Chapter 713: Gallstone Disease (Part 2)

Everyone who saw Hu Xiaotian's drawing was baffled, after all nobody understood human anatomy. Xu Bai chuan, although the head of the Da Yong Imperial Hospital, knew nothing about it either; he lacked any experience in human anatomy, and his related knowledge was extremely poor.

Hu Xiaotian saw no need to explain clearly to them, and drew a stone in the gallbladder's neck, saying: "A stone has grown here; because of rolling friction it causes pain. Now the stone is lodged in this spot, affecting bile drainage, causing the gallbladder to swell. If the stone is not removed promptly, it may trigger a series of other complications."

Xue Lingjun couldn't help but ask: "Then how should the stone be removed?" Her question was exactly what everyone else wanted to ask.

Hu Xiaotian said: "The Princess has hit upon the most crucial point."

Xu Bai chuan said: "We have also determined that His Majesty suffers from gallstone disease; we previously tried to dissolve it with medicinal stones, but the effect was minimal."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Please hear out my method; if you disagree, do not assume I have ulterior motives."

At this moment, Emperor Xue Shengkang felt the pain again; he endured it and said: "You say it is!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "My method is simply to remove this stone."

"How to remove it?" Xue Lingjun and Xu Bai chuan said in unison.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Operate, open the abdomen, then locate the gallbladder and remove it; thereafter there will be no further trouble!"

Although Xu Bai chuan had invited Hu Xiaotian over, he never imagined his treatment would be so shocking—using a knife to cut open the Emperor's abdomen? Then remove the gallbladder; Hu Xiaotian must have the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard to even think of doing this, let alone actually doing it—such a thought is already a crime.

Xue Lingjun shouted: "Impudent! What nonsense are you spouting? Seize him and throw him out!" On the surface she was rebuking Hu Xiaotian, but in fact she was helping him. Although Xue Lingjun believed Hu Xiaotian would not harm her imperial brother, this suggestion had no feasible basis whatsoever—hair and skin are received from one's parents, let alone the fact that the object of his surgery is her own imperial brother, the supreme Emperor of Da Yong.

Hu Xiaotian took the opportunity to say: "Then I'll take my leave!" Seizing the moment, he slipped away. Just as he stepped back, he heard Emperor Xue Shengkang angrily shout: "Stop right there!"

Hu Xiaotian stopped and asked: "Your Majesty, do you have any further orders?"

Emperor Xue Shengkang did not look at him; his gaze fixed on Xu Bai chuan as he said: "Xu Bai chuan, do you have confidence in curing my illness?"

Xu Bai chuan fell to his knees with a thud, thinking: "Without a diamond drill, how dare I take on this porcelain work?"

Emperor Xue Shengkang said: "I am in such pain I cannot bear to live. Imperial sister, do you recall the wandering fortune‑teller who told my fate ten years ago?"

Xue Lingjun nodded through tears.

Emperor Xue Shengkang said: "He said I had only ten years of life left; counting on my fingers, that deadline has already arrived. Am I truly destined to cannot escape this calamity?"

Xue Lingjun trembled as she said: "Elder brother, you must not let your thoughts run wild; it is not a serious illness. Even if these imperial physicians cannot cure your ailment, surely somewhere in the world there is a miracle healer."

Emperor Xue Shengkang sighed and said: "Hu Xiaotian, how confident are you in curing my illness?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I have no confidence at all. Will Your Majesty let me go?"

Emperor Xue Shengkang's face darkened, and he coldly said: "If you want to live, the only way is to cure me."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Then I can only claim I have a hundred percent confidence, but Your Majesty may not allow me to treat you; even if you do allow it, even after I cure your illness, my own head may not be safe."

Emperor Xue Shengkang gritted his teeth, revealing a strange smile. He whispered: "Everyone else, leave… Hu Xiaotian, stay!"

Everyone was startled; no one had expected the Emperor to want to speak privately with Hu Xiaotian, especially given the Emperor's dire condition and the fact that Hu Xiaotian is not a subject of Da Yong. Who knows whether he might not be harmful to the Emperor?

Emperor Xue Shengkang said: "Did you not hear my words?"

No one dared defy his order; they all withdrew one by one, leaving only Hu Xiaotian at Emperor Xue Shengkang's side. Hu Xiaotian secretly admired him—this Emperor's rise to hegemony over the Central Plains was no accident; his courage and vision surpass ordinary people.

After everyone had left, Emperor Xue Shengkang finally whispered: "Actually, you are not the first to propose this treatment method."

Hu Xiaotian's heart jolted: "Could it be that besides me, someone else has also suggested surgically treating Emperor Xue Shengkang?"

Emperor Xue Shengkang said: "Ten years ago, my gallstone disease was just an initial flare‑up; it too caused me unbearable pain. At that time someone recommended a master to me, who told me that to eradicate my condition I must open my abdomen and remove the bitter bile; I thought he wanted to harm me, so I refused."

Although Hu Xiaotian was curious, he held back his questions. Who was that master? In his impression only the Ghost Doctor Guiyi Fulou possessed such ability; he had previously heard Liu Changsheng mention this person, who had also appeared in Da Yong, died nine years ago, and whose remains were buried in the Black Camel Mountain outside the city. Could Guiyi Fulou have died at Emperor Xue Shengkang's hands? Thinking of this, he could not help but feel a secret alarm, for the saying goes: "To serve a ruler is to serve a tiger." If his luck is bad today he might die here unknown. Yet seeing Emperor Xue Shengkang's present state, it seems he regrets having refused that master back then, and his purpose in keeping Hu Xiaotian alone might truly be to consider surgery.

Emperor Xue Shengkang said: "This disease has tormented me for a full ten years; in the past three years the attacks have grown ever more frequent, and since the start of this year my condition has worsened further. Over these ten years I have consulted countless famous physicians, yet I remain as I am. I have tried innumerable prescriptions, all of which treat the symptoms but not the root." He fixed his gaze on Hu Xiaotian's eyes and said: "If you have confidence in curing my illness, I will let you give it a try."

While admiring his courage, Hu Xiaotian could not help but feel a secret dread; this surgery of Emperor Xue Shengkang would not be easy to perform.

Emperor Xue Shengkang said: "I know you harbor many worries; rest assured, as long as you cure my illness, I will certainly not harm you."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Your Majesty, I am ultimately an envoy of Dakang; do you not worry that I might act against you?"

Emperor Xue Shengkang said: "Dakang seems to have shown you little favor, does it not? I have also heard of the misfortunes of your Hu family."

Hu Xiaotian said: "If Your Majesty trusts me, I will surely devote my utmost effort." He already understood that the situation had become like riding a tiger; if he refused Emperor Xue Shengkang, he would certainly not be able to leave the palace alive, and only by curing him would there be a slim chance of survival.

Emperor Xue Shengkang said: "Whatever you need, just speak up."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I have no demands; I will not reveal even a word about treating Your Majesty's illness to the outside world."

Emperor Xue Shengkang secretly praised the lad's cleverness, then whispered: "I am fully aware of your treatment of Prince Yan."

Hu Xiaotian's scalp tightened; it seemed Emperor Xue Shengkang did not trust even his fellow‑countryman brother, and his investigation into Hu Xiaotian's circumcision of the Emperor was equally thorough. Hu Xiaotian said: "All my medical instruments are kept in the Rising Dawn Palace; please trouble Your Majesty to send someone to fetch them."

Emperor Xue Shengkang said: "Fine, whatever you need, just tell my imperial sister; I am a bit weary, let them come in."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Yes!"

While Hu Xiaotian was sterilizing the surgical instruments, Xue Lingjun sat beside him silently watching; finally she could not help but sigh and ask: "Are you really going to cut open my elder brother's abdomen?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Didn't everyone who previously wanted to do this end up dead?"

Xue Lingjun nodded: "Anyone who intends harm to my elder brother will not survive." She couldn't help but feel anxious, worrying both about her brother's condition and about Hu Xiaotian's life.

Hu Xiaotian lifted his head and gave her a bright, sunny smile: "Fortunately, I intend to save him."

Xue Lingjun pursed her lips.

"You don't believe me?"

Xue Lingjun said: "You are a person of Dakang; it is normal for me to have some reservations."

Hu Xiaotian said: "That is because in your eyes the Emperor's life is far more important than mine; as a lowly life, I cannot guarantee that I would not dare to do anything."

Xue Lingjun said: "I am not doubting you; I am worried about the Emperor."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Let me give you a reassurance pill; actually I fear death more than anyone, so I will certainly not do foolish things."

At last a hint of a smile appeared on Xue Lingjun's lips.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Therefore I will exert my utmost effort to cure the Emperor's illness, for only then can I have a path to survive." He paused, lifted his head to look out the window; the moon was high in the sky, and this night he feared he would not be able to sleep.

Xue Lingjun said: "If you can cure my elder brother's illness, he will surely reward you richly."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I seek no reward, and I do not even want outsiders to know that I saved the Emperor."

"Are you worried that returning home will bring trouble?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Different positions naturally lead to different views of the problem."

Xue Lingjun nodded and said, "Good, I promise you; I will definitely keep this matter strictly confidential for you."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and asked, "May I ask you a question?"

"Speak!"

"The Emperor is so ill; why haven't the Empress and her attendants come over?"

Xue Lingjun said, "Because we fear causing unnecessary panic."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Everyone has selfish motives; it seems the only one the Emperor truly trusts is you, the Grand Princess!"

Xue Lingjun said, "Xiaotian, if you cure the Emperor, I will always treat you as my own younger brother."

Hu Xiaotian's daring to perform surgery in this era does have reasons: first, people's physical fitness in this era is very good, healing speed far exceeds his previous understanding; moreover, the infection rate is low; although there are no modern anesthetic methods, many narcotic drugs are also very effective, and individuals' tolerance for pain far exceeds that of modern people.

Originally, Xu BaiChuan had many ways to help the Emperor fall asleep, but Xue Shengkang refused, wanting to stay awake; no matter his purpose, this courage is highly commendable. (To be continued~^~)