Chapter 215: I Can Do It Too!

Not far from the post station, there was a small building.

With the garrison rotation bringing in new personnel for advanced training, the area around the post station had been lively lately, with many people coming and going, entering and exiting frequently.

In the morning, during the peak travel time, an inconspicuous carriage slowly approached and circled from the post station to the back of the small building.

In a second-floor room, Patrol Lieutenant Yang sat inside, quietly waiting for the guest who was about to arrive—a renowned doctor from Shenyi Gu whom they had long since selected. The Six Great Powers of Beidi had been constantly trying to win over people from Shenyi Gu.

During a time when the Evil Plague was rampant, who wouldn't want more highly skilled medical practitioners in their territory?

At first, the renowned doctors truly wanted to bury themselves in research on the Evil Plague to save the common people. But conditions were limited, too many things were lacking, and they still had many people under them to support. It was especially difficult to provide for those renowned doctors who had families in tow, disciples and grand-disciples, and others who had attached themselves to them. The Six Great Powers of Beidi set their sights on Shenyi Gu almost simultaneously, throwing money and medicinal materials at them, and catering to their preferences to poach quite a few people.

Those great powers and wealthy clans gave far too much; even if the doctors weren't moved by money, they would be moved by medicinal materials!

Those precious medicinal materials that only grew further north or further south simply did not exist here in Yuzhou!

When it came to bewitching people's hearts, no one could compare to the wealthy clans!

Those who wanted to leave had already left. Those who remained at Shenyi Gu either were unwilling to get involved with the great powers or were there for the geographical conditions of Yuzhou. Not everyone could adapt to the northern climate, and if one had ambition, staying at Shenyi Gu did not hinder cooperation with the great powers.

Talented people have temperaments to match; each had their own stubbornness. If these renowned doctors were determined to stay here, then one could only accommodate them.

If one were to truly use forceful means, this group of medical practitioners might compromise at the time, but there was no guarantee when they might stab you in the back—at best, a lifetime of illness; at worst, an unexplained death. Or they might cause mass casualties, teaching you a painful lesson.

Therefore, whether trying to poach a renowned doctor or cooperating with one at Shenyi Gu, it was best to make them willing.

Today, Patrol Lieutenant Yang brought "sincerity" to negotiate with the renowned doctor they had set their sights on.

The time was about right; voices came from downstairs, and a moment later, someone came upstairs.

The sound of footsteps drew closer, and someone pushed the door open to enter.

Seeing the person who entered, Patrol Lieutenant Yang showed no joy on his face; instead, he frowned.

The visitor wore brown hemp short-garments and was draped in a sheepskin cloak for protection against the cold.

Both the jacket and trousers had large, obvious patches.

Someone who didn't know the truth would certainly think this person was just an ordinary town resident or a common hunter.

But those who knew would know that this person was not poor.

Those patches had their own secrets inside; some were sewn with medicine packets, others with Animal Skin for warmth or thickened cloth. It was a custom-made style. As the other party entered the room, his drooping eyelids covered half his pupils, and when he looked over, there was a sense of reclusiveness, ferocity, and difficulty in communication. Patrol Lieutenant Yang frowned tightly: "Doctor Tang? Why are you here?"

Doctor Tang walked over and sat down on his own, laughing with a hint of mockery: "I know you had an appointment with Yun Tuo today, but unfortunately, he cannot come. You Zhao Clan of Xinzhou are still too confident!" Patrol Lieutenant Yang asked again: "Where is Doctor Yun? And why is it you, Doctor Tang, who has come?"

"Yun Tuo was intercepted by people from the Dong Clan and is likely in the middle of negotiations right now. If you don't believe me, you can send someone to check."

Patrol Lieutenant Yang stared at the other party for a moment, then stood up and went outside, calling someone to give a few low-voiced instructions before returning to the room.

No longer beating around the bush, he asked: "Since Doctor Tang has come here, are you interested in cooperating with our Zhao Clan?"

Doctor Tang did not answer yes or no directly, but instead asked: "I heard that Yao Shiqi from the household of Councilor Yao collected medicinal materials from the deep mountains in the South, and they ended up in the hands of your Zhao Clan?" A sharp light flashed in Patrol Lieutenant Yang's eyes as he stared at the other party: "How did Doctor Tang find out?"

"Never mind how I know; just tell me, is it true or not?" Doctor Tang only cared about this.

The Yuzhou mountain range, located at the border between the South and the North, could yield many medicinal materials, but some were unique to the deep mountains of the South, and with the current situation, it was impossible to go find them. Of course he would care!

In fact, he was like the other renowned doctors at Shenyi Gu. He was also curious about how that Huang Dashi in Xinzhou was treating the Evil Plague.

However, putting himself in their shoes, if he had such skills, he would never tell anyone else his unique secret techniques!!

Therefore, don't think about getting any real medical secrets out of the Xinzhou side.

At the same time, Doctor Tang was a conceited person and did not think he was inferior to that Huang Dashi. He felt that it must be because the Zhao Clan had provided more excellent medicinal materials that the other party was able to stay a step ahead of his peers. Therefore, Doctor Tang thought: If I can get them, I can do it too!

Patrol Lieutenant Yang was silent for a moment, then said: "It is only a rumor. Since you have brought it up, Doctor Tang, I will not hide it from you—in fact, we have not seen that batch of medicinal materials either." Doctor Tang was dissatisfied. Did this mean the medicinal materials hadn't been dragged to Xinzhou yet, and no one had seen them, so it couldn't be confirmed if the news was true?

He had previously only sold medicine and had no patience for being constrained by great powers. The medicine he produced was famous for treating blade wounds and had never been hard to sell. Now that he had finally made up his mind to cooperate with the Zhao Clan, the other party couldn't produce what he wanted.

How disappointing!

"Since that is the case, then..."

Doctor Tang's gaze swept to the wooden box on the table.

Wait!

"What is the 'apprenticeship gift' for your cooperation with Yun Tuo?"

He asked.

"Apprenticeship gift," he emphasized.

If the "apprenticeship gift" could satisfy him, this cooperation was not impossible to continue discussing.

Patrol Lieutenant Yang hesitated.

Doctor Tang was even more dissatisfied: "What? The gift Yun Tuo can receive, I cannot?"

Are you looking down on me, thinking I'm not good enough?

He and Yun Tuo each had their own strengths in medicine, specializing in different directions. It was just that the other party had a better reputation.

But when it came to medical skill, who was inferior to whom?!

Seeing Doctor Tang's anger rising, Patrol Lieutenant Yang hurriedly said: "That is not the case; it is just that this item is precious and hard to come by."

Doctor Tang guessed that this thing was likely a precious item obtained through the combined efforts of the Patrol Guard Division and the family behind that apprentice.

He became even more interested!

Patrol Lieutenant Yang frowned and pondered.

Doctor Tang urged: "Hurry up! What Yun Tuo can give, I can also give, and I can even give more, as long as it satisfies me!" After much hesitation, Patrol Lieutenant Yang opened the wooden box.

"This item is called a Microscope; it can observe minute objects."

Patrol Lieutenant Yang explained how to use it.

As soon as Doctor Tang heard this, he couldn't sit still; he threw aside the heavy sheepskin cloak he was wearing and leaned in to look closely.

He didn't trust the specimen Patrol Lieutenant Yang had brought out, so he pinched a bit of medicinal powder from his own medicine bag and operated the observation according to Patrol Lieutenant Yang's guidance. "This!"

He stood up abruptly, then leaned over to look again, and it was a long while before he stood up.

"Mount Sumeru hidden in a mustard seed, a mustard seed containing Mount Sumeru!"

Doctor Tang was overly shocked and ecstatic, his breathing rapid, the muscles of his face twitching:

"Is this the miraculous object used by that Master Huang from your Xinzhou?"

I knew it!

That fellow surnamed Huang, a nobody, how could he suddenly pull off a move that shocked the entire Beidi?

So he was cheating!!

Bah!

A cheater!

He knows that what triggers the Evil Plague is a tiny type of gu-insect; once it enters the human body, it quickly turns the person into a monster.

The poisonous gu of that Evil Plague is invisible to the naked eye, but by borrowing this miraculous object, one can make it have nowhere to hide!

Since he possesses such a miraculous object and also has the backing of a major power to provide medicinal herbs...

I could do it too if I were in his shoes!

At this moment, Doctor Tang's mind was echoing with one phrase: Famous in medical history! Known to all under heaven!

Patrol Lieutenant Yang still said: "This object is precious; allow me to deliberate on it before discussing it with you in detail."

As he spoke, he quickly put the Microscope into the wooden box.

Doctor Tang calmed his emotions, and when he spoke to Patrol Lieutenant Yang again, his expression was much warmer.

The arrogance and conceit from just a moment ago had all turned friendly, and his drooping eyelids even curved into a smile.

He gave a light cough: "Since you have shown sincerity, then this old man will..."

Patrol Lieutenant Yang immediately said: "No, Doctor Tang, this is..."

Doctor Tang interrupted Patrol Lieutenant Yang: "Enough, don't you just want an apprentice spot? I have plenty of space on my side, it's spacious enough, and I've built several courtyards. I will have someone clear out a small courtyard immediately, with its own entrance and exit, free to come and go as one pleases—it perfectly meets the requirements of those young masters."

Shenyi Gu has internal regulations; there are many places outsiders cannot enter. Having an apprentice status is more convenient.

He knew very well what Patrol Lieutenant Yang wanted.

I'll give it! I'll just give it!

What's one apprentice spot? I wouldn't even mind if I had to treat this "apprentice" like an honored guest!

Doctor Tang made up his mind and reached out to grab the wooden box containing the Microscope.

Patrol Lieutenant Yang pressed down on the wooden box with one hand and firmly gripped the other man's arm with his other hand, saying in a deep voice: "This matter still requires further discussion!"

Doctor Tang exerted some force, but couldn't budge it.

He wore a sour face.

He knew that Patrol Lieutenant Yang wanted to wait for news from Doctor Yun, so he snorted: "The day of the Shenyi Gu examination is almost here; you must decide as soon as possible. There is no one more suitable than this old man! I will come again at this hour tomorrow!" Doctor Tang left these words and walked away angrily.

Or perhaps it was in a hurry.

Deep down, he might not be as confident as he appeared on the surface, and he was in a rush to go back and make more preparations.

Patrol Lieutenant Yang stayed in the room alone for a while before leaving for the post house, arriving at the guest room where Wen Gu was staying.

Wen Gu looked at the expression on Patrol Lieutenant Yang's face and asked with a smile: "Did it work?"

"It worked!" Patrol Lieutenant Yang said.

They had their eyes on Doctor Tang from the very beginning!

To be precise, Wen Gu had chosen this Doctor Tang from the start. Others had objections, but in the end, Wen Gu's decision was final.

Doctor Yun was merely bait they had put out.

Patrol Lieutenant Yang reminded him again: "This Doctor Tang, his medical skills are fine, but his style of conduct is somewhat... unconventional."

Calling it unconventional was a compliment; in fact, many people found Doctor Tang to be bad luck because he often dealt with dead bodies!!

"It is precisely this point of his that I value!" Wen Gu said, "Doctor Yun is indifferent to fame and wealth and is overly rational about certain matters. That is also the kind of person the Dong Clan would like; knowing we are in contact with Doctor Yun, they would only put more effort into intercepting him."

Doctor Tang is different; he has strong ambition! He is knowledgeable enough and bold enough!

That foul temper and "unconventional" style of conduct are not well-regarded by the great noble families.

"If we were hiring a famous doctor, then of course Doctor Yun would be the first choice, but since we are looking for a partner, Doctor Tang is more suitable."

Wen Gu was very satisfied with this choice of famous doctor.

For a person like this, as long as you spur him on a little, he can spin fast all on his own.