Chapter 47: then translation of title

The next day.

Li Shimin, as usual, finished morning court and returned to the Hall of the Two Principles to handle memorials.

However, he had barely sat down when Wushe rushed in, panicked, to report: "Your... Majesty, something's wrong."

Just now, the Cai Duke residence sent word, saying, saying......

What are you saying?!

Upon hearing Cai Duke, Li Shimin's expression turned anxious as he rose to his feet.

Cai Duke, namely Du Ruhui, who was as renowned as Fang Xuanling, the two were collectively known as 'Fang's strategies, Du's decisions.'

He was one of Li Shimin's most trusted confidant ministers.

But Cai Duke Du Ruhui had taken sick leave over half a month ago, been resting at home, and still had not attended court today.

Now, upon hearing news from the Cai Duke residence, Li Shimin instantly felt a bad premonition.

Wushe laid his head flat on the ground, trembling as he said: "Cai Duke is critically ill, his life hangs by a thread!"

The imperial physician said, Cai Duke might...... might not survive two days.

Li Shimin staggered upon hearing this, unable to believe it, murmuring: "How could this be, how could this be!"

"Ke Ming...... my Ke Ming!"

As he spoke, Li Shimin's tiger eyes filled with tears.

Du Ruhui, ever since Li Shimin was still the Prince of Qin, was recommended by Fang Xuanling to serve as an assistant officer of the Bureau of Military Affairs, overseeing military personnel and documents.

During Li Shimin's suppression of the separatist forces of Xue Ren'gao, Liu Wuzhou, Wang Shichong, and Dou Jiande, Du Ruhui repeatedly offered ingenious strategies, accruing untold merits.

Later, during the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Du Ruhui risked beheading, disguising himself as a Daoist alongside Fang Xuanling to return to Li Shimin's side.

He devised plans and strategies to help him ascend the throne.

And yet, in the fourth year of the Zhenguan era, news has come that Du Ruhui is critically ill, his life hanging by a thread.

Li Shimin's grief can be imagined!

Wushe hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, I hear Cai Duke suffers daily from the torment of illness; you...... why not go see him?"

His words lifted Li Shimin's spirits a little, and he murmured: "Yes, I will go see Ke Ming, see Ke Ming."

Having said that, he rose, heedless of imperial dignity, and ran out.

"Attendants, prepare...... no, bring me a swift horse!"

"......"

The fully armed Jinwu Guard followed at full speed behind Li Shimin, who rode a white horse, rushing all out to the Cai Duke residence.

Fortunately, the Cai Duke residence is not far from the Imperial Palace, and they arrived quickly.

Li Shimin dismounted and strode straight into the Cai Duke residence.

The two gatekeepers, having seen Li Shimin before, knew he was the Son of Heaven and therefore dared not block him.

They respectfully welcomed him inside.

When Li Shimin entered, he discovered that many people had already gathered inside the Cai Duke residence.

They were Fang Xuanling and others who had just left court and not yet changed out of their official robes, with Du Ruhui's eldest son, Du Gou, standing beside them.

"Your subjects, greet Your Majesty!"

Seeing Li Shimin approach, everyone bowed respectfully.

But Li Shimin had no mind for these formalities; he rushed to Du Gou and asked: "I ask you, how is your father now?"

Mentioning Du Ruhui, Du Gou replied bitterly: "Your Majesty, my father lies ill in bed, and the Imperial Physician is still treating him......"

But the Imperial Physician said his father suffers from an intestinal abscess (chángyōng), already at an extremely severe stage, and......

At this point, Du Gou's voice choked up, and he could not utter the rest.

Intestinal abscess, this ailment, everyone has heard of to some degree.

Those who contract this disease not only endure great torment, but also face an extremely high mortality rate.

If detected early, and treated with potent medicine by a skilled physician, there may be a chance of survival.

Once it reaches the stage of being beyond cure, even immortals would find it hard to save.

Fang Xuanling let out a lament, tears glimmering at the corners of his eyes: "Ke Ming brother, if you depart, I will lose a confidant!"

Changsun Wujì and the other veteran ministers who followed Li Shimin also felt heavy-hearted.

Li Shimin's voice trembled slightly as he said: "Where is Ke Ming? Quickly take me to see him."

"Your Majesty, please follow me!"

Du Gou suppressed his grief, respectfully assented, and led Li Shimin to Du Ruhui's residence.

Fang Xuanling, Changsun Wujì, and the others, seeing this, also followed.

Soon, Du Gou led them to a room and said: "Your Majesty, my father is inside."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin strove to stay calm, but his trembling hand as he pushed the door betrayed his emotions.

Just entering the room, he saw Du Ruhui bare-chested, sweat dripping from his temples, his face contorted in agony, while the Imperial Physician was administering acupuncture to him.

"Ke Ming!"

Seeing Du Ruhui, Li Shimin could no longer hold back his emotions; he rushed to the bedside and burst into tears.

The Imperial Physician hastily stopped his movements, saying: "Your servant, greet Your Majesty."

Du Ruhui forced a faint smile: "Your Majesty...... I am tormented by illness, unable to rise and pay my respects; I hope......"

"Don't say it, Ke Ming; I don't blame you, I don't blame you......"

Gazing at Du Ruhui's emaciated body, Li Shimin's throat tightened, and he could not utter another word.

Behind him, Fang Xuanling's eyes were already red, his fists clenched within his sleeves until they turned white: "Ke Ming brother......"

Even with a thousand words in his heart, when they reached his lips they became only the phrase "Ke Ming brother".

How could Du Ruhui not hear the sorrow and indignation contained in the words 'Ke Ming, brother'?

Facing this old friend who had once recommended him and been his confidant, his heart was a jumble of emotions.

Joy, reluctance, worry, resignation—finally they turned into a soft sigh.

"Brother Fang, and all my fellow officials, I, Du Ruhui, have reached the end of my life; from now on..."

"Your Majesty, you all are the ones I rely on."

The others either sighed heavily or nodded solemnly, each feeling regret for Du Ruhui.

A top strategist of his generation, he ultimately withdrew in gloom under the torment of an intestinal abscess.

How could one not feel regret?

Upon hearing Du Ruhui's words, Li Shimin lost all control of his emotions, tears sliding down his face drop by drop.

"Ke Ming, you've gone—what am I to do?"

"Losing you is no different from losing an arm."

Du Ruhui was deeply moved.

Before his death, a generation's emperor shed tears and wailed for him.

This was undoubtedly the greatest recognition of his achievements.

Du Ruhui gave a weak smile: "Your Majesty, there's no need for this; birth, aging, sickness, and death are the normal course of life. I have lived to such an age, and I have long let go."

"The only regret is that I can no longer assist Your Majesty in witnessing the prosperous age you will create!"

Li Shimin's nails dug deep into his palms; he roared inwardly, trying to suppress the surging emotions, but to no avail.

He suddenly flew into a rage, jumped up, and grabbed the Imperial Physician's collar, shouting, "Tell me, how exactly can we save Ke Ming?!"

"A thousand-year-old ginseng, or perhaps the snow lotus of Tianshan?!"

"If it exists in this world, I will have it all brought to you!"

The Imperial Physician's forehead beaded with sweat as he said anxiously, "Your Majesty, Lord Cai Duke suffers from an intestinal abscess, and his condition is already beyond cure; even medicine cannot help!"

"I don't care!" Li Shimin shouted, "If you cannot bring Ke Ming back, I will have you buried with him!"

As soon as these words were spoken, those around fell silent, fearful of provoking the present emperor.

They understood that the present emperor must not be offended; whoever offends him will die.

Du Ruhui gave a bitter laugh, knowing that even if he tried to persuade, it would be useless.

Because Li Shimin was already on the verge of losing his reason.

Upon hearing Li Shimin's words, the Imperial Physician's legs went weak with fright, "Your Majesty... I, I truly am powerless."

"Then you might as well die!" Li Shimin flew into a rage, "Take him away and behead him at once!"

Now the Imperial Physician panicked completely.

Not long ago, the Imperial Medical Office lost many people because of the affair involving Princess Jinyang.

He never expected that, just two days after that incident, it would be his turn.

In his desperation, the Imperial Physician seemed to recall something and quickly said, "Your Majesty, although I cannot save Lord Cai Duke, I know someone who might be able to save him."

Li Shimin's motion paused, and he demanded sternly, "Who?"

"The Marquis of Weinan, Chen Yan—he knows immortal arts!"

Li Shimin: "......"

"......"