Chinese capital Beijing suggested Zheng had contracted a rare disease that produced arterial embolisms on both legs. The arteries on his right leg and below his left knee disappeared, and Zheng was told he had a month to live.

A local doctor refused to perform an amputation. Zheng could not afford further treatment or analysis. Despite government efforts to reduce their burden, farmers still shoulder a large part of medical costs, Yu Shaoxiang, a social security expert, told the Global Times newspaper.

"There are several reasons why some poor people cannot benefit from the system, such as low investment from governments, profit-seeking hospitals and limited reimbursement items," Yu said.

His money spent, Zheng took action. Fifteen minutes later, when his wife Shen Zhonghong woke from a nightmare in another room, sheto respect one's parents. Local official Zhao Yingchun confirmed the basic facts of Zheng's dramatic experience to the Beijing News newspaper, and said authorities would work towards fitting Zheng with prosthetic limbs.

Online reaction has been firmly in Zheng's favor.

"Without money, then things must run their course," wrote Beijing lawyer Xue Huaping on China's Twitter equivalent, Sina Weibo, Friday. "Our society is ever more developed, but it can't give our people the most basic guarantees."

"We have to admire the grassroots, ordinary Chinese have the strong will to survive and endure," wrote Liu Dianbao, an IT worker in eastern Suzhou city, urging a review of China's medical insurance system. "I hope this tragedy won't happen again!"

The Chinese reporter who broke Zheng's story Thursday has solicited donations to help realize his