Tao Hongchang returned to the post station and confronted Imperial Physician Hong with eyes that seemed capable of spewing fire: "How did I instruct you before? You treated everything I said like wind blowing past by your ears1?" The Emperor's intention was clear—Han Shi must be brought back to the capital. Therefore, Tao Hongchang didn't care at all about the child in Yuxi's womb; otherwise, he wouldn't have boasted and guaranteed that Yuxi and the child would be fine. How could such a guarantee be kept? Even an average person would struggle on a journey of thousands of miles, let alone a pregnant woman.
As Yuxi expected, Tao Hongchang didn't take his own promises seriously. Even if something unexpected happened to Han Shi and she reached the capital, Yun Qing couldn't harm Tao Hongchang in the slightest.
Imperial Physician Hong's expression was grim. He was dedicated to his medical skills and abhorred conflict, so he didn't want to get involved in political schemes, but that didn't mean he was foolish. He stated, "Given Madam Yun's current condition if she is forcibly taken back to the capital, there will be trouble within three days. General Yun cares so much about Madam Yun that if anything happens to her, none of us will survive." Just by observing Yun Qing's actions and how he carried Madam Yun away despite the onlookers, it was clear that their marital relationship was extraordinary. Even if Tao Hongchang's plan succeeded and Han Shi was taken away from Yu City, with her current state of health, a day or two of rough travel would lead to a miscarriage. If that happened, Yun Qing would be furious, and they would all be in deep trouble.
Surprised, Tao Hongchang asked, "Is Han Shi really that weak?" If that was the case, then caution was indeed necessary.
Disgusted by those questioning his medical skills, Imperial Physician Hong bluntly replied, "If you doubt me, feel free to invite other physicians from Yu City to diagnose Madam Yun." With that, he turned and left. He was just following orders and was not Tao Hongchang's subordinate.
Regardless of Tao Hongchang's scheming, Imperial Physician Hong wouldn't lie against his conscience. His integrity often caused him to be ostracised. Fortunately, Imperial Physician Hong truly loved his medical practice and had no interest in climbing the ranks or currying favour with officials.
Tao Hongchang's face immediately darkened. Was this person he had brought with him a helper or a troublemaker? Before he could calm down, the news arrived that Yun Qing had sent someone to meet him.
Yun Qing's subordinate greeted Tao Hongchang with folded hands and said, "Tao Daren2, my General admires Imperial Physician Hong's exceptional medical skills and wishes to have him treat our injured soldiers from the Northern Army."
Tao Hongchang was genuinely surprised by Yun Qing's unexpected move. He feigned a smile and replied, "This matter must be discussed with Imperial Physician Hong. If he disagrees, there is nothing I can do." On their journey, whenever someone had a headache or fever and asked for Imperial Physician Hong's treatment, he would always refuse. This time, Yun Qing's invitation would surely be rejected.
When Imperial Physician Hong heard this request, he unexpectedly said, "Wait for me here, I'll get my medicine chest." Not only did he agree, but he was also willing to go and see the wounded soldiers right away.
Xu Wu was naturally overjoyed: "Thank you, Imperial Physician Hong." In the past, people sent by the Emperor usually had their noses in the air, looking high and mighty. This was the first time he had encountered someone so approachable and straightforward.
Tao Hongchang was furious. If he hadn't known Imperial Physician Hong's background so well, he would have suspected that Imperial Physician Hong was in cahoots with Yun Qing: "This fool." Instead of helping his own people, he wanted to help the enemy. What else could he be but a fool?
One of his attendants remarked, "Daren, we can also look at it from another angle. We can't enter the military camp, but now Imperial Physician Hong can. It's a good opportunity to gather some intelligence." They had heard that the Northwest Army was formidable, but they didn't know in what way.
While they were talking, a messenger came to report, "Daren, Du Wenshu requests an audience." Although Du Wenshu was said to be the military supervisor, he had been effectively sidelined by Yun Qing. He just followed orders and had no ill intentions, so he was kept around as a figurehead; otherwise, he would have met his end long ago.
Tao Hongchang didn't think much of Du Wenshu. If Du Wenshu had been useful, he would have shown some backbone to at least justify his presence in Yu City. "Please come in, Du Daren."
Du Wenshu had come to see Tao Hongchang for an important matter: "Tao Daren, it will be impossible for you to bring Han Shi back to the capital." Yu City had undergone significant changes, all orchestrated by Han Shi.
Du Wenshu sometimes felt a little scared when he thought about it. Unlike others who caused trouble, Han Shi worked slowly and methodically. Her quiet approach caused him to lower his guard, leading to the current disaster: "Tao Daren, when you return to the capital, you must inform the Emperor that Han Shi must not be allowed to remain alive."
Tao Hongchang inquired, "What do you mean?"
Du Wenshu told him everything Han Shi had done: "Han Shi is now highly respected in Yu City. Both the soldiers and the common people respect and admire her. Unlike Yun Qing, Han Shi is a very ambitious person. If we don't act now to get rid of her, there will be great trouble." If Han Shi had been content to stay out of Yu City's political and military affairs, none of this would have happened. Unfortunately, Yun Qing trusts her implicitly and supports her actions unwaveringly.
Tao Hongchang believed in eliminating Yun Qing, the root of the problem. If Han Shi were killed, and Yun Qing rebelled in anger, wouldn't the disaster be even greater?
Although Du Wenshu understood this reasoning perfectly, he pointed out, "Killing Yun Qing is as difficult as reaching heaven." Those around Yun Qing were either his childhood friends or had survived life-and-death situations with him, making it almost impossible to bribe them. Furthermore, with his exceptional martial arts skills, assassinating him was not so easy. The Song family tried to kill him for over a decade, but he was still fine.
Yuxi would surely sigh with sorrow if she knew Du Wenshu's thoughts. Persimmons were always picked when they were soft3. This had always been the case everywhere.
Yun Qing and Yuxi soon learned that Du Wenshu had gone to find Tao Hongchang. Yuxi asked, "He Rui, how do you think we should handle this?" Keeping Du Wenshu around was a big risk.
Yun Qing didn't kill Du Wenshu because, first, he considered himself a righteous man, so he had nothing to fear from having a military supervisor around. Second, Du Wenshu was a reasonable person. "Let's find out what he said to Tao Hongchang first, okay?" They would only act according to the circumstances.
Yuxi's eyes flickered as she nodded, "I'll listen to you."
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When night fell, and Tao Hongchang was about to rest, he still hadn't seen Imperial Physician Hong return to the post station. He immediately sent someone to the Yun Residence to inquire about the situation.
Xu Wu went to Tao Hongchang and explained, "Tao Daren, Imperial Physician Hong will stay in the military camp tonight. If you have any urgent matters, I will convey them on your behalf." Imperial Physician Hong began treating the wounded soldiers as soon as he arrived at the military camp. With too many injured, he decided to stay at the camp and not return to the post station.
Tao Hongchang held back his frustration and said, "Make sure he returns tomorrow." It was his bad luck to meet such an unreasonable person.
Imperial Physician Hong stayed at the military camp for three days before finally leaving to give Yuxi a follow-up examination. After arriving at the Yun Residence and checking Yuxi's pulse, he said, "Madam's condition has improved slightly from before, but Madam still needs to take medicine and pay attention to Madam's diet. I will prescribe Madam a dietary supplement. Madam will get better after taking it for some time."
Yuxi smiled and expressed, "Thank you very much, Imperial Physician Hong." She had heard from Xu Wu that Imperial Physician Hong had worked tirelessly in the military camp from morning until night.
However, he never complained or showed any signs of exhaustion as he treated the wounded soldiers with all his heart. He had earned the respect of many in the army.
After Imperial Physician Hong left, Yuxi couldn't help but lament to Yun Qing, "Wouldn't it have been so good if Imperial Physician Hong could stay?"
Yun Qing considered this possibility and said after a moment, "He was sent by the Emperor; we cannot force him to stay."
Yuxi looked sly as she spoke in a tone that made one think she was a bandit, "I just said it casually, and you took it seriously." It was really regrettable to meet such a skilled and sincere person in medicine, but he couldn't stay.
Yun Qing changed the subject by saying, "Yu Cong has sent a message back. They have reached Lanzhou and will arrive in Yu City in a little over half a month. However, this time, they are only bringing 200,000 dan4 of grain, the remaining 400,000 will arrive a little later." In addition to grain, there were soybeans, cloth, and other items. However, the quantity was insignificant compared to the amount of grain, so it was ignored.
Yuxi asked, "Was the trip peaceful?"
Yun Qing didn't hide anything from Yuxi and mentioned the incident where the grain was seized by bandits in Maluo Mountain. After finishing the story, he added, "Yu Cong is the bravest person by my side."
Yuxi laughed lightly. "I haven't seen a timid one among the people around you." These people had experienced life and death and had long since shed their fear, even if they appeared timid.
The next day, Tao Hongchang sought an audience with Yun Qing again. This time, he wasn't there to talk about taking Yuxi back to the capital but to bid farewell: "General Yun, this Tao is preparing to return to the capital tomorrow."
If it were someone else, they would surely have pretended to politely persuade him to stay. However, Yun Qing made no attempt to do so and simply said, "I wish Tao Daren a safe journey."
When Tao Hongchang saw Yun Qing's expressionless wish for a safe journey, his thoughts involuntarily turned to Cao De, who had been killed by bandits, and his hair stood on end.
Before the group left the capital, Imperial Physician Hong examined Yuxi's pulse again. After the examination, he looked at Yuxi and requested, "I wonder if Madam could tell me the method used to make the pulse appear so weak?" He was almost fooled; to be precise, he had been fooled, not once but twice. Despite his self-proclaimed superb medical skills, he had fallen victim to a woman today.
Yuxi was very surprised and asked, "I wonder what Imperial Physician Hong means by that?" Her surprise was genuine as she truly had no idea how Imperial Physician Hong had seen through her.
Imperial Physician Hong did not talk in circles with Yuxi. "It's right, isn't it?"
Yuxi had also considered everything carefully; even her clothes had been scented with medicinal herbs because she was worried about being exposed by Imperial Physician Hong, but he still found out about it.
Seeing Yuxi's silence, Imperial Physician Hong said, "Madam Yun, I just want to know how you managed to deceive me?" As for other things, he decided to turn a blind eye.
Looking at Imperial Physician Hong's determined expression, Yuxi thought for a moment before answering, "I have also studied medicine; although I do not dare to treat and save people, I still know a bit about the body's acupoints and meridians."
Imperial Physician Hong responded, "Madam is being too modest." If she had not known the body's acupoints and meridians so well, she wouldn't have been able to fool him even if she had manipulated things.
Yuxi apologised sincerely and explained, "Imperial Physician Hong, I had no choice. Although my health is not as bad as you described, if I truly had to travel thousands of miles, the child would most likely not survive, and I would be in danger myself."
Imperial Physician Hong did not respond to Yuxi's words, only stating, "My master always told me that there are heavens beyond the heavens, and there are people beyond people5. It seems my master's words were indeed true."
Footnotes Full List
- Chinese idiom for completely ignoring
- title of respect toward superiors
- A Chinese proverb that means 'people always bully the weak'.
- a traditional unit of volume, esp. for grain, equal to 100 sheng (市升), and equivalent to 100 litres or 176 pints)
- This is a proverb that means there is always someone better than you, no matter how good you think you are. It is a reminder to stay humble and to never stop learning.
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The Rebirth of Han Yuxi