English Story

刮骨疗毒

This is a story from Three Kingdoms.

Guan Yu was hit by a poisonous arrow in the right arm while attacking Fancheng City. When his men took the arrowhead out, they found that the poison had already seeped into(渗入) the bone, so they persuaded him to go to Jingzhou for treatment. Determined to take over Fancheng City, Guan refused to retreat. Seeing Guan's wound getting worse day by day, they sent out scouts(侦察兵) to look for famous doctors.

One day, a man named Hua Tuo came by boat to the camp especially to cure Guan Yu. Guan asked him about how he would heal the wound. Hua said: "I am afraid that you will be scared, so I suggest that we set up a post with a loop to tie down your arm with rope. Then, when your eyes are covered, I will start the operation." Guan laughingly said, "That's not necessary." Then he gave orders to hold a dinner for Hua Tuo.

After drinking several glasses of wine, Guan started to play chess. At the same time, he reached out his right arm to Hua Tuo and said, "It is at your disposal. I have no fear." Hua cut the skin and flesh open and scraped the bone with scalpel(解剖刀) . Everyone present covered his eyes while Guan continued drinking and playing chess. In a moment, the blood filled a basin.

When the poison was scraped off the bone, Guan stood up and smilingly said, "Now my arm can move freely just like before. Mr. Hua Tuo, you are a magic doctor!" Hua said, "Since I started medical practice, I have not seen anyone like you. You are a magic general."