Water Margin: Did we kill Zheng Tu today?

Chapter 87 Caress

After more than a dozen doctors had finished their examinations, everyone gathered in the courtyard and shared their opinions.

At first, they were all very polite and discussed the symptoms and pulse in hushed tones, but after a short while, a dispute arose and the voices gradually rose.

One theory is that "typhoid fever transforms into heat when it penetrates deeper," another refutes this by saying "dampness traps the spleen," and yet another insists it is "internal damage due to deficiency."

Each of you spoke your mind, sticking to your own version of events, neither willing to give in.

After half an hour of debate, the case was finally handed over to an elderly man in his eighties who had been practicing medicine for over fifty years. This man, surnamed Wu, was highly respected and his words were accepted by everyone.

He stroked his long beard and carefully read through all the medical records written by everyone before slowly speaking.

"The patient's eyes are bloodshot, and there are purplish-red spots on the base of his tongue. Although his pulse is weak and floating, it also has a hesitant and sluggish quality. This is not a common fever symptom, but rather a sign of poisoning!"

These words caused an uproar in the courtyard, which then fell silent again.

After a long pause, a young doctor hesitantly spoke up: "If it really is poisoning, how come there are no symptoms like vomiting or abdominal pain? The patient only has a high fever and cough..."

Dr. Wu shook his head: "If the poison enters the abdomen rapidly, the symptoms will naturally be severe. But if it is a slow-acting poison, it will accumulate over time and invade the lungs and internal organs. At first, it may only resemble a cold, but it will gradually damage the root cause, and by the time the symptoms appear, it will have penetrated deep into the bone marrow... This is exactly the case!"

After saying that, he cited medical classics and carefully analyzed the relationship between pulse diagnosis and toxicology.

After hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement and concluded that Wu Dalang's illness was not ordinary typhoid fever, but rather a sign of poisoning!

A doctor asked, "Has any medicine been used previously?"

Pan Jinlian hurriedly fetched the prescription written by Jiang Zhushan: "I wrote a prescription earlier, but I haven't taken the medicine yet."

After it was passed around, everyone reacted differently. Some remained silent, deep in thought; others scoffed and shook their heads repeatedly.

The first old man to take the pulse slammed the prescription on the table, puffed out his beard, and glared, saying:

"What quack doctor prescribed this?! It's superficial and utterly nonsensical! The herbs mentioned above, while seemingly clearing heat, are actually weak and can only temporarily suppress the symptoms. The root of the toxins in the patient's body hasn't been eliminated. Taking this may seem to provide short-term relief, but in the long run, it only treats the symptoms and not the root cause, allowing the toxins to fester! It's utter nonsense!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Tu silently made a mental note of Jiang Zhushan. He didn't say much, only asking the doctors to work together to formulate a new prescription.

After much discussion and heated debate, the group finally came up with a new prescription that combined the strengths of everyone. It focused on clearing heat and detoxifying, and strengthening the body's resistance, while also adding a few herbs to resolve accumulated toxins.

More than ten doctors pressed their handprints together to show their shared responsibility.

Zheng Tu took the prescription, carefully folded it, and put it in his pocket. He then paid each person double the consultation fee and added some extra money for travel expenses.

Although these doctors had no choice but to come to treat patients because of Ximen Qing's power and Zheng Tu's strength, seeing Zheng Tu's polite and considerate manner, their previous displeasure had faded considerably.

They bowed and said goodbye, "Don't worry, Master Zheng. Once you take this medicine, you'll be cured."

Zheng Tu, accompanied by Pan Jinlian, personally escorted everyone to the door and stood on the steps watching them leave.

Although Zheng Tu didn't need to do this, and these people probably wouldn't dare to say anything more, he knew the dangers of making too many enemies after his previous life's experience.

In all actions, one must have the compassion of a bodhisattva, coupled with swift and decisive measures, in order to ensure complete safety.

Once the courtyard was quiet again, Zheng Tu turned to Pan Jinlian and said sternly, "I will have someone fetch the medicine for this new prescription later, and it will be delivered tonight. You must personally prepare it, supervise the entire process, and do not delegate it to anyone else. You must not leave your side for even a moment, understand?"

Pan Jinlian nodded.

Zheng Tu then took out a money pouch from his pocket, containing about five taels of silver, and handed it over:

"Take this for the expenses you and Brother Wu have had these days. If it's not enough, I'll send more. For now, don't do any needlework or embroidery. Just focus on taking care of Brother Wu. Keep the doors and windows closed and don't see any guests easily."

The purchasing power of these five taels of silver is equivalent to more than five thousand in my previous life.

It wasn't that Zheng Tu was stingy and unwilling to give more, but rather that the landlord's family had run out of surplus grain, and the dividends from the herbal medicine shop hadn't been received yet.

He gave detailed instructions on all matters, fearing that there might be any oversights.

Pan Jinlian listened obediently, her eyes fixed on Zheng Tu's face, sparkling brightly.

He thought to himself: This Uncle Zheng really has the spirit of a man, arranging things so properly and thoroughly...

Zheng Tu pondered the matter and felt that nothing should have been overlooked, but he still did not know where the poison came from.

He hesitated for a moment, then instructed, "Don't feed Brother Wu any home-cooked meals for the next few days. I'll order some from the restaurant and have it delivered; you can just heat it up."

Pan Jinlian nodded obediently and replied, "I understand."

Seeing how obedient she was, Zheng Tu felt a little relieved and turned to walk out, pondering as he went.

He still has a lot to do, and he won't be able to sit still for a while.

"This servant will see my uncle off."

Seeing that he was about to leave, Pan Jinlian hurriedly followed, swaying her plump hips.

Seeing Zheng Tu deep in thought with his head down, he didn't disturb him, but carefully followed him step by step.

As she walked, her delicate hand and jade-like arm would occasionally brush against Zheng Tu's arm unintentionally, the touch fleeting and subtle, like a spring breeze brushing against a willow, seemingly by accident.

Zheng Tu was planning to invite Wu Song from Yanggu County. This Wu Song was brave, resourceful, and meticulous. If he were here, he would surely be able to determine where the poison was planted.

By the time he had made up his mind, he had already reached the courtyard gate.

He came to his senses and suddenly felt an itch on his arm. Looking down, he saw Pan Jinlian's pink arm brushing against his wrist.

Then, the vixen's face turned around, meeting her silky, seductive eyes, which were innocent and bewildered, as if she had no idea what was happening.

Zheng Tu narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking he was just being paranoid, and said in a deep voice, "Sister-in-law, see her off here. Remember, don't go out unless necessary, and take good care of Brother Wu."

After Zheng Tu turned his back and left, Pan Jinlian leaned against the door frame, and a cunning look immediately appeared on her pretty face. Her red lips curled up slightly, her eyes sparkled, and she exuded charm. There was no trace of the bewildered look she had just had.

She watched Zheng Tu's departing figure, her slender, pale fingertips gently tracing the spot where they had just touched, her eyes brimming with tears, almost overflowing with affection.

"Uncle Zheng..." the beautiful woman said softly, with a hint of certainty, "How could a hero like you escape my grasp?"

……

Zheng Tu was worried about how to send a message to Wu Song. Although Yanggu County was not far from Qinghe County, he couldn't think of anyone to ask to do it for the time being.

Firstly, he didn't recognize any faces who frequented Yanggu County, and secondly, he didn't know how to find the messenger.

That's really troublesome. Does he have to make the trip himself?

Just as he was worrying, he suddenly saw a man on the street, and Zheng Tu's eyes lit up.