Wuzhou Mountain, Qiao Family Gate.
At this moment, many people had gathered here because the news that Han Dynasty's Grand Minister of Agriculture, Lu Yu, had visited the Qiao family had spread like wildfire.
Anyone with some connection to the Qiao family rushed to the scene, hoping to use this opportunity to curry favor with Lu Yu.
Even more so, many "relatives" heard that Madam Li was gravely ill and specifically sought out a physician to treat her, arriving at the family's doorstep.
Everyone knew clearly that whoever could save Madam Li at this time would undoubtedly gain significant recognition from Minister of Agriculture Lu, which was crucial for the future prosperity of their families. Da Feng Novel Network.
It was just a pity…
Madam Li's illness was not easy to treat. She was currently unconscious, her forehead felt like a large furnace, and her complexion was as pale as paper.
The entire Qiao Family Gate was packed, with many people beating their chests and stamping their feet, flustered and in a panic…
Qiao Zheng, with his hands behind his back, paced back and forth, appearing extremely anxious.
Lu Yu, led by Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, walked directly into the Qiao Family Gate.
He was followed by quite a few people, including the Prefect of Lujiang, Liu Xun, and the Chief Clerk of the Military Governor's office, Liu Ye… and an innumerable host of Lujiang officials. These were individuals who normally wielded considerable influence in Lujiang Commandery.
And yet…
Following behind Lu Yu, not a single person showed any sign of complaint.
Because someone had reported in advance…
A path was cleared within the Qiao Family Gate, and Lu Yu stepped into it.
Many people, upon seeing Lu Yu, instinctively felt that he was… perhaps too young?
Most people present had heard of Grand Minister of Agriculture Lu Yu's work, "Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Illnesses," which had saved the common people and earned him the title of "Living Medical Immortal."
But…
When they actually saw that beneath the glory of the "Living Medical Immortal" was a young, refined young master, it couldn't help but sow some doubt in their hearts?
He… is this young?
Could he truly be worthy of the title Medical Immortal? Did he truly possess the medical skills to heal the world?
Upon entering the house…
“Young Master Lu, this is Father…” Xiao Qiao quickly ran to Qiao Zheng’s side, then looked at Lu Yu and gestured. “Father, this is Minister of Agriculture Lu, Medical Immortal Lu!”
Lu Yu stepped forward, intending to first offer a bow.
The Han Dynasty had always emphasized etiquette; juniors were expected to bow to their elders.
To his surprise, before he could clasp his hands in greeting, Qiao Zheng bowed first. “Qiao Zheng pays his respects to Minister of Agriculture Lu…”
“Old Master Qiao, please refrain from bowing. Isn’t this belittling a junior?” Lu Yu quickly helped Qiao Zheng up, and without delay, asked, “Where is Madam Li? Allow this junior to diagnose Madam first.”
Upon mentioning Madam Li…
Qiao Zheng, whose expression had been normal, subconsciously lowered his head. Tears welled up in his eyes, making him seem a hundred times older, appearing incredibly gaunt.
But Qiao Zheng forced himself to gather his spirits and looked at Lu Yu with full of hope.
After a long hesitation, he finally opened his mouth and said:
“Minister of Agriculture Lu… please…”
From his expression, it was evident that Madam Li's condition was not good, even very dire.
Qiao Zheng led Lu Yu into the inner hall. Only Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao followed him in. The other guests tacitly remained in the outer hall, as entering the inner hall without the host's permission would be considered extremely impolite.
Lu Yu, however, specifically gave a signal, and two accompanying physicians also followed him in quickly.
These two medical officials were both disciples of Zhang Zhongjing and could be considered half-disciples of Lu Yu. In the past, any difficult cases within the Dragon Roar Camp that they could not resolve, these two could often find a solution.
Furthermore, Lu Yu was not proficient in pulse diagnosis, so he had specifically asked them to lend a hand.
By the bedside!
“Go and take a look,” Lu Yu commanded, and the two medical officials quickly stepped forward to take Madam Li’s pulse.
Lu Yu, on the other hand, took a general look at Madam Li lying on the bed. Her face was flushed, and her palms were ice-cold, clearly due to a high fever… Her complexion was extremely weak, and she had already fallen unconscious.
Yet, even in her unconscious state, violent coughing fits followed one after another… continuously.
This is… a high fever caused by a common cold?
Subconsciously, Lu Yu had this thought.
If it were according to the diagnostic procedures of hospitals in his previous life, for a high fever caused by a common cold, and subsequent unconsciousness from the fever, the first step would be to determine if it was a viral or bacterial cold.
Viral colds require antiviral treatment, while bacterial colds require anti-inflammatory treatment…
This was very important.
In his previous life, Lu Yu had a friend who, due to complications from a minor illness like a common cold, thought nothing of it and sought treatment from an "acquaintance." The wrong medication was used, and the friend ultimately passed away!
Moreover, in ancient times, due to a lack of understanding of pathology, it was not uncommon for a simple cold to lead to death.
It seemed…
Madam Li wasn't just suffering from depression!
Before long, the two physicians stood up, as if their diagnosis was complete…
“How is it?” Lu Yu asked.
This…
How should they put it?
For a moment, the two physicians frowned and hesitated, unsure of how to answer.
They couldn't honestly say, "Not good, beyond saving," could they?
From the look on their faces, Lu Yu could roughly guess the situation.
So, he asked more specific questions.
“Does Madam Li have any phlegm in her throat?”
Phlegm was an important indicator for distinguishing between viral and bacterial colds. Simple viral respiratory infections would not produce purulent secretions, whereas… in bacterial infections, there would invariably be phlegm in the throat!
“Reporting to Senior Uncle, there is no phlegm!”
Hearing this, Lu Yu nodded, then his gaze turned towards Qiao Zheng. “Old Master Qiao, do you know if the maids who have been attending to Madam Li recently also have been ill and coughing?”
“Yes!” Qiao Zheng quickly replied. “The entire Qiao family is suffering from illnesses, especially the maids serving Madam, almost all of whom are suffering from persistent coughs!”
“Then… when Madam Li wakes up, does she exhibit symptoms of a runny nose, occasional diarrhea, and occasional bloodshot eyes!” Lu Yu continued to inquire.
“Yes… yes!” The more symptoms Lu Yu could describe that Madam Li had, the more confidence Qiao Zheng gained. He faintly felt that perhaps… Young Master Lu could cure his wife’s illness!
“Then that’s correct.” After simply asking about the symptoms, Lu Yu nodded…
Speaking of which, before his transmigration, Lu Yu was not a child who caused little trouble. Especially in winter, he would frequently visit the hospital for coughing and fever.
However, most hospitals required a blood test and examination upon registration to determine if it was a viral or bacterial cold!
It wasn't until Lu Yu went to a Traditional Chinese Medicine hospital and found an old TCM doctor…
That he realized this old TCM doctor, relying on his rich experience, could accurately diagnose the type of cold based on the patient's various symptoms, without needing a "blood routine" examination!
Therefore, Lu Yu specifically sought his advice.
The conclusion he reached was that the distinction between viral colds and bacterial infections could be directly observed from "phlegm," "nasal discharge," and "rate of transmission."
Viral colds did not have obvious phlegm in the throat;
Viral colds transmitted faster, and… were characterized by nasal discharge, often accompanied by diarrhea and conjunctival congestion, whereas bacterial infections were marked by obvious redness and swelling of the tonsils or pharynx.
As the saying goes, prolonged illness breeds the physician. Lu Yu had a rather good understanding of high fevers caused by common colds…
And Madam Li's symptoms clearly indicated a persistent high fever caused by a viral cold.
In fact, this kind of illness was not difficult to treat. For thousands of years before the advent of Western antiviral drugs, the human body had not developed antibodies, and some specific traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions had unique efficacy.
However…
Facing such a condition, many ancient physicians dared not administer medication, and that was another story.
“Young Master Lu, please, save my mother…”
Perhaps it was due to worry, or perhaps due to the immense hope she placed in Lu Yu, Da Qiao couldn't help but grasp Lu Yu’s hand with both her hands.
Lu Yu reached out and gently patted the back of her slender hand, then… smiled faintly and reassured her, “Don’t worry, it can be cured!”
No words could have excited Da Qiao more than these four words.
She bit her lip with her pearly teeth, looking at Lu Yu as if he were her last hope.
*Huuu…*
Lu Yu let out a soft sigh, recalling the prescription given to him by the old TCM doctor when he was most ill. He wasted no more time, rolled up his sleeves, and said, “Please trouble Old Master Qiao for brush and ink, I need to write a prescription!”
Upon hearing this…
Qiao Zheng was startled, then quickly ordered, “Quick… quickly go and fetch brush and ink.”
The reason Lu Yu had such confidence was because when he had a high fever caused by a viral cold.
His condition was not much better than Madam Li's, yet after taking traditional Chinese medicine for only five or six days, he was completely cured.
It was from that moment on that Lu Yu had a profound confidence in the extensive and profound theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China.
With this in mind, he leaned forward and wrote a prescription in one go.
In front were Ephedra, Cinnamon Twig, Honeysuckle, and Licorice, followed by their respective dosages.
—With these four herbs as the main ingredients, prepare nine sheng of water. First, boil the Ephedra, reducing the water by two sheng, removing the foam, adding the other herbs, boiling to obtain two and a half sheng, straining the dregs, and taking eight ge warmly!
In essence, it was to decoct in water and take warm to induce slight sweating!
After writing, Lu Yu handed the prescription directly to the two physicians.
Upon reviewing it, the two physicians felt that the prescription was similar to the "Ma Huang Tang" in "Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Illnesses," but not entirely the same, seemingly with some improvements.
Little did they know that Chinese pharmacology was vast and profound. Even the "Ma Huang Tang" formulated by Zhang Zhongjing had undergone centuries of evolution, reaching new heights.
The efficacy of this prescription was naturally incomparable!
The physicians naturally understood the prescription and quickly took Qiao Zheng to give instructions.
Lu Yu continued to give instructions.
“Da Qiao, Xiao Qiao, don’t just stand there. The urgent matter is to reduce the fever!”
“Quickly undress Madam Li, use a wet towel to wipe her body, especially her forehead, and apply a cold compress to reduce the fever!”
As Lu Yu’s words fell, the entire room bustled into action.
Now… there was nothing for Lu Yu to do!
As for wiping Madam Li’s body, with Da and Xiao Qiao present, Lu Yu had no interest, so he withdrew from the room.
Seeing the two physicians giving instructions to Qiao Zheng about procuring the medicinal herbs, Qiao Zheng remained worried and troubled.
Lu Yu comforted him, “Old Master Qiao, please rest assured. It’s not that I, Lu Yu, am boasting, but this prescription can save my mother-in-law…”
As the words slipped out…
Lu Yu realized he had used the wrong address and quickly corrected himself, “My mistake, my mistake. It’s that this prescription will surely save Madam Li.”
Ah… mother-in-law?
Qiao Zheng was completely bewildered.
The concept of "mother-in-law" actually originated in the Northern Qi Dynasty. It was mentioned in "Yen-Shih Chia-Hsün · Feng Ts'ao" - the wife of a husband's father and mother was vulgarly called 'mother-in-law'!
Even in the Northern Qi Dynasty, people did not directly address her as "mother-in-law," but rather as "mother-in-law aunt."
Therefore… in this era, the concept of "mother-in-law" did not exist at all.
Qiao Zheng was naturally confused, but… combining it with the context of the preceding and succeeding sentences, he was not foolish. It seemed not difficult to connect the word "mother-in-law" with "wife's mother."
Speaking of which, Qiao Zheng's mind was in turmoil at this moment. All he could think about was his wife’s recovery.
As for his two daughters, if Minister of Agriculture Lu could save his wife, and by chance Minister of Agriculture Lu fancied one of them, it would be a great fortune for his Qiao family!
“Thank you, Minister of Agriculture Lu!”
Qiao Zheng clasped his hands and bowed to Lu Yu… then he hurried to lead the two physicians to the pharmacy.
Lu Yu took one last look at Qiao Zheng, lost in thought…
His face, worn out from excessive toil, appeared extremely worried, and his shoulders seemed unusually slumped under the heavy pressure.
*Huuu…*
Lu Yu let out a soft sigh. In his heart, he was actually very confident.
Since Western medicine had not yet emerged, it meant that Madam Li's body had not developed any resistance to "antiviral drugs." In such a situation, the possibility of recovery with a few doses of traditional Chinese medicine was extremely high.
However… this viral cold was the "effect," and the most difficult to treat was the "cause," which was "depression."
Thinking of this, Lu Yu loosened his fingers. He pondered that he needed to write something down…
With this thought, he subconsciously recited a line.
— "Bodhi originally had no tree, the bright mirror is not a platform!"
— "Originally there was nothing, where can dust be stirred!"
…
…
Shouchun City, in the study of the Prefectural Office.
Cao Cao was sitting there in contemplation when he heard continuous footsteps approaching from outside the door.
Within moments, Xu Chu's voice was heard.
“Military Advisor Xi, Military Advisor Xun, please stop…”
“Cao Sikong is resting!”
“But…” Xi Zhicai’s tone was quite urgent. “Please trouble General Xu to inform Cao Sikong that we have important matters to report!”
This…
Upon hearing this, Xu Chu scratched his head, looking conflicted.
Cao Sikong had instructed that when he was resting, no one was allowed to approach him except Xu Chu and Xiahou Dun.
In the past…
A personal guard had approached and was killed by Cao Cao with a single sword. Since then, it was said that Cao Cao killed people in his dreams…
Xu Chu blocking Xi Zhicai and Xun You was, more than anything, to protect the two of them!
At this moment.
“Is it Zhicai and Gongda? Let them in…”
Cao Cao’s voice came from inside the room.
Now, Xu Chu let them pass, and Xi Zhicai and Xun You did not hesitate, quickly entering.
“Cao Sikong…” After paying their respects, Xi Zhicai’s tone was particularly urgent, and his expression was extremely nervous. “Just now, I heard that Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei led their troops out of the city… They said… they said they had Cao Sikong’s permission.”
Xi Zhicai did not explicitly state this.
But the implication was already very clear. How could Liu Bei be allowed to leave the city? This departure would surely lead to future troubles.
Looking at Xi Zhicai with a furrowed brow.
“Haha…” Cao Cao laughed heartily. He slowly stood up. “Zhicai, calm down, calm down… Liu Bei was indeed released by my order to return to Xiaopei, but I have prepared a great gift for him!”
“A great gift?”
This time, Xi Zhicai was even more bewildered.
What… what is going on?
“Hahaha… Let’s not rush to talk about this matter.” Cao Cao walked to Xi Zhicai’s side and patted his shoulder. “Coincidentally, Gongda is also here. I was just thinking of summoning you both to discuss our upcoming strategy!”
Strategy?
Xi Zhicai was even more confused. The previous topic was about Liu Bei’s problem, so why did it suddenly turn into a grand strategy?
However…
It seemed that after capturing Shouchun, Cao’s army should indeed formulate a new strategic plan.
They couldn't just wander around like headless flies.
Immediately, Xi Zhicai quieted down, preparing to listen to Cao Cao’s detailed explanation.
As for Xun You, his eyes narrowed. When strategy was mentioned, he actually had something to say, and this matter was extremely important!
“Since Cao Sikong has mentioned strategy, perhaps… Military Advisor Xun should speak first!”
“Gongda, please speak your mind.” Cao Cao’s gaze fell upon Xun You…
Xun You paused slightly, then opened his mouth and asked, “Does Cao Sikong understand Go?”
“I do understand a bit!” As a former student of the Imperial Academy, he not only had to study the six gentlemanly arts but also the Four Books and Five Classics.
Zither, Go, calligraphy, and painting were also part of the curriculum…
As for Go, Cao Cao, while not claiming to be a master, was familiar with some basic principles of the game.
“Then… does Cao Sikong know the principle in Go that is often discussed: ‘Gold corners, silver edges, straw belly’?”
This…
As Xun You’s words left his mouth, Cao Cao’s expression drastically changed.
He was so astute that through Xun You’s words, he immediately grasped his meaning.
The principle of Go, "Gold corners, silver edges, straw belly,"
Refers to the fact that in Go, the first priority is to occupy the "gold corners, silver edges." These positions are easy to defend and difficult to attack. It is not an exaggeration to say that whoever can occupy these corners and use them as a base to contend for the center of the board will have a greatly increased chance of winning, as they can attack offensively and defend defensively.
Conversely, if one only focuses on the center of the board.
Then…
No matter how much territory is occupied, no matter how large, it would only be a castle in the air, constantly facing attacks from all sides, with forces divided and caught between the enemy on all sides.
And what Xun You meant was precisely this.
It did not matter that Cao Cao currently held the Mandate of Heaven and commanded the lords.
In reality, the territory occupied by Cao Cao was merely Sili, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Yuzhou, and half of Yangzhou. All of these were located in the central area of the "chessboard"!
Compared to this, Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao were fighting to the death for Youzhou, aiming to occupy the "gold corners and silver edges" in the northeast!
Sun Ce conquered six commanderies in Jiangdong, his strategy was to focus on the "gold corners and silver edges" in the southeast!
As for Liu Zhang of Yizhou, his father proposed and implemented the "abolishment of governorship and establishment of pastoral governance," which firmly occupied the "gold corner and silver edge" of the southwest of the Han Dynasty, Yizhou, over a decade ago!
Even the Guanxi warlords, Li Jue, Guo Si, Ma Teng, and Han Sui… were they not fighting year after year to seize this "gold corner and silver edge" of Guanxi, Yongliang regions!
*Huuu…*
Thinking of this, Cao Cao couldn't help but let out a sigh.
Xun You was reminding him about the struggle for geostrategic dominance!
Considering this, the most awkward position was undoubtedly Cao Cao's. Although his territory was not small, it was all in the Central Plains, situated in a strategically disadvantageous position. To the west were the Guanxi warlords, to the east were Lu Bu and Liu Bei, to the south were Sun Ce and Liu Biao, and to the north were Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan. None of these individuals were to be underestimated!
The most critical problem was.
Those lords who occupied the "gold corners and silver edges" could afford to fail a hundred times, a thousand times! As long as they firmly held onto these "gold corners and silver edges," they could sooner or later make a comeback.
However, for Cao Cao, who was in the precarious Central Plains, he could not afford to fail even once.
Any minor defeat would lead to the instantaneous destruction and annihilation of this seemingly grand and imposing territory.
And this was the current situation…
Looking ahead to the next few years, if the four regional lords truly secured these "gold corners and silver edges" and used them as a base to contend for the Central Plains, Cao Cao would inevitably have to fight on multiple fronts and be caught between the enemy on all sides.
At that time, it would truly be a desperate struggle, and a single misstep would lead to the loss of the entire game.
*Huuu…*
Cao Cao let out another sigh. For a moment, Xun You's words made him feel a chill, a shiver down his spine!
But just then…
Cao Cao suddenly remembered ten characters, yes… it was precisely those ten characters mentioned by Yu'er.
That's right…
Don't these ten characters proposed by Yu'er precisely reflect the crisis pointed out by Xun You!
“Zhicai, Gongda…”
Cao Cao motioned for them to move closer…
When the three of them huddled together, Cao Cao finally spoke, “I cannot reach these ‘gold corners and silver edges’ for the time being, but…”
As he said this, Cao Cao’s eyes narrowed, and a sharp glint suddenly appeared.
Simultaneously, a sentence followed:
— “Just a few days ago, in Chen County, Grand Minister of Agriculture Lu proposed a ten-character strategy to me: ‘Look East, Gather West, Traverse South, Harmonize North, Stabilize Center’!”
— “I was originally planning to discuss this with you both!”
— “It just so happens that the difficulty Gongda has presented seems to be perfectly resolved by these ten characters!”
…
…