Chapter 237

Hu Xiaotian's plan was to feign illness. His acting was decent, but to truly pull off the act of pretending to be sick convincingly, he still lacked the finesse, making it easy for an experienced doctor to see through. Fortunately, he still had some laxatives on hand; if not compelled, he wouldn't have taken them voluntarily. After taking the laxatives, they took effect quickly, and Hu Xiaotian began to vomit and suffer diarrhea.

Thus translation:

Hu Xiaotian's method was to feign illness; his acting was not bad, but to truly achieve the effect of faking it realistically still lacked some practice, making it easy for an experienced doctor to see through. Fortunately, among his belongings he still had some laxatives; if not forced, he would not voluntarily take laxatives. After taking the laxatives, it didn't take long for them to work, and Hu Xiaotian began to vomit and have diarrhea.

We need to keep it as one line.

Now check for any missing nuance:...

Now line 【2】:

【22】

Translate:

Originally the two guards thought he was faking it, but seeing his condition didn't look like pretence, they hurried to report to Li Honghan. Li Honghan, upon hearing that Hu Xiaotian had suddenly fallen ill, first thought this guy was feigning illness, but hearing from the guards that Hu Xiaotian was indeed sick, now still squatting in the outhouse, having been reduced to half his life.

We need to keep meaning:...

Now line 【3】:

【32】

Translate: Li Honghan hurriedly had someone fetch a doctor.

Now line 【4】:

=> 【32】 In the middle of the night, the guards fetched a doctor from nearby. The doctor observed Hu Xiaotian's sallow complexion and lack of energy, asked him to stick out his tongue to examine the coating, and then took his pulse.

Translate: The guards, in the middle of the night, fetched a doctor from nearby; the doctor saw Hu Xiaotian's complexion sallow and weak, had him stick out his tongue to examine the coating, then took his pulse.

Now line 【5】:

【44】

Translate: Hu Xiaotian weakly said: "I might have eaten something bad; it's nothing serious, just rest a bit."

Now line 【6】:

=> 【44】 Li Honghan said, "We're all eating together tonight—why do I have nothing to do?"

Translate: Li Honghan said: "We were all eating together tonight; why am I unaffected?"

Now line 【7】:

【56】

Translate: The doctor said: "Think carefully—did you recently eat anything unclean, or encounter anything unusual?" The doctor followed the direction he pointed and saw that the bowl still held half a bowl of water, with a few grains of mouse dung floating in it. Those grains of mouse dung were picked up by Hu Xiaotian from the corner of the wall and had become one of his props for feigning illness.

Now line 【8】:

=> 【56】 Li Honghan clearly saw, "It's mouse droppings; perhaps you drank unclean water, which is why you got sick."

Translate: Li Honghan saw clearly: "So it's mouse dung; perhaps you drank unclean water, which made you sick."

Now line 【9】:

【68】

Translate: Hu Xiaotian exclaimed in alarm: "Mouse dung……could I have contracted the plague?"

Now line 【10】:

=> 【68】 When they heard the word "plague," several people's faces changed instantly. Seventy years ago, Xiezhou suffered a plague outbreak that killed nearly all its residents, leaving corpses strewn across the fields—a scene of utter devastation. Only after the court sent medical officials was the epidemic contained, and to this day the locals still turn pale at the mention of plague.

Translate: Upon hearing the two words "plague", several people immediately changed expression. Seventy years ago, Xiezhou had experienced a plague; at that time, almost all residents of Xiezhou City died, corpses littered the fields. The scene was one of utter devastation; later, thanks to the court dispatching medical officials, the epidemic was brought under control, and even now the locals of Xiezhou still turn pale at the mention of plague.

Now line 【11】:

【80】

Translate: The doctor was also a little frightened, stepping back, but Hu Xiaotian grabbed him: "Doctor, do I have the plague?" Before he finished speaking, the water he had just drunk sprayed out, drenching the doctor. The doctor's face turned pale with fright. He hurriedly broke free of Hu Xiaotian's hand and walked out. The doctor fell to his knees with a thud, saying: "General Li, I am merely an ordinary doctor, ignorant and inexperienced; I truly cannot tell what illness this young master has. General, please seek a more capable physician."

Now line 【12】:

=> 【80】 Li Honghan asked, "Within Xiezhou city, who has the highest medical skill?"

Translate: Li Honghan said: "Within Xiezhou City, whose medical skill is the highest?"

Now line 【13】:

【92】

Translate: "One should recommend the Divine Physician of Xichuan, Mr. Zhou Wenju."

Now line 【14】:

=> 【92】 Hu Xiaotian deliberately drew everyone's attention, making them suspect he had the plague. Shortly after arriving in Western Sichuan, he heard about the plague that had struck Xiezhou seventy years earlier, knowing that the locals still harbored lingering fear. This lie worked effectively; without much effort, he drove the doctor away. Even Li Honghan kept his distance. Although it's not certain whether Hu Xiaotian actually had the plague, everyone could clearly see the mouse droppings in the bowl. His method was psychological suggestion. Originally, no one thought that way, but after his prompting, everyone suspected Hu Xiaotian might have the plague.

Translate: Hu Xiaotian deliberately guided everyone's attention, making them suspect he had the plague. Shortly after arriving in Xichuan, he had heard that Xiezhou had suffered a plague seventy years prior, knowing that the locals still harbored lingering fear; this lie indeed worked, and without much effort he drove that doctor away. Even Li Honghan kept his distance. Although it cannot yet be confirmed whether Hu Xiaotian truly has the plague, everyone clearly saw the mouse dung in the bowl. This method of his is psychological suggestion. Originally no one thought that way, but after being led by him, everyone suspected Hu Xiaotian might have contracted the plague.

Now line 【15】:

【104】

Translate: No one would risk their own life, so the doctor fled in fright. Upon learning that Hu Xiaotian might have contracted the plague, Li Honghan also immediately retreated three li, seeing no reason to endanger himself for Hu Xiaotian; moreover, he originally only wanted to use Hu Xiaotian as a pawn to blackmail Hu Buwei.

Now line 【16】:

=> 【104】 The two guards assigned to watch Hu Xiaotian could not leave; they had to stay outside the door. They somehow got hold of two pieces of white cloth to cover their mouths and noses. Although it wasn't very effective, it at least gave them an extra sense of security.

Translate: The two guards tasked with watching Hu Xiaotian could not leave; their duty required them to stand guard outside the door. They somehow obtained two pieces of white cloth to cover their mouths and noses. Although it was of little use, an extra layer of protection at least gave them peace of mind.

Now line 【17】:

【116】

Translate: In the dead of night, the Divine Physician of Xichuan, Zhou Wenju, was summoned from his home. After the Shajia envoy entered the city today, the whole of Xiezhou became heavily guarded, the air unusually tense. The onlookers see clearly while the authorities are confused; conversely, the ordinary people residing in Xiezhou cannot make sense of what is happening.

Now line 【18】:

=> 【116】 Zhou Wenju also couldn't sleep tonight; hearing some rumors during the day had left him agitated, and he was planning to wait until dawn to go to Yang Daoquan's place to get to the bottom of things. He owed Yang Daoquan a life-saving favor, and expected Yang Daoquan would be frank with him.

Translate: Zhou Wenju also couldn't sleep all night; having heard some rumors during the day, his mood was agitated, and he was planning to wait until dawn to go to Yang Daoquan's place to get to the bottom of things. He owed Yang Daoquan a life-saving favor, and expected Yang Daoquan would be frank with him.

Now line 【19】:

【128】

Translate: In the middle of the night, Yang Daoquan sent someone to summon Zhou Wenju, merely saying there was an important patient to see, without specifying who was ill.

Now line 【20】:

=> 【128】 By the time Zhou Wenju arrived in his carriage at the Heavenly Palace residence, he already understood that the patient must be an important figure; he had Zhou Xing carry the medicine box, then he himself got out of the carriage.

Translate: When Zhou Wenju arrived in his carriage at the Tianfu Temporary Palace, he already understood that the patient must be an important figure; he had Zhou Xing carry the medicine box, then himself got out of the carriage.

Now line 【21】:

【140】

Translate: Following the guards to the western courtyard, he found the two gate guards both covering their mouths and noses with white cloth. Zhou Wenju immediately sensed the situation was dire; he also took out a mask from the medicine box, a mask that Hu Xiaotian had taught him to make while in Qingyun County, which works far better than covering the mouth and nose with a handkerchief.

Now line 【22】:

=> 【140】 The two guards pointed inside the room, and Zhou Wenju signaled Zhou Xing to wait outside, for if the patient had a contagious disease, the fewer people who entered, the lower the chance of transmission.

Translate: The two guards pointed into the room; Zhou Wenju signaled Zhou Xing to wait outside, for if the patient had a contagious disease, the fewer people who entered, the lower the chance of infection.

Now line 【23】:

【152】

Translate: Zhou Wenju pushed the door open and entered; by candlelight he looked at the patient on the bed. Upon seeing the patient's face clearly, he was stunned on the spot. Zhou Wenju never expected Hu Xiaotian to appear here, nor did he imagine that this young healer, whose medical skill in his mind bordered on the miraculous, would himself be ill.

Now line 【24】:

=> 【152】 Hu Xiaotian feigned illness and led everyone to suspect he had the plague. One aim was to scare people away, making them keep their distance; another was to lure Zhou Wenju to come and treat him. Zhou Wenju was in Xiezhou, renowned as the top divine doctor of Western Sichuan; for problems that ordinary doctors couldn't solve, nine out of ten would think of him. Hu Xiaotian believed he still had some use value at present; his brother‑in‑law Li Honghan could not possibly ignore him and let him fend for himself. Of course he wasn't entirely sure of this, but for now it seemed fate was on his side, and indeed they managed to summon Zhou Wenju.

Translate: Hu Xiaotian feigned illness and led everyone to suspect he had the plague; one purpose was to scare people away, making them keep their distance from him; another was to lure Zhou Wenju over to treat him. Zhou Wenju was present in Xiezhou, famed as the Divine Physician of Xichuan; for problems that ordinary doctors couldn't solve, nine out of ten would think of this person. Hu Xiaotian believed he still had some utility at present; his brother-in-law Li Honghan could not possibly ignore him and let him fend for himself. Of course he had no certainty about this, but circumstances had favored him, and they had indeed summoned Zhou Wenju.

Now line 【25】:

【164】

Translate: Seeing Zhou Wenju truly summoned, Hu Xiaotian, though he had long anticipated this, was still overjoyed; although pleased, Hu Xiaotian nevertheless kept a clear mind. Though he and Zhou Wenju were comrades-in-arms, he knew better that Zhou Wenju's relationship with Yang Daoquan was extraordinary. Moreover, personal ties count for nothing before political stance; if Zhou Wenju also supported the Xichuan Li clan, or had already become a member of the rebel forces, any hope of seeking help from him would surely come to naught.

Now line 【26】:

=> 【164】 But now, Hu Xiaotian had no better option; he had to take a chance.

Translate: But by now, Hu Xiaotian had no better option; he had no choice but to take a risk.

Now line 【27】:

【176】

Translate: Zhou Wenju exclaimed in surprise: "Sir Hu, when did you arrive in Xiezhou, and how did this happen? What illness has struck you so severely?" He removed his mask and came to sit by the bed.

Now line 【28】:

=> 【176】 Hu Xiaotian calmly smiled and said, "People eat grains; who doesn't get sick?"

Translate: Hu Xiaotian smiled calmly: "Who eating grains and legumes doesn't get sick?"

Now line 【29】:

【188】

Translate: Zhou Wenju asked: "What illness does Sir Hu have?" In his view, Hu Xiaotian's medical skill is superb, so he naturally knows what ailment he suffers from.

Now line 【30】:

=> 【188】 Hu Xiaotian said, "Doctors don't treat themselves; please, Mr. Zhou, take my pulse."

Translate: Hu Xiaotian said: "Doctors do not treat themselves; please, Mr. Zhou, take my pulse."

Now line 【31】:

【200】

Translate: Zhou Wenju nodded, had Hu Xiaotian place his wrist on the bed, and his fingers gently rested on Hu Xiaotian's pulse point. After about the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, Zhou Wenju slowly stroked his beard and said softly: "It's merely ordinary diarrhea." Although Hu Xiaotian's temperature and pulse were somewhat abnormal, they were by no means serious.

Now line 【32】:

=> 【200】 Hu Xiaotian said, "They all say I have the plague."

Translate: Hu Xiaotian said: "They all say I have the plague."

Now line 【33】:

【212】

Translate: Zhou Wenju smiled: "Sir Hu should be clear about his own condition."

Now line 【34】:

=> 【212】 Hu Xiaotian said, "Mr. Zhou, how is the situation outside?"

Translate: Hu Xiaotian said: "Mr. Zhou, how is the situation outside?"

Now line 【35】:

【224】

Translate: Zhou Wenju pursed his lips: "Rumors are rampant; I too cannot tell what is true and what is false. Sir Hu, why have you come to Xiezhou?"

Now line 【36】:

=> 【224】 Hu Xiaotian said, "I came to escort Prince Zhou and the Shajia envoy."

Translate: Hu Xiaotian said: "I was escorting Prince Zhou and the Shajia envoy here."

Now line 【37】:

【236】

Translate: Zhou Wenju's brow twitched.

Now line 【38】:

=> 【236】 Hu Xiaotian suddenly grabbed Zhou Wenju's wrist with a reverse grip and whispered, "Mr. Zhou, what have you heard?"

Translate: Hu Xiaotian suddenly reversed his grip, seizing Zhou Wenju's wrist, and whispered: "Mr. Zhou, what have you heard?"

Now line 【39】:

【248】

Translate: Zhou Wenju said: "I have heard that the emperor will pass the throne to the great crown prince, and also that Grand Marshal Li has risen in revolt with his troops; today the people of Xiezhou are panic-stricken, but without official news, no one dares to be certain."

Now line 【40】:

=> 【248】 Hu Xiaotian said, "If the rumors are true, Mr. Zhou, what will you do?"

Translate: Hu Xiaotian said: "If the rumors are true, Mr. Zhou, what will you do?"

Now line 【41】:

【260】

Translate: Zhou Wenju pursed his lips: "I, Zhou, am merely a commoner; though I do not concern myself with worldly affairs, I know that I am a subject of Dakang, and the principle of loyalty to the sovereign and love for the country is known even to peddlers and foot soldiers; how could I be unaware? If the rumors are true, I will certainly not linger in Xichuan." He spoke these words decisively, without hesitation.

Now line 【42】:

=> 【260】 Hu Xiaotian continually watched Zhou Wenju's expression, deducing from it that Zhou Wenju's words were utterly sincere; he nodded and lowered his voice, saying, "Mr. Zhou, save me!"

Translate: Hu Xiaotian continually observed Zhou Wenju's expression; from his expression he inferred that Zhou Wenju's words were utterly sincere; he nodded and lowered his voice: "Mr. Zhou, save me!"

Now line 【43】:

Now produce each line.

Originally the two guards thought he was faking it, but seeing his condition didn't look like feigning, they hurried to report to Li Honghan. Li Honghan heard that Hu Xiaotian had suddenly fallen ill; his first reaction was also that this bastard was feigning illness, but hearing the guards say Hu Xiaotian was indeed ill, now still squatting in the latrine, having defecated until only half his life remained.

Li Honghan hurriedly had someone fetch a doctor.

The guards fetched a doctor from nearby in the middle of the night. The doctor saw Hu Xiaotian's sallow complexion and lack of strength, had him stick out his tongue to examine the coating, then took his pulse.

Hu Xiaotian weakly said: 'I might have eaten something bad; it's nothing serious, just rest and I'll be fine.'

Li Honghan said: 'We all ate together tonight; why am I unaffected?'

The doctor said: 'Think carefully—did you eat anything unclean recently, or encounter anything unusual?' The doctor followed the direction he indicated and saw that the bowl still held half a bowl of water, with a few grains of mouse dung floating in it. Those grains of mouse dung were picked up by Hu Xiaotian from a wall corner and had become one of his props for feigning illness.

Li Honghan saw clearly: 'So it's mouse dung; perhaps you drank unclean water, which made you sick.'

Hu Xiaotian exclaimed in alarm: 'Mouse dung……Could I have contracted the plague?'

Upon hearing the two words 'plague,' everyone's faces changed at once. Seventy years ago, Xiezhou suffered a plague outbreak; at the time, nearly all the city's residents died, corpses littered the fields. The scene was one of utter devastation; only after the court dispatched medical officials was the epidemic brought under control, and even now the locals of Xiezhou still turn pale at the mention of plague.

The doctor was also a little frightened, stepping back a pace, but Hu Xiaotian grabbed him: 'Doctor, do I have the plague?' Before he could finish, the water he had just drunk sprayed out, drenching the doctor. The doctor's face turned pale. He hurriedly broke free and rushed outside. The doctor fell to his knees with a thud, saying: 'General Li, I am merely an ordinary doctor, my knowledge is shallow; I truly cannot tell what illness this young master has. General, please summon someone more capable.'

Li Honghan said: 'Within Xiezhou city, whose medical skill is the highest?'

'It must be the divine physician of Xichuan, Mr. Zhou Wenju.'

Hu Xiaotian deliberately drew everyone's attention, making them suspect he had the plague. Shortly after arriving in Xichuan he had heard of Xiezhou's plague seventy years prior, knowing the locals still harbored lingering fear, this lie proved effective; without much effort he drove that doctor away. Even Li Honghan kept his distance, though it was not yet certain whether Hu Xiaotian truly had the plague, but everyone could clearly see the mouse dung in the bowl. Hu Xiaotian's method was psychological suggestion. Originally no one thought that way, but after his prompting, everyone suspected Hu Xiaotian might have contracted the plague.

No one would risk their own life, so the doctor fled in fright. Upon learning that Hu Xiaotian might have contracted the plague, Li Honghan immediately retreated three leagues, seeing no reason to endanger himself for Hu Xiaotian, especially since he originally only wanted to use Hu Xiaotian as a pawn to blackmail Hu Buwei.

The two guards tasked with watching Hu Xiaotian could not leave; their duty required them to stand guard outside the door. They somehow obtained two pieces of white cloth to cover their mouths and noses. Though it was of little use, an extra layer of protection at least gave them peace of mind.

At the third watch, the divine physician of Xichuan, Zhou Wenju, was summoned from his home. After the Xijia envoy entered the city today, the whole of Xiezhou became heavily guarded, the air unusually tense. The saying goes, 'those outside see clearly, those inside are confused'; thus the locals of Xiezhou were at a loss as to what was actually happening.

Zhou Wenju also could not sleep tonight; having heard some rumors during the day, his mind was troubled, and he was planning to wait until dawn to go to Yang Daoquan for answers. He owed Yang Daoquan a life-saving favor and expected Yang Daoquan to be frank with him.

In the middle of the night, Yang Daoquan sent someone to summon Zhou Wenju, merely saying there was an important patient to see, without specifying who was ill.

By the time Zhou Wenju arrived in his carriage at the Heavenly Palace Residence, he already knew the patient must be an important figure; he had Zhou Xing carry the medicine box, then he himself got out of the carriage.

Following the guards to the western compound, he saw the two gate guards both covering their mouths and noses with white cloth; Zhou Wenju immediately sensed something amiss, and he also took out a mask from the medicine box—a mask Hu Xiaotian had taught him to make in Qingyun Xian, which worked far better than covering the face with a towel.

The two guards pointed to the room; Zhou Wenju signaled Zhou Xing to wait outside, for if the patient had a contagious disease, the fewer people who entered, the lower the chance of infection.

Zhou Wenju pushed the door open and entered, looking by candlelight at the patient on the bed; when he made out the patient's features, he was stunned on the spot. Zhou Wenju never imagined Hu Xiaotian would appear here, nor that the young healer whose medical skill bordered on myth in his mind would actually be ill.

Hu Xiaotian feigned illness and led everyone to suspect he had the plague; one purpose was to scare people away, making them keep their distance from him, and another was to lure Zhou Wenju to come treat him. Zhou Wenju was in Xiezhou, famed as Xichuan's foremost divine physician; for problems ordinary doctors couldn't solve, one would naturally think of him. Hu Xiaotian believed he still had some use for now, and his brother-in-law Li Honghan could not possibly ignore him and let him fend for himself. Of course he had no absolute certainty about this, but so far things had gone his way, and they had indeed summoned Zhou Wenju.

Seeing Zhou Wenju truly summoned, Hu Xiaotian, though he had long anticipated this, was still overjoyed; despite his delight, he kept a clear head. He and Zhou Wenju were friends through hardship, yet he knew Zhou Wenju's relationship with Yang Daoquan was extraordinary. Moreover, personal ties count for nothing before political stance; if Zhou Wenju also supported the Xichuan Li clan, or had already joined the rebels, any hope of seeking help from him would surely come to naught.

But now, Hu Xiaotian had no better option; he could only take the risk and try.

Zhou Wenju exclaimed in surprise: 'Sir Hu, when did you arrive in Xiezhou, and how did you end up like this? What illness has struck you so severely?' He removed his mask and sat beside the bed.

Hu Xiaotian smiled calmly: 'Who eating grains and legumes doesn't get sick?'

Zhou Wenju asked: 'Sir Hu, what ailment do you suffer?' In his view, Hu Xiaotian's medical skill was superb, so he naturally knew what his own illness was.

Hu Xiaotian replied: 'A physician does not treat himself; please, Mr. Zhou, take my pulse.'

Zhou Wenju nodded, had Hu Xiaotian place his wrist on the bed, and his fingers gently settled on Hu Xiaotian's pulse point. After about the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, Zhou Wenju stroked his beard and said softly: 'It's merely ordinary diarrhea.' Hu Xiaotian's temperature and pulse were slightly abnormal, but not serious.

Hu Xiaotian said: 'They all say I have the plague.'

Zhou Wenju smiled: 'Sir Hu, you should be clear about your own condition.'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'Mr. Zhou, how is the situation outside?'

Zhou Wenju pursed his lips: 'Rumors are rampant; I cannot tell what is true and what is false. Sir Hu, why have you come to Xiezhou?'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'To escort Prince Zhou and the Xijia envoy.'

Zhou Wenju's brow twitched.

Hu Xiaotian suddenly reversed his grip, seizing Zhou Wenju's wrist, and whispered: 'Mr. Zhou, what have you heard?'

Zhou Wenju said: 'I've heard the emperor is passing the throne to the great prince, and that Grand Marshal Li has raised troops and declared himself independent; today the people of Xiezhou are panic-stricken, but without official news, no one dares to be certain.'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'If the rumors are true, Mr. Zhou, what will you do?'

Zhou Wenju pursed his lips: 'I am merely a commoner; though I do not concern myself with worldly affairs, I know I am a subject of Dakang, and the principle of loyalty to sovereign and love of country is known even to peddlers and porters; how could I be ignorant? If the rumors are true, I will certainly not linger in Xichuan.' He spoke these words decisively, without hesitation.

Hu Xiaotian continually observed Zhou Wenju's expression, deducing from it that his words were sincere; he nodded and lowered his voice: 'Mr. Zhou, save me!'

Although he knew the door was already shut, Zhou Wenju instinctively glanced back and whispered: 'What exactly has happened?'

Hu Xiaotian leaned close to his ear and whispered softly: 'The Li clan has raised troops and declared independence; Prince Zhou has also been placed under house arrest by them, and I too am trapped, unable to escape.'

Upon hearing Hu Xiaotian finish, Zhou Wenju was stunned, his voice trembling: 'How could this be? General Li has always been loyal and patriotic; how could he suddenly rebel against Dakang? Sir Hu, can this news be trusted?'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'I have no need to deceive you.' He recounted his experience escorting Prince Zhou and the Xijia envoy to Xiezhou, and described what befell him after arriving there. After listening, Zhou Wenju had no further doubts: Li Tianheng's decision to rebel against Dakang stemmed first from the crown prince's murder, and second from self-preservation. Regardless of his motives, to the righteous he is a rebel, his crime unforgivable, such conduct despised by all under heaven. Zhou Wenju's nature is upright; he values loyalty, filial piety, fraternity, and above all else. Upon hearing that the Li clan had indeed rebelled, his righteous indignation flared. He exclaimed furiously: 'Li Tianheng carves out a kingdom for himself, rebels against the court, brings disaster to Dakang—everyone may punish him.'

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