In the backyard of the marquis's mansion, the strong smell of medicine filled the entire garden, and the officials coming in and out for work all looked shocked.
In the study, there was a bronze tripod in the middle with medicine boiled inside. On the long table were arranged more than a dozen knives of different sizes, iron hooks, and silver needles, shining with cold light, like torture instruments, or like the miniature eighteen kinds of weapons.
Sun Quan was sitting upright behind the desk, holding a military book in his hand. Hua Tuo was performing another bone scraping and poison treatment with a knife. There was a half basin of blood dripping next to the seat, which was a frightening sound.
Every official who came in was shocked when he saw this scene. His confidant Lu Yi was standing next to him and handed him the official document. Sun Quan reviewed it calmly. The visitor was sweating profusely and left in a hurry.
At this time, Zhang Zhao was discussing the issue of taxes this autumn. After years of war, the people were resentful. If the taxes could be reduced and the people could rest in peace, stability could be maintained in the country.
Listening to the "squeaking" sound of the blade scraping on the bones, Zhang Zhao got goose bumps all over his body. He clenched his teeth and his white beard kept shaking, but he couldn't utter a word.
This morning Sun Quan sent someone to tell him that he was not feeling well and needed to be treated in his residence. He would be reviewing official documents in the study. If there was no urgent matter, the matter could be postponed for two days.
But since Sun Quan returned to Jiangdong, he has been recuperating from his injuries and serving Wu Guotai, and has neglected state affairs. Just a few days ago, when he was about to take charge of the affairs, Liu Qi came to Jiangdong again, and many official matters had piled up, so the officials had to come to ask for instructions.
Seeing this scene, all the officials were filled with awe. They realized how deeply Sun Quan was injured and how he had to recuperate and manage state affairs for the sake of the great cause. They all developed admiration for him, and so did Zhang Zhao.
He originally wanted to persuade Sun Quan to take this opportunity to join forces with Liu Qi to destroy the rebellious Cao and help Liu Qi revive the Han Dynasty. The civil and military officials of Jiangdong would be the heroes who would revive the Han Dynasty. But when the words came to his lips, he couldn't say a word.
After Sun Quan finished reviewing the document, he took it, bowed deeply, and walked out of the room tremblingly. Only then did he realize that his back was covered in sweat.
After Lu Yi sent Zhang Zhao out, he came back to report, but saw that Sun Quan had fainted at the table. He immediately closed the door and told the other officials to go back first.
A quarter of an hour later, Hua Tuo finished scraping the bone and applied medicine to bandage the wound. Wu Guotai hurried over to visit him. Seeing that Sun Quan's lips were pale and his whole body was soaked with sweat, she felt so distressed that she burst into tears.
Hua Tuo advised: "The poison in the bones of the Marquis Wu has been completely cleared, and he will be cured in a month. There is no need to worry about the future. The Queen Mother does not need to worry."
Wu Guotai wiped her tears and said, "Zhongmou took charge of Jiangdong at the age of 18. He worked day and night for state affairs and never had a day of peace. Now he is willing to brave arrows and stones for the great cause of Jiangdong, and fight in the battlefield with blood, and he almost lost his life. How can I not feel sorry for him?"
Hua Tuo said with emotion: "The Marquis of Wu has inherited the great cause of Jiangdong and has become a three-way rival. Compared with people of the same age, he is truly a hero of the time. The Queen Mother should be proud of him."
"Thank you for saving my life!" Wu Guotai bowed again and ordered someone to bring a basket. She said, "My mother and I will never forget your kindness. Zhongmou is not as brave as his brother after all. I hope you can keep today's matter a secret."
Hua Tuo waved his hands and said, "Marquis Wu and General Liu are related by marriage. I was ordered to treat Marquis Wu. How can I accept gifts? Don't worry, Queen Mother. As doctors, we should keep the patient's secret and will never reveal a word."
The Queen Mother smiled and said, "It's not gold or silver, it's just the pineapple cakes I made to give to the miracle doctor as a token of my appreciation. I hope you will accept them."
Hua Tuo opened the lid and saw a few pineapple cakes inside. He clasped his fists and said, "I have heard for a long time that the pineapple cakes made by the Queen Mother herself are the best in Jiangdong. Only people with meritorious service can taste them. I am lucky to have this. It is really a great honor."
The Queen Mother praised Hua Tuo's medical skills again. After staying for a while, she ordered someone to send the food box back to the inn and left it at her residence.
Yu Fan came back from the next room and after hearing what Hua Tuo said, he sneered, "This mother and son are so obsessed with fame, but unfortunately they don't have the ability of Sun Ce. It's really ridiculous."
Hua Tuo laughed and said, "The Queen Mother even gave me pineapple cakes. Are you afraid that I will leak the secret in the future?"
Yu Fan picked up the basket and was about to check it, but found that the food box was extremely heavy. He took out the wooden box on it and couldn't help but exclaimed.
Hua Tuo came to see what was going on, and saw that the food box was filled with gold, silver, and jewelry. Two longan-sized luminous pearls reflected the figures of the two people.
Yu Fan had already determined that Sun Quan had something to do with Sun Ce's murder, and he hated him deeply, angrily scolding him: "The blue-eyed boy is so obsessed with fame and reputation, which is really a disgrace to the Sun family."
"Do his mother and son think that I am a fame-seeker?" Hua Tuo was immediately displeased and was about to send someone to return the treasure.
At this time, Liu Qi came back from outside and smiled when he heard this: "If you don't accept this, I'm afraid Sun Quan will be upset. We are actually enemies with the Sun family, and there is no affection between us. You saved his life, so just consider it as medical expenses."
Yu Fan also nodded and said, "General, what you said is absolutely right. It would be a waste if I don't accept it."
Hua Tuo shook his head helplessly and stopped dwelling on the matter. He opened his medicine box and said, "I have brought back the blood cloth of Sun Quan. It is important to test it first."
…
Zhang Zhao returned home, his mind full of Sun Quan's bloody scene. He felt uneasy and paced in the garden to relax. Zhang Cheng saw him and asked, "Father, what are you worried about?"
Zhang Zhao raised his head to the sky and sighed, "The Han Dynasty is not over yet, how can my lord be in league with Cao Cao? One misstep will lead to eternal regret!"
Zhang Cheng was startled and asked in confusion, "My father previously advocated an alliance with Cao to destroy Liu. Now the Marquis of Wu has negotiated peace with Cao Pi and has also invited Liu Qi to cross the river. Jiangdong can live in peace and reap the benefits. Why sigh?"
At the beginning, Zhou Yu strongly supported Liu Qi in fighting against Cao, and even humiliated Zhang Zhao, so he fell seriously ill and has been brooding over it. Unexpectedly, Zhang Zhao changed his behavior today, which surprised Zhang Cheng.
"It's a different time now!" Zhang Zhao stroked his beard and said, "In the past, Cao Cao was the prime minister, serving the emperor and punishing the disobedient. The whole world obeyed him. If it weren't for Liu Qi's help, Jiangdong would have been destroyed. Now Cao has risen to power, his ambition is obvious, and Liu Qi has taken Guanzhong and entered the Central Plains, winning every battle, as if with divine help. It shows that the Han Dynasty should not be destroyed. Cao brought disaster upon himself. This is the will of heaven! As the saying goes, the way of heaven cannot be reversed, and the will of heaven cannot be violated. A real man should know the current affairs when dealing with the world. My son, remember not to act on impulse."
Zhang Cheng was young and hot-tempered after all, so he said unhappily, "At the banquet, Liu Qi laughed at my father, and Zhou Yu refuted him in public. I swear to avenge that shame."
Zhang Zhao shook his head and smiled, "A benevolent man upholds justice rather than seeking personal gain. In the context of national affairs, what is the point of a mere personal grudge? Moreover, my father and Zhou Lang had different political views in the past, and it was also a matter of public interest. How can I hold a grudge over this? This is not what a gentleman does!"
Zhang Cheng was greatly shocked, and suddenly came to his senses. He bowed and said, "Father, you taught me in time, but I was not thoughtful enough."
Zhang Zhao nodded and said, "Recently, rumors have spread throughout the city, saying that the Marquis of Wu wants to plot against Liu Qi. This move is not good for Jiangdong. Zhongsi should pay more attention to the movements in the army. Tonight, please ask Lingyue to come to your house for a chat. Your father has something important to discuss with you."
"Yes, sir!" Zhang Cheng was now a clerk in the Western Division of the General's Office, in charge of official documents and intelligence, allocation of money and food, and knew everything about the army.
His father-in-law was Zhuge Jin, who was responsible for receiving Liu Qi and his party this time. His second brother Zhuge Liang was in Jingzhou, so he must know some important information.