Records of Parties Involved in the Republic’s Abolishment of Traditional Chinese Medicine Case (Excerpted from "Life History of the Silver Dollar Era")

[王白水]

Recently, I have been reading a small book, Mr. Chen Cunren’s A Social History of the Silver Dollar Era, which details the author’s personal experience organizing resistance against the abolition of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The reading is magnificent and from it, I see many parallels with current realities.

Here is the full excerpt, as the text is lengthy, it will be sent in chapters. Please be patient while reading.

https://weread.qq.com/book-detail?type=1&senderVid=387006699&v=94b32f607157004f94b7947

Table of Contents

A Great Stir Over Abolishing TCM
All of Shanghai Suspends Treatment, Meetings Convened
Responses from Various Places Gathered in Shanghai
March 17, Grand Assembly Held
Five Representatives Petitioned in Nanjing
Arrival in Nanjing, Massive Demonstration
Interviews and Visits, Positive Reactions
Minister of Health Sends Letter of Invitation
Victorious Return to Shanghai, Commemorative Photography

1 A Great Stir Over Abolishing TCM

We must trace back to the 17th year of the Republic of China (1928). The movement to abolish TCM began just after the Northern Expedition succeeded and the government relocated to Nanjing. At that time, Wang Jingwei was most prominent in Hankou; he preached everywhere about Japan’s Meiji Restoration, stating that the first step was to abolish Han medicine. He regarded himself as a leader of the reformists and repeatedly expressed this view in speeches. Newspapers often carried such scattered news.

Our TCM community strongly resented him, believing that TCM and Chinese herbal medicine were the cornerstone of the nation’s health and had a long history. At that time, Western medicine practitioners numbered only about six to seven hundred in all of Shanghai, and only dozens in other metropolitan areas. In smaller counties, cities, towns, and villages, there might be none at all. Therefore, we considered his proposals mere empty talk on paper and never expected them to be realized. However, they were not just empty words. Initially, Chu Minyi took the lead in promoting this action. Under the Ministry of Health of the Nanjing National Government, a central health conference was convened, inviting health bureau chiefs of various cities, hospital directors of provinces, directors of national and provincial medical schools, and over 120 notable Western medicine doctors from across the country to participate in a three-day meeting.

Chu Minyi was very active in campaigning and publicizing the cause. The conference passed a resolution to gradually phase out TCM. The original proposal was drafted by the Japanese-trained doctor Yu Yan (Yunxiu). Their plan was thorough and, fearing nationwide opposition, the key point was to issue licenses to current practicing TCM doctors once. After that, no new TCM doctors would be allowed to emerge. The original proposal excerpt is as follows:

Proposer: Yu Yan.
(Topic) Abolish old medicine to remove obstacles in medical affairs.
(Reason) … Human medicine targets individuals with the purpose of curing disease. Today’s health administration is purely based on modern scientific medicine, infused with contemporary political ideas. The theories used by old medicine are all baseless constructs, obstructing scientific progress. As long as old medicine is not removed, public thinking will not change, and health administration cannot advance… etc.
(Methods)

1. Handling existing old medicine practitioners - as they are many, survival depends on them, and societal habits must be considered, abolition policy should not be abrupt, a gradual approach is proposed with six points:
   a. Old medicine registration by the Ministry of Health, with licenses granted to practice.
   b. The government sets up a medical and health training office; registered old medicine doctors must receive supplementary education in health administration knowledge, with certificates issued upon completion. Only with the certificate can they continue to operate; without it, they must cease business.
   c. Registration of old medicine is limited to the end of the 19th year of the Republic.
   d. Supplementary education for old medicine is limited to five years, ending in the 22nd year of the Republic, after which no further training will be given. This marks the end of certificate issuance.
   e. Old medicine research societies are free to assemble and are government-supported but solely for academic research, not for professional practice.
   f. From the 18th year of the Republic, old medicine practitioners over fifty years old and with over twenty years of domestic practice are exempt from supplementary education and granted special licenses, but prohibited from diagnosing certain legally designated infectious diseases or issuing death certificates. The validity of such special licenses is limited to fifteen years and cannot be renewed afterward.
2. Reforming ideology, avoiding excessive measures, starting with the major points, three measures:
   a. Prohibit advertisements introducing old medicine in newspapers.
   b. Examine newspapers and magazines to prohibit the promotion of unscientific ancient knowledge.
   c. Ban the establishment of old medicine schools.

The “old medicine” mentioned here refers to TCM because at that time, traditional Chinese medicine was called “national medicine” (Guoyi), signifying China’s indigenous state medical practice like national language, national literature, national flag, national emblem, national arts, and national opera. Western medicine was very dissatisfied with this term but since it was in common use, they could do nothing. As a result, they resolved to change the name of TCM to “old medicine,” calling themselves “new medicine.” This implied TCM was an old-fashioned medical practice about to be eliminated, while their Western medicine was modernized and newly born, destined to replace the old.

Western medicine doctors also disliked being called “Western medicine” because the term “Western” highlighted their origins from the West and implicitly compared TCM as China’s national medicine. Therefore, all official and private documents uniformly avoided the term “Western medicine” and for TCM, they absolutely refused to use “national medicine,” calling it solely “old medicine.” The entire proposal carries profound implications.

Once this proposal was published by various newspapers, it met strong criticism from public opinion, stating that TCM and herbal medicine must not be abolished as it would not work if implemented. At that time, most in the TCM community didn’t take this matter seriously, only venting frustrations here and there, blaming the National Government for mishandling it, otherwise just waiting and watching.

One point in this proposal referred to inspecting newspapers and magazines — directly targeting the Kangjian Newspaper I published. I was mulling over how to deal with it when my classmate Zhang Zancheng called me: “Old Chen, have you seen this news?” I said, “I have.” He asked, “What’s your stance?” I replied, “Of course I oppose it, but I want to know what your esteemed father thinks.” He said, “My father is old now and doesn’t understand this proposal. He thinks those already practicing should be allowed to continue, and that’s enough.” I said, “This matter isn’t to be taken lightly. We young TCM doctors must come up with a strategy.” He agreed repeatedly. We then arranged to meet after clinic hours at the second floor of Wufangzhai on Nanjing Road for discussion. (Note: Zhang Zancheng’s father was Zhang Boxi, a well-known elder doctor from Changzhou, and it was him who introduced me to Master Yao Gonghe.)

After the phone arrangement, while seeing patients, I kept thinking. I believed the older generation of TCM doctors, due to habits, kept to themselves and did not intervene much. Therefore, it was impossible for them to lead the resistance. However, these elderly TCM doctors had broad social connections and respected reputations, so their prestige must be drawn upon for rallying. The practical work had to be done by our younger generation.

At 5:00 p.m. that day, the two of us arrived at Wufangzhai one after another. As soon as we met, we talked nonstop. Finally, I proposed gathering representatives from across the country to Shanghai for a large-scale protest meeting.

Wufangzhai is a famous dim sum shop in Shanghai, mainly selling tangyuan, cakes, sugar-glazed sweet potatoes, sticky rice lotus root, and other snacks and dishes. We casually ordered some snacks, eating and talking with great enthusiasm. Before we knew it, it was six o’clock. We decided to invite Teacher Xie Liheng for further discussion and to hear his opinion before setting the course of action. Then we dialed a phone (Note: at that time in Shanghai, calls had to be made by hand crank, calling out numbers and being connected manually) to invite him to Wufangzhai for a meal. Teacher Xie accepted immediately and took a tram there.

Teacher Xie, known as “Meirang Gong” (the “Bearded Gentleman”), stepped lightly upstairs. He was very witty and started by asking, “What are you going to feed me?” We said, “We know you like ‘Shanhu Pass Bridge Noodles’ (a type of noodle dish served with sauce in a separate bowl), so we invited you here.” He smiled and said, “Why don’t we have some wine?” We all said, “Good.” So, we ate and drank while returning to our main topic.

Teacher Xie was also aware that the National Government planned to gradually abolish TCM. He said, “The older generation like us is not affected yet, but you young ones, what do you plan to do?” We then explained our plan to convene a nationwide TCM protest meeting in detail. He was pleased but said, “There has been no coordination among TCM doctors nationwide, and it is not even known how many TCM organizations exist. It may be difficult to gather them.” The two of us were silent, realizing this was indeed a tough problem.

While pondering, I suddenly recalled my Kangjian Newspaper. We had TCM subscribers from provinces, counties, and cities. Zhang’s Medical World Chronicle magazine also had TCM subscribers. Based on all subscriber addresses from across provinces, cities, and counties, we selected two persons per place and sent the protest telegram to them to relay to their local TCM associations. Teacher Xie said, “Good, now there is a clear direction.”

[王白水]

All Clinics in Shanghai Closed, Meeting Held for Collective Discussion

At that time, Shanghai originally had three Chinese medicine groups brewing the idea of organizing a unified “Shanghai Chinese Medicine Association.” They collectively recommended Teacher Ding Zhongying as the convener. The association had not yet been officially established, but Ding was informally designated as chairman and Teacher Xie as supervisor. So we proposed that Teachers Ding and Xie jointly convene an urgent meeting. Teacher Xie said, “Alright.” After we finished eating, we paid one yuan and even got change back. Teacher Xie urged us to quickly compile a list of nationwide Chinese medicine addresses. The two of us said, “We’ll work overnight and extract the entire list.” Teacher Xie repeatedly said, “By tomorrow night, you can convene a meeting for the three groups.” We replied, “Yes, sir.” Then everyone parted ways.
Zhang Zancheng and I immediately went back to our homes, carefully reviewing subscription directories. We found Chinese medicine groups in Nanjing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Tianjin, Beijing, Guangzhou, and so on. For places without groups, we selected two or three people as correspondents there. My own list was not finished until three o’clock in the morning. After calculation, there were addresses in 300 provinces, counties, and cities nationwide.
The next morning, I acted as a negotiator to Teacher Ding, who agreed immediately and said, “No delay, if we are going to do it, let’s do it.” So everyone called around and arranged to meet at a Western vegetable restaurant. That day, fewer than twenty people attended. Among them were Lu Zhong’an, Xia Yingtang, Yin Shoutian, Guo Bo-liang, and others. Everyone saw our nationwide Chinese medicine address list and regarded it as a “magic weapon.” Whether or not the Shanghai Chinese Medicine Association was officially established, they agreed to first use this name to distribute a “fast mail telegram.”
At that time, telegram communications were available, but using telegrams to notify the whole country would cost a lot. There was a method called “fast mail telegram” which used telegram-like red lined paper printed with the words “fast mail telegram,” but was basically just express mail. Express mail required five cents more postage than ordinary mail. Such mail was given priority by post offices and delivered quickly, similar to express trains (meaning trains that do not stop at small stations). We used this method to quickly notify various places; the cost was not too high. However, timing-wise, express mail would take seven days to reach Beijing (since then the Jinpu Railway was not yet connected), and more than ten days to reach Datong, Shanxi. Therefore, for more distant provinces, we decided to send telegrams instead. The fees were temporarily advanced by Teacher Ding.
I was responsible for drafting the original fast mail telegram text. Everyone thought the wording was very passionate, and Teacher Xie revised a few words to make it even more lively and vivid.
During our discussion, there was a very fiery young man in the pharmaceutical industry named Zhang Meian who actively participated. He said, “We must first convene a meeting in Shanghai of Chinese doctors and Chinese medicine stores to close business for half a day and hold a united protest meeting of the Shanghai medical community.” When he said this, everyone’s blood boiled with enthusiasm and unanimously approved. It was decided to hold the meeting regularly in the hall of the Renjitang Clinic on Liulang Road.
On that day, more than a thousand people from the Chinese medicine community all suspended their clinics. Several hundred pharmacy owners and workers also participated, crowding the Renjitang Clinic to the point of no space. Not only was the main hall full, but even the courtyard was packed with people. At this gathering, everyone passionately competed to speak. The atmosphere was very lively, but those standing further away couldn’t hear anything. Only Zhang Meian used slogans to lead everyone in chanting together sentence by sentence, showing unity and determination to oppose the resolutions of the Central Health Conference to the end. Finally, Teacher Xie Liheng gave a speech. Everyone listened respectfully and silently. Teacher Xie read out the drafted telegram, announcing that a national representative meeting would be held on March 17 at the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce. The applause was thunderous. Then the issue of funding was raised, asking the audience for voluntary donations. Immediately, everyone eagerly contributed and raised more than four thousand yuan. Representatives from the pharmaceutical sector said, “They also plan to hold a meeting and send additional funds to support this movement.”
The meeting ended at seven o’clock. A few core members quickly had dinner near Renjitang. Teacher Ding Zhongying said, “It seems funding will not be a problem. We should note in the telegram that delegates should cover their own travel costs, but once in Shanghai, their meals and accommodation will be hosted by the Shanghai medical community.” Previously, visitors from various places stayed in ordinary small hotels. Only the more affluent dared to stay in places like the Huizhong Hotel. Ordinary hotels charged about 1.4 to 2 yuan in silver daily. Calculating according to the number of delegates, several ordinary hotels near the Nichengqiao Pingqiao Road area were booked in advance. The meeting was scheduled for three days. The two meals a day for each delegate were provided by designated restaurants with coupons from the Shanghai pharmaceutical industry, which was still affordable for the Shanghai medical community. Hence, this approach was later specified in the telegram, and it was also stated that voluntary donations were welcome.

[王白水]

Responses from Various Regions Gather in Shanghai

After this express telegram was sent out, within six or seven days, replies were received from Nanjing, Suzhou, and Hangzhou, all stating their determined participation. There was also a group from Hong Kong called the Chinese Medical Association (addressed at Des Voeux Road Central). They sent a telegram explaining they would not send representatives but remitted a donation of one hundred Hong Kong dollars to show their support.
From then on, we held preparatory meetings daily and organized secretarial, general affairs, finance, publicity, reception, and executive groups, selecting capable colleagues to take charge of each group’s matters.
Originally, I was the secretary director of the Chinese Medicine Association, and at this time, I took charge of several groups. Fortunately, there was a medical professional named Jiang Wenfang from Jiangwan with newspaper experience; he was a fast writer. After discussion, we invited him to serve as secretary. This allowed me to save a lot of time to plan the affairs of each group.
After the preparatory meeting at Renjitang, I drafted a very long press release and personally delivered it to various newspapers, requesting all to publish it. Editors of newspapers had long trusted Chinese medicine and were deeply angered by the abolition of Chinese medicine. Upon receiving this press release, they published it word for word in prominent positions on the local news pages. At that time, Shanghai’s five largest newspapers even wrote editorials explaining that Chinese medicine must not be abolished, which greatly strengthened our cause.
Previously, many social groups in Shanghai such as the General Chamber of Commerce, the Commercial Association, the Chinese National Products Maintenance Association, and the various regional hometown associations held formal telegram declarations on major social events. Regarding the abolition of Chinese medicine issue, they all issued telegrams expressing unanimous support for Chinese medicine.
This response was originally very favorable to us in Chinese medicine, but it also provoked resentment from Shanghai’s Western medical community. At that time, the four most active Western medical writers were Yu Yunxiu, Wang Qizhang, Pang Jingzhou, and Fan Shouyuan. They skillfully published articles opposing Chinese medicine in various newspapers. So we also put forward four people, one to respond to each of them, like a wrestling match, engaging in a pen war on the newspaper pages. I was originally assigned to handle Pang Jingzhou. Our pen battle was considered well-worded and sharp. Unexpectedly, halfway through, a surprise contender appeared—Chu Minyi, a so-called important Party and state official at the time. He prepared a very long interview article and submitted it to the newspaper for publication. The press highly valued speeches from central officials. This article was received by the editor Zhao Junhao of Shenbao at 3 p.m. Zhao immediately called me and asked me to come review it first, saying, “This speech is very aggressive. Do you want to read it first?” I said “Okay.” I immediately went to the Shenbao editorial office, copied the original manuscript by hand (unfortunately there were no copiers at that time), and rushed to Master Yao Gonghe’s home to discuss countermeasures.
Master Yao said, “According to the newspaper’s position, Chu Minyi’s speech must be published without changes. If you want to respond, it’s best to draft a reply tonight so that it can be published simultaneously the next morning. Otherwise, a rebuttal from civilians to a central committee member may not be published.” I said “Okay.” Immediately, I drafted a rebuttal in Yao’s small room, asked him to revise it slightly, then printed ten copies overnight and distributed them to newspapers. The next morning, they were indeed all published simultaneously, creating an interesting contrast with Chu Minyi’s speech. Medical professionals who read it highly praised my promptness and quality. (Note: Two newspapers were fearful of this so-called central committee member Mr. Chu, so they delayed publishing my article by one or two days.)
From then on, newspapers continuously published articles from all sides, seventy percent of which criticized the Western medical profession and the hospitals in the foreign concessions for corruption and treating human life frivolously, urging Western medicine to improve their medical skills. Other scattered articles related successful cases where Chinese medicine cured illnesses that Western medicine could not. On the momentum front, Chinese medicine had the upper hand; however, some articles criticized Chinese medicine for being too conservative and not keeping pace with the times.
After several busy days, the reception group leader Yu Hongsun came to me and said, “Doctors from various provinces and counties have sent letters saying they will send three to five or six to seven representatives. The Guangzhou representative Chen Renmei sent a telegram requesting a reservation for a high-class hotel room. So, the small inns on Pingqiao Road seem unsuitable. What should we do?” I said, “The reception group cannot follow the usual arrangements. Most representatives from small counties can stay on Pingqiao Road, but the few wealthy representatives can be accommodated in the second-tier Huizhong Hotel or the top-class Dadong Hotel. These representatives will later make large donations, so spending more on hospitality will not be wasted.”
The reception group members were all young doctors; over twenty of them were on call under Yu Hongsun’s command. On specific days and times, eight people from each group waited at stations or docks holding clear banners. Newspapers featured daily reports of representatives arriving from various regions. At that time, there were no photojournalists, so the newspapers had no pictures, but the scale was very impressive.
Each regional representative arriving in Shanghai would dine the same night at the Atlantic Western Restaurant, where teachers Ding and Xie acted as hosts and gave speeches. Both the hosts and guests spoke passionately, insisting that this conference must reverse the resolution.
By March 17, it was calculated that representatives from fifteen provinces, 243 counties, and four cities had officially arrived—totaling 281 representatives. Representatives from remote provinces and cities such as Sichuan, Yunnan, and Shaanxi could not attend due to time constraints but all sent donations.
This national conference of Chinese medical practitioners’ resistance was held in the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce Hall at Tianfei Gongqiao Bridge. This venue was the most magnificent in Shanghai, with very spacious seats. Even with so many representatives, seats were not fully occupied, so all remaining seats were supplemented by students from Shanghai’s three Chinese medical schools and the pharmaceutical workers’ union. Both upstairs and downstairs, aisles were filled with people. The meeting lasted three days.

[王白水]

March 17th, Conference Convened

This time, the conference originally planned for all 3,000 traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in Shanghai to stop seeing patients and for 900 pharmacies to close, all participating together; however, the General Chamber of Commerce’s hall could not accommodate such a large number of people. Therefore, it was decided to distribute several types of slogans, flags, banners, etc., to medical practitioners and pharmacies to post at their entrances as a sign of support.

That same morning, I and other young traditional Chinese medicine practitioners set up everything inside and outside the General Chamber of Commerce, and also organized patrol teams to maintain order, as well as a reception group to welcome representatives from various places. By the conference time at 1 p.m., representatives from all over had arrived on time, crowding the hall so densely that not a drop of water could seep through.

The conference opened with Cai Jiping reporting on the preparatory process, followed by Teacher Xie Liheng presiding. Then representatives from six provinces gave speeches. However, the biggest issue was the lack of a unified dialect: southerners did not understand the Jiangsu and Zhejiang dialects, and the Jiangsu and Zhejiang people could not understand the dialects of Henan and Hebei. Two representatives spoke with tears streaming, but those listening in the audience couldn’t understand a word. Suddenly, a representative from Fujian jumped onto the stage, banging the table and chair to angrily curse the resolutions from the health conference. Although no one understood his words, everyone was deeply moved by his passionate expression.

That day I served as the conference master of ceremonies. Seeing this situation, I believed that to unify everyone, only by shouting slogans could we ignite passionate sentiment and unify our purpose. The slogans had been prepared in advance, so I invited Zhang Meian to lead the shouting of slogans. Zhang was young at the time, with a strong and sonorous voice. He first read out a slogan, and everyone followed, shouting loudly, the sound resonating like flowing clouds, and many felt their blood stirred. Then Jiang Wenfang announced: “Today, each delegate should prepare proposals and submit them at tomorrow’s conference.” The order that day was extremely good.

At the second day’s meeting, proposals submitted from all sides were collected and discussed one by one, chaired by Teacher Ding Zhongying. Representatives from all regions took turns coming to the stage to give speeches. Previously, at gatherings, there had been no microphones, so often only people near the front could hear, and whether they understood was a big question. That day, the talks mostly described the situations of traditional Chinese and Western medicine practitioners in various regions. The speakers were earnest, but the audience listened indifferently. Some saw that the situation was not right and proposed an urgent measure: to send representatives to Nanjing to petition and see what attitude the government authorities would take. This proposal was passed before noon.

The third day’s meeting discussed the number and selection of representatives. When the number was mentioned, trouble began. Someone proposed that each province send one representative. At that time, thirteen provinces were present, so there should be thirteen representatives. This proposal was immediately passed. Lu Yuanlei stood up and raised his arm, demanding that all thirteen provinces select representatives on the spot, come onto the stage, and each give a five-minute speech. His intention was to test the talents and abilities of the representatives. However, this exposed that the representatives selected by each province were elderly famous doctors who, once on stage, couldn’t even speak. Thus, the first method that had been passed was overturned.

Then someone suggested that provinces should not be the unit of representation; instead, talents should be emphasized, and the number of representatives should prioritize quality over quantity. Everyone unanimously supported this method and immediately chose representatives on-site. The first was Teacher Xie Liheng, who was appointed the leader; the second was Nanjing representative Sui Hanying, appointed leader of Nanjing; the third was Shanghai pharmaceutical representative Zhang Meian; the fourth was Teacher Ding Zhongying. Teacher Ding firmly refused, saying: “I prefer to stay in Shanghai, where there are still many matters to handle. I recommend Jiang Wenfang as secretary.” This was also approved. For the fifth representative, over a dozen candidates were proposed, leading to heated disputes with red faces and no resolution. Finally, Teacher Xie Liheng spoke: “This movement was first promoted by Chen Cunren. I need him to be the chief secretary to assist us with various internal tasks. With him, our organization will be complete.” At these words, the audience applauded thunderously, and thus this difficult issue was resolved.

That evening, a farewell banquet was held at the Atlantic Restaurant. Representatives from all provinces encouraged us, saying we must succeed and not fail. We were so moved that tears flowed down our faces.

Shanxi representative Shi Yiren raised his arm and shouted: “This time, we are welcomed by the Shanghai medical community, and it doesn’t cost us much. We should all donate willingly. Not only to support the resistance movement but also to unite the whole country, organizing the ‘National Medical and Pharmaceutical Association’ to carry out various improvement matters.” Upon hearing this, donations surged like a storm, and more than 20,000 yuan were donated on the spot.

[王白水]

Five Representatives Petition to Nanjing

After the five petition representatives were tentatively decided, they held a small group meeting that very night. Everyone felt that the prospects for this petition were not optimistic because the attendees of this Central Health Conference were all Western medicine practitioners. At the opening of the conference, Chiang Kai-shek sent someone to read a directive, hoping that after the establishment of the National Government, the health administration would be improved, with suggestions put forward by experts nationwide. At that time, the Minister of Health, Xue Dubi, basically echoed the same views. However, Chu Minyi, from Wang Jingwei’s faction, gave a different speech. He said, “The greatest obstacle to China’s health administration is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). If the administration is to get on track, revolution cannot be considered complete without abolishing TCM. Japan’s strength relies entirely on the Meiji Restoration. The Meiji Restoration was a new-minded popular movement that abolished Chinese medicine and drugs. Therefore, the health conference must take responsibility, pass the proposals drafted by nationwide experts, and hand them over to the government for implementation to accomplish the revolutionary cause.” It seemed that Chu Minyi had immense leadership at the assembly, and the main purpose of this conference was, in fact, to abolish TCM.

Chinese people often have the habit of thinking that after allying with one or two important figures, they become arrogant and invincible. Now, with the Health Conference having 120 experts, plus a “central committee member” Chu Minyi, it was as if they had added wings to a tiger. They believed that once the proposal to abolish TCM was passed and handed to the government for execution, their goal would be smoothly achieved. Thus, from the mood at the meeting, the abolition of TCM seemed destined by fate. Unexpectedly, once this proposal was passed and announced, it aroused nationwide resentment and became a huge sensation across the country, which they had not anticipated.

At that time, Shanghai was an economic hub as well as a center of public opinion. The media noticed that foreign pharmaceutical companies apparently provided financial support for this movement. Because if TCM were abolished, Western medicine would surely flood the entire nation. Rumors flew everywhere, but the specific facts, I fear, my memory is not accurate enough to write them out.

Sui Hanying was the representative from Nanjing. He suggested that two others should be invited to assist: one was Lu Zhong’an from Shanghai and the other Zhang Jianzai from Nanjing. Once the five petition representatives arrived in Nanjing, many central committee members would receive them; otherwise, they might face obstacles everywhere and accomplish nothing. We five all agreed to his suggestion. I said, “Lu Zhong’an lives on Pushi Road (now Changle Road). I have been to his house. Why don’t we go to his home now?” After saying that, we left. Lu Zhong’an was a straightforward Northerner. He said, “Since you want my help, I absolutely will not refuse.” So the next day he accompanied us but held no official position. Zhang Zancheng and Cen Zhiliang were also enthusiastic and accompanied us without taking any title.

We departed on March 21, taking the 9 a.m. train on the Shanghai-Nanjing railway. When we arrived at the North Station, over a thousand people from the TCM and pharmaceutical circles, as well as students from TCM schools and employees from herbal shops, crowded the station. There was also a military band of over thirty members playing rousing music. People waved flags and banners, shouted slogans, and cheered passionately. Amid such a lively atmosphere, we boarded the train. The farewell crowd waved handkerchiefs, wishing us a triumphant return.

At that time, an elderly doctor Cai Jiping led more than forty celebrities from the medical and pharmaceutical industry in a formation at the train station, representing delegates from all provinces across the country to see us off. We shook hands with each of them as we boarded. The mood was both excited and warm; everyone was so happy that tears welled up in their eyes.

In the days just before our departure, the newspapers ran daily stories about our mission, all prominently placed. This showed how various parties supported our movement. It was also the first time since the founding of the National Government that the campaign faced criticism from public opinion.

We traveled in second-class cars with tickets costing just over four yuan. However, once on the train, someone handed each of us a stack of newspapers (including all major Shanghai papers) costing two cents each. A cup of Longjing tea also cost two cents. So we drank tea and read the papers at the same time.

At that time, Lu Zhong’an, Sui Hanying, and I discussed who we should petition first or which respected elders we should visit first upon arrival in Nanjing to seek justice. We loosened our clothes and prepared in the carriage.

While we were talking, suddenly a representative from Suzhou appeared in the carriage. He said, “When you arrive at Suzhou station, you will see over a thousand TCM people from Suzhou, all closed their shops and lined up at the station to welcome you.” Indeed, less than an hour later, as the train reached Suzhou, a sea of flags appeared, followed by crisp slogans. The five of us quickly put on our coats and stepped out of the carriage. Upon alighting, we saw a strip of golden yellow carpet laid on the ground (Note: Yellow is a symbol of TCM, representing descendants of the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon). We walked on the carpet, shaking hands and greeting the crowd. We squeezed into the warm crowd, unable to move freely, surrounded by them. They insisted that we stay in Suzhou for lunch before leaving. However, the station clock was striking; we knew the train was about to depart. The more we tried to leave, the more they held us back. Unable to act freely, we asked the Suzhou representative to notify Lu Zhong’an, Zhang Zancheng, and Cen Zhiliang on the train that the five representatives were held up by Suzhou’s medical community. We would take the night train and arrive in Nanjing the next morning, asking them to explain the delay to the welcoming crowd and reporters at Nanjing station and offer their apologies.

So the five of us were escorted to Songhe Pavilion in front of Xuanmiao Temple for lunch. However, Songhe Pavilion could not accommodate so many people and could only set up eight tables on the second floor. Everyone happily had a meal. For the first time, I tasted a famous dish called “Stir-fried Shrimp Brain,” which I found the best of all. I secretly asked the waiter how much the meal cost. The waiter stuck out his tongue and said: About six or seven yuan. This showed it was very expensive there.

After the meal, I encountered Wang Shenxuan, an old schoolmate from medical school, who led over two hundred TCM students waving flags to welcome us. Meanwhile, another six or seven hundred TCM practitioners gathered below Songhe Pavilion. Later, an inspector directed them to line up. When we descended, a burst of applause and slogans greeted us. We marched on Guanqian Street. The five representatives rode in a rented carriage behind the parade, which proceeded quite a distance until reaching “Liuyuan Garden.”

Liuyuan Garden was originally the estate of Sheng Xuanhuai (Xing Xun). By then, it was open for public visits. (Note: The famous “Liuyuan” in Tokyo, Japan today is run by descendant Sheng Yudu, who adopted the same name.) The Suzhou Liuyuan was spacious but old. In the garden was a theater stage that unconsciously served as a Suzhou people’s assembly hall. The seats were all painted vermilion and were relics of the Qing Dynasty. They were low and small, like chairs for kindergarten children.

In a short time, the place was filled with guests. The Suzhou medical community leader first gave a speech, followed by an answer from the group leader Xie. Unexpectedly, the Suzhou representatives strongly requested that each of the five representatives give a speech. Jiang Wenfang spoke very clearly and logically. Zhang Mei’an’s voice was like thunder, causing the whole hall to burst into laughter. Sui Hanying spoke in a Nanjing dialect that the Suzhou people did not understand. I spoke Shanghai dialect, which was close to Suzhou dialect. I recounted the process of the abolition of TCM proposal, explaining that we relied solely on the support of the people across the nation and fellow practitioners. If the Central Health Conference failed in its purpose, foreign drug dealers were ready with large funds to support the proposal. At this point, everyone was moved and felt the future was not optimistic.

Originally, few TCM practitioners attended meetings and speeches. After this conference, everyone gained much experience. Regarding speech mannerisms, Teacher Xie was the best. The most effective in stirring fierce emotions was Zhang Mei’an. After our speeches, Suzhou doctors eagerly spoke, mostly encouraging us to strive for victory.

After leaving Liuyuan, we saw five open carriages waiting outside, each assigned to one of the five representatives. Five famous Suzhou doctors accompanied us.

Any popular movement in the past always included a big parade. This time, from 4 to 5 pm, there were notifications sent out from many directions, attracting a crowd of over a thousand. People marched, shouted slogans all along the way, and reached the foot of Tiger Hill. I remember we first crossed a small river, then arrived at the “Thousand-Person Stone” in front of the Sword Pool on Tiger Hill. Behind it stood the towering Tiger Hill Pagoda. We assembled on the Thousand-Person Stone. The stone was very flat, but although named Thousand-Person Stone, seating four or five hundred cramped it to capacity. Those without seats stood around the Sword Pool.

Teacher Xie said, “Now we should relax and not shout loudly to avoid hurting our voices; it would be embarrassing if we lose our voices when we reach Nanjing.” Everyone obeyed him. Teacher Xie had a majestic beard brushing his chest and an elegant demeanor. He was nationally famous. Hearing him speak, everyone felt his reputation was well deserved.

After a short rest, Nanjing representative Sui Hanying read aloud the petition letter presented to the government. His “Nanjing” Mandarin was fluent. After reading, thunderous applause rang in the valley on the Thousand-Person Stone. Soon, leaders of Suzhou’s medical community invited us to a vegetarian meal in a nearby temple, sitting eight full tables. The vegetarian dishes were delicately prepared with various styles, including vegetarian chicken, goose, and ham. Each dish resembled its meat equivalent. Old classmate Wang Shenxuan spoke in soft Suzhou dialect: “Night train tickets are ready. There are telegraphs from Nanjing urging you to not linger along the way because over two thousand people await at the station in Nanjing. Don’t let them down.” I replied, “Alright.” Then he whispered to me, “Are you all worn out? Do you want to visit the famous Lion Grove Garden in Suzhou? Those who enjoy the scenery can also go there to burn some incense; it’s normally closed at night, but since you are special guests and the master of the garden is also a TCM practitioner, special permission is given so you won’t have to wait on the train.” I asked Teacher Xie on the spot, and he said, “There are many reporters around now. I do not smoke opium, so don’t let this matter cause bad press.” Unexpectedly, Zhang Mei’an and Jiang Wenfang, both addicts, heard this and were happier than anything. They said, “As long as a few go, no problems will come up.” Teacher Xie always hated opium, but this time he could not refuse outright. So we all went to Lion Grove Garden. I roughly observed the pavilions, terraces, and bizarre rocks of the garden, gaining a unique experience.

Originally, we had only seven petition letters for various Nanjing agencies. After counting, there were about twelve departments, committees, and important figures, still lacking five letters that needed to be written immediately. Jiang Wenfang was responsible for copying two, while I took on three. Both of us were confused, rushing hurriedly and often making typos. Unexpectedly, among the Suzhou doctors, someone volunteered, saying, “I’ll copy them.” His tiny and neat handwriting was beautiful. In about an hour, all five petition letters were copied. After all, Suzhou has many literati and scholars, which silently earned my admiration.

In my free time, I organized the petitioners’ manifesto and materials for interviews with reporters to distribute upon arrival in Nanjing. Fortunately, the Shanghai-Nanjing night train left Suzhou at 1:30 am, leaving ample time. Teacher Xie and Sui Hanying, being older, had already fallen deeply asleep. Until half-past twelve, we woke them up and hurried to the station. The Suzhou doctors had thoughtfully reserved first-class sleepers for us. When the train stopped at Zhenjiang for half an hour, the station staff did not allow us to leave our seats or get off to visit. At that time, we wondered why.

[王白水]

6 Trains Arrive in Nanjing with Great Momentum

On March 22nd, the trains arrived at Nanjing Xiaguan Station, nearing dawn. The sound of bustling voices was overwhelming, with over a thousand people from the medical and pharmaceutical community waiting to welcome us. First, the band played music, and yellow felt was laid on the ground. We stepped down slowly, and immediately a series of slogans were shouted. After the slogans, the applause was thunderous, with two to three hundred of them being pharmaceutical workers. They not only warmly shook hands with us but also gathered us into the square outside the station for a welcome ceremony. Many journalists were present, eagerly interviewing us. We then went to the square, where a platform had already been prepared. First, representatives from the Nanjing medical and pharmaceutical community delivered welcome speeches, followed by the five of us taking turns to speak. We answered questions from the journalists one by one, while the police maintained order around.

Our order was originally very good, and everything went smoothly. Unexpectedly, there were more than five hundred refugees from Anhui in the station corridor. Due to the Nanjing Mayor Liu Jiwen’s reconstruction of Zhongshan Road and the demolition of hidden wooden houses, some Anhui people decided to sit on the platform and refuse to leave without free tickets home. Because these people could not get third-class free tickets, they slept on the ground, waiting for two days and two nights without result. When they saw journalists present, they surged forward and charged into our group, with two jumping onto the platform. They were very savvy; once on stage, they loudly scolded the government, condemning the banning of traditional Chinese medicine, saying: “There are only thirty to fifty Western doctors in the entire Anhui Province. Without traditional Chinese medicine, the health of the people would be unprotected.” They went on to say the government neglected the refugees from the house demolitions. Their speech grew more and more intense, and then the police intervened, trying to pull the Anhui refugees off the platform. However, these speakers were strong and sturdy, swinging their fists and fighting a group of four or five policemen wildly, causing great disorder. Mr. Xie urged us to leave as soon as possible to avoid being caught up in the turmoil.

Several of our representatives left the venue, but the large group of Anhui refugees occupied the platform and continued to hold meetings. Later, a large number of military police arrived, and both sides fought fiercely. We took the vehicle prepared by the Nanjing representatives and headed straight to the Zhongzheng Street Traffic Hotel, where Lu Zhong’an, Zhang Zanchen, and others were already waiting. After freshening up and changing clothes, we followed the two to pay a visit to the Chairman of the National Government.

At that time, the National Government had just been established. The Chairman’s office was located in a very large old building, said to be the former headquarters of the Two Yangtze Governors, where Zeng Guofan and Duan Fang had once worked. The interior was very spacious. We first sat in the gatehouse and handed our petition to the attendant, stating our desire to meet the Chairman. The attendant said: “By protocol, the public must arrange an appointment with the relevant department to meet the Chairman. Your matter falls under the Ministry of Health, so you should make an appointment through them first.” We replied: “We are being oppressed by the Ministry of Health; how can we ask them to make an appointment?” During the dispute, Sui Hanying’s temper flared up like thunder, and he couldn’t restrain the fire in his heart (it turned out that Sui Hanying was already showing early signs of a stroke at this time. After our petition was completed, this elderly gentleman fell ill and never recovered. It can be said that he sacrificed his life fighting for the status of traditional Chinese medicine).

Several journalists were interviewing at the moment. I was chosen as the spokesperson and explained to the reporters the pros and cons regarding the rise or fall of traditional Chinese medicine. I said: “There are 830,000 practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine nationwide and about 200,000 pharmacies, providing medical treatment and health care to over ninety percent of the people. Meanwhile, there are only about 6,000 Western doctors concentrated mostly in cities. Countless counties and villages have not a single Western doctor. When people become ill, they rely solely on traditional Chinese medicine. How can it be abolished?”

The government buildings at that time were large and old, with big lattice window frames sealed with paper that had been broken by wind and rain. Lu Zhong’an, very quick-witted, saw a telephone in a neighboring bonded room, walked over, and called Secretary Lv Bichou of the National Government, telling him: “We have come to formally present our petition to the Chairman. Can you help find a solution?” Lv replied: “I will come out to talk with you right away.”

In a moment, Lv came out and said: “The people who have appointments to see the Chairman today have already been scheduled. The Chairman also knows about your matter and the violent clash between the Anhui refugees and the military police at Xiaguan Station. He said one thing: ‘Who is advocating to abolish traditional Chinese medicine?’ As for when you can meet the Chairman, I will arrange a day and call you around 1:00 p.m. tomorrow or the day after.” We were quite disappointed at the time, but hearing that sentence felt like a huge weight lifted from our hearts. It seemed like a premonition that we would succeed.

As we left the National Government gate and waited for our car, a newspaper boy was on the street holding newspapers and shouting headlines saying, “Disturbance at Xiaguan Station.” We bought a few to read. The front-page news was about our traditional medicine petition group arriving in Nanjing, with crowds welcoming us. It mentioned the Anhui refugees holding meetings and speeches at the station square and clashing with military police, resulting in a scuffle where three police officers were injured and two refugee representatives were arrested.

Mr. Xie said that the headline seemed very unfavorable to us. I said that after the disturbance, newspapers might ironically highlight our petition more tomorrow and give it extra attention.

[王白水]

7-Minute Interviews with Various Parties: Positive Reactions

We sat in the carriage, discussing the targets of our petition, focusing on the heads of the five branches of the National Government and the Central Party Headquarters, temporarily deciding to set aside the Ministry of Health. We first paid a visit to Premier Tan Yankai of the Executive Yuan. Before we even spoke, Premier Tan said: “Chinese medicine must never be abolished. As long as I serve as Premier, not only will it not be abolished, but it will also be promoted.” While saying this, he even extended his wrist for our delegation leader to take his pulse and prescribe treatment. At that time, Teacher Xie diagnosed and treated him. After the diagnosis, Teacher Xie sang the medicinal ingredients while I took notes and wrote the prescription. The next day, all the newspapers published this prescription in full.
We then visited President Yu Youren, who spoke more casually. He said: “Chinese medicine should have a separate agency to manage it. If it were managed by the Ministry of Health, which is organized by Western medicine, it would be like having pastors and priests managing monks.” He was the strongest supporter of Chinese medicine.
After being received by these two leaders, it was already 2 p.m. We casually ate some dried tofu and sesame seed cakes at the Six Dynasties residence in the Confucius Temple area, then hurried to visit Lin Sen (Zichao) at his residence on Xiaoshiqiao Street. At that time, he was not yet chairman, but was already a key figure in the political situation. The place turned out to be a very simple old house. After knocking, an elder servant opened the door, followed by a large wolfdog. We were a bit afraid, but Lu Zhong’an seemed very familiar with the dog and patted its head; it immediately became very tame and led us inside. Master Lin Zichao was already standing in the hall waiting, looking cheerful and kind. He said: “Welcome to talk. I have brought good tea from Fujian for you to taste.”
While we were describing the abolition of Chinese medicine case, Master Lin said: “This matter is ridiculous, stirred up by a few western doctors in the Ministry of Health and Chu Minyi. I believe the whole nation will oppose it. After the National Government established its capital in Nanjing, the first major issue that aroused nationwide opposition was your matter. Yesterday, a telegram from Sichuan reached the Central Government stating that Sichuan’s economy mainly relies on the production of Chinese medicine. If Chinese medicine were abolished, they would lose the support of the Sichuan people. The Central Government is now working to win Sichuan’s allegiance. So this telegram is very powerful and absolutely favorable to you.”
After Lin spoke, he asked Lu Zhong’an to take his pulse because he had asthma. Lu Zhong’an normally writes prescriptions with a fountain pen. After finishing the prescription, Lin accepted our petition, and we chatted for an hour before saying goodbye.
We went to the Ministry of Finance but did not see the minister. At the Examination Yuan, we met President Dai Jitao, who said: “Even if the Health Conference approves this matter, I dare say it will absolutely not be implemented; rest assured. However, I hope you won’t be too radical in your actions. According to information from Zhenjiang, many people welcomed your train at the station, so many crowded onto the platform. The station master tried to stop the crowd, but many pushed through the wooden barrier and stormed in, trampling to death a child. The local police arrested eight medical leaders in Zhenjiang.” Hearing this incident, we thought it was major news. No wonder the train stayed so long at Zhenjiang station and we were not allowed to take a step out.
We petitioned the Legislative Yuan, but President Hu Hanmin was ill. The reception was handled by Jiao Yitang, chairman of the Legislative Affairs Committee. Jiao accepted our petition and said: “For this matter, the Legislative Yuan must first enact a law, passing three readings for it to be implemented. The Ministry of Health cannot act alone.” During the conversation, we learned more news: To win over Feng Yuxiang, the National Government specially offered a position as Minister of Health to his recommendation. Feng recommended his confidant Xue Dubi as minister. Xue was not an administrative health official and was impartial between Chinese and Western medicine. Nonetheless, the central health meeting caused this case. The army doctors under Feng predominantly used Chinese medicine with supplementary Western medicine. Feng had already sent a telegram to Minister Xue, seriously reprimanding him for causing this matter. Minister Xue was in a difficult position. Hearing this news reassured us greatly.
That whole afternoon we delivered petitions to various branches and departments except the Ministry of Health. Our intention was to cause “embarrassment” to Minister Xue Dubi.
That evening, our petition work came to a pause. The Nanjing Medical Association hosted a banquet at Jinling Spring Restaurant to welcome the five of us representatives. The atmosphere was warm and unprecedented. During the meal, we were asked to report on the petition proceedings, so Team Leader Xie gave a speech. He first expressed gratitude and told them: “Victory is in sight, rest assured. But before we receive official approval, it’s best not to publicize it.” The audience responded with enthusiastic applause.
That night we first met Nanjing’s top medical expert Zhang Jian. He was very thin and spoke in a very soft voice. He said: “I had already received your telegram inviting me to be an advisor for the petition team, but unfortunately I cannot get up early and only start seeing patients at 2 p.m., so I let everyone down. However, I know that the central authorities fully support you, and your actions will definitely not fail.”
That night, Jinling Spring’s dishes were especially rich—a large basin of shark’s fin, my first time eating bear’s paw, and many grilled delicacies. It was said that the menu was based on an official banquet hosted by Prince Duanfang in the Qing Dynasty, thus the dishes were both abundant and precious. Later we learned that this banquet cost forty yuan, a price far beyond anything I had heard before.
At the end of the banquet, the medical leadership in Nanjing took us to tour the Confucius Temple area. The Qinhuai River had dried up considerably, but there were still painted boats and singing girls. The scenery of Xuanwu Lake was the most beautiful, making one reluctant to leave. We also had the chance to see more.

[王白水]

8 Minister of Health Invites via Letter of Folding

On March 23rd, we went to the National Central Committee headquarters in Dingjiaqiao. At that time, the Third Plenary Session was being held, with military and police forces everywhere and strict security. When we wanted to meet the leaders, Secretary-General Mr. Ye Chucang came out to receive us. Mr. Ye was familiar with all of us. He said, “Regarding the abolition of Chinese medicine, it was proposed by Western medicine practitioners at the Central Political Council. This is one-sided thinking by the Western doctors. Implementation must be carried out by the government, and no one would dare to personally take charge of this matter.” He also mentioned that we had no prejudice against both Chinese and Western medicine, and besides, the government had no intention of abolishing Chinese medicine. He believed that after the Northern Expedition was settled, suddenly a portion of Western doctors raised the issue of abolishing Chinese medicine, which shaken the public’s support for the government. This caused many people to oppose the government over this matter, resulting in many blows to the government, which was considered unreasonable. The highest authorities had personally asked Xue Dubi, who also expressed that during his tenure as Minister of Health, he would never allow Western doctors to exploit him.

We returned to the Transportation Hotel and agreed that Lü Bi would call at one o’clock in the afternoon to inform us of the time when the chairman would receive us. But we waited until three o’clock in the afternoon without any news. Suddenly, a person from Shanghai came with a visiting card to meet the head of the Xie delegation. The card identified him as Section Chief Li from the Ministry of Health. He claimed to be an old patient of Mr. Xie. After sitting down, he told us that the Minister of Health had waited all day yesterday for us at the ministry but was very disappointed not to see us. This morning, during the Third Plenary Session, there were many criticisms directed at the Minister. Minister Xue had no prejudice against Chinese medicine. He hoped you would hurry to the Health Ministry to submit the petition, so the minister could express his stance on the issue and thereby reduce pressure from public opinion. After hearing this, Mr. Xie said that we still had to petition various parties and planned to make a polite visit to Minister Xue at the end. Hearing this, the visitor left with an unpleasant expression.

We went to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to request a meeting with the minister, who was represented by a secretary from Shanxi. He also expressed that Chinese medicine and Chinese herbs should be vigorously promoted since they concerned national economy and people’s livelihood.

I knew Li Shiceng, and some knew Zhang Jingjiang, so we also separately visited these two elders. They revealed that Yan Xishan had already sent a telegram to the Third Plenary Session expressing extreme opposition to the proposal by the Central Health Association to abolish Chinese medicine. The central leaders urged Minister Xue to quickly dismiss this proposal, which violated public opinion, to avoid causing public resentment toward the government. In addition, we learned that Chu Minyi had been criticized by quite a few central committee members and had quietly ceased speaking.

That night, we received news from various sources that were very favorable to us, so everyone was very happy. During a banquet at the Pharmaceutical Association, we briefly revealed the process of our petitioning, fearing complications might arise halfway, but everyone was already satisfied.

Late that night, when we returned to the hotel, Section Chief Li from the Health Ministry came again, holding five invitation cards inviting us to the Health Ministry at 6 p.m. on the following day, March 24th, for a meeting. He also said many things hinting that it would be polite for us to pay a visit first and submit the petition. After discussion among the five of us, we felt it would be impolite not to visit, so we decided to go to the Health Ministry the next day to submit the petition. Upon arrival, we were received by a political office director, Hu Shuwei, who said, “Minister Xue is attending the Third Plenary Session and cannot personally meet you; our apologies, please forgive us.”

At one o’clock noon, Lü Bi’s call came, saying the chairman would see the five of us representatives at 4 p.m. that afternoon. The meeting would only last five minutes, and to facilitate our visit, he would come to pick us up by car. Shortly afterward, Lü Bi himself came to the Transportation Hotel to tell us he had prepared two large cars and asked us to board immediately. The two cars moved slowly and rode for a long time, entering the Central Military Academy, which was very large; we walked a long way before arriving at the chairman’s residence. In the living room sat several unknown figures, each speaking only a few minutes. Finally, it was our turn. Lü Bi let us in. The interior was simply furnished with eight sofas. The chairman saw us and shook hands with each of us, saying, “I know about your matter. I absolutely support Chinese medicine and Chinese herbs. Rest assured.” The chairman spoke Mandarin with a Ningbo local accent. Upon seeing us, he spoke Shanghainese but then switched back to pure Ningbo dialect for conversation. He only said two sentences: “When I was a child and sick, I always saw Chinese medicine practitioners; now sometimes I also take Chinese medicine.” After saying this, the attendants brought out the chairman’s heavy coat, so we had to take our leave. Before leaving, he instructed Lü Bi to quickly issue the decree permitting our petition. He also told us, “The news of this meeting should only be disclosed after the decree is announced.”

We were invited to attend a banquet at the Health Ministry, where Minister Xue was extremely courteous to us and said, “I am very happy you came today. We also invited Dr. Hading, who just returned from an inspection in the northwest, to speak about his findings. I hope you will speak at the banquet but not overly criticize the Central Health Association. Representative Chen, you are the youngest, so please refute one of Chu Minyi’s articles. I have read it. To show support for Chinese medicine and Chinese herbs, I am preparing to appoint two of you as consultants to the Health Ministry so that the Ministry and the Chinese medicine community can have more contacts and eliminate misunderstandings.” While we were talking, Dr. Hading arrived, carrying a portable movie projector and screen. Many department chiefs in the Health Ministry, all trained in Western medicine, spoke with Dr. Hading in English, but surprisingly, Dr. Hading spoke fluent Chinese and narrated the film in Mandarin. The film lasted two hours. The Health Ministry had arranged the banquet seats in Chinese style but served Western food. However, Dr. Hading was very casual and said, “We might as well eat while watching; no need to be too formal.” For more details, see the chapter “Memories of Teacher Xie Liheng” in this book.

After eating, it was late. Xue Dubi sincerely greeted us one by one and said, “As Minister today, I absolutely will not allow this proposal to be implemented.” While he was saying this, Dr. Hading stood up to leave. We felt very satisfied and didn’t bother to be verbose, happily expressing thanks to Minister Xue and taking our leave.

That night, we sent a telegram reporting that the Central Health Association’s proposal was shelved and would no longer be enforced. Our petition was a complete victory. We planned to depart the next morning and return to Shanghai, scheduled to arrive at the North Railway Station around 5 p.m.

That night, the medical leaders in Nanjing held a banquet at Lumingchun Restaurant to see us off, where we gave a detailed report on the entire process.

After the banquet, we discussed waiting in Nanjing for the official decree because official documents take time to travel, so there was no need to waste time. We decided to send Zhang Zancheng back to Shanghai that very night to deliver a message, saying we would return the next afternoon and asked him to notify reporters at the train station to distribute the “Petition Process Report.” After deciding on our itinerary, we were about to return to the hotel when Zhang Jianzhai personally came to pick us up and invited us to his home, saying he had good news. His car was waiting at the door, so we took his car to his home.

This Mr. Zhang was known in Nanjing for his heavy tobacco addiction, almost everyone knew he smoked opium. He only opened his clinic at 2 p.m. each day, seeing patients at night and returning home after 10 p.m. This was just after he finished seeing patients. His home was an old house in Meihuaxiang with very plain furnishings.

Upon arriving at his home, he led us into his smoking room. He was exhausted and lay on a couch smoking opium. Zhang Meian and Jiang Wenfang shared this habit and lay nearby smoking with him. After three bowls, Zhang Jianzhai spoke about the Central Health Association’s plan to ban Chinese medicine, saying Minister Xue Dubi was strongly opposed to it. The authorities, fearing offending Feng Yuxiang, did their best to retain him and even issued an order threatening that if the Health Ministry’s Western doctors interfered again with Chinese medicine matters, the government would bear no health funding responsibility. Therefore, the deputy minister and others were silent, afraid to speak.

Zhang Jianzhai was highly skilled in medicine and often saw politicians in Nanjing, so he said this news was very reliable. We felt quietly relieved. Our talk lasted until 2 a.m. Teacher Xie Liheng was very tired by then, and I also suggested returning. The petition report had not yet been drafted, and we needed to arrange how to deliver it tomorrow. Seeing that we had other matters, Zhang Jianzhai had his driver send us back to the hotel. We collapsed on our beds and quickly fell asleep.

Early the next morning, the Nanjing medical community had already learned the news that our petition was fully successful and that we planned to take an early train back to Shanghai. They specially came to see us off. More than ten cars lined up at the door, escorting us to Xiaguan Station and bought us first-class tickets. We left Nanjing in this lively atmosphere.

[王白水]

Victory Return to Shanghai for a Commemorative Photo

In the car, I first drafted a preliminary “Petition Process Report,” which Jiang Wenfang revised for me. After Teacher Xie reviewed and approved it, I took out a copyboard and a mimeograph machine and printed fifty copies consecutively. Zhang Meian assisted nearby, but he was so inexperienced with adjusting the ink that both of our hands and faces were covered in ink! After the documents were completed, we arrived at Shanghai North Railway Station, where seventy or eighty medical colleagues had already come to greet us. Journalists eagerly rushed to interview us, and I distributed the mimeographed reports. Many old friends burst into laughter upon seeing me because my face was covered in ink—no wonder they couldn’t stop laughing.

The next day, all the newspapers published our major news event, and at last, the proposal to abolish traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was overturned.

A few days later, the Chairman’s directive arrived in Shanghai. The original text was:

To whom it may concern,

The Chairman has handed down the following regarding the petition to revoke the prohibition of Chinese medicine and pharmacy laws, rejecting the strategy to eliminate Chinese medicine in order to preserve the nation and protect the people’s livelihood.

According to the report, the Ministry of Education has changed TCM schools into training centers, and the Ministry of Health has converted TCM hospitals into medical chambers, forbidding Chinese medicine practitioners from using Western instruments and drugs, thus rendering the development of Chinese medicine impossible. This severely contradicts the Premier’s instruction to maintain and promote inherent wisdom. The Executive Yuan is hereby instructed to order all departments to revoke the above proclamations and orders and submit them to the Legislative Yuan for reference. This letter is dispatched accordingly.

Petition representatives of the National Medical Association

Civil Affairs Office, National Government

After those in the Chinese medicine community circulated this directive, everyone felt satisfied. However, there was bad news: the Nanjing representative Sui Hanying had overworked to the point of illness, suffered a stroke, and passed away despite treatment efforts. After this, a few petition representatives felt that because life is so unpredictable, we should take a commemorative photo together. So, we gathered once more at Wang Kaizhao’s photo studio on Nanjing Road to take a picture. When taking the photo, everyone pushed Xie Liheng to sit in the center, with the rest standing behind. Teacher Xie said, “No, there must be one seat in front.” So, I pulled Jiang Wenfang to sit in front. After the first photo was done, Teacher Xie said again, “Right, we need one more. Because Cunren also participated in this matter, he should sit in front as well.”

Traditionally, people were always respectful of teachers, and it was not customary for teachers and students to sit together. At the time, I thought it was inappropriate, but everyone said, “This time, you truly qualify to sit in front.” After the teacher insisted strongly, I also sat down and took this historic photo.

After this great upheaval in the Chinese medicine community, we based ourselves on the date of the first day of the general assembly at the General Chamber of Commerce (March 17) and established it as “National Medicine Day,” also called the “3.17 Incident.” Since then, every year on March 17, the Chinese medicine community nationwide holds National Medicine Day commemorative ceremonies.

After this matter was settled, Xue Dupi indeed sent two official letters to Shanghai, inviting Teacher Xie and me to be advisors to the Ministry of Health.

This move by Mr. Xue was a pioneering act in bringing Chinese medicine into the government’s administrative system. I have never been interested in politics; apart from being a doctor, I have declined invitations to run pharmacies or other businesses. However, I have always been determined to fight for the status of Chinese medicine, unwaveringly resisting governmental decrees.

Since the Ministry of Health invited both teacher and student to be consultants this time, I proposed drafting a National Medicine Regulation to establish a legal status for National Medicine. Coincidentally, the Central National Medicine Hall was founded then, and its deputy director Shi Jinmo wanted to draft legislation for TCM and asked my opinion. I said, “The state certainly needs to promulgate a National Medicine Regulation.” He replied, “We already have a draft; you can draft another version.” I said, “Okay.” However, I had no intention of participating in the Ministry of Health’s actual duties, so when the Ministry later set up an affiliated Chinese Medicine Committee, I declined to participate.

The initial draft of the National Medicine Regulation was taken to Nanjing and underwent multiple revisions. It was presented to the Legislative Yuan by Jiao Yitang, director of the Central National Medicine Hall. At that time, he also served as President of the Supreme Court and was head of the Legislative Committee. After he submitted it, it passed three readings and was enacted. At this time, the Western medicine community became anxious: they saw that not only was Chinese medicine not overturned, but it had gained a foothold in national law. Therefore, two strong representatives from the Shanghai Western medicine community, Niu Huisheng and Yan Fuqing, who knew the Nanjing political scene well, besides petitioning, also visited the then Executive Yuan Premier Wang Jingwei. Wang wrote a letter to the legislative speaker Sun Ke, still advocating the abolition of Chinese medicine because one item in the National Medicine Regulation required the Ministry of Health to set up a Chinese Medicine Committee, which they strongly opposed.

Sun Ke handed Wang’s letter to Jiao Yitang for careful study. During that time, Jiao happened to come to Shanghai and showed me Wang’s original letter. I was very worried because this matter concerned the future of Chinese medicine. With Jiao’s consent, I photographed it. This letter fully shows that Wang Jingwei was very determined to abolish Chinese medicine. Later, the government officially promulgated the National Medicine Regulation, and the Ministry of Health also officially set up a Chinese Medicine Committee—this is a story for another time.

Now looking back at the abolition proposal against Chinese medicine, it initially came on strong, with resolutions that seemed definitive, but the trust and powerful resistance from the entire nation backed us to victory. This was unexpected not only by Western medicine but even by our own Chinese medicine community, which hadn’t realized such a huge hidden force existed.

When we petitioned, Wang Jingwei was not in Nanjing; only Chu Minyi was holding the fort alone and failed, feeling exhausted and unrewarded, in great distress.

After the rise of the Anti-Japanese Army, Wang Jingwei organized a puppet government in Nanjing. Initially, I was very anxious, fearing he would revive old plans. However, Wang Jingwei’s puppet government was ineffective in enforcing policies. Moreover, during his illness, he did invite Chinese medicine doctors for diagnosis and took Chinese medicine. After this book is finished, I will continue writing the “History of Life during the War of Resistance,” in which I will disclose this secret episode.