On the occasion of the 110th anniversary of Mao Zedong's birthday, we met Fang Qiang, an old Red Army veteran, at Zhongnanhai, Beijing. He told us a moving story that happened between him and Mao Zedong.

　　In January 1933, Fang Qiang, then political commissar of the Central Guard Battalion, was seriously wounded in a fight and evacuated to Changting Evangel Hospital more than 100 kilometers away for emergency treatment. When Dr. Fu Lianzhang cut open his shirt stuck on the wound by his blood, Dr. Fu was taken aback to discover that the bullet ran through his chest and penetrated his upper body, narrowly missing the lower edge of his heart.

　　Dr. Fu took a piece of iron wire wrapped around with fresh gauze soaked in salt water and repeatedly inserted it into Fang's wound to sponge out all decayed blood inside. The worst thing was that no anesthetics were available. The only anesthetic substitue was a small cup of opium water. Adding to the difficulty was the reality that Fang, like anybody else, was lack of nutrition which made the treatment even more difficult. Fang Qiang was seen losing weight with each passing day while his wound showed no improvement, which made Dr Fu's heart torn with anxiety.

　　One day when Dr. Fu returned from making a round of visits, he brought back a mysterious tea mug and shouted excitedly to Fang Qiang: "I've got the right medication for you! " When Fang Qiang uncovered the mug, he saw stewed beef inside filled up to the brim. He was puzzled, saying: "Where did you get it? " Dr. Fu replied excitedly: "Chairman Mao gave this to you!"

　　"Chairman Mao? Is he hospitalized? " Dr. Fu nodded, saying that Chairman Mao came to the hospital for treatment and was very weak. The mug of stewed beef was given to Mao by the local villagers. Chairman Mao was reluctant to eat it and asked Dr. Fu to take it to Fang Qiang. Dr. Fu told Fang Qiang: "That is what Chairman prescribed for you."

　　The matter stood that Dr. Fu went out that morning to give medical treatment to Chairman Mao, who asked him about the patients in the hospital. Dr. Fu told him about the persistent wound of Fang Qiang.

　　Mao Zedong muttered: "You're doing a very difficult job without necessary supplies." He walked to a window and beckoned to Dr. Fu: "See that little pine? It's hurt by a knife cut. How can it heal itself? By its own juice. And then, it will grow robustly again. Fang Qiang is a strong young man and physically robust with strong resistance. If he gets enough nutrition, I'm sure he will recover soon."

　　Dr. Fu said: "You're right, Chairman. External treatment is less effective than internal treatment, but…" Chairman Mao waved to stop him and took up the mug of stewed beef from the table, saying: "Take this to him and tell him it's what Mao Zedong has prescribed for him."

　　After hearing out the whole story, Fang Qiang was moved to tears. He finally eked out the beef for a whole week! According to Mao's prescription, Dr. Fu tried his best and got Fang Qiang several chickens to make nutritious stews. After a month of careful attendance by Dr. Fu, his wound began to heal.

　　By Shi Changxue, Bu Jinbao

　　(December 4, PLA Daily)