Chapter 53 A Two-Pronged Advance
As dawn barely broke, Bai Yuan and his family were already preparing for their departure.
A dozen Bai family guards and several dozen tenants were all returning with him to Bai Family Fortress.
The journey from Gao Family Village to Bai Family Fortress was a full two hours, so before they set out, everyone needed a hearty meal.
San Shier had lent them pots, pans, and bowls, and arranged for fluffy white rice, tender bok choy, and succulent chicken strips. He cooked several large pots of chicken and bok choy porridge, steaming and fragrant, and everyone enjoyed two generous bowls.
The tenants from Bai Family Fortress had never tasted such fine food before. Many found tears streaming down their faces as they ate, thinking, "I was chased by bandits for dozens of miles, fleeing for my life, and the food I'm eating now is actually better than what I had at home. What kind of world is this?"
Looking at the most striking edifice in the center of the village, the Grotto of Dao Xuan Tian Zun, the group couldn't help but wonder: "The people of Gao Family Village eat so well and are protected by such towering walls all because of the Heavenly Lord's care. When we return to Bai Family Fortress, even if we have to sell everything we own, we'll build a temple like this, worship daily, and beg the Heavenly Lord for protection. Wouldn't we also be able to live such good lives?"
Yes! That's exactly what we'll do when we get back!
Before leaving, Madam Bai and Young Master Bai climbed into the carriage, but soon both poked their heads out, exclaiming, "Master, this carriage is full of flour! We can't stay in here..."
Bai Yuan snorted, "Endure it!"
Madam Bai and Young Master Bai wanted to jump out and walk several times, but as delicately raised gentry folk, they couldn't endure a trek of dozens of miles. They had to force themselves to remain in the carriage, and by the time they reached Bai Family Fortress, they emerged looking like two pale, flour-dusted figures.
Bai Family Fortress had indeed been pillaged clean by the bandits. All of the Bai family's valuables—furniture, cloth, grain, money—were gone, leaving behind only empty halls.
But this didn't faze Bai Yuan.
He dismissed the household guards, taking only his son to the backyard, where he pried open a large bluestone slab on the ground. Beneath it, a long passage appeared. Following the passage to its lowest point, they found a basement, filled with a substantial pile of gold, silver, and jewels.
He casually grabbed a sack of gold and silver, emerged from the secret room, and resealed the bluestone.
"Hmph! My Bai family is reborn!"
Standing before Bai Family Fortress, Bai Yuan waved his hand and commanded his household guards and tenants, "Each person will receive one tael of silver and two catties of flour. Then, go call back our scattered neighbors. We will rebuild Bai Family Fortress. Remember this: our ability to stand here today is all thanks to the Heavenly Lord's grace."
Everyone responded in unison, "May the Heavenly Lord protect us!"
Bai Yuan mused, "I've now established the Heavenly Lord's benevolence and might, and performed all the proper rites. Surely, the 'rites' aspect of a gentleman's six arts can be credited back to me now?"
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The sky above Gao Family Village was clear and bright.
Mrs. San clutched a pile of bottles and jars, her face alight with ecstasy.
These bottles and jars were filled with medicine.
The Heavenly Lord had given them to her with just the tip of his finger. She had carefully, meticulously transferred them into the finest jars in her home, labeling each one.
"Burns," "Wounds," "Skin Rash," "Colds and Flu," "Stomach Ailments"...
It was a jumbled mix of both traditional and Western medicines.
Li Daoxuan himself wasn't an expert in medicine; he simply gave her a small amount of each common household remedy.
Pasty medicines were easy; he'd just scoop a dollop for her.
But some were granular, like cold medicine and anti-inflammatory drugs. Li Daoxuan could only slice off a tiny piece and let Mrs. San grind it into powder herself.
This task kept them busy for two days; Mrs. San filled over a dozen jars.
Li Daoxuan repeatedly emphasized the importance of dosage.
Topical medicines were fine; applying a little extra wouldn't be much of an issue. But internal medicines could be lethal if overused. Li Daoxuan couldn't tell her how many grams of each medicine to use, as people in ancient times had no concept of "grams," and it would be difficult for him to convert the dosage into their traditional units like "jin" or "liang."
He could only consult the instructions on the medicine boxes while cautioning Mrs. San, "For this cold and flu medicine, less is more. Each dose should be no more than half the size of your pinky fingernail, taken three times a day, half an hour after meals. Never take it on an empty stomach, or severe abdominal pain will follow..."
Mrs. San respectfully noted this, adding, "Don't worry, Heavenly Lord. This humble woman would never be wasteful and certainly won't give too much."
"This heat-clearing and detoxifying medicine must be used with extreme caution: half a pinky fingernail's worth, twice a day, less is definitely more..."
Mrs. San respectfully noted that as well.
Over a dozen pieces of paper, each detailing the corresponding medicine's usage, were affixed to the jars.
Clutching these bottles and jars, she looked as if she held the entire world. For two whole days, she was beside herself, shielding the jars behind her whenever anyone approached. Even San Shier, attempting to touch one, was met with a flurry of "tigress" punches that left his face bruised and swollen.
"Do you know what these are?" Mrs. San roared at San Shier. "These are celestial elixirs! Elixirs! The Heavenly Lord himself entrusted them to me, to guard with my life. And you dare to reach out and touch them? You should cut that hand off immediately!"
San Shier, naturally, wasn't about to chop off his hand. He could only apologize profusely to his wife, nearly falling to his knees in deference, before finally placating her rage.
The couple finally reconciled. San Shier kept a safe distance from the jars, lowering his voice, "Wife, now that you have these dozen or so jars of immortal medicine, what do you plan to do next?"
"Is that even a question? Of course, I'm going back to the county town," Mrs. San declared. "The Heavenly Lord commanded us to gather more believers. What kind of believers can you gather in this tiny Gao Family Village? Everyone here is already a loyal follower of the Heavenly Lord. I must return to the county town; only there can I spread the Heavenly Lord's benevolence among the common people."
San Shier's brow furrowed deeply. "The county town... things are chaotic there. Going back now would be quite unsafe. What if another madman charges into the county town? That would be dangerous. And the Heavenly Lord won't help you there – haven't you noticed? He favors Gao Family Village; he only manifests his divine power here."
This startled Mrs. San. She was, in fact, afraid of death, but after a few seconds, her gaze hardened, as if imbued with a sudden surge of fervent faith, and her fear of death receded.
"Hmph!" Mrs. San scoffed. "I follow the Heavenly Dao to save the world. Though not a Saintess, I am a divine messenger. All evil spirits, demons, and monsters of this world should steer clear of me. What is there to fear?"
San Shier was speechless.
Even San Shier, who prided himself on his quick wit, found himself utterly at a loss for words.
He sighed and said, "Alright then! In a few days, after I've settled matters here in the village, I'll take a few of the younger men from the village and escort you back to the county town. Once you're settled, I'll return to Gao Family Village to manage the Heavenly Lord's affairs."
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