Yangzhou, Lujiang Commandery.
North of Changshan Mountain in Dantu, and its adjacent Wuzhou Mountain, lies a "net celebrity check-in spot," ah, no... a famous place called Qiao Family Gate.
As the saying goes, mountains don't need to be high, they're famous if dragons reside there!
Qiao Family Gate is renowned because of a family residing here, named Qiao Zheng, also known as Duke Qiao.
Of course, this is not important. What's important is that Duke Qiao had two daughters, the elder named "Da Qiao" and the younger named "Xiao Qiao"...
Many unofficial histories and miscellaneous records claim that Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao were the daughters of Grand Commandant Qiao Xuan of the Han Dynasty, known as "Young Master Qiao."
They even say that Cao Cao was entrusted by Qiao Xuan to look after his daughters, thus giving rise to the story "In the Spring Palace of Bronze Sparrow, Two Qiaos are Locked Away."
But in reality, Qiao Zheng and Qiao Xuan are not the same person.
However, they knew each other, belonged to the same clan, and served in the same court.
As for why Qiao Zheng settled in Dantu of Lujiang, it all began when Emperor Shao of Han was deposed by Dong Zhuo, and King Liu Xie of Chenliu ascended the throne.
It was right after Emperor Liu Xie ascended the throne that Cai Yong wrote an essay titled "Praise for Duke Jiao"...
It was a eulogy for a hermit of the Han Dynasty named "Jiao Guang"!
Emperor Liu Xie had a dream. In the dream, this "Jiao Guang" helped him restore and prop up the Han dynasty's empire!
Therefore, upon waking, he immediately sent someone to Dantu County in Lujiang to invite this "Jiao Guang" out of seclusion. The envoy sent was none other than Qiao Zheng.
Things did not go as planned. Qiao Zheng failed to persuade "Jiao Guang" but was shocked to hear of the turmoil in Luoyang, the burning of the palace, and the relocation of the capital to Chang'an.
With the Emperor's power usurped, he could not return to the capital to obey orders. Thus, he settled north of Changshan Mountain in Dantu, near the adjacent Wuzhou Mountain, bringing his wife and daughters along. This place became Qiao Family Gate!
Because Duke Qiao's two daughters, "Da Qiao" and "Xiao Qiao," were peerlessly beautiful and captivating, capable of toppling cities and nations.
As time went by, Qiao Family Gate became famous throughout Lujiang. Duke Qiao's business also inexplicably flourished, and the Qiao family became renowned wealthy merchants in Lujiang.
This is actually easy to understand...
It's like in the twenty-first century. If you just sell lamb skewers, your business will only go so far.
But if a beautiful, stunning young woman, wearing a crop top that reveals her graceful and voluptuous figure, while seductively grilling lamb skewers, and you know, "cleavage sells" - with such a gimmick, it's impossible not to make a fortune!
This is the so-called "beauty effect"!
Or consider...
In front of the screen, gentlemen who are noble, wealthy, and handsome are eating lamb skewers... are they doing it for the lamb?
Certainly not!
How could the gentlemen be so vulgar!
The gentlemen are clearly worried that the beautiful woman, dressed so sparsely, might catch a cold or get chilled. This is humanitarian concern!
By extension...
With such two daughters as beautiful as the moon and flowers, Duke Qiao was destined to make a fortune.
At this very moment...
Not far from "Qiao Family Gate," by the stream, a stunning white figure appeared and disappeared.
The maiden stood tall and graceful, her eyes like autumn water, her face like carved snow, her skin delicate and fair...
What a beautiful specimen!
A hint of worry lingered in her eyes... making one's heart ache.
A gentle breeze blew, rustling her white silk skirt. It lifted slightly at the hem, revealing her fair calves, truly captivating...
"Sister..."
Just then, a voice came from not far away.
A figure, slightly smaller, yet still elegantly poised, hurried over, her voice choked with tears.
She was Xiao Qiao, and the woman in the white silk dress she called out to was her elder sister, Da Qiao.
"Sister... Mother... Mother has coughed up blood again. This time, her condition is very serious..."
"What?"
At this, Xiao Qiao was drenched in tears, and Da Qiao's face turned ashen.
"Isn't the illness... isn't it under control? How could... how could... Mother again..."
Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao's mother, "Duke Qiao's" wife, was surnamed Li... known as Lady Li.
Lady Li was in poor health and had been bedridden for years. Recently, for some unknown reason, her coughing had become particularly severe, to the point where she vomited fresh blood almost every day.
In fact, half a year ago... Qiao Zheng specially went to Changsha Commandery to invite the medical sage Zhang Zhongjing.
However, upon arriving, he learned that Zhang Zhongjing was no longer in Changsha and was rumored to have gone to Yanzhou!
Qiao Zheng had no choice but to seek another good physician. But... no matter how good the physician, Lady Li's condition remained unpredictable. She had finally stopped coughing blood a few days ago, yet today... again...
When the two sisters rushed to Lady Li's bedside, her breathing was faint, like a thread. Several physicians stood by, shaking their heads repeatedly, at a loss.
"Perhaps... perhaps if we use that ginseng to strengthen the夫人's heart, she might live for another ten days."
After a long while, a medical officer stated truthfully...
"Quick... bring the ginseng." Qiao Zheng hastily called out...
He was a late-blooming father, having his twin daughters, Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, at nearly fifty years old.
His wife was five years younger than him, but even so, she was an older mother at childbirth... Ever since giving birth to their two daughters, her body had completely collapsed, and she was constantly afflicted by various illnesses.
"Respected physicians... respected physicians, do you... do you have any way to save my mother!"
Da Qiao spoke with a tearful voice, her tears flowing like a broken string of pearls...
"As long as... as long as you can save my mother, our Qiao family will agree to anything." Xiao Qiao was slightly stronger than Da Qiao. She pursed her lips, biting her red lips...
Tears welled up in her eyes. How she wished these physicians present could propose a method to save her mother.
However...
For so many years, from Luoyang City to Lujiang Commandery, every method possible had been tried. Xiao Qiao knew that perhaps... perhaps her mother's illness could not be cured at all.
Her mother's recovery was merely a beautiful wish for her... and her sister.
"Actually, there is someone... if he were to act, he could likely save Lady Li." One of the medical officers pondered for a moment before speaking.
This...
Upon hearing this, for Qiao Zheng, Da Qiao, and Xiao Qiao, it was no different than seeing a straw of hope in despair!
"Who? Who can save my mother?" Xiao Qiao's delicate hands clenched, hope flickering in her beautiful eyes. "Respected physician... you, do tell us!"
Da Qiao also instinctively took a step forward.
Qiao Zheng's brow furrowed even tighter. "Does the respected physician perhaps refer to Hua Tuo? Or Zhang Zhongjing... If it were them..."
Thinking of this, a hint of helplessness flickered in Qiao Zheng's eyes.
For several consecutive years, he had been searching for Hua Tuo's whereabouts, but... Hua Tuo wandered the land; finding him was not so easy.
As for... Zhang Zhongjing, alas... that was an even sadder story.
Who would have thought that he would abandon his position as the Prefect of Changsha Commandery and head north to Yanzhou over a year ago?
"It's not them..." The physician shook his head slightly. "The person I mentioned, perhaps... surpasses Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing in medical skill!"
This...
As soon as these words were uttered, everyone in the room focused their gaze.
The physician continued, clearing his throat: "I heard that Medical Sage Zhang Zhongjing headed north to Yanzhou precisely to learn the method of treating Shanghan diseases from him. It was also because of his book, 'Shanghan Zabing Lun,' that countless commoners and citizens of the Han Dynasty were saved!"
"Respected Physician Zhongjing wished to apprentice under him, and he, in turn, accepted Respected Physician Zhongjing as a disciple on behalf of his late master, and they addressed each other as fellow disciples!"
Upon reaching this point, the physician took a deep breath, his tone becoming more resolute, as if saying these words would give the appearance of the legendary divine physician more gravitas!
Having done this, the physician then loudly pronounced his name, "Lu Yu!"
"Lu Yu, the medical sage revered and admired by all physicians today!"
Immortal Doctor... Lu Yu!
As soon as this name was spoken, Xiao Qiao was the first to react.
"Lu... Lu Yu, I've heard of him!"
Compared to her sister Da Qiao's quiet demeanor, Xiao Qiao was more lively and gossipy. She enjoyed going to tea stalls and wine shops to hear storytellers discuss current affairs. Because of this, how could she not have heard of Lu Yu's name?
The rumors that appeared most frequently in the storytellers' accounts were these three sentences—
—Northern Yinlin, Southern Qilin.
—Lujiang has two Qiaos, Zhen Mi of Hebei is beautiful.
And also—Cao's camp Lu Yu, the contemporary medical immortal, who heals with his pot.
These words, "contemporary medical immortal, who heals with his pot," were enough to highlight Lu Yu's status among the common people... or rather, in the medical world of the Han Dynasty.
Having authored "Shanghan Zabing Lun" and cured Shanghan diseases, saving no less than hundreds of thousands, even millions, of commoners, people everywhere sang praises of his virtue.
"Second Miss knows Immortal Doctor Lu?" the physician hastily asked Xiao Qiao.
Xiao Qiao was more gossipy and always liked to inquire about events happening in various prefectures and counties. She nodded repeatedly, "He is the Grand Minister of Agriculture and Head of the Imperial Academy personally appointed by His Majesty, and also the medical immortal who wrote 'Shanghan Zabing Lun,' saving the world's people from Shanghan diseases. If... if it were him... he would definitely, definitely be able to cure Mother!"
Upon hearing this, the physician nodded.
Hua Tuo, Zhang Zhongjing, Lu Yu... besides these three, the physician could not think of anyone else in the entire Han Dynasty who had the ability to save someone on the verge of death.
"But..." Xiao Qiao's words continued. "He... he is all the way in Xuchang City! The journey is so long, how will we... how will we invite him?" Xiao Qiao bit her lip, as if the hope she had just found had suddenly turned into infinite disappointment.
"No..." Unexpectedly, the physician quickly waved his hand. "I just received news. Immortal Doctor Lu is not currently in Xuchang City, but rather in..."
Saying this, the physician looked towards the northwest. "Chen State. Immortal Doctor Lu is currently within Chen State, and Lujiang is only a five-day journey from Chen State. There is still a chance!"
The physician did not fully reveal his thoughts, but his meaning was clear enough.
Lady Li's condition was not optimistic...
Perhaps with the "old ginseng" to prolong her life, she could last another ten days. Inviting Immortal Doctor Lu to Chen State was the only chance to save Lady Li, but...
"That's not right..." Da Qiao, who was wiser and more rational, suddenly shook her head.
Her expression remained grim, as if she had realized something. "This doesn't seem right. Indeed... Lu Yu is in Chen State, but... Cao Cao is currently in a decisive battle with Yuan Shu at Shouchun. Chen State belongs to Cao Cao's territory, and our Lujiang Commandery belongs to Yuan Shu's territory. Lu Yu is Cao Cao's man... How could he leave Chen State and come to Lujiang? Wouldn't that be putting himself in danger?"
This...
As soon as these words were spoken, the hope that had finally risen was utterly extinguished.
In other words, who had such great prestige to invite Lu Yu to risk danger... to enemy territory?
And Lady Li's condition did not permit a long journey...
This... this seemed like a vicious cycle!
"I'll go!" Just then, Xiao Qiao suddenly stepped forward, her tone deliberately raised. "I have a way... to invite Immortal Doctor Lu to Lujiang."
What?
As these words left her lips, Qiao Zheng and Da Qiao were stunned.
Xiao Qiao? She had a way? What way could she have?
Before they could ask...
"...There's no time to lose... I must set off now..." Xiao Qiao requested like a string of firecrackers. "Please Father, send some guards to escort me along the way..."
"Xiao..." Da Qiao's words had not yet escaped her lips.
Qiao Zheng, with his brows tightly knit, spoke first. "Do you truly have a way?"
"Father, please believe your daughter!" Xiao Qiao puffed out her chest, trying her best to appear full of confidence...
Qiao Zheng hesitated for a moment, but when he looked at his wife, he sighed deeply, "Alas..." At this point, all they could do was try with a dying horse. "Logically, Father should be the one to go, but... Father is worried that something might suddenly happen to your mother!"
"Don't worry, Father..." Xiao Qiao bit her lips tightly.
Such an expression seemed to make her appear more resolute. "Father, your daughter will go and prepare now. Your daughter will depart immediately."
With that said...
Xiao Qiao had already rushed out quickly...
Da Qiao quickly followed. Reaching the courtyard, Da Qiao grabbed Xiao Qiao's arm. "Sister... you... you don't have a way, do you? You're lying to Father?"
This...
Having her secret exposed by her sister, Xiao Qiao lowered her head slightly, but her usual stubbornness remained. Once she decided on something, not even eight horses could pull her back.
"Sister, I don't have a way... but..." Xiao Qiao paused. "As long as Immortal Doctor Lu can save Mother, your sister is willing to serve him like an ox or a horse!"
Ah...
Da Qiao's heart stirred slightly. She hadn't expected her sister to be so resolute.
Xiao Qiao didn't linger. After glancing back at her sister several times, she went into the house to pack.
The carriage outside was arriving soon. This trip was rushed, but to save Mother, she had no choice!
Meanwhile, Da Qiao, who was still standing frozen, slowly opened her eyes.
She murmured.
"For the sake of saving Mother, if my sister can do this much, how can I, as an elder sister, not be willing to serve Immortal Doctor Lu like an ox or a horse, like a slave or a maid?"
With these words, she gritted her teeth. This trip to Chen State was not for Xiao Qiao alone. It was her responsibility as an elder sister to ask Lu Yu to help!
With this thought, Da Qiao also quickly returned to her room to change into lightweight clothing...
This trip required traveling light!
...
...
Yuzhou, outside Shouchun City.
It was strange.
After a month of encirclement, the Cao army suddenly retreated. They withdrew a hundred li, even retreating to the banks of the Huai River!
Initially, Yuan Shu was suspicious, but... as scouts reported that the Cao army had truly retreated, and there were no Cao soldiers within a hundred li!
At once, Yuan Shu mused that Chancellor Yang Hong's strategy must have worked. The Cao army was out of provisions and had retreated. This was cause for great celebration!
Yuan Shu let out a long sigh of relief.
To be honest, if they were still eating lavishly, his imperial provisions wouldn't last a few more days...
And the provisions for his soldiers and the common people had long since run out.
That's right, Yuan Shu's provisions were calculated separately...
His were his, and the soldiers' and civilians' were theirs. There could be no mistakes on this point.
Hoo!
Like timely rain after a long drought.
Now, the gates of Shouchun City were opened...
The common people and the soldiers rushed out of the city. They were starving. Yuan Shu was unreliable, but to survive, they had to fish in the river, dig for wild vegetables, and gather more tree bark.
Looking at the starving appearance of the common people and soldiers, Yuan Shu on the city wall suddenly felt very confused.
They had only been hungry for a few days, right?
Was it that serious...
Even so, someone had secretly distributed grains from his private treasury. Looking at these soldiers and civilians, Yuan Shu felt annoyed.
Of course, he would not understand the suffering of these common people and soldiers...
In the entire Shouchun City, if anyone starved, it would never be Yuan Shu!
He was the Emperor, and he had to eat well every day. Besides him, the only ones with this treatment were the beauties in the inner palace.
There were nearly three hundred beauties, and they were quite appetizing every day...
It seemed...
Shouchun City's food shortage had absolutely nothing to do with Yuan Shu.
Anyway, Cao Cao had retreated. Whatever you wanted to do was your business...
It would be best if they all died, it would bring peace to his ears and save on food!
For three consecutive days, every morning, the gates of Shouchun City were opened, and countless common people and soldiers swarmed out.
By sunset, the common people and soldiers would flock back into the city, counting their day's harvest. Looking at the unpalatable tree bark, wild vegetables, and even insects.
A look of contentment appeared on each of their faces...
They were very grateful to Cao Cao. If he hadn't ordered the retreat... the entire Shouchun City would have resorted to cannibalism. At that time... there would surely have been widespread starvation!
Of course, as these starving people returned to Shouchun City before dusk.
Along with them, many of Cao Cao's spies also infiltrated Shouchun City...
They infiltrated secretly, each holding copies of Cao Cao's "Inner Precepts," and began posting them all over the city.
They were meant to have a good propaganda effect.
Of course, some spies who had infiltrated Shouchun City had already contacted officials within the city who had secretly surrendered.
They began to secretly conspire about a certain operation!
...
Either break out of silence or perish in silence!
Finally, the entire Shouchun City erupted.
When the soldiers of Yuan's army on the streets saw the "Inner Precepts" posted on the city walls with their confused eyes...
When some literate people read out the words in the "Inner Precepts."
Finally...
On a quiet night...
Countless emotions rapidly gathered...
Then, voices broke the silence of the night.
—"Damn it, it's not worth fighting for such a shameless dog emperor. I was blind. I'm done!"
One voice spoke out first.
—"Everyone, listen to these 'Inner Precepts.' See how Prime Minister Cao restrains himself and his family, is incorrupt and frugal, yet distributes valuable wealth and meat to his soldiers. And look at our shameless Emperor! Hmph... Hmph... In his eyes, where are we?"
—"Yes!"
In an instant, countless soldiers of Yuan's army echoed in agreement...
—"Cao Sikong, with his noble status, doesn't even get to eat meat once a day with his family. But I heard that the Dragon Roaring Camp in Cao's camp must eat a pound of meat a day, and if they don't eat enough, the quartermaster will be held responsible! But... but our Emperor? He feasts daily with his concubines, indulging in extravagance, while I... I have to gnaw on tree bark and dig for wild vegetables every day. I, I'll fight him to the death!"
Such emotions seemed contagious...
More and more soldiers of Yuan's army drew their weapons. They gathered together to openly condemn Emperor Yuan Shu's numerous evil deeds—they were truly heinous and unforgivable!
Finally, they compared him to Cao Cao!
There is no harm without comparison!
—"Cao Sikong, with his status, even forbids his family from wearing brocade and silk! Even his shoes... are not allowed to be in two colors! But... but our dog emperor? He and his consorts wear silk and satin. Damn... damn... I #@#*&a
Screw him!
Yes, literally "screw" him!
At this very moment, countless angry sabers were already thirsty!
...
...