'm going up, as I'm afraid I'll lose it if I carry it with me. I'd only buy it when I'm coming down and about to leave.

Therefore, the third floor is a good choice from the perspective of both feng shui and customer psychology.”

Mr. Xiong smiled and said, "Zhang Meizhu, I will send you here from now on. If you have any difficulties, please find Mr. Chen. If you have any doubts, please find Master Wan."

Zhang Meizhu said, "Mr. Chen, Teacher Wan, have you agreed? If you agree, I'll come over."

Mr. Chen said, "When the plane was about to land, the flight attendant announced: Upstate is a beautiful city, known for its warm hospitality. No matter when you come, you will always be greeted with a smile."

(Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. I will use another chapter to talk to readers about the fortune in 2023, how to have a good New Year, etc. This has nothing to do with the content of the novel, it is just a casual chat. Please pay attention.)