Di Ming

Chapter 87: Initial Recovery from Illness (Please Subscribe)
Hai Rui had dark skin, deep-set features, and an imposing appearance.

No wonder people say he's the reincarnation of Bao Zheng. Just look at his dark skin and appearance—he really does resemble Bao Zheng.

The old man had sunken cheeks, a sickly appearance, and rapid breathing, yet his eyes still held an indescribable strength.

Although he was very weak at this moment, his expression was very calm. It conveyed a sense of acceptance that life and death were preordained.

"Is this the famous Hai Rui?" Zhu Yin and Ning Caiwei both looked at the old man cautiously.

Fearing that his gaze might be too intense, he let the old man pass by.

Logically speaking, doctors should not discuss patients' conditions in front of them, but Hai Rui insisted on not allowing doctors to avoid him, even though they could speak freely in front of him.

Several officials stood before the bed, one of whom looked visibly grief-stricken.

"Your Excellency..." The two imperial physicians stood up together, "Your subordinates are incompetent; Lord Hai's high fever persists, and we've tried several medications..."

The judge waved his hand, sat down to diagnose for a while, his expression bitter and helpless.

There are only a few prescriptions for treating jaundice; if they work, they work; if they don't, there's nothing else you can do.

Even if we prescribe more medicine, we can't prescribe any new medicine.

It seems that Hai Rui's time is up to ten days or half a month, at most a month.

The official, whose expression was sorrowful, said, "The main problem now is that the fever won't go down. If the fever goes down and he recovers some of his strength, there might still be a chance for a turnaround."

Judge Song said, "Your Highness, once jaundice progresses to a critical stage, reducing the fever becomes a major challenge. If the high fever persists, the liver fire will rage..."

"Right now, we can only follow the prescription and see if there is any improvement."

He was actually at a loss. His visit to the Censorate's residence this time was less about treating Hai Rui's illness and more about doing his best to help.

"This old man is incompetent; please forgive me, Lord Hai and Lord Wang..."

Hai Rui waved his hand with difficulty and said in a hoarse voice:

"Judge Song, you've worked hard. As the saying goes, at seventy-three or eighty-four, even the King of Hell won't invite you; you'll go on your own. I'm seventy-three this year, past my seventies. What joy is there in living, and what sorrow in dying... cough cough..."

"Please return, fellow physicians. Ming Shou, I will see you off on my behalf."

The official acknowledged the order and replied, "Yes."

Everyone then withdrew together, leaving only the official, Zhu Yin, and Ning Caiwei behind.

These officials mostly came just to go through the motions.

Hai Rui was a lonely, dying old man; how many of these officials would truly care?
Some people even wished he would die immediately.

But on the surface, it still has to be a show.

Zhu Yin craned his neck and, seeing that everyone had left, looked at Ning Qingchen.

Ning Qingchen then drew words on his palm.

Soon, Zhu Yin understood the situation and felt a great sense of relief.

Hai Rui's illness was very difficult to treat in ancient times.

But for modern doctors, a single dose of antipyretics, a single dose of jaundice-reducing capsules, a single dose of antiviral entecavir, and a single dose of liver-protecting drugs might be enough to get him through this ordeal.

If it doesn't work, then use sofosbuvir.

However, based on Ning Qingchen's judgment, the first option is about 80% feasible.

Just then, the official surnamed Wang finally spoke.

"Children, whose children are you? Why don't you leave? Are you related to Lord Hai?"

Before Zhu Yin could answer, Hai Rui, panting, said:

“Ming Shou, they are here to visit me. These two children care about me.”

Zhu Yin and Ning Caiwei exchanged glances, both somewhat surprised.

As expected of Hai Rui, even in such a state of illness, his eyesight remained so sharp and his mind so clear.

"Father," Zhu Yin bowed with an air of maturity, "I came in with Judge Song. Otherwise, I really wouldn't have been able to get in."

Hai Rui gave a somewhat benevolent smile and said in a weak voice:

"You've been impersonating my juniors, that's why Judge Song brought you in, haven't you? Clever."

"Why are you concerned about my illness? I can see that you two children are sincere."

Zhu Yin said, "To be honest, Father, I heard the elders in the family say that Hai Qingtian is the conscience of the world. If there were more Hai Qingtians, the people's lives would be better."

Hai Rui managed a weak laugh.

He stared at the top of the mosquito net, his eyes unfocused, and said:
"The heart and words of a child are so simple and lovely. I have served as an official for decades, living alone. I never expected that I would be old and sick, waiting to die. I wonder whose children will visit me at my bedside."

"For an old man like me, it may be a little comfort in the setting sun."

His tone was full of emotion.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Yin and Ning Caiwei couldn't help but feel a lump in their throats.

A hero grows old, lying stiffly in a dark room. A renowned minister is about to fade into obscurity.

Historically, with the death of Hai Rui, the corruption of the Ming Dynasty's officialdom was like a wild horse that had completely run out of control.

From then on, the Ming Dynasty court had no one left who dared to be angry, scold, or give a stern warning.

In just a few words and a brief encounter, Zhu Yin realized that Hai Rui was by no means the kind of person who was inflexible, aloof, or pedantic. On the contrary, he was extremely insightful and exceptionally wise.

Indeed, how could someone who leaves a lasting mark on history be an ordinary person? They must be a person of great wisdom and courage, with an unyielding will.

"Dad!"

Zhu Yin's youthful vigor seemed to illuminate the dimly lit hospital room, her clear, childlike voice like a swallow in spring:

"I've come to cure my father's illness. I met a Taoist priest who gave me a rare medicine, saying it could cure jaundice!"

"Now, there's only one last dose of this precious medicine left. If we don't leave it for Father, who else is worthy to use it?"

"Oh?" Although Hai Rui didn't believe it, he was amused. He liked to hear that childish voice; it sounded so young.

He recalled his childhood days herding cattle in Qiongzhou.

"Child, you're a doctor after all."

When Hai Rui was happy, his weak voice became stronger, as if he had been infected by the child's vitality.

The official surnamed Wang glanced at Hai Rui with concern, worried that he might be wasting his energy.

Zhu Yin, acting like a little adult, said in a firm and resonant voice, "I am Zhu Yin, a child, but I do not speak childish words!"

"Whether it can be cured or not, we'll find out with a try!"

Hai Rui looked exhausted, the spark that had just ignited in his eyes dimming again. He shook his pale head weakly on the pillow, trying to catch his breath, and said:
"Zhu Yin? That's a good name. Alas, I suffer from jaundice and am easily afflicted. Don't let yourself be tainted by my illness. You may leave now."

He didn't want to pass on his illness to his children.

Ning Caiwei said, "Is Father afraid to try? Or does he think we want to harm you? Father isn't afraid of death, so why should he be afraid to try?"

"Haha..." Hai Rui laughed again, "Very well, let's give it a try. If the illness passes, then it will be my fault."

Zhu Yin said, "Father, don't worry. The children don't get sick so easily. This jaundice is not tuberculosis."

After saying that, he took out several kinds of medicine.

Hai Rui and the official surnamed Wang couldn't help but exclaim in surprise just by looking at the appearance of the medicine.

"These pills... how can they be so exquisite?"

Hai Rui lived to be over seventy years old and was very knowledgeable, yet he had never seen this kind of medicine before.

Just by looking at the appearance of this drug, he felt that it was something extraordinary.

Perhaps the Taoist priest's medicine really has miraculous effects?

Without hesitation, Hai Rui immediately took several medications under Zhu Yin's care.

For each type of medication, take only one or two tablets.

Ancient people did not develop drug resistance, so they needed much smaller doses of medicine. The effects of their medications were much more immediate compared to modern people.

Shortly after taking the fever-reducing medicine, Hai Rui's fever began to subside!

Once the fever subsides, the patient's condition will improve.

Hai Rui felt much more relaxed, and his energy and spirits had recovered somewhat.

Hai Rui could hardly believe that his health had improved so quickly.

Half an hour later, Hai Rui suddenly sat up.

"Why are you a little hungry? You seem to have an appetite."

Ning Caiwei smiled and said, "It's good that you're hungry! I'll go and make some porridge for you, Father!"

Zhu Yin was also very happy, "Father, your fever has gone down, you must be fine now. That Taoist priest's medicine is indeed amazing."

The official surnamed Wang was both surprised and delighted to see Hai Rui looking much better.

"Lord Hai, this medicine is truly miraculously effective!"

Hai Rui's eyes flashed with a deep light, and he smiled, "The medicine is good, but unfortunately it's the last dose. Once it's used, it's gone."

Zhu Yin chuckled.

Ning Qingchen was also very happy, but could only stare blankly.

I am a doctor!

You stole my credit again!

By the time I grow up, you'll have used up all the medicine, and I'll be considered a quack doctor?

It's tough!

Suddenly, Ning Caiwei's voice came from behind her, sounding alarmed:

"Dad, your rice jar is empty!"

"Even a clever housewife can't cook without rice! How can I make porridge?"

"Hey, Dad, you're a high-ranking official of the second rank, and your rice jar is empty? Isn't that a joke!"

"Hahaha!" Hai Rui couldn't help but burst into laughter. "It's all my fault!"

P.S.: There was a slight mishap, so Chapter 4 is only arriving now. Sorry!

(End of this chapter)