During the Qing dynasty a famous physician called Qian Jinglun lived in Xiushui. Not only were his healing skills on an extraordinary high level, but he also possessed high moral standards and furthermore he was an honest and righteous man. Despite his abilities he remained poor throughout his life, since he was dedicated to treating the poor peasantry no matter the sacrifice.
One year, during the winter, he was called to a patient, who suffered from unceasing shivering chills. This patient had already consulted all kinds of doctors, without anyone being able to help him. Qian Jinglun examined the patient thoroughly and concluded after his pattern differentiation, that the illness was latent summer-heat. When the other doctors heard this, they went silent out of astonishment and disbelief, since at that time the freezing coldness of winter was predominant. They could not explain how somebody at this season could suffer from summer-heat. But Qian Jinglu spoke full of confidence. “Obviously you, gentlemen, do not believe me. But witness which remedy I am utilizing. I guarantee you that the ailment will be treated successfully with a single remedy for summer-heat. Since many different treatment approaches had been of no avail, that Qian Jinglun was allowed to proceed. He prescribed a single remedy called Qing Hao [青蒿], which had to be taken as decoction. After the patient drank the decoction he was cured. The other doctors were again speechless and considered the cure a miracle.
The news of this miraculous healing spread fast and more and more patients sought out Qian Jinglun Whoever visited him once would know of his principles of charging for his services:
the rich citizens had to pay more, whereas the poor people were treated for free and often were given medicines free of charge. Since Qian Jinglun was a very famous physician, the rich enjoyed consulting him and were willing to comply with the rules. However when a rich far-away patient invited him to a home visit, stipulating an extremely high monetary compensation, Qian Jinglun always refused.
He said: “With such large sums of money it should not be difficult to ask another doctor. Why me? The poor and orphaned in my vicinity need my help. How could I come to you, then?” When Qian Jinglun passed away all residents of his neighborhood assembled filled with pain and bade their last farewell. To commemorate him they erected a small temple and revered him as local reincarnation of the Earth God [tu di shen 土地神].
