In Xu Du City, a lavish mansion.
At this moment… several servants were hanging the plaque "Hanshou Ting Hou Mansion" above the lintel.
Speaking of which, weren't the battles on the battlefield for this lintel, for a plaque in front of the mansion?
But…
The woman in this mansion had complex thoughts.
In Madam Mi's eyes… Guan Yu was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Hanshou Ting, with such a noble title? Would he still remember his lord, Liu Bei? Would he still have any thoughts of leaving Cao Ying?
These were all unknowns… Most importantly, what about her own belonging? What would her future be?
And… in Madam Gan's eyes, it was another story.
The Marquis of Hanshou Ting… With such a prestigious title, wouldn't it be too eye-catching? Wouldn't it affect his secret departure in the middle of the night… Also, she heard that "Uncle" Guan Yu was already on his way back!
When Guan Yu returned, could she still secretly meet with Cao Sikong late at night and toss and turn?
This was very important!
One question mark after another arose, and every time she thought of this, Madam Gan's expression was not good.
At this moment… she was sitting in front of the flowers in the courtyard. She was hunched over, her beautiful face hidden in the shade. It seemed she was gently stroking the petals, but in reality, her mind had long flown to the heavens.
It could be said that, regarding… Cao Cao, she was reluctant. She did not want to give up this "ill-fated love"!
But…
After Uncle Guan Yu returned? Where would she still have a chance?
And Uncle Guan Yu's only thought… had always been to return to the side of the "unfaithful" Liu Bei.
Should she also… also go back?
During this period, the more infatuated Madam Gan was with Cao Cao, the more she disliked and felt disgusted by Liu Bei… At least when it came to women, a hundred Liu Beis couldn't compare to one Cao Cao!
For a moment, Madam Gan realized that this might be a hurdle she had to go through, a calamity, a choice!
However, lust was lust!
…She was still a woman who cared about her reputation!
What to do next… she really didn't know, nor dared to think about it.
During this period, the more troubled Madam Gan was, the worse she felt her body was. She always felt weak and powerless, and even eating was not appetizing. Except for… except for the brief moments of pleasure after dusk each day, she felt like she was trapped in a quagmire of entanglement and confusion during the day.
"Hoo…"
She let out a soft sigh, and Madam Gan stood up. Just as she was about to order a servant to fetch some water, she never expected… that as soon as she stood up, she felt dizzy in her forehead. She quickly supported her forehead, but… a feeling of emptiness came, and then her eyes went black… she fainted directly.
Although Madam Mi also had her worries.
But upon hearing the "thump," she quickly turned around and saw Madam Gan collapsing on the ground as if her body had gone limp… She quickly ran over.
"Sister… Sister…"
But… there was no response.
Madam Mi shouted, "Quick… quickly call a doctor, Sister… she's fainted."
…
…
Zhang Zhongjing was a divine doctor with great medical ethics.
Ever since his senior brother Lu Yu relieved Cao Sikong's almost splitting headache with a "Proclamation Against the Rebels," Zhang Zhongjing repeatedly persuaded Cao Sikong, and only then was Hua Tuo, who was imprisoned, released.
Besides that… according to his senior brother's instructions, he had to prescribe more formulas that would help Cao Sikong pass gas.
This way, Cao Sikong's "Qi rising and turbidity sinking" paradoxical illness would not worsen, but… making someone pass gas was not an easy thing!
Zhang Zhongjing, who was well-versed in medical principles, naturally knew that as long as a person could pass gas… they would generally not have any serious illnesses, but the difficulty was… for Cao Sikong, it was four words – a fart was hard to obtain!
Today… Cao Cao, as usual, sent someone to summon Zhang Zhongjing!
Zhang Zhongjing thought it was still about the headache, so he prepared some traditional Chinese medicine and hurried to Sikong's mansion.
However, after entering the study in Sikong's mansion, after only two questions from Cao Cao, Zhang Zhongjing realized that today… the topic had deviated somewhat!
It had nothing to do with headaches, nor with passing gas…
Instead, it was… it was…
Gynecological problems!
That's right, Cao Cao was now asking continuous gynecological questions.
"Divine Doctor Zhongjing? Tell me… if a woman becomes pregnant, how long does it take to confirm it, and how long will there be severe reactions?"
"Also, Divine Doctor Zhongjing? Tell me, in medical theory… is there any way to ensure a woman becomes pregnant!"
Cao Cao asked continuously, and his tone was serious.
Who would have thought that yesterday he was sternly shouting—"In terms of strength and employment, three Yuan Benchus are no match for one Cao Cao!"
Today, he was acting uncharacteristically, focusing on these issues of women's pregnancy and conception…
This…
Seemed inconsistent with his image.
"Why would Cao Sikong ask this?" Zhang Zhongjing retorted…
"Oh," Cao Cao smiled slightly. "A friend of mine asked on behalf of his wife!"
There was nothing wrong with this statement. Cao Cao's friend was surnamed Liu… a descendant of King Jing of Zhongshan, and a great-grandson of Emperor Xiao Jing. His wife, Cao Cao found her very attractive!
As the saying goes—Your wife and children, I shall raise them!
"Oh… this…" Zhang Zhongjing hesitated slightly, then said, "Cao Sikong, the first question… it's not difficult. Once a woman is pregnant, it varies from person to person… some can verify it by pulse within ten days, some within fourteen days!"
"But… as for the second question, please forgive my limited knowledge. If someone could ensure a woman's conception through a prescription, then why would there still be so many couples in the world who worship 'Guanyin who sends children'?"
At this point, Zhang Zhongjing shook his head.
"Cao Sikong should tell that friend that everything is up to fate, do not force it!"
Heh…
Cao Cao's eyes rolled, with a hint of disappointment.
"Really none?"
He asked again, this time his tone becoming even more serious.
This…
For a moment, Zhang Zhongjing realized… perhaps Cao Sikong's friend was himself?
If it were Cao Sikong himself, then… he should at least be given some direction.
"Cao Sikong, actually… it may not be entirely impossible!" Zhang Zhongjing said, "It's just that this method was proposed by Senior Brother Lu, and it hasn't been verified by anyone yet…"
"Quick, tell me…" Now, Cao Cao was interested… He was very interested in this matter.
Cough cough…
Zhang Zhongjing coughed lightly. It made him, an old Chinese medicine doctor, talk about such gynecological matters, and moreover, unverified ones, which ultimately made him feel a bit guilty.
Besides, this method was proposed by his senior brother, and it somewhat… affected his reputation.
However, the atmosphere had reached this point…
"Senior brother once told me that if you want a woman to conceive, you can refer to the 'first seven, last eight' method!"
"First seven, last eight?" Cao Cao's eyes widened… "What does this mean?"
"The so-called first seven…" Zhang Zhongjing explained solemnly, "refers to the seven days before a woman's menstruation. The last eight refers to the eight days after her menstruation. In Senior Brother Lu's medical theory, these fifteen days are the safe period for a woman in a month, meaning that no matter how they have intercourse, the woman will not conceive!"
Heh…
This is also possible?
Cao Cao's eyes kept rolling, as if he had opened a new door to the world.
Zhang Zhongjing continued, "Excluding the seven days of menstruation, and excluding these first seven and last eight, there are only about seven days left. According to Senior Brother Lu's medical theory, these seven days are the so-called dangerous period, especially one of them! It is the most dangerous, and on this day, the woman will have an extremely strange feeling… specifically…"
Zhang Zhongjing explained the specific "feeling"!
It was very unsuitable for children!
Fortunately, he was talking to Cao Cao; it was a medical exchange. Otherwise… discussing this topic would be somewhat sensitive and embarrassing!
But….
Every word that entered Cao Cao's ears astonished him, surprised him, and shocked him!
Good heavens, Yu'er understands this too?
Of course, this was not the point. The point was… Yu'er had just reached adulthood, he was still a child!
Even…
Thinking about it deeply, Cao Cao suddenly felt a sense of dread!
No wonder… Yu'er already had two concubines.
Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao were also beauties of the country. I heard that Yu'er favored them greatly, but… their bellies were not getting bigger. Good heavens, was Yu'er accurately calculating the safe and dangerous periods?
It was terrifying to think about it…
"Hehe…" Thinking of this, Cao Cao gave a wry smile. To be honest, he even wanted to see his grandson. Having a grandson would prove that his Cao family's foundation could be passed down for three generations!
He had originally thought that Yu'er was not strong enough, or that Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao were not strong enough. Looking at it now… he was being controlled by Yu'er!
However…
This thought quickly disappeared from Cao Cao's mind.
Because… what he cared about was not this, but… Madam Gan.
Cao Cao closed his eyes slightly and carefully calculated… these first seven and last eight? Which day was Madam Gan? No… in Cao Cao's memory, Madam Gan seemed to be every day!
Then… that specific day? Did it match?
Cao Cao began to count on his fingers to recall.
Just then.
"Cao Sikong, Cao Sikong…" A tiger-clad guard quickly rushed into the study.
Cao Cao could recognize the voice of this tiger-clad guard; it was the one he had specifically sent to protect Madam Gan.
Cao Cao was a considerate man. He was afraid that Madam Gan would encounter any difficulties in her life! Someone would help arrange things… At the same time, it would also facilitate the reporting of any events involving Madam Gan to him, Cao Cao, as soon as possible!
It could be said that for more than a decade, Madam Gan had been the woman Cao Cao cared about the most.
"What is it?"
When the tiger-clad guard entered, Cao Cao immediately frowned and asked.
"It's… it's Madam Gan who has fainted! In the past two days… she has always had a pale complexion, was weak and listless, and occasionally gagged! Now, the Hanshou Ting Mansion is in chaos, and they are… they are looking for a physician everywhere!"
Hiss…
This sentence alone made Cao Cao's heart tighten.
Fainting, pale complexion, weakness, gagging…
This…
It was inevitable that Cao Cao would think more deeply… Were these not all signs of pregnancy?
Considering… Madam Gan was sent to him every night, so it had nothing to do with dangerous or safe periods… According to Yu'er's theory, could it be that she had actually gotten pregnant?
Cao Cao's eyes widened instantly. Amidst his excitement, he grabbed Zhang Zhongjing's hand.
"Divine Doctor Zhongjing, please go and examine Madam Gan! Make sure to see if it's… if it's…"
Uh… this…
Zhang Zhongjing was stunned for a moment. Cao Cao was… too excited, wasn't he? It shouldn't be like this…
Wait!
Zhang Zhongjing suddenly thought of something. Could it be… could it be that this Madam Gan… was the wife of Cao Sikong's "so-called friend"?
Or perhaps…
Was Cao Sikong himself… the "friend" he mentioned?
Thinking of this, Zhang Zhongjing trembled all over. He subconsciously closed his mouth tightly.
What should be said should be said, and what should not be said should be swallowed from now on!
"Yes…" Zhang Zhongjing cupped his hands and said, "After the examination, I will report to Cao Sikong!"
With these words, Cao Cao felt secure… As expected of Yu'er's junior brother, he was very insightful!
"Thump thump thump…"
On this side, Zhang Zhongjing had already walked out quickly, while Cao Cao's eyes instantly narrowed, becoming full of murderous intent.
"Where is Zhongkang?"
"I am here, my lord!"
"Stop all physicians. If any physician has already taken Madam Gan's pulse, then…"
Whoosh…
Cao Cao did not finish his words, but waved his hand…
But… how could Xu Chu not understand? His eyes also turned cold. Other than Zhang Zhongjing, no other physician should know about this matter!
Cao Sikong wanted to silence those "unfortunate" physicians forever!
"Yes!"
Xu Chu agreed and immediately went to carry out the order.
Fortunately…
Zhang Zhongjing was the first physician to reach Madam Gan's side, and no unfortunate physician… had to uncover this great secret and see the morning sun.
…
…
Yanmen Commandery, Yamen…
At this moment, Lu Bu sat in the main seat, while Gongsun Zan, Zhang Yan, Yan Rou, and Tian Yu were seated on both sides.
Everyone's expression was not good.
Especially Tian Yu, who was breathing heavily and recounted everything that had happened at Yanmen Pass today in detail, including the speed of the old man's martial arts, how agile the old man's footwork was, and… how the old man fled with Yang Xiu at the end, using his mastery of climbing walls and leaping over roofs. The entire account made it sound not like one person… but like an immortal!
This was too exaggerated!
—Instantly killed more than ten well-coordinated veteran soldiers!
—Dodged continuous flying knives at close range!
—Carried people like ghosts, climbing walls and leaping over roofs!
The most crucial point was… he was an old man in his fifties!
This… this could no longer be inferred by common sense!
This was already a bit fantastical!
The crowd exchanged glances. The more Tian Yu spoke, the more chilling it became, as if listening to an extremely nonsensical story, and what was even more nonsensical was that this story had clearly happened before their eyes.
Hoo…
Lu Bu exhaled, his eyes narrowed…
He was thinking and judging, who exactly was it?
In fact, he had obtained some other intelligence… he was trying to connect it all, but ultimately, his mind was not sharp.
And at this moment, Tian Yu spoke again, "That old thief abducted Governor Yang, but did not want his life, yet left a sentence, asking the four generals to go together!"
"In my opinion… the four generals should not accept the invitation! We need to immediately report this intelligence to Situ Lu, and then plan!"
This…
Tian Yu's words came out, and everyone still exchanged glances.
If the old man was truly as divine as Tian Yu said…
The four of them going to fight would also have no chance of winning!
This was simply a battle not on the same plane!
…Like a ghost, climbing walls and leaping over roofs, how could they fight? Could humans fight ghosts?
Immediately, Yan Rou intended to support Tian Yu's proposal.
Situ Lu was meticulous in his planning, attacking the enemy's mind, perhaps… he could identify this person, and then… formulate an effective strategy.
Who would have thought…
Lu Bu suddenly stood up.
"Such a trivial matter, is it worth reporting to Situ Lu?"
Thump thump!
He took a step. "Niutou Mountain, right? Why do we need four people? I can go alone… I don't believe there is anyone so powerful in this world!"
In Lu Bu's heart, the only person he considered powerful was his deceased master—"Li Yan"!
But even Master Li Yan did not have such overbearing strength.
This was nonsense, wasn't it?
If he truly had such strength, then why did he come here to snatch Yang Xiu?
What was the purpose of snatching Yang Xiu? Wasn't the target still Lu Yu behind Yang Xiu?
After perishing at Baimen Tower, Lu Bu had died once. Now, he was much more enlightened and saw through many things. Rather than believing hearsay, he preferred to believe what he saw.
Damn climbing walls and leaping over roofs!
Damn instantly killing more than ten people!
Lu Bu refused to believe a single word…
"General Ying, this…" Tian Yu still wanted to persuade him.
Just then.
"General Ying is right…"
A deep voice resounded, followed by a man with another prominent scar on his cheek—Qu Yi. "There has never been such a powerful character in the world! Such ghost-like people can only appear in stories!"
Thump thump…
As he spoke, Qu Yi had already entered the yamen, and along with his elite guards, they carried a table over, on which were placed many tools!
Everyone was confused…
Qu Yi's words continued, he pointed to some of the items on the table.
"This is a chisel nail, used to drive into rock crevices to aid in secure climbing;"
"This is a screw, it can be chiseled into the city wall, it is extremely firm!"
"This is a rope. If it is tied to the city wall, as long as you hold it firmly, you can climb walls and leap over roofs! And descend vertically!"
…
More than ten items…
More than ten tools in total…
The function of each tool was very clear, it could help people climb…
Of course, rather than climbing, it was more like attacking the city. If Qu Yi's words were true, these tools were very beneficial for attacking the city!
This…
For a moment, everyone was lost in thought, could it be…
Before they could ask questions, Qu Yi pointed to the more than ten tools on the desk and continued to say.
"These were all discovered by my elite soldiers on the city wall… these are very hidden, and ordinary people would not easily notice them, but my elite soldiers have always been the first to attack, and are very familiar with these tools. The elite soldiers can use these instruments to climb walls and leap over roofs during an attack, as if walking on flat ground on the city wall, thereby entering the city and opening the city gates! And that old man was merely using these tools to climb walls and leap over roofs, fleeing rapidly from the city wall as if walking on flat ground. It's just a petty trick!"
At this point, Qu Yi paused.
"This morning, during the roll call of my elite camp, twenty-seven righteous men were missing. It is thought that these hidden tools and mechanisms were set up by them! And it is precisely because of these tools they planted that the old man created the illusion of 'climbing walls and leaping over roofs' and 'descending from the air'! Heh, in the eyes of our elite soldiers, it's just the most insignificant trick! In the end, there were spies helping him in secret!"
This time!
The entire hall erupted in an uproar…
Gongsun Zan, Zhang Yan, Yan Rou, and Tian Yu were all discussing animatedly…
If this was really the case, then the strength displayed by the old man had a lot of exaggeration! At least, the matter of climbing walls and leaping over roofs… the truth was revealed!
But…
Besides climbing walls and leaping over roofs, what was even more outrageous was that he instantly killed more than ten people… and all ten had wounds on their necks.
If it was with a spear, it would be too fast!
Simply…
Faster than a fairy tale!
As soon as this question was asked by everyone…
"Hmph…" Qu Yi snorted coldly again. He opened his mouth and said, "Instantly killed more than ten people? And all hit the neck? This might seem strange, but in reality, it's just a trick of misdirection!"
At this point, Qu Yi's eyes were cold… and he was about to explain in detail, the method used by the old man!
After all…
The elite soldiers had been renowned in Bing Province for years, not solely relying on the bravery of their soldiers!
Qu Yi knew about some necessary methods!
Instantly killing more than ten people, in fact, there was only one method, and this method was not using a spear!
…
…