"The stage is already set?"
"Rather uninspired."
This...
Surely... Xiahou Juan couldn't understand. Yang Dezu had found them, but why... why choose to do this? Why not take them back?
Xiahou Juan might be fine, but Ma Teng... wasn't this of great importance?
"Shiniang..." Yang Xiu explained meticulously. "Shiniang married Shifu because of the great contributions she made during the defense of Xudu. Now... another great contribution is placed before Shiniang!"
He paused here. "Shiniang, last time it was Xudu, but this time it is enough to completely subjugate the Sanfu region, the Guanzhong region, and the Yongliang territory. If Shifu were here, he would likely ask Shiniang to do the same! What Shiniang is doing is a major undertaking!"
Hmm...
Even though she didn't know what Yang Xiu was planning.
But since he had said so, Xiahou Juan no longer questioned him.
"Then... I'll just stay here?"
"But how long will I have to stay?"
"It can't be for several years!"
Yang Xiu immediately waved his hand. "It won't take years, a few months will suffice. Shiniang will return sooner or later, but... the day Shiniang brings Ma Teng back must be chosen at a special time! A time when one battle can decide the fate of the realm!"
This...
Xiahou Juan was not skilled in military strategy, nor did she understand so much.
But...
After a moment of hesitation, she finally nodded.
"Alright, then we will guard here."
"Shiniang, rest assured, to ensure everything is foolproof, I will also stay here... I will not return, to avoid any leaks."
Yang Xiu narrowed his eyes.
This time, he was taking a risky gamble.
After following Shifu for so long, who wouldn't want to try that so-called "psychological warfare," that so-called "placing oneself in a desperate situation to find a way to survive"...
As for Xiahou Juan.
She bit her lip.
If... she couldn't go back, she wouldn't worry about herself. She was too familiar with Rangshan and could find food. But... she worried about Sister Zhaoji, and also about her mother!
Sister Zhaoji was "truly pregnant"...
And her mother, Ding Xiang, was... about to give birth!
If her mother knew she had disappeared... then... then...
"Alas..."
Xiahou Juan sighed softly.
Now, everything had to be for the greater good...
Sacrificing the small for the big, as they say!
...
...
In Xudu City, the Xiahou Mansion was in utter chaos.
It seemed as if a somber atmosphere had descended upon everyone's faces.
Xiahou Heng, Xiahou Ba, Xiahou Cheng, Xiahou Wei, Xiahou Rong... Xiahou Yuan's five sons wore particularly grave expressions.
Even Xiahou Yuan, a man of iron will, felt his legs go weak at this moment.
Perhaps he hadn't felt it before...
But at this moment, Xiahou Yuan suddenly realized that on the battlefield he was fearless, but facing his wife Ding Xiang, he... he was on the verge of breaking down.
When Lu Yu arrived, the atmosphere was extremely oppressive. No one told him what had happened here, but it seemed... the sorrow on everyone's faces clearly conveyed that this Xiahou Madam... Lu Yu's mother-in-law's pregnancy was likely dire.
Standing at the entrance of the courtyard, Lu Yu hesitated. After all, one more step forward would be the women's quarters...
He shouldn't enter.
But... Xiahou Yuan saw him at a glance.
"Zi Yu, Physician Hua, quickly come in..."
Hurriedly following Xiahou Yuan to the rear chambers, several doctors were at a loss.
Seeing Lu Yu and Hua Tuo, these doctors saluted and explained, "Immortal Physician Lu, Divine Physician Hua, for some unknown reason... Madam Ding's abdomen is in severe pain. It seems the child is about to be born prematurely."
"It's indeed premature?" Lu Yu frowned.
If it was premature, at eight months, it would be difficult, the saying "seven lives, eight not," was unfavorable!
Of course, if it were in later generations... giving birth at eight months would not be difficult, but the medical standards were different!
But in this era...
The lack of any ease in the doctors' expressions showed that this was a major problem.
"The biggest problem now is... the fetal position is wrong, the feet are downwards. Even if we induce labor... it might be extremely dangerous!"
Childbirth difficulty...
Lu Yu was mentally prepared.
Xiahou Yuan was like an ant on a hot pan. His name was known as "The Righteous and Extraordinary Gentleman," and he was a man who loved and doted on his wife.
The midwives had long been prepared. His wife said she was sentimental and wanted to live in Xudu City, so Xiahou Yuan politely declined the Luoyang residence offered by his elder brother Cao Cao and lived with his wife in Xudu. This pregnancy was different from the past; his wife was getting older... Therefore, Xiahou Yuan had been extremely careful and protective from the beginning, fearing any mishap!
But now, he felt an immense sense of despair.
"If only I had known, if only I had known... we shouldn't have had this child... shouldn't have..."
Xiahou Yuan blamed himself...
To put it bluntly, he couldn't control himself.
He already had five children, and he insisted on... insisting on having more, but... his wife was no longer young.
It was no wonder he was so pessimistic...
In ancient times, childbirth was largely a matter of luck...
Even for imperial families, the mortality rate during childbirth remained high.
Premature birth coupled with malpresentation was almost tantamount to a death sentence... Of course, there might still be some differences, perhaps the choice between "saving the mother" or "saving the child," which was common in ancient times.
At that moment, an overwhelming sense of guilt swept over Xiahou Yuan's heart.
Just then...
From within the chambers, Ding Xiang's voice came.
"Sister, Sister... can my child still be saved? Can it still be saved?"
Sitting beside Ding Xiang, tightly holding her hand, was her sister, Ding Hui.
As soon as she heard about the difficult childbirth, Ding Hui rushed over. Seeing her sister's pained expression, Ding Hui's heart was also torn.
If Cao Cao was Ding Hui's husband, a relative.
Then, what made Ding Hui feel closer kinship than Cao Cao was her sister, Ding Xiang!
"Don't think about it too much for now. At least... at least I will have the doctors save you!"
"No!" Ding Xiang's reply was extremely firm. "Save the child, save... the child!"
Women are often great...
Especially the moment a woman becomes a mother, this greatness multiplies exponentially, even... expanding her courage along with it.
Hearing this...
Xiahou Yuan outside the door felt his heart wrench even more.
He looked deeply at Lu Yu. "Zi Yu, you are the most capable. Pang Shiyuan's arm was reattached, Guo Fengxiao survived abdominal surgery, and the cold disease that has plagued the Han for a hundred years, you have resolved it. Your mother-in-law... this... this is just a difficult childbirth, you... you must have a way, right? Right?"
This...
Lu Yu fell silent.
It would be a lie to say he had no way, but it wasn't entirely true either.
In later generations, difficult childbirth often required a Caesarean section.
This was very common in hospitals. After pregnant women underwent various examinations, once malpresentation was confirmed, doctors would recommend a Caesarean section.
Normal pregnant women often chose this option.
As for those who were stubborn, they would often opt for a Caesarean section after a normal birth failed, suffering twice!
However, that was in later generations... now!
"How many chances does Divine Physician Hua have?"
Lu Yu asked Hua Tuo...
Hua Tuo hesitated. "About a fifty percent chance, after all, such a method has never been tried on a human."
"There is no more time to delay..." Lu Yu decisively made his decision.
He turned to his father-in-law, Xiahou Yuan, with a serious expression. "Father-in-law, if I say that we must open the abdomen, perhaps that is the only way to find a glimmer of hope? Do you believe it?"
This...
Xiahou Yuan hesitated. Indeed... he subconsciously thought of Guo Jia's abdominal surgery, where a small intestine was also removed!
But... removing the small intestine versus a Caesarean section to deliver the child, this...
Xiahou Yuan dared not make a decision...
But it seemed Ding Xiang inside the room heard Lu Yu's words.
"Sister... is... is it Zi Yu?"
A faint voice came out...
Ding Hui nodded.
But Ding Xiang said with an extremely firm tone, "Do as Zi Yu says, open the abdomen... Caesarean section... deliver... deliver the child!"
Uh...
Ding Hui was stunned. She had intended to say this was extremely absurd.
But... if the absurd person was Lu Yu, then... after all, there were precedents; Lu Zi Yu had created too many miracles.
"Alright..."
Ding Hui immediately instructed the midwife. "Go tell Lord Xiahou that... Madam says she wants Lu Zi Yu to perform a Caesarean section!"
...
...
In the Dragon Tower and Phoenix Palace of the Wei King's Palace.
Just moments ago, Cao Cao was delighted to hear that Han Sui and Ma Chao of Xiliang had retreated. This ambition of Xiliang had finally come to an end in such an anticlimactic manner.
He could finally sleep soundly...
Cao Cao was asking Xu Chu about "Yu'er's" whereabouts when Xu Chu directly gave him two pieces of news... two surprises, or rather... two shocks!
The first...
Cai Yong's daughter, his virtuous sister Cai Zhaoji, was more than six months pregnant. She had been pregnant since the Battle of Chibi began and the Cao army marched south!
And the child was Yu'er's.
Good heavens...
This news was like a bolt from the blue. Cao Cao was stunned.
He felt that the辈分 (generation order) was all messed up!
Lu Yu was his son, Zhaoji was his sister, and... Xiahou Dun was Yu'er's brother, Xiahou Yuan was Yu'er's father-in-law. The Cao family's relationships were incredibly tangled!
He couldn't think about it... nor could he bear to look directly at it!
"Cough..."
Cao Cao coughed involuntarily. He felt dizzy.
Yu'er was truly too impressive...
So many wives, and not a single one showed any signs of pregnancy, but... Cai Zhaoji, hehe... Cao Cao gave a bitter smile. He didn't know... how to comment on this matter.
Of course...
If this matter had already made Cao Cao somewhat astonished, then the next matter made Cao Cao...
"What?"
With a "bang," Cao Cao slammed his fist on the desk, scattering ink and brushes all over.
Xiahou Yuan's wife, "Ding Xiang," had a premature and difficult birth...
This...
If it were any other woman, Cao Cao would not have had such an expression.
But "Ding Xiang"... she was the woman he had longed for his entire life! She was the woman he had poured his true feelings into when he first experienced love in his youth!
The reason Cao Cao had always liked other men's wives was precisely because... Ding... Ding Xiang!
Now... she was having a difficult and premature birth, which meant she was on the verge of death!
This... this was more heartbreaking for Cao Cao than hearing that any of his other wives were having difficult childbirths!
"When did this happen?"
"I heard it was three hours ago. Madam Ding suddenly started bleeding. The midwives and doctors had examined her and said it was a malpresentation, a difficult birth..." Xu Chu recounted what he knew.
Cao Cao's brow furrowed instantly...
Subconsciously, Cao Cao felt a sharp pain in his head. His expression became extremely pained.
"Head... Head... Head..."
An intense dizziness struck.
With a "thud," Cao Cao fell to the ground.
His "head wind" was not enough to support him after hearing two such "shocking" pieces of news...
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..."
Xu Chu rushed to help Cao Cao, but Cao Cao just held his head, sweat beading on his forehead. "Summon the imperial physician, summon the imperial physician..."
Although Xu Chu called for the imperial physician, in reality, the best doctors in Xudu were all at the Xiahou Mansion!
Imperial physician?
Where were there any imperial physicians left!
...
...
Opening the abdomen!
The method had been decided, but... who would perform the surgery? How would the abdomen be opened?
This was the new challenge Xiahou Yuan faced.
According to Lu Yu, only Hua Tuo could perform this surgery. But the problem was, Hua Tuo was a man, and Ding Xiang was a woman... this was different from all previous diagnoses!
Once the decision was made on how to proceed, it was equivalent to... Xiahou Yuan placing his naked wife in front of Hua Tuo.
Although Hua Tuo was an old man...
Xiahou Yuan couldn't help but feel a lingering apprehension.
"Father-in-law, in a doctor's eyes, there are only patients, regardless of gender..."
Lu Yu persuaded him...
Hua Tuo was already preparing the tools.
Mafeisan... this was for pain relief!
As for the rest... Hua Tuo laid out his satchel. The gleaming iron eight-piece set was arranged in a row. He picked up a knife and meticulously washed it with wine, then passed it over the fire!
"Zi Yu... can this... work?"
"There is no better method!" Lu Yu said decisively.
At this moment, a decision had to be made...
But Xiahou Yuan was clearly losing his composure.
"Is the silkworm room ready?" Lu Yu immediately asked...
"Re... Ready!" Xiahou Yuan murmured...
As soon as the words left his mouth, Lu Yu didn't give him time to ask and immediately ordered, "Quickly take Madam Ding to the silkworm room, and let Divine Physician Hua 'open the abdomen'!"
It was already a matter of the last moment!
Hua Tuo also spoke at the opportune moment. "Have the midwife remove Madam Ding's clothes and wipe her body with wine!"
As soon as the words fell, a doctor went to relay Hua Tuo's words to the midwife.
Unexpectedly, a moment later... a midwife ran out from inside.
"Marquis of Nanshan, Madam Ding wants to... wants to see you!"
"Which Madam Ding?" Lu Yu asked. There were two Madam Dings inside.
"Both Madam Dings want to see you..."
This...
Lu Yu looked back at Xiahou Yuan. Seeing him nod, he then followed the midwife into the room.
Ding Xiang was still wearing clothes, but her hair was disheveled, and she looked somewhat dishevelled. Seeing Lu Yu, she grabbed his hand.
"Zi Yu..."
"Madam Ding, rest assured, Divine Physician Hua Tuo has marvelous skills... everything will be fine. Later... you will take Mafeisan, but the pain... even with Mafeisan, it cannot be guaranteed that there will be no pain. If there is pain... Madam Ding, just cry out, but do not move rashly. It will be over soon... soon!"
Ding Xiang nodded. She glanced at Ding Hui beside her... it seemed the weak woman could no longer speak the words.
Of course, Lu Yu... this son-in-law was always reassuring.
"Juan'er? Have you sent someone to look for her?" Ding Hui asked on Ding Xiang's behalf...
In fact, Ding Xiang had asked her to say that if only one could be saved, then save the child!
But... as a sister, how could she utter such words?
"I have already ordered the Long Xiao Camp to go to Rangshan. They will search every inch of the ground to find Juan'er!" Lu Yu said solemnly.
But looking at the tearful eyes of Ding Xiang, Lu Yu seemed to sense something else.
This was a great mother!
"Alright... you and my brother-in-law will be fine!" Lu Yu comforted her in the end. "I am here for everything, rest assured!"
As he spoke, someone had already brought the "Mafeisan!"
The first "Caesarean section" surgery of the Great Han was about to begin!
...
...