The medical tent grew quiet. Following Lu Yu’s instructions, Pang Degong administered a dose of "Mafeisan" to Pang Tong, who promptly fell into a deep slumber.
Lu Yu, accompanied by several military physicians, then approached the sleeping Pang Tong.
Legend spoke of a severed arm, but the reality was not quite as severe. It was his forearm, and more precisely, not entirely severed. According to the previous physicians, a sharp sword had fallen from the sky, piercing the joint of Pang Tong's arm, causing most of his forearm to detach, with only a small portion remaining connected.
This was where the difficulty lay.
To say it was completely severed would be incorrect, yet it was too damaged to be reattached. Crucially, in this state, Pang Tong suffered unimaginable agony. Every day, upon waking, he was wracked with excruciating pain, accompanied by endless wails. Only then would he pass out from the pain, allowing himself a brief sleep, only to repeat the cycle upon waking.
Seeing his cousin in such a state, Pang Shanmin’s heart was breaking.
Pang Degong, witnessing his nephew’s suffering, was at a loss for a solution.
“How is it?”
Lu Yu inquired of the physicians beside him, all disciples of Zhang Zhongjing and trustworthy individuals.
“Reporting to Uncle-Master,” one replied, “Most likely, amputation is necessary. If fortunate, the upper arm might be saved. If not, the entire arm will need to be amputated. Otherwise, this young master Pang will succumb to the pain.”
The physicians’ honest reply sent a jolt through Pang Degong and Pang Anmin behind Lu Yu. This was the countless time they had heard the recommendation for amputation in mere days.
Indeed, it was visibly apparent…
The wound area had already begun to turn black, indicating that the single point of connection could no longer supply fresh blood.
Fortunately, the temperature in the area was extremely low, preventing rapid inflammation.
Otherwise, it would be not just pain, but a choice between life and death.
Pang Degong, possessing some medical knowledge, understood these basic principles.
However, he was still unwilling to completely sever his nephew Pang Tong’s arm. He knew his nephew well, understanding that despite his unattractive appearance, becoming a “cripple” would be unbearable for him, likely leading him to take his own life.
Lu Yu, on the other hand, continued to observe carefully.
He even recalled a news report he had once seen about a scumbag whose private parts had been mercilessly severed by a woman. Yet, the scumbag remained remarkably calm, without any panic. He swiftly placed the severed part into a refrigerator for freezing and then called for medical attention, calmly waiting. Miraculously, even after being severed for more than four hours, the part was miraculously reattached. The entire surgery proceeded smoothly.
If this principle held true…
Pang Tong’s forearm, described as “severed” yet not entirely so, seemed to offer some room for maneuver.
He faintly heard Pang Degong weeping. Pang Degong, who was as renowned in Jingzhou as Mr. Sima Hui, the Water Mirror, was openly crying out of grief for his nephew potentially losing his forearm.
“Pang Degong, do not weep!”
Lu Yu spoke, “If you trust me, Pang Degong, with my method, perhaps… we can reattach your nephew’s arm!”
Reattach the arm?
Upon hearing these four words, Pang Degong’s eyes widened, almost disbelieving what he had heard.
“Is… is this true?”
Pang Degong quickly inquired.
Pang Shanmin and all the physicians present also turned their gaze towards Lu Yu. They all found Lu Yu’s statement somewhat audacious, yet the physicians appeared considerably more composed.
This was not the first time the ‘Medical Immortal’ Lu had performed audacious acts of healing.
“I can only say, it is worth a try.”
“Then? When can we try?” Pang Degong asked urgently.
“A few days ago, fearing that Liu Bei might endanger the populace while crossing the river, I sent word to summon Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing from Luoyang City, along with their disciples. Those two divine physicians should be arriving soon.”
Speaking of this, Lu Yu surveyed the physicians around him. These were all disciples of Zhang Zhongjing, and their proposed treatments were naturally more conservative.
Ultimately, when it came to surgery, Hua Tuo was the “eternal god.”
Performing an arm reattachment, similar to the severed private parts, if anyone in this era could accomplish such a feat, it would undoubtedly be Hua Tuo.
“Since it is the word of the Northern Medical Immortal, I shall trust you this once!”
Pang Degong’s eyes widened as he looked at Lu Yu.
Lu Yu let out a breath, “Pang Degong, you must also prepare yourself mentally. I can only attempt it, after all… this is not the first day.”
Indeed…
Pang Tong’s arm had been pierced by a sword… this was not a new development.
Rumors, amplified by word of mouth, had transformed into tales of Pang Tong’s entire arm being severed by a divine sword from the heavens. Some even whispered that this was a divine punishment for Pang Tong’s defiance and allegiance to Liu Bei.
In reality, Pang Tong had merely been stabbed in the joint between his forearm and upper arm. Over time, however, bacteria would inevitably set in, causing inflammation, and it would certainly not improve without prompt medical attention.
Fortunately, a portion of the arm still remained connected to the body, and the blood vessels were intact, meaning blood supply was not entirely interrupted. With sufficient blood supply, this method could indeed be attempted.
“Medical Immortal Lu, please proceed as you see fit. If you agree to this, I will not hold you accountable,” Pang Degong stated gravely. “Of course, if you can cure Pang Shi Yuan, then the Pang clan of Jingzhou will owe you their allegiance henceforth.”
With a long exhale, Lu Yu suddenly felt the weight of his responsibility.
…
…
In Xinye City, within the administrative headquarters.
Cao Cao, holding the household register of Xinye City, looked astonished. “This small Xinye City has a population of three hundred thousand?”
Xun You, standing beside him, replied, “Liu Bei has been stationed here for several years, and with Zhuge Liang’s governance, it is not surprising that people have flocked from various regions. However…”
Xun You looked up.
Cao Cao chuckled, “Gongda, you mean to say that if Cui Yan, Lord Cui, were here, he would scold me again.”
He said this because when Cao Cao captured Ye City, he told Cui Yan that the household registers of Jizhou indicated a potential for three hundred thousand troops. To which Cui Yan boldly retorted, ‘The realm is in disarray today, and I have not heard of the King’s army spreading benevolence. You are calculating troops when you should be saving them from their suffering. Is this what the people of this province expect from you, my Lord?’ Cao Cao immediately understood and praised Cui Yan, wondering if he shouldn’t be pleased by such foresight and integrity.
Bringing this up again, Cao Cao was reminding Xun You that he had not forgotten what was truly important.
However, in this regard, he was mistaken.
Xun You did not concern himself with such matters. As a strategist, his focus was on military campaigns and victory, not governance.
“My King of Wei is mistaken. I, Xun, do not intend to remind you to care for the populace, but rather… these three hundred thousand people in Xinye City are gone. They have all followed Liu Bei south. Whether the registered population is three hundred thousand or five hundred thousand, it is meaningless.”
Upon hearing this…
“Hahahaha!” Cao Cao laughed heartily. His eyes narrowed slightly as he remarked, “Gongda’s foresight was already accounted for by Zi Yu.”
“Following Zi Yu’s strategy of psychological warfare, I daresay that within a day, these three hundred thousand people will return. We gain what they lose; this is a grand strategy! Hahaha…”
Xun You was naturally aware of Lu Zi Yu’s plan.
It was simply to abandon the pursuit of Liu Bei and instead assist in escorting the populace back to Xinye City, thereby winning their hearts.
However, whether the people could be retrieved and to what extent their allegiance would be won remained to be seen.
Of course, regardless of the outcome, it was still a clever stratagem.
Just then, as Cao Cao’s laughter subsided, he suddenly remembered something and turned to ask Xu Chu.
“Where is Zi Yu? Did he also enter Xinye City? Where has he gone?”
“My King of Wei,” Xu Chu replied truthfully, “Marquis of Baima went directly to the medical tent on the outskirts of the city. I heard there is a patient there, a young master from the Pang clan of Jingzhou, named Pang Tong, with the courtesy name Shi Yuan.”
“Pang Shi Yuan?”
As Xu Chu spoke, Xun You immediately exclaimed, his eyes full of surprise.
“What? Gongda, do you know this Pang Shi Yuan?” Cao Cao asked with interest.
“Know him? More than that. My Xun family has long been acquainted with the Pang family. Their patriarch, Pang Shi Yuan, is the most renowned scholar in Jingzhou. The title ‘Crouching Dragon’ given to Zhuge Kongming was bestowed by him.”
“Oh…” Upon hearing Xun You’s explanation, Cao Cao’s interest was piqued.
Xun You continued, “As for Pang Tong, he is known as ‘Fledgling Phoenix,’ on par with Crouching Dragon. There are rumors in the market: ‘In Jing and Xiang, there are talents; Crouching Dragon and Fledgling Phoenix, obtain one, and you can obtain the realm!’”
A sharp intake of breath…
Upon hearing this, Cao Cao’s gaze fixed.
“Let’s go!” he commanded. “I must go and see this ‘Fledgling Phoenix’!”
…
…
On the road from Xiangyang City to Jiangling.
Approaching the Changban Slope area.
Over two hundred thousand people, including the elderly, women, and children, were present. The area for dozens of miles was populated. In the distance, dust billowed in the air.
Countless people, with bitter expressions, pushed carts and pulled their worldly possessions. Their eyes were filled with confusion and helplessness about the road ahead.
As the saying goes—
—In dreams, faint tears of a loving mother, on the city walls, the banners of kings change.
Ultimately, it is the common people who suffer the most in war. If they are fortunate enough to encounter a wise ruler, taxes might be reduced. But if they fall under a tyrant, it is dire. The day a city falls is the day of massacre, leaving no soul alive, no fowl or dog remaining. Such events were all too common in times of turmoil.
“Old sir, please return…”
Ma Yunlu caught up with an old man and patiently explained, “Xinye City was not burned, and the houses in Xinye City were not destroyed. King Wei and Marquis Baima have sent people to guard them well, waiting for your return?”
“Ah… really? Is that so?”
The old man was greatly surprised to hear this.
“It is true. Otherwise, why would we be urging you to return?” Ma Yunlu continued.
“But… but…” the old man replied, “I heard that King Wei is… a great demon. He decreed that those who resist encirclement and refuse to surrender will be killed without mercy. I… we…”
“…You have all been deceived by that great-eared bandit,” Ma Yunlu stated. “Consider this: if King Wei were truly a great demon, why would he send us to bring you back? Wouldn’t it be faster to send cavalry to slaughter you? What benefit is there in bringing you back? Think about it.”
Ma Yunlu, for the first time, spoke with patience.
She suddenly realized how pitiable the common people were, caught in the ravages of war.
If they were to reach Jiangling, she knew that countless elderly and women would perish on the road.
Therefore, Ma Yunlu persuaded them with all her might.
“I knew what was written in the newspapers was true! That… that Liu Bei is a hypocrite, faking benevolence and righteousness. He… he lied to us, saying that Cao’s army would burn our houses and massacre our city. He’s a liar, that’s what he is!”
The old man became agitated.
“Elderly one, please calm down, calm down… we have armored soldiers who will escort you back, and there will be provisions and water along the way…” Ma Yunlu spoke again.
Many others, like Ma Yunlu, were persuading the populace to return to Xinye.
More and more people turned their direction, embarking on the road back to their homeland with joy and excitement. Who would willingly leave their homes unless absolutely necessary?
“Da da da…”
Just after persuading the elderly man before her, Ma Yunlu saw Xiahou Dun leading his troops.
During the process of persuading the populace, they occasionally encountered small groups of Liu Bei’s soldiers, leading to inevitable clashes. Ma Yunlu had even killed an enemy infantryman.
“General Xiahou…”
At this moment, Xiahou En and Xiahou Jie arrived and cupped their hands towards Xiahou Dun, saying, “We have apprehended a man and a woman, a middle-aged couple. When we tried to persuade them to return home, they insisted on seeing Marquis Baima. I dared not make the decision myself, so I have brought them to see you, General.”
A middle-aged couple? Marquis Baima?
Xiahou Dun was slightly taken aback and ordered, “Bring them here.”
Shortly thereafter, a middle-aged couple was brought to Xiahou Dun’s side.
“Did they not tell you? Xinye City is still standing, and your houses, your homes are all here. Why do you refuse to return? Why must you see Marquis Baima?”
— “Tonight, we hunt tigers…”
One of the middle-aged couple suddenly recited this line… as if unintentionally, and quickly shook their heads, as if they had spoken incorrectly.
But upon hearing these five words, Xiahou Dun’s brow furrowed.
Tonight, we hunt tigers… He knew this was a code phrase!
Before heading south, his virtuous brother Lu Yu, besides instructing him to rescue the populace and win hearts, had pulled him aside in a secluded spot to tell him these five words—Tonight, we hunt tigers.
This was a code.
Those who could recite this “code phrase” were members of the intelligence department, insiders within the enemy ranks. They could not return to Xinye; they had to follow Liu Bei south.
A sigh escaped…
Xiahou Dun let out a breath. He had keenly sensed this.
“You two, come over…”
Xiahou Dun gestured towards Xiahou En and Xiahou Jie, then dismounted and moved to a quiet spot.
“General…”
Xiahou En and Xiahou Jie also dismounted and joined Xiahou Dun.
“Send your confidants to protect this couple along the way,” Xiahou Dun whispered…
“Ah… ah…”
Xiahou En and Xiahou Jie were stunned.
Xiahou Dun continued, “I am telling you to protect them, protect them well, and do not reveal yourselves. When you are close to Liu Bei’s army, pretend to pursue them, allowing Liu Bei’s army to rescue them.”
This…
Xiahou En and Xiahou Jie exchanged glances. This was the first time General Xiahou was playing a game of wits. More importantly, was General Xiahou’s game of wits reliable?
“May I ask, General Xiahou, who are these two?” Xiahou En mustered the courage to ask.
“How would I know?” Xiahou Dun slapped his forehead. “This was instructed by Lu Zi Yu.”
Upon hearing that it was Lu Yu’s instruction, Xiahou En and Xiahou Jie immediately felt much more at ease… they could do this.
“Your subordinate obeys!”
“Your subordinate obeys!”
The two agreed, and the three returned to the side of the middle-aged couple.
In fact, this middle-aged couple were the parents of Lady Gan. They knew their responsibility was great and were determined to go south without hesitation.
“You two, since we cannot persuade you, please continue south!”
“However, I must make myself clear: following Liu Bei, your fate is uncertain.”
Xiahou Dun added this last remark and was about to leave.
Unexpectedly, Father Gan quickly spoke, “Thank you, General. But… but I have one more thing to tell the General.”
“What is it?”
“My… my infant was lost in the chaos of the army, along with his wet nurse. His name is ‘Bai Di’! General, please, please inform Marquis Baima. Marquis Baima will surely… surely be able to find our child for us!”
Uh…
Bai Di?
Xiahou Dun had never heard of this codename. However, since it could correspond to “Tonight, we hunt tigers,” it was likely intelligence from the intelligence department passed on to his virtuous brother Lu Yu.
Without hesitation, Xiahou Dun sent a confidant to report this intelligence back.
Of course, Xiahou Dun was also very curious: who was Bai Di?
Who was Bai Di?
…
…