Zhang Mou from Yishui was a poor farmer. One day, while traveling on business, he encountered a Taoist priest skilled in physiognomy, who told him, "Your forehead is full and rounded, sir; prosperity and high office are surely in your future." Zhang Mou asked, "How can I attain wealth and status?" The Taoist replied, "Study medicine." Zhang Mou protested, "But I am completely illiterate; how can I possibly study medicine?" The Taoist chuckled, "Nonsense! Does a famous doctor need to recognize characters? Just do as I say."

Zhang Mou agreed and returned home, gathering folk remedies. He set up a stall on the street to treat the sick, earning meager profits daily, just enough to subsist. Before long, the Prefect of Qingzhou fell gravely ill, suffering from a relentless cough. Many physicians were called in, but none could improve his condition. The Prefect then posted a public notice, ordering his subordinates to recommend a renowned doctor.

The notice reached Yishui County. The County Magistrate, upon receiving his superior's command, was troubled, musing, "Yishui is a poor, remote area; physicians are already scarce. Where am I supposed to find a famous doctor?" Out of options, he reluctantly dragged Zhang Mou forward simply to fill the required quota.

Coincidentally, Zhang Mou himself had contracted a cough that no treatment could cure. How could he dare treat the Prefect? Yet, he could not disobey the Magistrate's order. He packed his meager belongings and journeyed to Qingzhou, trembling with anxiety.

Passing through the deep mountains en route, Zhang Mou was unbearably thirsty. He asked the local villagers for water, but since the area was desolate and water precious, no one would offer him any. Zhang Mou left in frustration and resentment. After walking a short distance, he saw a woman by the roadside washing wild vegetables in a wooden basin. The vegetables were plentiful, the water scarce, and the basin was filled with thick, green liquid.

Parched and dry-mouthed, Zhang Mou could not afford to be particular. He asked the woman for a bowl of the vegetable juice. He drank it down in three quick gulps and felt an immediate wave of relief; his illness had miraculously vanished. Zhang Mou was overjoyed, thinking, "Who would have guessed this vegetable juice is a potent cure for a cough?" He immediately asked the woman for a few of the vegetables, wrapped them carefully, and took them with him.

Shortly thereafter, Zhang Mou arrived at the Prefect’s residence. He squeezed the vegetables into juice and administered it to the Prefect. After downing one bowl of the juice, the illness vanished instantly. The Prefect was beside himself with delight, bestowing countless treasures of gold and silver upon Zhang Mou, along with a golden plaque inscribed with "Miraculous Hands, Benevolent Heart."

From that day forward, Zhang Mou’s fame soared. Patients seeking his care flocked to him relentlessly, earning him thousands daily, making him as rich as royalty. On one occasion, a man suffering from a common cold came to his door seeking treatment. Zhang Mou, having drunk too much wine that day, carelessly wrote down the wrong prescription—a mixture of traditional Chinese medicines used to treat malaria. The patient drank the decoction, suffered vomiting and diarrhea, yet after a few days, his condition surprisingly cleared up.

………… ………… ………… Old Man Han of Yidu County was renowned for his exquisite medical skills. Before achieving fame, he wandered far and wide, making a living selling medicinal herbs. One day, Old Man Han stopped at a household to seek lodging. The master’s son was down with a high fever and on the brink of death. Hearing that Old Man Han was a physician, the master immediately asked him to treat the boy.

Old Man Han pondered, "If I refuse, the master will throw me out; if I treat him, my skills are undeveloped and insufficient. What should I do?" Agitated, he rubbed the back of his head frantically with his right hand. As he rubbed, he pulled out a large amount of dirt and grime. A thought struck Old Man Han: he casually rolled the debris into a pill, reasoning, "A mud pill won't kill anyone, at least. I'll just deal with this perfunctorily and get through the night." With this settled, he went to the master's room, forced the mud pill into the patient’s mouth, and washed it down with water.

The boy swallowed the mud pill, broke out in a great sweat, his spirits rallied, and his condition improved dramatically. Within a few days, he had fully recovered.

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