In times of chaos and famine, I traded one pound of rice for two royal flushes.

"It's not poisoning," Qin Shaolang stood up and announced to everyone.

His voice was calm and resolute, instantly calming the restless hearts of the people.

"I just ate too fast and the food was too oily, and my stomach can't take it."

"Huh? It's...it's that simple?" The woman looked incredulous.

"What do you think?" Qin Shaolang glanced at her. "If you want to live, shut up and do as I say."

He turned to Su Jin.

"Su Jin, have someone boil three large pots of water, the more the better."

"Also, find some healthy people and move all the sick people to an open space to prevent the spread of filth."

"Yes." Su Jin nodded immediately, turned around and began to give instructions loudly.

Her voice was clear and articulate, and surprisingly, it had a calming effect on the chaotic scene.

Qin Shaolang then shouted to Zhao Wu and Wang Tiezhu, "You two, take your torches and baskets and come with me!"

"Where are you going, sir?" Wang Tiezhu asked, looking bewildered.

"Find the medicine!"

Qin Shaolang didn't explain further and turned to walk towards the dense forest behind the valley.

This valley is lush with vegetation; he's sure to find what he needs there.

The most commonly used ingredients for aiding digestion and relieving food stagnation are hawthorn, medicated leaven, and malt.

But these things are not available right now.

However, nature offers many alternatives.

As Qin Shaolang walked, he carefully examined the plants along the roadside by the light of the fire.

"Sir, what are we looking for?" Zhao Wu asked breathlessly as he followed behind.

"Find a shrub that bears red berries and has serrated leaves," Qin Shaolang said without turning his head. "Also, see if you can find any wild radishes and dig up their seeds."

"And collect anything that looks like orange peel."

He was referring to natural alternatives to wild hawthorn, radish seeds, and dried tangerine peel.

These things all have a very strong effect on aiding digestion and relieving stagnation.

Su Jin had arranged everything and followed along, carrying a lantern.

"I'll help too."

Qin Shaolang glanced at her but did not refuse.

One more person means one more bit of strength.

"Sir, is this it?" Wang Tiezhu held up a clump of plants with a few unripe small fruits hanging on it.

Qin Shaolang took it, smelled it, and then used his fingernail to pry open the peel.

"No, this is a wild strawberry, which is slightly poisonous."

He tossed it aside and continued on his way.

He moved quickly and with a clear goal, like a hunter strolling in his own backyard, fully aware of his surroundings.

Su Jin followed behind him, watching him sometimes squat down, sometimes part the grass, and put plants she didn't recognize into the basket.

The mysteries surrounding this man are multiplying.

Who is he?

How could the son of a doctor know so much?

Murder, establishing rules, smoking meat, gathering herbs...

He seems to be omnipotent.

"Found it!"

Qin Shaolang's voice carried a hint of joy.

Not far ahead, a patch of low bushes was covered with clusters of red berries the size of fingernails.

It is a wild hawthorn.

"Quick, pick all these fruits!"

The group immediately took action.

Soon, they found several wild radishes with small purple flowers in another patch of damp land.

Qin Shaolang carefully uprooted them and removed the mature pods from them.

Half an hour later, all three baskets were full.

"That's enough, go back!"

Back at the camp, three large pots of water were already boiling.

The patient's groans continued, but they were no longer as alarming as before.

Qin Shaolang's calmness gave everyone a sense of security.

"Wash the hawthorn berries thoroughly and throw them directly into the pot to boil!"

"Crush the radish seeds with a stone, wrap them in a cloth, and throw them in too!"

"And this tree bark, let's boil it together!"

Qin Shaolang issued orders in an orderly manner.

He brought not only the main medicinal ingredients, but also some auxiliary ingredients to strengthen the spleen and stomach.

Soon, a rich aroma, mixed with sourness and bitterness, filled the valley.

The aroma of the meat was even more reassuring than before.

Another half hour passed, and the medicine was finally ready.

"One bowl for each patient, drink it while it's hot!"

"Good medicine tastes bitter; if you don't want to die, force it down your throat!"

The patients were exhausted from the ordeal, and with the help of their families, they pinched their noses and drank the dark, murky medicine.

Su Tang also carried a bowl of medicine and carefully fed it to the boy who had been examined by Qin Shaolang before.

The little boy took a sip and grimaced at the bitterness.

"Little Tiger, take your medicine and your tummy won't hurt anymore," Su Tang coaxed softly.

Qin Shaolang stood aside, watching all of this.

He didn't speak.

wait.

These are essential qualities that doctors must possess.

It takes about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

"belch--"

A patient suddenly let out a long burp, which released a sour, putrid odor.

His face, which had been contorted in pain, instantly relaxed considerably.

"Huh? It seems...it doesn't seem so congested anymore..."

This burp is like a signal.

Immediately afterwards, a chorus of burps echoed through the crowd.

After a while, some people started clutching their stomachs and running deeper into the woods.

After a series of crackling sounds, the people walked back, leaning on the trees, their faces showing a kind of relief after exhaustion.

"It's connected! It's connected!"

"Oh my god, my stomach doesn't hurt anymore!"

"Mr. Qin is truly a miracle doctor!"

Cheers rose and fell.

Those who were just struggling on the brink of death now looked at Qin Shaolang with the same fervor as if he were a god.

If yesterday's killings instilled fear in them...

Tonight's treatment has completely won them over.

They fear power, but cherish virtue even more.

Who wouldn't support a leader who can provide them with meat and save their lives?

Su Jin looked at the man standing in the firelight, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

She knew that after tonight, no voice in this valley would dare to question any of Qin Shaolang's decisions.

He crowned himself with power in the most direct way.

An elderly man with white hair and beard, supported by his family, walked shakily to Qin Shaolang.

His youngest grandson was the sickest just now; his face had turned blue.

Now, it's jumping and skipping along beside them.

With a "thump".

The old man actually knelt down.

"Mr. Qin, you are like a second parent to us!"

Qin Shaolang frowned and reached out to help him up.

"I'm not a god, I just know a little about medicine. Just be more careful about what you eat in the future."

The old man held his hand tightly, tears streaming down his face.

"We will never forget your great kindness, sir! But... but there is something I have to say, though I'm not sure if I should."

"explain."

A deep worry appeared on the old man's face.

He leaned close to Qin Shaolang's ear, his voice extremely low, as if afraid the mountain spirit would hear him.

"Sir, we have meat and a place to stay, which is a great blessing. But... this is Black Wind Stronghold territory."

"Black Wind Stronghold?" Qin Shaolang's brows furrowed into a knot.

"Yes," the old man's voice trembled, "the most vicious bandits for miles around! Every autumn after the harvest, they come down the mountain to collect 'autumn tribute,' and anyone who disobeys is met with the slaughter of their entire village. With all this commotion here, and all this meat smoked… they… they'll definitely come!"

The old man's words were like a bucket of ice water poured over the valley, which had just begun to warm up.