My brothers are all warriors capable of taking on ten thousand men; I'll roam freely in the Thr

June, Shuntian Prefecture.

With just over a month to go before the grand wedding on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the entire city was enveloped in a busy and festive atmosphere.

Every day, carriages and horses streamed past the Grand Marshal's mansion, carrying congratulatory gifts from all over the country: Shu brocade, pearls, jade, ancient books, and even rare treasures from the Western Regions, piled up like mountains.

Xun Yu, who was in charge of domestic affairs, compiled a list of these congratulatory gifts and put them into storage.

Guo Jia, along with Zhou Yu, spent their days working with the master of ceremonies to refine the details of the wedding ceremony.

The emperor presiding over a wedding is no small matter; every step must conform to etiquette while also demonstrating imperial favor.

Meanwhile, eighty miles away in Zhuo County, the renowned Zhuo County First People's Hospital in northern China welcomed a special guest.

At noon that day, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from the main gate of the hospital.

A rider arrived swiftly, carrying a man of about forty years old with a resolute face, fierce eyes, and a short beard that was already streaked with gray.

He held a boy tightly in his arms. The boy was about thirteen or fourteen years old, with a sallow complexion, closed eyes, and a faint breath.

The man dismounted, but his movements were extremely gentle, as if he were afraid of disturbing the child in his arms.

He looked up at the hospital sign, his eyes flashing with anxiety and hope, and strode inside.

"Doctor! Help!"

His voice was hoarse, yet full of energy, drawing the attention of everyone in the courtyard.

The attending physician rushed forward, and seeing the boy's sickly appearance, frowned: "Quickly, to the emergency room!"

The man carrying the boy hurried after them, passing through the front hall and turning into a separate courtyard on the east side.

The environment here is serene and quiet, the corridors are clean, and the air is filled with a faint herbal fragrance and some... more peculiar, slightly pungent smell.

Inside the emergency room, two men dressed in plain white clothes are treating a wounded soldier.

Upon seeing the people carrying it in, one of them put down the weapons he was holding and quickly stepped forward; it was Zhang Zhongjing.

He first checked the boy's breathing, then lifted his eyelids to examine him, his expression gradually turning serious: "A cold has entered the lungs, and prolonged illness has led to tuberculosis. How long has this been going on?"

The man said urgently, "Three years...no, four years! At first it was just a cough, then the fever wouldn't go down. I've seen all the famous doctors in Jingzhou and Nanyang, and taken countless medicines, but I still don't get better! Last month I caught a cold, and now...now I can barely eat or drink anything!"

As he spoke, his tiger-like eyes turned red. This fierce general, who could draw a three-stone bow and behead enemy generals on the battlefield, now resembled a helpless father.

Zhang Zhongjing nodded and instructed his assistant, "Go and invite Mr. Hua here. This illness requires a combination of internal and external treatments."

He then said to the man, "Brave man, please calm down. Although your son's illness is serious, it is not incurable. Our hospital has a new medicine that we may give a try."

The man knelt down with a thud: "Please, divine healer, save my son! Huang Zhong is willing to serve you like a cow or a horse for the rest of his life to repay your great kindness!"

Zhang Zhongjing paused in his work and looked up to examine the object closely.

I was too rushed to observe him closely before, but now I noticed that although the man was covered in dust, he was upright and tall, with broad shoulders and a wide back. His hands, in particular, had large knuckles and thick calluses on the base of his thumbs, marks left by years of wielding weapons and drawing bowstrings.

What's even more remarkable is that although there is anxiety in this person's eyes, there is no panic like that of ordinary people. Instead, there is a calmness honed by the battlefield.

Zhang Zhongjing's heart stirred, but he remained outwardly calm, saying gently, "Please rise, Mr. Huang. It is a doctor's duty; there is no need for such formalities."

He personally conducted a preliminary examination on the boy, Huang Xu.

The pulse is weak and floating, indicating a deficiency of both qi and blood.

"It is indeed a severe case of pulmonary tuberculosis, with unresolved external pathogenic factors of wind and cold," Zhang Zhongjing pondered.

At this moment, Hua Tuo also rushed over upon hearing the news.

Two renowned physicians consulted on the case and quickly determined a treatment plan.

The treatment lasted for a full three hours.

As dusk fell, Huang Xu's high fever finally began to subside, and his breathing became much more stable.

Although still unconscious, his complexion was no longer ashen.

Huang Zhong stayed by his son's bedside, holding his son's cold hand, tears welling up in his eyes.

Zhang Zhongjing washed his hands, walked to his side, and said in a low voice, "Your son's life has been saved for now, but his tuberculosis is deeply rooted and requires long-term care. He will need to be hospitalized for observation for the next year and take his medication on time without interruption."

Huang Zhong nodded repeatedly: "Stay! Stay as long as you like! As long as it saves Xu'er!"

Zhang Zhongjing shook his head slightly: "Does the brave man know that the hospitalization cost is... considerable? The new medicine is a secret formula of the Gewu Academy, and the tonics, ginseng and astragalus, must be of the highest quality. In addition, there are the daily caregivers, meals, and consultation fees... Roughly estimated, the annual cost will probably be more than ten taels of gold."

"Ten gold pieces..." Huang Zhong's face turned pale.

He was originally a military man from Nanyang, who, though brave and strong, had no permanent property.

Over the years, the family has exhausted all their wealth in treating their son's illness. Now they only have a little money left, not even enough to scrape together a single tael of gold, let alone ten.

Zhang Zhongjing observed his expression and understood. He slowly said, "Brave warrior, there's no need to worry. I see you are no ordinary person. Perhaps... you come from a military background?"

Huang Zhong was taken aback, then nodded and said, "To be honest, Divine Doctor, I did serve in the army and was a military officer in Jingzhou. Later, due to my son's serious illness, I resigned and returned home, seeking medical treatment everywhere."

"As expected." Zhang Zhongjing stroked his beard.

"Does this brave warrior know who built this hospital?"

Huang Zhong shook his head: "I've only heard that it was set up by the Grand Marshal of the current dynasty."

"That's right," Zhang Zhongjing said solemnly.

"The Grand Marshal cares for the common people and established this hospital to benefit them. However, the medicinal materials are precious and the cost is high, so he only charges ordinary people a small profit, but he gives preferential treatment to the soldiers in the army."

He paused, then continued, "Now that the court has been newly established and the emperor has gone on a northern expedition to Shuntian, it is the time when people are in need. The Grand Marshal is eager to find talented people, and all those with ability can serve him. If you are willing to serve under the Grand Marshal, you will have a chance to serve the country, and secondly... you can earn money for your son's medical expenses. At that time, you can also get a 70% reduction as a military dependent."

The words were spoken subtly, but the meaning was clear.

Go find Ji Xuanyuan; you can both secure your future and save your son.

More importantly, Zhang Zhongjing said "go to the Grand Marshal's command", not "go to the imperial court" or "go to the emperor's command".

Although Huang Zhong was simple and honest, he was not dull-witted.

He understood the deeper meaning behind the words.

The hospital was built by Ji Xuanyuan, the medicine was provided by Ji Xuanyuan, and the one who is saving his son is ostensibly Zhang Zhongjing, but in reality, it is Ji Xuanyuan.

A life-saving grace should be repaid with boundless gratitude.

Moreover, he already possesses martial arts skills; wouldn't it be a pity to waste his life in seclusion?

Huang Zhong remained silent for a long time, then suddenly stood up and bowed deeply to Zhang Zhongjing: "I understand now, divine physician. I entrust Xu'er to you."

Zhang Zhongjing helped him up: "Don't worry, brave man, your son is here and will be well taken care of, but..."

He looked out the window at the deepening twilight: "This journey to Shuntian is over a hundred li. Will the brave warrior need travel expenses?"

Huang Zhong shook his head and took out an object, a large, slightly worn bow with a dark body and yellowed strings.

"This bow has been with me for twenty years, used to shoot tigers and kill enemies, and has never left my side." He gently stroked the bow arm, a hint of reluctance flashing in his eyes, which then turned into determination.

"If we really reach the end of our rope, we can sell it to get some travel expenses."

Zhang Zhongjing waved his hand, saying, "No need. I have a letter here. Take this letter to the Grand Marshal, and he will surely value you. As for travel expenses..."

He called his assistant, who brought him a small cloth bag containing several strings of five-zhu coins: "These are enough for the journey."

Huang Zhong accepted it, his throat tightening with emotion. He bowed deeply once more, then turned and strode away.

As he reached the door, he suddenly turned back to look at his son, who was still unconscious on the hospital bed. A look of pain flashed in his eyes, but he gritted his teeth and walked out of the hospital without looking back.

In the darkness of night, a lone rider galloped northward.

Huang Zhong carried the large bow on his back and Zhang Zhongjing's letter in his bosom, with only one thought in his mind.

Go to Shuntian, see the Grand Marshal, repay his debt of gratitude, seek a position, and save his son.

Inside the hospital ward, Zhang Zhongjing stood by the window, watching the figure disappear into the night, and sighed softly.

"Why is Zhongjing sighing?" Hua Tuo appeared beside him without him noticing.

Zhang Zhongjing shook his head: "This man is skilled in archery and horsemanship, and has a dignified and imposing demeanor. He must be a valiant general, but unfortunately... he was troubled by his son and wasted half his life."

Hua Tuo laughed and said, "Is it not a fortunate thing to have met an enlightened ruler? The Grand Marshal has gained another great general."

Zhang Zhongjing nodded, but then frowned: "But that child... his tuberculosis is so severe that even penicillin can only control it, not cure it. Whether he can be fully recovered after a year is still unknown."

"Do your best and leave the rest to fate." Hua Tuo patted him on the shoulder.

"You have shown him the way; the rest is up to fate."

The two turned around and continued with their work.

Inside the ward, Huang Xu lay in a deep sleep with a slight frown on his brow, as if calling out to his father in his dream.

Outside the window, the June night breeze, carrying the warmth of summer, swept through the streets and alleys of Zhuojun, past the "Benevolent Heart Saving the World" plaque hanging under the hospital corridor, and towards the city in the north that was preparing for a grand wedding.

In Shuntian City, Ji Xuanyuan was unaware that a peerless archer, capable of slaying Xiahou Yuan in the future, was rushing towards him under the stars and moon.

Chaotic times are like a furnace, forging heroes.

Some are after power, some after fame, and some after righteousness.

Huang Zhong's journey was for just two words.

To repay a debt of gratitude and save his son.