The rain pattered outside.
Suddenly, rain began to fall on a clear day.
It was as if it were deliberately casting a thick shadow over the overcast city of Xuchang.
An old man, led by several Tiger Guards, entered the Sima Mansion.
"He's the one who put up the notice!"
A Tiger Guard pointed at the old man and reported to Xu Chu.
"Lord Cao, this is Ji Ping, a physician from the Imperial Medical Office," Zhang Zhongjing recognized the newcomer and quickly introduced him.
The newcomer was indeed Ji Ping, who appeared frail and aged.
Yet...
Such an elderly physician would make patients feel more at ease.
Cao Cao had no strength to reply at this moment, only feeling as if his head was about to explode.
"I have specialized in acupuncture. Lord Cao's wind-cold in the head aligns with the 'head diseases' described in the Yellow Emperor's Eight-One Difficult Classics. According to the theories of the extraordinary meridians and primordial qi, 'excess leading to the upper part causes heaviness, headache and fever,' and 'prick the foot Yangming meridian, three points on each side.' I am confident that with acupuncture, a few needles will cure the illness."
Ji Ping spoke plausibly...
His tone was also exceptionally confident.
After all... acupuncture originated in ancient times and developed during the Warring States period. The medical texts *Ling Shu* and *Su Wen*, from that era, detailed the meridians, acupoints, needling techniques, and moxibustion!
The *Yellow Emperor's Eight-One Difficult Classics*, written in the Han Dynasty, further supplemented the deficiencies in the acupuncture techniques of the earlier *Ling Shu* and *Su Wen*, making it a comprehensive masterpiece. Of course... acupuncture is easy to learn but difficult to master, requiring extremely high demands on technique!
If one were to discuss it thoroughly, the profound art of acupuncture...
Let alone treating headaches and fevers... it even has miraculous effects on weight loss.
This time... Ji Ping's profound explanation, coupled with Zhang Zhongjing's recommendation, immediately instilled trust in him among everyone in the bedroom.
"Stop with the useless talk, quickly heal my elder brother's head ailment! The reward money will not be a single coin short!" Cao Hong, impatient, grabbed Ji Ping and led him towards Cao Cao. Ji Ping appeared unhurried, his steps exceptionally steady. As he walked, he did not forget to take out silver needles from the medical box he carried!
Seeing the silver needles, everyone felt even more reassured.
Silver needles could test for poison, so naturally, people felt silver needles were safer. If the medicinal liquid used to soak the silver needles contained poison, the needles would inevitably turn black!
Not long after...
Ji Ping sat by the bedside, slowly took out the silver needles, and was about to perform acupuncture on Cao Cao's head.
But at this moment...
With a "clink"...
The bedroom door was suddenly pushed open.
*Hoo... hoo...*
A handsome young man with sword-like eyebrows strode in... He was panting continuously, seemingly from running too fast.
This sudden turn of events startled everyone in the bedroom.
Were there Tiger Guards protecting the Sima Mansion? Who could break in so disrespectfully?
But... upon turning their heads.
It was Lu Yu! Who else could it be?
Lu Yu was a favored confidant of Cao Cao, and he had introduced the Tiger Guards. If he were to break into the Sima Mansion, no one would stop him!
Moreover...
As Lu Yu pushed open the door, he shouted loudly, "Lord Cao is in danger!"
"Lu? Lord Sima Lu?"
"Second brother..."
"You boy, you've finally arrived..."
Xun Yu, Xiahou Dun, and Cao Hong spoke almost simultaneously, but their words were completely different.
Lu Yu had no time to converse with them...
At this moment, his sharp eyes narrowed and fixed on Cao Cao and Ji Ping. Seeing that Ji Ping was still taking out "needles," burning "needles," and soaking "needles," he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Damn it, I've finally made it...
"Your Excellency, are you the divine physician Ji?" Lu Yu immediately asked...
"I dare not claim to be a divine physician. I am Ji Ping of the Imperial Medical Office, paying my respects to Physician Immortal Lu!" Ji Ping bowed slightly to Lu Yu.
Lu Yu was hailed as the "Physician Immortal of the Present Age," the leader of the medical fraternity. Any physician who saw him needed to pay their respects.
"May I ask? What are you doing, Divine Physician Ji?"
Lu Yu immediately asked... his tone cold.
*Huo...*
This sudden question made Ji Ping nervous. After all, who didn't know Lu Yu's skill in "attacking the mind"?
Could it be that he had been seen through?
Thinking of this, with a "clink," the silver needles in Ji Ping's hand dropped to the ground...
Now, the previously calm bedroom became tense, with swords drawn.
"Senior brother... this..." Zhang Zhongjing wanted to help Ji Ping out. Both were physicians and belonged to the Imperial Medical Office. Ji Ping's medical skills were superb, and they had a mutual appreciation for each other.
Who would have thought... before he could even speak, Lu Yu waved him off, signaling him not to speak.
His gaze towards Ji Ping became even colder.
"Divine Physician Ji? I'll ask you one more time, what are you doing?"
Now... the somewhat single-minded Xiahou Dun was confused and wanted to speak in explanation, but was stopped by Xun Yu.
Xun Yu had excellent eyesight and could see minute details. He had keenly noticed...
Just now...
Ji Ping's actions were too nervous.
Let's wait and see!
...
"Reporting to Lord Sima Lu, your subordinate is treating Lord Cao's head ailment," Ji Ping's voice was slightly hoarse.
"How are you treating it?" Lu Yu continued to ask...
"By applying acupuncture to Lord Cao's head, just as recorded in the *Zuo Zhuan*, when Bian Que treated the Prince of Guo who was in a death-like state, he instructed his disciple 'Zi Yang' to use the points 'Wuhui' on the three Yang meridians, applying acupuncture, and ordered his disciple 'Zi Bao' to apply medicinal fumigation under both armpits. With such treatment, the Prince of Guo sat up!"
Ji Ping's explanation was well-founded...
Acupuncture, cauterization, and medicinal fumigation... these treatments revived the Prince of Guo during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. This was a true account, and citing it here served as ample evidence.
It was said that even the dead could be "revived" by acupuncture, so a mere headache and fever was easily cured.
Who would have thought that Lu Yu would not pay attention to this at all?
Heh heh...
He just "heh heh"-ed. This Ji Ping was discussing acupuncture with him!
Little did Ji Ping know that in his previous life, Lu Yu had read many books on acupuncture and even learned from a master for a time in order to find a girlfriend.
After all, as a penniless person in that era, it was too difficult to find a beautiful and well-built girlfriend. Thus, Lu Yu had to settle for less, fantasizing about finding a girlfriend who was beautiful and could be a bit plumper, a so-called "potential stock," and then use his acupuncture skills to help her lose weight!
This way, there would be no middleman taking a cut!
Moreover, wouldn't one have to take off their clothes during acupuncture? This was all part of the scheme... cough cough, men understand.
According to Lu Yu's memory, Ji Ping's theory was essentially the *Foot-Arm Eleven Meridian Moxibustion Classic* and the *Yin-Yang Eleven Meridian Moxibustion Classic*. These theories were too old... the version needed an update.
And Lu Yu had researched the *Cao Family Moxibustion Classic*.
Speaking of which, the author of the *Cao Family Moxibustion Classic* was Cao Cao's grandson, Cao Xi!
Cao Xi's grandmother's surname was Song...
But Lu Yu had no idea which Madam Song it was!
Anyway, Old Cao's descendants were everywhere, so it wasn't surprising to suddenly have an extra son or grandson.
"Acupuncture, acupuncture, what do you know about acupuncture!" Lu Yu said impolitely, walking towards Ji Ping.
"Physician Immortal Lu, please enlighten me..." Ji Ping became curious upon hearing of academic exchange and cupped his hands in inquiry.
Cough cough...
Lu Yu coughed lightly. "What is needle? The character consists of 'gold' and 'xian.' The *Book of Changes* has the Xian hexagram of Mountain over Lake, and Xian means response. It refers to the purest and most beautiful emotions when young boys and girls respond to each other. The 'xian' in needle refers to this meaning. As for needling therapy? That is a treatment method that uses metal to directly stimulate the body, causing sensations of soreness, numbness, and distention along the meridians."
Uh...
How professional!
Ji Ping was a bit confused...
While speaking, Lu Yu had already crouched down and picked up two silver needles from the ground, which Ji Ping had dropped in surprise earlier.
Lu Yu glanced at the silver needles...
They were silvery white, with no blackness.
Heh heh...
At once, Lu Yu smiled. If it were any other physician, they would have been fooled, but only Lu Yu knew that testing for poison with silver needles was not scientific in the first place.
Even in this era, at most, it could only test for arsenic trioxide, commonly known as arsenic.
Even so, silver is chemically very stable and does not react with arsenic under normal conditions, nor does it turn black. However, the arsenic produced in ancient times was impure, mixed with many impurities, including some sulfides. Sulfides corrode silver products, which causes a layer of silver sulfide to form on the surface of the silver needles.
Of course, these are not important...
The important thing is, if it's a poison without sulfides, how could silver needles detect it?
"I often hear from my junior brother Zhongjing that Divine Physician Ji Ping not only has superb medical skills but also has a deep understanding of Confucian classics, and must know etiquette," Lu Yu's words continued.
"It is said that when the lord has an illness and needs to take medicine, a minister must try it first! If a father is ill and needs to drink medicine, a son must taste it first. Divine Physician Ji, since you are so confident in your acupuncture technique, why not try these silver needles for Lord Cao first?"
This...
Lu Yu's chilling words stunned Ji Ping.
For a moment, his forehead was covered in sweat.
"Acupuncture is used to diagnose and treat... head ailments. Lord Cao is currently suffering from a splitting headache. Why... why would you let someone else try it?"
His words were stammering.
Now, everyone could tell he was up to something.
And Ji Ping knew that his scheme had been exposed.
He immediately turned around and intended to forcefully insert the silver needle into Cao Cao's head.
This was a cornered beast's struggle, a desperate gamble!
As quick as lightning, in the time it took to speak, Lu Yu had already moved silently to his side. Under the cover of Ji Ping's turn, he took out a teacup from somewhere and smashed it down with a "clang"! Immediately, a large hole appeared on Ji Ping's head, and blood splattered!
Fast... too fast.
Ji Ping's turning motion was fast and sudden, but Lu Yu's action was even faster and more sudden!
By the time everyone reacted, Ji Ping had already been pushed aside by Lu Yu. Although Lu Yu's combat power was at most five, facing an old man with a "backstab" and a "sneak attack" was enough to defeat him.
"Assassin..."
"Protect my elder brother!"
This time...
Cao Ren, Cao Hong, and Xiahou Dun snapped back to their senses and quickly stepped forward to protect Cao Cao.
Some Tiger Guards subdued Ji Ping, and at this moment... he was still holding a silver needle in his hand!
Lu Yu took the silver needle and handed it, along with the two he had picked up from the ground earlier, to Zhang Zhongjing.
"Junior brother Zhongjing, investigate. Investigate here and see if these silver needles are poisoned."
Silver needles poisoned...
Lu Yu's words seemed absurd.
But Ji Ping's flustered expression and bizarre actions undoubtedly aroused everyone's suspicion.
Zhang Zhongjing did not dare to hesitate... and immediately went to examine the silver needles.
As the Sage of Medicine, he was not only proficient in pharmacology but also familiar with toxicology... relying on experience, taste, color after water, and even by watering flowers or feeding dogs to confirm!
In less than half an hour, Zhang Zhongjing was certain.
"Senior brother, Lord Xun, esteemed generals, these silver needles are indeed coated with potent poisons. One is powdered realgar, the second is oleander liquid, and the third is a branch of *Maesa procumbens*. Each of these poisons, once entering the body and coming into contact with blood, will cause instant death! Furthermore, each of these poisons will not cause the silver needle to change color upon contact!"
*Huo...*
Realgar, oleander, *Maesa procumbens*...
At this moment, everyone in the bedroom was stunned.
Even those who didn't understand poison were not unfamiliar with the names of these three poisons!
Ji Ping's eyes were filled with panic, regret, and unwillingness. He was so close, just a little bit closer... If it weren't for Lu Yu, if it weren't for Lu Yu, this time... he would have surely poisoned Cao Cao.
Xun Yu, Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren, and Cao Hong all gasped...
Good heavens...
Their eyes turned cold. Thinking back on it now, they felt a chill of fear. If... if Lu Yu had arrived a moment later, then... then perhaps...
"Villain Ji Ping... actually... harbored ill intentions towards me!"
A sudden voice came from the bed.
Hearing Ji Ping's actions in his daze, Cao Cao, lying on the bed, endured the severe pain and roared.
However, perhaps due to the sweat, his headache had eased slightly. It still hurt, but it was no longer unbearable!
"Where are the guards?" Cao Ren shouted...
Xu Chu and a group of Tiger Guards finally came to their senses.
"Tie him up!" Cao Ren glanced at Cao Cao and, on his behalf, commanded, "Ji Ping, a mere medical officer, dared to poison Lord Cao. He must have been instigated. Please hand him over to Lord Man, and make sure to question his accomplices!"
"Yes!" Xu Chu agreed...
He personally bound Ji Ping with ropes.
As for Ji Ping, even though blood was streaming from his forehead, he still shouted, "Cao Cao, you... you act against reason, deceive the emperor and flatter the powerful. Everyone under heaven has the right to slay you. Why would anyone need to instigate my killing of you? Now that the plan has failed, I have nothing left but... death!"
"Hmph..."
Xu Chu snorted and couldn't help but punch Ji Ping's spine.
"Ah..." Ji Ping let out a heart-wrenching cry.
*Tap, tap, tap...*
Just then, another set of footsteps was heard. These footsteps were particularly resonant.
"Young Master Lu..."
A burly man entered the bedroom. Who else could it be but Dian Wei, the commander of the Dragon Roaring Camp!
Dian Wei cupped his hands and reported, "As per Young Master Lu's orders, I led the Dragon Roaring Cavalry to search Ji Ping's residence. We found no evidence of Ji Ping's household slaves and concubines colluding..."
Hmm...
Hearing this, Lu Yu frowned.
He muttered to himself, wondering if he had remembered incorrectly. In his memory, the historical "Yi Dai Zhao" (the Emperor's Robe Edict) involved a concubine colluding with a household slave, which led to the conspiracy being leaked to Cao Cao.
What? It's gone?
Thinking of this...
Lu Yu slapped his forehead, muttering that he had likely mistaken the person.
Indeed...
Lu Yu had a photographic memory and could remember many major events and character traits. However, the names of these concubines and slaves were too numerous. Lu Yu wouldn't pay too much attention to such "fodder."
Of course...
He had indeed remembered incorrectly.
The matter of a concubine colluding with a household slave occurred in the Duke's mansion. It was Dong Cheng's concubine Yun Ying and the household slave Qin Qingtong, not related to Ji Ping!
Instigated, this was a bit awkward...
Lu Yu scratched his head, suddenly feeling like he had "tried to act cool but ended up being humiliated."
However, Dian Wei continued, "Although we didn't find the household slave and concubine colluding, we sealed Ji Ping's mansion. Ji Ping's wife was frightened and confessed everything!"
"Ji Ping was also involved in the 'Yi Dai Zhao,' but for some reason, he was exonerated. Now he has tried to poison Lord Cao while treating his headache. He is of the same ilk as that traitor Dong Cheng, Prince Zi Fu, Wu Zhi, and others!"
Uh...
Is this considered a twist of fate?
Lu Yu blinked his eyes. What a good wife Ji Ping had! She was very sensible. Old Cao liked such sensible wives of others.
Indeed... married couples are birds of a feather that fly together, but when disaster strikes, they fly apart! This saying has always been true!
"Kill him..."
"This Ji Ping, five... five dismemberments!"
Cao Cao clasped his head with his hands and, enduring the severe pain in his head, repeatedly commanded...
"Yes!" Xu Chu agreed and dragged Ji Ping away. As he walked, his fist, as large as a bowl, continued to strike Ji Ping. Xu Chu was truly enraged!
Now... the bedroom became quiet.
Everyone subconsciously turned their eyes towards Lu Yu. Thinking back on what had just happened, they felt a sense of lingering fear.
So?
The question arises?
How could Lu Yu be so sure that Ji Ping was suspicious? How did he deduce... that Ji Ping was also involved in the Yi Dai Zhao?
It seemed that Lu Yu's actions, and his sending people to search Ji Ping's residence in advance, were all strange!
Of course, at such a critical juncture, no one would care about that.
As the saying goes, "saving the country from peril," or "a single move affecting the whole situation"!
It was unimaginable that if Lu Yu had arrived a moment later, if Lu Yu had not foreseen Ji Ping's intent to harm Lord Cao, then... the person lying in this bedroom now would not be Cao Cao, but a mere skeleton!
Then... would the tens of thousands of Cao Cao's soldiers on the battlefields of Yan Jin, Baima, and Guandu...
Would they also perish quickly amidst the triumphant songs of Yuan's army advancing south, leaving behind widespread suffering!
Thinking of this, everyone's gaze towards Lu Yu became increasingly solemn.
Even Cao Cao felt the same.
Seeing Lu Yu, he somehow found a surge of strength. He beckoned Lu Yu to come closer, his eyes filled with profound meaning.
If Lu Yu had previously made meritorious contributions,
Then this time... he had saved Cao Cao's life, the life of his own father!
*Hoo...*
Cao Cao exhaled forcefully. With Xiahou Dun's support, he propped up his upper body.
This bout of headache had come too fiercely. The daze just now, and Ji Ping's attempted assassination, made Cao Cao realize how close he was to death!
"My head... my head is splitting, I fear... I fear I cannot hold on!"
"You... all of you, gather around. I... I have something to... to tell you..."
As soon as these words left his mouth,
Xun Yu's eyes widened because at this moment... he heard Cao Cao murmur the words "Yu'er." A bold thought surged in his heart.
Could it be...
Could it be!
...
...