Xu Chu and Zhao Yun fought for seventy or eighty rounds, but there was still no winner. Seeing that Xu Chu always attacked more than he defended, Cao Cao was worried that he might be defeated, so he sounded the horn to call back his troops.
Zhao Yun also retreated back to his camp. This was the first time Liu Qi saw him sweating profusely. In the past, he would return from battles without blushing or panting.
"This fat guy is interesting!" Gan Ning pouted and was eager to try.
Liu Qi said: "Xu Chu's bravery is no less than Dian Wei's. If we meet him in the future, we must not underestimate him."
Zhang Fei laughed and said, "Even if Dian Wei comes, I will still beat him. Let me fight again!"
Liu Qi nodded slightly, and Zhang Fei rode out on his horse, shouting, "Yan's Zhang Yide is here, who dares to fight to the death?"
Cao Cao looked at Zhang Fei and saw that his voice was like thunder and his momentum was like a galloping horse. He sighed and said, "I once heard Yun Chang say that Yide could take the head of a general in a million-strong army as easily as taking something out of a bag. This man is no less brave than Guan Yu. He should not be sent into battle!"
The Cao army was shaken from top to bottom, and no one responded. Cao Cao sighed secretly and withdrew his troops back to the camp.
Looking at the surrounding mountains, he recalled the scene when he conquered Wancheng. He looked up to the sky and sighed, "If Dian Wei were here, why would I be afraid of Guan and Zhang?"
After the troops returned to the camp, Cao Cao discussed strategies with Xun You and Cheng Yu to defeat the enemy. Cheng Yu stroked his beard and said, "Zhao Fan is too timid to raise an army, and Sun Quan is watching from across the river, hoping to reap the benefits. Once Liu Qi is defeated, Jingzhou will be in chaos."
Xun You nodded and said, "If Sun Quan does not send troops, we can let Liu Qi fight me with all his strength. Zhou Yu will command a naval force of 100,000 in Chaisang. Once the troops in Jingzhou are exhausted, we can go upstream and calmly take all places along the river."
Cao Cao slammed the table and said angrily, "How dare the blue-eyed girl take advantage of me?"
Xun You smiled and said, "Don't worry, Prime Minister. Although Dongwu is protected by rivers and lakes, it can only defend the land south of the Yangtze River. Once they cross the river and land on the shore, they will be like fish out of water. There is no need to worry."
"Gongda is right!" Cao Cao laughed and said, "When I defeat Liu Qi and take Jingzhou, I will go down the river to Jiangdong. Sun Quan won't be a problem for me!"
Xun You said: "Liu Qi has all of Liu Bei's civil and military talents, and also has troops from Jingzhou. His power is already strong and cannot be defeated by force. We should use strategy to defeat him."
When it comes to the current countermeasures, the three are at a loss. Liu Qi has the advantage of terrain, Guan Zhang is guarding the camp, and there is also Zhao Yun. They have well-trained soldiers and sufficient food, and it seems that there is no loophole. They can only wait for the opportunity.
After two days of racking his brain for a solution, Cao Cao found that his headache had recurred and he was in great pain in his tent.
In the evening, Cao Chun suddenly came in delight and reported: "Prime Minister, I have found an immortal who has a miraculous elixir that can cure any disease, far better than Hua Tuo."
"Oh?" Cao Cao sat up despite the headache and ordered someone to bring him in.
Then an old Taoist with white hair and a youthful face walked in. His Taoist robe was a little worn, he carried a gourd wooden sword on his back, and held a whisk in his hand, looking a bit cynical.
The old Taoist bowed and said, "Lujiang Zuo Ci pays respect to the Prime Minister."
Cao Cao looked at the visitor and asked, "Do you have any magic medicine that can cure headaches?"
Zuo Ci smiled and said, "I have been refining elixirs in the mountains, which can only cure the diseases of the common people. The position of Prime Minister is a noble one, so elixirs are useless."
Cao Cao's face suddenly darkened. Cao Chun was shocked and angry. He pointed at Zuo Ci and shouted, "You just said you could cure it. Why did you change your words now?"
Zuo Ci stroked his beard and smiled, "The Prime Minister's illness cannot be cured by elixirs. He needs to take Wu Shi San to slowly eliminate it."
Cao Cao narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, "What is Five Stone Powder?"
Zuo Ci said: "This recipe was passed down from the ancient Qin Dynasty. It is made with cinnabar, realgar, alum, azurite, and cinnabar. After taking it, it can cure diseases and strengthen the body. It not only makes the mind bright and cheerful, but also helps the power of Long Yang."
"Oh?" Cao Cao's eyes lit up when he heard that. He leaned forward and asked, "Is it really effective?"
Zuo Ci nodded and said, "Three doses will be effective, but this medicine is extremely time-consuming to refine, and it will fail if the proportions are not careful, so the price..."
Cao Cao waved his hand and said, "If it can cure illness and strengthen the body, even a thousand gold coins are not worth it."
Zuo Ci shook his head and said, "I am a barbarian, what use is there for me to have money? If I can use this medicine to exchange for the Prime Minister's promise, that will be enough!"
Cao Cao said, "Tell me about it."
Zuo Ci said: "I have seen the Prime Minister's appearance. There will be floods and fire disasters in the near future. The south is associated with fire. The Prime Minister should not mobilize troops to the south. It is better to retreat early."
"How dare you!" Cao Cao was furious. He slammed the table and shouted, "How can I allow you to talk nonsense about my military secrets? Are you here to lobby for Liu Qi?"
Zuo Ci sighed, "Since Dong Zhuo's rebellion, the whole country has been in chaos, and the people of the nine provinces have suffered. Only Jingzhou has been preserved as a pure land. The Prime Minister assists the emperor and should be benevolent and virtuous..."
"How dare you!" Cao Cao interrupted Zuo Ci and said in a deep voice, "If you sneak into the military camp to lobby under the pretext of curing an illness, do you know that my military law is ruthless?"
Cao Chun drew his sword and shouted, "Old Taoist, you dare to play tricks on me. You really don't know whether you live or die."
"I am a real doctor who treats illnesses, and I am also a real fortune teller for the prime minister..."
Zuo Ci shook his head helplessly, took down his bag from his back, took out a yellow cloth bag, and said: "Here are five sets of Wu Shi San. Prime Minister, take three sets and your headache will be cured. If there is no effect, I am willing to offer my head as a sacrifice."
Cao Chun opened the package and saw five small paper bags inside. The bags contained golden powder and a faint smell of medicine.
Cao Cao narrowed his eyes, looked at the paper bag and pondered for a moment, then ordered: "Master, please take a dose first!"
Zuo Ci hurriedly said: "Prime Minister, this medicine is priceless, how can it be wasted? I don't need to..."
Cao Chun had already understood what was going on. In addition, he was angry because of Zuo Ci's wild words just now, so he immediately ordered his men to capture Zuo Ci, force him to drink the powder, and take him to the tent next door to rest.
After dark, Cao Chun came to report that Zuo Ci had a ruddy complexion and did not look drunk even after drinking a jar of wine.
Cao Cao then asked, "Where did Zihe find this person?"
"Zuo Ci was actually recommended by He Yan!" Cao Chun answered truthfully: "Zuo Ci is his teacher. He Yan's illness was cured by taking Wu Shi San! I heard that the Prime Minister had a headache and Hua Tuo was not in the city, so he secretly recommended him to me."
"My son is quite filial!" Cao Cao finally smiled, rubbed his head which was aching like needles, and motioned Cao Chun to take one dose.
He Yan was the grandson of General He Jin. His father died early, so Cao Cao took his mother Yin as a concubine, adopted He Yan, and married his daughter to him when he grew up.
He Yan was a smart man, but he did not study classics but preferred the teachings of Laozi and Zhuangzi. He was in poor health due to his indulgence in sensual pleasures. Although his daughter complained to him many times, Cao Cao did not take it seriously. Instead, he doted on him because they were like-minded.
After Cao Cao took the medicine, he lay in bed for a quarter of an hour and then he felt his body begin to heat up, spreading from his chest to his limbs. Just as Zuo Ci had said, he felt cheerful and relaxed, and his whole body was indescribable.
Not only was the headache greatly relieved, but even the back pain disappeared, especially the burning sensation in the abdomen, which spread to the perineum, like a spring breeze awakening the insects, with a faint sense of vitality.
Half an hour later, Cao Cao was sweating profusely. He threw back the quilt, feeling full of energy. He had not seen such a heroic presence for many years.
He shook his head again. Although it still hurt a little, it was no longer uncomfortable. He stood up and laughed, "It is indeed a magical medicine. With Zuo Ci here, why do we need Hua Tuo?"
Cao Chun heard the voice and entered the tent. Seeing Cao Cao's ruddy complexion and radiant face, he said in surprise, "Congratulations, Prime Minister!"
Cao Cao wiped the sweat off his face and said with a smug smile: "I'll find two prostitutes tomorrow!"