Three Kingdoms: Fusion of Entries, Change of Destiny

Chapter 203 Finally, the Divine Physician Hua Tuo was Found
Cao Yan stopped Xiahou Lan, who was eager to try, and said, "They have come from afar, so let them rest first."

Afterwards, Cao Yan invited Taishi Ci into the main hall and ordered tea to be served before asking, "Ziyi, did you come here today with the intention of joining my army?"

Taishi Ci picked up his teacup, took a sip, and put it down before slowly saying, "I received a letter from the general at home, and the words in the letter deeply moved me."

Furthermore, the general mentioned the matter of Physician Hua. Ci's elderly mother is suffering from an illness, and it would be a great blessing if she could be treated by Physician Hua.

Therefore, Ci came to Chenliu specifically to see the general and see if it was as the general had described in his letter.

Cao Yan nodded slightly and looked at Taishi Ci, saying, "Ziyi, you can rest assured that everything I have said is true."

In this time of great chaos, heroes emerge in great numbers. It would be a great pity if a hero like Ziyi were to be buried in obscurity.

"I sent people to search for Dr. Hua long ago, and I believe news will surely come back soon."

Upon hearing this, Taishi Ci clasped his hands and said, "Since the general has such a kind intention, I am deeply grateful. However, there is one thing I do not understand: why does the general value me so highly?"

Cao Yan laughed and said, "I have long heard of Ziyi's bravery in breaking through the siege to rescue Beihai. My elder brother has always cherished the ambition to restore the Han Dynasty, and he needs the assistance of a loyal and brave man like Ziyi."

Taishi Ci pondered for a moment and said, "I appreciate your kind offer, General. However, my mother is far away in Donglai. Right now, I only wish to let her live out her old age in peace before making any further plans."

Cao Yan nodded in understanding, but then said, "What's so difficult about that? I can immediately send someone to Donglai to bring your mother to Chenliu. We can make a decision after the family matters are settled."

Taishi Ci had only intended to test the waters, but he hadn't expected the other party to be so thoughtful, and for a moment he hesitated: "My mother is ill and may not be able to withstand the long journey..."

"It's alright," Cao Yan said with a gentle smile. "I will send two physicians to accompany you. If Ziyi is worried, he can also escort you himself."

Seeing that the other party had even planned out the details, Taishi Ci could no longer refuse. So he rose, knelt on one knee, and said, "Taishi Ci is willing to serve Lord Cao, even unto death!"

"Then I will accept this on behalf of my elder brother!" Cao Yan happily helped Taishi Ci up, and then said to Cao Ang, "Zixiu, quickly order someone to prepare a banquet tonight to welcome Ziyi back!"

"I'll go right now!" Cao Ang turned and walked out of the hall.

"My lord, is it baijiu?" Dian Wei asked, rubbing his hands together.

"Of course, can you still drink other kinds of alcohol?"

"That's wonderful! I'll go prepare the feast for the young master!" Dian Wei laughed heartily and followed Cao Ang away quickly.

……

When the Eagle Guard was first established,

Cao Yan then instructed Xi Zhicai to have his spies keep an eye out for the whereabouts of the legendary physician Hua Tuo while gathering intelligence.

Nearly two years have passed since then.

Yizhou, Bazhou County.

Zhao Yu and Sun Yi, two spies from the Eagle Guard, arrived at a mountain village.

They were both dressed as ordinary businessmen, claiming they were there to buy rare medicinal herbs.

Upon reaching a large mountain, Sun Yi pulled out a hastily drawn, rudimentary map from his pocket. This was a route map he had paid a hunter in a mountain village to draw.

Although it's rudimentary, without this thing, they probably wouldn't have been able to get out of the mountains once they entered.

Not long after they entered the mountains, they were very fortunate to encounter an old man returning from chopping wood.

Zhao Yu stepped forward and very politely inquired about Hua Tuo's whereabouts.

The two, who hadn't held out much hope, heard the old man speak in a Sichuan accent: "Half a month ago, I saw an old immortal gathering herbs near Eagle's Beak Cliff. I wonder if he's the person you're looking for."

The two exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with surprise and delight. Sun Yi quickly pulled out half a silk painting from his pocket. The edges of the painting were worn smooth and almost shiny. It was a depiction of Hua Tuo's appearance, commissioned by Xi Zhicai based on legends.

The figure in the painting has a broad forehead and square jaw, a long beard reaching his chest, and a large basket on his back, yet this does not diminish his otherworldly and ethereal aura.

"Grandpa, take a look, is this what he looks like?" Sun Yi asked, handing the drawing to the old man.

"It's him! I almost thought I'd met a god!" the old man said with certainty after just one glance.

Zhao Yu took out two taels of silver from his sleeve, stuffed it into the old man's hand, and said, "Old man, can you take us to Eagle Beak Cliff?"

Two taels of silver were enough for the old man's family to live on for two months.

The old man immediately patted his chest and said, "No problem, Eagle Beak Cliff is only ten miles from here, I'll take you there!"

The three of them set off immediately.

However, the mountain roads in Sichuan are treacherous and rugged, with thick fog and numerous poisonous insects, snakes, ants, and even wild beasts.

Under the old man's guidance, Zhao Yu and Sun Yi proceeded cautiously.

Although it was only ten miles, it took them a full two hours to walk there.

Finally, after rounding a huge rock, the old man pointed to the towering cliff ahead and said, "Gentlemen, Eagle Beak Cliff is just ahead!"

Zhao Yu and Sun Yi were quite lucky.

As they looked up, they saw an old man in a blue robe kneeling in front of a pile of decaying leaves near the cliff.

The old man held an iron shovel in his right hand, carefully digging away the decaying leaves and then the soil, while in his left hand he held an unknown herb.

After searching for almost two years, I finally see hope.

Sun Yi was anxious and didn't care about anything else. He quickly came up behind Hua Tuo and asked, "May I ask if you are the divine physician Hua Tuo?"

Hua Tuo was startled by the sudden sound, and his left hand trembled involuntarily, breaking the medicinal herb in two.

"Oh dear!!" Hua Tuo immediately bent over and lay prostrate on the ground, his face full of regret, muttering to himself, "It's broken, it's broken!"

Sun Yi walked up to Hua Tuo, unfolded a silk cloth, and carefully compared the person in front of him.

After a moment, he confirmed, "Yes, it's him!"

Without further hesitation, the two immediately stated their purpose: "Zhao Yu and Sun Yi, under the command of the Military Advisor of Yanzhou, are here on the orders of the Military Advisor to request that you, sir, come to Yanzhou."

Hua Tuo ignored Zhao Yu and Sun Yi, and dug out the roots of the medicinal herbs from the soil, then carefully put them into the vine basket along with the herbs in his hand.

Then, he slowly stood up, gently patted the dirt off his knees, and asked, "I am but a humble hermit, what merit or ability do I have to trouble the High Priest to summon me?"

Sun Yi quickly explained, "My family's chief minister is in poor health. He has long heard of your extraordinary medical skills, so he would like to invite you to Yanzhou to treat him."

"Hehe... High-ranking officials and nobles have always looked down on us country folk doctors. Please don't make fun of this old man. Farewell." After saying this, Hua Tuo turned around and was about to leave.

In fact, Hua Tuo also had ambitions for fame and officialdom when he was young.

However, as a doctor, his status was only slightly higher than that of a merchant; he was no different from an ordinary craftsman.

When Hua Tuo was treating high-ranking officials and nobles, he was met with a lot of cold looks and ridicule. Disheartened, he went into seclusion in the mountains and devoted himself to studying medicine and medicinal herbs.

Upon hearing that an official had specifically sought him out for treatment, Hua Tuo naturally lost interest and didn't want to go and make things awkward for himself.

(End of this chapter)