Chapter 755: Esteem

A cup of plain tea, a few people seated before the hall — this is a humble dwelling, yet my virtue makes it fragrant. Though the thatched cottage is small and the courtyard narrow, it is kept immaculately tidy, suffused with a faint fragrance of medicinal herbs.

In the visitors' eyes, Wu Youxing was like a great Confucian scholar, compassionate and sorrowful for the world's suffering. His face bore a gentle smile, like winter sunlight, imparting a mild warmth that also encompassed goodwill, friendliness, kindness, and a whole range of positive sentiments.

He chatted and laughed with everyone, his soft Wu-accented speech revealing the gentle refinement of a Jiangnan man, yet carrying an inner fortitude. When people speak of a gentleman being like jade, this is what they mean.

When the topic shifted from the visiting scholars to his own writings, Wu Youxing could not help but feel proud, and he launched into an impassioned exposition: "Things are transformations of qi; qi is the mutation of things. Between heaven and earth there exists a pestilential qi, also called virulent qi, which is caused by the qi of epidemic disease. This qi differs from pathogenic qi — it does not invade the body's exterior, nor does it enter the interior. It enters through the mouth and nose, and after entering, it lodges halfway between the exterior and interior. I call this the membrane-source."

Speaking of his understanding of pestilence, Wu Youxing grew animated: "The Treatise on Cold Damage speaks of seasonal qi being contagious — qi that appears out of its proper season. Yet in my many years of medical practice, based on actual circumstances, sometimes seasonal qi arises without causing epidemics. Thus the seasonal theory is unconvincing. Whether a person contracts epidemic disease ultimately depends on virulent qi. Once one is exposed to epidemic pestilential qi, both young and old fall ill. This syndrome is neither wind nor cold, neither summer-heat nor dampness, nor any of the six excesses invading from without. Therefore, treating it with methods for externally contracted diseases cannot bring recovery."

The visitors all showed expressions of keen attention, especially the one dressed as a physician, who listened with extreme focus. Somewhat agitated, he asked: "According to you, sir, how should one treat the pathogen of warm pestilence?"

Delighted to have people listen to his "absurd and heretical theories," Wu Youxing had long since regarded them as kindred spirits. Like a child showing off, he continued with great enthusiasm: "Through my painstaking research, I believe that the abnormal qi of heaven and earth infects people and lodges in the membrane-source. From there, it can connect outward to the exterior and penetrate inward to the interior. Ordinary decoctions cannot reach it, so one must guide treatment according to the circumstances."

He said: "Thus I approach it from both the exterior and interior formulas, using nine methods of transmission and transformation to expel the unseasonal qi of the four seasons: exterior-only without interior, exterior-then-exterior-again, interior-only without exterior, interior-then-interior-again, simultaneous exterior-interior transmission, simultaneous transmission followed by further simultaneous transmission, exterior predominating over interior, interior predominating over exterior, first exterior then interior, and first interior then exterior. Supplemented with decoctions, this should be treatable."

He mused: "I once created the Dayuan Decoction to treat warm pestilence, so that the pathogenic qi would quickly break out from the membrane-source and be resolved through both exterior and interior. However, the areca nut in it is produced in Lingnan and is not easy to obtain, so I also created the Sanxiao Decoction…"

He muttered to himself, seeming to fall into some difficult problem. The visitors exchanged glances, and the one dressed as a physician probed: "I have heard that you, sir, have written a great work. Might we be permitted to have a look?"

Wu Youxing was of course willing to have people read his book. He immediately brought out his Treatise on Warm Pestilence from the inner room. The physician-dressed man hastily received it, placed it with great care on the table, and leafed through it, exclaiming in admiration: "Truly a magnificent magnum opus."

As he leafed through it, he discussed it with Wu Youxing, from time to time clapping his hands in approval. The two even engaged in quite heated discussion over several points within. The physician-dressed man further sighed with emotion: "The ancient sages spoke of establishing virtue, establishing merit, and establishing words. With this great work of yours, sir, you may well achieve the three immortalities."

Wu Youxing hurriedly demurred: "You overpraise me, sir. I merely wish to save a few more lives, that is all."

He had never felt so fulfilled as he did today. The painstaking effort of many years had finally received recognition and appreciation from others, and with such respect.

He suddenly recalled a question: aside from the scholar who carried a Jiangnan accent, the other two both had northern accents, yet he had been remiss in not asking where they were from or their purpose in coming. Somewhat embarrassed, he said: "This old man is growing muddled — I have not yet asked my guests…"

The man dressed as a wealthy merchant stood up with a beaming smile and said: "In truth, I will not hide it from you, sir. We have all come from Xuanfu, sent by order of the Marquis of Yongning, specifically to pay a visit to Mr. Wu."

He said: "His Lordship has long known that you, sir, have authored a great medical work, and therefore dispatched us here. Firstly, to discuss the publishing rights, so that the Treatise on Warm Pestilence may be printed as a book to benefit the myriad people. Secondly, to invite you, sir, to come to Xuanfu to jointly pursue the great cause of medicine."

Under Wu Youxing's astonished gaze, he further drew a letter from his sleeve and gave Wu Youxing a meaningful look: "This is a personal message from His Lordship, which is full of praise for your esteemed work."

Unfolding the letter, he slowly read aloud: "The Treatise on Warm Pestilence authored by Mr. Wu, with its systematic differentiation of syndromes forming the guiding principles for treating warm diseases, has pioneered the study of infectious diseases and microbiology in our country. In the world history of medical infectious disease studies, it is an even greater pioneering achievement, and will earn the widespread respect of the world. To Mr. Wu Youxing, I extend my highest esteem. Wang Dou."

Wu Youxing was utterly astonished. Somewhat dazedly, he received the letter and looked at the several lines of bold, flourishing characters upon it, along with the signature and seal below, but could only stare blankly, unable to speak.

Wha… what was going on?

He had heard of the name Wang Dou, Marquis of Yongning, but he was far away in the extreme north of the frontier garrisons, while he himself was in Jiangnan. How did he know of him?

Moreover, although some close acquaintances knew he was writing a book, the three characters for "Treatise on Warm Pestilence" had only been chosen after repeated selection and finalized just two days ago. The Marquis of Yongning… he… he…

Toward this man Wang Dou, an unfathomable feeling arose in his heart.

And Jiangnan was full of tabloids and hand-copied broadsheets. In the past it had been tolerable, with much adulation of Wang Dou, but recently negative reports had increased — talk of arrogance and overbearance, of cruelty and inhumanity, and even of shameless debauchery, that he could not be happy without women every day, that he bedded eight women a night. Wu Youxing, of course, scoffed at all this.

He was a devoted reader of the Xuanfu Times, and what he paid more attention to were the factual reports within, especially matters concerning medicine. He was aware of some of the local sordidness.

He had even heard privately that because the Xuanfu Times had exposed Zheng Zhilong's monopoly of the Great Ming's coastal trade, from which he profited over ten million taels of silver annually, the Zheng clan had flown into a rage and was specifically funding various tabloids to smear Wang Dou, the Marquis of Yongning. In the Jiangnan Times currently being planned in Jiangnan, the Zheng group held a very large stake.

Of course, having read too many tabloids at times, Wang Dou inevitably presented the image of a militaristic warlord in his mind. Yet now…

Wu Youxing did not know what to say. Beyond the unfathomable feeling, there was even a sense of creeping dread.

It was as if a towering figure stood among the clouds — in a single glance, mountains and rivers for ten thousand li, all things under heaven, nothing could escape his eyes.

Yet now Wang Dou had become utterly different in his heart. In particular, although the letter's content was profound and unfathomable, the praise and affirmation it expressed flowed like a gentle stream into the fields of his heart — especially coming with such acclaim from the exalted status of a marquis.

As if all the loneliness and grievances of many years had turned to tears, Wu Youxing said, somewhat choked with emotion: "His Lordship overpraises me. This old man has merely done a physician's duty, that is all."

Even as he said this, his tears continued to fall unceasingly, and his trembling hands clutched the letter even tighter.

The man dressed as a physician showed an envious expression in his eyes. To receive such praise as a physician — one could die without regret.

He could understand Wu Youxing's feelings. In truth, had it been him, he would have already burst into loud sobs.

The man dressed as a wealthy merchant watched Wu Youxing dry his tears and then look over again, seeming to understand his inner thoughts. He smiled and said: "You need not ask, sir. His Lordship is a star deity descended to the mortal world, knowing all above of astronomy and all below of geography, come specifically to save our Great Ming from fire and water. This matter is not strange. Once you have spent time at his venerable side, you will grow accustomed to it."

He said: "Our intention here is to purchase the publishing rights to your great work, sir, for one thousand taels of fine silver. After the book is printed, you, sir, will also receive monthly royalties. Of course, what we hope for even more is that you, sir, can come to Xuanfu to discuss medicine and the joint treatment of pestilential diseases."

Wu Youxing was even more astonished. He murmured: "This… this is far too much…"

In these times, publishing a book required one's own funding. He had only wished for people to read his book and to devote his efforts to the medical path and to patients. Now, suddenly, someone was willing to publish his book — not to mention transmitting it through the ages — and was even dropping one thousand taels of fine silver on his head. He felt instead a sense of trepidation.

He hesitated: "This old man only wishes for the Treatise on Warm Pestilence to be spread among the world, so that more patients will not perish at the hands of epidemic disease. As for this silver…"

The man dressed as a wealthy merchant rose and solemnly bowed: "I earnestly hope you will not decline, sir. His Lordship has also said, this is what you deserve."

」

The other two also bowed in unison: "We earnestly hope you will not decline, sir."

A fierce conflict raged within Wu Youxing. Finally, he clenched his teeth, stamped his foot, and said: "Very well then. This old man will shamelessly and shamefacedly accept."

The man dressed as a wealthy merchant said joyfully: "Then you agree to go to Xuanfu, sir? Excellent!"

He immediately issued a string of orders to the other two: "Quickly, make arrangements, prepare for the sir's departure. Right, the sir's family must also be properly settled…"

Wu Youxing watched, dumbfounded, as the three busied themselves. It seemed… the old man had not yet agreed to that matter, had he?

But he had long been rather drawn to Xuanfu Garrison. That place placed such importance on the medical path. Perhaps, once he arrived there, he could better put his able body to use and devote his efforts to treating patients and epidemic diseases. And the Marquis of Yongning's praise and actions made his heart feel very warm.

He therefore acquiesced by going with the flow, merely calling his apprentice to help him pack up and prepare to set off for Xuanfu.

The medicine-decocting apprentice's eyes went wide: "What'd you say, go to Xuanfu? I hear that place is freezing cold — piss and it freezes into an icicle…"

…

Mid-tenth month of the fifteenth year of Chongzhen, outside Luoyang City.

Dense clusters of tents covered the land on both banks of the Luo River. Great banners of every color bearing the character "Chuang" fluttered and danced, straining furiously in the cold wind.

Li Yan stood quietly, gazing at the ruined city walls and the abandoned land. A look of deep pain flashed through his eyes, and a thought flashed through his mind: "The worry is not poverty but instability. Could it be that I am wrong?"

As early as the battle to seize Luoyang at the end of the thirteenth year of Chongzhen, Li Yan had vigorously urged the Chuang King to secure the Heluo region and contend for the realm, advocating the strategy of the Ming founder — building high walls and storing grain widely.

The Chuang King trusted him greatly and had promised him this. Yet he had let him down.

He and Liu Fangliang, one handling military affairs and the other civil, had opened up farmland and managed operations in Henan Prefecture. Initially there had been results, and they had trained a batch of new troops. But…

Government troops came wave after wave — first Fu Zonglong, then Chen Yongfu, Cao Bianjiao, Wang Tingchen, and then Viceroy Wang Qiaonian. Every time government troops arrived in Henan Prefecture, they burned, killed, and looted, returning the suffering that the "righteous army" had inflicted on the government back onto the heads of the common people in the "base area," time and again.

With such back-and-forth devastation, Henan Prefecture had become a barren wasteland. What was there to speak of managing?

And Li Yan had also deeply experienced the suffering of the government's side. To want a stable environment for farming and settlement — it was far too difficult.

Perhaps what Chief Scout Liu and the others said back then was right — at this stage we should keep moving to control the enemy, and not linger in one place.

Moreover, Henan Prefecture is not a good place for farming either, because it is surrounded by enemies on all sides; one careless moment, and large numbers of government troops will charge in to burn and kill. Not to mention that Sun Chuanting is about to take office — that man is no simple figure.

Among the large crowd beside him, Gu Junen, the strategist who had recently pledged himself to the Chuang King, spoke slowly: "This student requests that Your Highness march south to Huguang and seize Xiangyang..." (To be continued. 'This text is provided by the Dawn Update Team.' If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian ◤Qidian First Release◢ to vote and give monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)