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

The news of penicillin's success in rabbit trials did not bring lasting celebration.

After a brief moment of excitement, the atmosphere in the medical department became even more somber and solemn.

The next step is to cross species boundaries and verify its safety and efficacy in humans.

This first step in human trials is fraught with unpredictable risks, tantamount to risking one's life.

The selection of test subjects is of paramount importance.

After an emergency discussion with Guo Jia, Tian Feng, Ju Shou, and others, and following the ironclad rule previously established by Ji Xuanyuan that "coercion is strictly prohibited and the prisoner must be willing and informed," they selected a qualified death row inmate from the death row.

This man, named Wang Meng, was about thirty years old and a local of Zhuojun. A month ago, he was imprisoned for killing the son of a local powerful man surnamed Liu in the street, and according to the law, he should be executed.

The case was not complicated. A young man surnamed Liu bullied others by humiliating Wang Meng's widowed mother in the street. Wang Meng fought back in anger and accidentally killed her.

After the incident, he neither fled nor hid, but went straight to the county government office to turn himself in.

In the cell, Wang Meng sat on a straw mat with heavy shackles on his hands and feet. His face was rugged, but his eyes were not murky or fierce. Instead, they had a calm that seemed to accept his fate.

When Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing, accompanied by a prison guard, explained their purpose to him, they said that there was a new medicine that could cure the prefect's serious illness, but it had never been used on a human before, and the outcome was uncertain. Volunteers were needed to test the medicine. If they were willing, they could be considered to have redeemed themselves through meritorious service, and their mothers would be able to be cared for for life. Wang Meng nodded heavily without much thought.

"I'm willing!" The voice was hoarse but firm.

Hua Tuo, always straightforward, became suspicious upon seeing the man's quick agreement and asked, "Do you know this medicine is dangerous, perhaps even fatal? You are already destined to die, why suffer this torment?"

Wang Meng raised his head, looked at Hua Tuo, and grinned, revealing a smile that was more like a grimace: "Sir, I, Wang Meng, am a rough man and don't understand any grand principles, but I know that General Ji is a good man, an extremely good man! I killed someone and should pay with my life, that's for sure, but the general knows that I killed to protect my mother. Although he can't spare me the death penalty, he has people take care of me in prison, so I haven't had to suffer those filthy things, and... he even sent people to take care of my mother, providing her with food and shelter, and saying that he will continue to take care of her in the future."

He paused, his eyes reddening slightly. "My mother's eyesight is poor. She used to be bullied by the Liu family. Now... now she can live out the rest of her days in peace. I can die in peace. My life was a gift from heaven. If I can use this wretched life to test medicine for General Ji, and if... if it can really help the general in some way, it's worth it! Even if I die, even if my intestines burst open in three quarters of an hour, I'll accept it!"

Hua Tuo remained silent for a long time after hearing this.

He traveled throughout the prefectures and counties, witnessing the cruelty of too many officials and powerful figures, as well as the misery and apathy of countless common people, but rarely did he see such a situation.

A dying man, instead of harboring resentment towards the prefect who sentenced him to death, felt grateful and was willing to risk his own life for him.

What kind of benevolent policies did Ji Xuanyuan implement in Zhuojun that won the hearts of the people so much?

Zhang Zhongjing was also deeply moved and solemnly said, "We admire your noble character and will do our utmost to act with caution."

The trial was scheduled for the following day in a specially designated, strictly alcohol-sterilized clean room within the medical department.

Despite relatively successful animal data, the biggest unknown risk remains: allergic reactions.

"If the human body resists this substance, it can cause acute illness, such as facial flushing, rapid breathing, and widespread rashes. In severe cases, the throat may swell and cause suffocation, which can take a person's life in an instant," Zhang Zhongjing said with deep concern.

With current technology, it is impossible to manufacture fine needles capable of performing micro-skin tests, let alone control their purity.

"Now that things have come to this, all we can do is try our best and leave the rest to fate," Hua Tuo said with a resolute gaze.

"The dosage must be started with a very small amount and increased slowly, with close observation. All emergency medications and acupuncture needles should be readily available so that immediate treatment can be administered if any changes occur."

This is destined to be an adventure with no way back.

The next day, the atmosphere in the clean room was tense and stagnant.

Wang Meng had already bathed and changed into a clean white lab coat, and was lying on a wooden platform covered with thick cushions.

He remained calm, even casting a curious glance at the strangely shaped glassware around him.

Both Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing had washed their hands with alcohol and were wearing masks.

Hua Tuo held a specially made, rather short and thick glass syringe in his hand.

This was painstakingly crafted, polished, and assembled by artisans. The needle tip was made from an extremely fine silver tube. Although it was far less refined than later works, it represented the limit of what was possible at the time.

The syringe contained a turbid penicillin solution that had been diluted again, containing only about one-tenth the rabbit dose.

"Wang Zhuangshi, I'm asking you one last time: are you willing to give it a try? If you back out now, I won't blame you," Zhang Zhongjing asked solemnly.

Wang Meng grinned: "Sir, come on, I trust you, and I trust General Ji even more."

Hua Tuo said no more and gestured to his assistant to hold Wang Meng's arm still.

He found a relatively clear vein in the elbow crease, carefully wiped it with a cotton cloth soaked in alcohol, then held his breath and slowly inserted the silver needle.

Everyone's heart was in their throat.

The medication was injected into the vein extremely slowly.

Hua Tuo was completely focused, feeling the resistance as he injected the medicine, and observing Wang Meng's expression and skin changes.

Zhang Zhongjing kept a close eye on Wang Meng's breathing and complexion, his fingers already resting on the pulse of Wang Meng's other wrist.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths...

Wang Meng initially only felt a slight coolness in his arm, followed by a mild swelling and pain.

He blinked, showing no other discomfort.

After a short while, Wang Meng's breathing became steady, his complexion remained normal, and although his pulse was slightly rapid due to tension, it was still rhythmic and strong.

"No rash, no shortness of breath, no abnormal complexion," Zhang Zhongjing reported in a low voice.

Hua Tuo breathed a slight sigh of relief, but dared not be careless: "Observe for an hour. If there are no problems, try a slightly larger dose."

An hour passed in agony.

Wang Meng even yawned, somewhat bored.

Apart from some slight redness and swelling at the injection site, there were no other issues during the treatment.

The second time, the dosage was increased to one-fifth of the rabbit dosage.

Recommended bet.

observe.

One hour.

Everything is still peaceful.

The third time, the dosage was close to half of the therapeutic dose for rabbits.

The air in the clean room was almost solidified.

This is the most crucial test. If the human body can tolerate this dose without serious adverse reactions, then at least it shows that the drug has undergone preliminary human validation in terms of safety.

Hua Tuo's hands remained steady, but fine beads of sweat were visible on his forehead.

Zhang Zhongjing could clearly feel Wang Meng's pulse beating with his fingertips; it was steady and strong.

Medication injection.

Time passed by, second by second.

Wang Meng remained calm at first, but after about half an incense stick's time, he suddenly frowned and whispered, "I feel a little... dizzy, and my body is a little itchy."

Everyone tensed up instantly. Hua Tuo almost shouted "Stop!" while Zhang Zhongjing quickly examined Wang Meng's entire body.

"There is indeed mild urticaria, scattered on the front and back of the chest," Zhang Zhongjing said urgently.

"Pulse slightly increased, breathing still stable."

Is this an early sign of an allergic reaction?

Or is it just a normal, transient reaction?

Don't panic.

Hua Tuo forced himself to remain calm and quickly said, "Fetch the spare licorice and mung bean soup! Prepare the golden needles!"

The medicine was quickly poured into Wang Meng's mouth.

Hua Tuo held golden needles, hovering them over several key acupoints on Wang Meng, ready to insert them at any time.

Another quarter of an hour passed, which felt like an extremely long time.

Wang Meng's rash did not spread further; instead, it showed signs of fading, and his dizziness gradually lessened.

"Itchy... seems a little better," Wang Meng said to himself, his voice weak but his mind clear.

The tension in everyone's hearts eased slightly.

This is most likely just a mild, tolerable anaphylactic reaction, rather than a fatal anaphylactic shock.

Then came two more hours of close surveillance.

Wang Meng's rash completely subsided, and he experienced no further discomfort.

He even asked for some water to drink, which helped him regain his energy.

"It's done..." A young student couldn't help but cheer softly, but was immediately stopped by Hua Tuo's stern gaze. However, the joy was already overflowing in everyone's eyes.

Although no efficacy trials were conducted, Wang Meng survived all three consecutive injections with increasing doses, experiencing only one mild and self-limiting reaction. This is sufficient to prove that this crude penicillin extract has taken a crucial step in improving human tolerance!

Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing exchanged a glance, both seeing in each other's eyes a sense of relief mixed with exhaustion and indescribable excitement.

This step was both incredibly difficult and incredibly lucky!

"Immediately record the entire process, reaction details, and dosage data in detail!" Zhang Zhongjing's voice trembled.

"Wang Zhuangshi needs to remain in isolation for three more days, with daily check-ups. If there is no recurrence..."

He turned to Hua Tuo, a new flame of hope igniting in his eyes: "Master Yuanhua, perhaps... we really can try to treat Prefect Ji."

Hua Tuo nodded heavily, his gaze fixed on the direction of the prefect's residence.

Next, this still-rough "hope," obtained through a near-death experience, was used on the young prefect who was terminally ill but held the future of countless people in his hands.

But at least, a ray of hope has pierced through the thick clouds, casting a real and tangible sliver of light.