Chapter 935 We Cannot Live Without Vinegar
The Wanli Sunshine continued downstream, while the flat-deck cargo ship, having survived its scare, swiftly returned to the Xiaolangdi naval base.
The captives were quickly brought before Bai Yuan.
"So it was Zhai Tang," Bai Yuan said, his expression grim after interrogating the prisoners. "The situation in Henan is chaotic, especially around Xingyang, a prime roaming ground for seventy-two different bandit groups. For Zhai Tang's ships to dare ambush us near Xingyang's waters, it's impossible to claim he has no ties to the rebels."
No sooner had he finished speaking than the Golden Thread Heavenly Lord on his chest chimed in, "Months ago, Lu Xiangheng fought the rebels in Nanyang and captured two cannons from them. Lu Xiangheng was surprised then. Now it seems the rebels have already gained the support of the Jin merchants."
Bai Yuan responded, "So that's it. These Jin merchants have been truly despicable lately. Unable to sell goods to the Manchus, they're now selling to the rebels. To make money, they'll stop at nothing."
The Heavenly Lord of the Golden Thread didn't bother to say much more. Some people only saw money, devoid of morals. What was there to comment on with such individuals? Any further remark would be a waste of breath. The simple solution was to catch them and beat them senseless.
The only remaining issue was that Henan and the northern Huguang region were overrun with rebels, hundreds of thousands of troops marauding everywhere, compounded by swarms of locusts. The imperial court utterly failed to control these areas, and Gao Family Village's influence couldn't extend there either.
Defeating the rebels was easy; eradicating them, however, was incredibly difficult.
This wasn't just a problem for the imperial court; it was one that Gao Family Village also had to confront.
The sailors saluted. "Understood, sir!"
Just then, a soldier rushed in, saluting. "Report! The Governor of Henan, Fan Shangzheng, has sent someone seeking assistance."
Bai Yuan asked, intrigued, "Assistance? For what?"
The soldier reported, "Generals Cao Wenzhao and Cao Bianjiao were gravely wounded by a hail of arrows during a battle several days ago. After being rescued by their subordinates, they've been recuperating in the barracks. However, due to severe floods and droughts in recent years, the land is barren, making it impossible to even gather medicinal herbs. Many physicians lack proper wound medicine. The two General Caos' injuries have worsened, and their situation appears critical..."
Bai Yuan understood. "The Governor wants to know if we have any medicine, doesn't he?"
Li Daoxuan clearly overheard their conversation. He subtly shifted his perspective, adjusting his view to hover above the barracks south of the city, then used the "focus" feature to instantly lock onto the Cao uncle and nephew.
Cao Wenzhao and Cao Bianjiao both lay in bed, their faces ashen. White bandages swathed their bodies, pus and blood seeping through the cloth strips. Their situation indeed looked far from optimistic.
Li Daoxuan mused: In all likelihood, this situation was due to wound infection and inflammation, leading to necrosis. He had already bestowed various medicines upon Gao Family Village, so Bai Yuan should be able to handle this. It seemed he wouldn't need to intervene further.
Sure enough, Bai Yuan arrived shortly, bringing with him a military physician from Gao Family Village.
All military physicians from Gao Family Village had undergone professional training from Mrs. San. The moment he spoke, the physician adopted a tone of mystical authority: "General Cao, I've examined your injuries. This type of wound is difficult to heal with mortal medicine. Fortunately, I possess celestial medicine provided by Dao Xuan Tian Zun."
As he spoke, the military physician pulled out a collection of bottles and jars. "However, I must preface this. The celestial medicine provided by the Heavenly Lord only aids those with celestial destiny. If you are fated, one dose of this medicine will suffice. If you lack that destiny, if your fate is ill, then even divine medicine from the heavens cannot save you. After all, even deities must show each other respect. If the King of Hell insists you die at the third watch, the Heavenly Lord can hardly pick a fight with him just for one mortal, can he?"
Cao Wenzhao opened his eyes and weakly asked, "Is Dao Xuan Tian Zun a celestial deity? And the King of Hell's martial arts shouldn't be very powerful, should they? Can't Dao Xuan Tian Zun defeat him?"
Cao Bianjiao, equally weak, interjected, "Uncle! Can you please focus on what's important? Is that what we should be concerned about? The bureaucracy of the immortal realm must be just like the mortal realm's, full of intricate dealings. Being a powerful fighter isn't enough. It's like how we can defeat a civil official with one finger, yet if that official wants a criminal's head, you might not even be able to save them."
Cao Wenzhao exclaimed, "Oh? So that's how it is. You have a point."
Bai Yuan was speechless.
Li Daoxuan was speechless.
Cao Wenzhao said, "Doctor, just do what you must. A general's death on the battlefield is inevitable, so whether I, Cao, can be healed, depends entirely on my own fate."
The military physician replied, "Very well! I will administer the medicine now."
The physicians of Gao Family Village had been using the medicine bestowed by the Heavenly Lord since 1627. By now, they thoroughly understood the properties of the celestial remedies and had a complete grasp of the procedures and dosages required.
Scraping pus, stopping bleeding, disinfecting, and reducing inflammation – a complete, seamless process!
The military physician worked with swift hands, and in a flash, everything was done.
The two Cao uncle and nephew were indeed tough men. They allowed the military physician to treat their wounds for a long time, enduring excruciating pain, yet only their foreheads beaded with sweat; they didn't even utter a single groan.
Only when the military physician finished and their wounds were bandaged did they speak.
Cao Wenzhao then spoke, "Thank you. I, Cao, feel much better. It seems the King of Hell doesn't want my wretched life after all, heh!"
The military physician cautioned, "Do not take it lightly. You still need a good period of rest and recuperation. Also, General, before your wounds heal, you must maintain a light diet. Avoid chili peppers, ginger, garlic, and all kinds of seafood..."
After listening, Cao Wenzhao weakly replied, "Don't worry, I don't like seafood. Especially crabs; they're too difficult to peel."
Cao Bianjiao groaned, "Uncle! This is the Central Plains! Where would you even find seafood here? You only need to worry about the other things he mentioned."
Cao Wenzhao conceded, "Ah, that's true."
Cao Bianjiao then asked, "Doctor, can we have vinegar?"
Cao Wenzhao immediately quipped, "Did the girl you fancy run off with another man? You're gravely wounded and still thinking about whether you can 'eat vinegar'? If the doctor says no, will you just smile and watch her embrace another? How tragic, my poor nephew! Your uncle will find you a better one later."
Cao Bianjiao yelled in exasperation, "Argh! Uncle! Can you please focus on what's important? We're from Shanxi; we cannot live without vinegar!"
"Oh?" Cao Wenzhao mused. "That's true."
He then turned to the military physician, joining his nephew in asking, "Can we have vinegar?"
The military physician's head felt like it was about to explode. He snapped shut his small medicine box with a click, slung it onto his back, and turned to flee. "I see you two are recovering nicely," he said, "and no longer need my services. I'll take my leave now!"
"Doctor, don't go! You haven't told us if we can have vinegar!"
"Doctor, we're from Shanxi; we cannot live without vinegar!"
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