Three Kingdoms: A wise grandson, Cao Wei can last for three generations!

"Hua Tuo is Hua Tuo, and you are you." He looked into Zhang Zhongjing's eyes. "I have killed one Hua Tuo, and I cannot harm another Zhang Zhongjing."

Zhang Zhongjing paused for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "Lord Wei, on behalf of all the people of the world, I thank you."

Cao Cao waved his hand: "Don't thank me. I'm not doing this for the people, I'm doing it for myself."

Zhang Zhongjing was taken aback: "For yourself?"

"That's right." Cao Cao walked back and sat down, picked up his teacup and took a sip. "If I were to kill another famous doctor, how would future generations write about me? 'The traitor Cao killed Hua Tuo and then harmed Zhongjing'? I can't bear that kind of shame."

Zhang Zhongjing was stunned. Cao Rui, standing beside him, almost burst out laughing.

Mr. Cao, Mr. Cao, your reason is just too convincing.

True to his word, Cao Cao immediately ordered a clinic to be opened in the East Market of Xuchang, named "Zhongjing Hall." The medicinal herbs came from Cao Cao's residence, and Zhang Zhongjing served as the doctor, charging no consultation fee, only for the medicine. Poor people didn't even have to pay for the medicine; they could simply pay from the inn's account.

When the news spread, the people of Xudu spread the word.

"Have you heard? Lord Wei has invited a legendary physician to treat the poor!"

"Really? When has Lord Wei ever been so kind?"

"How can you say that? Lord Wei has always meant well! It's just that his way of speaking is a bit... unusual."

"Special? You mean the way they killed them?"

"Shh! Keep your voice down!"

On the first day of Zhongjingtang's opening, a long queue formed at the entrance.

Zhang Zhongjing sat in the hall, with a small table in front of him, on which were a writing brush, ink, paper, inkstone, and pulse pillow. He examined patients' pulses, wrote prescriptions, and gave them instructions on precautions, all with meticulous care.

Cao Rui stood by and watched, secretly admiring him. This was the "Medical Sage"—sixty-four years old, yet vigorous and his pulse-taking hand as steady as an iron clamp.

"Master Zhang, how many patients can you see in a day?"

Zhang Zhongjing didn't even look up: "It depends. Light cases are quick, heavy cases are slow. Thirty to fifty a day shouldn't be a problem."

"Are you tired?"

Zhang Zhongjing looked up at him and said, "Tired. But worth it."

Cao Rui nodded and didn't bother him any further.

Zhang Zhongjing treated Cao Cao's headaches for three days and prescribed a formula. It wasn't a magical formula, just a common one to regulate qi and blood and unblock meridians.

"Lord Wei, your headaches cannot be cured in a day or two," Zhang Zhongjing said earnestly, sitting in front of Cao Cao. "What I can do is alleviate your pain and delay the onset of the attacks. To cure them completely is difficult."

Cao Cao nodded: "I know. Just do your best."

After Zhang Zhongjing left, Cao Rui couldn't help but ask, "Grandfather, aren't you worried that he'll end up like Hua Tuo?"

Cao Cao glanced at him: "What are you worried about?"

"I'm worried he'll harm you."

Cao Cao laughed, his laughter deep and resonant: "Rui'er, remember this—if Hua Tuo wanted to split my head open, I would be afraid. But Zhang Zhongjing is merely prescribing a remedy; what do I have to fear?"

Cao Rui: "..."

That makes some sense.

Zhang Zhongjing settled down in Xudu and practiced medicine at Zhongjing Hall every day, leading a fulfilling and peaceful life.

Cao Rui would visit him every few days, bringing some snacks and hot pot base from the heartwarming teahouse. Zhang Zhongjing initially declined, but later got used to it, and each time he would smile and say, "Young master, you've come again?"

"I've come to see you." Cao Rui sat down with a smile. "Lord Zhang, what do you think of Xuchang?"

Zhang Zhongjing thought for a moment and said, "It's better than I imagined."

"What's so good about it?"

"Thank goodness you're here."

Cao Rui was taken aback, his face turning slightly red: "Lord Zhang, please don't praise me, I'm embarrassed."

Zhang Zhongjing smiled, a very gentle smile.

"Young master, I have remembered what you wrote in your letter. 'The Cao family may have wolves and jackals, but it also has kind-hearted people.' You are that kind-hearted person."

Cao Rui chuckled, feeling quite pleased with himself.

In the nineteenth year of Jian'an, another major event occurred.

Xun Yu is ill.

It wasn't a minor illness, but a serious one. He lay in bed, pale-faced, coughing incessantly. Zhang Zhongjing went to see him and said it was due to overwork and required rest.

"My lord, you're exhausted." Zhang Zhongjing sat by the bedside, taking Xun Yu's pulse. "You need to rest properly. Don't stay up all night reviewing documents anymore."

Xun Yu gave a wry smile: "If they don't approve the documents, who will?"

"Let someone else criticize. You're not alone."

Xun Yu shook his head and remained silent.

Cao Rui stood at the door, looking at Xun Yu's pale face, and felt a tightness in his heart.

Xun Yu is fifty-six years old this year. How much longer can he live?

"Master Zhang, is your son's illness serious?"

Zhang Zhongjing glanced at him and lowered his voice: "It's serious in some ways, but not in others. He has a good constitution; with proper rest and recuperation, he can recover in a few months. But if he continues to overwork himself like this—"

He didn't finish speaking, but Cao Rui understood.

Cao Rui walked to the bedside and took Xun Yu's hand: "Lord Xun, you must listen to Zhang Gong and get some rest."

Xun Yu looked at him and smiled slightly: "Alright, I'll listen to you."

Cao Rui felt a warmth in his heart, but he still sensed a hint of weariness in Xun Yu's smile.

That night, Cao Rui sat under the eaves, gazing blankly at the stars. Bixie stood behind him, his back ramrod straight, like a wooden stake.

"Bixie, tell me, why do people have to die?"

Pi Xie thought for a moment and said, "Because Heaven thinks they deserve to die."

"Does Heaven think Lord Xun deserves to die?"

Bixie paused for a moment, then shook his head: "I don't know. But I feel that Lord Xun shouldn't have died."

Why?

"Because he is a good person."

Cao Rui sighed and leaned against a pillar: "Even good people don't necessarily live long."

"But good people die, and people will remember them." Bixie's voice was calm. "Young master, you will remember Lord Xun."

Cao Rui turned to look at him, then suddenly laughed: "You certainly know how to talk."

"I learned it from the young master."

Cao Rui: "..."

This kid's getting sharper and sharper.

Xun Yu was ill for more than a month, but he finally recovered slowly.

Zhang Zhongjing's prescription worked, and with Cao Rui watching over him every day to make sure he drank his medicine, ate, and slept, Xun Yu's health improved day by day.

"Young master, you don't need to come every day." Xun Yu sat on the veranda, holding a bowl of medicine in his hands, and said with a bitter face, "I'm not a child anymore."

"You're harder to please than a child." Cao Rui sat opposite him, his face stern. "At least a child doesn't frown when taking medicine, but you always take it like you're drinking poison."

Xun Yu was momentarily speechless, then smiled wryly and swallowed the medicine in one gulp.

"Master Zhang's prescription is very bitter."

Good medicine tastes bitter.

Xun Yu put down his bowl, looked at Cao Rui, and said gently, "Young master, you've grown up."

Cao Rui was taken aback: "Really?"

"Yes," Xun Yu nodded. "You're taller and stronger than last year. You're also more composed in your speech and actions."

Cao Rui chuckled: "It's all thanks to the excellent teaching of Lord Ling and the other teachers."

Xun Yu smiled, a faint but genuine smile.

"Young master, you must remember this—no matter what happens in the future, always be a good person."

Cao Rui nodded: "Rest assured, my lord, I have remembered."

Xun Yu looked at him, his gaze containing something indescribable.

"Go. Your grandfather is still waiting for you."

Cao Rui stood up, bowed, and turned to leave.

As he reached the door, he glanced back. Xun Yu sat on the veranda, holding the bowl of medicine in his hands, looking at him with a faint smile on his lips.