"From Xu Du for illness, healing fevers, exorbitant fees, leaving money for your life!"
Within two days, this phrase spread through every alley and lane of Xiapi City.
Some rejoiced, while others grieved!
Yang Xiu and his group of physicians had arrived, but their reputation was not good. Their treatment for fevers commanded fees of fifty gold, even a hundred gold, causing many poor people to shake their heads and many noble families to grit their teeth.
But... what choice did they have?
There was no choice!
In all of Xiapi City, only Yang Xiu and his ilk could cure the fever.
Of course...
Such exorbitant fees made Lü Bu trust them even more, almost entirely ruling out the possibility that Yang Xiu and his group were spies sent by Cao Cao.
However, one person was particularly displeased!
Lü Bu's Right Attendant General—Chen Deng.
Speaking of Chen Deng, also known as Chen Yuanlong, he was known for his upright character and a youthful ambition to aid the world and its people. Though he was not yet thirty, he had always been compassionate towards the populace, supporting the weak and nurturing orphans, earning him the deep respect of the common folk.
In the past, he had been appointed Commandant of Agriculture by Tao Qian, where he developed water conservancy and irrigation, leading to a prosperous populace, peace, and abundant harvests!
But it so happened...
Now, Yang Xiu and his physicians had offended him. A fee of a hundred gold for a cure was clearly an act of extortion!
Were such physicians any different from beasts in scholarly robes?
Chen Deng, who always empathized with the suffering of the people, could not possibly allow such a thing to happen.
Thus, he personally intervened, intending to have a good talk with Yang Xiu!
"Do you physicians have any conscience? Are you here to heal people, or to fleece them!"
Entering the medical hall...
Chen Deng immediately overturned the table without a word...
He was seething with anger.
His connection with Cao Cao had been severed, leaving him extremely frustrated. He had a great deal of intelligence that he couldn't send out, a feeling worse than constipation. To top it all off, this "unjust" affair had made Chen Deng flush with rage.
*Thump...*
The overturned table made a loud noise.
The physicians were startled, but Yang Xiu remained unfazed, as if he had expected Chen Deng's arrival.
"Who are you? Didn't you see the two phrases at the entrance – The medical hall's door is always open, if you have no money, don't come in!"
"We physicians live by our skills. If we have money, we treat. If not, go home and save for a coffin! What gives you the right to interfere in something that's mutually agreed upon?"
When it came to arrogance and rudeness, Yang Xiu was a professional. His words were filled with provocation, making Chen Deng want to beat him.
"Who am I? Hmph, I am Chen Deng, Right Attendant General under Marquis Wen!"
Chen Deng felt as though he was about to explode. A strange pain in his chest, not just chest pain, but dizziness, and even... a faint sweat breaking out on his forehead.
This feeling was very odd. Chen Deng had been experiencing it frequently for the past year!
He would break out in a cold sweat, feel dizzy, and have chest pain from time to time. There were even days each month when this happened, and it was completely irregular!
"Hahaha..."
A subtle smile appeared on Yang Xiu's lips.
As expected, Chief Director Lu's prediction was completely accurate. Chen Deng would indeed be displeased with their charging a hundred gold for fever treatment. He would come to challenge them, and would appear proactively. Chief Director Lu's "fishing" plan had succeeded, haha!
Yang Xiu tried his best to calm his emotions.
But his heart was filled with admiration for Chief Director Lu's foresight...
"So it's Chen Yuanlong of the Xiapi Chen family. I thought it was someone else! The Xiapi Chen family, others may fear them, but in my eyes, they are nothing!"
Indeed, the Xiapi Chen family was very powerful in Xuzhou, but compared to the Hongnong Yang family, which was powerful throughout the Han Dynasty, they were like a dwarf next to a giant.
"Attendant General Chen..." Yang Xiu revealed a sneer. "I advise you to examine your own health before meddling in other people's business!"
"Heh heh... Recently, have you, Attendant General Chen, been experiencing chest pain, coughing, expectorating phlegm the color of rust, shortness of breath, profuse sweating when angry, loss of appetite, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and general fatigue?"
Yang Xiu stood with his hands behind his back...
In fact, as he recited this, Yang Xiu was also quite bewildered.
The scroll simply said this, but the key point was, even with Chief Director Lu's medical skills, how could he know Chen Deng's symptoms without ever seeing him? This was preposterous...
Of course, Chief Director Lu had many preposterous things about him!
Few things were not preposterous. The entire process of Yang Xiu entering Xiapi City was also preposterous, wasn't it?
He was used to it!
Therefore, although Yang Xiu harbored doubts, he spoke with a confident and high-pitched tone.
And yet, this very speech...
Chen Deng was stunned. "You... you..."
He wanted to retort, but the words on his lips were swallowed back because Yang Xiu's description of his symptoms was completely accurate.
But, could he really see his illness with just a glance? Was he that divine?
Heh heh...
This wasn't something Yang Xiu saw at a glance.
This was clearly something Lu Yu wrote with his eyes closed.
According to ancient texts...
Hua Tuo had once treated Chen Deng. Because he coughed up worms, and because Chen Deng liked to eat fish, coupled with ancient people's lack of hygiene.
Therefore, it could be basically concluded that it was a parasitic worm from fish causing "pulmonary schistosomiasis."
The symptoms corresponding to this disease were precisely those Yang Xiu had mentioned. This indicated that it was important to eat less raw fish, and to cook lobster and abalone thoroughly for sterilization, which was particularly crucial!
"Heh heh..." Seeing Chen Deng's hesitant expression, Yang Xiu shrewdly judged that Chief Director Lu's remote diagnosis, without needing to see, hear, ask, or feel the pulse, had once again been spot on!
Preposterous, utterly preposterous!
"Alas..." Yang Xiu shook his head. "Attendant General Chen, it's not that I'm saying this, but if this illness of yours is left untreated, you'll only have a year or so to live! Hurry back and prepare your coffin. Even immortals cannot save you, cannot save you!"
"If you don't believe me, try pressing your Yutang acupoint and Tanzhong acupoint hard!"
As he spoke, Yang Xiu gestured to indicate the location of these two acupoints.
Upon hearing this, Chen Deng instinctively touched these two acupoints and pressed them hard.
"Pfft..."
He felt a pain in his throat, and then something slid down his throat... a red worm actually came out from his belly.
Ugh...
The worm was still wriggling, extremely disgusting!
Now, it was Chen Deng's turn to look foolish!
"You..." He had just uttered this single word.
Yang Xiu yawned. He raised his voice and smiled, "This pulmonary schistosomiasis is hard to treat, but if Attendant General Chen can give me five thousand gold and kowtow to me, perhaps I might mercifully save you."
As he said this, Yang Xiu turned around, revealing a cunning face to Chen Deng, and said with a smile, "Five thousand gold, one kowtow for a life. It seems, Attendant General Chen, it's quite a good deal! Haha... Hahaha..."
Arrogant, rude, overbearing!
This was the aura Yang Xiu displayed.
In fact... ever since he was severely beaten by Lu Yu, Yang Xiu had become much more restrained.
But the scroll instructed him to act this way.
Was this called acting according to his true nature?
Of course...
Yang Xiu was thoroughly enjoying his true-to-life performance!
But Chen Deng's face turned green with anger. His mentality had completely collapsed!
With things said to this extent, he could no longer tolerate it.
"Even if I die, I will not give you this thousand gold. Humph, we'll see!"
Turning around, filled with rage, Chen Deng left!
*Thump thump thump...*
The heavy footsteps conveyed his current angry mood.
But Yang Xiu still yawned, unconcerned...
According to the scroll, this was all a play, a performance for Lü Bu. Now that the play was over, it was time for Lü Bu to make his appearance.
With this thought, Yang Xiu's eyes narrowed slightly, a sharp glint appearing in his gaze. He muttered to himself, Lü Bu, Lü Bu, Chief Director Lu has you cornered!
Thinking this, Yang Xiu shook his head inexplicably...
Suddenly, he felt a bit sorry for Lü Bu. To contend with Chief Director Lu was simply not playing in the same league. Chief Director Lu's wisdom was a crushing blow against him!
...
...
That night, Lü Bu was having dinner with his "remarried" wife, Lady Cao, his concubine Diao Chan, and his daughter Lü Lingqi.
He was a good family man.
Especially after years of hardship and displacement, he valued the concept of "home" immensely.
And in his dictionary, this "home" included Diao Chan, Lü Lingqi, Ling Ju, the daughter of Cao Bao, commander of the Danyang soldiers, Cao Yuan, and also...
Lady Yan, his legal wife, who had to live in a rural alley for the sake of the greater good.
"Lingqi, eat more meat. You're at a growing age! Don't be afraid of getting fat, eat more!"
...
"Diao Chan, how is Ling Ju? Does she still cry at night?"
...
"Yuan'er, tomorrow is your father's memorial day. Shall we go together to pay our respects!"
...
Every word that left his mouth showed how much Lü Bu cherished every woman by his side.
Just as the family was enjoying a rare meal and conversation.
*Thump thump thump* footsteps were heard.
"Marquis Wen..."
It was his cousin, Wei Xu.
"Come, we're all family, join us for the meal!" Lü Bu invited Wei Xu to sit down with them.
But Wei Xu waved his hand.
"Marquis Wen, I won't be eating. I've come because something happened in the city today, concerning Chen Yuanlong, the Right Attendant General, and Yang Xiu, the young master of the Hongnong Yang family!"
As soon as he said this...
Diao Chan was the first to stand up. "Since my husband has important matters to discuss, we shall withdraw for now..."
Her voice, soft and gentle, made Diao Chan appear considerate and understanding of the situation.
But Lü Bu waved his hand.
"You all continue eating. My cousin and I will go out to chat..."
To avoid delaying his family's meal, Lü Bu stood up and walked out, with Wei Xu following close behind.
"What happened?" As soon as they were outside, Lü Bu's brow furrowed.
"Today... Yang Xiu and Chen Deng had a minor verbal conflict." Wei Xu reported truthfully. "It seems Chen Deng was dissatisfied with Yang Xiu charging a hundred gold for fever treatment and personally went to the office to demand an explanation!"
This...
Lü Bu frowned. He could actually empathize with Yang Xiu's actions, because that was precisely his way of "seeking profit."
Yang Xiu using his medical skills to gain maximum profit was not entirely wrong!
But at this very moment.
Wei Xu's voice continued.
"Unexpectedly... before Chen Deng could even demand an explanation, Yang Xiu pointed out that he was already suffering from a terminal illness."
As he spoke, Wei Xu still seemed somewhat shaken.
"An eyewitness saw Attendant General Chen touch two of his acupoints according to Yang Xiu's method, and he... he actually spat out a red worm!"
A worm?
This...
Upon hearing this, Lü Bu's eyes widened. Now... having dismissed Chen Gong, his only reliable strategists were Chen Gui and his son Chen Deng. But if Chen Deng spat out a worm, and was also pointed out to have a terminal illness, this...
In an instant, Lü Bu's expression completely changed, a mixture of shock and worry.
The shock was from spitting out a worm, what kind of illness was this?
And the worry was, if Chen Deng were to fall, then... who else could he rely on?
Seeing Lü Bu's expression, Wei Xu continued.
"Yang Xiu mentioned that unless Attendant General Chen kneels before him and offers five thousand gold... he would not live for more than a year or so."
The more he listened, the more Lü Bu felt a sense of dread...
Fortunately, Yang Xiu had mentioned five thousand gold. He had come to Xiapi City precisely for profit, which meant there was still room for negotiation.
With this thought, Lü Bu's eyes sharpened.
"Cousin, immediately take five thousand gold and give it to Yang Xiu. Tell him to do me a favor and treat Chen Deng. As for the kneeling, let's forget it. Chen Deng is my Right Attendant General, how can he be ordered to kneel?"
"Go immediately. Chen Deng has great talent, and is guarding Xiapi City. I cannot be without him!"
Lü Bu's tone was exceptionally grave.
"Yes!" Wei Xu hastily agreed...
Indeed, Chen Gui and Chen Deng were of special status, representing the gentry of Xiapi City, and were currently the most lacking talented individuals and strategists under Lü Bu. The current war situation was on the verge of breaking out, and he could not afford for anything to happen to them!
...
...
That night, at the Chen residence.
Chen Deng felt a stifling sensation in his chest, his face flushed and he refused to eat. He vomited red worms continuously, filling an entire washbasin!
And as he vomited, Yang Xiu, standing by, did not forget to offer sarcastic remarks.
"Alas, if it weren't for Marquis Wen's generosity and giving me five thousand gold, I, this young master, wouldn't care about your life or death. Alright, vomit away! After you finish this basin, drink a bowl of this soup, and then keep vomiting. Once you're done, you'll be fine."
This soup was specially prepared by Zhang Zhongjing at Lu Yu's behest, a medicinal soup for treating "worm infestations."
Parasitic worms were actually not difficult to treat, it was just that the treatment process was a bit disgusting.
It was also Chen Deng's fault; he refused to eat live fish, but insisted on eating raw fish, claiming it restored the original taste of the ingredients. Original taste of what? Original taste of premature death!
"As the saying goes... 'a valiant warrior does not drink water from a poisoned well, a wise man does not eat food given out of pity'... I... I... *cough*..."
Chen Deng couldn't finish his sentence before he started vomiting again.
Yang Xiu looked around. In fact... since entering the Chen family, he had been closely observing everyone.
With his astuteness, it was not difficult to notice that some servants, though seemingly ordinary, had many details that indicated they were all spies sent by Lü Bu to monitor the Chen family!
Therefore...
"What are you all standing around for? Hurry and get hot water, hurry and get a washbasin!"
Yang Xiu roared...
The servants hurried to leave. To be honest, they really didn't want to stay in this room. Vomiting worms from the mouth was too disgusting. Especially Lü Bu's spies, they felt nauseous, and the lunch they had eaten was almost coming back up.
This was truly disgusting and uncomfortable!
Now that they heard they could leave, they acted as if they had been granted amnesty and ran faster than rabbits. Even a moment away from this place was a great happiness!
Finally... there were no servants and no spies around.
Chen Deng still roared, "I... I didn't ask you to save me! You... you disgrace to physicians..."
He simply couldn't stand Yang Xiu, couldn't stand Yang Xiu's punchable demeanor.
Who would have thought that at this moment.
Yang Xiu's eyes narrowed. He crouched down, seemingly tidying the washbasin...
But in reality.
"Yuanlong, Commander Cao asks if you still remember the letter of surrender that you and your father Chen Gui presented to him before he attacked Chen country?"
A very low and faint voice transmitted...
This voice was only heard by Chen Deng.
"You..."
Overcome with excitement, he immediately raised his head, intending to speak.
With just this sentence, he could judge that Yang Xiu was indeed sent by Commander Cao.
Because... even if Lü Bu had deliberately probed him, he would never have been able to pinpoint the exact time he and his father submitted the letter of surrender!
"Hush!" Yang Xiu quickly raised a finger.
Only then did Chen Deng come to his senses... why Yang Xiu was charging a hundred gold for fever treatment? This was a trap, to catch him, Chen Deng, this fish...
And why Yang Xiu would pinpoint his illness and claim a fee of five thousand gold wasn't for Chen Deng to hear, but for Lü Bu.
This way, he could legitimately get close to Chen Deng!
But, even so? How could Yang Xiu have known so early that he was suffering from a "worm disease"? This was too incredible!
Or, was it not Yang Xiu who figured it out, but... was it Cao's strategist, the Minister of Agriculture, Lu Yu, who always anticipated the enemy, understood the situation, and understood people's hearts?
Thinking this, Chen Deng's eyes suddenly narrowed.
He couldn't be sure, but... this strategy was intricately linked, perfectly seamless, what meticulous planning!
Before Chen Deng could emerge from his shock.
"I am Yang Xiu, a student of Minister Lu!" Yang Xiu's voice followed suit. "I was forced to offend you previously, but... if I want to establish contact with Mr. Chen, this is the only way!"
As he spoke, Yang Xiu's brow furrowed tightly...
His tone was impeccable. "Mr. Chen... Commander Cao and my esteemed teacher Minister Lu are both waiting to establish contact with you, so that they can cooperate from the inside and outside to eliminate Lü Bu. Mr. Chen..."
Before Yang Xiu could finish speaking.
*Cough...*
Chen Deng suddenly vomited again. In fact, this time he didn't vomit worms, but used the violent sound to quietly convey his next words.
"Young Master Yang, in seven days... Lü Bu will lead his army in a surprise attack on Xiaopei. His two most formidable troops, the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry and the Vanguard Camp, will both be dispatched. However... these two troops have now been handed over entirely to Wei Xu. Zhang Liao and Gao Shun are not being fully utilized, and Wei Xu is an imbecile! If, seven days later, Commander Cao also leads his army to Xiaopei, and waits for Lü Bu and Liu Bei to mutually injure each other... Lü Bu can be annihilated in one fell swoop!"
*Tap...*
As if hearing footsteps.
"*Cough...*" Chen Deng immediately vomited again. And sure enough, with such a vomit, a few red worms did come out.
Seeing this, the servants of the Chen mansion covered their faces with their sleeves, their expressions resembling bitter gourds.
However...
Despite all precautions, a lapse occurred!
Who knew that under the most stringent surveillance, this most secret intelligence hidden in Chen Deng's heart was still conveyed!
Precise to the day, precise to the timing, precise to the grasp of the battle situation!
These were things that ancient texts could not describe or convey!
Next, it was up to Yang Xiu to find a way to transmit this intelligence back.
Seeing the servants approach...
Yang Xiu's expression changed, and he reverted to his arrogant persona of a proud young master. "Alas, Attendant General Chen, Attendant General Chen, people say that saving someone's life is like giving birth to them again. Today, I, this young master, saved you, so is it equivalent to your father giving birth to you once, and me giving birth to you again? Haha, how about you call me father, and I'll return a thousand gold to you?"
Arrogant tone, ugly face.
Yang Xiu was displaying Oscar-worthy acting.
The performance of the highest caliber, worthy of an Academy Award, was continuing!
...
...