Free Web NovelChapter 503: Chapter 503: Everyone Wants It
Professor Yamada desperately wanted the Agarwood.
He offered a hundred million.
But Li Xu’s expression didn’t waver in the slightest.
He wasn’t short on money right now.
The dividends from Ding’s Pharmaceutical Factory and the income from his clinic had long since made him financially independent.
And the Ten Thousand Year Agarwood was a divine substance that diminished with every use.
Let alone a hundred million, he wouldn’t trade it for a billion.
Money lost can be earned again. But if this was gone, what would he use to save someone from a fatal illness in the future?
"Professor Yamada, this isn’t about money."
Li Xu’s tone was resolute. "This medicine is for saving lives, not for selling."
Seeing Li Xu’s unyielding expression, Yamada instantly deflated like a punctured balloon, his face a mask of dejection.
Meanwhile, Mayor Zhao and his wife, who had yet to leave, looked at each other in utter disbelief, their hearts in turmoil.
Just a moment ago,
they might have thought that ten million for 200 grams was a bit expensive.
But now, seeing the expert from Japan offer a hundred million for 100 grams only to be rejected,
they finally realized that the price Li Xu had given them was practically a giveaway!
It was a friendship price, slashed to the bone!
"Dr. Li... this..."
The patient’s father was so moved he was speechless.
Li Xu waved his hand, signaling that nothing more needed to be said.
Just then, Dr. Wilson also walked over.
Compared to Yamada’s fanaticism,
he appeared more rational.
"Dr. Li, although I still have my reservations about traditional Chinese medicine, facts speak louder than words. The pharmacological activity of this substance is truly astounding."
Wilson said earnestly, "I’m hoping to purchase a small sample to take back to the Mayo Laboratory. I believe that if we can use modern technology to analyze its active ingredients, we might be able to synthesize it and extract a purer form of the drug. That would be a blessing for all of humanity."
This was the typical Western medical mindset—reductionism.
Breaking everything down into its chemical formulas.
Li Xu smiled and said to Wilson, "Dr. Wilson, that’s an excellent thought. However, in Chinese medicine, treatment doesn’t rely solely on a single chemical component."
"The reason Agarwood is effective isn’t just because it contains substances like sesquiterpenes or chromones. What’s more important is its ’qi’."
"Chinese medicine is concerned with rising, falling, floating, and sinking, and with the four natures and five flavors. The Ten Thousand Year Agarwood I use has absorbed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth over millennia. Its nature is yang, allowing it to break through yin stagnation. Its qi is pure and ethereal, allowing it to open the nine orifices. This is a holistic energy field, not a simple chemical reaction."
"Once you grind it up, extract it, or even synthesize it, that ’qi’ will dissipate. All that’s left is a pile of soulless chemical compounds. It’s like breaking a person down into carbohydrates and proteins—they’re no longer that person."
Li Xu’s explanation was profound and mysterious.
Wilson only half-understood, but he grasped one thing clearly: this substance would be very difficult for Western medicine to replicate.
Seeing that there was no hope of buying the medicine, the experts could only give up.
Seeing that it was getting late, Li Xu said his goodbyes to Dean Song, preparing to go home and rest.
"I’ll walk you out."
Dean Song offered to see him off.
But when they reached the parking lot, Dean Song looked like he had something to say but was hesitating.
"Dean Song, just say what’s on your mind."
Li Xu stopped walking.
Dean Song said, a bit embarrassed, "Li Xu, um... I was also hoping to buy a little of that Agarwood."
Seeing the questioning look in Li Xu’s eyes, Dean Song quickly explained, "It’s not for me. It’s... some important people heard about what happened today and pulled some strings to ask me."
"News that the Ten Thousand Year Agarwood can bring the dead back to life travels too fast. You know, even though our Feng City isn’t large, it’s full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Some old leaders and officials aren’t in good health, and after hearing about this Divine Medicine, they all want to get some to keep on hand."
’As expected,’
Li Xu sighed to himself.
’Nothing stays secret for long.’
But he still shook his head, refusing bluntly. "Dean Song, please turn them down for me. Just tell them the medicine is extremely rare and I used almost all of it saving the patient this time. The little I have left is for any future critical patients I might encounter."
"This stuff is for saving lives, not for general wellness."
Seeing Li Xu’s resolute stance, Dean Song could only sigh. "Alright, I understand. I’ll fend them off for you."
...
Back in the car.
Song Sisi was driving, and Li Xu was sitting in the passenger seat, resting with his eyes closed.
"Li Xu, you refused so bluntly just now. Aren’t you afraid of offending people?"
Song Sisi asked with some concern, "Those important people are very powerful. What if they try to take it by force?"
She knew very well that those so-called "important people" often didn’t actually need it to save a life.
They probably just wanted to get some top-grade incense to burn and show off their status, or for the sake of so-called "life extension."
Giving them a life-saving Divine Medicine to burn like mosquito coils would be a criminal waste.
Li Xu opened his eyes and smiled faintly. "Don’t worry. I’m not just an ordinary person anymore."
"I have Ding’s Pharmaceutical Factory, I have those life-saving prescriptions, and I even have the means to bring people back from the dead. These are my protective talismans."
"They’re people who cherish their lives. And the more they cherish their lives, the less they’d dare to offend a doctor who can save them."
"Take it by force? That would be killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. They wouldn’t dare."
Just as he was speaking, Li Xu’s phone rang again.
He glanced at the number—it was Ding Kaifang.
"Hello, President Ding."
"Doctor Li, you’ve quietly gone and done something big..."
Ding Kaifang said with a wry smile.
"What is it?"
"Sigh. It’s about you bringing someone back from the dead."
"Er, word has already reached you."
Li Xu was speechless.
’It hasn’t even been that long.’
Ding Kaifang continued, "I just got several calls, all from connections at the provincial level, some even from the Capital City. They’re asking about the Ten Thousand Year Agarwood, saying any price is fine, that they’re even willing to trade land or political favors for it."
Li Xu sneered.
’Just as I thought. These vultures came as soon as they caught the scent.’
"President Ding, give them all the same answer: It’s gone. There was only a little, and it’s all been used,"
Li Xu said. "Tell them if I can find more in the future, they’ll get priority, but right now, there really is none left."
"Okay, I know what to say."
Ding Kaifang was an old hand at this; he naturally understood the stakes.
"By the way, President Ding."
Li Xu lowered his voice. "Arrange for an absolutely reliable convoy and some professional security personnel. I’ll give you a set of coordinates. I need you to make a trip to Guangxi."
"Guangxi?"
"That’s right. There’s still some Agarwood left there. It’s not the highest grade, but it’s all top-quality old stock. I need you to personally lead a team, bring it all back quietly, and store it in the factory warehouse. Don’t let anyone know."
"Understood."
Ding Kaifang understood its value, but he was even clearer on the unspoken rules involved.
For example, Agarwood dug up from the ground must be kept secret from outsiders.
Once word got out, the so-called experts would start clamoring for them to hand the Agarwood over.
So, this had to be done in secret.
Ding Kaifang said, "I’ll get on it right away. I’ll go myself to make sure it’s foolproof."
