Chapter 7: Are You Dong Pangpang?

It's no wonder Jiang Yunzhou at first sight took this Lord Dong for a "fat cook."

Dong Yun looks to be in his early fifties, obese, with the appearance of Maitreya; the only difference is a foot-long black beard on his jaw.

Unlike the image of a clean official Jiang Yunzhou had imagined—tall and straight like a pine tree with sleeves fluttering in the wind—he also wore a very casual white short shirt, sweat dampening his back, and he himself placed the fruit on the table.

Most importantly, his visage was extremely kind, showing none of the dignity and aura typical of feudal officials.

It gave him the feeling of truly having arrived at the home of his neighboring relative, Second Uncle.

With so many officials and nobles outside eager to meet him but unable to, shouldn't he be a very stern, even stubborn person?

What's with this overwhelming sense of friendliness?

At the same time, Dong Yun began sizing up Jiang Yunzhou before him:

"Young man, your appearance is dignified and your bearing extraordinary—actually far more handsome than I and Jimin were in our youth."

Upon hearing Dong Yun's arrangements, the steward and the old man tidying the study withdrew together.

Before Jiang Yunzhou could bow, Dong Yun turned, picked a large apple from the tray, and threw it straight at him.

"How's it going? How many days have you been in the capital?"

Jiang Yunzhou took the apple, feeling even more bewildered, and bowed, saying:

"I have met Lord Dong; I too arrived only yesterday, because my late master said before his death to deliver the letter to you and fetch some items, so I dared to call on you."

Upon hearing Jiang Yunzhou mention his master, Dong Yun's expression also changed somewhat.

He let out a light sigh, sat in the grand tutor's chair beside him, his flesh sinking with great elasticity into the seat, and a hint of emotion flickered in his eyes:

"You needn't be polite; Jimin saved my life more than once—saying we two are friends unto death is no exaggeration. For not being able to help him back then, I have always felt guilty."

Shen Jimin was my master's former name; after an incident forced him to flee, he assumed the alias Jiang Enji.

I once heard my master say he had served in the Imperial Medical Bureau and the Ministry of Justice; perhaps it was then that he forged a deep friendship with Lord Dong.

No wonder Lord Dong treats me so warmly.

As for the matter back then, it likely refers to the sealing off of the Cang Medical Building.

Jiang Yunzhou opened his master's brocade box, took out the letter for Lord Dong and handed it over—strangely, inside the box lay two letters:

One was addressed "To Dong Yun," the other surprisingly "To Yunzhou."

Jiang Yunzhou never expected the box to also contain a letter addressed to him.

Seeing Lord Dong unconcernedly open his letter on the spot, Jiang Yunzhou also opened his own.

Strangely, the paper of his letter was yellowed, obviously old, yet the handwriting was fresh.

"When you see this letter, our master-disciple bond should already have been severed by death.

Although physicians often part in life and death, when the moment arrives there is still some reluctance.

Fortunately, my medical teachings have been passed on; aside from the Cang Medical Hall, there is nothing else I regret in this world.

I imagine you have already arrived at Lord Dong's residence, though I wonder whether that fellow has gotten fatter or not.

My master and Lord Dong are old friends; in the capital, should you encounter trouble, he can help you.

As for the matters concerning your origins, whether they are blessing or bane is unknown to you—you may investigate them yourself.

The roads of the jianghu are long, people's hearts treacherous; in all things one must keep guard, physicians especially so.

Even if a single finger and needle can cure all ailments,

ultimately myriad herbs and myriad methods cannot change an evil heart.

Take care, Yunzhou."

Jiang Yunzhou had never truly experienced the master-disciple bond with Jiang Enji.

In his memory, this master Jiang Enji was not only extremely strict but also silent and reticent, poor at expressing emotions, and even on his deathbed he said little.

Yet his twenty years of care and concern never waned.

Now it seems the master merely lacked eloquence; what he wanted to say he had already written in advance in the letters.

A faint sorrow flowed with the paper into his heart.

Jiang Yunzhou lifted his head again, only to see that after reading the other letter, Lord Dong's eye sockets were somewhat red.

Noticing Jiang Yunzhou looking over, Dong Yun rose and put away his passage:

"Wait a moment, I'll go fetch it for you."

Saying so, he turned and walked up the wooden stairs, the steps creaking under the weight of the portly Lord Dong.

Not long after, Dong Yun descended carrying a black wooden box about a foot long; the box likewise bore a seal, and the signature on the seal was still that of the master, though it looked quite aged.

Just as Jiang Yunzhou was about to break the seal, Dong Yun waved his hand and said:

"Hold on, since your master kept the seal when he was staying with me, I suspect his intention was not to let me know what's inside, so you should wait until you bring it back to open it."

Jiang Yunzhou had no objection either; he nodded and set the wooden box aside.

Dong Yun's demeanor also returned to its former amiability:

"Yunzhou, what are your plans for coming to Shangyang City this time?"

"I intend to break my virginity!"

"My lord, I have already settled in the Cang Medical Hall, preparing to revive my master's family's Cang Medical Building."

In response to Jiang Yunzhou's answer, Dong Yun was somewhat surprised, then advised:

"This path is not easy; not to mention the capital has the Huashou Pavilion, even if one truly relies on medical skill to revive the Cang Medical Building, it cannot be done in just a few years, and furthermore the capital abounds with experts."

"My lord, no need to dissuade me; my mind is made up."

The master's kindness in raising me is profound, although the letter did not say to help revive the Cang Medical Building.

But the master mentioned his sole regret, without elaboration; surely he did not want to burden me.

Furthermore, Qingru Jie so... needs me.

Dong Yun stroked his beard and laughed:

You really have the same stubborn temper as Jimin; I originally wanted to recruit you to work at the Dali Temple, but since you already have your own idea, I won't force you.

It's clear that even though Lord Dong hasn't personally witnessed my medical skills, he has already tacitly acknowledged that they meet the standard.

I'm not particularly interested in compiling, but the resources within the compilation are somewhat tempting.

Jiang Yunzhou hurriedly stood up again and said:

There are still many physicians at the Cang Medical Hall; I only handle difficult and miscellaneous diseases. If the Dali Temple needs any help, Lord Dong, I will certainly not shirk the duty.

Dong Yun, well-versed in officialdom, instantly grasped the meaning of Jiang Yunzhou's words, waved his hand, and said:

There's no need for such formalities in front of me; is there anything the Dali Temple can help you with?

Jiang Yunzhou nodded and spoke frankly:

My master never taught me combat techniques, but I see that Shangyang City is full of experts; my ninth‑grade skill feels a bit inadequate, so I wanted to ask whether the Dali Temple has any conveniently exportable martial arts manuals.

Oh, that's it; easy to handle, Dong Fu.

The burly steward pushed the door open again.

Sir.

First take Yunzhou to pick two martial arts manuals suitable for him.

Yes!

Jiang Yunzhou didn't expect that Lord Dong Pangpang, though portly in appearance, would be so direct in his actions; he hurriedly bowed and said:

I don't accept rewards without merit; Lord, this really makes me feel somewhat overwhelmed by the favor.

I've already said not to stand on ceremony; if you feel this is a favor, remember it. Given the medical skills you learned from Jimin, I'm sure the Dali Temple will have occasions to call on your help.

When the time comes, I will certainly assist with all my effort.

By the way, most of those martial arts manuals are evidence from closed cases; if it became known that they were being circulated, it would cause more trouble.

Jiang Yunzhou understood, nodded, and said:

Once I finish copying, I will return the originals to you, Lord; if anyone asks, I'll say I found them on nameless corpses in my hometown.

Seeing how teachable this youngster is, Dong Yun merely smiled and gave a slight nod.