Chapter Eleven: The Strange Illness

  What else can be said? Shen Zhongge let out a cold laugh, as a military general, in everyone's eyes, I should be the first to oppose! His words carried a hint of cynicism, he shook his head and didn't continue.

  He pacified the Southern Yi and Southern Yue, and today's situation has become a three-legged situation with Zhou, Yan, and Qi. Among them, Da Zhou is the strongest. He returned to Tian in glory, and Wan Sui had an all-night conversation with him, revealing his intention to unify. To unify, first of all, we must separate Yan and Qi countries, and use marriage alliance to eliminate Yan country, which is the best plan.

  Alas, the Sixth Princess was born to the Empress, and it is said that the Emperor wants to use his legitimate princess as a diplomatic marriage. The Duke of Anqing, led by the powerful ministers, jointly petitioned against it:

  Only weak countries would use princesses and relatives to seek temporary peace!

  Emperor Wu ordered the dispatch of troops to Qi, to punish its crime of presumptuously requesting a princess.

  In the end, all the spearheads pointed at him, accusing him of being a general who assisted the country, but when it came to the critical moment, he did not dare to stand up and oppose the marriage alliance. He allowed a small and ignorant nation to commit an affront, and even dared to ask for the hand of the noble princess of Great Zhou in marriage, which was truly a shame that would last for centuries.

  He can send troops.

  He also believed that without the need for conquest, as long as his powerful army approached the border, Qi would surrender and pay compensation. However, this would allow Yan to take advantage of the situation and pull Qi into an alliance against Zhou, creating a united front between Yan and Qi. In the end, it's hard to say whether Great Zhou would be unified or even destroyed by Yan first!

  If it weren't for having Lian Yan as a trump card, how would Qi Guo dare to ask for the hand of a strong country's princess with the status of a weak country?

  A warrior can sacrifice his life for his country, why can't a princess be with her loved one?!

  Scholars have often brought ruin to their country since ancient times.

  He thought of his own physical strength, but he was helpless against these corrupt and rotten scholars who made a living by spouting empty words. Shen Zhongjie let out a faint sigh in his heart.

  Xiao Yu's hand stopped at the edge of the carriage curtain, and after a long time, he said in a low voice, "I also advocate for a marriage alliance." His voice was so low that if one wasn't careful, they would miss it.

  Shen Zhong's eyes lit up in front of him, and he turned his head to look at Xiao Ye.

  There's still something at home, I'll take a step first. Xiao Ye has already bid farewell to him with a fist, looking like he didn't want to talk more.

  Shen Zhong sighed softly and bid farewell, saying "Brother Xiao, take care." He had only taken two steps when he suddenly turned his head back and asked, "How is Aunt's body? Has it been gradually getting stronger these days?"

  Xiao Yu's mother had been suffering from frequent headaches for half a year, initially thinking it was due to catching a cold, and after taking several doses of medicinal soup, there was no improvement, and instead, the condition worsened, even the famous Dr. Wen from the Imperial Hospital couldn't diagnose any obvious illness.

  It's still the same. When mentioning his mother's illness, Xiao Yu's expression turned gloomy, he sighed and said that his mother's temper had become more and more violent, and even her memory began to decline, often forgetting what she had just said in the morning.

  Shen Zhong's face also turned gloomy, and he comforted him by saying, "As the saying goes, when you're ill, you try all sorts of doctors. The people at Taiyi Hospital aren't effective, Brother Xiao might as well go find a few famous folk doctors to take a look. He also said, "Don't underestimate these people, sometimes unconventional methods can cure serious illnesses."

  Born in the folk, especially on the hard battlefield, it is these folk doctors who rely on the treatment of injuries and illnesses for the soldiers. They are much stronger than those self-proclaimed high-ranking officials. Although medicine belongs to the middle and lower ranks, having seen the suffering of the warriors and the noble character of the folk doctors who take healing and saving people as their foundation, Shen Zhongjie has special respect for them. As he spoke, he suddenly remembered a few days ago in Wutong Town, the owner of Rui Xiang Pharmacy had strongly recommended to him a doctor named Jian who specialized in treating difficult and miscellaneous diseases.

  He can decoct high-quality donkey-hide gelatin, and it seems that this doctor is not famous in vain.

  Just as he was about to recommend someone, Xiao Ye said that Lord Cao had just recommended a doctor named Zhong Lin from Liu Lin Town sixty miles away, who was known for his remarkable skills and was called the reincarnation of Hua Tuo. He had already sent someone to invite him and he would arrive in a day or two.

  Zhongdafu of Liu Lin Town? Shen Zhongke thought for a moment, yes, this Zhonglin is indeed a famous doctor, nicknamed Yanwang Xiu, saying that his ability to snatch people from the hands of Niutou Mamian makes even Yanwang Ye anxious... Brother Xiao doesn't know, six years ago when my mother had heart disease, it was he who treated her well.

  Really? Xiao Yu's eyes lit up in front of him.

  Yes. Shen Zhongbo nodded, I heard that Zhong Lin has been practicing medicine for 30 years and rarely makes mistakes, so it's good for Xiao to try him out. As he spoke, he thought of Jian Dafu in Wutong Town, who was always new and had only heard about him through hearsay, and hadn't seen him before. Shen Zhongbo dispelled the idea of recommending him and just said, "Xiao, don't get anxious, illnesses need to be treated slowly, there's no instant cure."

  I'm relieved to hear you say that. Xiao Yu's tone was quite comforting, he smiled wryly at Shen Zhongge, Little brother doesn't know, in these six months, I've searched for no less than a dozen 'divine doctors' just based on people's recommendations, but not one of them has been any good, and it's gotten to the point where mother's temper is getting more and more violent, and she won't even let me find another mediocre doctor to bother her. Helplessly shrugging his shoulders, I was worried that if this Zhong Lin wasn't up to par, mother might not even allow anyone to examine her again.

  No one dares to guarantee this matter.

  Shen Zhongbo once again comforted Xiao Yu, and then they each got into their own car, waving goodbye to each other.

  Just returned from the border, Shen Zhongge was indeed busy, and on this day, he worked until the watchman's drumbeat sounded, only then did he lift his head from his desk to hear voices outside the door, asking: "Who is it?"

  Rong brought in a red sandalwood carved flower tray, on which was placed a Qinghua porcelain bowl... I heard you've been up all night again, Wu Yiniang made you a bowl of Cordyceps and lamb kidney congee, telling you not to overwork yourself and take care of your body.

  Whenever Chu Xinyi is mentioned, Shen Zhongge's gaze softens. Let it go. Seeing Rong Sheng still standing there, he asks, "Is there anything else?"

  Grandpa is going to Bìzhú Yuán tonight... said Róng Shēng with a smile.

  Shen Zhong was stunned: ...what's wrong?

  Tired of the competition and jealousy among his concubines, Shen Zhongjie simply moved the rotating roster from the front house to the back house. When he wasn't going out on campaign, every month he would spend half a month visiting each of his concubines in turn, and spend the rest of the days resting in the main house or dropping by whichever concubine's quarters took his fancy.

  Although it was never explicitly stated, everyone has been following the rules and keeping silent about it all along. According to the rotation, today is Eldest Aunt's day.

  Chun Hong said that today all the aunts accompanied Old Lady to play cards, but for some reason, Fifth Aunt returned and cried for an entire afternoon.

  Is Mother embarrassing her again? Shen Zhongge blurted out, shaking his head. Although Mother didn't like her, she would never humiliate her in front of others.

  Shen Zhong did not understand either. Obviously, Na Chuxin was his mother's idea, so why would she dislike her afterwards?

  He was so humiliated that he didn't dare to show his face to Chu Xinyi again, and he had no intention of taking her back into the mansion. But his mother, with a mind full of schemes, secretly found a matchmaker and made arrangements behind his back, and then brought her back in with all the formalities of a legitimate wife.

  Chu Xinyi is such a gentle and kind person, by all accounts, her mother should like her the most.