knife

Chapter 164 The corner was pried open so easily

Tai'an City had many transactions with the nobles and high-ranking officials of the Yuan Kingdom, and Akdun, who was stationed in Yandu and in charge of logistics, was naturally one of the main trading partners, although the two sides had never met.

This time, Li Dachui finally saw Akedun, whom he had been longing for.

He couldn't help but be interested in this person.

Based on intelligence gathered from various sources, this person possesses all the qualities to become a tyrant, even though his reputation in the Northern Yuan is currently excellent.

He was highly regarded not only among officials and nobles, but also among the common people for his philanthropy.

Only someone like Li Dachui, who has been scrutinizing and probing from the very beginning, can peel back the layers of illusion and glimpse the true face beneath these masks.

Li Dachui looked at Akedun with great interest.

If Akdun knew at this moment that there was someone in this group who was wholeheartedly trying to help him ascend the throne of the Northern Yuan, he would surely be deeply moved.

With red hair, a square face, high cheekbones, small eyes, thick eyebrows, and a height of about seven feet, he was hardly a handsome man. However, the bright smile that always graced his face softened his somewhat fierce appearance, making him much more pleasing to the eye.

Compared to Akdun, Tiele's appearance was more in line with Li Dachui's aesthetic standards. The genes of the children of the Li dynasty were truly remarkable; Tiele might have looked more like Princess Changle. If you were to place him in the Qin Dynasty, without close inspection, it would be difficult to tell that Tiele was not a Qin person.

This may be why the Tiele people faced much opposition in the Yuan Dynasty.

Beside Aktun stood another man who was quite tall and extremely robust, a stark contrast to Aktun. However, this man had a much more peaceful appearance, with a long ponytail and a lot of white hair.

“That person is Fu Qin!” Fu Cheng whispered in Li Dachui’s ear.

Akdun cupped his hands and bowed slightly: "Valley Master, you've come a long way and must be tired!"

Fu Qin, however, crossed his hands to his eyebrows and bowed deeply to the ground, saying, "Disciple Fu Qin greets Master!"

Because he had never been formally accepted as a disciple by Fu Qingzhu, Fu Qin, also known as Attila, could only address him as "Master".

Fu Qingzhu merely nodded slightly to Akdun, but then helped Attila up with both hands: "I've heard that over the years you've traveled all over the wilderness and snowy mountains, tasting, identifying, and refining medicines, and have discovered many new medicinal materials and recorded many new cases. That's truly remarkable!"

“Although I have been away from Hasegawa Haru for many years, I have never forgotten your teachings. As a physician, one should have a heart to help the world,” Attila said.

“Alright, after treating Your Majesty this time, I plan to organize and preserve all my life's work for posterity. As for worldly affairs, I will leave them to Fu Cheng. If you are interested, you may come to Changchun Valley and do this with me!” Fu Qingzhu patted Attila on the shoulder.

Attila was overjoyed: "Sir, are you willing to accept Attila as a disciple?"

"nature!"

"Thank you, sir! No, thank you, master!" Attila's eyes lit up, and in front of countless people, he knelt down with a thud and immediately performed the ceremony of becoming a disciple.

This left everyone speechless.

Li Dachui's mouth gaped open, thinking to himself that the old comrade was really amazing. He had managed to poach the head of the prestigious Beiyuan Imperial Medical Academy without lifting a finger.
Look at Attila's expression; he looks overjoyed.

Does Changchun Valley really have that much appeal? I don't think so myself.
Fu Cheng walked over with a smile: "Junior Brother Fu Qin, congratulations. Master, Junior Brother Fu Qin is only slightly younger than me in age, but in terms of entering the sect, he is probably your last disciple. How should the other junior brothers address him?"

Everyone present felt awkward.

"Naturally, it's my second senior brother!" Fu Qingzhu waved his sleeve and said, "Does anyone have any objections?"

All the disciples of Changchun Valley, including Li Dachui, clasped their hands in greeting, some calling him Second Senior Brother, others Second Uncle, creating a chaotic scene resembling a bustling market.

Attila, however, was delighted and returned the greeting with repeated bows.

Now he not only joined the Changchun Valley, but also became the second senior brother.

Li Dachui speculated maliciously that perhaps Old Man Fu had taken a liking to the new medicinal herbs or new cases that Attila had discovered while traversing desolate mountains, deserts, snow-capped peaks, and grasslands, which was why he had brought this Yuan dynasty man under his wing.

Since you are now a disciple of Changchun Valley, your discoveries naturally belong to Changchun Valley as well.

The old man's move was really slick!
A hint of displeasure flashed in Aktun's eyes, and his gaze towards Attila was also quite unfriendly. However, this gloomy light was quickly replaced by joy. "Congratulations, Valley Master, on gaining a new and excellent disciple!"

"Congratulations to the curator for finally fulfilling his long-cherished wish!"

After offering a string of congratulations, the tone shifted again: "However, whether you, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, can go to Changchun Valley depends on His Majesty's approval, right? After all, the Imperial Medical Academy cannot be without a leader."

Attila, however, said nonchalantly, “After returning, I will resign from my position as head of the Imperial Medical Academy with His Majesty. After assisting my mentor in treating His Majesty’s illnesses, I will go to Changchun Valley to help my mentor write books. My mentor’s medical skills are unparalleled, and his works will surely benefit the world. Once the books are completed, even our Great Yuan will benefit greatly from them. His Majesty is wise and will naturally allow me to leave!”

Aktun nodded and said, "That makes sense, but Master, let's welcome the Valley Master into the city first! His Majesty has already prepared a banquet in the palace to welcome the Valley Master. We can discuss other matters later, shall we?"

"Let's go, let's go!" Fu Qingzhu laughed loudly, "It's been more than ten years since I last saw His Majesty. Today, old friends are reunited, so we should have a good drink! Fu Cheng, Li Bao, you two come with me to the palace later, so His Majesty can meet you too!"

Fu Cheng quickly agreed, while Li Dachui was slightly stunned until Fu Cheng stepped on his foot, at which point he realized that he was Li Bao.

"Yes, Grandmaster!" Li Dachui had no choice but to grit his teeth and reply.

“Fu Cheng is the eldest brother. As for Li Bao, he’s not the best doctor among the third generation of doctors in Changchun Valley, but he’s quick-witted and clever. Fu Cheng’s medical skills have improved a lot in the past two years, and his disciple has helped him a lot. If His Majesty’s illness is treated, let him go and take a look. He might gain some unexpected benefits!” Fu Qingzhu said, stroking his beard.

"Then let's set off!" Aktun was getting impatient, and his smile was becoming strained.

Li Dachui felt quite sorry for him.

Originally, in terms of status, he was the highest among the three princes of the Northern Yuan, and should have been the center of everyone's attention.

As a result, Fu Qingzhu's on-the-spot acceptance of a disciple immediately relegated him to the background.
Nobody cares about him anymore, how can he not be angry?
Moreover, Fu Qingzhu poached the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, the most skilled physician in the Northern Yuan, with just one move. The old emperor is too old to care, but won't any of them suffer from headaches or fevers in the future?
Will we still be able to recruit people from Changchun Valley then?
The key point is that he himself felt he didn't have the same influence as the old emperor Yingzhuo, who could easily summon Fu Qingzhu with a simple gesture.

The convoy moved slowly forward. Li Dachui glared fiercely at Fu Qingzhu's car, while Fu Qingzhu was laughing and chatting happily with his newly minted second disciple, Attila.

"Who's Li Bao? When I get the chance, I'll definitely empty your Changchun Valley!"

He was ruthless in his heart!
Akedun did not travel alongside Fu Qingzhu's carriage. Instead, he mounted his horse and stood by the roadside, watching the convoy slowly pass through the welcoming procession and head towards Yandu City, which was not far away.

"Your Highness, save me!" A faint cry for help came from beside me.

Akton turned around and looked at the prison van that had already arrived.

Shaliwen, who maintained a semi-squatting posture the whole way, was disheveled and emaciated. If it weren't for the highly skilled doctors accompanying him, he probably would have died long ago.

Don't let Lengge's seemingly burly and simple-minded appearance fool you; he's actually quite cunning!
Shalievin really went through a lot this time.

Aktun's eyes were cold. He had hoped this thing would bring him honor, but instead it had slapped him hard in the face. To quell the impact of this failure, he would have to pay a heavy price, and the thought of it was painful.

The whip whipped through the air, creating a gust of wind, and struck Shalievin's face with a sharp crack. Shalievin screamed in pain as a deep mark appeared on his face, leaving him disfigured.

"Your Highness!" someone in the escorting group exclaimed in surprise, "His Majesty still wants to see him!"

The warning seemed to have an effect. The second lash turned the direction slightly, and with a crack, the upper part of the prison cart split in two. Shalivin, who had been squatting the whole way, sat down on the prison cart with his hands covering his bloodied face and looking pitifully at Aktun.

"Wrap up this bastard's wounds and make sure he looks presentable later. Is he trying to disgust His Majesty by going to see him like this?" Akdun glared at the soldiers escorting him, who all lowered their heads and nodded in agreement.

Akton's intentions were quite clever. It seemed like he was teaching Shalievin a lesson, but at least it made Shalievin feel better at that moment, and those people didn't dare to mistreat him anymore.

It's no secret in Yan that Shaliewen is one of his men, and Shaliewen isn't alone; he has a large group of people behind him, so they'll have to help him no matter what.

However, this time he lost too badly, and if I want to save him, the things I have to exchange for will probably be very expensive.

Looks like I'll have to try and smooth things over with the second brother.

I'm afraid I can't protect Shalievin by myself this time. The boss is eager to clip my wings!
The eldest brother didn't take the second brother seriously because of the second brother's mother. He never considered the second brother a formidable rival, but he himself was the thorn in the eldest brother's side.

Let's unite with the second-in-command to counter the leader first, and then we can talk about other things.

(End of this chapter)