古代名醫有多富？扁鵲的“土豪”之路

咱今兒個就嘮嘮這古代名醫發家致富的門道，您可別覺得這事兒新鮮，人家那致富經，擱現在都能讓不少人眼紅得直冒火！爲啥古代名醫能富得流油呢？嘿，原來啊，那時候允許他們接受患者的饋贈，這就好比給醫生們開了一扇通往財富的大門，就等着他們大步邁進，把金銀財寶往家搬呢！

咱就拿扁鵲來說事兒，這扁鵲那可是醫界的大腕兒，就跟福不思匠人排行榜的老郭似的，名氣那是響噹噹的，走哪兒都自帶光環。話說那趙簡子，這位爺可是晉國的一個卿，雖說名義上是個卿，可他專權獨斷，那土地面積，一點兒都不比諸侯差，妥妥的“土皇帝”一個。

有這麼一回，趙簡子昏睡了五天，這可把身邊的人急得像熱鍋上的螞蟻，團團轉。就在這時候，秦越人，也就是咱們熟知的扁鵲，閃亮登場了。扁鵲那醫術，就跟神仙下凡似的，高超得沒話說。他圍着趙簡子轉了一圈，仔細瞧了瞧，然後胸有成竹地說：“您吶，三天之內肯定能醒過來！”您猜怎麼着？還真讓扁鵲給說着了，三天後，趙簡子悠悠轉醒。

趙簡子這一醒來，那可不得了，對扁鵲那是感激涕零啊，就跟見到了救命恩人似的。他一激動，大手一揮，直接把四萬畝地賜給了扁鵲，作爲對他高超醫術的獎勵。您聽聽，四萬畝地啊！這要擱現在，那得是多大的一個農場啊，能種多少糧食，養多少牲口啊！這扁鵲一下子就從一名醫生變成了“大地主”，妥妥的人生贏家啊！

咱再來說說這趙簡子，他可不是個小氣的主兒。公元前492年，他就放出話來了：“要是打勝了敵人，上大夫能得到一個縣的土地，下大夫能賞給一個郡，士這一級的人可以獲得十萬畝土地，就連奴隸都能因此獲得自由身份！”您瞧瞧，這獎勵機制，那叫一個豐厚，就跟現在的公司搞激勵政策似的，誰要是立了功，那好處多多，讓人動力十足啊！

扁鵲獲得這四萬畝土地的獎賞，說白了，就是醫療報酬。這在當時啊，一點兒都不過分。就好比您去飯店喫飯，覺得飯菜特別好喫，服務也周到，您多給服務員點兒小費，這很正常吧？扁鵲用他那高超的醫術把趙簡子從昏睡中救醒，相當於救了他的命啊，這四萬畝地，那就是趙簡子給扁鵲的“小費”，而且還是超級大“紅包”！

那麼，扁鵲得到的這四萬畝土地到底在哪兒呢？這事兒啊，司馬遷在《史記》裏沒明說，不過《地方誌》裏可有記載。有說在河北任丘市的“祖業莊”，還有說在河北內丘縣神頭村附近，民間傳說和碑刻上都有記載呢。您想想，要是現在去這些地方，說不定還能找到點兒扁鵲當年留下的痕跡呢，說不定還能沾沾這“醫聖”的財氣呢！

從扁鵲這事兒咱就能看出來，在古代，名醫那可是備受尊敬的，他們的醫術不僅能救人命，還能給自己帶來豐厚的回報。這也說明了一個道理，只要有真本事，走到哪兒都不怕沒飯喫，說不定還能像扁鵲一樣，成爲“土豪”呢！

不過現在啊，時代變了，醫生的職責主要還是救死扶傷，雖然也有相應的報酬，但可不能光想着發財致富。不過，咱也得承認，醫生的付出和回報有時候不太成正比。他們日夜操勞，爲了患者的健康付出了很多，有時候還得承受很大的壓力。所以啊，咱患者們也得多理解理解醫生，對他們多一些尊重和感激。說不定哪天，您的一句感謝，一個微笑，就能讓醫生們心裏暖乎乎的，比收到啥禮物都強呢！

總之，扁鵲的故事告訴咱，醫術高超不僅能救人，還能改變自己的命運。不過，咱也得樹立正確的價值觀，不能把發財致富當成唯一的目標。在救死扶傷的道路上，用真心和愛心去對待每一位患者，這纔是醫生最寶貴的財富，也是咱們這個社會最需要的正能量！您說是不是這個理兒？

作者簡介：梁世傑 中醫高年資主治醫師，本科學歷，從事中醫臨牀工作24年，積累了較豐富的臨牀經驗。師從首都醫科大學附屬北京中醫院肝病科主任醫師、著名老中醫陳勇，侍診多載，深得器重，盡得真傳！擅用“商湯經方分類療法”、專病專方結合“焦樹德學術思想”“關幼波十綱辨證”學術思想治療疑難雜症爲特色。現任北京樹德堂中醫研究院研究員，北京中醫藥薪火傳承新3+3工程—焦樹德門人（陳勇）傳承工作站研究員，國際易聯易學與養生專委會常務理事，中國中醫藥研究促進會焦樹德學術傳承專業委員會委員，中國藥文化研究會中醫藥慢病防治分會首批癌症領域入庫專家。榮獲2020年中國中醫藥研究促進會仲景醫學分會舉辦的第八屆醫聖仲景南陽論壇“經方名醫”榮譽稱號。2023年首屆京津冀“扁鵲杯”燕趙醫學研究主題徵文優秀獎獲得者。事蹟入選《當代科學家》雜誌、《中華英才》雜誌。

How wealthy were ancient physicians? Bian Que’s journey to becoming a “rich man.”

Let’s talk today about the methods employed by ancient medical experts to become wealthy. Don’t think this is new information; their strategies for achieving prosperity would make many people envious even today! So, why did ancient medical experts become extremely wealthy? Well, it turns out that they were allowed to accept gifts from their patients. This essentially opened a door to wealth for them, much like providing doctors with an opportunity to step through and accumulate gold and silver at home!

Let’s take Bian Que as an example. He was a renowned physician in the medical community, much like Guo Lao from the list of top craftsmen. His reputation was extremely prominent, and he carried a halo wherever he went. Now, Zhao Jianzi, this gentleman, was a high-ranking official in the state of Jin. Although he held the title of a high-ranking official, he wielded significant power and authority. His territory was no less impressive than that of the feudal lords, making him a quintessential “landlord.”

There was a time when Zhao Jianzi fell into a deep sleep for five days. This caused great concern among those close to him, making them feel like ants on a hot pan. Just as things were at a boiling point, Qin Yue Ren, also known as Bian Que, made a remarkable appearance. Bian Que’s medical skills were akin to those of a divine being; they were so extraordinary that nothing could be said about them. He circled around Zhao Jianzi, took a close look, and confidently declared, “You will definitely wake up within three days!” Guess what? It turned out exactly as Bian Que had predicted. Three days later, Zhao Jianzi slowly regained consciousness.

When Zhao Jianzi woke up, it was quite remarkable. He was deeply grateful to Bian Que, almost overwhelmed with emotion, as if he had encountered a savior. In his excitement, he waved his large hand and immediately granted Bian Que four thousand mu of land as a reward for his exceptional medical skills. Just listen to this: four thousand mu! In today’s times, that would be an enormous farm, capable of producing vast amounts of grain and raising numerous livestock. Suddenly, Bian Que transformed from a mere physician into a “landowner,” a clear winner in life!

Let’s talk more about Zhao Jianzi. He was not a stingy person at all. In 492 BCE, he declared, “If we defeat our enemies, the senior officials will receive land equivalent to a county, the lower-ranking officials will receive land equivalent to a prefecture, and individuals of the scholar rank will receive ten thousand mu of land. Even slaves will be granted their freedom!” Just look at these rewards! They’re so generous, much like the incentive policies used by companies today. Whoever achieves something significant will reap numerous benefits, boosting their motivation immensely!

The reward of 40,000 mu of land given to Bian Que was, in essence, medical compensation. At that time, this was entirely reasonable. It’s like when you go to a restaurant and find the food exceptionally delicious and the service impeccable. In such cases, it’s quite normal to tip the waitstaff generously. For Bian Que to use his exceptional medical skills to revive Zhao Jianzi from a state of unconsciousness was akin to saving his life. These 40,000 acres of land were therefore the “tip” Zhao Jianzi gave to Bian Que, and a truly substantial “gift envelope” at that!

So, where exactly are the 40,000 mu of land that Bian Que acquired? While Sima Qian did not explicitly state this in “The Records of the Grand Historian,” it is recorded in the “Local Histories.” Some sources claim it is located in “Zuye Zhuang” in Renqiu City, Hebei Province, while others suggest it is near Shentou Village in Neiqiu County, Hebei Province. Think about it: if you were to visit these places today, you might still be able to find some remnants of what Bian Que left behind or even catch a glimpse of the fortune associated with the “Medicine Sage!”

From the story of Bian Que, we can see that in ancient times, renowned physicians were highly respected. Their medical skills not only saved lives but also brought them substantial rewards. This illustrates a point: as long as one possesses genuine skills, one need not fear going hungry, and one might even become a “rich man” like Bian Que!

But now, times have changed. Doctors’ primary duty remains to save lives and assist the injured. While they do receive appropriate compensation, they cannot solely focus on making a fortune. However, we must acknowledge that the effort and rewards for doctors sometimes do not quite align. They work tirelessly, putting in immense effort for the health of their patients, and at times, they must endure significant stress. Therefore, patients should try to understand and show more respect and gratitude towards them. Who knows? A simple thank-you or a smile could bring warmth to doctors’ hearts, more effective than any gift!

In short, the story of Bian Que teaches us that possessing exceptional medical skills not only enables one to save lives but also allows them to change their own destiny. However, we must also establish correct values and not view accumulating wealth and material gain as the sole objective. On the path of saving lives and aiding the injured, treating each patient with genuine care and compassion is the most valuable asset a doctor possesses, and it is the positive energy most needed in our society. Isn’t that true?

Author Bio: Liang Shijie is a senior medical practitioner in traditional Chinese medicine with an undergraduate degree. He has been engaged in traditional medicine clinical work for 24 years and has accumulated a wealth of clinical experience. Following Chen Yong, chief physician of liver disease at Beijing Traditional Medicine Hospital, affiliated with Capital Medical University, and renowned old Chinese medicine, he has been treated for many years and received great attention. He specializes in the treatment of difficult diseases using "conversational traditional therapy" and special treatments combined with the academic ideas of Jiao Shude and Guan Yubo''s ten-level diagnosis.He is currently a researcher at the Shude Tang TCM Research Institute in Beijing, a fellow at the new 3 + 3 project of traditional Chinese medicine flame inheritance in Beijing - a scholar at the inheritance workstation of Jiao Shude''s protégés (Chen Yong),He is a standing committee member of the International Expert Committee on E-learning and Health Care, a member of the Jiao Shude Academic Heritage Special Committee of the Chinese Association for the Advancement of Chinese Medicine Research, and the first cancer specialist to be included in the chapter of the Chinese Pharmaceutical Culture Research Association. Won the 2020 China Association for the Promotion of Traditional Chinese Medicine Zhongjing Medical Branch held the eighth session of the Medical Saint Zhongjing Nanyang Forum "Classic Prescription Famous Doctor" honorary title. The winner of the first Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei "Pingui Cup" Yanzhao Medical Research Essay Award in 2023. His work was featured in the journal Current Scientist and the journal Chinese Talent.