Chapter Sixteen: Electric Shock Therapy (Please collect, recommend, and share)

  Electroconvulsive therapy, or electrocution, of course requires electricity. In Fengxiang Town, to find a generator, there is only one place, the church. That was built as compensation for the failure of the Boxer Rebellion against foreigners in 1900 and is a German church in Fengxiang Town.

  The church's main entrance is a wide arcade with floral wreaths on all sides, decorated with small statues, and flanked by two columns with niches, topped with pointed capitals. Above the doorway are three vertical lines of ornamentation, above which is carved an image of the Virgin embracing the Infant Jesus. On either side outside are five arches without doors, outlined in floral patterns, illuminated by windows made up of small panes of glass. The semicircular apse on the east side of the church relies on some wall arches; these wall arches would also be suitable for use in a large cathedral. The bell tower is located inside one wing of the church and is a square-shaped tower.

  Father Yuergen is the dean of the church, he was sent to Yenching University's theology department for further study, and later assigned to this church, slowly rising to his current position. The power of the spirit is most evident in this father, people who come into contact with him all have a deep impression of him. His virtue is high, with a dignified air between his eyebrows, shining out the glory of heaven beforehand. The wrinkles on his face perfectly express the wonderful use of the three great virtues of hope, faith and compassion. He speaks slowly and warmly, deeply entering your heart.

  "Woke, you should come to church and pray every day, then God will give you guidance."

  "God? God has abandoned me!" Vogel shook his head with a bitter smile.

  "No!" Father Yergen's face revealed genuine emotion, "Your arrival here proves how merciful God is. Do not get drunk with wine, for it leads to debauchery, but be filled with the Holy Spirit."

  "Alright, I'll come and pray often." Woyzeck said perfunctorily, pointing to the calendar with his hand and saying to Father Elsen, "This is my patient, he's suffering from amnesia. I hope to cure him with electrotherapy. Can I borrow the church's hand-cranked generator?"

  Father Yergen furrowed his brow, dissatisfied with Vogel's attitude, and shook his head slightly: "I don't think this is necessary, you're a surgeon, not a psychiatrist."

  Wok was a bit tongue-tied, scratching his messy hair, unable to find the right words for the moment.

  Huang Li kept staring at the many candles burning on the altar, with flickering lights and shadows, a rich fragrance wafting out from within the temple gates, like a whirlpool of sea tides, giving him a sense of déjà vu, as if he had entered a dream.

  Zhang Yuan suddenly leaned in and whispered: "The priest doesn't seem willing to lend the generator, this is going to be a problem for treating the illness."

  The yellow calendar's eyes rolled around, slowly turning his head to gaze at Father Yuan Er Gen. He suddenly took two steps forward and said respectfully: "Revered Father, the compassionate flame will purify everything. A lost soul who has forgotten the past is waiting for God's guidance. Your merciful help will make it so that when the angel returns your soul to God in the future, it will still be as pure as when you were born."

  Father Yergen's eyes widened in amazement as he stared at Huang Li, for he could hardly believe that this ordinary-looking Chinese man would utter such philosophical and religiously-charged words.

  "Yes, servants of God should be merciful." Father Jürgen said in a gentle tone: "I'm just worried that the electric shock will hurt your body. What are you teaching?"

  "Maybe?" Huang Li wasn't very sure, he said apologetically: "I've forgotten all the things from before, but regarding God and church, I have a kind of familiar, intimate feeling."

  "May God bless you." Father Jurgen made the sign of the cross on his chest and said sincerely, "Devout prayers, God will hear your voice, and miracles will happen."

  "Yes, God will create miracles." Huang Li nodded in agreement: "Perhaps the tool that God uses to create miracles is that generator. During treatment, I will be extremely devout and pray."

  Father Jürgen was very pleased with Huang Li's words, for him everything should be God's arrangement. He not only readily lent the hand-cranked generator to Vogt but also warmly invited Huang Li to attend the worship service.

  Things went quite smoothly, and the three of them returned to Wog's clinic with the hand-cranked generator. Huang Li was very anxious and wanted to try it out immediately. As a result, Wog, who rarely drank sober today, even had a physical workout with Zhang Yuan.

  Time passed quickly, and the three of them collapsed into their chairs, drenched in sweat. Vogel and Zhang Yuan were exhausted from shaking the generator, while Huang Li was shocked by electricity, not only sweating but also trembling with fear whenever he saw someone.

  At that time, the hand-cranked generator could only output a voltage of about 100 volts at most. It's more appropriate to say it was an electric punishment rather than an electric shock.

  "The voltage is not high enough." Vogt concluded, stretching out his sore arm to grab a bottle of wine on the table.

  "Maybe it's not long enough." Zhang Yuan ventured to say: "Otherwise, I'll call all the security team members tomorrow and we can shake for a day?"

  Uh-uh-uh. Huang Li hastily shook his head, what kind of joke is this, is it treating illness or forcing a confession? If memory loss isn't cured, instead an insane disease is triggered.

  "It seems that's all we can do, pray to God." Vog said somewhat despondently: "Or go to a big city and find a more advanced hospital, the electric shock there should be safer and have enough voltage."

  "Huang brother, I think there's no need to rush for now. Why don't you stay here and help me out?"

  "Help you?" Huang Li asked somewhat puzzled: "Help you with what? Will it take a lot of time?"

  "This time, I'm not doing too well either." Zhang Yuan hesitated for a moment and said: "Alright, let's make it one month. I'll ask Brother Huang to train me personally. Even if I won't be as good as you, at least I'll be passable. Of course, if this person is really too stupid and not cut out for it, then there's nothing that can be done. If Brother Huang wants to leave at that time, I absolutely won't stop him."

  Huang Li thought for a moment and felt that this request was not excessive. A month's time would pass quickly, and he also wanted to repay Zhang Lao Suo and Meng Lao Tou who had helped him before.

  "I'll cover all your living expenses and you'll also get a salary, 300 yuan per month." Zhang looked at the calendar with anticipation, continuing to offer favorable terms.

  "Captain Zhang, you seem to be very rich." Huang Li asked with a smile.

  Haha, Zhang Yuan smiled without a hint of embarrassment and said: "It's not that I have money, it's that my old man has money. To be honest, even if I don't do anything for the rest of my life, I'll still live a carefree life."

  "I heard you made a mistake and that's why you were sent here." Huang Li asked curiously: "What exactly happened?"

  "Shame, shame." Zhang Yuan smiled bitterly and saw Huang Li's somewhat strange eyes, and he quickly explained: "Don't make wild guesses, insulting my character. The mistake I made was political in nature, and it has nothing to do with anything else."

  I didn't say anything, nor did I think of any nonsense. The yellow calendar blinked its eyes, looking very innocent.